Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) held a conference call with reporters on Monday urging the House to take that action before time runs out. “We’ve got only six legislative weeks before the current farm bill expires,” she said, noting that adds up to only 24 legislative days. “I’m willing to take whatever the House gives us and work …
From Middle East to Midwest
Summer driving season is nearing its peak and as events continue to unfold in Egypt, gas prices are again expected to spike. To learn more about the reasons behind rising fuel prices, Fuels America hosted a media briefing with several energy experts to provide a panoramic view of the real drivers behind volatile gas prices. Speakers discussed how renewable fuel …
Surmountable Blend Wall
Fuels America hosted a briefing on the Hill (Washington, D.C.) to give an update on the so-called “blend wall,” on July 11, 2013. Energy experts and biofuel industry representatives discussed the need to provide consumer choice at the pump. Other topics discussed during the event included: benefits of renewable fuel; penetration of new fuels like E15 and cellulosic ethanol into …
John Deere Flex Fuel Commercial Mower
John Deere has introduced a brand new riding mower that can run on up to 85% percent ethanol blended fuel. The mower is a new Flex Fuel model of John Deere’s popular line of ZTrak mowers. The new, industry exclusive, Z925M Flex Fuel gives landscape contractors and customers with large acreage to mow a new alternative fuel option for their …
Rep. Vicky Hartzler on Farm Bill and Budget
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) is a member of both the House Agriculture Committee and the House Committee on the Budget, plus she’s a farmer, so her perspective on what’s happening right now to try and get a farm bill passed is important to hear. In this interview, Hartzler discusses her frustration at seeing the House vote down the farm bill, …
Senate Hearing on Smithfield Acquisition
The Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday, July 10, took a look at the proposed acquisition of Smithfield Foods by Chinese company Shuanghui International. Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) says the sale raises many questions about issues such as food safety, protection of intellectual property, and increased foreign ownership of the U.S. food supply. Smithfield Foods President and CEO C. Larry …
2013 CTIC Conservation in Action Tour
The 2013 Conservation In Action Tour was held July 9-10 in the Indian Creek Watershed in Livingston County, Ill. The event featured tours of farming operations and presentations from farmers, conservation partners, crop consultants, government agency representatives and others. Links on this page include the event photo album, stories posted on websites, and audio files. 2013 Conservation in Action Tour …
Rep. Lucas on Farm Bill Split
Momentum seems to be building for a vote in the House on a farm only farm bill – but only if the votes are there. During a town hall meeting in Oklahoma over the July 4th recess, House Ag Committee Chairman Frank Lucas indicated that he expected leadership to split the bill but he would rather not see that happen. …
RFA Comments on Proposed Tier 3 Rule
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week regarding the proposed rule on Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards. Kelly Davis, RFA Director of Regulatory Affairs, explains the more technical details of RFA’s comments on the proposed rule in this interview:
Energy Independence and the RFS
Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Research and Analysis Geoff Cooper talks about how the RFS is helping to reduce imports of foreign oil, grow the economy with American jobs and keep the red, white and blue flying over a greener nation.
GROWMARK Sees Demand for New Grain Dryers
Almost a year ago, GROWMARK’s Total Grain Marketing (TGM) location at Neoga, Illinois completed installation of a groundbreaking mixed airflow grain dryer. with the help of Chief Industries, United Kingdom. Now, GROWMARK Commercial Grain Systems Project Manager Paul Brooks says they are working on constructing another one in Kearney, Nebraska where it will be used for drying organic grains such …
Drones for Field Scouting at Landmark Agronomy
Landmark Services Cooperative is now using iPad-controlled drones to scout fields. You can find the press release on their website here. Listen to or download my interview with Dan here:
iCropTrak Mobile App
Cogent3D has added to it’s precision and mobile farm management tools with the iCropTrak App. In my weekly podcast, the ZimmCast, I speak with Aaron Hutchinson, President and one of the founders of Cogent3D, Inc. The company has also pioneered other services like PrecisionEarth and GISRoam. Aaron says that iCropTrak is “a mobile app that is teamed with a cloud …
New John Deere 5E Series Tractors
The John Deere 5E Series of Utility Tractors have received a major update and we’ve got an interview with Scott Schadler for you. John Deere has updated its entire lineup of 5E Series Utility Tractors (45-100 horsepower) with new Interim Tier 4 engine models and more cab / open operator station and transmission options. This new 5E Series Tractor line …
Commentary on USDA Acreage Report
Despite the challenging planting conditions this spring USDA is saying that farmers have planted the most corn and soybean acres ever, according to Friday’s Acreage report. Considering what the spring has been like, the numbers are being met with some skepticism by market watchers in particular. “It’s a shockingly big number and it will be questioned,” said Jack Scoville of …