Survey Shows Consumers Back Farmers and Biodiesel
ST. LOUIS, Missouri (July 29, 2008) – A recent nationwide survey conducted by the United Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff revealed that U.S. consumers strongly back U.S. soybean farmers and biodiesel. The “National Agriculture Image Survey” indicated 82 percent of consumers agree foreign oil-producing countries and the high cost of fuel impacting farming and processing, packaging, storing and shipping food are to blame for food price increases, not U.S. farmers. Other key findings show: • 77 percent of consumers favor the use of biodiesel as a source of energy that can meet our needs in the next 5 to 10 years. • 74 percent of consumers were more favorable toward biodiesel after hearing it…
WLIC Introduces the Livestock Vantage Initiative
VERONA, Wis. —The Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC) introduces the Livestock Vantage, a nationwide initiative to help create understanding, awareness and motivation for a unified livestock identification and traceability effort. The Livestock Vantage draws attention to the need for and value of a comprehensive system which can easily be utilized by livestock producers – regardless of size or species. Developed to create interest and understanding of the steps livestock owners can take, this effort focuses on education, awareness and multi-species integration of livestock identification and premises registration. If successfully implemented, these steps can help minimize disease risk, improve livestock management practices, increase marketability and safeguard the U.S. livestock industry as a whole. Full Release
FMC Corporation Showcases Expanded Portfolio of Crop Protection Products at 2008 Agricultural Media Summit
Tampa, July 28, 2008 — At today’s Info Expo trade show, part of the 2008 Agricultural Media Summit in Tampa, FL, FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC) unveiled its extended crop protection portfolio, which includes new and expanded labels on eight products serving a variety of crop segments this year. “Just as grower needs and consumer demands continue to change, we at FMC continue to provide solutions to help growers optimize yields and have a successful, profitable crop season,” says Paul Redhage, communications manager with FMC. “With numerous product introductions and label expansions since January, we are poised to help our valued growers continue to achieve increased yields and capitalize on the current market conditions.” Full Release
Exclusive Alliance Report from Leading Animal Rights Meeting Now Online
ARLINGTON, VA – The pictures, videos and stories of abuse kept emotions high at the fourth annual Taking Action for Animals Conference, organized by the vegan-driven Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). California Proposition 2, which would devastate egg farming in California was high on the list of legislative and legal maneuvers intended to attack animal agriculture. Other items high on the animal rights group’s list included a number of bills proposed on Capitol Hill as well. Attendance at the conference, held July 19-21, increased to about 800. Sponsors of the event included the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Born Free USA, Humane Society Legislative Fund, United Poultry Concerns, and the World Society for the…
New International Ag Show Announced
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) today announced a new international agriculture event that will showcase the latest industry innovations, products and technology and offer access to leading industry experts worldwide. The inaugural AG CONNECT Expo is slated for January 12-15, 2010 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Manufacturers, dealers, distributors and producers from almost every sector of agriculture want to be globally competitive. At AG CONNECT Expo, they will have knowledge-sharing opportunities to better evaluate their position in the world marketplace while networking in a global environment and learning how to gain a competitive advantage. “Agriculture today is global and dynamic,” said AEM President Dennis Slater. “Industry professionals want access to…
United Country Real Estate Celebrates 80th Anniversary of First National Real Estate Catalog
July 28, 2008 (Kansas City, Mo.) – In 1925, Roscoe Chamberlain founded United Farm Agency with the mission of providing city dwellers a ‘roadmap to the country.’ As a means of introducing country real estate for sale to potential city buyers in an age when travel was the only option for research, he created the nation’s first-ever real estate catalog to showcase these dream country properties. That original 1928 edition of the United Farm Agency catalog is currently housed in the Smithsonian Institute. The company, today known as United Country Real Estate, continues the legacy of the United Farm catalog, which has remained in continuous publication since 1928. This year, United Country celebrates the 80th…
Drake & Company Expands Capabilities, Launches Blog
CHESTERFIELD, Mo. (July 28, 2008) – Drake & Company is growing, expanding services and launching new initiatives to tout its capabilities as a full-service association management company. Becky Rasmussen, previously a program coordinator, was promoted to assistant director for the National Christmas Tree Association. Amy Rehmeirer, Alyson Hall and Becky Hadley were hired as program coordinators and Penny Key as a meeting coordinator. Several staff members have expanded their role to include marketing presentations. Drake & Company can assist organizations in the development of marketing strategies including: bridging the generational gaps; marketing specifically to Gen Y; cause marketing; developing responses to difficult questions from media and customers; and reaching the emerging rural lifestyle audience. Drake…
