Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced updated regulations under the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA). The “Farmer Fair Practices Rules” outline “common sense protections to restore fairness and reduce the burden for farmers seeking justice under the Packers and Stockyards Act.” Joining Vilsack for the announcement were National Farmers Union president Roger Johnson and Mike Weaver, president of the …
ACE Encourages Advocates to Speak for #Ethanol
Over the past few weeks President-Elect Donald Trump has been announcing his nominations for Cabinet positions including Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to lead the EPA. While Trump was supportive of biofuels during his campaign, notes Brian Jennings, executive vice president for the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Pruitt has been vocal in his opposition to clean energy including the …
#Ethanol RFA Reaction to Cabinet Picks
Some ethanol interests may be getting a little nervous about the oil industry ties of several Trump administration cabinet selections, including Texas Governor Rick Perry for energy secretary, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt for EPA administrator and ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State. Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen says all that really matters is who …
DuPont Pioneer Unveils New Corn and Soybean Products
With the theme of “Innovation Elevates Performance for Growers,” DuPont Pioneer used virtual press conferences this week to unveil new corn and soybean products by region. Pioneer is launching 54 new A-Series soybeans for North America; and 53 new top-yielding corn products as part of its expanded lineup for 2017 spring planting. Listen to the Delta/Southeast regional presentation of the …
Trump Assures Iowa Gov About EPA Pick
Some ethanol interests are understandably a little concerned about President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Oklahoma AG Scott Pruitt as head of the EPA, considering his previous opposition to the Renewable Fuel Standard. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who has accepted the position as Trump’s ambassador to China, got his assurances about Pruitt from the president-elect himself. During his weekly press conference …
AnimalAgCast Features BLM & Wild Horse Management
On this week’s AnimalAgCast we hear from Dean Bolstad, Division Chief of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Division of Wild Horses and Burros. Dean provides an overview of the ways BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program works to protect and maximize the welfare of our nation’s wild horses and burros and discusses some negative rumors about the program that …
AgCompass Helps You Navigate Your Software
Ken Wedig, who was retired from John Deere after 30 years, partnered with Everett Chambers in 2003 to create AgCompass, one of the pioneers in the technology which supports businesses by hosting their software on a remote server so they can access their data from multiple locations. AgCompass can host nearly any windows-based software and specializes in hosting accounting software …
ZimmCast Features the Shark Farmer
In this week’s ZimmCast, Chuck Zimmerman speaks with Shark Farmer Rob Sharkey, who he caught up with during the 2016 Cultivate & Connect Conference in Kansas City, MO. Rob produces a regular podcast on Tuesday’s called Sharkfarmer Podcast. It’s not only a play on his name but he started it during Shark Week. The Shark Farmer grows row crops and …
#ASTACSS in Chicago
America’s largest seed industry conference – the American Seed Trade Association 71st Corn & Sorghum Seed Research Conference 46th Soybean Seed Research Conference and Seed Expo, better known as ASTA’s CSS 2016 & Seed Expo, or #ASTA-CSS, was held December 6-9 in Chicago. The event brings together over 3,000 seed industry professionals for educational and networking opportunities and the program …
2016 North American PRRS Symposium
The 2016 North American PRRS Symposium was held December 3-4 in Chicago. The PRRS symposium was expanded this year to include emerging and foreign animal diseases. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI) once again sponsored a session at the annual symposium focused on prevention. Links on this page include photos and stories from the event. 2016 BIVI PRRS Seminar Photo Album …
General Mills, Xerces Society & NRCS Hit Milestone
The U.S. Department of Agriculture hosted an announcement between themselves, General Mills, and the largest and oldest pollinator conservation organization, the Xerces Society this morning. The three organizations are joining together to protect the habitats of pollinators on hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland. The project is a five-year, $4 million commitment to provide the technical assistance for planting …
#ARA2016 In Orlando, Florida
The Agricultural Retailers Association Conference & Expo (ARA2016) is in full swing in Orlando, Florida. The three-day event had a focus on mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues and talent. Also included in the event is an Expo that features many new technology companies especially those with drones. All the event coverage will be here including photos and audio interviews. 2016 …
Wisconsin Christmas Tree Adorns White House
While close to 350 million Christmas trees are growing on farms throughout the country, a Christmas tree from Wisconsin made its way to the White House Friday where it was presented to First Lady Michelle Obama. The 19-foot Balsam-Veitch fir was presented by Dave and Mary Vander Velden, owners of Whispering Pines Tree Farm in Oconto, Wisconsin. The Vander Veldens …
Blessed Thanksgiving to You
At this time of Thanksgiving we pause to count our blessings. The freedom of this great country in which we live Its opportunity for achievement and freedom to worship The friendship and confidence you have show in us For this and so much more we are deeply thankful. Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving from the ZimmComm/AgWired team.