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 Prediction
Market launched for students
FarmetricsSM, the
first prediction market tailored for U.S. agriculture, introduced the
FarmetricsSM Prediction Market Educational Program and a new Web site
for agricultural education teachers and students,
www.farmetrics.com/Scholar. Classes that win weekly contests
with the accuracy of their predictions benefit their schools by earning
Reward Points that can be redeemed for award cards.
At the Web site classroom participants submit predictions for
yield, acres planted and acres harvested for crops such as corn and
soybeans. Schools determine in which of these weekly contests their
classes will participate. Class performance is measured against
that of other classes around the country by the accuracy of predictions,
as determined by official U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics. The
schools with winning classes earn Reward Points that can be redeemed for
award cards that can be used by the school to purchase necessary goods
and services.
In addition to class performance, individual student performance is
also reported, although it is not calculated for purposes of awarding
Reward Points. As an added educational tool, in many counties, the class
predictions are compared against the predictions of local farmers.
School representatives directly register students for the school’s
participation, and Farmetrics does not gather or record any student
information beyond anonymous screen names. Reward Points are awarded to
the schools and may be redeemed for award cards.
The Farmetrics Prediction Market is sponsored by Bunge Global
Markets, Inc.
Blue Grass Stockyards to
hold seminar
“Stockmanship &
Stewardship” clinicians Curt Pate, Dr. Ron Gill and Todd McCartney will
conduct a unique educational program during Blue Grass Stockyards CPH-45
Kickoff/ Customer Appreciation Event, August 21.
A complimentary meal opens the evening at 6 p.m. followed by the
special presentation, Stockmanship & Stewardship, at 7 p.m. Speakers
will use cattle to illustrate proven stockmanship methods and techniques
to benefit everyday livestock work. Renowned Montana horseman, rancher
and stockmanship instructor Curt Pate is joined by lifelong cattleman
Dr. Ron Gill, Texas A&M Livestock Specialist and cattle handling expert.
Third team member is Texas ranch cowboy, Todd McCartney, a seasoned
presenter on beef industry topics and RFD-TV host.
The event will be held indoors at the Blue Grass Stockyards’
facility and will include instruction for improved gathering, penning,
and chute work, loading and hauling. The facility is located at 375
Lisle Industrial Rd., in Lexington, KY. For more information call
800-621-3972.
Two named to
Agritourism Council
The Kentucky
Agritourism Council has elected Farm Bureau leaders Carl Chaney of
Bowling Green and Jeremy Hinton of Hodgenville to serve as council
chairman and vice chairman, respectively. The Council was formed
to make recommendations for a statewide plan for agritourism and provide
guidance to the Office of Agritourism.
Chaney and his wife, Debra, have operated Chaney’s Dairy Barn in
Warren County since 2003. The Chaneys provide an on-farm experience and
a café where customers can enjoy local foods, including sandwiches and
soups, along with the Chaneys’ famous homemade ice cream. Chaney’s
Dairy Barn has a gift shop focused on Kentucky products. The Chaneys
offer educational tours on the farm to groups, showing kids of all ages
where milk comes from and giving them a taste of farm life. They serve
on the board for Warren County FB and their market is enrolled in KFB’s
Certified Roadside Farm Markets program.
Hinton and his wife, Joanna, operate Hinton’s Orchard and Farm
Market in LaRue County. The couple started their agritourism business in
2002 when they leased the farm known as Tommy Bennett Orchards. In 2006
they purchased a new farm on Ky. 210 outside Hodgenville, and Hinton’s
Orchard and Farm Market was created. Hinton’s Orchard offers a variety
of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as activities for the
entire family at the farm. They serve on the board of LaRue County FB
and their business is involved with the KFB program.
Crop reporting
deadline extended
Because of a delay in
announcing the provisions of the 2008 farm bill and extreme weather
conditions, the Farm Service Agency has extended the final reporting
date to August 15 for certifying the planting of all other crops, except
small grain and value loss crops. An exception is crops insured through
NAP, which must report the earlier
of 15 days before the onset of harvest or grazing or August 15.
Acreage reports are required for program eligibility and are
mandatory for producers who participate in FSA programs. Producers
also are urged to report on prevented or failed acreage as soon as
possible to the local FSA office. |
