Vilsack and LaHood Press Avail

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood officially extended for five years an agreement between USDA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help develop viable biofuels for the aviation industry. The two secretaries signed the agreement Monday (4/15/13) at the Advanced Biofuels Summit at Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland. Vilsack and LaHood held a press availability after …

Growth Energy Capitol Presser

Members of Growth Energy are on Capitol Hill this week to meet with legislators regarding the benefits of the ethanol industry. In particular, participants will discuss the value of E15, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the issues surrounding Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs). The Growth Energy leadership team, CEO Tom Buis, and Co-Chairmen of the Board General (Ret.) Wesley Clark …

Elanco Expands Committment in China

Elanco is investing approximately $100 million to purchase a minority equity stake in China Animal Healthcare Ltd., one of the leading players in the animal health industry in the People’s Republic of China. The investment expands Elanco’s commitment to China, with the goal of providing innovative, safety-enhancing food production solutions to help meet the growing food demands and nutritional needs …

Farm Bureau Propsal for Farm Bill

The American Farm Bureau Federation sent a farm bill proposal to Capitol Hill this week that offers a diverse mix of risk management and safety net tools to benefit a wide range of farms and it saves $23 billion compared to the cost of continuing the current program. “We’ve tried to look at providing farmers a three-legged safety net stool …

Interview on Catfish Inspection Program Repeal Effort

An effort to repeal the Catfish Inspection Program that was included in the 2008 Farm Bill apparently has widespread support in Congress and with a variety of agricultural companies and organizations. National Fisheries Institute spokesperson Gavin Gibbons says the program has already proven to be a waste of taxpayer dollars. “If you look at the Government Accountability Report for the …

2013 National Ag Day

National Ag Day activities took place in Washington, DC in various locations including an evening banquet at USDA. You’ll find links to plenty of audio and photos from all the events. The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) will host National Agriculture Day on March 19, 2013. This will mark the 40th anniversary of National Ag Day which is celebrated in …

BASF 2013 Science Behind Event

BASF hosted the 7th annual Science Behind BASF media symposium in conjunction with the Commodity Classic. Below are links to photos and audio files from that event and other BASF activities at Classic. BASF at 2013 Commodity Classic Photos Audio files:

Sequester and Agriculture Explained

Sequester is scheduled to take effect on March 1 and so far Congress has made no effort to prevent the across the board spending cuts from taking place. I talked with GROWMARK government affairs director Chuck Spencer to find out more about this monster called Sequester. Listen to my interview with Spencer here:

2013 Annual Meat Conference

The Annual Meat Conference is hosted by the American Meat Institute and Food Marketing Institute. 2013 Annual Meat Conference Photo Album

2013 National Farm Machinery Show

48th National Farm Machinery Show – February 13-16, 2013 – Louisville, KY 2013 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album Audio Overview of 2013 NFMS New Holland Excavators Handy on the Farm Managing Insects for Greater Yields Syngenta Resistance Fighter of the Year Video Ag Leader Preparing Growers for Spring Planting

2013 Cattle Industry Conference & NCBA Trade Show

115th annual convention of the cattle industry – National Cattlemen’s Beef Association & Cattlemen’s Beef Board – Tampa, Florida – February 6-9, 2013 Link to posts on AgWired Beef Board Meeting Blog with archives back to 2006 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album Audio NCBA Sustainability Press Conference 2012 NCBA President J.D. Alexander Beef Ambassadors at CIC …

2013 National Biodiesel Conference

Coverage of the 10th annual National Biodiesel Conference – February 4-7, 2013 – Las Vegas, NV. Complete coverage on official Biodiesel Conference Blog – with archives starting in 2006. 2013 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album Audio Biodiesel Board Celebrating 20 Years – Secretary Vilsack Addresses Biodiesel Conference – Former Senator speaks at Biodiesel Conference – United Soybean Board Receives Eye …

2013 National Ethanol Conference

Coverage of 18th National Ethanol Conference – Feb. 5-7, 2013 – Las Vegas, NV Category link for stories on DomesticFuel.com Photos Video and Audio 2013 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album 2013 NEC Golf Tournament Photo Album Speakers Audio Video NEC 13 Bob Dinneen recorded live on UStream NEC 13 Secretary Vilsack recorded live on UStream Conference panels Perspectives on the …

2012 ASTA CSS & Seed Expo

ASTA CSS 2012 & Seed Expo Photo Album US and China Seed Groups Sign MOU Listen to remarks from ASTA Chairman Blake Curtis and several members at MOU signing: Listen to Brownfield’s Meghan Grebner interview with Andy LaVigne on MOU: MOU Importance for China and US Seed Companies

Ethanol Report from Ag Media Summit

In this edition of The Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association Director of Communications Matt Hartwig discusses how they are using social media tools to communicate with reporters, policy makers and the general public.  He also talks about an upcoming meeting they are co-sponsoring with the U.S. Grains Council to increase exports of the ethanol co-product distillers dried grains with solubles …