Rural Lifestyle on Highway 6

World Pork Expo - EuroTier

You can almost smell the bacon!  It's time for the World Pork Expo, the annual event thatdraws agri-business from around the globe to the Iowa State Fairgrounds for three days of looking, learning and lovin' pork!  The event kicks off Wednesday and runs through Friday.

This year the mood at the World Pork Expo should be much brighter.  Prices are on the re-bound, feed costs are more in line and the export side of pork is looking much brighter.

Our friends at EuroTier, the world's largest all species animal agriculture expo, will be at the World Pork Expo exhibiting in the Varied Industries Building and on Thursday, June 10 at 11AM will present a special one-hour session with special guest Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey.

This is your invitation to attend and here is what you'll learn:

EuroTier is an international animal ag show that takes place in November in Hanover, Germany.  It's an excellent venue to learn about and display animal agriculture products.  The show also has attached to it a special Bio-Energy conference.  Come to the presentation and learn more.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will speak about the importance of global trade and how world trade impacts the future of agriculture.  Secretary Northey is a keen proponent of helping farmers and agri-business people understand the huge marketplace that is available to them.  Come and listen.

In addition, EuroTier has just completed a major survey about the farm economy in Europe.  Over 3,800 farmers were asked about their thoughts on current and future trends that they believe will impact them.  Representatives from EuroTier will share some of that information that we think is so critical for understanding global farm and agriculture issues.  Come and learn.

The event takes place on Thursday, June 10 at 11AM in the Cattle Barn.  If you are coming to the World Pork Expo make plans to attend.  If you would like more information, feel free to send me an e-mail.

See you this week at the World Pork Expo - Des Moines, Iowa!

Mike Rowe on Farming

Mike Rowe (Dirty Jobs and Ford Motor Company spokesman) gets around.  And he gets farming and agriculture.  Recently Rowe went to the FFA convention in Indianapolis and has this view on farming, where our food comes from and who farmers...are.  Go ahead, have a look at The Future of Farming it's well worth the time!

Moving to Urban Farming for a moment.  Officials in Kansas City are considering changes to their "Urban Farming Code".  Yes, they have one.  Among the changes being considered:  Signs, what can be sold, hours of operation and buildings.  As much of America moves toward more open urban farming Kansas City is...concerned about the "effect urban farming will have on neighborhoods.  Shaking your head yet? Here is the story from The Kansas City Star.

Cage free...eggs.  Hellman's Light Mayonnaiseis now made with cage free eggs and available at your local supermarket.  Hellman's says it plans to follow this practice for their entire line.  Here is the story from Supermarket News.

In case you didn't know 2009 was, "The worst year for dairy farmers since the Great Depression".   That according to Dairy Herd Management and The Daily News Online. Here is the story.

Thanks for coming by for a quick sweep of Rural Thoughts!

Michael P. Libbie - Acreage Owner and Advertising Guy  Follow me on Twitter @RuralLifeRadio

 

 

The Rural Economy - It's Getting Better

We're based in Iowa and when we get news about the rural economy or "what's going on out there" we pass it along.  I recently attended the Spring Management Clinic for the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association where we heard from Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh of KU.  Here is part of what he said along with an interview.

As a follow up, in the associations newsletter, The Shortliner we get this information based on work being done at Creighton University of Omaha with comments by Creightons economist, Dr. Ernie Goss.

"For the second time in the past three months, the Creighton University's overall index for the Rural Mainstreet economy declined and remained below growth neutral, according to the April survey of bank CEOs in a 10-state region.

The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI), which ranges between 0 and 100, sank to 44.2 from 47.4 in March. Despite the pullback, the index is more than double the reading of 21.7 for April 2009. A reading of 50.0 is considered growth neutral.

The farmland-price index moved above growth neutral for a third straight month to 59.5 from 58.2 in March. After beginning a downward slide in spring 2008, farm and ranch land prices have once again begun to grow.

The farm equipment-sales index soared to 57.2 from March's 41.4 and February's 42.4 reading. Prior to February, both farmland price growth and farm equipment sales had been slipping. “We are tracking significant improvements in farm and ranch land prices and farm equipment sales. I expect both of these factors to remain healthy in the months ahead,” said Creighton University economist Ernie Goss.

The Mainstreet Economy: Index Above 50 indicates expansion	Apr-09	Mar-10	Apr-10
Farmland Prices	41.2	58.2	59.5
Farm Equipment Area Sales	29.6	41.4	57.2
Confidence Index	45.6	54.3	60.2
Loan Volume	50.8	55.2	61.1
Rural Hiring	15.8	45.7	46.7
Retail Business	20.5	42.4	43.4

The survey also showed that hiring in rural areas has yet to bounce above growth neutral. However, the new-hiring index moved higher to 46.7 from March's 45.7. This was the 28th consecutive month that the index has been below growth neutral.

