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Monsanto reaches agreement with Precision Planting

May 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Monsanto Company announced today it has reached an agreement to purchase Illinois based planting technology developer Precision Planting.  Precision Planting will become part of Monsanto’s Integrated Farming Systems unit, which combines the use of advanced agronomic practices, seed genetics, and on-farm technology with the goal of delivering better yields with fewer resources. 

Monsanto agreed to pay $210 million for the business, plus a performance based payment of up to $40 million.  Robb Fraley, Monsanto chief technology officer, says the purchase underscores Monsanto’s commitment to maximizing yield for farmers while optimizing crop inputs. 

Precision Planting was founded in 1993 by Gregg Sauder and his wife, Cindy.  The Sauder’s developed planter add-ons to achieve precise depth and spacing to maximize yields for their own farm.  Today their products are used across the nation and around the world.

The company’s operations will remain in Tremont, Ill.

Filed Under: Events/Organizations, Human Interest, News Tagged With: , , ,

The 2012 Fastest Rookie

May 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The American Dairy Association of Indiana has been the sponsor of the Fastest Rookie Luncheon since it began in 1975.  Deb Osza with the ADAI says it’s a great opportunity to explain milk’s importance to the Indy 500 to the new crop of drivers.  “It’s great to have milk in the spotlight – to have race fans around the world to see milk in that light as ‘The Coolest Prize in the Sports World’,” she says.

This year’s Fastest Rookie was Josef Newgarden with a speed of 224.677.  The 22-year-old driver from Hendersonville, TN said he didn’t even realize he was the fastest rookie. 

“This really means a lot for myself and for my team,” he says, “it show the hard work from the crew through the entire group.”  Newgarden tells Brownfield, “You can really feel the tradition here at the Fastest Rookie Luncheon with the American Dairy Association of Indiana and all they put into this and all that they do for the race.” 

He says, “This is a fantastic race and this award makes it even better.” Newgarden was awarded a $5,000 prize and his name engraved on a trophy on permanent display in the Speedway’s Hall of Fame Museum.

Filed Under: Dairy, Events/Organizations, Human Interest, News Tagged With: , , ,

Kansas rancher is Monsanto ’12 Farm Mom

May 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Monsanto’s “America’s Farm Mom of the Year” is farmer/rancher/blogger in Kansas, Debbie Lyons-Blythe.

“My aunt nominated me and I didn’t realize also that my kids wrote an essay and nominated me so it’s a real honor that they would want to do that. But,” she tells Brownfield Ag News, “There are so many farm moms out there that do what I do, it’s just amazing to me that I would have been spot-lighted for this honor.”

Debbie Lyons-Blythe is a mother of five who runs Blythe Angus near White City, Kansas. While her husband maintains a job off the farm, Debbie runs the day to day operations of their business – they raise 250 registered Angus cows and sell registered bulls, and, have a commercial heifer development program.

She says their children – ages 16 to 21 – have all have had a role in the farming operations.

“You know,” says Lyons-Blythe, “If they want to come back to the farm they’ve got to have some skills on the farm. And, so, we felt like it was really important that they be a part of not only the labor but the decision-making as well so we’ve tried to include them at every step.”

Lyons-Blythe – a Kansas State journalism major – is a blogger and tries to educate consumers along the way: Her online blog is Life on a Kansas Cattle Ranch.

She serves on the board of directors for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Kansas Livestock Association and is an active member of the American Angus Association. Lyons-Blythe has received a 10-thousand dollar cash prize from Monsanto as one of five regional winners and the overall winner.

AUDIO: Debbie Lyons-Blythe (9:00 mp3)

Life on a Kansas Cattle Ranch

Filed Under: Human Interest, Livestock, News Tagged With: ,

BOAH to host “Virtual Public Hearing” on IN raw milk sales

May 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) was tasked earlier this year by the Indiana General Assembly to conduct a summer study on the sale of raw milk in the state.  BOAH dairy division director Terry Philibeck says they wanted to find a way for every Hoosier to participate.  Because attending public hearings can be a challenge they decided to host a “virtual” public hearing to gather input.  BOAH will launch the Virtual Public Hearing on its website June 1, 2012 and it will remain open until September 1, 2012. 

Residents of Indiana are encouraged to visit the website and comment on the sale of raw milk as well as make suggestions for potential change to Indiana law.  To submit comment – contact information must be provided, in case follow-up is needed.  The feedback will be collected and a report will be released December 1, 2012. 

The report will serve as a reference document for members of the 2013 legislature. 

To comment – click HERE.  Those without internet capabilities are welcome to submit comments by U.S. Mail to BOAH at Discovery Hall, Suite 100; 1202 E. 38th Street; Indianapolis, IN 46205-2898; Attn: Raw Milk Comments.

Filed Under: Dairy, Events/Organizations, Human Interest, News Tagged With: , , , ,

Former SD lawmaker/farmer dies

May 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Former US Senator, Congressman and lieutenant governor of South Dakota Jim Abdnor of South Dakota died this week at the age of 89. Abdnor was a farmer and rancher who is credited with getting oats included in the farm program.

Abdnor’s funeral is Saturday morning in Pierre. Senator John Thune considered Abdnor a friend and mentor and reportedly will deliver the eulogy.

Filed Under: Human Interest, News Tagged With: , ,

Roundtable addresses women-owned rural businesses

May 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Women have innovative approaches to challenges on their farms and rural businesses, according to Judith Canales, acting assistant undersecretary at the USDA. These women, says Canales, have to be especially entrepreneurial because of fewer community resources where enterprises are located.

