FARMINDUSTRYNEWS.COM

Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM

Big thinkers talk about ag

Well-known ag economist Mike Boehlje from Purdue University predicts how crop farming in the Midwest will look in the next decade. He also gives advice about handling the recession. Boehlje's video interview is part of the Farm Industry News “Big Think” series, in which influential thinkers are interviewed by FIN reporters. See page 31 for the “Big Think” story.

Also watch the video featuring another big thinker, Tony Grift, University of Illinois ag engineer.
farmindustrynews.com/tv/

Results of Purdue's grower survey

Purdue University recently reported the results of its popular Large Commercial Producer Survey. Allan Gray, professor with the Department of Agriculture Economics, gives a brief look at highlights of the survey results. The survey tracks how farmers purchase their inputs.
farmindustrynews.com/tv/

Commodity prices online

Find current prices for farm commodities at farmindustrynews.com. The commodities include corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, ethanol, cattle, hogs and Class III milk. The Dow Jones industrial average is also reported.
farmindustrynews.com

TALK

Credit meltdown

I found your comments about the credit crisis interesting [“The credit fallout,” November 2008, page 4]. I do want to take this opportunity to point out that Farm Credit System is there to serve rural America too. We offer fixed and variable-rate loan products for equipment purchases, lines of credit for operating and equipment and also provide funding for real estate purchases.

Good idea to recommend that farm managers take the time now to talk with their credit provider.
Bob Panzer
AVP Trade Credit and Leasing
Badgerland Financial
Fond du Lac, WI

Brock grain systems

I am looking for a grain bin made by Butler Manufacturing.
Russell Ash
White Hall, IL

Butler Manufacturing sold its grain bin division to CTB Inc. in 1997. The bins are now called Brock bins. Contact CTB Inc., Box 2000, Milford, IN 46542, 574/658-4191, www.ctbinc.com.

Biofuels blog gives industry news

Follow the latest news in the ethanol and biodiesel industries on the new BioFuel Lines blog. Blogger Lynn Grooms writes about the latest news, including VeraSun's bankruptcy filing and the ongoing food vs. fuel debate. Readers can pose questions and their own ideas by registering on the blog Web site.
http://blog.farmindustrynews.com/biofuellines

From FIN TV

“Economical 6D John Deere Series“
Buyers for this series “are looking for comfort and horsepower when they need it. Simplicity of controls is a driving feature of this line.”
Al Menenga, marketing representative