Co-Alliance joins Dulls Tree Farm in ‘Trees for Troops’</p><p>
REAGAN, Ind. — Thanks to the generosity of the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Assoc., the Dulls family business and several local Co-Alliance employees, troops serving around the world enjoyed a homegrown Christmas tree this holiday season.</p><p>
Employees at Co-Alliance’s Reagan Agronomy Plant volunteered time and muscle to help ship packaged trees to American troops serving in the Middle East and other posts. According to Reagan Branch Manager Jerry Batts, his employees wanted to show the members of our military that they were not forgotten at this time.
“It is our chance to send a bit of home to them while they are away doing an important job for our country,” he said. “No one wants to be apart from family and friends at this time of year. The Dulls have been very generous to organize this effort for our troops. We’re glad to help.”</p><p>
Like Dulls Tree Farm, Co-Alliance is a locally-owned company. It is headquartered in Danville, Ind., and serves thousands of energy and agronomy consumers through local branches across Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.</p><p>
Monsanto growers could get crop insurance break</p><p>

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Farmers using Monsanto Co. seed for their genetically engineered corn could get a break on their crop insurance this year.</p><p>
The USDA operates the federally subsidized crop insurance program. It has approved insect-resistant Monsanto corn for a premium-reduction program that will be available in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota.</p><p>
In its application to the USDA, the St. Louis-based company submitted three years of data indicating use of its “triple-stack” YieldGard seed cuts the risk of crop losses. The seeds produce plants that are toxic to various insects and that are immune to Roundup herbicide, simplifying weed control.</p><p>
Farmers using the Monsanto seed could see some savings. The premium discounts will differ depending on the policy, but federal officials estimate growers could save an average of 13 percent. Monsanto officials say the discount would equal about $2 an acre on revenue-assurance policies.</p><p>
Industry groups say premiums have increased greatly as the price of corn has climbed due to demand for grain from ethanol producers.</p><p>
“Premiums compared to two years ago have probably doubled,” says Ron Litterer of Greene, Iowa, president of the National Corn Growers Assoc.</p><p>
Monsanto’s competitor, Johnston-based Pioneer Hi-Bred International, offers a similar type of seed and is gathering data to apply for the premium-discount program for next year’s crop, according to spokesman Todd Frazier.</p><p>
Beck’s Hybrids offers approved traits for new BYE program
 ATLANTA, Ind. — Beck’s Hybrids, a family-owned seed company, announced it has available the approved biotech traits for use in the new Biotech Yield Endorsement (BYE) program released by USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) earlier this month.  Farmers from Indiana and Illinois can now use specific Beck’s Hybrids products to help reduce their crop insurance premiums.</p><p>
In a report on Dec. 13, RMA stated, “Producers with an individual yield or revenue insurance plan (APH, RA or CRC) at a buy-up level of federal crop insurance coverage will be eligible for the discount on any unit in which they plant at least 75 percent of their non-irrigated corn for grain acres to a qualifying corn hybrid.</p><p>
“RMA will release the BYE, containing the eligibility criteria, and instructions to approved insurance providers in the near future. This endorsement does not waive or otherwise affect the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) existing refuge requirements. Producers will be expected to be in full compliance with all EPA requirements.”</p><p>
The only qualifying corn hybrids approved for this program are YieldGard Plus with Roundup Ready Corn 2 and YieldGard VT Triple.  Beck’s Hybrids offers farmers more than 28 different corn products that meet RMA and the EPA requirements in this new program.</p><p>
Growers are encouraged to contact their local Beck’s dealer, district sales manager or Beck’s main office at 800-937-2325 to learn more about how many of Beck’s products can assist them in meeting the BYE program requirements and reducing their crop insurance premiums.</p><p>
Indiana State Fair earns seven Awards of Excellence
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana State Fair received seven Awards of Excellence from the International Assoc. of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) at its recent convention. The Hoosier fair won for its agricultural programs and communications materials for the 2007 fair, themed “There’s No Better Time!”</p><p>
This is the 19th consecutive year the fair has received multiple awards from IAFE, which has more than 2,500 members. This year, the fair tallied four communications awards, sponsored by K & K Insurance, and three awards for agricultural programming, sponsored by John Deere.</p><p>
The four communications awards were: Outstanding Magazine Ad, Outstanding Television Ad, Outstanding Media Guide/Press Kit and Overall Advertising Campaign. The three agricultural programming awards were: What Was Newly Established or Developed at Your Fair to Promote Agriculture – “The Wonder Trail;” Overall Agricultural Program for the Non-Agricultural Fairgoing Public – “Year of Corn;” and Agricultural Awards Best of Division – “The Wonder Trail.”</p><p>