“They’re already accustomed to having to reach out, to network, to explain to people what is it the have in mind when they are developing a business,” said Canales, who spoke Friday at a White House Business Council rural businesswomen’s roundtable in Columbia, Missouri.

Canales cited opportunities in which locally grown foods intersect with agritourism.

“Business opportunities are available for those farmers, first of all to get their name out there, because the consumers are demanding more and more knowledge of where their food is coming from,” she said, following her presentation, during an interview with Brownfield Ag News. “And so there are business opportunities to that.”

Canales says the roundtable was also a chance to talk to women who are engaged as farm operators.

“Thirty percent of all farm operations are women-owned,” said Canales, “and this has become a growth segment in which women are becoming more and more responsible for that farm operation.”

Canales says it’s important that federal agencies have flexibility so that they can respond to the needs of women-owned rural businesses and farms.

AUDIO: Judy Canales (13 min)

Filed Under: Events/Organizations, Human Interest, News, USDA/Government Tagged With: , ,

Five new Pork Board members named

May 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The five new appointees of the National Pork Board have been named. Ag Secretary Vilsack chose five of the eight pork producers nominated by the National Pork Producers Delegate Body in March.

Carl Link of Fort Recovery, Ohio is one of two new board members. Brad Greenway of Mitchell, South Dakota is one of three reappointed members.

Everett Forkner of Richards, Missouri is the president of the Pork Board. Conley Nelson of Algona, Iowa is vice president. Current members of the board include Derrick Sleezer of Cherokee, Iowa and Julie Maschhoff of Carlyle, Illinois.

The Pork Board oversees the distribution and spending of National Pork Checkoff dollars – all US pork producers invest 40 cents per $100 value of hogs sold. Importers of US pork products contribute a similar amount. A portion of the funds – used for research, education and promotion – go back to the states.

Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina and Minnesota are the top five pork producing states in the nation. There were just over 69-thousand pork producers in the U.S. in 2010, according to USDA, with about 64 million head of pigs at the start of 2011.

Filed Under: Events/Organizations, Human Interest, Livestock, News Tagged With: , , , , , ,

USDA: healthy foods affordable

May 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The USDA says healthy foods cost less than foods high in fat, sugar and salt. That’s despite perceptions to the contrary.

According to a 50-page report issued Wednesday, it depends on how price is measured. Comparing the price per calorie makes higher-calorie pastries and processed snacks seem like a bargain compared with fruits and vegetables.

But comparing food costs based on weight or portion size shows that grains, vegetables, fruit and dairy foods are less expensive than most meats or foods high in saturated fat, sugar or salt.

Measured that way, bananas, carrots, lettuce and pinto beans are less expensive than French fries, soft drinks, ice cream or ground beef.

The USDA study takes to task a 2010 University of Washington report finding that calorie-for-calorie, junk food is more cost-effective for low-income people. But that study’s lead author, Adam Drewnowski, says there are no recommendations for how many pounds of food an American should eat. However there are, he says, federal guidelines that suggest a 2,000 calorie diet.

Drewnowski concedes that empty calories are not terrific nutritionally, but he says they keep people from being hungry, which is why lower-income people buy them.

Filed Under: Human Interest, News, USDA/Government Tagged With: ,

Shipping grain for a cause

May 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Big Hope 1 is a barge with a cause.  Launched on May 3rd – the bright pink barge will arrive at CGB’s Madison, IN facility on Monday to receive its inaugural load of grain.  The project is a partnership between CGB, H&B Specialties, and CERES Barge Line .   Stacy Stremsterfer with H & B Specialties says companies like H&B  pays CERES barge freight – and CERES is going to donate a portion of those fees from the bright pink barge to cancer research.  A percentage of its annual net earnings will go to the Mary Crowley Cancer Research Centers to help in the fight against cancer.

Stremsterfer says it officially begins 9:30 Monday morning.  “Some of the key players that are going to be donating money will have buckets of corn that they’ll dump into the pit,” she says.  “That corn will then make its way to the barge.”

The bright pink barge will be carrying food grade quality corn and can be seen on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.

Filed Under: Events/Organizations, Human Interest, News Tagged With: , , , ,

Alice in Dairyland looks back on her year

May 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

DATCP photo

The Alice in Dairyland Finals are underway in Grant County culminating in the naming of the 65th Alice on Saturday evening. Katie Wirkus looks back on what she describes as “a fantastic year” as Wisconsin’s 64th Alice in Dairyland:

Her biggest challenge? Overcoming the idea that Alice is a “princess”, “How do you explain to a five-year-old that you are an ambassador?” She says that while the tiara and sash do bring attention to Alice, it does contribute to the challenge.

She says her greatest accomplishment was all of the school visits and the opportunity to tell them all about agriculture in Wisconsin.

Wirkus says the only regret she has for the year is that while touring a cranberry operation last fall she didn’t ask to put on the waders and get into the water.  She hopes one of the state’s growers will invite her to do that this fall.

Her advice to the 65th Alice? “Be ready for a fun year and be flexible because everything changes as you are going along.”

As for those who are considering seeking the position at some time in the future? If you want to do it, “I would strongly encourage it but I would never force it.” She says the job is demanding so “you have to have a passion for it.”

Wirkus will finish her year in early June and then become a middle-school math teacher.

Alice in Dairyland is a one-year, full-time paid marketing specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

AUDIO: Wirkus talks about her year 4:51 mp3

Filed Under: Ag Youth, Human Interest, News Tagged With: , , ,
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