Only 10% of the bankers said hiring was up from last month, while 17% of bank CEOs reported that April hiring was down from March. “Despite a weak hiring index, the rate of job losses for Rural Mainstreet is approximately one-fourth of what the region was experiencing just six months ago,” said Goss, the Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton.

Respondents were also asked the following questions:

How important is the revival of a $1-per-gallon biodiesel tax credit to the economy in your area?

Important Or Very Important: 72%

Neutral Impact: 28%

Negative Impact: 0%

Should the 45-cent-per-gallon blender credit for ethanol production be extended beyond its Dec. 31, 2010 expiration date?

• Yes: 82%
• Not Sure: 10%
• No: 8%

In terms of the policy of too big to fail, in banking what should the federal government do?

• Not intervene; let markets decide: 57%
• Support Only Bigger Banks: 0%
• Support All Banking: 43%

The survey represents an early snapshot of the economy of the rural, agriculturally and energy dependent portions of the nation. For the full survey details go to: creighton.edu/business/economicoutlook/mainstreet.

Thanks again to the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association for spreading the information.  Follow me on Twitter:  @RuralLifeRadio

Farm Equipment Suppliers Network

Hi, my name is Michael Libbie from Des Moines, Iowa. You know me from Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country the radio show about the rural lifestyle and Insight on Business our show about advertising, marketing and consumer trends.   I am also the immediate past Chairman of the Supplier Section Board of Governors for the Farm Equipment ManufacturersAssociation based out of St. Louis and headed, this year, by president John McKoy of Orthman Manufacturing, Lexington, NE. 

For years our advertising agency has used social media as one of the marketing tools we prescribe for our clients.  Those who have used social media, along with traditional media to stay in the game, have seen remarkable increases in business and in the ability to listen and interact with consumers.   So, during our recent meeting in Kansas City I shared with the Board of Governors that we would begin a social media plan to engage individuals who sell products and services to the hundreds of short-line farm equipment manufacturing companies that dot the globe.  And...because social media is catching on with the rural economy...it makes sense.

Our mission is simple.  We're here to promote the Farm Equipment Manufacturing Association and to encourage individuals who supply goods and services to their membership to become active in our group. 

Relationships...are everything.

And, so we're off.  In the coming days you'll learn more about us, why we exist and how we interact.  Thanks for coming by...let's visit when you get time.  You can follow us on Twitter @FESN_Group. 

Thanks for coming by,

Michael Libbie - Acreage Owner and Advertising Guy...

Ken Root & AgChat Foundation

Two interesting stories for you.  One revolves around traditional media and my friend and fellow broadcaster, Ken Root the other is a Social Media movement created by farmers to tell their story to the 98.5% of the country that needs to know.  We'll start with traditional media.

 Last week my friend Ken Root landed a new job with WHO-TV 13.  This move signals, I think, a couple of major changes in thinking.  WHO-TV 13 thinks there is a demand for a local agri-business show that highlights a major industry here in Central Iowa.  They are correct.  The consumer is more involved in food choices today than ever before and Ken understands the power of food production on the large and small scale.  Think Community Supported Agriculture.  In addition Ken brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong voice of a person who has actually "been there".  Unable to convince his former bosses at 1040-WHO Radio about this and being the kind of guy who isn't easily corralled he was let go. So you know, the two WHO's are not related.  The radio station is part of the Clear Channel Communications and the television station is owned by Oak Hill Capitol Partners an investment group with offices in California, New York and Connecticut and owns LocalTV LLC.  Way to go Ken and WHO-TV 13 here is link to his broadcasts.

Now on to the world of Social Media and agriculture.  For sometime many of us have been art of #AgChat a monitored conversation held on Twitter started by Michele Payn-Knoper of Cause Matters Corp. who is an advocate for agriculture and telling farmers and producers about why they need to open up and share their stories with the rest of the world.

Many of you know, that from many angles, agriculture is being attacked.  From production methods to processing.  And, there is an agenda.  Now comes the AgChat Foundationa non-profit group dedicated to "empowering a connected community of AgVocates".  And, yes Michele is smack dab in the middle along with our friend Chuck Zimmerman from ZimmComm New Media and AgWired.

The AgChat Foundation, begun by farmers, is another attempt to share the story of agriculture with the 98.5% of the folks who are not connected to production agriculture.  It's also a way to harness social media to communicate with each other. Real farmers using social media?  Yep.  Here is a listing of their Board of Directors.

We think's it's another good step and thought you should know.

Michael P. Libbie - Acreage owner, advertising guy and talk show host.  You can catch, Insight on Business here and I monitor @RuralLifeRadio and @MichaelLibbie on Twitter.

