Production Blog

MAPLE PARK, Ill. (DTN) -- When it comes to cultural experiences, it's the differences we most often remember. Norm Larson, a Maple Park, Ill., farmer has a few to relate after 28 Australian farmers visited his family farm on Monday, July 1.

The group of farmers, who hail from Southern Australia, spent two days in Chicago and visited the Chicago Board of Trade, before heading out to get their boots dirty on the farm. Most of them grow wheat, barley and canola and for several, it was a first exposure to corn. Larson launched into a discussion of the lateness of the crop and concerns about heat during pollination when one farmer asked about tasseling. "What I really want to know is, what is a tassel?" the farmer asked.

English may be the common language, but the occasional perplexed looks on the farmers' faces were clues to slow down, Larson said. He saw that look when the topic of tiling came up. An audible "ahhh" crossed the crowd when it was finally determined that the Aussie equivalent is "ag drain."

Sam Trengove, a crop consultant, helped organize the tour, which continues on to see machinery manufacturers, ethanol plants and other agriculture businesses across Iowa and Minnesota.

The group peppered Larson with questions for over two hours as they toured the family's custom cattle feeding operation. However, it was "maize" that they found most amazing. The thickness of the stalk, the consistency of spacing between plants, the amount of nitrogen required and when/how the farm injects manure were all topics of conversation. Even the green lawn drew comments of "you won't see that at home."

Larson Farms was one of the first to embrace the concept of precision agriculture. Participating inMonsanto's FieldScripts Ground Breaker trials this growing season is helping take the farm to the next level, Larson said. Tours of the machinery fleet drew a raft of questions about everything from spray nozzles to using DEF with diesel engines.

Farming land that receives less than half of the rainfall totals that Larson enjoys, the Australian farmers marveled at the lack of irrigation. They wanted to know how crop insurance works and what "prevented planting" meant. They quizzed Larson about genetically engineered crops and what protection they provide.

"I saw a glimmer that we were all on the same page when I mentioned herbicide resistance," says Larson. "Roundup [glyphosate] is just like any other chemistry, it's finding its holes right now. It's up to us as farmers to use these products responsibly."

Larson Farms is a three-generation family farm growing corn, soybeans and wheat on 6,350 acres. They also raise 3,500 beef cattle at a time in a custom feedlot. Tours are not unusual for the family. Lynn Martz (Norm's sister) and her husband Mike participate in the Illinois Farm Families social campaign called "Watch Us Grow." http://bit.ly/…

"There are a lot of misconceptions about agriculture these days," Larson said. "Our family believes it is worth the time and effort to be open and communicate how we are doing business.

"The other benefit of opening the farm up to tour groups is what we learn," he adds. "Sometimes it's a matter of just realizing how lucky we are to being doing this."

(AG)

© Copyright 2013 DTN/The Progressive Farmer. All rights reserved.