Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack outlined USDA’s progress in implementing the 2014 farm bill during a press conference Thursday. Joining Secretary Vilsack in the 2014 Farm Bill birthday recognition Wednesday was Ben LaCross, the Michigan fruit farmer who was at the signing of the bill last year; Michael O’Gorman, Executive director of Farmer Veteran Coalition; and Edgar Pruitt, an Alabama farmer …
2015 Crop Insurance & Reinsurance Bureau Annual Meeting
Crop insurance leaders met February 4-6, 2015 in Bonita Springs, Florida for the Crop Insurance & Reinsurance 51st Annual Meeting with the theme “Charting the Course” to explore the future of the farm safety net. 2015 Crop Insurance & Reinsurance Bureau Annual Meeting Photo Album Preview of CIRB Annual Meeting – Past and Future CIRB Leadership – Proposed Crop Insurance …
fairlife Filtered Milk
Coke is getting into the milk business through a new company and product called fairlife – filtered for more protein and calcium and less sugar. fairlife is being launched by a group of family-owned dairy farms, and The Coca-Cola Company’s Minute Maid Division is distributing that milk. During a press conference, Mike and Sue McCloskey, co-founders of fairlife, and CEO …
USDA Share of Proposed 2016 Budget
On Monday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack outlined USDA’s $156 billion share of the $4 trillion Obama budget proposal, which is three percent more than last year.
Soil Health Partnership Holds Summit
The Soil Health Partnership, launched at the 2014 Commodity Classic, held its first Soil Health Summit January 29-30 in St. Louis. The event brought together farmers, agronomists, and organizations involved in the effort. 2015 Soil Health Summit Photo Album Soil Health Partnership Holds Summit– Soil Health Partnership Scientific Advisers – USDA-NRCS at Soil Health Summit – Gaining Ground on Soil …
Ethanol Report on 20th Ethanol Conference
The Renewable Fuels Association’s 20th Annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC) with the theme of “Going Global” is just around the corner now, coming up February 18-20, 2015 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. CEO Bob Dinneen talks about the upcoming 20th NEC and how the industry has changed in 20 years.
2015 International Production and Processing Expo
The 2015 International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) was held January 27-29 in Atlanta, GA and is home for the International Poultry Expo, International Feed Expo and the International Meat Expo. Photos from the event can be found here: 2015 International Production and Processing Expo Photos Novus Strives for Solutions, Service & Sustainability – Poultry Industry Supports TPA – Sustainable …
Chicken Wings are Super Bowl Winners
According to the National Chicken Council’s 2015 Wing Report, 1.25 billion wings will be eaten during Super Bowl XLIX, as fans watch the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots battle for the Lombardi Trophy, matching the record tied last year when the Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos. In this interview, National Chicken Council Vice President of Communications Tom Super talks …
America’s Renewable Future Campaign Launched
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has announced a major new bi-partisan campaign called America’s Renewable Future that will promote the Renewable Fuel Standard in the 2016 Iowa Presidential caucuses. America’s Renewable Future will be co-chaired by former Iowa State Representative Annette Sweeney, a Republican, and former state Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge, a Democrat, as well as Iowa renewable fuels industry leader …
National Biodiesel Conference
Biodiesel producers headed to Fort Worth, Texas for the 12th annual National Biodiesel Conference and Expo January 19-22, 2015. Complete coverage of the National Biodiesel Conference can be found on the official conference blog. 2015 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album Fiery Biodiesel Industry Speech – Joe Jobe Meets the Press – Legislative Discussion from NBB – NBB Chairman’s Report – …
96th AFBF Annual Meeting
The 96th annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation was held in San Diego, January 11-13, 2015. Links are provided here to photos, stories and audio from the meeting. 2015 AFBF Convention photo album Farm Bureau Proud and Optimistic – Farm Bureau Distinguished Service Awards USTR Visits AFBF Convention – Farm Bureau Town Hall with Secretary Vilsack – AFBF …
Ag Coalition for Cuba Launched
More than 25 companies and organizations launched the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC) in Washington Thursday to liberalize trade and re-establish Cuba as a market for U.S. food and agriculture exports. Lawmakers Back Cuba Ag Trade Coalition
Corn Growers Welcome New Congress
The National Corn Growers Association spent Tuesday on Capitol Hill this week, welcoming the 114th Congress to Washington and talking up the importance of agriculture to the American economy. Pictured here is NCGA President Chip Bowling of Maryland with Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) – photo from NCGA. NCGA executive vice president Jon Doggett talks about the visit and important issues …
Farm Bureau Convention Preview
Innovation and technology will be in the spotlight at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 96th annual convention, which begins this weekend in San Diego. Brand new this year is the IDEAg Innovate Conference and Trade Show that will feature topics such as managing agricultural big data, the use of drones for farming purposes, precision agriculture and Internet strategies for farmers …
Missouri Beef Industry Summit
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon convened a summit on Monday to discuss opportunities to maximize the potential of Missouri’s beef cattle industry. Topics at the Summit included the feasibility of building and operating a large-scale packing plant in Missouri and expanding the number of in-state feeding facilities which could allow Missouri to gain about $1.7 billion a year in revenue.