I like to pick a word to blog around, and this week I’ve chosen “perception.” Recently, I have been having some conversations about what people think a farm is. To my surprise, people have the perception that a farm in North Central Iowa must have crops.
Interestingly enough, even my wife, Janice, told me in no uncertain terms that “farming is crops.” She said I wasn’t going to get her to change her mind about that either! While I love raising crops, I think of crops as more of a hobby. I’ve been raising hogs for more than 50 years, and that’s what I think of as my on-farm job. My perception of farming includes livestock. After all, I titled my blog “Musings of a Pig Farmer.”
What is your perception of a rancher… do you think he or she must raise cows? Ranchers are farmers, too. They often raise cows, sheep, goats and chickens.
Do you think of farmers raising fruits and vegetables? I sure do because I know some vegetable farmers! Tyson Roberts grows fresh produce including garlic, potatoes, Spanish onions, sweet corn, watermelon and pumpkins on his family’s 6th generation farm in Layton, Utah.
Let’s think broader about perceptions. What do you suppose is the perception of a 20-something Mom shopping for her two-year-old daughter? Is her perception of food the same as mine? What is her background? It’s certainly not the same as mine. If she grew up in downtown Chicago, her perceptions were formed differently. She reads different articles than I read. She has not experienced the birth of baby farm animals like I have. She may not understand my thoughts as to what the purpose of farm animals should be. She may have watched Charlotte’s Web and Babe. Her perception of farming may be Old McDonald’s Farm!
Now think worldwide… what are the perceptions of farming in India, China, Africa and the Ukraine? After visiting Ukraine last summer, I know their perception of a farm differs from my Iowa hog farm!
Just as the perception of farming is diverse, so is the perception of food. There are day and night, black and white differences in what people believe about food! Instead of fighting over food, let’s celebrate those differences. Relish food choice.
Everyone’s perception is right for him or her. This is a key point… your perception is right for you! Don’t force your perceptions on others. Buy what’s right for your family, and I’ll buy what’s right for mine!
These industry tours gave student an opportunity to go “behind the scenes” and meet with owners about what it’s like to start a business and how to strike a balance between work and family life. Students also asked us to share some best practices for aspiring entrepreneurs.
If only I would’ve known that Harry Stine’s “7 Insights for Entrepreneurs” was going to be published March 28 by Forbes, I could have saved myself some prep time! Many of the insights that Stine shared in this article are similar to my beliefs:
Entrepreneurs don’t work traditional hours. Business hours may be posted as 8 AM to 5 PM, but you’re never really “off the clock.”
Any industry is constantly changing. You either need to adapt and change or get out of the way.
Always be mentally and emotionally prepared to walk away from any deal. Desperation leads to bad decisions.
Whether you’re engaged in a farming operation or operating a retail outlet, chances are you exhibit these characteristics. You’re doing what you love. You’re a planner. You’re using technology to your advantage. You’re accessible. You’re getting involved. You’re part of a team. You’re making a difference. You’re persistent, and you’re also an eternal optimist.
Sometimes entrepreneurs, including farmers, find themselves working another job in order to support their hopes for the future. If you dream of farming full-time but don’t have the opportunity to do so right now because your resources are limited or the timing isn’t yet right, the team at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds might be able to help you plant seeds for the future!
By operating your own Latham® seeds dealership, you could earn the equivalent of full-time employment. Some benefits of a Latham dealership include:
Accessing new seed traits and technology before they’re widely available.
Gaining first-hand knowledge of the industry’s broadest, deepest product lineup through product training and Hi‑Tech crop planning / management tools.
Belonging to a group of people who share your passion for farming and value honesty, integrity and family.
To learn more about farmer-dealer opportunities available with Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, talk with your local Latham representative or call 1-877-GO-LATHAM (1.877.465.2842).
Special thanks to our dealers and customers, who represented Team Latham in the 3rd Annual Breakfast Battle sponsored by the Franklin County Farm Bureau. From left to right are Shannon Latham, April Hemmes, Kari Subbert and Larry Sailer.
In a race against the clock, nine local businesses and civic organizations “fought over food” on Wednesday morning during the 3rd annual Breakfast Battle sponsored by the Franklin County Farm Bureau.
