Young Farmers announce new name for 50th anniversary INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Hundreds of Hoosier young farmers traveled to Indianapolis in January for the annual Indiana Farm Bureau (INFB) Young Farmer Conference. 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of INFB’s program for young farmers. Program leaders also announced an updated name at the conference, which puts a stronger focus on the important role agribusiness professionals play in the program. Now referred to as Young Farmers and Ag Professionals, INFB’s grassroots leadership program is for members under 40 years of age. As the landscape of agriculture continues to change, with fewer individuals directly involved in production agriculture and more in business roles that support agriculture, the new name symbolizes INFB’s focus on involving all young professionals in the industry. Several INFB members and county young farmer programs were honored for their accomplishments in 2018. For the second year in a row, Spencer County Farm Bureau’s young farmer program was recognized with the Outstanding County Young Farmer Award, given to the top program in the state. Johnson and Fulton counties were runners-up. Vanderburgh County Farm Bureau was recognized as the Most Improved Young Farmer Program this year. This is based on a comparison of activities of the past three years and how the activities and programs of that county’s young farmer program have improved. Three county young farmer programs were recognized for contributions to Feeding America, a nonprofit with a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that feed more than 46 million people. Kosciusko County Farm Bureau donated the most nonperishable food items, a total of 4,600 pounds, and Whitley County donated the most money, $300. Tippecanoe County donated the most time, at 102 hours. Conference attendees also raised money for two other special causes, the Indiana 4-H Foundation and the FFA Foundation. The People’s Choice Award winner was new INFB Young Farmers and Ag Professionals Chair Jake Smoker from LaPorte County. A live auction and other fundraising activities raised the total funds donated to $4,343, for the agriculture youth organizations. Illinois soil health lab gives farmers fast results close to home ERIE, Ill. — Midwest farmers now have a resource nearby to provide soil biology assessments quickly and accurately. Midwest Bio-Tech recently opened Illinois’ first dedicated soil health lab. The Midwest Bio-Tech Soil Health Lab can perform tests quickly, so the results can be returned in just a few days. The Soil Health Lab is an approved partner lab for Woods End Laboratories, originators of the Solvita test for soil respiration. The recommended frequency of soil health testing depends on the farmer and their operation. Tests available from the Midwest Bio-Tech Soil Health Lab include the Solvita CO2 Burst Test, Solvita Labile Amino Nitrogen (SLAN) test, Volumetric Aggregate Stability Test (VAST), soil pH, bulk density, soil organic matter, electrical conductivity, and more. For more information, call 309-659-7773, e-mail info@midwestbioman.com or visit www.midwestbioman.com/soil-health-lab PERC announces 2019 Propane Farm Incentive Program WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) encourages producers to take advantage of the 2019 Propane Farm Incentive Program, which offers up to $5,000 off of qualifying propane-powered equipment, including irrigation engines, generators, water heating systems, building heating systems, and flame weed control systems. Sponsored by PERC, the Propane Farm Incentive Program is a nationwide research and demonstration initiative that offers farmers financial incentives toward the purchase of new propane-powered farm equipment, in exchange for sharing feedback and real-world performance data. For more information about the incentive program, a list of qualifying equipment, and the online application, visit www.propane.com/about/incentive-programs/propane-farm-incentive-program For more information about propane use on the farm and the Propane Education & Research Council, visit www.propane.com Grants awarded to strengthen state’s livestock sector INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) awarded more than $70,000 in matching grant funds to 13 projects designed to promote and grow the state’s livestock sector. The grants were awarded to nonprofit organizations, commissions and associations, which were eligible to receive a 50 percent match by the state. The funding can be used for either promotional or market development purposes, and projects were selected based on those that had the greatest impact on Indiana agriculture. Most of this year’s projects will be used to conduct events and conferences, educational programs and industry studies. The following list includes the organizations that received funding for the 2019 grant cycle and their purpose: Franklin County 4-H Assoc.: Franklin County Open Breeding and Market Sheep Show, $2,300 Illinois Indiana Bison Assoc.: 2019 IIBA Spring Educational Conference, $3,000 Indiana Beef Cattle Assoc.: Hoosier Beef Congress, $5,000 Indiana Forage Council, Inc.: Heart of America Grazing Conference, $7,600 The Indiana Junior