Larry Sailer is known as a hog farmer from North Central Iowa, an agvocate and the author of “Musings of a Pig Farmer.”  Some folks even remember that he wrestled in college.  But did you know that Larry is the proud grandfather of a member of the Iowa State Cyclone football team?

Devin Lemke was a three-star recruit and named to The Des Moines Register Class 2A first-team all-state team.  As a high school senior, Devin caught 10 passes for 199 yards and four touchdowns.  He threw a 55-yard touchdown pass as a tight end on offense.  He also recorded 53 tackles, nine for a loss, earning all-district honors as a junior.

An all-around athlete, Devin lettered four times in track and wrestling.  He was a two-time conference champion and qualified for state wrestling tournament as a junior.  He placed third in state as a senior and was one of three finalists for Mr. Wrestler.  Devin also was member of state champion 4×100-meter relay team and finished third in 200 meter dash at state championships as a junior.

With stats like these, it’s no wonder Devin was being recruited by both Iowa and Iowa State.  An endearment to the Cardinal & Gold, as well as respect for Coach Paul Rhoads and his vision to build the ISU football program, ultimately swayed his decision.  When Devin announced his commitment to Iowa State, he was quoted in the newspaper as saying, “It means a lot to know that I’ll be representing my home state.  My family is proud of me, and my decision to pick Iowa State really made them happy.”

“We’re proud of all Devin has accomplished on the field and in the classroom,” says Larry.  “But most importantly, he’s just a great kid! He takes sports seriously, but win or lose, he acts with class.  He’s earned respect from his opponents and coaches alike.”

“Devin is a hard worker whenever there’s a job to do,” adds Larry.  “He’s dependable and he doesn’t quite until the job is done. He has helped us on the farm for many years and still comes home to help every chance he gets.  He literally gave me a helping hand when I was laid up and couldn’t do my hog chores this past winter.  He comes home often and helps wash out the hog barns.  He helps during the planting and harvest seasons, too.  He’s a real worker.”

This weekend that Iowa work ethic will get put to use on the gridiron.  Larry and his wife, Janice, along with Devin’s parents, Charlotte and Lance Lemke, will be among the happiest fans in the stands.  Not only does Saturday’s game against the UNI Panthers mark the Cyclones’ 2013 season opener, but it’s also Devin’s return to the game as a shoulder injury keep him on the sidelines last season.

How does a family celebrate such an occasion?  The Sailer family celebrates with pork, of course!  Charlotte has requested that Larry smoke a pork loin, which is a family favorite.  But a tailgate just wouldn’t be complete without a few side dishes and snacks.  That’s why today Janice is sharing her simple recipe for Mexican Dip.  Mix together a batch and get ready for a Cyclone weather alert!

Soon summer vacation will end and all classes will resume at all of our local schools.  The same goes for the United States Congress.  Their August recess ends soon, and there’s a real need for them to sharpen their pencils and get to work!

Our Federal elected officials have been home (hopefully) talking to us, the people whom they represent.  This past month provided constituents with an opportunity to visit U.S. senators and congressmen about topics that matter most to us.  Now that our elected officials are returning to Washington, D.C., it’s time to stop talking to them.  Instead, send them an email or drop them a letter.  I was told by a state representative that one time he voted on the opinion of one email – just one!  Letters and emails are so important, and that’s why I’m once again writing about the Food Security Act.

House Speaker John Boehner expects to bring up the Farm Bill “immediately” when the House returns Sept. 9.  He expects to appoint conferees the next day and finish the bill before Sept. 30 when the current farm bill expires.  However, House Agriculture Committee ranking member Collin Peterson is not optimistic.  Peterson says it’s more likely the current Farm Bill will be extended – again.

We don’t need an extension.  We need a bill!  And I mean “need.”

“I don’t care which side of the aisle you align yourself with – no one can be proud of what is going on, or more accurately, not going in our nation’s capital,” writes farmer and rancher Glenn Brunkow in his blog “Dust on the Dashboard.”  He makes a compelling case for why the Farm Bill is so desperately needed:

1. Food security must be established to insure that a society will grow and flourish. Nowhere in history will you find an enduring world power without a strong agricultural foundation.
2. World powers have always been food secure. Wars are started by hungry people!
3. A strong food and fiber production system was undeniably a matter of national security.  Think how the price of crude oil fluctuates based on the whims of other nations that don’t have our best interests in mind; now think about how that would be if that was your food we were talking about. We can’t become dependent on foreign nations for our food!

