Cotton Growers Pleased with WTO Negotiations

John Davis

Cotton growers were happy to see the latest results from World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations. This news release from the National Cotton Council (NCC) said U.S. trade negotiators were able to resist pressure for further concessions on cotton during the recent 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. “U.S. negotiators held firm with respect to any cotton specific outcomes, ensuring …

Cotton

NCGA: Boosting Corn Utilization Key Success Strategy

John Davis

National Corn Growers Association leaders say the corn industry needs a better plan than hoping bad weather fixes weak prices, as some market analysts have suggested. This news release from the group says it has recommitted to boosting corn utilization as a key strategy in achieving a healthy and viable corn industry long term. “To successfully address farmer’s income you …

Ag Groups, Corn, NCGA

Farm Bureau Video Highlights Problems with WOTUS

John Davis

A new video from Farm Bureau shows just how problematic the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule is. This news release from the group says the story revolves around a farmer who is being cited by the government on the basis of the Environmental Protection Agency’s controversial water regulation and how more farmers could be in trouble for doing a …

AFBF, Ag Groups, EPA, Video, Water

Major Farm Organizations Comment on Omnibus

John Davis

Some major farm groups are offering their thoughts, good and bad, on the omnibus legislation just passed by Congress. American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman found plenty to like in the measures, but had some misgivings on some parts. “America’s farm and ranch families will benefit greatly from the strong, bipartisan congressional passage of important tax relief, funding and …

AFBF, Ag Groups

FFA CEO to Retire this Summer

John Davis

After seven years as the chief executive officer for the National FFA Organization, W. Dwight Armstrong will retire this summer. This news release from the group says Armstrong felt it was the right tome to transition the leadership of FFA and for him to spend quality time with his family, friends, volunteer opportunities and personal pursuits. National FFA Advisor and …

FFA

Farm Foundation to Hold Antimicrobial Stewardship Summit

John Davis

Antimicrobial stewardship is of vital interest to the livestock industry. That’s why our friends at Farm Foundation will hold a free, national summit highlighting policy, education and economic issues surrounding the stewardship of antimicrobial drug use in food-producing animals Jan. 20-21, 2016, in Washington, D.C. A collaboration of Farm Foundation, NFP, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), the …

Ag Groups, Animal Health, Farm Foundation, Livestock

AFBF and NCGA Comment on Year End Legislation

John Davis

Farm groups are reacting to the omnibus spending bill that avoided a government shutdown. Just as it’s being touted as giving some to both Republicans and Democrats, the compromise deal has its ups and downs for agriculture, and Farm Bureau and the National Corn Growers Association have both weighed in on those ag ups and downs. Farm Bureau officials are …

AFBF, Ag Groups, NCGA, politics, Water

Farm Bureau’s “On the Farm Authors” Selected

John Davis

A dozen authors have been selected to learn more about life on the farm with the hope to turn those experiences into ways to help children learn more about agriculture. The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture says the 12 will receive a $1,500 stipend plus room, meals, tour transportation, event registration and all materials to attend the Jan. 7-10 …

AFBF, Ag Groups

USDA Stops Payments to Managers Not Engaged in Farming

John Davis

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making sure farm safety-net payments are issued only to active managers of farms that operate as joint ventures or general partnerships. The move, exempting family farm operations, closes a loophole where individuals who were not actively part of farm management still received payments. “The federal farm safety-net programs are designed to protect against …

USDA

Cotton Growers Appreciate Cottonseed Designation Push

John Davis

The National Cotton Council is expressing its gratitude for the effort to get cottonseed to be designated as an “other oilseed.” The group thanked House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) for their help in getting 100 House Members signed onto a letter urging Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to use the authority granted in the …

Cotton