Corn farmers made planting progress last week that was unimaginable even just a decade ago. Martin Barbre, Chairman of the National Corn Growers Association, says he is close to 75% planted on his farm in Carmi, Illinois. “We’ve got guys all the way from 50 percent to 100 percent done,” he said. “Things are really rolling good.” Barbre adds that … Read More
CTIC Praises CNH for Sustainability
CNH Industrial, manufacturer of Case and New Holland farm machinery, recently released its 2014 Sustainability Report detailing sustainability in the company’s day-to-day business and plans for the future. CNH, through its Case IH division, has been a long-time member and active supporter of the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC). “Working with Case IH on projects ranging from conservation tillage demonstrations … Read More
Paperless Fertilizer Tonnage Reporting
The Paperless Fertilizer Tonnage Reporting Initiative is now providing expert guidance and tailored resources to help companies increase their operating efficiencies by moving to paperless reporting. The initiative, which is a collaborative effort of AgGateway, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO) and the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA), is working with companies and state … Read More
NCGA Good Steward Award at #Classic15
The National Corn Growers Association honored Mike Shuter of Indiana with this year’s Good Steward Recognition Program during last week’s 2015 Commodity Classic convention and trade show. The award recognizes one U.S. farmer annually who is demonstrating leadership in sustainable corn production. “When it comes to finding practical solutions to conserve and better natural resources on the farm, Mike Shuter … Read More
Bayer Young Farmer Sustainability Award
Last night Bayer CropScience announced this year’s Young Farmer Sustainability Award Winner, Andrew Fansler. Andrew Fansler is a rare commodity these days—a first-generation farmer whose farming career was born from a passion for the soil, for growing things, and for the lifestyle and value system which are part of agriculture. Fansler is also the newly-minted winner of the 2015 Young … Read More
Field to Market Workshop at AFBF
An alliance for sustainable agriculture is giving farmers, companies and ag organizations what they need to measure sustainability and meet the needs of a booming global population. During the American Farm Bureau Federation’s recent 96th Annual Convention, Rod Snyder, president of Field to Market, the Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, talked about the tools available to help farmers track their progress … Read More
Bayer Opens Young Farmer Sustainability Award Program
Looking for leadership from young agricultural producers in business and sustainability, Bayer CropScience is seeking nominations for the 2015 Young Farmer Sustainability Award program. “Young men and women across the United States are solving great agricultural challenges by implementing innovative, sustainable solutions on their farms,” said Jim Blome, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience North America. “From making small-scale system … Read More
Partnership for Sustainable Ag Standardizing
Two sustainable agriculture groups are joining forces to make sure measuring and reporting of information is better standardized. Field to Market and The Sustainability Consortium (TSC) say their new partnership will ensure there’s harmonized science-based approach to measure and communicate sustainability in agriculture. In a memorandum of understanding signed last week, TSC and Field to Market have agreed to work … Read More
Sustainably Grown USSEC Markets
National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Trade Talk led me to the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) booth where I talked with Laura Foell. She is chairman of the USSEC, member of the United Soybean Board and an Iowa farmer. USSEC is comprised of United Soybean Board, American Soybean Association, state soybean associations and industry members. As a non-profit the council’s … Read More
Future for Soybean Production
During the recent Bayer CropScience Corn and Soybean Future Forum in Germany, soybean producers talked about the challenges ahead for farmers. American Soybean Association president Ray Gaesser talked about sustainability, weed resistance and cover crops. “We as farmers really need to be proactive and make sure to protect the technologies we have, because not having those weed management technologies is … Read More