Figuring out how to integrate good information into precision farming equipment was part of the recently completed MapShots Customer Conference in Atlanta, Ga. One of MapShots’ integrating partners in the field is Veris Technologies, a Kansas-based firm that looks to bring a bit more truth to the information generated. “Veris is latin for truth,” explained Eric Lund with Veris. He … Read More
Better Monitoring with New MAS System
Monitoring liquid applicators can be a literal pain in the neck as operators have to crane around to watch gauges for no-flow and low-flow applicators. But the folks at custom liquid handling equipment maker Mid-Atlantic Services (MAS) have a new CDS-John Blue Electronic Liquid Blockage monitoring system that will allow you to keep a closer eye on those systems without … Read More
DuPont, Iowa Sheriff Partner for Farm Watch Program
DuPont is partnering with a county sheriff’s office in Iowa to establish the state’s first Farm Watch program to enhance security and safety of rural residents and farmers. DuPont and the Story County Sheriff’s Office will work together in this off-shoot of the National Sheriffs’ Association’s Neighborhood Watch and Farm Watch. “Farm Watch helps reduce opportunities for crime to occur … Read More
Fed Conservation Programs Topic for Forum
The Farm Bill is still up in the air on Capitol Hill, and that’s why the folks at Farm Foundation have set up another of their free forums not too far from where Congress will be discussing the legislation’s future. In this next forum on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the National Press Club in downtown Washington, D.C., the group has … Read More
Farm Bill Future Topic of Farm Foundation Forum
The farm bill is coming closer to becoming reality, as Congress is about to start the legislation’s Conference Committee. Our friends at Farm Foundation will take a look at how work is progressing on the bill and how the outcome may effect the nation’s food and agriculture system during its next free forum, Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to … Read More
GPS Used to Track Pollination Patterns of Bees
Miniature wireless sensors attached to bumblebees could soon give researchers real-time data on their pollination patterns. This story from Oregon State University says researchers at the school are planning to build sensors that will track how the bees pollinate fruits and vegetables, including blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, tomatoes and dozens of other staples. Given recent losses of European honeybees to diseases, … Read More
GROWMARK Celebrates National Co-op Month
Our friends at GROWMARK are joining cooperatives throughout the country in celebrating the contributions co-ops make to the social and economic development of rural America during National Co-op Month in October. This year’s theme is “Collaborate, Communicate, Cooperate,” reflecting the benefits that arise from collaboration – the sharing of ideas, resources and capital which helps individuals accomplish more together than … Read More
Monsanto Boosts Info Access with Climate Corp. Buy
An agreement by Monsanto to acquire The Climate Corporation is expected to boost information access for farmers. Monsanto announced its intent to buy the tech company for approximately $930 million, and the deal will combine The Climate Corporation’s expertise in agriculture analytics and risk-management with Monsanto’s R&D capabilities, giving farmers access to more information about the many factors that affect … Read More
Port of Baton Rouge Gets Upgrade with Elevator
Upgrades to Port of Greater Baton Rouge, Louisiana include a new a state of the art grain and oilseed export elevator. This news release from Louis Dreyfus Commodities LLC says the $150 million in upgrades will let the facility handle up to 5 million metric tons of grains and oilseeds annually during the first phase of its operation, eventually rising … Read More
Conservation Programs & More Shutdown with Gov’t
A shutdown of the U.S. government has also meant a shutdown of some vital services provided by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. As we mentioned in an earlier post, not the least of the USDA programs coming to a halt are the ones dealing with conservation issues, and that is mostly due to the fact that when the government shut … Read More