Take the Challenge

Even from the Monsanto tent (2 blocks away) I can hear the roar of screeching tires and raw horsepower coming from the Toyota Power Challenge. Toyota has called out the competition and wants you to see the results first-hand. Farm show attendees can sign up and take the competitive truck on a quarter-mile drag race, stationary of course, and then get put in the Toyota to compare. The results are displayed on a large television screen for all to see.

You can also head out to the Ride-N-Drive and take a truck threw an obstacle course. Its a lot of fun, especially since it wasn't my truck I was beating on.

Nothing runs like a Deere

A lot is going on in the agricultural machinery industry and John Deere is ready and willing to explain. Seminars are scheduled daily to cover various topics, including the new line of value-added utility tractors just launched earlier this month. The "Big Show" with Mark Pearson and Ken Root from WHO Radio also takes place at the John Deere display daily at 11:30 am and 1:00 pm. Along with that, product representatives are stationed along side their expertise equipment to answer any specific questions. While you are there you could also shop for some John Deere merchandise or Home and Garden products.

Wallace's Farmer offers a little hospitality

For anyone who has attended the Farm Progress Show you know that the days can get long. Wallace's Farmer is offering a cool place to take a rest and see a few sites in their Hospitality tent, located on the North side. Inside you can meet the editors of Wallace's Farmer, visit various booths, take a load of in the cool shade, and vote for winner of the Inventor's Challenge.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

Blue Sky Creamery is offering a unique twist on the classic summertime favorite - ice cream. In 1999 two Iowa State University engineers, Will Schroeder and T.J. Paskask, invented a new way to do ice cream. Instead of traditional freezing they flash freeze the ice cream with liquid nitrogen creating a richer, smoother taste. Since they invented their method, their ice cream has spread across the Midwest. You can try this sensation for yourself at the Farm Progress Show in several locations.

Horse training demonstrations a hit

Craig Morgan is a renowned horse trainer who is sharing his tips and tricks with the visitors of the 2008 Farm Progress Show. Craig has been working with horses for close to 60 years now and is very talented at his trade.

Every day at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm Craig brings in another "green" horse (in non-horse speak that means never been ridden) and breaks (aka trains) the horse in front of your very eyes. He offers his advice and walks you through every step of the process, keeping the seminar light and humorous.

The seminar I watched today was interactive and fun. The crowd was engaged and loving it. Coming from a former rodeo queen, Craig really knows his stuff, too. One comment he made that I didn't know was that horses see in shades, not colors. Craig and his assistant, Steve, were entertaining and a great break from walking around.

Fashion at the Farm Progress Show?

A fashion show at the Farm Progress Show? Yeah, you heard me right. Western Edge is putting on a western-themed fashion show every day at 10:00 am in the Rural Life tent to showcase the newest in styles for your western apparel lifestyle. Outfits ranging from formal dress to casual in the stables outfits are displayed.

They also have a store set up right there in the tent for all of your shopping needs! Personally, my favorites are the rhinestone belts!

Farm Progress Show not just for large producers

While walking around this morning, I stumbled upon the Rural Life tent. Inside I found a lot of different displays and events that are catered toward those of us whom are not currently involved in production agriculture, as well as woman. So ladies, if your husband is still insisiting on wondering around, stop by the Rural Life tent for some light craft shopping and a place in the shade.

Rural Life is hosting several lectures throughout the show, as well. Here is a detailed schedule:

Thursday
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Tips to Make Gardening More Accessible
Melanie Erickson, Master Garndener
10:00 –11:00 a.m.
Rural Life Fashion Show
Western Edge western store
11:00 – Noon
A Twisted Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste
Leigh Rubin, syndicated cartoonist (Rubes) and author
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Annie’s Project Returns to the Farm Progress Show
Ruth Hambleton, Extension Educator, University of Illinois Extension
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Celebrate Women’s Suffrage – 1908- 2008
Charles Irwin and Suzanne Caswell, Boone County Historical Society

Varied Industry Tent

If you are here at the Farm Progress Show and would like a break from the rain or heat, check out the Varied Industry tent. Here you can find loads of companies and things to do to keep you busy for quite some time!

These are a few of the things I saw while in the tent:

• Clothing
• Wine
• Finance and credit services
• Building supplies
• GPS technology and information
• Seed companies
• Tools
• Electrical services
• And much, much more!

