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Iowa Farmers Share Data, Get Shares
Farmers in Iowa have helped establish a new online market research company, AgSpeak. The launch was led by a group of agri-business professionals aiming to improve information flow to agricultural suppliers, while 'fairly compensating' farmers for the information they share.
AgSpeak is part-owned by farmers formed into a co-operative which manages their interests in the venture. All owner-members receive an annual dividend based upon their level of participation in AgSpeak surveys. 'Not only do farmers profit from providing feedback, but they can participate from anywhere they have access to the Internet, at any time that's convenient and at their own pace, without the interruption of intrusive phone calls' says Steve M. Hawkins, President of AgSpeak.
AgSpeak says it is recruiting members, and will shortly kick off with a survey of growers' planting intentions for 2007. Its web site is at www.AgSpeak.com .
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