Bayer CropScience held its annual Ag Issues Forum prior to the start of the 2014 Commodity Classic in San Antonio. With the theme “What the World Needs”, the forum hit on some of the most trending agricultural topics today – from biotechnology to bees and beyond. Audio and photos from the event will be posted on this page. Bayer CropScience …
2014 National Ethanol Conference
The 19th annual National Ethanol Conference, presented by the Renewable Fuels Association, was held February 17-19, 2014 at the J.W. Marriott in Orlando, Florida. With the theme of “Falling Walls, Rising Tides,” the conference had a big focus on the EPA proposal for 2014 volume obligations under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). Presentations addressed the state of the ethanol industry, …
SST Software Certification Program
SST Software, an industry leader in precision agriculture, is now offering a precision ag certification program. The SST Precision Ag Certification Program is an intensive, 10-week training course for preparing precision ag technology specialists. The program covers data management, service provider offerings, emerging products, and analysis reports. Bill Richardson, Director of Training & Education at SST Software, states, “It all …
ABM Opens Facility in South Africa
Advanced Biological Marketing (ABM) has purchased the assets of BioSolutions, an importer of innovative technologies for the agricultural sector in Southern Africa. The acquisition was finalized in December of 2013. Included is the office in Litchenburg South Africa, a manufacturing facility and a distributor network. ABM branded products will be produced, formulated and packaged there. This facility will manufacture products …
2014 National Farm Machinery Show
The 2014 National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky is four days of exploring the latest farm trends, technology and tools, in addition to five great Championship Tractor Pulls. Dates for the 49th annual show and 46th annual tractor pull are Feb. 12-15, 2014. Eight interconnected exhibit halls totaling more than 1.2 million square feet of indoor exhibit space and …
Crop Pro Insurance to Offer Spring 2014 Crop Insurance
Crop Pro Insurance, LLC (“Crop Pro”), a crop insurance Managing General Agency focused on Midwestern crop producers, announced today that it will, in partnership with Technology Insurance Company, Inc. (“TIC”), a subsidiary of AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:AFSI), offer crop insurance through the Federal MPCI program beginning immediately. TIC and Crop Pro have received approval from the Risk Management Agency, …
MapShots 2014 Customer Conference
MapShots held its annual Customer Conference February 7-8 at the Georgia Tech Learning Center in Atlanta. This event brings in MapShots customers as well as third party partners for an intensive couple of days of training sessions and presentations. MapShots is a software development company that provides crop management applications for the agriculture industry, including AgStudio software for managing large …
MGEX Calls on US and Canada Crops
The Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGEX) hosted two crop calls in the past week to discuss reports out of Stats Canada and USDA. The Stats Canada field crop report was released on February 4 and was analyzed by Wayne Palmer and Brian Voth of Agri-Trend. Jack Scoville of the Price Futures Group discussed the USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate …
Farm Bill Bio Benefits
Just as President Obama was preparing to sign the Agricultural Act of 2014 into law, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) held a media conference call Friday to highlight expansion of the Farm Bill’s energy programs to renewable companies and discuss next steps for the industry to achieve parity with other renewable technologies. Participating in the call were: Matt Carr, BIO …
President Signs Farm Bill
President Obama traveled to Michigan State University to sign the Agricultural Act of 2014 at the alma mater of Senate Agriculture Committee chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). Stabenow was among those who joined the president as he signed the bill, along with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH) and others. Listen to or download the …
GMO Coalition Announced
American farmers and representatives from a diverse group of almost thirty industry and non-governmental organizations today announced the formation of the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food and urged Congress to quickly seek a federal solution that would establish standards for the safety and labeling of food and beverage products made with genetically modified ingredients (GMOs). Representatives of some of the …
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.
GROWMARK Propane Interview
Freezing temperatures, a wetter than normal harvest, and more exports have all contributed to a “perfect storm” scenario for short supplies of propane right now, according to Scott Long, manager of propane marketing and business development for GROWMARK, Inc. GROWMARK is a farmer-owned cooperative based in Bloomington, Illinois that is a big supplier of propane in the Midwest.
Iowa Senator to Vote No on Farm Bill
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) announced last week that he intends to vote against the farm bill conference report passed by the House. In a floor speech on Thursday, January 30, Sen. Grassley explained why he opposed the Agricultural Act of 2014. “I strongly support the business of agriculture….But if I were to vote yes on this bill, it would be …