House Agriculture Committee Chair Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) delivered on his promise to get a farm bill written in a timely manner, but his colleagues in the House voted 198-213 Friday to reject his effort. Democrats voted against the bill mainly for changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) aimed at getting able-bodied adults under 60 without dependents or …
ZimmCast 584 – More NAMA, Farm Bill & Precision Ag
There is a mix of topics in this week’s ZimmCast. In this week’s program you will hear: Interview with Marina Menendez, Distillery Madison Interview with Diane Riley/Brenda, Kondex Interview with Chuck Spencer, GROWMARK USDA story on Precision Ag Advancement We have new members of the #GoldenMic Club, some discussion on sustainability as it relates to the Conservation Title of the …
20th Southern Peanut Growers Conference Set For July 19-21
The 20th annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference will be held July 19-21, 2018, at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Miramar Beach, Florida. The conference is hosted by the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, which includes peanut growers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. The theme for this year’s conference, “Opportunities in Change,” plans to focus on growth opportunities and changes within …
Grassley Talks Tough on EPA Refinery Waivers
Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa wants EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to stop issuing “small refinery hardship exemptions” or step down from the job. Grassley was one of the four senators who met with President Trump last week to try and finally resolve differences over the RFS between corn ethanol and oil interests. In the call with reporters, EPA should make …
GROWMARK Talks Farm Bill Priorities
The House version of the farm bill is expected to come to the floor this week, and GROWMARK is among those weighing in with policymakers about priorities for the legislation. The cooperative is particularly looking for support of the Conservation Title, among others. In this interview, Spencer also discusses how sustainability in agriculture has become an important issue when talking …
MGEX Presents Industry Commentary on Crop Reports
USDA released its May World Agricultural Supply Demand Estimates (WASDE) report on May 10 with an initial assessment of U.S. and world crop supply and demand prospects and U.S. prices for 2018/19, as well as the latest wheat production forecast for 2018. In addition, on May 11, the Stats Can Stocks of Principal Field Crops report was released for Canada. …
ZimmCast on Ag Podcasts
This edition of the ZimmCast features some industry podcasts worth a subscription. They include: The Ethanol Report, which has been sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association since 2008. Beltway Beef, the podcast of the National Cattlemens Beef Association. The ASI Sheepcast hosted by former farm broadcaster Chase Adams. Last but now least, the new AAEA The Agricultural Communicators Network, Ag …
White House RFS Meeting Reaction from NCGA
News that the Tuesday meeting at the White House resulted in a commitment to allow year-round sales of 15% ethanol blends was tempered by a reported plan to reallocate Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) from exempted renewable fuel volumes using exported ethanol gallons. As Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley tweeted after the meeting, the devil will be in the details of the …
Ethanol Report on White House RFS Meeting
Tweets from senators involved in a White House meeting Tuesday on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) say an agreement has finally been reached between oil and ethanol interests that would allow the year-round use of E15 and put to rest the idea of a price cap on Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), a big win for Team Ethanol. However, the “win” …
GROWMARK and FS Announce Enduring Farm Award Winners
GROWMARK and local FS member cooperatives are recognizing 26 sustainable farming operations for the inaugural Enduring Farm awards. These farms were nominated for the award for their implementation of sustainable nutrient management practices such as following the 4R principles for all nutrient applications, monitoring nitrogen levels through soil sampling, and implementing variable rate technology for phosphorous applications. Nutrient management cropping …
Condon to Lead New Crop Science Division for Bayer
Bayer today announced the new Executive Leadership Team for the Crop Science division will be led by Liam Condon, who continues to serve as a member of Bayer’s Board of Management and as President of the Crop Science Division headquartered in Monheim, Germany. Condon is also responsible for Bayer’s Animal Health business unit and has over 25 years of experience …
ZimmCast 582 – More Members of the #GoldenMic Club
This ZimmCast features some new members of the #GoldenMic Club, interviewed during the Agri-Marketing Conference. Featured are Curt Dennison, Curt Dennison Photography; Daniel Lamoureux, LaTerre and Jeffrey Ross, Ross Creative Works. Listen to the ZimmCast here: Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here. Use this url in iTunes or your favorite news reader program/app.
New Free App Can Help Manage Federal Dicamba Regulations
Cropstream offers communication app to see nearby crop technology traits Cropstream, a new communication network built for agriculture, announces the release of a free crop registry app that allows growers to easily share their crop trait information with other farmers, agronomists and applicators right from their computer browser. Additionally, a mobile app allows users to view nearby crop technology traits …
Report Says Icahn Refinery Received RFS Waiver
Reuters published an exclusive report Monday citing two anonymous sources who claim EPA granted a small refinery hardship exemption to CVR Energy, owned by billionaire and presidential adviser Carl Icahn. CVR Energy just released its 1st quarter earnings last Thursday, posting a net income of $66 million, compared to $22 million in the first quarter of 2017. Audio file – …
Pruitt Provides Vague Answers About RFS Exemptions
The budget for the Environmental Protection Agency was the topic of two separate House hearings on April 26, but lawmakers spent the majority of the time addressing other concerns with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was brought up immediately by House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment Chairman John Shimkus of Illinois. One of the many …