The Food Security Act goes much further than the production of food and fiber.  And, it’s extremely complicated.  There are parts of the Farm Bill that deal with everything from how we conserve our soils, to export our farm products.  It even includes food assistance programs.  In fact, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding now accounts for 80% of the Farm Bill.

The SNAP program has been a part of the bill for years, but it’s become an increasingly large budget item.  SNAP cost almost $80 billion last year – twice the amount it cost just five years ago!  Our federal budget must be considered in any legislation that is passed.  I know this is not always done, which has resulted in the deficit with which we now labor.

On a side note, the U.S. Deficit is a huge national security risk!  We must trim funding.  We must address the waste in the SNAP program.  I know that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says he’s working on it, but honestly, a lot of money is being spent on a lifestyle and not on food.  (I know it’s not politically correct for me to say this.  Everyone “needs” a cell phone, cable TV and the Internet.)

The reality is that North Americans aren’t naked and starving, so food security is secondary.  On the Doc ‘n Lefty show last week, Doc talked about how wealthy Americans pocketed millions of funds for farms they had never even been on.  We’re willing to fix that, but remember, this type of fix almost always hurts the small and beginning farmers most.

The Food Security Act is needed whether you live in a city, on a farm, or are in need.  This is one bill that should be non-partisan.  Contact your U.S. congressman and senators.  Let them know what you think.  It’s time to mind your own business!

Nearly 100 people, driving or riding motorcycles and muscle cars, channeled famous Iowa explorers as they traveled through Lewis & Clark Country on Saturday, Aug. 24, for the 5^th Annual Latham Freedom of Independence Ride.  The 134-mile route took drivers down the Lewis & Clark Trail.

One highlight of this adventure was a ride across Blue Lake on an historic keelboat similar to the one Lewis & Clark, along with 26 men, traveled up the Mississippi River from St. Louis. Army Captain Meriwether Lewis and his former commanding officer William Clark were commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson in 1804 to explore the vast western territory purchased from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase.  Lewis & Clark embodied the nationalistic vision and patriotism that formed the spirit and richness of American history.

Another fun stop along the way was Sioux Jerseys LLP, a state-of-the-art dairy where cows are milked 24/7 using two, double Mag 90i parallel parlors.  Because Sioux Jerseys contracts with Well’s Blue Bunny, following the tour, riders were treated to Blue Bunny® ice cream.  One bite into a sweet treat makes it clear why Wells – the largest, family-owned and operated ice cream manufacturer in the United State – is celebrating its 100^th year of business in 2013.

One of the crop stops included a Latham® Hi‑Tech Soybean showcase, where Latham Product Manager Mark Grundmeier gave an overview of three exciting technologies in the pipeline.  Latham Forage Products Manager Corey Catt also talked about the importance of micronutrients to increase corn yield, forage production and alfalfa tonnage.

Of course, no field day – even one on two wheels – would be complete without a corn technologies showcase.  Riders had a chance to learn more about Agrisure Artesian corn products, which provide season-long drought protection to increase yield in moisture-stressed fields.  Two Latham Hi‑Tech Hybrids for 2014 planting, LH 4974 3011A and LH 6412 GTA, will feature this fascinating new trait.

Agrisure Duracade™ is a brand new mode of action for corn rootworm control and will be combined with Agrisure RW to give two modes of action. Agrisure E-Z Refuge™ offer performance, ease-of-handling and reduced.  We’ll begin with LH 5495 3122 and plan to add other trait packages like Duracade as they gain regulatory approval.

Watch for exciting new announcements soon from Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds!  Be part of the journey every day at www.thefieldposition.com .  We also post agronomic tips and news of interest daily on our company’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LathamSeeds.  You can also follow @LathamSeeds on Twitter.

For a recap of Latham’s first four Freedom of Independence Rides, click on the links below:

• Good Times Roll at Inaugural Freedom Ride
• Freedom Riders Join Drivers in the Seed Industry
• Picture Perfect Ride Conditions for 3^rd Annual Freedom Ride
• Going Hog Wild for Latham’s 65^th Anniversary

T-Rex wasn’t a stand-up guy.  Most people believe Tyrannosaurus Rex stood upright and walked like a duck.  However, scientists have new proof that this ferocious dinosaur hunted for food with its tail in the air and its head pitched in front of its two massive legs.

Scientists blame toys and television shows like “Barney the Purple Dinosaur” plus other popular culture influences for misconceptions about the T-Rex’s posture.  Knowing the truth about how the T-Rex actually walked may not change our lives in any significant way, but this story a great example of how pop culture can cloud reality.

