Farmers Back in the Field

Several farmers were back in the field today.  They were cutting both beans and corn.  I was surprised it wasn't more muddy, but they were able to get through.  I am sure they are feeling the pressure of getting the crops out while possible.

Should have a few clear days to get things done before the next round of rain comes.

Is Illinois Farm Bureau Already Endorsing Chicago Democrats?

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is running for re-election and is already airing TV ads in the Chicago and some downstate markets. In the ad is a clip of Illinois Farm Bureau President Phil Nelson walking with Quinn. I was suprised to see this.

Is Illinois Farm Bureau already endorsing the Chicago Democrat? I would have a hard time believing this since this Governor has completely wiped out the only agricurultural state research funds with the elimination of funding to the Council on Food and Agricultural Research (CFAR).

Despite the fact that this Governor was part of the Blagojevich adminstration, one of the most corrupt in this nation's history and who floated a plan in the past to implement a sales tax on farm machinery and seed/chemical inputs.

Scary isn't it.

Contest Brewing for Illinois Farm Bureau Presidency

Doug Wilson

Phil Nelson

Apparently former Illinois State USDA Office of Rural Development Director Doug Wilson is preparing for a run at the Illinois Farm Bureau Presidency. At the Illinois State Fair Ag Day today, several people were wearing stickers promoting his candidacy.

He would face off against current IFB President Phil Nelson when the election is held at the annual meeting in December.

Could make for an interesting race.

More Consolidation in the Seed Business

Pfister Hybrid Corn Company is being acquired by Dow Agro-Sciences. The number of independent seed companies seems to be shrinking each year. Pfister used to be one of the dominant seed corn names in our area, but I believe has lost market share through the years.

Dow AgroSciences LLC announced today it is acquiring the majority of assets of Illinois based corn company Pfister Hybrids. The addition of Pfister Hybrids will further expand Dow AgroSciences’ current U.S. seeds business as the company anticipates the introduction of SmartStax™ in 2010 and Dow AgroSciences Herbicide Tolerance (DHT) technology in corn in 2012. The transactional close is expected in the near future.

“Pfister was one of the founding seed corn companies in the Midwest, and we are proud to continue the legacy started more than seven decades ago by one of the nation’s original seedsmen Lester Pfister,” said Stan Howell, vice president, North America Regional Commercial Unit for Dow AgroSciences. “Pfister Seeds is a welcomed addition to our U.S. seed business. At Dow AgroSciences investing in innovation is the key to our future, and we look forward to building upon the Pfister tradition.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Dow AgroSciences will acquire the Pfister brand and the sales and marketing areas, as well as the warehousing and administrative services of the business. Dow AgroSciences will continue to independently market seeds under the Pfister Seeds brand, and Pfister Seeds will continue to be headquartered at its existing location in El Paso.

Tractors Coming to A. Lincoln Presidential Museum

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, Illinois is one of the great treasures in the world in regards to our 16th President. This is an amazing facility and I am glad to see they are going to have this special exhibit.

More than 30 antique and small-engine tractors will be displayed outside the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Sixth and Jefferson streets, from 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 25, in conjunction with the museum’s exhibit, “Illinois
Stories: How Vast and How Varied a Field ... The Agricultural Vision of Abraham
Lincoln.”Tractors can be viewed along Sixth Street in front of the museum. The
Land of Lincoln Antique Tractor and Engine Club will present the show. Visitors
are encouraged to go into the museum to see the only known intact model of a
1918 John Deere all-wheel-drive tractor. Paid admission is required.Original
Lincoln documents and artifacts are displayed alongside antique farm implements
in the exhibit, which runs through Aug. 31, 2010. For more information, visit www.presidentlincoln.org.

VID 00002-20090710-1331

Greg Knott