The lead for Iowa-based ScoutPro has been honored as the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Entrepreneur of the Year. This news release from AFBF says Michael Koenig was picked from four finalists and receives $30,000 in prize money to implement his business idea, which is software to assist farmers with crop maintenance, while Paul Greive represented Pasturebird, LLC, which won the … Read More
CHS, West Central Strike Deal
Energy, grains, and foods company and the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative CHS is buying a share of Minnesota-based wholesale distributor West Central — an agreement that looks to help both companies in market share. This CHS news release says the deal gives CHS a 25 percent share of West Central. “Investing in West Central is one more way CHS is … Read More
Big Data, Tech Advancements in Morris Hansen Lecture
This year’s Morris Hansen Lecture will look at the role data and advancements in technology play in official statistics and privacy, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants you there. The 24th annual version of the event will be held in Washington, D.C., at the USDA’s Jefferson Auditorium, Jan. 20, 2015 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m This year’s … Read More
International Year of Soils Kicks Off at USDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has kicked off the International Year of Soils, a time to highlight the importance of healthy soils for food security, ecosystem functions and resilient farms and ranches. “Healthy soil is the foundation that ensures working farms and ranches become more productive, resilient to climate change and better prepared to meet the challenges of the … Read More
Pioneer Sorghum Growers Score Big in Yield Contest
Growers planting Pioneer brand sorghum hybrids did pretty well in the most recent national yield contest. This company news release says Pioneer sorghum picked up three of seven first-place finishes and nine of the 21 national categories in the 2014 National Sorghum Producers (NSP) Yield and Management Contest, with growers using Pioneer 84G62 brand sorghum won five of the nine … Read More
USDA Test Measures Health-Promoting Compounds
A new test is giving better information on the health-promoting compounds in fruits and vegetables. This U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) news release says scientists at the agency have devised a new analytical method for detecting and measuring concentrations of phytochemicals called “polyphenols” in plant materials, also referred to as “phenolics,” the class of health-promoting compounds found in certain foods … Read More
Cultivating Master Farmers Program Offers Opportunities
Learning from someone who has “been there and done that” can be some of the most valuable lessons of all. That’s why GROWMARK, along with the other sponsors, including 1st Farm Credit Services, Farm Credit Illinois, Illinois Farm Bureau, Monsanto, and Prairie Farmer are looking for applicants for the Cultivating Master Farmers (CMF) program for the class of 2017. Now … Read More
Trimble Broadens Connectivity with IRON Solutions
Precision agriculture technology provider Trimble says it will broaden its connected farm solutions for growers, ag dealers and agronomists with its acquisition of IRON Solutions, Inc. Trimble says the deal will increase the connected farm user community through market-neutral information and analytics. IRON Solutions provides market information, analytics-based intelligence and a cloud-based enterprise system to improve dealer and producer productivity. … Read More
Expect ‘Different Kind of Market’ for Farm Land
A leading expert in land, auction and agribusiness related transactions says 2015 is going to be a different kind of market for farmland. Murray Wise Associates, LLC says while falling commodity prices will play a role, there’s more at work there. “This year has been one of transition, with prices varying widely depending on land quality and location. The market … Read More
USDA to Survey Land Owners on Ownership, Economics
The federal government knows how many acres of farmland are rented or leased; now the feds want to hear from the owners. This news release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) says the agency will be surveying farmland owners to measure financial impacts and challenges of land ownership, and landowners should expect to see forms … Read More