Guest blog by Teresa Falk, freelance writer
and creator of Rural Route Ramblings blog

Growing up on the farm I was surrounded by animals. As a young child the much bigger cows and bulls were intimidating at first, but I soon grew to love them. Helping dad feed the animals, spread straw or guard gates were part of our everyday chores on the farm. These chores taught us responsibility and the importance of working hard.

Every winter when the cows calved I would pick my favorite calves and give them special names. But deep down I knew not to get too attached to the calves because as my dad often reminded me – the cattle were not our pets. They were part of our livelihood. I was well aware that my favorite calf would eventually grow into a heifer and may end up on my dinner plate or someone else’s. And I was OK with that. I knew that the animals we raised on our farm would provide nutrition to others. I grew up eating beef and continue to because I know it’s part of a healthy diet.

I get my love of animals from my dad. For his recent 60th birthday we had a party on the farm where we served his own beef. As I told the guests, when you come to a beef cattle farm, you can expect to eat beef. My mom made this delicious recipe of Barbecued Beef served on a bun.

Multiple “cyclones” will hit Alexander, Iowa, on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 25, when the 2011 ISU Tailgate Tour comes to North Central Iowa.

Several head coaches, ISU Athletic Director Jamie Pollard, and ISU’s mascot, Cy, will be on hand to sign autographs and pose for pictures with Cyclone fans.

“We’ve hosted many tailgates before ISU games in Ames, but this is sure to be one of our best,” says John Latham, president, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds. “We’re excited to host the ISU coaches and athletes on our home turf.”

The bus is expected to roll into company headquarters about 2:15 p.m. Fans of Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds are invited to attend.

The 2011 planting season got off to a slow start, but farmers have put seed in the ground at record pace over the past two weeks.  Last week in Iowa, corn planting was 69% complete and soybean planting was 40% complete.  From the reports we received from the country, most farmers are nearly finished with soybean planting as of the end of last week, so we’re anxiously awaiting this week’s USDA Crop Report to release this afternoon.

It’s amazing what a few days with 80 degree temperatures and good moisture can do to new seeds being planted, says Peter Bixel, Latham’s Seed2Soil® program lead.  Peter took this photo of a corn field that was planted 10 days ago. He also took this photo of a soybean from a field that was planted just four days ago in North Central Iowa.

Here at Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds headquarters, the race is on to deliver the last pallets of seed in time for customers to hit the ground “planting.”

How is planting progressing in your neck of the woods?

Article contributed by Randy Olson, Executive Director, 
Iowa Biodiesel Board

As the leading soybean-producing state in the nation, it’s hard not to argue that Iowa should also be the top biodiesel-producing state.  Last week, the Iowa Legislature passed a biodiesel bill that would help it stand shoulder-to-shoulder with neighbors Illinois and Minnesota.  This is a good thing for the state’s job market, energy security, and environment.

The bill, Senate File 531, does three things to promote the growth of Iowa biodiesel:

1. Extends a tax credit to encourage retailers to make biodiesel available at the pump;
2. Provides a production incentive for the state’s biodiesel producers; and
3. Helps pay for the infrastructure needed to move biodiesel in the state and beyond.

This legislation, if signed by Governor Branstad, will make biodiesel more available and increase sales.  In turn, this would make Iowa more energy independent while putting Iowa biodiesel producers back to work and supporting thousands of direct and indirect jobs in our state.

This comes just in time for keeping Iowa in the foreground of the renewable energy landscape.  There is a federal renewable fuels standard now that is expected to create demand for 800 million gallons of biodiesel nationally.  It’s widely believed that those states with the strongest biodiesel policies will be the states where that demand is mostly met.   Iowa is now poised to capture a large share of that market.

Biodiesel is America’s only commercially available, advanced biofuel.  It’s about time our state policies encouraged its growth.  This is a locally grown and produced fuel – if we don’t make the change ourselves, who will?

“Typically a plot day, is a plot day,” says Dave Besch of Pro Cooperative in Rolfe, Iowa. “But Latham’s plot day is like no other!”

“The Freedom of Independence Ride lets you see the country and meet new people as you tour and learn about the new traits and technologies available from Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds,” explains Besch.

We couldn’t agree more! Whether you’re touring on a Honda Gold Wing or a Harley Softail, we’ll take you on a route that allows you to see some of the Midwest’s most beautiful countryside. New this year, we’re also welcoming muscle cars.

I couldn’t be more excited about the fun stops we have planned! More details will be announced as the ride date approaches. In the meantime, mark August 27, 2011, on your calendar. Plan to join Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds for this one-of-a-kind field day on wheels!

submitted by Aaron Putze
Director of External Relations & Coordinator
Iowa Food & Family Project, Iowa Soybean Association

Iowa is distinctly agriculture. Eighty-six percent of its land area is devoted to farming, the most of any state. Yet many Iowans admit to having little understanding about the origins of their food and what farmers do. As a result, they have sincere questions about agriculture as it relates to food safety, affordability and choice, livestock well-being and environmental quality.

Farm families welcome this interest. Farmers — many second, third and fourth generation — respect the land, treat their livestock with dignity and honor an ethical obligation that’s been handed down from generation to generation to produce safe and wholesome food.

Bottom line: Farmers have a story to share and consumers want to hear it. The time is now for the Iowa Food & Family Project!

The mission of the Iowa Food & Family Project is to inspire positive and enduring relationships between farmers and consumers through personal engagement, advocacy and education.  To help carry out this mission, today the Iowa Food & Family Project (Iowa FFP) will be announced as the presenting sponsor of the Iowa Games and supporter of the Live Healthy Iowa program.

The Iowa Food & Family Project is a collaborative organization created by the Iowa Soybean Association involving the participation and guidance of Iowa families, farmers, food retailers, commodity and food relief organizations, civic and community leaders.

Iowan, humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Norman Borlaug, whose pioneering work in agronomy helped billions avert starvation, once said, “The first essential component of social justice is adequate food for all mankind.”

As we look to the future, Iowa’s farmers and America’s farmers stand ready to answer that call by providing healthy, abundant and affordable food. That indeed is a miracle, one that will be celebrated and championed by Iowans and the Iowa Food & Family Project.

To learn more or to get involved, log on to www.iowafoodandfamily.com!