Agribusiness
A Case Against Mandatory GMO Labeling
January 28 2016
Hello everybody out there in farm country. This Is Rick Frank sitting in for John Block. This radio commentary is brought to you by John Deere and the National Corn Growers Association. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
And now for today’s commentary—
The air waves are filled with paid announcements arguing the public has the right to know when GMO ingredients are used in food products sold in the U.S. I say no to…
Agriculture Today
October 16 2015
Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by Monsanto, and John Deere. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
And now for today’s commentary—
We read and hear so much about our weak economy. The stock market is going through a correction. Well, that is what is going on down on the farm. Not just our farms but European farms U.S. farmers are looking at a 36% plunge in net…
This and That, September 17
September 18 2015
And now for today’s commentary—
I was in Germany, Austria, and Hungary just two months ago on our Danube River cruise. It was clam and peaceful. Not today. Thousands of refugees are streaming across the borders to escape the wars in the Middle East. Syria was a…
Farming Contrast
March 12 2015
Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by Monsanto, and John Deere. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
And now for today’s commentary—
I’ve been on my Illinois farm this week. Having been on Cuban farms last week, I can’t help but note the amazing contrast. Just flying into Havana, I observed the plowed fields were red – red soil. Our soil is black. I did see some…
Dietary Guidelines
February 26 2015
Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by Monsanto, and John Deere. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
And now for today’s commentary—
Today, there is growing concern about the food we eat. We have a serious obesity epidemic. What do we do? The new Dietary Guidelines are in the process. President Obama’s appointed Advisory Committee has given their recommendations to the…
Wish List
January 22 2015
Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by Monsanto, and John Deere. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
And now for today’s commentary—
Last year in January, I presented my wish list for 2014. Let’s take a look at how that worked out.
Wish No. 1: “Get a farm bill passed.” To my surprise, we did.
Wish No. 2: “Deal with our immigration problem.” Well, the Congress didn’t, but…
GE Apple
October 16 2014
Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by Monsanto, and John Deere. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
And now for today’s commentary—
I had half of an apple a couple of days ago -- fresh, white in color and delicious. The next day, I ate the other half. Not surprising, the white had turned a little yellow, even brown. The apple still tasted good. However, that browning color…
Down on the Farm
September 25 2014
Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by Monsanto, and John Deere. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
And now for today’s commentary—
Down on the farm in Illinois. That’s where I was last week. We started our corn harvest – a little wet (27% moisture), but time to start. It is a bumper crop, that’s why prices are down.
While on the farm, a lot of thoughts come to my mind.…
Farm Program
July 17 2014
Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by Monsanto, and John Deere. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
And now for today’s commentary— Let’s talk about the farm bill today.
The level of support and type of support has evolved over time. Today’s bill isn’t my father’s farm bill.
The importance of farm supports to farmers has diminished over the years. When I came…
Checkoff Programs
July 10 2014
Hello everybody out there in farm country.
This radio commentary is brought to you by Monsanto, and John Deere. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
And now for today’s commentary—
The ag industry in recent years has been on a roll – strong prices, increased exports, reasonable yields and a level of optimism not enjoyed by much of the rest of our economy.
Still, it’s no time to relax. As an industry, a very…