Not all green for Missouri farmers...

While talking to farmers over break, I realized one of the biggest issues they are facing is rising input costs. While many Americans who are generations removed from the farm think growers have it made right now with rising grain prices, that's not the case. Higher input costs, especially fertilizer, is putting the pinch on growers.

So, I decided to do a story for KOMU , a TV news station in Columbia, Mo., on the higher costs and the affect it's having on farmers. As an Ag J student in the broadcast sequence, I will report every Monday night for KOMU. This was my first piece, but overall I learned a lot and I hope Mid-Missourians did, as well. Take a look and see how my story turned out. . (If you click on the player on the right-hand side of the page, you can see how it aired during the 6 o'clock news.)

Dr. Ron Plain, a very well-known and respected University of Missouri Ag Economist, gave me statistics that made this story really hit home. Costs have increased dramatically from last spring and it looks like there's no end in sight.

Fertilizer prices:

Anhydrous ammonia

Spring 2007: $523/ton
Current: $725/ton

Diammonium phosphate

Spring 2007: $0.221/lb
Current: $0.550/lb

Potash

Spring 2007: $0.233/lb
Current $0.425/lb

I hope you enjoyed the story and invite you to stay tuned every week to see what type of ag-related stories I decide to pursue for KOMU.

From one blogger to another...

As part of my Ag J capstone course, we are supposed to analyze someone's blog. And since I am interested in broadcast, I am going in that direction with my analysis. I really look to Ohio Buckeye Ag Radio Network to see how farm broadcasters are using new, innovative technology to help propel their business. So, I'm going to talk about Lindsay's blog: Lindsay's Lesson.

First, the general idea of the website around the barn theme is unique and catchy. To meet the broadcasters, it says "Meet the hired hands." Such cute phrases adds a great deal to the website. I also like the way Lindsay writes - it's in a very casual, reader-friendly style. This makes it nice.

Lindsay's blog posts are short, which is helpful. Many people (including myself) don't always have time to read an entire page of information. By having short entries, it makes it easier to read more of the blog postings.

Her blog talks about more than just agriculture. You would expect that a farm broadcaster would mostly write about ag, but that's not the case. I like this because while I'm getting ag information, I can also find out fun facts on other topics.

Overall, I like reading Lindsay and Andy's blogs. They keep me interested while helping me learn new things at the same time.

It's a new year and that means a new blogging twist...

I'm back! It's been a while, but I am once again blogging. I will continue to blog for you on a weekly basis as part as my Ag Journalism Capstone class. It may take a while to get back into the swing of things, but I'm excited to be able to have the opportunity to blog once again.

Blogging is fun because it's what you make it. So, please stay tuned as my semester progresses.