Harold Wolle, a corn farmer from Madelia, Minn., took over as president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)this week. During a press conference Tuesday, Wolle talked about his goals over the next year, saying reauthorizing a farm bill that reflects the priorities of corn growers will be a pressing concern. He also noted that he plans to push for …
2023 Ag Outlook Forum
The ninth annual Ag Outlook Forum, hosted by AgBizKC and Agri-Pulse Communications, was held September 25, 2023 in Kansas City. The event featured top economists, industry leaders and government officials offering insights into trending food and agriculture issues. EPA’s Senior Advisor for Agriculture Rod Snyder 41:06 Snyder talked about the agency’s commitment to biofuels and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). …
AFBF Establishes 2023 Farm Bill Priorities
American Farm Bureau Federation president Zippy Duvall today outlined the organization’s 2023 Farm Bill priorities. The priorities were identified by a working group of Farm Bureau members and staff from across the country. AFBF’s overarching priorities include: Continuing current farm bill program funding; Maintaining a unified farm bill that includes nutrition programs and farm programs together; Prioritizing risk management tools …
Crop Insurers Hear from Senate Ag Committee Leaders
Organizations representing crop insurance companies held a virtual joint 2021 Crop Insurance Convention on February 9 where they heard from the leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR). American Association of Crop Insurers (AACI) executive director Scott Graves welcomed Sen. Boozman, while Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) executive vice president …
USDA Deputy Provides Farm Bill Update
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing Thursday to hear from USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky regarding implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill, and commented on the EPA supplemental proposal out this week. Listen to his opening remarks below and read full testimony. (5:14) The announcement out of EPA this week regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard …
USDA Tracking Farm Bill Implementation
Now that the federal government is back at work, USDA Deputy Secretary Steve Censky says they are moving as quickly as possible to implement the new farm bill. During a Farm Foundation Forum on the realities of implementing the 2018 farm bill, Censky said USDA is using a “Fitbit” type of approach to tracking goals. Listen to Censky’s comments here:
President Trump Signs Farm Bill
President Donald Trump gave Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue a happy birthday Thursday when he signed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 with many members of the agricultural community in attendance. Listen to remarks at the signing here: Among those privileged to witness the farm bill signing was Mick Henderson, general manager of Commonwealth Agri-Energy in Kentucky and past chairman of …
Conaway Pleased with Final Farm Bill
Passage of the 2018 Farm Bill is a “big deal for rural America” and for House Agriculture Committee chairman Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX), who loses his chairmanship next month when the Democrats take the majority in the House. After the House voted 386-47 to pass the conference report and send the bill to the president, Conaway released a video talking …
Nature Conservancy Backs Farm Bill Conservation Programs
As House and Senate Agriculture leaders keep working toward passing a farm bill yet this year, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is urging Congress to approve legislation that will continue to provide farmers and ranchers with the tools to conserve our nation’s land and water resources, according to Larry Clemens, TNC agriculture director for North America. Soil health is of particular …
ASTA Outlines Seed Industry Priorities for Farm Bill
The 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee is holding its first public meeting today in Washington and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) has notified committee members of key provisions important to the seed industry within the legislation. In a recent letter to Conferees, ASTA highlighted priorities within the Conservation, Trade, Research, Horticulture and Crop Insurance titles. In the Trade title, …
Senate Agriculture Committee Passes Farm Bill
By a vote of 20 to 1, the Senate Agriculture Committee passed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 Wednesday. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was the sole dissenting vote, continuing his long-time crusade for payment limitations. Grassley was the first to make his comments during the mark-up. Here are his remarks. Grassley also opposed including the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 …
Farm Bill Defeated in the House
House Agriculture Committee Chair Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) delivered on his promise to get a farm bill written in a timely manner, but his colleagues in the House voted 198-213 Friday to reject his effort. Democrats voted against the bill mainly for changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) aimed at getting able-bodied adults under 60 without dependents or …
ZimmCast 584 – More NAMA, Farm Bill & Precision Ag
There is a mix of topics in this week’s ZimmCast. In this week’s program you will hear: Interview with Marina Menendez, Distillery Madison Interview with Diane Riley/Brenda, Kondex Interview with Chuck Spencer, GROWMARK USDA story on Precision Ag Advancement We have new members of the #GoldenMic Club, some discussion on sustainability as it relates to the Conservation Title of the …
GROWMARK Talks Farm Bill Priorities
The House version of the farm bill is expected to come to the floor this week, and GROWMARK is among those weighing in with policymakers about priorities for the legislation. The cooperative is particularly looking for support of the Conservation Title, among others. In this interview, Spencer also discusses how sustainability in agriculture has become an important issue when talking …
House Ag Committee Advances Agriculture and Nutrition Act
The House Agriculture Committee voted along party lines Wednesday to pass the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R.2) out of committee, a new farm bill designed by Republicans to “address the economic challenges facing the nation’s farmers and ranchers, while making historic investments in opportunities for SNAP recipients.” All 20 Democrats on the historically-bipartisan committee voted against the legislation …