Latham Hi-Tech Seeds has named Tom Lizer of Reinbeck, Iowa, as its new general manager. Lizer will be responsible for growing the company’s overall sales organization, rebuilding its dealer network, improving efficiencies and supporting its mission and goals.

“This family-owned company has so much going for it," he says, "and I’m really excited about working with the team here to build a larger, stronger presence for Latham in the marketplace."

Juan M. Garcia, administrator for the USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA), says that the 2013 FSA County Committee Elections begin today, Nov. 4, with the mailing of ballots to eligible voters. The deadline to return the ballots to local FSA offices is Dec. 2.

The first-ever report on USDA's role in advancing agroforestry is now available. Agroforestry: USDA Reports to America details how agroforestry practices are helping farmers, ranchers and woodland owners enhance agricultural productivity, protect the environment and increase profits.

Ron Pidskalny has been hired as the new executive director of the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association. Among other things, he brings to his role more than 25 years of entrepreneurial and multi-national experience in technology commercialization and analysis.

Equipment from Joslin Farms in southern Idaho runs full tilt during corn silage harvest. This video takes you from field to silage drive-over pile on a beautiful autumn day during the 2013 harvest.  FG

The grass-seed industry sees a couple challenges that don’t come with easy solutions. Each fall and winter we battle slugs and geese.

Slugs
Willamette Valley grass-seed farmers have battled the gray field and garden slug for years. The slug epidemic continues to grow, and the solutions are minimal. Slugs wipe out acres at a time with their appetites.