Good Town Halls in Guthrie Center, Harlan and Audubon. We talked about HSUS, climate change legislation, price and cost volatility in agriculture and livestock regulations.
Crops looked great - only have 4 more months to go for a great harvest... Plenty of problems can come, but things look good so far.
A great no-till field day near Shelby. Around 200 folks there learning how to save soil and grow great crops. Good folks making things happen. And a good steak sandwich for lunch!
We did have time to swing by Hamlin for a pork tenderloin, winner of the 2003 best pork tenderloin in Iowa. I've got to say it was great.
An event at Duane and Shirley Acker's home was a great finish to a busy day. They hosted an event for me in their shop. They are wonderful hosts and had a great crowd there. My Mom and Dad drove down from Spirit Lake for the evening! We all had a wonderful time. Thanks to everyone for being there and for all your support.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Go West (Old) Young Man
I am off to the west today. Town Halls in Guthrie Center, Harlan and Audubon and a to-till field day near Shelby. I finish the day at the Acker's near Atlantic.
It will be good to check out the crops in this direction. Even better to hear from folks with their thoughts about agriculture.
It will be good to check out the crops in this direction. Even better to hear from folks with their thoughts about agriculture.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Monday on the Road
The weather this morning for the WMT tractor ride was perfect. We left the Dubuque County Fairgrounds at 7:45, stopped in Farley at 9 and got to Dyersville at 10:30. It is amazing what you see at 10mph that you miss when going 55mph.
Most of the corn and soybeans looked good, though the crops are in several stages from small to knee high. Weeds are slowing some of the crop growth, but most fields looked quite clean. Some hay was cut and harvested, quite a bit was down and some was to be cut yet. The cool spring has slowed down alfalfa maturity and the dampness has made it hard to get up in good condition.
We had a nice group for the Delaware County Town Hall in Manchester. We talked a lot about milk prices and climate change. Milk prices are taking large chunks out of producers right now. Make sure and do all you can to help folks by eating and drinking dairy products. Climate change legislation is an issues that comes on constantly at our meetings. There is a big concern about what the impact could be on agriculture.
I finished the day in Boone County for a Flag Day event. We had great BBQ (check out Big G's) and good fellowship. Thank you Marti for all your work on the event. And thanks everyone for coming out on a beautiful evening. Thank you Bonnie for the invitation.
Great to have the Keplers there, to see the Branstads, to have David Jamison (go David) and to hear from Jerry Behn, Chris Rants and Ed Failor, Jr. I got to speak as well and appreciate the opportunity to thank folks for their support and to look ahead to what is coming down the road.
Most of the corn and soybeans looked good, though the crops are in several stages from small to knee high. Weeds are slowing some of the crop growth, but most fields looked quite clean. Some hay was cut and harvested, quite a bit was down and some was to be cut yet. The cool spring has slowed down alfalfa maturity and the dampness has made it hard to get up in good condition.
We had a nice group for the Delaware County Town Hall in Manchester. We talked a lot about milk prices and climate change. Milk prices are taking large chunks out of producers right now. Make sure and do all you can to help folks by eating and drinking dairy products. Climate change legislation is an issues that comes on constantly at our meetings. There is a big concern about what the impact could be on agriculture.
I finished the day in Boone County for a Flag Day event. We had great BBQ (check out Big G's) and good fellowship. Thank you Marti for all your work on the event. And thanks everyone for coming out on a beautiful evening. Thank you Bonnie for the invitation.
Great to have the Keplers there, to see the Branstads, to have David Jamison (go David) and to hear from Jerry Behn, Chris Rants and Ed Failor, Jr. I got to speak as well and appreciate the opportunity to thank folks for their support and to look ahead to what is coming down the road.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
WMT Tractorcade
In Peosta tonight. I will drive in the WMT Tractorcade tomorrow. The Tractorcade starts in the Dubuque Fairgrounds in the morning. Andy Petersen is the 5-9am morning guy and has put together the drive. I will drive his dad's tractor in the morning. We will be talking on the air about 7:10. Listen in on AM600 - the blowtorch.
There is nothing quite like driving a tractor through the rolling hills of eastern Iowa. I am looking forward to it!
We saw some very good looking corn and soybeans on the way here from Des Moines this evening. There were some uneven spots in some of the low ground, but for the most things looked great. Some alfalfa hay is down and that will produce a great smell for a slow tractor ride. Should be great.
There is nothing quite like driving a tractor through the rolling hills of eastern Iowa. I am looking forward to it!
We saw some very good looking corn and soybeans on the way here from Des Moines this evening. There were some uneven spots in some of the low ground, but for the most things looked great. Some alfalfa hay is down and that will produce a great smell for a slow tractor ride. Should be great.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
VandeRose in CA
Soon I'm off to see the VandeRose meat market here near Sacramento and then will head back to Iowa. It will be great to see how they market premium Iowa meat in California. It has been good to see Mark Linder here and will be good to see one of his pride and joys - the VandeRose Meat Market.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Water and Ag
Today we had a full discussion on water laws, rights and wars in California and beyond. There are some parallels to what happens around levy and environmental issues and water in Iowa, but for the most part we are fortunate to not have to deal with many of the CA issues. Including their budget crisis!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
