In this edition of the Hick Chick Chat I’m looking at precision agriculture from a different perspective; the animal. While Chuck was at the 30th Annual Alltech Symposium in Louisville, KY a couple of weeks ago he did an interesting interview with Dr. Karl Dawson, Chief Scientific Officer at Alltech on precision animal agriculture. Something I’ve heard about recently is … Read More
Hick Chick Chat about Illinois Ethanol Bill
The Illinois Corn Growers Association and Illinois Renewable Fuels are supporting legislation that would allow consumers more choice at the fuel pump. Consumer Fuel Choice for Illinois (SB 52/HB 165) would eliminate the 20% Illinois state sales tax incentive for E-10 and establish a 10% Illinois state sales tax incentive for E-15, which models the successful program originally created by … Read More
Deadliest Catch Hick Chick Chat
During the Farm Progress Show last year I had a chance to catch up with Deadliest Catch’s Edgar Hansen off the Northwestern. We discussed a bit about how fishing is a little like farming. It’s completely weather dependent, equipment failures in the mix and while they may not be planting they sure are cultivating their crop every year. Farmers are … Read More
Hick Chick Chat on Sustainable Farming
At the recent Walmart Sustainable Products Expo, Monsanto made two significant commitments to help address critical challenges in the areas of water and nutrient efficiency. In making the announcement, Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant asked a farmer leader to join him and talk about what these commitments mean for the agriculture community. Leon Corzine is an Assumption, Illinois farmer and past National … Read More
Hick Chick Chat: Farmland Film
It’s finally here, Farmland the film. We’ve heard about it being in production thanks to the US Farmers and Ranchers Alliance promotion of the movie, as ag media we have been awaiting its arrival to theaters nationally on May 1, also coming to digital download and DVD (stay tuned for those details). Last week, it was shown at the Tribeca … Read More
Hick Chick Chat with AEM on Farm Equipment
The important contribution of U.S. agriculture equipment manufacturing to the health of the nation’s economy is demonstrated in an economic paper recently released by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. For this edition of the Hick Chick Chat, I spoke with AEM senior vice president Charlie O’Brien about the analysis. “Agriculture’s achievements have resulted from scientific advances in many areas, including … Read More
BASF and the Advanced Acre Hick Chick Chat
At an event not too long ago BASF Crop Protection discussed the Science Behind: the Advanced Acre. Three different growers from distinct parts of the country talked about their operations. Whether it be feedlot, dairy heifer replacement, corn, beans, wheat, sunflowers or millet they use some of the same practices and rely on their BASF counterparts to help them make … Read More
Hick Chick Chat about Norman Borlaug
Back in early October, I got an email from Cindy asking if I would be available to join her in Des Moines for the World Food Prize. Of course I was available, but what on earth is the World Food Prize. I did some Google research, I had seen our agenda, but I really had NO clue what I was … Read More
Hick Chick Chat: Dick Durbin talks Ukraine, Farm Bill
Driving into town one day last week, I caught most of an interview with Senator Dick Durbin on the radio station where I used to work. Senator Durbin has been a staple on the air with morning show AM Springfield host Sam Madonia and he would often join me when I hosted my own noon show on the same station. … Read More
Hick Chick Chat with Kip Cullers
Kip Cullers is a rock star of soybean growers from Southwest Missouri. He’s been out and about in many different events and he called Cindy a little before Commodity Classic and was very excited about his most recent trip to South Africa. He said that some of the speaking events that they were attending were expecting 200 people and 400 … Read More