Survey Shows LibertyLink System Rates Highest With Growers

Results from an independent market research survey of growers in 21 states conducted by Kynetec have found that the LibertyLink® system by Bayer was the highest rated trait platform of the year. The study found that 97 percent of growers who planted LibertyLink this year rated it “good” to “excellent,” beating out both new and established platforms currently on the …

Biodiesel Documentary Premieres

The biodiesel industry is spotlighted in a new Discovery Impact documentary “HOT GREASE” which makes its on-air debut November 16 at 9:00 Eastern. The film features footage from National Biodiesel Board (NBB) events, as well as interviews with NBB Director of Communications Jessica Robinson; former Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Gene Gebolys, founder and CEO of World Energy. NBB Director …

ZimmCast from the #NAFB17 – Part 2

Hello folks. The ZimmComm Team is in post-NAFB Convention recovery which includes editing and publishing interviews and other content we created in Kansas City last week. This week’s program includes feature interviews with our sponsors who help make everything happen. In the program we’re featuring interviews with FMC’s Mike Krull about the FMC/Dupont integration, GROWMARK’s Tim Berkland about their Enduring …

Larson Dairy Reacts to Animal Activist Video

One of the most well-respected dairy operations in the nation was the subject of an underground animal activist video that was released this past week. Larson Dairy in Okeechobee, Florida is owned by Woody Larson, who bought the operation from his father Red Larson, who started in the dairy business in 1947. His son Jacob is also involved in the …

Corn Crop Increase Surprises

USDA surprised many with the crop production forecast out this month estimating a two percent increase from last month for corn. Based on conditions as of November 1, yields are expected to average 175.4 bushels per acre, up 3.6 bushels from the October forecast and up 0.8 bushel from 2016. If realized, this will be the highest yield on record …

SMART Farmer Jeremy Brown

In this edition, we hear from a Texas farmer who grows both organic and traditional cotton and peanuts, as well as other crops. Jeremy Brown is one of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) faces of farming, which has given him the opportunity to engage with the non-farm public on the highly emotional topic of biotechnology and GMO crops …

Ibach Sworn in, Northey Still on Hold for USDA

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue traveled to Omaha yesterday to swear-in new Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach in his home state. During the swearing-in ceremony, Perdue expressed his disappointment that Bill Northey was not also being sworn in at the same time, after his nomination was put on hold last week by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in …

USFRA Supporting Food Evolution Movie

The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) is supporting a new film that offers an independent investigation into biotechnology that concludes GMOs may well be a force for good to feed the world. Food Evolution, which is now streaming on Hulu, was commissioned by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), and directed by Academy Award®-nominated director Scott Hamilton Kennedy. USFRA …

Secretary Perdue at 90th FFA Convention

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue attended his first National FFA Convention this week and held a press conference to take questions about various topics, prior to addressing the group’s opening general session. Perdue appeared at the press conference with six members of the FFA policy committee and was asked about a number of topics, including the 2018 farm bill, trade and …

House Ag Chair Says Farm Bill on Track

House Agriculture Committee Chair Mike Conaway (R-TX) says they are moving forward with work on the 2018 Farm Bill. “Still on track for late for fourth quarter (this year) or early first quarter of next year,” said Conaway during a conference call with reporters Wednesday. “We’re going to be ready on the committee…when floor time opens up.” Rep. Conaway was …

Registration Open for ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference 2018

Like the song from “A Chorus Line” says, ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference is a singular sensation, a thrilling combination, and a one of a kind experience, and it’s scheduled to be held May 20–23, 2018 once again in Lexington, Kentucky. The annual Alltech symposium, which draws 5,000 people to Lexington each May, is the brain child of Irish entrepreneur …

SMART Farmer Rochelle Krusemark

Rochelle Krusemark is a Minnesota grain and soybean farmer, a state and national soybean board and USFRA board member, wife, mother and grandmother – all at the same time! Obviously a busy lady, Rochelle squeezed in time as she was watching her two toddler grandsons to tell us what being a SMART farmer means to her, and why she is …

Iowa Biofuels Leaders Fight for RFS

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds held a press conference with biofuels industry leaders in Pella, Iowa Wednesday to talk about the importance of maintaining growth in the Renewable Fuel Standard The Governor questioned recent EPA proposals that would cut volume levels under the RFS for biodiesel, cellulosic ethanol, and advanced biofuels, and possibly allow ethanol exports to generate RINs for RFS …

BASF Executives Discuss Bayer Acquisition

BASF Crop Protection business executives held a conference call with reporters Tuesday to discuss the agreement announced last Friday to purchase significant Bayer assets in the largest deal of its kind in history. The $7 billion deal includes Bayer’s global glufosinate-ammonium non-selective herbicide business, seed businesses for canola hybrids in North America under the InVigor® brand using the LibertyLink® trait …

GIPSA Rules Withdrawn by Administration

The Trump administration today announced it will withdraw controversial regulations under the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration (GIPSA) related to the buying and selling of livestock. The action includes an interim final rule that deals with harm to competition and one proposed related rule issued in the final days of the Obama administration. The interim final rule was scheduled …