Vilsack Discusses 2015 USDA Budget

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today hosted a media conference call to discuss President Obama’s FY15 budget for the USDA. “The President’s 2015 USDA budget proposal achieves reform and results for the American taxpayer; fosters opportunity for the men and women living, working and raising families in rural America; and supports innovation through strategic, future-focused investments,” said Vilsack. Listen to or …

Vilsack on Farm Bill Priorities

The U.S. Senate today passed the long-overdue 2012 Farm Bill by a vote of 68-32. According to Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, the Agricultural Act of 2014 will “reform agriculture programs, reduce the deficit, and help farmers, ranchers and business owners grow the economy.” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the bill includes “meaningful reform and billions of dollars in …

USDA Offers Drought Help for California

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced USDA is making $20 million available for agricultural water conservation efforts throughout California to combat the effects of drought. Interested landowners and managers have until March 3, 2014 to apply for available funds. Vilsack held a press conference today with Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) and California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross.

Livestock Groups Address Farm Bill Concerns

Livestock organizations and food associations are opposing the farm bill out of conference committee this week because makes no changes to the Country of Origin Labeling law (COOL), which is being challenged by Mexico and Canada over world trade violations. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president Scott George, National Association of Manufacturers director of international trade policy Jessica Lemos, and National …

MGEX Call on WASDE Report

USDA released the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Report on January 10. Minneapolis Grain Exchange hosted a conference call with Brad Paulson of Northern Crops Marketing and Investment to analyze the numbers.

USDA Call on Exports and Farm Bill

USDA Under Secretary Michael T. Scuse held a telephone media call today to highlight the need for a new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill to promote U.S. agricultural exports. Joining him was Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast Executive Director Tim Hamilton and Dave Ramirez, Export Sales Director of Ohio-based Trophy Nut.

USDA Press Conferences

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack held two press conferences the week of December 9, 2013 on two totally different subjects, but both times he was asked his thoughts about Congress not getting a farm bill done. On December 11, Vilsack was joined by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus in announcing a joint “Farm-to-Fleet” venture to make biofuel blends part of …

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack at NAFB

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited the 70th National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Annual Convention in Kansas City on Friday. The Secretary centered his comments around the RFS announcement, record levels of exports, drought issues and the farm bill. He also answered questions from the broadcasters. Listen to or download the entire one hour press conference: 2013 NAFB Convention Photo …

MGEX November Crop Call

USDA issued its November Crop Production forecast on Friday, calling for a record corn crop of just a hair under 14 billion bushels. During the Minneapolis Grain Exchange conference call on the report, Mike Krueger of The Money Farm commented on both the new production forecast and the new WASDE report.

MGEX September USDA Crop Call

USDA issued its September Crop Production forecast on Thursday, calling for a slight increase in corn production, a three percent decrease in the soybean crop and another one percent drop in cotton production. During the Minneapolis Grain Exchange conference call on the report, Louise Gartner of Spectrum Commodities, commented on both the new production forecast and the new WASDE report.

USDA Awards Conservation Funds

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and NRCS Chief Jason Weller held a telephone press conference Tuesday to announce the award of Conservation Innovation Grants. Vilsack and Weller also took a number of questions from reporters, most of which centered around the need for passage of a new farm bill.

Ag Secretary Speaks to Growth Energy

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressed the Growth Energy Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. Tuesday morning, focusing on passage of a new five-year “food, farm and jobs bill” and maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Listen to or download Sec. Vilsack’s remarks here:

Agriculture Secretary at IA Farm Bureau Summit

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressed the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation 2013 Economic Summit on Monday, July 22, in Ames, Iowa. The secretary touched on a number of topics including climate change, conservation, the Renewable Fuel Standard, and the need for a long term food, farm and jobs bill. Afterward, Vilsack held a press conference where he answered questions …

Commentary on USDA Acreage Report

Despite the challenging planting conditions this spring USDA is saying that farmers have planted the most corn and soybean acres ever, according to Friday’s Acreage report. Considering what the spring has been like, the numbers are being met with some skepticism by market watchers in particular. “It’s a shockingly big number and it will be questioned,” said Jack Scoville of …