Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has announced a reorganization of USDA yesterday that includes the creation of a new undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, which was approved in the most recent farm bill. As part of the reorganization, Perdue also announced that the department’s Rural Development agencies would be elevated to report directly to the secretary of agriculture “in …
Swift Navigation, Carnegie Robotics Announce Duro
Carnegie Robotics and Swift Navigation have announced the first of their joint projects, the Duro – a dual frequency RTK GNSS receiver that is a ruggedized version of Swift Navigation’s flagship Piksi™ Multi receiver. Built for outdoor operations, Duro combines a rugged enclosure with centimeter-accurate positioning at a breakthrough price. Read more about Duro, and download this interview with Swift …
SMART Farmer John Deere
On this week’s episode of the SMART Farmer podcast series we speak with Bev Flores, Media Relations manager for John Deere. John Deere started innovating for farmers back in 1837; His plow designs helped pioneers break through rich Midwest soil. Bev recently took part in a U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance panel at the 2017 National Ag Day event in …
Perdue Shows Ethanol Support During Iowa Visit
Sonny Perdue made his support for renewable energy and ethanol clear during a visit to Iowa last week, telling a local FFA chapter that “renewable energy, ethanol is here to stay…you have nothing to worry about.” Listen here: Secretary Perdue visited Couser Cattle Company in Nevada, Iowa, where he was presented with a custom made corn products display and a …
Ethanol Report on Trade Issues and Trump Administration
This week on The Ethanol Report, we get a Washington update from Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen, focusing on recent trade developments and the Trump Administration. Dinneen comments on President Trump’s first 100 days, the potential for Brazil to reinstate a 20% tariff on U.S. ethanol, how Terry Branstad could help the ethanol industry trade situation with …
ASTA Annual Convention to Focus on Policy
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Annual Convention June 21-24 in Minneapolis will focus on science and policy issues related to the development and free movement of quality seed worldwide, according to ASTA president and CEO Andy LaVigne. Special sessions and tours planned for the week include an Opening General Session panel on consumer food trends and a tour of …
Brazil Holds Off On US Ethanol Tariffs
Brazil’s Chamber of Foreign Trade (CAMEX) has postponed a decision on whether to reinstate tariffs on U.S. ethanol until next month. Brazilian sugarcane and ethanol producer associations had proposed reinstating the ethanol import tariffs following a recent surge in shipments coming in from the United States. Brazil was the top destination for U.S. ethanol in March, according to RFA, with …
Branstad Draws on Ag Experience in Confirmation Hearing
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad drew on his agricultural trade and ethanol experience, as well as his 30 year friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during his confirmation hearing Tuesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. When asked by Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE) what he will do to get more U.S. chickens to China, Branstad agreed that China needs to have “a …
Meet the New NAMA President
The 2017 AgriMarketing Conference held last week in Dallas, Texas is the annual meeting for the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA). The conference also marked the changing of the guard for NAMA as a new president took over leadership of the organization, so the team sat down with outgoing president Matt Coniglio of Penton Agriculture/Farm Progress and incoming president Amy Bradford …
Forage Seed Benefits Bees, Livestock & Sustainable Research
In response to America’s urgent needs to protect pollinators and to support sustainable livestock farming, Grassland Oregon, a leading seed research and development company, has introduced a new seed mixture called Pastures for Pollinators, announced Risa DeMasi, co-founder of Grassland Oregon and immediate past chairman of the American Seed Trade Association. Proceeds from the sales of Pastures for Pollinators will …
Perdue Visits Kansas City USDA Office
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue visited the USDA office in Kansas City, Missouri this week and addressed members of the press on a variety of ag issues, including the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), farm bill priorities, SNAP programs, staffing possibilities, the recent wildfires, and his priority for the USDA. Listen to the complete press conference: …
#NAMA17 in Dallas
The 2017 Agri-Marketing Conference was held in Dallas, Texas April 26-28. The annual meeting of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) features awards, student competitions, sessions, workshops, networking opportunities and the Connection Point trade show for professionals in marketing and agribusiness. This post features links to photos, audio and stories from #NAMA17. This virtual newsroom includes links to photos, audio and …
NAFTA’s Future Remains Uncertain
Following speculation that the U.S. might be preparing to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), President Trump agreed Wednesday evening to renegotiate the 23-year-old agreement with Canada and Mexico and “not to terminate NAFTA at this time.” As reports of a potential NAFTA withdrawal started to circulate on Wednesday, a Farm Foundation Forum was being held on …
USDA Welcomes @SecretarySonny
Sonny Perdue was sworn in as the 31st U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tuesday and officially introduced his new Twitter handle – @SecretarySonny. Welcome to Twitter Secretary Perdue. After he took the oath of office, Perdue’s first order of business was to address employees at the USDA. During his address, Perdue explained the four main principles that will guide him while …
General Mills Backs Soil Health Projects
General Mills recently announced a $2 million commitment to the Soil Health Institute, The Nature Conservancy, and the Soil Health Partnership to support the development of tools and resources for farmers, landowners, and supply chain leaders to achieve widespread adoption of soil health practices. In this podcast, Soil Health Institute president and CEO Wayne Honeycutt talks about the partnership and …