Leaders in the crop insurance business are gathered in California for the annual meeting of the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau. On the program this year are presentations about the political climate in this election year, the climate itself and economic challenges facing the world ag market. In addition, first-year members of the CIRB Emerging Leaders Program will be on …
#NFMS16 is 51st Farm Machinery Show
The 2016 National Farm Machinery Show is the 51st annual event in Louisville with 880 exhibitors covering 1.2 million square feet of floor space for the largest indoor farm show in America. The free four-day event brings nearly 300,000 farmers from across the Midwest to explore the trade show and attend seminars on renewable energy, marketing and farm technology. 2016 …
Vilsack Discusses 2017 USDA Budget
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack hosted a national media call to discuss the Obama administration’s 2017 budget request for USDA programs. “The President’s 2017 Budget request aims to ensure USDA’s programs continue to invest in agriculture research and development, target effective strategies to protect our natural resources, and expand markets and economic opportunity for our farmers, ranchers, and the people who …
Phibro Animal Health on Ethanol and FSMA
Ethanol performance and animal health go hand in hand at Phibro Animal Health Corporation, which is why the revised FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations are an important focus for the company right now. Phibo Animal Health Senior Vice President for scientific and regulatory affairs Richard Coulter says many ethanol producers are concerned about what impact the new regulations …
#TPP Signed in New Zealand
Trade ministers representing Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States, and Vietnam gathered for the signing of the historic signing of the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement concluded four months ago in Atlanta. The ministers released a joint statement noting that the “signing of the agreement signals an important milestone and the beginning of …
Syngenta COO on ChemChina Offer
Syngenta confirmed Monday that ChemChina, a Chinese state-owned company, has offered to acquire the company with the cash purchase of all Syngenta shares. The $43 billion deal must still be approved by two-thirds of Syngenta shareholders and receive regulatory approval. Syngenta Chief Operating Officer Davor Piskof held a press call with reporters Monday to talk about the deal, noting that …
Ethanol Report Analyzes Iowa Caucuses
Since the ethanol industry made a strong effort to support candidates who favored the Renewable Fuel Standard going into the Iowa caucuses, the oil industry is making much about the fact that one of the only two candidates opposed to the RFS won the Republican vote in the state. In this Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob …
Ethanol Key Issue in 2016 Iowa Caucuses
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) won the Republican ticket in Iowa last night with Donald Trump coming in second despite Cruz’s ambiguity on ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). However, ethanol has gained a significant amount of positive ground according to a press conference held by Growth Energy. On the call: Tom Buis, Co-Chair of Growth Energy Monte Shaw, Executive …
ARA Hosts National Policy Conference
The Agricultural Retailers Association is hosting its National Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. February 1-3, 2016. During the event, members will conduct the business of the association through committee meetings leading up to a final board meeting mid week. In addition, ARA members will hear from regulators and interact with legislators while they are here, addressing their priorities on the …
#NBB16 Feature of this Week’s ZimmCast
The 13th National Biodiesel Conference and Expo was held last week in Tampa and it was the 11th year that ZimmComm has done the Biodiesel Conference Blog. Way back in 2006, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) was one of the first industry organizations to see the value in new media like blogs and they continue to stay on the cutting …
GOP Debate Spotlights Cruz’s Views on #Ethanol
With the Iowa caucuses coming up on Monday, agriculture and renewable fuels finally got some attention in the Republican debate last night, as Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas was asked about his position on the Renewable Fuel Standard. “We should be developing oil and gas and coal and nuclear and wind and solar and ethanol and biofuels but I don’t …
Wetland Preservation Gets $9M from USDA
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the establishment of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The program will provide $9 million to help states, local governments or other qualified partners develop wetland mitigation banks that restore, create, or enhance wetland ecosystems, broadening the conservation options available to farmers and …
Cattlemen, Cattlewomen Head West for CIC & NCBA
Cattlemen and women made their way West January 27-29, 2016 to take in the sunshine and sea breeze for the 2016 Cattle Industry Conference (CIC) & National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show in San Diego, CA. The event brought beef leaders together to attend the educational Cattlemen’s College, walk the aisles of the industry trade show and network, network, …
International Attendees Flock to #IPPE16
The Georgia World Congress Center is the home for the International Production & Processing Expo. The event is sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, North American Meat Institute and American Feed Industry Association. There were 1,300 exhibitors occupying almost a half million square feet. 2016 IPPE Photo Album Novus Talks Innovation at IPPE – Novus Offers Sustainable Antibiotic-Free …
Coast-to-Coast #NBB16
The 2016 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo (#NBB16) is being held in Tampa, Florida January 25-28. This 13th annual event for the industry has the theme of “Coast to Coast” and features a trade show, as well as sessions on timely topics such as biodiesel’s role in reducing climate change, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), ASTM, mitigating risk, biodiesel tax …