Rural Broadband...When and Why it's Critical

For those of you who follow me you know we've been banging this drum for years.  This issue is about Rural Economic Development...that is the basis of why the Obama Administration has set aside over $7 billion to get farms and rural business access to broadband.  Here is the story:

I have a friend who is a physician in Mason City, Iowa who was complaining about his Internet satellite service from HughesNet.  He said on Friday, "Go ahead and send me an e-mail but we don't get to see much at home.  The service is so slow it takes forever for a page to load."  For years I have been beating this drum about Rural Internet Access the unfair costs and economic disability given to Rural America because folks "out there" can't compete with urban business.  This issue is as important as rural electrification of the 1930's & 40's when business failed to extend electric service to Rural America and the government had to step in.  Even then it took until the 1970's for all farms to be "hooked up".  So what's up now?   Here is the latest information on the $7.2 billion set aside to make this happen.  Oh, and in case you didn't see this:  Qwest Communications is seeking $350 million in federal money to take or improve rural broadband.  $29  million to be spent in Iowa.  Report from The Gazette in Ceder Rapids.

And his case is multiplied over and over and over...

It's an economic development issue.  And while the big providers attempted to slow down government involvement there is progress.

Thanks for coming by!

Michael P. Libbie - Acreage Owner and Advertising Guy...  On Twitter it's @RuralLifeRadio

 

 

The Co-Op Mystery Logo...

About a week ago my friend, Steve Young from Bondurant, Iowa had a question about this Co-Op logo.  He is on Twitter @BlueJayRock.  And, he contacted me on Twitter @RuralLifeRadio and asked if I'd help him find the answer.

He really wanted to know...and had already posted this BLOG question.  Go ahead, have a read.  It's good stuff.

So, this morning in Sunday Morning Coffee I wrote about it and asked you folks to help me out.  

You did.

Another friend and reader, Glen Howell, sent me this message: "This was the logo for the "Double Circle" coops from 1962 until 1985 when it was absorbed/reinvented by Farmland.  As to the originator, I have no idea.  Hope this helps."

It did Glen...anybody else?

Thanks for coming by...and Steve...thank you.

Rural Life Radio is a post by Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications as a reflection about everything we love about Rural America. 

Michael Libbie, Acreage Owner...and advertising guy.

 

Daily Kos - Welcome to the Conversation

For several years we've been lamenting about the disparity between rural and urban economies and how, we believe, a serious public effort that gets Broadband Internet to Rural America can help save our country.  So many folks in rural areas have to depend on outdated dial up Internet when the rest of the world is moving along at high speed.  We've said on the radio and in print that this effort is not unlike the Rural Electrification efforts of the 1930's and 1940's and the Interstate Transportation efforts of the 1950's.  It is that critical...

Our friends at the Daily Kos have picked up the call and done a much better job than we.  So...a TIP of the Hat to The Daily Kos...and if Rural Broadband is a passion of yours...please, please read and watch.

A shout out to The Main Street Project for letting us know!

Michael Libbie - Acreage Owner and Host.

National Farm Machinery Show - TweetUp?

Going on right now in Louisville is The National Farm Machinery Show,  the largest indoor farm machinery show in the nation.  It's an exciting event and one that draws thousands of people from the United States and other countries.  They come to see stuff and each other.

But you already know that...

Over the past couple of days I've been encouraging my Twitter Friends to hold a "TweetUp"at the NFMS.  If for no other reason than to have it, get to know each other face to face and show others that agriculture "gets it" when it comes to Social Media.

I'm waiting to hear how it went...  You can send your Tweets to @RuralLifeRadioand you can follow the NFMS @nfmslouisville and help them out a bit...  Looks like they've only been Tweeting recently...and not as often as they should.  (Oh...and post a profile photo??)

I wish I could have been with you all this year...maybe next?  Have a great time.  The National Farm Machinery Show ends on Sunday.

Michael Libbie - Acreage Owner & Host

 

Iowa Power Farming Show - Wrap

If you live on a farm or acreage chances are you've been to a "farm show".  Over the years I've been to many, sometimes six to eight in a season.  Here in Des Moines we just put the lid on the 55th Annual Iowa Power Farming Show and I was there all three days of the event.  A couple of observations...

It's great to be there.  It's something that many of our city cousins don't understand but seeing, touching and yes, smelling all this machinery that supports farmers and feeds the nation is exhilarating. 

The technology is amazing.  When I moved to the farm back in the 1970's from Detroit we didn't have a tractor (we were so green I wouldn't have known what to do with it) but we did have a couple of mules.  So, I can relate, in a strange way, to another era.  When you see how far agriculture has come in just a couple of generations and the high tech, high touch equipment...  Well..you get it.

Going to a farm show is stress reduction.  There isn't any hurry.  You can wander from booth to booth, visit for a bit and move on.  We're not texting we talking...and it's great to visit with new and old friends.

It's a social event.  No kidding I saw folks I've been seeing at farm shows for over twenty years, in fact this is often the only time I see them.  It's great to catch up on family stories...

But you already know all of this...ain't it great?

You can keep up with us on Twitter @RuralLifeRadio, thanks for coming by.