A dozen years ago, to me, that headline would have meant using fighter aircraft to put precision munitions on targets to protect troops on the ground. Now, in the world of precision agriculture, it means using aerial application to put down seeds for ground cover crops. “Typically your crops will [still] be out in the field, and we need to … Read More
Committee, Ag Leaders React to FARRM Bill Passage
It took nearly 15 hours, but members of the House Agriculture Committee were able to pass their version of the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (FARRM) Bill. Committee Chair Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Ranking Member Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) praised the bipartisan legislation: “This is a balanced, reform-minded, fiscally responsible bill that underscores our commitment to production … Read More
Maximizing Yields in Corn-on-Corn
As the economics of corn drive more farmers to move toward corn-on-corn production, they are often faced with additional challenges not typically encountered in a traditional corn-soybean rotation. In order to maximize the potential for high yields in corn-on-corn, farmers need to focus on several agronomic factors. This summer in heavy corn rootworm pressure areas Monsanto plans to host a … Read More
Meet Corn Farmers Farming Advocate Billy Thiel
The National Corn Growers Association continues the second season of Field Notes, a series that takes readers behind the farm gate to follow the year in the life of American farm families. Today, meet Billy Thiel, a farmer from Marshall, Mo., who was featured in last year’s Corn Farmers Coalition campaign. Through his work with this program, the National Corn … Read More
Farm Families Return to DC This Summer
The nation’s top crop and the farm families who grow it will return to the U.S. capital this summer for the fourth year in a row as part of the Corn Farmers Coalition educational program that debuts June 1, at Union Station, an important venue for reaching policymakers inside “The Beltway.” Corn farmers from 14 states and the National Corn … Read More
What You’re Planting
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “With all of the discussion on projected corn acres this year, how many acres of corn do you expect to plant this year?” A full third of respondents said More than 2,000 acres. That was followed by less than 200 acres at 27%; 200-500 acres at 23%; 1,501-2,000 at 7%; 1,001-1,500 at 7% and … Read More
Monitor 2012 Corn Rootworm Hatch with Enhanced Online Insect Forecast Tool
Over the past two seasons, farmers across the Corn Belt have participated in an online, early warning system tool to monitor above ground pests that could threaten their corn yields. For 2012, this sophisticated program, known as the Insect Forecast tool, has been enhanced to track another economically damaging pest – corn rootworm – as well as to offer farmers … Read More
Looking for Grower Volunteers for Research Project
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association are looking for corn growers to participate in a new research project. There is no fee to join the network and you will gain valuable, useful information for your operation. Be part of a statewide on-farm research program addressing critical farmer production, profitability and natural resources questions. Learn more here. … Read More
Ag Groups Urge FCC to Withdraw LightSquared Waiver
In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), agricultural and farm equipment organizations urged the agency to withdraw the conditional waiver granted to LightSquared in 2011 and modify the company’s satellite license to prohibit the building of a ground-based network. “We urge the FCC to adopt both proposals because of the overwhelming evidence that LightSquared’s proposed ground-based network would … Read More
Commodity Classic Shatters Records
The 2012 Commodity Classic was a major record-breaker. Final attendance at the event surpassed all previous turnout records with a total of 6,014 attendees, up 25 percent increase from last year’s record of 4,826 attendees. Once again, farm families represented over half of the participants, with 3,505 growers, spouses and children attending. “We broke records in every category,” said Commodity … Read More