“This event helped raise understanding of finding solutions to eating healthy on a stretched budget plus raised awareness of food insecurity in Franklin County,” says Val Plagge, public relations chairman for Franklin County Farm Bureau.
Food insecurity isn’t unique to Franklin County. One in eight Iowans – approximately 400,000 – is food insecure, meaning they lack the resources to live an active and healthy lifestyle. One out of 5 Iowa children does not know where his next meal will come from. Many of these individuals have been faced with a job loss or unforeseen expense that has brought on the burden of wondering how they will put food on their tables.
Ten local families will have food on the table for at least three meals, thanks to groceries gathered during Wednesday’s event. These bags of groceries included perishable items like butter, milk, meat and vegetables, so families could make three well-balanced meals. Each family also was given the Healthy Homemade Cookbook published by Iowa State University Extension.
During National Ag Week – and every day of the year – Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds is proud to help farmers throughout the Midwest feed and fuel the world!
Trying to buy enough groceries for three meals in less than 3 minutes is an experience to be sure! Breakfast Battle team members raced around the grocery store – in an organized frenzy – to feed breakfast, dinner and supper for a family of four between $45 and $50. Teams were timed from the moment they left the cart area until they reached the checkout lane.
Time penalties were given for every dollar over or under the $45 to $50 cart total range. Coming in $18 over budget, Team Latham incurred some stiff penalties! We bought entire bags of onions and potatoes even though our shopping list only listed 1 onion or 2 potatoes. We also bought a full gallon of milk and 18 eggs plus a bag of dinner rolls.
Although Team Latham didn’t win a plaque for winning the competition, we can feel good knowing that one family will receive additional perishable items. Following the race, grocery items were delivered to the Franklin County Food Pantry in Hampton and the Immanuel UCC Food Pantry in Latimer.
“The Breakfast Battle is for a great cause, providing for those in need here in Franklin County and also reminding folks that our groceries came from a farm,” said Jackie Dohlman, Franklin County Extension Youth Coordinator, who was a member of the winning Breakfast Battle team. “In one way or another, the products we all buy at the grocery store came from a farm. It’s important to remember that only 2% of our nation’s population is feeding U.S. consumers and also helping feed people all over the world.”
In honor of this week’s Breakfast Battle – and the winning team – today we’re sharing a recipe from the Healthy Homemade Cookbook.
It’s been a long, cold winter. With temperatures averaging 20° below normal last month and snowfall averaging 2 feet above normal across many areas in Latham Country, we’re all eager for spring. The date on the calendar shows that spring has arrived, but it’s in name only!
March continues to be a battle between seasons with wintery in the short-term forecast. Frost ran deep, and it’s going to be a while before conditions are fit for planting. Remember to let soil temperatures and soil conditions – not the calendar – dictate your planting date. Wait until soil temperatures in a region reach at least 50° before you plant corn and somewhere between 55° to 60° before you plant soybeans.
Soil temperature for soybean planting is more critical than for corn because soybeans can germinate in a soil environment of about 55° Fahrenheit. If the air temperature after germination hits 28 degrees Fahrenheit or less, however, the young seedling can be killed with the growing point of the plant right at emergence. Adversely for corn, the growing point stays under the surface until much later.
Today is the 100th birthday of Norman Borlaug, an Iowa farm boy who went on to father the Green Revolution. How fitting that this momentous occasion coincides with National Ag Day on March 25!
“Feeding the world” is Dr. Norman Borlaug’s legacy as he is known as the man that saved a billion people worldwide from starvation. He spent his life’s work developing grain varieties that would help farmers in mostly lesser developed countries like India and Mexico produce more food.
“My grandfather focused on talking to, training, and investing in the young scientists, researchers and farmers,” says Julie Borlaug, associate director of external relations at the Borlaug Institute. “His guiding philosophy was ‘take it to the farmer’ and he truly believed everything started by going to the field.”
Dr. Borlaug realized the importance of encouraging other researchers and scientists to share their findings with farmers, who could benefit from it. That’s why the Borlaug International Scholars Fund, international field internships, and the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute help inspire and finance the next generation of people who will make great contributions to feed the world’s people.