Hereford Assoc.: The IJHA Preview Show, $750 Indiana Milk Quality Professionals, Inc.: Indiana Milk Quality Conference, $5,750 Indiana Milking Shorthorn Society: American Milking Shorthorn National Convention, $9,400 Indiana Pork Producers Assoc.: Data Collection Study, $15,000 Indiana State Board of Animal Health: Tag Trade IN Program, $10,100 Indiana State Fair Foundation, Inc.: Celebration of Champions, $5,000 Maconaquah FFA: Project “Get your GOAT” (Goal Oriented and Analytical Thinkers), $3,000 Maconaquah Middle School: Maconaquah Cattle Co. $2,500 North Putnam Dollars for Scholars: Putnam County Farm to Fork Dinner, $1,400 For more information about ISDA’s livestock promotion and market development grants, visit www.isda.in.gov Ohio variety wins U.S. Championship Cheese Contest GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — A cheese from Ohio captured the top spot at the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest in Wisconsin. The baby Swiss made by Guggisberg Cheese in Millersburg, Ohio, barely edged out a Gouda made by Marieke Penterman in Thorp, who won the contest in 2013. Penterman was also the second runner-up with another Gouda. The winners were announced at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay March 7, following the three-day event at the Lambeau Field Atrium. It's considered the largest technical cheese, butter and yogurt competition in the country. Entries came from 35 states. They're judged on flavor, body, texture, salt, color, finish, and packaging. Organizers said there were 2,555 entries this year, an 11 percent increase compared to 2017, the last year the biennial event was held. AFIA announces 2018 Feed Facility of the Year winners ARLINGTON, Va. — The American Feed Industry Assoc. (AFIA) and Feedstuffs are proud to announce four category winners for the 2018 Feed Facility of the Year (FFY) program. AFIA congratulates Famo Feeds of Freeport, Minn., as the winner of the commercial dry livestock feed plant category, as well as being named the Overall Winner at the International Production & Processing Expo last month. Koch Foods of Morton, Miss., is the winner of the integrator category; Quality Liquid Feeds of Clovis, N.M., is the winner of the liquid feed plant category; and Trouw Nutrition of Highland, Ill., is the winner of the 2018 premix manufacturing plant category. The FFY award program is recognized as a first-class benchmarking program for the animal food industry. FCMA to distribute $146 million from Patronage program LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For the third year in a row, Farm Credit Mid-America (FCMA) is returning money to eligible customers as part of its Patronage program. This year, the financial services cooperative will distribute record Patronage – $146 million – to eligible customers. Last year, the association shared back $87.9 million, and in 2016, its first year for Patronage, it distributed $27.8 million, for a three-year average of $87 million. Patronage is not a guarantee – the association's board annually has to approve the program, and not all customers will receive a check. Of the association's $23-billion portfolio, $11.4 billion is Patronage-eligible. Association leaders will personally deliver Patronage checks by hand – 36,000 total checks that exceed $20,000 – with the remaining arriving by mail the week of March 25-29. The average check amount is about $3,000, and there are 1,000 checks that are greater than $20,000. Patronage is considered taxable income. For the 2019 Patronage program, FCMA in January 2020 will send an IRS Form to Patronage-eligible recipients, who are encouraged to speak with their financial advisor. For more information on the program, visit e-farmcredit.com/Patronage CME Group increases regular quarterly dividend by 7 percent CHICAGO, Ill. — CME Group, Inc. declared a first-quarter dividend of 75 cents per share, a 7 percent increase from the prior rate of 70 cents per share. The dividend is payable March 25 to shareholders of record as of March 8, 2019. As the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, CME enables clients to trade futures, options, cash and OTC markets, optimize portfolios, and analyze data, empowering market participants worldwide to efficiently manage risk and capture opportunities. County Bancorp of Wisconsin declares quarterly dividend MANITOWOC, Wis. — County Bancorp, Inc., the parent company for Investors Community Bank, announced on Feb. 19 its board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 5 cents per share. The dividend will be payable on March 22 to shareholders of record as of March 8, 2019. County Bancorp, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation and registered bank holding company founded in May 1996, and its wholly-owned subsidiary Investors Community Bank, a Wisconsin-chartered bank, are headquartered in Manitowoc. Farmers have cost-share opportunity for certification program NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee farmers looking to expand their markets and increase food safety by becoming good agricultural practices (GAP) certified now have the opportunity to receive financial assistance from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA). GAP