Good things happen when 12 Midwest states can come together and pool their resources to fund research projects that focus on those yield limiting factors in soybeans. It’s the work being done by the North Central Soybean Research Program that has Trevor Glick, a soybean grower from Columbus, Indiana feeling good about the investment being made to improve soybean production in the U.S.
Interview: Trevor Glick, Vice Pres. North Central Soybean Research Program (4:50 MP3)
The United Soybean Board (USB) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) have launched “Commonground,” a nationwide program to enhance the image of today’s farming. The program features farm women sharing their stories with city and suburban audiences. Another project to help with the image of agriculture is the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance. Brownfield’s Dave Russell talked with USB Vice Chair, Vanessa Kummer of North Dakota about both.
Delegates to the American Soybean Association (ASA) went through the policy process during Commodity Classic in Tampa. Lynn Teel, President of the Indiana Soybean Alliance talked with Brownfield’s Dave Russell about the importance of the process and what it means to soybean farmers.
The 12-state North Central Region for soybean research met at Commodity Classic to discuss all their projects. Merlin Van Walleghen, a grower in Letcher, South Dakota and member of the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council tells Brownfield there are a number of ongoing yield and disease research projects.
“Most of them are going to pertain to soybean nematode,” Van Walleghen says, “A lot of genomics (are) involved in some of these. We are also involved with the aphid production and how that’s going to be affecting the upper Midwest this year again.”
Van Walleghen also talked with Brownfield about his spring planting intentions – he farms in Sanborn County. He says they’ll likely be about the same as last year.
“There was maybe a little more winter wheat planted in our area last fall because of the good conditions- early harvest and so forth and we have had a lot of snow cover,” says Van Walleghen, “So our wheat should be in good shape as opposed to some of the drier areas.”
He says they typically do a 50/50 corn and soybean rotation.
A partnership between Pioneer Hi-Bred and NBC Learn, the educational arm of NBC News has been announced and Judd O’Connor, Pioneer-Hy-Bred vice president says the pilot program will bring science to life for high school students at 20 schools in Illinois and 20 schools in Iowa. O’Connor says this program compliments Pioneer’s long tradition of support for other agricultural education programs, including 4-H and FFA.
John Motter farms in Hancock County Ohio, near Findlay. Brownfield’s Dave Russell caught up with John on the Trade Show floor at Commodity Classic in Tampa. They talked about networking with other farmers from across the country, to being a delegate to the American Soybean Association (ASA). Oh and by the way, Dave and John grew up going to school together all 12 years in Ohio, they did not talk about anything related to those years.
As someone who farms near the Ohio River, Joe Steinkamp of Evansville, Indiana has a good understanding of just how important the river system is in the U.S. and as a member of the Soy Transportation Coalition, Joe wants others to understand, not only the river system, but railroads and highways too.
Interview: Joe Steinkamp, Indiana, Soy Transportation Coalition (3:40 MP3)
Commodity Classic in Tampa was the stage for John Deere to launch wireless technology that brings more productivity to the farm. Jerry Roell says John Deere FarmSight provides technology solutions in three areas – Machine Optimization, Logistics Optimization and Ag Decision Support.
Jeff Wuebker, President of the Ohio Soybean Association tells Brownfield’s Dave Russell that for his farm in Darke County Ohio, it was an easy decision to become involved in the World Soy Foundation and the “Acre Challenge” campaign. At Commodity Classic, Jeff was at the WSF exhibit, encouraging other soybean farmers to become involved too.
Audio: Jeff Wuebker, President, Ohio Soybean Assn. (3:55 MP3)
National Sorghum Producers had an opportunity to talk about everything from sorghum issues, to ethanol, to the 2012 Farm Bill, to the NSP national checkoff at Commodity Classic. Brownfield’s Dave Russell talked with NSP Chairman, Gerald Simonsen of Nebraska.
Interview: Gerald Simonsen, Chairman, National Sorghum Producers (6:30 MP3)
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