Nine farmer leaders and staff members from the National Corn Growers Association, the U.S. Grains Council and the North Dakota Barley Council traveled to Cuba last month to see first-hand opportunities for expanding U.S. coarse grain exports if trade is fully normalized with the island nation. The mission was part of an ongoing effort by the grains industry to assess …
AFBF Releases WOTUS Analysis
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) today released its analysis of the EPA’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) final rule and concerns the organizations has about its impact on farmers and ranchers. The Farm Bureau analysis, now available online, is headlined “No, No, No! No Clarity, No Certainty, No Limits on Agency Power.” Among the main concerns Farm Bureau …
NAFB 2015 Washington Watch
Thanks to our friends at Agri-Pulse we have some great audio to share from the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual Washington Watch. First Doan Award Presented – ARA Supports Food Labeling Act – RFA CEO Talks RFS with NAFB – Mixed Signals on Biotech from EU –
Famous Idaho Potato Tour 2015
The Big Idaho Potato on wheels and Tater Team is back on the road. Track it’s progress here. This is its fourth cross-country tour with a new mission to help local charities across the U.S. In a five-month period, the truck will visit 60 cities, travel 22,087 miles and help dozens of charities better serve their communities. Listen to/download some …
2015 Chicken Media Summit
The 2015 Chicken Media Summit took place on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The event brought together journalists, bloggers, dietitians and many others representing the poultry industry. The National Chicken Council and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association brought the unique group together to open the doors for a day of touring a hatchery, chicken farm and processing facility. Great dialogue was started …
Industry Addresses New H5N2 Outbreaks
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) provided an update on highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza outbreaks via a press conference this morning. This comes after the recent confirmed case on an Iowa egg farm. USDA Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford, CDC Medical Officer Dr. Alicia Fry and USDA Southeast Poultry Research Director David Swayne …
2015 ACE Fly-In
The 2015 American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) brought the troops to Washington D.C. this week to talk with our Nation’s leaders about the importance of the Renewable Fuels Standard. The troops were a diverse group of growers, manufactures, retailers and others in the industry with a keen interest in renewable energy. Photos from the event can be found here: 2015 …
More from #Classic15
Corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum growers from all over the country were in Phoenix for the 20th annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show February 25-28, 2015. Our first post from Classic features the organization presidents, Secretary Vilsack’s address, commodity scholarship awards, and visits with some exhibitors. More audio links are being added here. Photos from the event can be …
NFU on RFS Report and Congress Action
The National Farmers Union represented agriculture on a Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) advisory group that helped develop a new report on “Options for Reforming the Renewable Fuel Standard.” NFU vice president of programs Chandler Goule discusses the advisory group makeup being skewed toward Big Oil, and NFU’s objections to policy recommendations made in the report. In this interview, Goule also …
2014 NAFB Trade Talk
The 71st annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention once again featured the popular Trade Talk event, where over 100 companies and organizations lined up for interviews with broadcasters from all over the country. Find links to Trade Talk attendee interviews here, as well as a link to the convention photo album. General convention story posts can be found here. …
COOL Reform Coalition Reacts to WTO Ruling
The World Trade Organization (WTO) released the compliance panel report on the U.S. Country of Origin labeling (COOL) law finding that “the amended COOL measure violates Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement because it accords to Canadian and Mexican livestock less favourable treatment than that accorded to like US livestock.” The COOL Reform Coalition held a press call and webinar …
Ditch the Rule at Missouri State Fair
Agriculture’s “Ditch the Rule” campaign against the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule was highlighted at the Missouri State Fair this week. Three Republican members of Missouri’s congressional delegation held a press conference at the fair, organized by the the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and Missouri Farm Bureau. Senator Roy Blunt …
Michigan Ag Groups Discuss Water Quality
Michigan agricultural leaders held a conference call Thursday morning to discuss algae bloom issues and proactive water quality efforts being undertaken by producers in the state. Taking part in the call were: Jim Byrum, president, Michigan Agri-Business Association Jim Zook, executive director, Michigan Corn Growers Ken Nobis, president, Michigan Milk Producers Association Mary Kelpinski, executive director, Michigan Pork Producers Dr. …
Cattle Industry’s Summer Conference
The 2014 Cattle Industry Summer Conference took place in Denver, CO. July 30 – August 2. The event brought together cattle producers from across the country to discuss the business side of the industry. A few of the hot issues discussed included Waters of the United States, Country of Origin Labeling and trade regulations. A special thanks goes out to …
Missouri Right to Farm Amendment
On July 5, Missouri voters will be deciding the fate of a constitutional amendment to protect farming rights in the state. In this interview, Missouri Farm Bureau president Blake Hurst talks about Amendment 1 on the ballot, “Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to ensure that the right of Missouri citizens to engage in agricultural production and ranching practices shall …