The battle of farming ideas in Africa

Joseph Odiambo walks decisively past eight plots of corn and comes to a stop in front of the ninth. Where the other plants towered sugar-cane thick with broad crisp blades, here the plants are skinny and stunted, draped with yellow-tinged leaves.

The contrast is deliberate, an advertisement for the wares Odiambo sells from his roadside supply shop in western Kenya. While the shopkeeper’s robust plots were planted with commercial seed and carefully nurtured with inorganic fertilizer, his sickly specimens are the result of seeds sown in the bare ground. “We wanted to have a control plot, to show the difference,” he says.

Odiambo’s demonstration plots are an opening salvo in a battle between two very different agricultural philosophies. The goal itself is not in dispute: a healthier, wealthier Africa, one that can feed itself and perhaps even export. Both sides also agree that the solution should be green. The disagreement lies over just what that word means. Read more

Garden Design Workshop Summer School 2009

If you’re interested in gardens and garden design, this three-day course will provide an invaluable introduction. The emphasis throughout will be on what makes gardens successful, and as well as understanding some of the key concepts and ideas underpinning both traditional and contemporary garden design, you will be experimenting with ideas for real and hypothetical garden spaces.

Dates: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday June 2009 – exact dates to be confirmed.

Time: 10am to 5pm Wednesday (an hour break for lunch), Thursday 9 am to 6 pm (half hour break for lunch) on Friday 10 am until 4.30 pm (an hour break for lunch).

Venue: University College Falmouth Garden Design Studio, Tremough Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ.

Price: £255 (includes transport to gardens and entrance fees excludes lunch)

As well as short lectures, workshop exercises and discussion groups, there will be visits to some of Cornwall’s most beautiful gardens some famous and some surprising ones you may not know — where the layout and content of these established spaces will be explained in design terms. The course will also show you how to develop your own ideas, how to apply the design principles you have learned and how to communicate your design intentions to suppliers, builders, specialists and contractors. We will also briefly discuss budget estimating and realistic construction costs. You will be shown a wide range of ideas which underpin gardens. Whether you’re interested in pursuing a career in garden design or simply want to gain the skills and confidence to tackle to your own garden space, this course will be both informative and fun. Read more

World Ag Expo Names Western Farm Press and BEEF Magazine as Official Publications

World Ag Expo announces the selection of two major agricultural publications to officially represent significant sectors of the agriculture industry. World Ag Expo, scheduled in 2009 for February 10–12, in Tulare, CA, is the largest annual agriculture equipment and technology show in the world.

“Western Farm Press becomes the event’s official agriculture newspaper,” said Expo General Manager Jerry Sinift. “This publication will provide strong editorial coverage of the 2009 World Ag Expo in the nation’s most productive agricultural state.”

Western Farm Press continues in 2009 with its sponsorship of the Expo’s TOP TEN New Products, where agriculture’s most innovative and technologically oriented products are selected for display in the show’s New Products Center.

BEEF magazine, the official beef publication of World Ag Expo, strengthens the editorial outreach to the Western United States’ beef industry. In addition, the publication will present a special “Beef Seminar” from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, February 11. All producers interested in the latest information on the beef industry are invited and will be provided a lunch following the seminar.

“We value the tremendous editorial reach these two publications provide our event,” Sinift said. “Now World Ag Expo also can communicate with potential Expo attendees via each publication’s informational website and e-mail communications sent to their readers.”

Western Farm Press and BEEF are published by Penton Media’s agricultural division. Penton currently publishes the widely circulated World Ag Expo’s Official Magazine and Show Guide.

World Ag Expo occupies more than 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space, hosts more than 1,600 exhibitors and draws an estimated 100,000 attendees over its three-day run.

Source: WorldAgExpo.com

World Ag Expo redesigns Website

World Ag Expo redesigns Web site

The World Ag Expo, the world’s largest annual farm equipment and agriculture technology exhibition, has launched a redesigned Web site.

The site is designed to provide the current, accurate information about the Expo, with general information, exhibitor download tools and media access. Online: worldagexpo.com.

Emerald Bay launches new packaging design

One of Carmel’s Chateau Julien Inc.’s three brands, Emerald Bay, will launch a new package design beginning with the 2006 vintage of wines.

The new label signifies the winery’s direction toward enhanced education in sustainable practices of wine production, hospitality and grape growing.

Four varietals – Chardonnay, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and white zinfandel – will be released this summer nationwide.

All of the varietals are available in both 750ml and 1.5L sizes.

January is dried plum month, governor says

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proclaimed January 2009 as “California Dried Plum Digestive Health Month.”

In honor of the proclamation, the CDPB plans to educate the general public about the health benefits of California Dried Plums and raise awareness about achieving and maintaining good digestive health, so Americans may improve their overall health and well-being.

State agricultural vision framework released

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture and the California Department of Food and Agriculture are releasing the California Agricultural Vision framework for public comment.