New Council Works for Safer, Healthier Agriculture Industry
Agriculture is consistently among the most hazardous occupations in the United States. In an average year, 516 workers die while doing farm work and each day about 243 workers suffer lost-time injuries. Agriculture, due to its decentralized nature and diverse structure, lags behind other industries in reducing the toll on its workers with a fatality rate that is eight times that of the all-industry average. The Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA) is working to close that safety gap. The new Council, driven by farmer/rancher and agribusiness leaders, is the first of its kind in the U.S. to pursue a national strategy to reduce disease, injuries and fatalities in American agriculture. Full Release
Massey Ferguson Adds Muscle and Convenience to 5400 Series Mid-Range Tractors
DULUTH, GA (July 28, 2008) — Bigger, better, cleaner and stronger, the ever-popular Massey Ferguson® 5400 Series mid-range tractors have new Tier III engines inside and a new look outside. The 110 and 115 hp models expand the mid-range line and its reputation for rugged durability with the right combination of weight and power to get the job done. The new hood offers mid-range tractor buyers the same serviceability and style as Massey Ferguson high horsepower 6400 and 7400 Series tractors. “We understand how important mid-range tractor dependability is day-in and day-out,” explains Tom Weir, marketing manager, Mid-Range and Specialty Tractors, Massey Ferguson. “Our customers have told us they can’t afford a breakdown when livestock…
StollerUSA’s BIO-FORGE Reverses Herbicide Damage
Tifton, GA (July 28, 2008) – Danny Thompson is no stranger to the unexpected. But, it’s a refreshing change of pace when the unexpected comes in the form of higher yields in an unlikely patch of herbicide-damaged cotton. Danny Thompson has farmed 1200 acres of peanut and cotton crops on the Thompson Family farms for over three decades. In mid-June he noticed sporadic growth patterns in the recently planted cotton in a usually productive plot of land. A combination of herbicide residue from the previous peanut crop and herbicide drift caused 40 acres of his cotton crop to shut down. The plants were severely damaged; brown, stunted, and burned beyond what looked like repair. Rather…
IRON Solutions Announces New IRONsearch.com
Tampa, Florida – July 28, 2008 – IRON Solutions, the leading online partner for equipment manufacturers, dealers and personal sellers, today announces the launch of the new IRONsearch.com. Featuring the most advanced functionalities and user options in the online equipment sales industry, IRON Search offers a more streamlined approach for both dealers and owners to manage their accounts and locate equipment. Potential buyers now have access to advanced locator tools to help them find what they need quickly and efficiently, and dealers have streamlined options to help them improve the visibility of their listings and boost sales. Full Release
Wyffels Hybrids Continues Planting Population Studies
Geneseo, Ill. (July 28, 2008) – University and industry studies continue to show that new hybrids are able to produce higher yields at increased planting rates. Wyffels Hybrids is expanding these studies through an extensive in-field testing program. Currently, more than 60 Wyffels growers throughout Illinois, Iowa and southern Wisconsin are testing population ranges with the newest genetics from Wyffels. Growers are testing planted populations ranging from 33,000 to 40,000 to determine the effect of higher population rates on land productivity and overall revenue. Other industry research has shown that planting rate increases of 500 to 1000 plants per acre per year are needed to keep up with the 2.5 to 5.0 bushel genetic yield…
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health Introduces Onset(TM) 5 IN Vaccine
MILLSBORO, Del. (July 28, 2008) – Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health announces the availability of Onset 5 IN, the first intranasally administered, five-way modified-live virus (MLV) vaccine for healthy cattle 3 to 8 days and older. Onset 5 IN is designed to stimulate at the site of infection an immune response to Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD) Type 1 and Type 2, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Parainfluenza3 (PI3) and Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV) – the costliest diseases impacting beef and dairy herds. Full Release
Prowl H20® Herbicide Success Stories Win Arctic Cat® Prowler UTVs
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, July 28, 2008 – Prowl H20 herbicide, from BASF, offers exceptional convenience, performance and crop safety benefits – including no odor, reduced staining, storage flexibility and lower user rates. To celebrate the enhanced performance of Prowl H20 BASF launched a campaign in which tree fruit, tree nut and grape growers could share their Prowl H20 success stories with BASF and growers via photo/video or essay entries. Two winning entries were selected, one from each category, and each will be awarded an Arctic Cat Prowler UTV and trailer. Full Release
Study Finds Oil Driving Food Prices
Attached is an audio report and sound bites featuring comments from the Farm Foundation forum and report on “What’s Driving Food Prices?” Featured are Farm Foundation President Neil Conklin, Purdue University economist Wally Tyner, and University of Nebraska public policy analyst Brad Lubben. Full Release
