Soon summer vacation will end and all classes will resume at all of our local schools.  The same goes for the United States Congress.  Their August recess ends soon, and there’s a real need for them to sharpen their pencils and get to work!

Our Federal elected officials have been home (hopefully) talking to us, the people whom they represent.  This past month provided constituents with an opportunity to visit U.S. senators and congressmen about topics that matter most to us.  Now that our elected officials are returning to Washington, D.C., it’s time to stop talking to them.  Instead, send them an email or drop them a letter.  I was told by a state representative that one time he voted on the opinion of one email – just one!  Letters and emails are so important, and that’s why I’m once again writing about the Food Security Act.

House Speaker John Boehner expects to bring up the Farm Bill “immediately” when the House returns Sept. 9.  He expects to appoint conferees the next day and finish the bill before Sept. 30 when the current farm bill expires.  However, House Agriculture Committee ranking member Collin Peterson is not optimistic.  Peterson says it’s more likely the current Farm Bill will be extended – again.

We don’t need an extension.  We need a bill!  And I mean “need.”

“I don’t care which side of the aisle you align yourself with – no one can be proud of what is going on, or more accurately, not going in our nation’s capital,” writes farmer and rancher Glenn Brunkow in his blog “Dust on the Dashboard.”  He makes a compelling case for why the Farm Bill is so desperately needed:

1. Food security must be established to insure that a society will grow and flourish. Nowhere in history will you find an enduring world power without a strong agricultural foundation.
2. World powers have always been food secure. Wars are started by hungry people!
3. A strong food and fiber production system was undeniably a matter of national security.  Think how the price of crude oil fluctuates based on the whims of other nations that don’t have our best interests in mind; now think about how that would be if that was your food we were talking about. We can’t become dependent on foreign nations for our food!

The Food Security Act goes much further than the production of food and fiber.  And, it’s extremely complicated.  There are parts of the Farm Bill that deal with everything from how we conserve our soils, to export our farm products.  It even includes food assistance programs.  In fact, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding now accounts for 80% of the Farm Bill.

The SNAP program has been a part of the bill for years, but it’s become an increasingly large budget item.  SNAP cost almost $80 billion last year – twice the amount it cost just five years ago!  Our federal budget must be considered in any legislation that is passed.  I know this is not always done, which has resulted in the deficit with which we now labor.

On a side note, the U.S. Deficit is a huge national security risk!  We must trim funding.  We must address the waste in the SNAP program.  I know that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says he’s working on it, but honestly, a lot of money is being spent on a lifestyle and not on food.  (I know it’s not politically correct for me to say this.  Everyone “needs” a cell phone, cable TV and the Internet.)

The reality is that North Americans aren’t naked and starving, so food security is secondary.  On the Doc ‘n Lefty show last week, Doc talked about how wealthy Americans pocketed millions of funds for farms they had never even been on.  We’re willing to fix that, but remember, this type of fix almost always hurts the small and beginning farmers most.

The Food Security Act is needed whether you live in a city, on a farm, or are in need.  This is one bill that should be non-partisan.  Contact your U.S. congressman and senators.  Let them know what you think.  It’s time to mind your own business!

Nearly 100 people, driving or riding motorcycles and muscle cars, channeled famous Iowa explorers as they traveled through Lewis & Clark Country on Saturday, Aug. 24, for the 5^th Annual Latham Freedom of Independence Ride.  The 134-mile route took drivers down the Lewis & Clark Trail.

One highlight of this adventure was a ride across Blue Lake on an historic keelboat similar to the one Lewis & Clark, along with 26 men, traveled up the Mississippi River from St. Louis. Army Captain Meriwether Lewis and his former commanding officer William Clark were commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson in 1804 to explore the vast western territory purchased from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase.  Lewis & Clark embodied the nationalistic vision and patriotism that formed the spirit and richness of American history.

Another fun stop along the way was Sioux Jerseys LLP, a state-of-the-art dairy where cows are milked 24/7 using two, double Mag 90i parallel parlors.  Because Sioux Jerseys contracts with Well’s Blue Bunny, following the tour, riders were treated to Blue Bunny® ice cream.  One bite into a sweet treat makes it clear why Wells – the largest, family-owned and operated ice cream manufacturer in the United State – is celebrating its 100^th year of business in 2013.

One of the crop stops included a Latham® Hi‑Tech Soybean showcase, where Latham Product Manager Mark Grundmeier gave an overview of three exciting technologies in the pipeline.  Latham Forage Products Manager Corey Catt also talked about the importance of micronutrients to increase corn yield, forage production and alfalfa tonnage.