While reading about the T-Rex, I was reminded of a blog I wrote about how children’s cartoons and songs like “Old McDonald Had a Farm” don’t portray modern farming.  Many kids grow up envisioning farm animals as cute, cuddly little creatures – that often talk or sing.  These farm animal characters express feelings and even reason like human beings.

Even folks, who think they know what a farm looks like, draw pictures of how farms looked when they were kids.  They often envision farms from the 1940s to the 1960s when every farm family had its own milk cow, a beef herd and a coop full of laying hens.  Most don’t have any idea of what a family farm looks like today or how much technology is involved with modern day agriculture.

When one considers all the influences from children’s storybooks and songs to million-dollar advertising campaigns paid for by extreme animal rights activists, it’s no wonder that Americans’ perception of farming is a little misguided.

It’s critical that farmers engage in conversations with non-farmers to promote understanding of today’s agriculture.  I’m committed to listening first, learning the language of consumers and engaging in fruitful conversations!

We must build connections between farmers and consumers.  That’s why I commend the Iowa Food and Family Project for its “Get Connected to Farming” exhibit at the Iowa State Fair.  For those who are interested in getting a first-hand look at where their food comes from, I encourage you to stop by Farm Bureau Park, the Animal Learning Center and the Ag Magic Show.  See for yourself – from now through Aug. 18 – why Nothing Else Compares to the Iowa State Fair!

Bring out your inner explorer as you travel western Iowa for the 5^th Annual Latham Freedom of Independence Ride on Saturday, Aug. 24.

This year we’ll be traveling the Lewis & Clark Byway throughout the Loess Hills, one of the most beautiful drives this state has to offer.  The 120-mile route will take us into two farm fields, through a dairy and across a lake in a historic keel boat.

Our corn stop will showcase new Latham® Hi‑Tech Hybrids in our 2014 corn product lineup including Genuity® DroughtGard™, Agrisure E-Z Refuge™ and Agrisure Duracade™.  Our soybean stop will feature two new technologies that are in the pipeline: Dicamba-tolerant soybeans (Roundup Ready® Xtend) and those with 2,4-D tolerance (Enlist E3).

Get ready for the seed industry’s fastest field day!  Motorcycles of any make and vehicles of any model – as long as they can travel 55 mph – are welcome.  However, pre-registration is required as space is limited.  Click here to register now!

Check out the fun we’ve had in years past:

• Freedom Ride IV – Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ 65^th anniversary celebration
• Freedom Ride III – the Great River Ride
• Freedom Ride II – Central Iowa (recap with video)
• Freedom Ride I – Okoboji, Iowa’s Great Lakes

I’m doing another blog about my experiences on the Black Sea Study Trip to Eastern Europe, so hopefully you’re not getting tired of this subject. From converting weights and measurements to contrasting farmer’s markets, there are just so many fascinating things to talk about!

We spent the majority of our time touring farms and learning about agriculture, but we also got to do a little sightseeing. One of my favorite stops was Transylvania, in the heart of rural Romania, at the medieval Bran Castle. This castle has been appraised at $180 million, making it one of the most expensive houses in the world! It’s owned by architect Archduke Dominic Hasburg, Princess lleana’s son, who resides in New York.

Originally built in 1212 by the Knights of the Teutonic Order, Bran Castle remained an important feudal fortress throughout the Middle Ages. Then in 1921, Queen Maria of Romania brought the royal court architect to the castle for extensive renovations and transformed it into a Royal residence. The castle was taken from the royals by the communists in 1948, and in 2006, it was returned to the Archduke.

Bran Castle is better known as Dracula’s Castle.  Dracula, written in 1897 by Brampton Stocker, is one of the most famous horror novels of all time. It’s based on Prince Vlad the Impaler, who was imprisoned in the castle for one night in the 1400s. He was famous for the way he killed his foes and terrorized his enemies.  In fact, killing a vampire with a wooden stake most likely came from his practices.

Inside the castle courtyard is a scale that was used to determine whether or not a lady was a witch. The lady was placed on one side the scale; a Bible and some stones were placed on the other side.  If the lady weighed more, she was considered a witch and put to death!

After touring the castle, we enjoyed lunch in the village. The restaurateur told us about his flock of sheep. Since he makes his own cheese from sheep’s milk, we enjoyed sampling many different kinds. He also prepared a very good meal of lamb.  He uses many sheepskins as decorations, too. It was certainly a dining experience unlike any I’ve had in the States!

Traveling abroad certainly provides one with unique experiences and perspectives.  I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to see so many interesting places throughout Eastern Europe and to learn about agriculture from half a world away.  Hats off to David Miller and the Iowa Farm Bureau for all of their efforts!