Ten diverse agricultural organizations are conducting a press conference right now in Washington DC to urge Congress to act on estate tax reform during the lame-duck session. Scott Bennett (pictured), Virginia Tech University student and active participant in his family’s livestock operation, did a really nice job speaking on behalf of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association – noting that he …
New BASF Plant Health Education Website
BASF Corporation has just introduced a new online, interactive educational module – planthealtheducation.com. The new learning program is customized by region and provides growers with education on disease control, Plant Health benefits and resulting yield advantages of F500®, the active ingredient found in Headline® fungicide, Headline AMP™ fungicide and TwinLine® fungicide. “This educational session gives growers an in-depth look at …
Challenges For Dairy Farmers
Next up from the recent NAFB convention Trade Talk session is the Dairy Farmers of America. I spoke with Jackie Klippenstein, VP, Industry and Legislative Affairs. Jackie says that priorities for DFA include making sure new legislators are familiar with the needs of dairy farmers. She says the industry lost some long time supporters in the recent election. Looking ahead …
Death Tax and the White House
It looks like the death tax is going to be really hard for Washington legislators to ignore. There are 31 ag groups making sure of it. They sent a letter to President Obama today “urging immediate, permanent and meaningful estate tax reform.” Anyone with a lick of common sense would know that if estate taxes are allowed to be reinstated …
New Research From Beef Checkoff
Some of the latest research being conducted by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board includes environmental footprint research, changes to the National Beef Cook-Off and new lean cuts of meat. To talk about them at the recent NAFB convention Trade Talk session was Robert Fountain, Jr., CBB Secretary/Treasurer. I thought the environmental footprint research sounded especially interesting. Interesting but sad that money …
Vote For AGCONNECT Expo 2011 Advocating For Agriculture Awards
It’s time to vote for the AGCONNECT Expo 2011 “Advocating For Agriculture Awards.” AG CONNECT Expo 2011 is proud to announce the finalists for its “Advocating for Agriculture” Awards. It’s now up to you to determine the Grand Prize winner for each category by voting online from November 24 – December 9, 2010. Meet our finalists by reading their nominations …
Free iPhone App on Cyber Monday
On Cyber Monday you iPhone people can get a freebie. Join the nearly 1,000 who already have the first agricultural news media app for the iPhone – the AgWired iPhone App. The app offers one-touch access to all the latest news and information in the agribusiness and agricultural marketing world posted on Agwired.com, including audio, photos and video, and connections …
Area Code First
I can imagine how it sounded: “Can I have your phone number please, starting with the area code?” “6.” “I’m sorry, I just caught the first number. Can you give it to me again?” “Yes. 6. That’s my phone number.” I can’t even keep up with the latest in cell phone technology. Pretty soon, we’re going to have a chip …
Zimfo Bytes
USDA has finalized procedures for the upcoming referendum on the continuation of the Sorghum Checkoff Program. USDA will conduct the referendum Feb. 1-28, 2011, at local Farm Service Agency offices for producers and the Agricultural Marketing Service office for importers. Only 25 percent of Americans consider “healthy” food choices when dining out, according to the 2010 Healthy Eating Consumer Trend …
CHS Growing With Renewable Fuels
Mark Fenner, CHS Energy (not pictured), was one of the people working during the NAFB Trade Talk session. He says that they market under the Cenex brand. They’ve been selling a lot of diesel fuel products and the new Tier 4 engines are a real focus for them. Trends in the renewable fuels area have a definite effect on them. …