Of course, no field day – even one on two wheels – would be complete without a corn technologies showcase.  Riders had a chance to learn more about Agrisure Artesian corn products, which provide season-long drought protection to increase yield in moisture-stressed fields.  Two Latham Hi‑Tech Hybrids for 2014 planting, LH 4974 3011A and LH 6412 GTA, will feature this fascinating new trait.

Agrisure Duracade™ is a brand new mode of action for corn rootworm control and will be combined with Agrisure RW to give two modes of action. Agrisure E-Z Refuge™ offer performance, ease-of-handling and reduced.  We’ll begin with LH 5495 3122 and plan to add other trait packages like Duracade as they gain regulatory approval.

Watch for exciting new announcements soon from Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds!  Be part of the journey every day at www.thefieldposition.com .  We also post agronomic tips and news of interest daily on our company’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LathamSeeds.  You can also follow @LathamSeeds on Twitter.

For a recap of Latham’s first four Freedom of Independence Rides, click on the links below:

• Good Times Roll at Inaugural Freedom Ride
• Freedom Riders Join Drivers in the Seed Industry
• Picture Perfect Ride Conditions for 3^rd Annual Freedom Ride
• Going Hog Wild for Latham’s 65^th Anniversary

Bring out your inner explorer as you travel western Iowa for the 5^th Annual Latham Freedom of Independence Ride on Saturday, Aug. 24.

This year we’ll be traveling the Lewis & Clark Byway throughout the Loess Hills, one of the most beautiful drives this state has to offer.  The 120-mile route will take us into two farm fields, through a dairy and across a lake in a historic keel boat.

Our corn stop will showcase new Latham® Hi‑Tech Hybrids in our 2014 corn product lineup including Genuity® DroughtGard™, Agrisure E-Z Refuge™ and Agrisure Duracade™.  Our soybean stop will feature two new technologies that are in the pipeline: Dicamba-tolerant soybeans (Roundup Ready® Xtend) and those with 2,4-D tolerance (Enlist E3).

Get ready for the seed industry’s fastest field day!  Motorcycles of any make and vehicles of any model – as long as they can travel 55 mph – are welcome.  However, pre-registration is required as space is limited.  Click here to register now!

Check out the fun we’ve had in years past:

• Freedom Ride IV – Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds’ 65^th anniversary celebration
• Freedom Ride III – the Great River Ride
• Freedom Ride II – Central Iowa (recap with video)
• Freedom Ride I – Okoboji, Iowa’s Great Lakes

I’m doing another blog about my experiences on the Black Sea Study Trip to Eastern Europe, so hopefully you’re not getting tired of this subject. From converting weights and measurements to contrasting farmer’s markets, there are just so many fascinating things to talk about!

We spent the majority of our time touring farms and learning about agriculture, but we also got to do a little sightseeing. One of my favorite stops was Transylvania, in the heart of rural Romania, at the medieval Bran Castle. This castle has been appraised at $180 million, making it one of the most expensive houses in the world! It’s owned by architect Archduke Dominic Hasburg, Princess lleana’s son, who resides in New York.

Originally built in 1212 by the Knights of the Teutonic Order, Bran Castle remained an important feudal fortress throughout the Middle Ages. Then in 1921, Queen Maria of Romania brought the royal court architect to the castle for extensive renovations and transformed it into a Royal residence. The castle was taken from the royals by the communists in 1948, and in 2006, it was returned to the Archduke.

Bran Castle is better known as Dracula’s Castle.  Dracula, written in 1897 by Brampton Stocker, is one of the most famous horror novels of all time. It’s based on Prince Vlad the Impaler, who was imprisoned in the castle for one night in the 1400s. He was famous for the way he killed his foes and terrorized his enemies.  In fact, killing a vampire with a wooden stake most likely came from his practices.

Inside the castle courtyard is a scale that was used to determine whether or not a lady was a witch. The lady was placed on one side the scale; a Bible and some stones were placed on the other side.  If the lady weighed more, she was considered a witch and put to death!

After touring the castle, we enjoyed lunch in the village. The restaurateur told us about his flock of sheep. Since he makes his own cheese from sheep’s milk, we enjoyed sampling many different kinds. He also prepared a very good meal of lamb.  He uses many sheepskins as decorations, too. It was certainly a dining experience unlike any I’ve had in the States!

Traveling abroad certainly provides one with unique experiences and perspectives.  I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to see so many interesting places throughout Eastern Europe and to learn about agriculture from half a world away.  Hats off to David Miller and the Iowa Farm Bureau for all of their efforts!

