WINTER WEATHER…KIND OF
It is mid-late January in Ontario, Canada. That means pile and piles of snow along with temperatures so cold you can get frost bite in a matter of minutes, right? That is not the case and this especially not true for January 2017. In Southwestern ON we have experienced more rain than snow this year and some forecasted temperatures will likely break old record highs. Read more
TRADE SHOW SEASON
Christmas and New Year’s has come and gone and it’s now the time of year in the agriculture industry that we like to call, Trade Show Season! Agriculture trade shows are a great place to see the latest and greatest in technology and innovation in the field of agriculture including equipment, input products such as fertilizer, marketing, and so on. They are also great places to connect and network with your fellow farmers along with industry members such as your local Alpine District Sales Manager and other members of the AALPINE team! ALPINE will be attending the following trade shows indicated on the list below, so make sure you make it out to at least one of them and come by the booth to say hi and talk about what is new. Hope to see you all there!
PLANTING DECISIONS IN THE PNW
I’ve been exposed to the PNW market for 18 months now. Feeling more than a little overwhelmed with the market adversities, but I find out from my producers that I am not alone. Never have they experienced this scenario where the US dollar is so strong, wheat yields exceptionally high so supply is strong, falling numbers such a big issue hitting the bottom line, an unknown farm-bill with a new Presidential administration coming into power.
FARM SHOW & MEETING SEASON
As we soon turn the calendar over into a new year, it can only mean one thing………the beginning of the winter Farmshow and meetings circuit. After 30 years in this business it’s got me thinking as to what you as a grower must expect from these.
CHRISTMAS WISHES
Lots of snow in Ontario. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you at Crop Production Show in January.
ROOTS ‘R US
When was the last time you dug a corn plant or soybean plant in a field to take a look at the roots? They are out of sight and they are quite often out of mind.
MY TOUGHEST CRITIC
During the course of any year on our farm we usually go through a similar cycle. I come up with some crazy idea that I heard at a farm show somewhere or my favorite – from a customer who is having good results with something that is a non typical approach to a common problem. Really the direct interaction with the farmers I interact with makes me a much better farmer. The passion, ideas, drive and ability never stops inspiring me – but I digress. The cycle then continues with selling the idea or concept to my dad, some fail and some succeed. The next step is me figuring out a way to put the approved idea into action. Once the combine rolls in the fall the proof will be in the pudding so to speak, and then comes the judgment phase of our cycle when my dad determines whether he feels it was a success or a failure. This is also the point where I try to quantify the changes and resell him on why we did what we did.
THE GREAT ESCAPE “PLOT”
I know I know; another industry rep talking to you about plots, that’s the last thing you need! I will be the first one right there to agree with you; plots are a pain and they probably always will be. I have been doing them myself for the better part of 26 years and I haven’t hit 40 yet!!! However, even though I know they are very time consuming, I also understand the importance of even the smallest plot, no matter how it happened.
BENEFITS OF AN ALPINE® PHAZED NUTRITION PROGRAM®
Hundreds of Farmers have realized some of the greatest benefits of the Program during the farm oper
WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?
This past weekend saw our Canadian Thanksgiving come and go, and I was lucky enough to spend some time with friends and family. During one of our Thanksgiving gatherings, my 9 year old daughter asked me, “Daddy, what are you thankful for?” Obviously, some things came to mind right away, like family, good health, and friends. But after thinking about this question for the past few days from an agricultural perspective, I realized I am thankful for much than that.
