St. Louis Fed: Farm Income, Land Values Down

John DavisAgribusiness, farm land, Land

A new report says farm incomes and land values continue their downward slide in the Midwest and Mid-South, and those trends are expected to continue. In its first quarter of 2015 survey, the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis blames the slump on declining grain prices worldwide. Bankers noted a continued decline in farm income compared with the same period … Read More

USDA Debuts ‘Hope in Healthy Soil’ Ad

John DavisAgribusiness, NRCS, Soil, USDA, Video

A new 90-second ad on YouTube looks to bring new respect and admiration for the soil beneath our feet. As part of its “Unlock the Secrets in the Soil” campaign, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has released a new, 90-second public service announcement that encapsulates “The hope in healthy soil.” According to Ron Nichols, the campaign’s communications coordinator, the … Read More

Real-Time Data Solutions Maximize Productivity

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Corn, Dupont Pioneer, Fertilizer, Scouting, Soybeans

Encirca services from DuPont Pioneer are helping growers manage risks as they plant their 2015 crops.  With corn and soybean reported plantings running ahead of average, growers are able to use Encira services to make adjustments accordingly, making better decisions about things like seed and nitrogen fertilizer. Also provided is Encirca View, which allows farmers a way to record, organize and … Read More

Conservation Compliance Deadline June 1

John DavisAgribusiness, Conservation, Farm Bill, USDA

Farmers are being reminded the deadline is near to certify their conservation compliance. This news release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says the new Farm Bill requires producers to file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form (AD-1026) with their local USDA Service Center by June 1, 2015, in order to remain eligible or to … Read More

Nova Scotia Firm Partners with PrecisionHawk

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Data, drone, UAV

AerHyve Aerial Technologies specializes in analyzing data from UAVs for use in precision ag.  This Nova Scotia based company has recently announced a partnership with world leaders in UAV remote sensing and GIS data processing-PrecisionHawk. By working together AerHyve customers will have access to PrecisionHawk’s hardware and software and AerHyve will gain exposer in an emerging market. “We value AerHyve … Read More

WinField Answer Plot Provides Farmer Data

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Corn, Data, Soybeans

Farmers can add another tool in the toolbox.  The 2014 Answer Plot Program by WinField provides reliable data to help growers decide if and when treatments are appropriate for their fields.  Last year, for example, the data shows that fungicide applications increased yield and helped late-season plant health for most CROPLAN corn and soybeans. In 2014, corn fungicide trials spanned 28 … Read More

FarmLink Partners with MKC

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, FarmLink, yields

A new agreement between MKC and FarmLink will offer MKC customers access to a yield benchmarking tool.  True Harvest by FarmLink allows farmers to view opportunities to improve their yields and profitability.  The 2014 benchmark identified $372 million in additional revenue opportunity for growers in the state of Kansas. “Benchmarking is a critical new tool in our toolbox to share … Read More

Agribotix Gets Grant for Ag Drone Data Work

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, drone, UAV

A pioneer company in drone data collection and analysis has won a $250,000 award from Colorado’s Advanced Industry Program.  Agribotix provides farmers with a cloud-based software platform for decoding data collected by drones to provide results intended to improve yields and reduce costs.   The grant comes from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, with the purpose of … Read More

Corn Planting Almost Done, Long Summer Ahead

John DavisAg Group, Agribusiness, Corn, NCGA, Planting, USDA

Corn planting is almost done, well ahead of schedule, but there’s a long summer ahead for farmers. This news release from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says planting progress advanced 10 more points since the previous week to a total of 85 percent planted, but NCGA offered cautious optimism with the report. “Despite some areas where persistent rains have … Read More

Reward Your Community through Drive to Thrive

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Contest, Syngenta

A reminder that the Drive to Thrive contest deadline is approaching.  June 1, 2015 will be the last day for ag professionals to will a grand prize of $500 and a $1000 donation to a local charity of their choice.  Ten finalists will also win mini touch-screen tablets. This Syngenta sponsored contest invites those involved in ag to describe how agriculture drives their … Read More