While spending nearly two weeks in June traveling throughout Eastern Europe as part of a Black Sea Study Trip sponsored by the Iowa Farm Bureau, I noticed several differences between our cultures and farming practices.  Last week I blogged about the number of conversions we had to make when discussing acres/hectares and pounds/kilos.  This week I’d like to share some thoughts about their markets.

We came upon The Mother of all Farmer’s Markets in Ukraine!  This wholesale market is open 24 hours daily, 7 days each week.  Massive amounts of fruits and vegetables are sold from any type of vehicle from large farm trucks to horse carts.  Now keep in mind it was about 100 degrees the day we visited, so much of this fresh produce was literally baking in the sun.  And it didn’t smell like apple pie either!  It smelled down right awful.  Cleanliness wasn’t a priority, and it didn’t seem like food safety was either.

Later we visited the Odessa Privos Market, a large, public market that was founded in 1827.  Tiny booths are lined up for blocks, and it seems as though you can buy anything there – as long as you could fight your way through the crowd.  Some of this market is under roof, and that’s where you can buy just about any animal part imaginable!  There also was a lot – and I do mean a lot – of fish for sale.

I couldn’t help contrast these two markets with the U.S. farmer’s markets that I’ve visited.  It seems that even the smallest Iowa communities have a local market at least once a week with markets held more frequently in larger cities like Des Moines.  The streets around Court Avenue in downtown Des Moines are blocked on Saturday mornings, so people of all ages can enjoy a leisurely stroll while they choose from a variety of wonderful smelling fresh cooked foods and fresh brewed coffee.  All of the vendors display their wares so neatly, and most have tents that shade their produce from the blistering summer sun.  Farmers sell meat in Des Moines from refrigerated trucks.  Plus there are many beautiful fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables for sale.

Interestingly enough, many Eastern Europeans don’t realize how many fresh fruits and vegetables Americans eat.  Our tour guide in Romania was under the assumption that all we eat is processed foods and sweets.  “Junk food” isn’t something they have broad access to, and there is a concern the health of their kids may decline as new technology streams into Eastern Europe.  As their standard of living improves, how will this change their culture?

Culture definitely changes as people move up the “hierarchy of needs.”  Eastern Europeans are no longer dependent upon the government to provide them with basics like food.  When they were under the control of the Soviet Union, Ukrainians raised more food in their backyards than they did on the collective farms. The Soviets moved many village people into high-rise cement apartment buildings, trying to force them into working on the collective farms.  Since it’s hard to grow food without soil, hungry people were motivated to work on the collective farms.  Even before the Soviets gained control, small villages were under a feudal system.

After years of oppression, Ukrainians are making great strides now.  Their biggest challenge is developing infrastructure and markets.  It’s hard to get crops to market when trucks keep getting stuck!  But, they have so many rich natural resources.  I have no doubt the Ukraine will play a key role in helping feed the growing world population.

Guest Blog from Farm Safety For Just Kids

With unseasonably cool temperatures persisting throughout the spring, many farmers were hoping for heat units to aid in plant development.  The warm sun has a major impact on crop growth, but the heat of the day can make dangerous working conditions for people.

Farm workers are especially vulnerable to heat exposure.  When the body becomes overheated, workers become weak and tire more quickly.  Too much heat can also cause workers to become less alert, which is particularly dangerous if they’re operating farm equipment.

It’s important for farmers to be aware of the three main phases associated with heat illness:

1. Dehydration – results when the body isn’t taking in enough liquids.  Symptoms include fatigue, thirst, dry mouth and sapped energy.  Cramping may also occur in the legs and abdomen.
2. Heat exhaustion – occurs when the body loses too much water and salt.  Symptoms include excessive sweating, extreme fatigue, clammy skin, dizziness or confusion, nausea, as well as fast, shallow breathing.
3. Heat stroke – occurs when internal temps rise rapidly and the body is unable to cool down.  Symptoms may include profuse sweating, chills, throbbing headache, poor coordination, slurred speech, vomiting, hallucinations, fainting or collapse.

Repeated exposure to the sun can cause premature aging, eye damage and even cancer.  Damage takes place over time, so it’s important to encourage protection at a young age.  To limit exposure and prevent long-term damage:

• Avoid the sun during peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Wear hats with wide brims that cover the face, neck and ears.
• Cover as much of your body as possible with light clothing.
• Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher and reapply often.
• Wear sunglasses rated to filter out UV rays.

Research shows a link between sunburns in children and an increased risk of melanoma and skin cancer later in life.  Help protect the future of agriculture by protecting the next generation of farmers and ranchers!  Click here for more tips on how to keep your children safe in the sun.