Ken Quinn, president of the World Food Prize Foundation, is helping carry on Dr. Borlaug’s legacy by increasing awareness of The World Food Prize. Headquartered in Des Moines, each fall the World Food Prize Foundation recognizes people for making huge contributions in the fight against hunger. Last October, I had the pleasure of meeting with the 2013 World Food Prize Laureate Dr. Robb Fraley of Monsanto. Often referred to as the Father of Biotechnology, Dr. Fraley has literally changed the world of agriculture. Yet, he and others in the industry are constantly being asked to defend what they do.
When asked what her grandfather would think about all the “food fights” today, Julie Borlaug acknowledges that GMO PR falls short. She is quoted in a March 21 Des Moines Register article as saying, “He would be angry … (about) this anti-GMO, anti-big ag, anti-technology (movement). And how there seems to be so much ignorance and so much of a backslide of where people think we should be going.”
Isn’t it ironic that well-fed people try to dictate how food is raised across the globe? People with full bellies are trying to tell farmers and ranchers how to grow food. Scare tactics and fear mongering –powerful emotions – limit biotechnology and the very technology that Dr. Borlaug proves can help save lives.
Isn’t ironic that well-fed people in developed nations want to “say ‘no’ to starving people” who could benefit from increased yields and large foods supplies provided by seeds with built-in resistance to insects, disease, weeds and even drought? But don’t just take my word for it. Take it from a Zambia native who says, “Protesting GMOs condemns millions to poverty.”
Growing food around the world can vary drastically. What grows on my farm, with my technology, may not grow sustainably in a neighboring state. It’s hard to understand what seed technology works on the far side of the world, but Dr. Borlaug understood this. He developed wheat that could withstand pests to feed hungry people.
Believe it or not, many people and companies still have this goal in mind! Yes, a profit needs to be made but profit is not the root of evil. After all, no practice is sustainable if you can’t afford to keep doing it! Profit can be a huge motivator, just like eliminating hunger motivated Dr. Borlaug.
Please join me this National Ag Week by putting behind us the silly arguments that prevent safe and proven technology from feeding the world. Buy what you think are the best products for your family, but allow the same right to all other families!
Journalist and author Nathanael Johnson was skeptical of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) when he began a six-month investigative series about their use in food production. He opposed what they stood for, not necessarily that they were unsafe.
Twenty-six stories later, the food writer for Grist – an online environmental magazine based in Seattle, Grist.org – has a different view.
“What’s the fuss all about?” Johnson now says with conviction, throwing up his hands.
“In the end I ended up figuring out that GMOs aren’t necessarily going to save the world but they aren’t a problem,” Johnson said. “It’s a useful tool.”
Grist editors tasked Johnson with thoroughly exploring all aspects of GMOs, which continue to be a polarizing topic worldwide and in Iowa. Most of the soybeans and corn raised in the state and fed to livestock are genetically altered to kill or resist pests, withstand herbicides, better tolerate drought and for other reasons.
Boisterous factions exist on both sides of the GMO issue. Detractors believe they are unsafe, hurt the environment and only benefit large agricultural corporations. Johnson, who was raised in California in a household that held natural, organic and local food in high regard, once opposed the technology because it was “part of an industrial complex that we dislike.”
GMO advocates and many researchers, on the other hand, say extensive testing proves the technology is safe. It will help farmers grow more food in an environmentally friendly, sustainable way.
About 150 people — farmers, foodies, students, agribusiness officials, etc. — attended the event, which featured Johnson talking about GMOs and his conclusions, a panel discussion with local farmers and a question and answer period.
Iowa Food & Family Project Executive Director Aaron Putze, also director of communications and external relations for the Iowa Soybean Association, said providing Johnson an opportunity to share his expertise fulfills the organization’s mission of nurturing dialogue about timely food topics and enhancing confidence in agriculture. Johnson also toured Iowa farms and visited with producers for other projects.
“Food purchasers are keenly interested in the subject of food and how food is grown, including improved plant genetics. Nathanael’s series of columns focusing on the subject of genetic modification provided a unique perspective from a respected author,” Putze said.
