- AgraGate Climate Credits Corp. is now accepting applications for a new, five-year carbon credits contract that includes a bonus option for a sixth year for qualified land. The 2008-2012 contract is for cropland farmed with continuous no-tillage or strip-tillage practices, or with new grass plantings since Jan. 1, 1999. The contract also has a bonus provision for operators who used the conservation tillage practices in 2007.
- Paul Hitch, cattle producer from Guymon, Okla., has resigned his position as president-elect of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) due to cancer. According to NCBA bylaws, the association’s vice president, Andy Groseta, cattle producer from Cottonwood, Ariz., automatically moves into the president-elect position. Groseta will then succeed John Queen as NCBA president after the upcoming annual meeting in Reno, Nev., Feb. 6-9, 2008.
- Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner has announced the Jan 3, 2008 retirement of USDA Chief Economist Dr. Keith Collins and the appointment of Deputy Chief Economist Dr. Joseph Glauber as Acting Chief Economist. Glauber is currently on detail to the office of the U.S. Trade Representative and serving as Special Doha Agricultural Envoy. He is expected to assume the duties of Chief Economist full-time beginning in mid-December.
- The American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers announces Ag Pro Outlook ’08 and their 78th Annual Meeting held Feb. 17-20, 2008 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina in San Diego, Calif. Registration and fee information can be found here. Early registration deadline is Jan. 18, 2008 to take advantage of discounted fees.
