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Pioneer making investment in northern Corn Belt

JACKSON, Minn. — Pioneer is making an investment in the northern Corn Belt to meet increasing demand.

By the end of this year, Pioneer says it plans to complete an investment of an additional $9 million and the hiring of an additional 25 research, production and sales employees in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and South Dakota.

The plan is part of an 80 percent year-over-year increase in capital investments to be made this year compared to 2007.

In Minnesota, Pioneer is adding a bagging system in Jackson and is completing a seed handling expansion at its Redwood Falls research location. In Wisconsin, Pioneer is expanding the alfalfa greenhouse at its Arlington research facility.

Stiles new president of National Dairy Shrine

ANKENY, Iowa — Kevin Stiles, senior vice president of marketing and industry coordination for Midwest Dairy Association of Ankeny has been elected president of the National Dairy Shrine. He was elected during the group’s 59th annual meeting.

Corey Geiger, associate editor of Hoard’s Dairyman of Fort Atkinson, Wis., was chosen president-elect.

Six new directors were elected to the 18-member Dairy Shrine board. The new members are Ken Crandall, Provo, Utah; David Darr, Kansas City, Kans.; Stan Erwine, Overland Park, Kans.; Maggie Murphy, Belleview, Fla.; Dale Olver, State College, Pa.; and Darrell Pidgeon, Parker, Colo.

The National Dairy Shrine has added 440 members this year. Its membership now totals 18,922 people from across the United States and Canada.

Dairy producer bodies elect their leaders

NASHVILLE — Producer leaders of Dairy Management Inc, the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board and the United Dairy Industry Association have elected dairy producers to be officers at their recent joint annual meeting in Nashville.

DMI elected Paul Rovey, Glendale, Ariz., chairman; Ryan Anglin, Bentonville, Ark., vice chairman; John Larson, Okeechobee, Fla., secretary; and David Hardie, Lansing, N.Y., treasurer.

New NDB officers are Kimberly Clauss, Hilmar, Calif., chairwoman; Paula Meabon, Wattsburg, Pa., vice chairwoman; Sanford Stauffer, Nicholville, N.Y., secretary; and Grant Kohler, Midway, Utah; treasurer.

New UDIA officers are Bill Siebenborn, Trenton, Mo., chairman; Neil Hoff, Windhorst, Texas, vice chairman; Steve Frischknecht, Manti, Utah, secretary; and Allen Merrill, Parker, S.D., treasurer.

New ADA officers are David Weitzer, chairman; Jerrel Heatwole, Greenwood, Dela., vice chairman; Tom Magnant, Franklin, Vt., secretary; and Gerald Fieser, DeLeon Springs, Fla., treasurer.

New NDC officers are Less Hardesty, chairman; Paul Broering, St. Henry, Ohio, vice chairman; Joan Smith, Sauquoit, N.Y., secretary; and John Crawford, Keller, Texas, treasurer.

LA-CO teams with Minnesota 4-H Foundation

ELK GROVE, Ill. — Minnesota 4-H recently awarded $1,000 scholarships to 20 young men and women.

Two recipients — Dan Fox od Rosemount and Derek Meshke of Lake Crystal — were awarded scholarships sponsored by LA-CO Industries. LA-CO, based in Elk Grove, teamed with the Minnesota 4-H Foundation to advance the education of hardworking 4-H’ers in their pursuits and interests in agriculture.

"By investing in these young men and women’s educations, we feel very strongly that we are investing in the future of the industry,’’ said Tom Rynberg, marketing manager for the Farm Division of LA-CO Industries.

DuPont will build seed corn facility in Oregon

DES MOINES — DuPont says it plans to construct a parent seed corn production facility in Hermiston, Ore. The expansion is one of many the DuPont says its subsidiary, Pioneer Hi-Bred will take to meeting increasing demand for products.

The Oregon location will produce patent seed corn and pre-commercial hybrid seed corn. DuPont said it expects production at the facility will begin in fall 2009. The project involves a capital commitment of $15 million.

"This location strengthens our ability to bring new products to the market faster and to help farmers increase their productivity,’’ said Paul Schickler, Pioneer president and DuPont vice president.

Land O’Lakes hires Julian Olson

SHOREVIEW, Minn. — Land O’Lakes Animal Milk Products Company has appointed Julian Olson as its National Account Sales manager.

Olson will be responsible for accounts in the western United States and he will work with distributors and retailers and their customers to meet young calf nutrition needs.

Van Doren, Link gain USDA appointments

WASHINGTON — Terry Van Doren has been appointed administrator of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration within the USDA.

"Terry brings a wealth of experience in farm policy and administration to the agency,’’ said Bruce Knight agriculture under secretary at USDA. "Having served in several key roles at USDA since 2005, in addition to his experience on Capitol Hill.’’

Knight also announced the appointment of James Link as administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, an agency within USDA.

First National Bank offers First AgRewards

OMAHA — First National Bank of Omaha has launched First AgRewards, an agribusiness revolving line of credit through the convenience of a Visa credit card.

First AgRewards offers rewards points redeemable for cash or merchandise, detailed monthly and annual statements for tax planning, and the flexibility to select the month in which full payment of the account will be due.