The 134th annual meeting of the American Seed Trade Association was held June 21-24 in Minneapolis, MN with the theme “Voyage of Better Seed.” Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) is one of the oldest trade organizations in the United States with a membership of over 700 companies involved in seed production and distribution, plant breeding, and …
2017 Fuel Ethanol Workshop
The Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo, produced by BBI International, is the largest, longest-running ethanol conference in the world featuring timely presentations and a full trade show of industry companies and organizations. The 33rd annual meeting was held June 19-21 in Minneapolis, MN. This virtual newsroom includes links to photos, audio, and video from the conference. All content posted here …
SMART Farmer US Poultry
In this edition of the SMART Farmer podcast we head south to learn a little bit about poultry production and how it has gotten smarter, more efficient and more sustainable over the years. Monty Henderson started as a broiler service manager with Tyson Foods and later with Campbell Soup Company. He has served as president of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation and …
30th Annual ACE Conference Preview
The 30th annual American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference is coming up Aug. 15-17 in Omaha with the theme of Tested-Proven-Driven and a big focus on marketing E15 and higher blends. Ron Lamberty, senior vice president of ACE, says the conference will feature two fuel marketers talking about what they have had to do to make higher blends available to …
Committee Hears Testimony on E15 Bill
Ethanol supporters and retailers made their case before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works committee Wednesday for a bill that would fix a frustrating and confusing situation and allow 15 percent ethanol to be sold year round. The Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, sponsored by Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), would extend the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) waiver …
Uncertain Markets Require Flexibility
In this week’s ZimmCast, our Chuck Zimmerman speaks with Chip Whalen, Commodity & Ingredient Hedging (CIH). The topic is uncertainty requiring flexibility. Think about how commodity prices are affected by weather, trade, exhange rates and more competition. There are more factors too. In the program, Chuck and Chip discuss how farmers can manage risk with the uncertainty we’re seeing in …
AEM Releases Infrastructure Advantage Plan
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has unveiled a new policy report for the country called “The U.S. Infrastructure Advantage™” which makes the case for a U.S. infrastructure system that supports the safe and efficient movement of people and goods; provides connectivity between and within rural and urban America; and fosters strong economic growth and robust job creation. AEM President …
Trump Infrastructure Plan Includes Waterways
Farmers were among those who joined President Trump last week in Cincinnati to highlight the economic importance of the inland waterways system and the need to invest in upgrades to the locks and dams. “Roughly 60 percent of the United States grain exports travel down these waterways to the Gulf,” said Trump in his remarks. President Trump’s infrastructure plan also …
Numbers Tell Story of RFS Success
Twelve years since the original Renewable Fuel Standard was passed in 2005 and 10 years after it was expanded in 2007, the numbers tell an objective story of how successful the legislation has been in a new analysis by the Renewable Fuels Association. “RFS Impacts: By the Numbers” compares data from 2005 and 2007 to 2016. RFA Senior Vice President …
2017 World Pork Expo
The National Pork Producers Council, (NPPC) hosts the annual event which features the world’s largest pork-specific trade show, educational seminars, youth and open swine shows, market outlook sessions and lots of pork. NPPC expects about 20,000 producers and pork professionals, including more than 1,000 international guests. Nearly 450 companies from North America, Asia and Europe will display the latest products, …
Heartland Institute on Climate Accord and Agriculture
The decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accord has generated strong reactions – both positive and negative – but overall agricultural interests have been pretty quiet on the matter. The Heartland Institute, a free-market think tank based in Illinois, has opposed the Paris Climate Agreement from the beginning and so considers the U.S. withdrawal a victory. …
Redfield Energy Celebrates Ten Years
Redfield Energy in South Dakota is celebrating ten years of ethanol production this week. According to Chief Administrative Officer Dana Siefkes-Lewis, over the past decade Redfield Energy has purchased over 194 million bushels of local corn and produced 545 million gallons of ethanol, 1.5 million tons of distillers grains and 63 million pounds of corn oil. The 10 year celebration …
SMART Farmer Brad Greenway
Brad Greenway of South Dakota was named 2016 Pig Farmer of the Year by the National Pork Board recognizing him as a pig farmer who excels at raising pigs using the industry’s We Care ethical principles that include not only raising pigs humanely and safely, but also promoting a safe workplace and contributing to the local community. Right after he …
2017 John Deere Reveal
John Deere hosted an agricultural media event at the company’s Harvest Works headquarters in Moline, Illinois – an appropriate place to unveil a smarter line of grain harvesting technology in the combines and headers John Deere is introducing for model year 2018 production. Deere also showcased the new Frontier VT17 Series Vertical Tillage Tool, new John Deere 4640 Universal Display, …
Iowa Gov and Ag Groups Announce China Trip
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds will lead an all-Iowa agriculture trade mission to China July 19-28 with representatives from the state’s corn, pork, soy, beef, egg, poultry, dairy and turkey industries. The trip marks the first time all of Iowa’s farm groups have come together for a trade mission which will be jointly funded by the participating organizations. Reynolds made the …