The “Ag Vision” will help craft long term policy priorities for the state’s food system bringing together various stakeholders with the common goal of advancing innovation and the sustainability of California’s agricultural future.

This includes perspectives from farmers, ranchers and processors as well as nutrition, conservation, environmental and rural development groups.

The Ag Vision’s framework is centered on three policy priorities for a sustainable agri-food system:

# Better health and well-being: Meeting the nutritional needs of California’s diverse population.

# A healthier planet: Agricultural stewardship of the natural resources upon which California food production depends.

# Thriving communities: Food production is a driver of sustainable California economic growth.

Public feedback on the Ag Vision is due by February 20, 2009.

Comments can be submitted online at www.cdfa.gov/agvision; agvision@cdfa.ca.gov; or California Agricultural Vision, 1220 N Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814.

Source:
Copyright ©2008 Salinas Californian

Agco Corp. sees lower farm equipment sales in 2009 as global economic crisis effect

(DANIEL LOVERING, Associated Press) Agco Corp., one of the world’s largest farm equipment makers, said Thursday it expects lower sales of its tractors, combines and other machinery next year as the global financial crisis erodes demand.

Like other farm equipment companies, Agco faces the prospect of declining sales after strong growth earlier this year, which was fueled by soaring crop prices. But the price of corn, a bellwether of the agricultural economy, fell recently to less than $3 a bushel from $7 earlier this year as commodity markets plunged amid the global economic crisis.

Still, the Duluth, Ga., company’s chief executive, Martin Richenhagen, told analysts at an investor conference in New York that long-term prospects remained bright as farmers call for more sophisticated machines to boost crop yields and meet expanding food and energy needs worldwide.
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Visit these great exhibitors while at the AG & Construction EXPO

Agri-Best Feeds

Agri-Best Feeds of Shepherd, Mont., offers SweetPro Feeds, the “Super Fuel for Cattle and Horses.” SweetPro, in blocks or granular, has a great mineral and vitamin package dispensed on distillers grains (with no molasses), and is an excellent protein and energy source. Topped off with the digestive aide ProBioTein, this block plus your forage equals complete balanced ration.

Stop by Agri-Best Feeds booth while at the AG & Construction EXPO.

Agri Industries AMC

Agri Industries AMC of Miles City, Mont., will be displaying Valley center pivot parts and at the AG & Construction EXPO at the MetraPark in Billings, Mont. They will also have grain bin information and possibly displays. See them at this year’s show.

Aldrich Lumber

Aldrich Lumber currently has pole buildings on special. They custom design all sizes and styles for needs from storage to barns. Buildings are maintenance-free with 17 colors to choose from. Crews can start erecting immediately. See the folks from Aldrich Lumber for a free quote while at the show.

ATV-X, Inc.

ATV-X, Inc., Lynch, Neb., will be in Billings, Mont., for the AG & Construction EXPO, Jan. 8-10.

ATV-X offers a machine that attaches to an ATV and is used for cutting unwanted volunteer trees. The unit fits all ATVs and is recommended for ATVs 400 cc or larger. Its simple, yet effective design allows the Treechopper to float over even the roughest terrain. Stop by the ATV-X booth to view this product.

Bill’s Volume Sales

Bill’s Volume Sales, Pierce, Colo., will be in Billings Jan. 8-10 for the AG & Construction EXPO.

Bill’s carries new and used Roto-Mix Feed Mixers, truck and trailer units. They offer sales and complete service on all brands. Scale service is available, also.

Stop by the Bill’s Volume Sales booth for more information on their line of products.

Buerkley Siding & Windows

Buerkley Siding & Windows, Billings, Mont., offers efficient windows, siding, door and roof solutions to help reduce high energy costs. They specialize in all types of siding applications, as well as new windows, doors, soffit and fascia.

Visit the Buerkley booth to ask about their financing program and get a free estimate.

Costco Wholesale

Costco of Billings, Mont., will showcase items that provide members with quality, while maintaining low prices. The featured services include check printing, merchant credit processing, business financing, and business phone services. American Express “3-2-1 card” reimburses shoppers for dining out, travel and other expenses and the business AMEX card pays 5 percent on gas.

Visit the Costco booth at the show.

Cross Petroleum Service

Cross Petroleum Service of Billings has been servicing the commercial, industrial, and agricultural fields for over 30 years. As well as lubricants, they offer fuel, propane and additives that help maintain and extend the life and efficiency of machinery.

Cross Petroleum is committed to providing products and service that meet or exceed expectations. See them at the 2009 Ag & Construction Expo.

Cummins Rocky Mountain

Cummins Rocky Mountain, Billings, Mont., is a large distributor of Cummins engines and power generation in North America. They offer sales, service and parts to customers in the agricultural, mining, oil and gas industries on highway or power generation markets.
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