That’s why Tara Ely of Grimes attended the 1 1/2–hour event. With Johnson’s book, “All Natural: A Skeptic’s Quest to Discover If the Natural Approach to Diet, Childbirth, Healing, and the Environment Really Keeps Us Healthier and Happier,” in hand for him to sign, Ely also wanted to get his views on GMOs.
Like Johnson, Ely said she was leery of genetically modified food. But after listening to Johnson and local farmers, she doesn’t have a problem eating them. She especially found Greg Rinehart’s views on growing GMO sweetcorn interesting. The Boone farmer said he uses less insecticide to keep pests, like worms, from ears he sells at the Downtown Farmers’ Market in Des Moines.
“I wanted to come because I have a passion for natural food and learning all I can about what I’m putting in my body,” Ely said.
A cautious and questioning person by nature, Johnson said at some point society has to move on and trust science. He explored health, environmental, social, scientific, agronomic and numerous other aspects of GMOs.
Exhaustive research, countless interviews with scientists and government officials and talking with people on both sides of the issue all led to the same conclusion.
“If I want to be on the side of science, I had to accept (GMOs) are as safe as science can suggest. I don’t know if it’s worth the passion that gets poured into it,” Johnson said.
Ultimately, he said a lot of fact-finding didn’t matter because much of the skepticism and fear of GMOs comes from the great disconnect between “eaters,” as Johnson likes to call consumers, and production agriculture. The vast majority of Americans, including people in the Heartland, are several generations removed from the farm.
“(People) are fundamentally alienated from their food supply. They want their food dollar to make the world a better place, and they are not convinced (GMOs) will,” Johnson said.
Farmers and commodity organizations need to continue to tell the story of agriculture and relay how food is grown, said ISA Board member Cliff Mulder. The soybean and corn grower from Pella said it’s a slow process, but a critical one.
Mulder said he was impressed with Johnson. He had limited knowledge of agriculture, but was willing to take the time to understand the topic.
“He came into it thinking GMOs were bad but was open minded enough to be convinced by science that they were not,” Mulder said. “I would hope we, as a board and producers, will continue to work to convince others that the food we grow is safe.”
Amanda Rinehart, a communications specialist with DuPont Pioneer in Johnston, said Johnson provided insight into “real” questions consumers have about their food and how and who produces it.
“It’s refreshing to hear from a consumer who truly wants to better understand the food and ag system and take others along on his journey,” Rinehart said. “I hope everyone in attendance walked away with motivation to tell their own food and ag story.”
Ely said she will.
“I will go back and talk to co-workers,” she said. “(Nathanael) provided a lot of things to think about.”
No-till isn’t a common practice in the northern Corn Belt where rich, black soils lying in flat farm fields tend to receive and hold adequate moisture. Yet, the practice of conservation tillage is on the rise here. Not only do these practices help protect against erosion and preserve water quality, but conservation tillage can also help farmers save time and money.
“The market doesn’t reward us for higher costs, so we’ve found a way to do more with less,” says Carl Roberts, one of 63 Iowa farm families presented with the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awardduring a ceremony at the 2013 Iowa State Fair. “All of my acres are no till and half of my total acres are corn on corn. Corn on corn requires better management and is less forgiving than either no till soybeans or strip till corn into soybean stubble.”
Jane Roberts showed turkeys for the first time at the 2013 Wright County Fair. She brought home the trophy for Champion, Reserve and even showmanship.
Roberts grew up on a farm near Kanawaha, Iowa, and moved to Belmond in 1986 when he had an opportunity to buy his own ground. While he’s conservation minded, he says his number of no-till acres increased as a matter of necessity. He had planned to plant no-till soybeans in 1991 and ended up planting no-till corn that year, too, as wet weather prevented him from finishing planting corn before June 1.
“That year my no-till soybeans yielded more than other soybeans. Yield didn’t take a hit on my corn acres either. Why cut stalks and chisel if the yields aren’t any better?” asks Roberts.
