Elanco Food Solutions has introduced CellVex — a new antimicrobial food-safety intervention to reduce E. coli and Salmonella pathogens in beef-processing facilities. Wall to wall coverage of the National High School Finals will be broadcast on MyRuralTV.com and NHSRA’s site on iHigh.com, while a highlight show will be broadcast on RFD-TV. The USDA is asking certified producer and importer organizations …
FARRM Bill Amendments: What Made the Cut
More was proposed than adopted, but in the end, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act, better known as the FARRM bill, moved out of the House Agriculture committee with 43 amendments (see a complete list of what was approved, defeated, withdrawn and tabled here from our friends at Agri-Pulse.com). One of the more significant amendments that passed kills …
Committee, Ag Leaders React to FARRM Bill
As Cindy already noted, it took nearly 15 hours, but members of the House Agriculture Committee were able to pass their version of the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (FARRM) Bill. Committee Chair Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Ranking Member Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) praised the bipartisan legislation: “This is a balanced, reform-minded, fiscally responsible bill that underscores …
Oh, Sweet Pea
Have you seen the drought map of the U.S. lately? It’s not good to see much dark orange, red or dark red and unfortunately, those are the colors that envelop most of the map. The July 4th holiday news reported that 25 states were in drought alerts and 20 states cancelled fireworks celebrations, and for good reason. It’s just depressing. …
FARRM Bill Passes out of Committee
They said they would get the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act out of committee in one business session come “hell or high water” and they did it. It took nearly 15 hours to go through some 100 amendments and did not end until just shy of 1:00 am Eastern time, but the final roll call vote to recommend …
Corn Market Commentary
Corn growers got the world market viewpoint today at the Wyffels Hybrids Corn Strategies from Bill Tierney, Chief Economist, AgResource Company. I spoke with him after his presentation. China was a market he spoke about and I was fascinated to learn that the average holding of corn there is about 10-12 feet wide by about 60-100 feet! Bill says, “When …
House Committee Considers Farm Bill Amendments
Last month, we told you about how the U.S. Senate had trimmed the number of amendments in the Senate Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012, better known as the Farm Bill, from 300 down to 73. Today, the debate moved to the House, as the House Agriculture Committee was adding and subtracting the lower chamber’s own amendments (about …
Developing Corn Hybrids For Adverse Conditions
It is the 6th year for the Wyffels Hybrids Corn Strategies road show. We’re sitting in a comfortable tent in a corn field. Can’t find a better place to hold a conference like this. I visited with Bill Wyffels, President, to find out what’s new from Wyffels. He says they’ve introduced thirteen new corn hybrids from 96 to 117 day …
Kansas Wins Race to Sell 15% Ethanol
Kansas wins the prize for the first state to sell 15% ethanol-blended gasoline (E15) under the Environmental Protection Agency waiver. The nation’s first E15 gallons were pumped at the Zarco 66 “Oasis” station in Lawrence, Kansas on Tuesday and, not coincidentally, the first customer to buy it was Jere White, Executive Director of the Kansas Corn Commission. “We were there …
Wyffels Hybrids Does 2012 Corn Strategies
Wyffels Hybrids is kicking off a series of Corn Strategies sessions this year in Vincent, IA. Here’s the team this morning getting ready for the tent capacity filled crowd that’s here on Harmon Farms. What a contrast I’ve seen in corn yesterday to today. The corn here looks great. Although I’m sure there are local farmers here who would like …