As House and Senate Agriculture leaders keep working toward passing a farm bill yet this year, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is urging Congress to approve legislation that will continue to provide farmers and ranchers with the tools to conserve our nation’s land and water resources, according to Larry Clemens, TNC agriculture director for North America. Soil health is of particular …
Heartland Institute on Climate Accord and Agriculture
The decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accord has generated strong reactions – both positive and negative – but overall agricultural interests have been pretty quiet on the matter. The Heartland Institute, a free-market think tank based in Illinois, has opposed the Paris Climate Agreement from the beginning and so considers the U.S. withdrawal a victory. …
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 …
Ethanol Report on Earth Day
Ethanol has a seat on the ground at one of the largest Earth Day events in the country this weekend – Earth Day Texas, which last year hosted over 130,000 attendees, over 700 exhibitors and more than 250 speakers. Even bigger and better this year, the event includes an alternative fuels educational session on Saturday where Renewable Fuels Association Vice …
Trump Signs Executive Order to Review WOTUS
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to formally reconsider the controversial Waters of the United States, or WOTUS, rule under the Clean Water Act. “(This) is one of the rules most strongly opposed by farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers all across our land…it’s been a disaster,” said President Trump during the White …
GRSB Hosts Global Sustainability Conference
The Global Conference on Sustainable Beef was held earlier this month in Banff, Alberta, and the event featured a diverse group of inspiring keynotes that touched on the global commitment to furthering sustainability efforts. Speakers included Dennis Laycraft, president of the Global Roundtable on Sustainable Beef (GRSB). He explained that the ultimate goal of GRSB is to expand global reach …
Presser Calls for an End to Big Oil Subsidies
More than 40 groups have come together to call for an end to Big Oil subsidies that have been in place for more than 100 years. In an open letter to Congress from a diverse range or organizations from veterans, to renewable energy to environmental, and more, the groups are challenging Congress to repeal the nearly $4 billion a year …
@GROWMARK Customers Embrace Climate FieldView
Climate Corporation’s Climate FieldView products are among the most exciting innovations that GROWMARK’s Ron Milby has seen come along for agriculture in the past two decades. Milby says the Climate FieldView Prime is a free offering that provides weather, scouting and alerts. “Climate FieldView Plus allows an in-cab experience,” said Milby. The Plus product also offers the ability to connect …
Help Fill the Well of Thirsty Land
Thirsty Land, is scheduled to debut at the Water for Food global conference on April 24th. Its impact is sure to reach across the nation, but Conrad Weaver needs our help. The project tells the story of the importance of water to agriculture and food production– or really the lack of water and focuses on drought-ridden areas such as Central …
Wetland Preservation Gets $9M from USDA
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the establishment of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The program will provide $9 million to help states, local governments or other qualified partners develop wetland mitigation banks that restore, create, or enhance wetland ecosystems, broadening the conservation options available to farmers and …
Vilsack Talks Trade, Climate & SOTU
USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack held a press call yesterday to discuss President Obama’s last State of the Union (SOTU) address. Vilsack, who has served in the capacity of Ag Secretary throughout Obama’s Administration, said he is very proud to have been part of an administration that has basically taken the country from a brink of an economic collapse to …
RFA Discusses Ethanol’s Climate Impacts on Media Call
On a press conference call today hosted by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) leading experts in the field of lifecycle greenhouse gas analysis and agricultural land use discussed the climate impacts of ethanol production and use, compared to the impacts of petroleum and other energy alternatives. Speakers also addressed what they called flawed arguments made by ethanol opponents—including Timothy Searchinger …
Fuels America Launches “Obama” Climate Campaign
On a press conference call, top executives from Fuels America announced the launch of a new ad campaign targeting President Obama and urging him to lead the world on climate by getting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) back on track as he heads into international climate talks. Speakers also discussed how the Administration’s decision on the RFS will be critical …
New ZimmCast Episode – The Elephant in the Corn Field
The latest ZimmCast episode features a cornfield, an elephant and DTN’s Chris Clayton. With the title, “The Elephant in the Cornfield,” Chris Clayton’s first book draws you in just to find out what it’s all about says ZimmCast host Chuck Zimmerman. Chris is the policy editor for DTN/The Progressive Farmer and an issue near and dear to his heart is …
Poll: African Americans Back Climate Action, Clean Energy
According to a new poll released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and GREEN FOR ALL, two-thirds of African Americans believe global warming is a serious problem and want more action to curb its effects. This group also supports the Clean Power Plan (CPP), finalized in August, as a tool to address the climate crisis while 83 percent …