The budget for the Environmental Protection Agency was the topic of two separate House hearings on April 26, but lawmakers spent the majority of the time addressing other concerns with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was brought up immediately by House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment Chairman John Shimkus of Illinois. One of the many …
Ethanol Report on Pruitt and the RFS
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Scott Pruitt has been “unapologetic” under questioning this week about granting dozens of small refinery hardship exemptions, and Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen believes he will continue to do so unchecked. In this edition of the Ethanol Report, Dinneen talks about how the exemptions have effectively cut the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) …
ZimmCast on Ag Careers and Farm Wifi
This podcast episode includes two Golden ZimmComm Microphone interviews from #NAMA18 (Agri-Marketing Conference). Featured are Matt Wetterson, Kayla Portwood and Melissa Williams with GROWMARK. Matt talks about his responsibilities with GROWMARK and challenges and opportunities. Kayla and Melissa talk about Ag Careers and how important reaching out to young people who want to work in the industry is to GROWMARK. …
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 …
ZimmCast With New #GoldenMic Club Members
During the Agri-Marketing Conference the ZimmComm Team welcomed new members to the #GoldenMic Club. In our Connection Point booth we were set up to record interviews with attendees and I’m featuring a few of them in this week’s program and in weeks to come. This week you’ll hear Jamie Johansen interview: Stephanie Stalans, Helena Agri-Enterprises University of Wisconsin, Madison NAMA …
Western Equipment Dealers Association Acquires Friend Management Systems™
Combination Adds to Offerings of WEDA Business Management Services to the Equipment Dealer Industry (April 11, 2017 – Kansas City, MO) Western Equipment Dealers Association announced today that it is acquiring Friend Management Systems™ in a transaction pairing two leading providers of management consulting and professional development programs and services for equipment dealers. Friend Management Systems™ is a Canadian-based management …
Power Up with #NAMA18
The 2018 National Agri-Marketing Conference is back in Kansas City April 11-13, with the theme “Power Up.” The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) is the nation’s largest association for marketing and agribusiness professionals and this annual event features industry awards, educational sessions, and the Connection Point trade show. This virtual ag newsroom includes links to photos and audio content available free …
Legislative Tax Victories for Oklahoma Equipment Dealers
Comments from Western Equipment Dealers Association (WEDA) Vice President of Government Affairs Eric Wareham (April 10, 2018 – Kansas City, Missouri) The 2018 Oklahoma state legislature has seen several bills this session that seek to increase revenue by making tax policy changes that would impact the agriculture industry at an already difficult time, and the Western Equipment Dealers Association (WEDA) …
ZimmCast on International Travel and #NAMA18
This episode of the ZimmCast features a preview of the National Agri-Marketing Conference from this year’s chair Jenna Oesch, Global Marketing Lead & Customer Experience Council Lead, Monsanto Company, Vegetable Seeds Division. Also, Jamie Johansen talks about her trip around the world, first to Ireland with Alltech and KEENAN, followed by a week in Indonesia with the U.S. Soybean Export …
Ethanol Report on EPA Small Refinery Waivers
Outrage is growing this week over revelations that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been granting Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance exemptions to dozens of oil refineries. Combined with the approval of the Philadelphia Energy Solutions bankruptcy agreement and the agency’s refusal to enforce the 2016 RFS requirements as remanded by the courts, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is saying …
American Lamb Board Establishes Goal of 2 Percent Demand Growth Yearly
The American Lamb Board (ALB) has approved a new long range plan for 2018-2022 to focus the work of the checkoff and its stakeholders in the areas of promotion, information and research over the next five years – and it boldly sets a demand growth goal. The strategic objective of the plan is to increase demand for American Lamb by …
Remote Sensing Data for Agriculture
Earth Observing System (EOS), a Menlo Park based startup, announces the release of a unique cloud-based platform called EOS Crop Monitoring, which provides solutions for Input Suppliers, Farmers, Commodity Traders, Crop Insurance companies, and all members of the Agriculture supply-chain. EOS Crop Monitoring is the result of three years of extensive collaboration between EOS’ dedicated team of data scientists and …
Reaction to Presidential Trade Tariff Actions
Following action by President Trump yesterday to impose tariffs on up to $60 billion in Chinese imports, China is making its list of what U.S. products will be the target of retaliation. The list reportedly includes agricultural products such as U.S. pork, modified ethanol, wine, fruits and nuts, and soybeans are expected to be as well. U.S. Grains Council (USGC) …
Golden ARC Awards “Call for Entries” Announced
The Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) today issued the annual “Call for Entries” for the highly-respected Golden ARC Awards. The annual contest allows agricultural public relations professionals to submit their best work for comparison to that of colleagues working in companies, agencies, associations and other organizations around the globe. New this year is a reduced price for entries. As an added …
Ethanol Plant Operators Say No to RIN Price Cap
Discussions are expected to continue this week between oil refinery and biofuels interests over the price of Renewable Identification Numbers, or RINs, which were created under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) as a way to encourage refiners to blend more biofuels. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) member plant owners are united in their opposition to the idea of capping RIN prices …