Soils, climate change, pollinators, and the 2014 Farm Bill conservation programs were among the topics addressed at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention by James Tillman, southeast regional conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Tillman says NRCS has been very active in protecting pollinators, and honeybees in particular. “NRCS is working with five states – South Dakota, … Read More
ASTA CSS & Seed Expo Returns to Chicago
I had a chance to catch up with American Seed Trade Association president and CEO Andy LaVigne at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention last week and talk about the upcoming CSS 2014 & Seed Expo coming up just around the corner. The event, being held December 8-12 in Chicago, is America’s largest seed industry conference. Over 2,600 attendees … Read More
Hick Chick Chat: 2015 NAFB Executive Officer Team
The 71st Annual Meeting of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting wrapped up last week with a new slate of officers for 2015. The president-elect is Brian Winnekins of Reel Country AM1430 in Wisconsin, whose job for the coming year will be to plan the next convention. The new NAFB president is Susan Littlefield of KZEN in Nebraska – pictured … Read More
FarmLink Introduces TrueHarvest
MachineryLink has just wrapped up their 14th harvest and they have expanded their operation from machines into data. TrueHarvest is another component of FarmLink where growers can compare their data that they have gathered through their yield monitors to see how their fields compare with another field with very similar conditions as their own. TrueHarvest is the first and only … Read More
Hick Chick Chat: John Deere Green Fever
This week’s Hick Chick Chat comes from the Trade Talk floor of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s 71st Annual Meeting in Kansas City. I caught up with my friends at John Deere. Beverly Flores, the Integrated Communications Manager with John Deere talks about some of the new data management opportunities coming in 2015 for producers. Beverly says there’s a … Read More
Hick Chick Chat: Faces of Farming and Ranching
US Farmers and Rancher’s Alliance hosted an online voting contest for the next farmers and ranchers to be the faces of farming and ranching. Winners will serve in multiple high-visibility roles on behalf of USFRA, participating in a number of activities including national media interviews, advertising and public appearances. Winners will receive a $15,000 stipend to help cover the costs … Read More
Hick Chick Chat: Vilsack and FFA
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack again addressed the delegation at the 87th Annual FFA Convention in Louisville, KY last week. He talked FFA and how the members of the largest farm based organization is the future. He says the future is bright for the youth and why this is the more difficult venue for him to speak following some of the … Read More
Hick Chick Chat: A Farmland Review
Earlier this year during Commodity Classic I first learned about the movie Farmland. Since I’d been away from the world of agriculture for a few years, I missed the preparations and planning for this groundbreaking documentary. At this point a trailer was out giving us all an opportunity to watch and learn a bit more about the film. Over the next several … Read More
Hick Chick Chat talks Feed Beets
While at the World Dairy Expo my colleague, Jamie, stopped by to learn more about feed beets as feed additive. According to Lisa Butzer, marketing manager Feed Beets are a sweet improvement to dairy rations and margins. Feed Beets are a high dry-matter beet hybrid grown for dairy cow rations. When added to rations as a forage source, you can … Read More
Hick Chick Chat: New Pavilions at WDE 2014
This edition of the Hick Chick Chat heads to the 2014 World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin. It’s the premiere event for the dairy industry. This year, exhibitors at the 2014 World Dairy Expo are the first to break in the New Holland Pavilions. My colleague, Jamie Johnansen was in Wisconsin this past week for the 2014 event. A unique addition … Read More