2011 was a year of extremes in South Dakota. Everything from weather, crop prices and policy issues seemed to fluctuate dramatically and things really haven’t calmed down yet. To look back and reflect on those events we have chosen our top 11 blog posts from 2011 (in no particular order).

American Ethanol kicks off at Daytona

Reason(s) behind rising food prices?

Glenn Beck fails Ethanol 101

Every day is Earth Day on the farm

Ethanol reduces America’s dependence on foreign oil

Disasters put life in perspective

RFS not hurting cattle profits

Not so costly corn

The Growing Value of Distillers Grains

Pollan backtracks on HFCS

Absolute Hogwash!

South Dakota Corn appreciates all of its blog readers as we continue in our efforts to educate and inform both farmers and consumers about important agriculture related news, events and policy taking place in our state, nation and world. In our second year, the Corn Hugger Blog reached over 25,000 people in 86 South Dakota communities, in all 50 states and 129 countries around the world. 

During the coming year, we continue to encourage our readers, followers and friends to share our information and your own personal insights with your friends, neighbors, relatives and colleagues to further our message of “Agvocacy”.

South Dakota Corn would like to wish everyone a safe, happy and prosperous New Year.

If you haven’t had your morning coffee by the time Mark Pearson takes the spotlight at the SDCGA annual meeting, you won’t need it. Pearson will have you wide awake within minutes.

He’ll also have his audience laughing and learning at the same time.

Pearson is a market analyst and host of the long-running, nationally syndicated public television program, “Market to Market.” He’s going to cover a long list of important topics: grain production, livestock markets, food production, energy security, demographic changes, debt issues, the lost years, and more.

“The whole enchilada,” he says.

The fifth-generation farmer raises corn, soybeans, cattle and hogs on his Iowa farm. He’s also an award-winning reporter, former assistant Iowa secretary of agriculture, and he served 10 years as an officer in the Naval Reserve.

A keen observer of the economy, energy and farm markets, he’ll share his insights. Pearson said he has spent his whole life talking with farmers and that’s where he has learned the most.

“I have a huge respect for people who farm full-time and make a living at it, and feed the world,” says Pearson.

**********

This year’s SDCGA annual meeting on Saturday, January 7th at the Sioux Falls Convention Center will be here before you know it. Don’t forget to register. Click here to complete your registration online or call the office at 605-334-0100. We look forward to seeing you at our Winter Wonderland.

Corn Comments Podcast with Jim Woster.

The time has never been better to become a member of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association. If you sign up for a three year or lifetime membership, you will be eligible for 3 Free Preview Issues of DTN’s Progressive Farmer and a Free 12 months subscription to the Six Factors Marketing Strategies (a value of $480).

The SDCGA’s 26th Annual Meeting is just around the corner and the time to register is now. You must pre-register for this event and can do so either online by clicking here, or by calling the office at 605-334-0100. This looks to be another great event with great speakers and exciting entertainment to follow in the evening.

Finally, Happy New Year from everyone at South Dakota Corn!

Jolene Brown has seen farm families squabble over day-to-day operations.

She’s heard the concerns about how a farm and assets will be divided among children after their parents pass away. She even knows of a son in Pennsylvania who warned his parents they would go to hell if they didn’t divide the property equally.

Running a family business, particularly one as complex as a farm, can come with its share of difficult decisions, differing personalities, headaches and arguments. Brown, a professional speaker from Iowa, will give a presentation at the South Dakota Corn Growers 26th annual meeting that she says will provide insight on how to reduce the stress, cussing and ulcers.

“Farmers are really good people and want to do what’s right, but they don’t know what’s right so they end up in a heck of a mess,” she said in a phone interview.

Brown’s presentation at the upcoming South Dakota Corn Growers Associations’ annual meeting is titled “The Facts of Life: When Family and Business Collide.”  In order to be productive, profitable and collaborative, families must have communication tools in place, documents in writing and a commitment to transition of the leadership and ownership of a business.

Brown, who grew up on an Iowa farm and is still involved in farming, is a family business consultant and professional ag speaker.

**********

You must pre-register for the SDCGA annual meeting and can do so online by clicking here or by calling the office at 605-334-0100.

South Dakota is privileged to have the head of the U.S. Risk Management Agency here as a headline speaker for the Corn Growers’ annual meeting.

Administrator William Murphy, who has spent more than 30 years with RMA, will share his insight into crop insurance, Actual Production History policies and the Prairie Pothole Region.

Members of the audience will be among the first in the nation to hear directly from the administrator himself about the recent re-rating of crop insurance.

Murphy also will discuss new technology and how that helps accurately track crop insurance losses. He’ll talk about trend adjusted yields, corn test weight charting, policy compliance and enforcement, and he’ll touch on the writing of a new farm bill.

Murphy said he’ll set aside time to answer questions that people have about RMA programs and policy changes.

The Pennsylvania native was appointed administrator by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in 2009.

**********

You must pre-register for the SDCGA annual meeting and can do so online by clicking here or by calling the office at 605-334-0100.

Corn Comments Podcast with Jim Woster.

Merry Christmas to all from the folks at South Dakota Corn! May you have health-filled and joyous holiday.

The South Dakota Corn Utilization Council is a big supporter of education as they recently awarded 16 Ag/Bio students with Jackrabbit Guarantee scholarships at South Dakota State University this fall. 

Don’t forget to register for the South Dakota Corn Growers 26th Annual Meeting: Winter Wonderland on January 7th at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.