Although tillage doesn’t seem to affect his yields, Roberts says he has learned the hard way that he must pay closer attention to seed selection. “If a plant doesn’t come out of the ground from the seed you planted, it doesn’t matter what its yield potential was,” he says. “I look for strong emergence ratings and excellent early vigor in both corn and soybeans.”
Roberts plants a four-year crop rotation of three years corn, one year soybeans. In year one, he plants only Roundup Ready corn. Second year corn is only Liberty, and third year corn is either RR or RR/LL. Fourth year is conventional soybeans. This rotation helps with both weed control and potential resistance, explains Roberts, plus allows for control of volunteer corn in every crop. He also tries not to use the same BT technology in the following year. Half of his acres are corn-on-corn and the other half are no-tilled on flat, black ground.
“I’ve strip-tilled for 23 years and I’ve never been hurt in regard to yield from it,” adds Roberts. “Tillage takes more fuel, more time and creates more expenses and I wasn’t seeing the benefit.”
Benefits of conservation tillage include:
Reducing fuel, labor, and equipment costs. Fewer passes across the field means less fuel and fewer man hours are needed. Tractor hours are fewer, so there’s more value at trade-in time and less wear on tillage tools.
Reducing soil compaction. Soil gets compacted when equipment drives over the surface. Compaction restricts the movement of water, as well as the development of crop roots.
Reducing erosion. More residue on the soil surface reduces the threat of erosion, especially during those months when no crops are growing. Residue allows for rainwater and snow melt to infiltrate the soil rather than causing surface run off that will carry away topsoil and nutrients. Studies show no-till can cut runoff in half, and reduce erosion by 85% to 95%.
Another longer-term benefit of no-till farming is improved soil structure by building organic matter. Soil organic matter is derived from living organisms, such as plants. Organic matter breaks down and eventually forms humus, which is the central building block of healthy soil.
The Roberts’ love of farming and appreciation for conservation is shared by his wife, Carol, who helps him with the farming operation. Carol grew up on a dairy farm near Lakota. Her family also raised a variety of animals including hogs, rabbits, chickens and ducks. She worked off farm for eight years in the registrar’s office at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge before she met and married Carl. While she enjoyed that job, Carol says she feels fortunate to be able to once again farm with her family.
“One of the advantages of raising your children in the country is they have more freedoms,” says Carol. “They learn to take on responsibility. They get to explore and discover their own interests.”
The Roberts’ love of agriculture is being passed down to their two children, 16-year-old Joe and 14-year old Jane. This winter, as a freshman, Jane advanced to State Speech Competition with an original oratory on cover crops. Active in both 4-H and FFA, she enjoys exhibiting turkeys. At the 2013 Wright County Fair, she won Champion and Reserve Champion with her turkeys.
Like his sister, Joe is an active member of the Iowa Hawkeyes 4-H Club and the Belmond-Klemme FFA Chapter. Last year he showed chickens at the Wright County Fair, earning Reserve Champion with his pen of three broilers. He enjoys his poultry project but his favorite project area is foods. Joe’s “surprise inside” cake advanced to the Iowa State Fair. He also received a blue ribbon at the state fair with an apple pie, and today he’s sharing that recipe with us on TheFieldPosition.
Instead of viewing seed treatment as an input cost, consider it an investment – an insurance policy if you will. After all, it takes less than a bushel of soybeans to pay for the cost of treatment!
Wet, poorly drained soils favor the development of fungal pathogens that cause seedling diseases, which slow germination and plant growth. Seed treatments protect seedlings until they have a fairly well-established root system.
To help the seeds go through the planter better, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds adds a proprietary blend of polymer and seed coating. Our customers say they waste less seed and see more even stands, resulting in better yield potential and ultimately an increased return on investment.
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ signature SoyShieldTM, a fungicide-only package, and SoyShield PlusTM with fungicide and insecticide, protect seeds from disease and insect damage for up to 30 days. This time frame is longer than many other seed treatments and is typically an adequate window of protection.
SoyShield Plus includes an exclusive fungicide combination that provides excellent protection against seed and soil borne diseases including: Pythium, Phytophthora, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia. In addition, seed treatments can provide health benefits for more rapid and increased germination under certain conditions.
