2010 was a big year for Alltech, what with hosting the FEI World Equestrian Games and all, but in 2050 the company is talking about having 9.3 billion people for dinner. “Feeding the World – 9.3 billion people for dinner in 2050” is the theme of Alltech’s lecture tour this year that kicked off during AG CONNECT Expo on Saturday. …
USDA Outlook Board Chair at AFBF
Appearing at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in Atlanta this week almost cost USDA Outlook Board Chairman Gerald Bange a 28 year perfect record. Gerald Bange has not missed a lockup prior to the release of a crop report since 1983, but it was a close call getting out of the snow-bound south in time after his crop …
UC Davis Wins $40M in Ag Grants
UC Davis has won $40 million in federal grants to develop climate-change-tolerant plants and plants better suited to produce fuel. UC Davis scientists, who will led the various projects, will work with researchers at more than 50 universities spanning 20 states. UC Davis wheat geneticist Jorge Dubcovsky will receive $25 million to head a team that will work to develop …
USFRA Update
At the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting I got an update on how things are going with the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance from General Manager Hugh Whaley. He’s seen here in their booth out on the trade show floor. Hugh says they now have 23 national and regional organizations that have joined in the alliance with an eleven …
Morning Temp A Nice Round Number
I thought that when Cindy and I got to Atlanta last week we were not in the balmy south, but maybe we were. We got home last night and here’s what this morning’s temperature was. It actually said minus one before I stopped at a light to take the photo. We’re in post AG CONNECT Expo and AFBF Annual Meeting …
Zimfo Bytes
Organic yogurt leader Stonyfield Farm has launched the Stonyfield Organic Farmers Grant-a-Wish Program to help fund innovative organic farming projects that can make a strong environmental impact or improve the long-term viability of organic farming. Valley Irrigation recently announced a formal agreement with CropMetrics. With five completely new models, the Fendt 800 Series high horsepower tractors continue the tradition of …
ZimmPoll Finds Mixed Results Response On Biofuels Policy
It should be an interesting year in the biofuels debate. The response to our latest poll shows some pretty divided results with most thinking we’ll see just another one year extension of incentives. It will be interesting to see how Congress handles things after hearing from their constituents. In answer to the question “What do you think will happen with …
American Farm Bureau Sets Policy
The votes are in, the delegates have spoken and the American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting has concluded with a new set of policies. AFBF President, Bob Stallman, held a closing press conference to point out a few highlights from today’s decision making. He said that even with the adverse weather conditions that happened here in Atlanta the program ran smoothly …
Farm Bureau Members Engage in Social Media
A popular session at the American Farm Bureau annual meeting yesterday was “Grassroots Engagement with Social Media,” featuring some of the trailblazers in the SM world for agriculture. Florida Farm Bureau president John Hoblick introduced the session, which was moderated by AFBF’s Mace Thornton (@AFBFMace on Twitter). “I think of social media as being the equivalent of the green revolution …
MyAmericanFarm.org Showcased At AFBF Convention
My American Farm is a great and personal sounding name. It’s the url for a Pioneer sponsored project that’s conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation. I spoke with Angela Mayfield (right) about what’s new with the project. Angela says that MyAmericanFarm.org is a free online resource that now has 12 games covering different topics on agriculture. They all meet …