Rain or Shine: Farm Progress still abuzz

Despite the weather, thousands of people are still filtering into the Farm Progress Show this morning. Other than walking from exhibit to exhibit, you can easily stay fairly dry here. Almost all of the tents are covered, if not fully enclosed. And on top of that many company's came prepared. I have seen many different ponchos and umbrellas being handed out, all branded with the respective company's logo. People are tying bags around their feet and over their shoulder just to continue their adventure here at the Farm Progress Show. So in case you were debating your visit here to the show today, I would say "Come on over!" So grab your jacket out of the closet, roll up your pants, and don't forget your umbrella (or grab a free one here) and come enjoy the many different events still going on today. And look on the brighside, the crowds are smaller today!

Check the weather for Boone, IA out yourself if you'd like. It looks like rain all day today and possibly tomorrow.

Monsanto donates $1 million to Iowa State University

At 5:00 pm today a very exciting announcement was made inside of the Iowa State University tent. Monsanto has donated $1 million to Iowa State University for renovations of Curtiss Hall. And anyone who has been in Curtiss Hall recently will welcome the renovations. Trust me, as an Ag Ed major, I have been in there plenty enough to know the significance of this donation.

Remodeling will begin in 2009 and will reshape the atrium on the ground floor wing of the building, creating a mall-type atmosphere for all student ag services.


"Currently, students have to trek all over for student services. Now, they will all be located together including career services, ag study abroad, and various other programs making it more convenient for students and staff all together," said Mike Gaul, Iowa State University Career Services.


For more information visit Iowa State University or Monsanto

A planning process

The impressive tents and intense displays that you are seeing at the 2008 Farm Progress Show did not just appear overnight. 5 months ago a design was put together for all of the Monsanto displays. From the design displays, wall panels were all built at a display house in St. Louis, MO., also home to Monsanto's Headquarters. 4 months ago all tent, electrical, moving equipment, and logistics were being planned. 35 days ago the set up began to lead to a whopping 4,000 man hours (at a minimum) were put in, just for set-up alone.
















Overwhelmed yet? 15 truck loads of display materials, 2 trucks of give-aways, 9 truck loads of mulch, 2 trailers of plants were delivered to Boone, IA within the last month, just for one display area.

With that, my hat is off to the incredibly talented people of VisionStream, for all of their hard work and logistical magic that they perform year after year. I have been involved with several large-scale events, VEISHEA included, and this show puts all of those events to shame.

Discovery Auditorium

As an education major, I am passionate about continuous personal growth and why go far when you can get it right here. The Monsanto Discovery Auditorium has a jam-packed schedule of speakers for your enjoyment from both Monsanto personnel and other reliable resources.

Wednesday:

9:00 am The Science Behind Plant Breeding

10:00 am Monsanto's Pipeline to 2030

11:45 am Visitive Chef's Challenge

1:00 pm The Science Behind Plant Breeding

2:00 pm Monsanto's Pipeline to 2030

3:30 pm The Planting Population Boom!

Thursday:

9:00 am The Science Behind Plant Breeding
10:00 am Monsanto's Pipeline to 2030
11:00 am Visitive Chef's Challenge
1:00 pm The Science Behind Plant Breeding
2:00 pm Monsanto's Pipeline to 2030

World's Largest Rotary Cutter

As you walk by the Schulte display you can't help but but notice their equipment display, and for more reasons then their bright lime green paint. Front and center they have a 42 foot rotary cutter, the world's largest. I have been working with large ag equipment for some time but still was a little "wowed" at the size of this machine and just wanted to share it with you.

Guess how many?

Roundup Ready 2 Yield is in full force here at the Farm Progress Show. As soon as you walk into the Monsanto tent your feel as if you are no longer in the middle of a field in Boone, IA but rather in a convention center full of excitement and commotion all centered around Roundup Ready 2 Yield. And in case you were wondering, this new and improved Roundup Ready can up your yield by 7-11%! Stop by the tent to see if for yourself.

While there, be sure to enter to win $2,000 cash or one of four iPod nanos that will be given away this week, no strings attached. Simply guess the amount of soybeans in the case, receive a free t-shirt, conveniently wrapped in the shape of a soybean, and test your luck! It's almost as good as Vegas!