Some seed treatments also help protect against nematodes, which are becoming more prevalent. Many fully-loaded treatments may have innoculants, micronutrients or plant food. Interested in learning more? Talk to your local Latham® representative or leave your comments below. You’re also welcome to call me at 1-877-GO-LATHAM (1-877-465-2842).
It can be challenge feeding a family of four, three square meals, on a budget between $45-50. Now trying buying all those groceries in less than 1 minutes and 30 seconds!
Every second counts when you’re one of 10 teams participating in the Annual Breakfast Battle. It’s definitely a fast-paced shopping mission. That’s why Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds hopes to take 10 seconds off the clock by receiving the most number of votes in a Facebook poll being sponsored by Franklin County Farm Bureau.
Other teams are faster shoppers. Franklin County Extension rocks the ag trivia portion of this contest. For the past three years, I have vowed to train our team like we’re preparing for the 4-H Quiz Bowl. In reality, I’m still assembling our team about 24 hours prior to the event!
Regardless of how we place next Wednesday, we’re happy to be a part of the Farm Bureau’s National Ag Week activities. The 3rd Annual Breakfast Battle is sure to be a few hours well spent! The Breakfast Battle helps fill local pantries as all food purchased by the teams will be donated to the Franklin County Food Pantry and Immanuel UCC Food Pantry.
Spring Break Isn’t the Time to Put Your Head in the Sand
Time and again I hear people make comments like, “It doesn’t matter who’s in office.” or “Why bother voting because one vote can’t make a difference.” If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard such apathy, I wouldn’t have to be engaged in the political process either because I could buy my own private island! But the reality is this…
World affairs are getting very dicey. Major problems in the Middle East have taken a back seat to problems in Ukraine, where a head-to-head power struggle has surfaced between the U.S. and Russia – and U.S. farmers are in the crosshairs. China has shown it will cut off exports from the U.S. to buy from Ukraine. Russia has been rejecting U.S. products for unfair political reasons. Japan is trying to put tariffs on U.S. produce to protect Japanese farmers.
Agriculture has been the one bright spot in our economy over the last five years. Our trade balance has been greatly helped by ag exports. Iowa has fared better than other states during the last economic downturn because of our strong agriculture base. While we are still far from having a healthy economy, my fear is that it’s going to get worse due to shifting export markets.
This brings me back to politics. We must change how our country operates by getting involved in elections! At the very least, cast an informed vote. Better yet, get involved in the political process. Grassroots efforts lead to better representation.
This year I was a delegate to the County, District, and State conventions. I have been elected to the County Central Committee and the District Organizational Committee. This admittedly takes a great deal of time and effort, but our country is self-governed! If we don’t make time to govern ourselves, who will? There’s a reason President John F. Kennedy said, “”My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
Being part of the political process has been an eye opener for me! Common people, just like you and me, decide how our elections operate and the order our conventions run. While serving on the Organizational Committee last Saturday, I helped decide who got to speak and for how long. We decided seating arrangements, what time the convention would start, who would sing the National Anthem, and the list goes on.
Why would I chose to spend my Saturday on politics? I’m not someone seeking great political power. I don’t even like politics! I’m just someone, a farmer, who believes we need to make some positive changes in this country!
It is both our right and our responsibility to become involved in the political process. Exercise your freedoms or lose them! In the Gettysburg Address, President Abraham Lincoln said, “… and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
America is at a turning point. We can’t afford to think that everyone in this world thinks the same way we do. Many in this world do NOT think we should all be equal and all live happily ever after! Remember, the airplanes that flew into the Twin Towers on 9.11? That’s just one recent example of how people around the world would like to cripple the U.S. and grab some of our power.
It’s important that we elect leaders who have learned from history. We need leaders who understand how others in the world think. We need a leader committed to protecting America and American interests because our future depends upon it. I know the future of my kids, my grandkids and our family farm depends on moves the U.S. government makes. Your future – and your family’s future – does, too.
Become part of decision-making process. Elections start in your neighborhood with people you live beside. They may or may not share the same opinions as you do. If they join the process and you don’t, however, whose opinions gets counted? Whose candidates get elected? Our government is a representative, which means your interests may not be represented unless you’re involved!