certification allows producers to sell directly to more businesses and institutions with stringent food safety requirements, such as grocery stores or hospitals. These new opportunities allow producers to increase their income, and the certification helps to ensure food is safe and wholesome for specialty crops throughout Tennessee. The application period closes August 31. Qualified producers will have the opportunity to offset the cost of a GAP Certification inspection by being reimbursed 75 percent of the inspection cost up to $750. Funds are available on a first come, first served basis. Grant funds are available to producers only; warehouses and distributors may not apply. Find more information and the application at www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/produce-nursery/gap.html or by emailing Grant Pulse at grant.pulse@tn.gov Wilbur-Ellis feed division becomes Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition VANCOUVER, Wash. — Wilbur-Ellis Feed, LLC, an industry leader in the international marketing and distribution of nutrients for the livestock, pet food, and aquaculture industries, introduced its rebranded name: Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition. In addition, the division also launched a new website at www.wilburellisnutrition.com with an updated look and feel. The Wilbur Ellis Nutrition website highlights the division’s service and solutions-based approach to managing longstanding relationships with customers and partners. As part of its dedication to supporting the nutrition and wellness of animals, Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition added to its robust catalogue of premium nutrients for animal health by acquiring the business of Ameri-Pac Inc., a leading contract manufacturer of premium antioxidants, stabilizers and custom-made, private-label pet food premixes, in October 2018. Wilbur-Ellis Co. also announced it acquired the assets of Wiles Brothers Fertilizer, Inc., one of the top independent agriculture retailers in the state of Nebraska. Family-owned and operated since 1976, Wiles Brothers has been a highly successful, independent ag retailer, providing its customers with fertilizer, crop protection, seed products, and application services. Tillable raises $8.25M to bring efficiency to rental market CHICAGO, Ill. — Tillable, the online marketplace for the $32 billion farmland rental market, announced an $8.25 million Series A funding round. The round was led by top agtech investment holding company The Production Board, with participation by First Round Capital. Tillable’s easy-to-use online marketplace helps landowners and farmers determine fair rent for farmland, helping both sides connect on an efficient, convenient, and secure online platform. With Tillable, landowners can optimize the financial return on their land, gain visibility into how their acreage is used, and identify growers who will act as responsible stewards for their properties’ long-term viability. Tillable will use the Series A funding to expand its engineering, sales, and marketing teams in order to rapidly accelerate its efforts to attract landowners and farmers to the platform ahead of the 2020 growing season. For more information, visit www.tillable.com Corteva teams with DroneDeploy to bring mapping to UAV fleet WILMINGTON, Del. — Corteva Agriscience announced a global agreement with DroneDeploy to use DroneDeploy in its fleet of more than 400 DJI drones across the company’s global seed production and supply chain, as well as its Pioneer Strategic Account Management and Agronomy teams in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and Europe. DroneDeploy is the market leader in commercial drone software and aerial site intelligence for the construction and agriculture sectors. Its advanced mapping software combined with the expertise of Corteva Agriscience field teams offers immediate insights to diagnose and correct agronomic, disease, or pest concerns, as well as to optimally place products. UAV operators can survey a 160-acre field in less than 15 minutes, quickly spotting variations in plant and soil health. Every operator will be trained on how best to harness the power of the aerial technology and will be certified according to local aviation regulations. Power to Do More contest offering $10,000 grand prize INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Corteva Agriscience encourages corn farmers to again show the world photos of their powerful inspirations as part of the 2019 Power to Do More contest. The contest, sponsored by the corn herbicides portfolio of Corteva, honors farmers and their commitment to their communities. Corn farmers can enter the contest by visiting PowerToDoMore.com by April 28 for a chance to win the grand prize of $10,000 for a local nonprofit of choice or two second-place prizes of $5,000 for their selected nonprofits. The 2018 contest winners supported local FFA chapters and a county community foundation. Photo entries may include fields, family, friends, pets, equipment – whatever means the most to the entrant. Up to 10 finalists will be selected for community voting. The finalists with the most votes by July 8 will win. Follow along on social media with the hashtag #PowerOverWeeds |