The U.S. Department of Agriculture hosted an announcement between themselves, General Mills, and the largest and oldest pollinator conservation organization, the Xerces Society this morning. The three organizations are joining together to protect the habitats of pollinators on hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland. The project is a five-year, $4 million commitment to provide the technical assistance for planting …
#ARA2016 In Orlando, Florida
The Agricultural Retailers Association Conference & Expo (ARA2016) is in full swing in Orlando, Florida. The three-day event had a focus on mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues and talent. Also included in the event is an Expo that features many new technology companies especially those with drones. All the event coverage will be here including photos and audio interviews. 2016 …
Wisconsin Christmas Tree Adorns White House
While close to 350 million Christmas trees are growing on farms throughout the country, a Christmas tree from Wisconsin made its way to the White House Friday where it was presented to First Lady Michelle Obama. The 19-foot Balsam-Veitch fir was presented by Dave and Mary Vander Velden, owners of Whispering Pines Tree Farm in Oconto, Wisconsin. The Vander Veldens …
RFA Comments on #EPA 2017 RVO #Ethanol Increase
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is thanking the EPA for its commitment to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by increasing renewable volumes across the board for 2017. This includes raising the conventional biofuel category back to where the statute intended – 15 billion gallons per year from 14.8 billion gallons as proposed in May of 2016. In response, RFA President …
NPB State of the Industry Press Conference
The National Pork Board hosted a media teleconference this morning to address the current state of U.S. pork production, highlight current market trends, and define the impact these trends are having on America’s 60,000 pork producers. Speaking on the call were Jan Archer, National Pork Board president, Len Steiner, Steiner Consulting Group, Patrick Fleming, Director, Market Intelligence and Innovation for …
Car Talk Host Answers #Ethanol & Cars Questions
As more and more consumers choose ethanol at the pump, Bobby Likis, host of Bobby Likis Car Clinic, says there is a continued need to educate mechanics about ethanol. Likis is a 45-year auto veteran who in his shop has worked on more than 200,000 cars and he loves ethanol. He said that most car problems are not caused by …
#Ethanol Report on #Food Prices
The cost of Thanksgiving dinner this year is less than it was a year ago, with turkey leading the way in lower prices. At the same time, the amount of corn used to make ethanol will set a new record in 2016, up roughly 3% from last year. A new analysis from Informa Economics takes a look at food prices …
AnimalAgCast Highlights Protect the Harvest
On this week’s AnimalAgCast, Jamie Johansen talked with Brian Klippenstein, Executive Director of Protect the Harvest, during NAFB’s Trade Talk about a controversial animal rights proposal that passed in Massachusetts, Oklahoma’s defeated Right to Farm legislation and how the animal agriculture community will fair with new Administration. The proposal, which was spearheaded by the Humane Society of the United States …
ZimmCast Features Farmer2Farmer Conference
After a successful 2015 Farmers Business Network has continued to grow in 2016. Earlier this year the company held its first Farmer2Farmer conference and a second one is planned for December. Chuck Zimmerman visited with co-founder Charles Baron at the NAFB convention last week and learned that Farmers Business Network is now offering an interesting new service. This year the …
#NAFB16 Trade Talk
Nearly 100 companies and organizations participate in the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) annual Trade Talk, where they are interviewed by broadcasters from around the country. AgWired reporters at the NAFB convention this year interviewed dozens of Trade Talk participants, which are being compiled here with links to posts on various websites. General interviews from #NAFB16 can be found …
EPA Announces #RFS Point of Obligation Decision
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed denying a petition to change the point of obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Under the current rule, oil refiners and importers are the entities obligated to blend more renewable fuel into the transportation fuel supply under the RFS, but they were seeking to change that obligation to entities that own gasoline …
New USFRA Faces of Farming and Ranching Class
The next class of Faces of Farming & Ranching represent a broad spectrum of U.S. agriculture. From cotton fields to broilers, from Texas to Virginia, the winners of the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) program were announced this week at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. The winners were honored for their passion …
Ag Broadcasters at 73rd NAFB Convention
Kansas City was once again the location for the 73rd National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Convention November 9-11. The theme was Waves of Opportunity and the event began with a panel on a very timely topic, “Counting the Returns: Agriculture Reacts to the Election.” There’s also lots of informational sessions and the annual Trade Talk. 2016 NAFB Convention Photo …
New Chair for USFRA
Pig Farmer of the Year, Brad Greenway, officially took the helm as Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) this week. Wisconsin farmer Nancy Kavazanjian officially ended her term by passing the gavel to Greenway who represents the National Pork Board. This month marks the sixth anniversary of the formation of USFRA and the board …
ZimmCast Features New #Ag Software from Trimble
Trimble is holding a large customer event in Las Vegas this week – Trimble Dimensions. It’s the site for a big announcement – Trimble Ag Software. This new farm data management platform combines their products Connected Farm™, Farm Works Software® and Agri-Data® solutions. This all-in-one tool offers customers a complete desktop, web-based and mobile-enabled agricultural software solution that simplifies farm …