Senate Ag Congratulates Farm Credit on 100 Years

John Davis

Farm Credit gets to celebrate its 100th anniversary with some well wishes from the Senate Agriculture Committee. This news release from the committee says Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., introduced S.Res. 349, a resolution acknowledging the Farm Credit System’s anniversary and continued service to meet the credit and financial needs of rural communities. On July …

Farm Credit

Key Issues Top Farm Bureau’s 2016 Strategic Plan

John Davis

Farm Bureau’s strategic action plan for 2016 includes several key issues for agriculture, including the government’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) action, protecting farmers’ rights to use biotechnology and trade issue. This news release from the group says the policy issues are a result of deliberations by delegates to the AFBF’s 97th Annual Convention in Orlando. “We will continue …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Trade, Water

MGEX Sets New Open Interest Record

John Davis

MGEX has set a record for its highest open interest total in its 135-year history. This news release from the trading organization said it closed the day Tuesday at 82,279. This breaks the previous record of 82,056 set on April 17, 2014. The Exchange has seen an increase in open interest each of the past seven days and has now …

Markets

Family is Emphasis of Corn Growers Photo Contest Winner

John Davis

The grand prize winner in the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) 2015 Fields of Corn Photo Contest struck a special chord with the judges as it highlighted the joys of family farming and sharing a love of agriculture with future generations. This news release from the NCGA says the photo of a father and young daughter playing in a corn …

Corn, NCGA

FFA State Officers Return from South Africa

John Davis

Seventy-five FFA members from 23 states have returned from a 12-day educational and cultural experience in South Africa. This news release from the group says they participated in the 2016 International Leadership Seminar for State Officers, an experience that allows FFA members to experience foreign culture, learn about international agriculture and become more knowledgeable of the global marketplace. The group …

Ag Groups, FFA, John Deere

Bipartisan Child Nutrition Reauthorization Passes Senate

John Davis

There’s not a lot that Republicans and Democrats can agree upon, especially in this election year, but a bipartisan bill that reauthorizes vital child nutrition programs brought them together. Senate Agriculture Committee officials say the “Improving Child Nutrition Integrity and Access Act of 2016,” reforms and reauthorizes child nutrition programs under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Food, politics

Chile & Peru Slated for Stops on USDA Trade Mission

John Davis

Two South American countries have been slated for a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) trade mission. This news release from the agency says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will lead a trade mission March 14-18 to expand export opportunities for U.S. agriculture in Chile and Peru. “Thanks to existing free trade agreements, the United States enjoys strong trading relationships with both …

International, Trade, USDA

NCGA Gains Insight During Priority and Policy Conference

John Davis

Members of the National Corn Growers Association were able to gain some great insights during their recent annual Priority and Policy Conference held in St. Louis. This news release from NCGA says the meeting brought together a wide array of stakeholders for discussions on the direction and the future of the organization. “This meeting consistently provides a chance for NCGA …

Ag Groups, NCGA

AGree Tells Prez Candidates to Focus on Ag & Food Policies

John Davis

A coalition of stakeholders in the food and agriculture systems is urging the presidential candidates to focus on the policies that can improve the health of America’s families, economy, farms and the environment. In this news release from AGree, the call includes a strategy for elevating food and agriculture as a national priority. “Many people don’t realize the degree to …

Ag Groups, politics

‘First Peas to the Table’ is Ag Book of Year #AFBF16

John Davis

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has named Susan Grigsby’s “First Peas to the Table” as its Book of the Year. The book tells the tale of how a little girl, Maya, and her classmates learn about gardens and peas, as well as Thomas Jefferson’s garden at Monticello. “I am so happy that, thanks to this recognition from the …

AFBF, Ag Groups