Don't Fret, Drought Good For Wine

While the U.S. drought has punished corn and soybean crops, grape growers say they have a bit to cheer. Vintners throughout the nation's midsection say their vineyards generally have proven resilient to the months of battering heat and dryness. They say that's because the drought has left the surviving grapes with concentrated flavors and sugar, stoking the promise of standout wine.

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Got Fire Extinguisher?

Going to be a VERY dry fall, we reminding all our growers to put fire extinguishers in auger cart tractors & look out! twitter.com/ILDeere/status…

— Chad Colby (@ILDeere) August 23, 2012

Illinois Cattle Farmers Turn to Crop Grazing

Some Central Illinois cattle farmers have turned their cattle out on corn crop fields that will not yield enough grain to be worth harvesting.

http://farmweeknow.com/story.aspx?s=62661&c=1

Bigger and Better, #FPS12 Expands by 85 acres

An increased demand for space at the Farm Progress Show has resulted in the expansion of the field by another street.

“When the Farm Progress Show site was built in Boone, it was built to accommodate the largest show usage in recent times,” says Matt Jungmann, National events manager. “As assignments for space were completed this spring, it became clear that extra space was needed to accommodate all the requests by exhibitors and the investment would need to be made to accommodate those requests.”

The Farm Progress Show grounds have grown from twelve streets to thirteen. That increase equates to 3.68 million square feet of exhibit space or close to 85 acres.

The 2012 Farm Progress Show takes place in Boone, Iowa, August 28, 29 and 30. The exhibit field is open to visitors 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday. For a full schedule of events and more detailed information, visit www.FarmProgressShow.com. And don't forget to check out our coverage of the show right here on www.thefarmonline.com!

Why I'm headed to Farm Progress 2012

It sure would be easy to take a year off and wait for Farm Progress 2013. I mean, I'm going to have to travel up to Iowa, miss a day of real work, and probably get so nasty dirty that the girls will hose me down before I'm allowed back in the house.

The thing is, there is A LOT going on in agriculture this year. The drought, farm bill, livestock sell-off, economy, and election are all big items for discussions. Looking at the official program that the folks at @FPShow sent me, manufacturers and dealers are counting on a big turnout. The programs are as varied as always, and the forecast looks great, as noted by fellow blogger Chuck Zimmerman. Yes, I think it is a great year to head to Iowa!

Not to jinx anything but the early forecast for @fpshow is looking pretty good. #FPS12 Speaking of looking: farmprogress.com/farm-progress-…
— AgWired (@AgriBlogger) August 21, 2012