The Field Position

Aid in the Recovery of Flood-Damaged Fields

Shannon Latham, Vice President — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:00:07 +0000

Flood waters that raged through the Missouri River Basin in 2011 will create a slippery road ahead for many Midwest farmers in 2012. About 150,000 acres of crops were lost in Iowa and an estimated 2 million acres of crops … Continue reading →

Do Dry Soils at Planting Lead to Yield Loss?

Mark Grundmeier, Product Manager — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:06:01 +0000

It’s likely that Midwest farmers could complete spring 2012 planting at a record pace after a dry fall and winter. To help determine the impact of dry soils at planting, Iowa State University’s Roger Elmore has employed a hybrid-maize modeling … Continue reading →

Support Science, Not Sensationalism

Shannon Latham, Vice President — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:05 +0000

One year ago the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to approve Roundup Ready® Alfalfa renewed a debate about the safety of genetically modified crops and the use of glyphosate in the environment. During this same time period, retired Purdue University … Continue reading →

DOL Puts Child Labor Regs “On Hold”

Shannon Latham, Vice President — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:37:17 +0000

One passionate person can make a significant difference, and a group of impassioned people can change the course of the U.S. Department of Labor. Due to an outpouring of response from family farmers and elected officials nationwide, the DOL announced … Continue reading →

“Take it to the House” Sunday with Pork

Shannon Latham, Vice President — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:07:14 +0000

When the heat is on, you can bet this Sac County Iowa farm family will be serving pork! “Pork is versatile, nutritious and simply delicious,” says Barb Campbell Determan, who has been passionately promoting pork during her lifetime. Raised in … Continue reading →

Ag Technology: Internet, iPads & Phones

Shannon Latham, Vice President — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:21:38 +0000

Farmers’ use of the Internet has been a hot topic of conversation recently from CNN to Wallaces Farmer. It was even researched as part of the most recent Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll, which has been conducted every year … Continue reading →

Sailer Tells His Story through Social Media

Shannon Latham, Vice President — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:39 +0000

Educating consumers about agriculture isn’t new to farm organizations, but communication methods have changed over the years. Just ask Larry Sailer, who raises corn and soybeans near Iowa Falls, Iowa. Sailer (pronounced Cy-ler) has been in the hog business for … Continue reading →

Technology Redefines Agriculture

John Latham, President — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:17:48 +0000

What defines modern agriculture? It’s a question that I’ve been pondering ever since reading an article Jan. 19 by Terence Loose listing “agriculture” as the most useless college major. More than anything, I believe his article illustrates how little the … Continue reading →

Coconut Cupcakes – Always in Fashion!

Shannon Latham, Vice President — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:00:10 +0000

Yesterday we introduced you to Celeste Settrini, the Couture Cowgirl and rural American fashion guru. She spends the end of each week talking with Trent Loos about what’s “in” in rural America and authoring a Fashion Friday blog post. Celeste … Continue reading →

Step into Spring, Full of Energy and Optimism

Shannon Latham, Vice President — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:00:52 +0000

guest blog by Celeste Settrini Just because you’re a farm girl doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice fashion! All of us love to dress up once in awhile. Every now and then, don’t you like to trade your Carhartt® overalls … Continue reading →