The summer issue of the Custom News is here!

In this issue:

• Feature: Truck, trailer safety
• Policy corner
• Feature: Welcome back Forage Symposium
• WCO additional scholarship and mini-grant winner

By Mary Hookham for WCO

Driving down the road pulling a trailer appears simple at first glance. But doing so safely is actually quite an accomplishment. Many truck drivers experience complications, and even accidents, if they don’t complete a list of safety protocols before hitting the pavement. This is the only way to ensure trailers won’t disengage and go rogue to cause accidents.

“You can’t plan for everything but you can do your best,” said Fred Whitford, clinical engagement professor in botany and plant pathology at Purdue University and director of the college’s pesticide programs.

By Ray Liska

Greetings to all of you, outstanding in your fields! It is great to see the amazing custom ag fleet going full throttle throughout the Midwest and beyond. I feel an immense sense of pride watching our crews undertaking what has been and will be another triumphant season. Yes, there will be challenges, but we will always get the job done one way or another. 

By Maria Woldt
 

February just wasn’t the same this year without our annual trip to Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dells. Midwest Forage Association did an excellent job facilitating a virtual conference with educational topics and even a trade show, and we all agree, it’s not the same as being together in person.

We are excited to host the 2022 Forage Symposium in person, February 21-23 again at Chula Vista Resort. The event follows President’s Day weekend which seems to be popular as many kids are off school, and attendees bring their families to enjoy the waterpark.

The WCO board feels strongly that supporting the custom farming community and allied agriculture partners is a good use of WCO’s membership and sponsorship dollars. To this end, WCO gives scholarships to 3-4 students every year and recently created a minigrant program.