GROWMARK, Bunge create B-G Fertilizer
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Regional cooperative GROWMARK, Inc. and Bunge North America, the North American operating arm of Bunge Limited, announced they have created  B-G Fertilizer, LLC to acquire a liquid and dry fertilizer storage terminal owned by CF Industries in Cincinnati, Ohio.

B-G Fertilizer will use the facility to supply crop nutrients to retail fertilizer dealers. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2011 and is subject to completion of due diligence activities and other customary conditions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

This acquisition represents approximately 91,000 tons of dry and liquid storage.

Solar tech co. aims for 200 jobs in 5 years
JACKSON, Mich. (AP) — A southern Michigan company that develops solar-power technology says it plans to create nearly 200 jobs in the next five years.
Patriot Solar Group President and CEO Jeff Mathie said the time frame could accelerate and the number of jobs could double if it wins a Detroit Edison contract for a large solar and wind farm project in Calhoun County. The Albion-based company plans to invest $3.9 million to reopen a 300,000-square-foot manufacturing facility to make solar mounts, solar systems and antenna mounts.

The Jackson Citizen Patriot said the announcement follows this week’s approval of a five-year state tax credit for the company that currently has 13 employees. Mathie said he expects to employ 68 people in the first year.

KAFC OKs more than $590K in Ky. loans
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corp. (KAFC) approved $592,682 in agricultural loans for projects in the Commonwealth during its regular monthly business meeting. Eligible projects include permanent farm structures with attached equipment that improves the profitability of farming operations.

Three Agricultural Infrastructure loans were approved for a total of $127,682 and included recipients from Adair, Daviess and Washington counties.

Beginning farmers may qualify for financing to purchase livestock, equipment or agriculture facilities; to secure permanent working capital; and to make a down payment on real estate or invest in a partnership or LLC. Beginning Farmer loans totaled $335,000 and included three recipients from Graves, Jefferson and Washington counties.

The Large/Food Animal Veterinary Loan Program is designed to assist individuals licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Kentucky who desire to construct, expand, equip or buy into a practice serving large animal producers, as well as other smaller food animals. Two veterinary loans were approved for $130,000 and included recipients from Metcalfe and Shelby counties.

Bane purchases Heartland New Holland
CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. — Local Case IH dealer Bane Equipment has acquired Heartland New Holland in Pendleton, Ind.

These buyouts are integral to Bane’s business strategy and will allow it to provide superior products and service to customers in the surrounding area. Bane will offer annual events geared toward educating customers on about the latest technologies and practices in the field. In addition, it plans to build a new facility in the near future.

Mike Romack owned the New Holland dealership for 15 years before Bane bought it earlier this month. Bane is a Case IH dealer with six locations in Indiana, now in its 44th year of business. Bane also has locations in Wingate, Lebanon, Remington and Terre Haute.

‘Year of Pigs’ wins honor at conference
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — “The Year of Pigs” Presented by Indiana Pork Farmers at the 2010 Indiana State Fair took the top honor at the International Assoc. of Fairs and Exhibitions Conference in December 2010.

The Year of Pigs campaign received the Judges’ Choice Award for its excellence in promoting an agricultural product leading up to and during the fair.

Soybean production information expands

ANKENY, Iowa — The Iowa Soybean Assoc. (ISA) Production Research online library has been expanded with new information to help Iowa’s soybean farmers increase yield.

It now includes a list of commercial soybean varieties with resistance to sudden death syndrome (SDS), produced by Iowa State University extension and the ISA. The publication lists more than 300 soybean varieties resistant to SDS in maturity groups I, II and III. Also available is the 2010 Evaluation of Soybean Varieties Resistant to Soybean Cyst Nematode in Iowa, as well as the Soybean Aphid Report of Insecticide Evaluation.

The recently revised site can be accessed by going to www.iasoybeans.com and clicking on the “Production Research” tab, then “Publications.” All can be downloaded as PDFs for immediate access, or print copies can be ordered at no cost by calling ISA at 800-383-1423.