Auction for a good cause

Titan tires has donated several sets of tires to be auctioned off at the 2008 Farm Progress Show, proceeds benefiting the Iowa FFA Foundation. FFA collectable tractors and FFA collectable photographs are also available for bid.

The auction will be held again on Wednesday at 1:00 pm at the Titan Tires display.

FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for preimere leadership, personal growth, and career success through agriculture education.

Field plot demonstrates look of future agricultural

Every 10 minutes in the Monsanto marketing tent you can take a tour of Monsanto's technology plot. These tours take you inside the gated plot where Monsanto has spent hundreds of hours of time and energy into showcasing the newest technology. Along the tour their are 5 major stopping points; Breeding, Soybean Value, Stress Mitigation, Expanded Insect Technology, and a chance to ask the experts any questions you may have.

I found the plot very interesting because it is a visual way to see the differences between treatments and genetics. One stop shows the difference in drought-resistant corn plants, some having received normal amounts of rain, and one having received no rain since July 4th, 8 inches less of rain!

Monsanto is striving to double yields by 2030 while reducing resource usage to 1/3 of what it is today. I would encourage you to check out these technology tours to get a first-hand look at the current steps that they are taking to achieve this goal which could agriculture forever.

Monsanto announces new Acceleron seed treatment brand

I attended a press conference this morning where Monsanto announced the introduction of Acceleron. This will be a seed treatment plan to enhance seed performance from the very start. This is a very exciting advancement for the agriculture, hoping to enhance yields and plant overall health in the near future. Currently, the studies show that Acceleron will enhance yields close to 2 bushels per acre, compared to 1-2 bushels from just fungicide. This will be available first in 2009 for Roundyp Ready 2 Yield Soybeans and corn and cotton to follow.

"Acceleron will do more than just protect against insects and viruses, it will increase all plant health benefits," explained Randy Barker, Monsanto seed treatment strategy lead.

For more information, visit http://www.monsanto.com/

The Adventure Begins

The 2008 Farm Progress Show has arrived and it is in full force this morning. I left Ames with every intention of getting to the show right at 8:00 am when the gates opened, as did hundreds of other people. As soon as we hit Highway 30 we could feel the traffic from the Farm Progress Show in Boone, IA - 20 miles away. Finally, after being delayed in traffic for 30 minutes we had arrived and it was well worth the wait. The show looks bigger and better than ever and I am excited to see more. I will definitely be leaving a little earlier in the morning tomorrow, though.

Farm Progress Show Agenda

In the last week or so I have been able to figure out a few things that I am definitely going to have to see at the Farm Progress Show. I wanted to quick share them with you so maybe you could make a note to experience them, as well.

First, the Monsanto Technology Showcase which is a field-demonstration site established to showcase the new and upcoming advancements in technology that Monsanto has developed that will soon be hitting the market. I would encourage you to take advantage of the tour since this will soon change agriculture as we know it. Then, after the tour you can stop by the Monsanto tent to learn more about the advancements or just enjoy the displays.

Tuesday at 10:00am there will be a press conference about the Roundup Ready 2 Yield/Seed Treatment. If this is something that interests you make sure to check it out.

At 5:00pm on Tuesday there will be a Sustainability Roundtable where various agricultural companies will meet to discuss making ag more sustainable.

Both presidential candidates, McCain and Obama, will be attending the Farm Progress Show on Tuesday, as well.

Other things to look forward to hearing about through my blog include;
Iowa State University Donation
Monsanto's Inventors Challenge
International Visitors perspectives
Article on the DEKALB Ag Youth Scholarship recipients
And much, much more!

2 weeks and counting

There are two weeks until the 2008 Farm Progress Show kicks off in Boone, IA and I am already anticipating the fun that awaits. Researching a little on what to expect this year I have discovered a few things that I am looking forward to. They include;

• Ride-and-Drive demos of your favorite machinery from all agricultural manufactures
• Cattle handling demos
• Shopping opportunities - all of the newest in ag will be available to see first hand
• Rural life arts and crafts
• Inventors Challenge sponsored by Roundup Ready 2 Yield
• Equine events
• Field demos and test plots

These are only a few of the exciting activities to come at the 2008 Farm Progress Show. Stay tuned for more details!