Wells are running dry, cattle are being sold and crops are withering away. There is no question that farmers and ranchers across the Midwest are experiencing one of the worst droughts in history. Maybe it hasn’t directly affected you yet, but don’t worry it will. Producers and consumers alike will see the impact from our lack of rain. But lets …
Zimfo Bytes
Osborn Barr added two to their account leadership roster. Welcome Aurrice Duke and Chase MacMullan as directors to support their client Monsanto’s commercial business. TheAntiqueTractorShow announced that the U.S. Postal Service has granted a Commemorative Pictorial Postmark in recognition of the Sept. 29th Tractors on the Square event in West Plains, Missouri. Animal Welfare Approved is offering $5,000 Good Husbandry …
RFS Waiver Might Lower Corn Prices… Eventually
A new report from researchers at Purdue University shows that a waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) could lower corn prices… but it could be a while until livestock producers and consumers at the grocery stores see those prices go down. Purdue’s Wally Tyner, Farzad Taheripour and Christopher Hurt presented their report, entitled Potential Impacts of a Partial Waiver …
Respecting the Rotation with Bayer CropScience
At least 250 farmers, crop consultants, and retailers turned out Wednesday in Collinsville, Illinois for a plot tour of mostly lots of really tall and nasty weeds that don’t die easily. The Bayer CropScience “Respect the Rotation” field day offered a glimpse of what could happen in the Midwest if resistant weeds like pigweed palmer ameranth gain a foothold. District …
IFAJ Awards
Awards have been presented at the 2012 IFAJ Congress. Here’s the first place winner of the IFAJ-Yara Award for Sustainable Agriculture Reporting, Kerry Staight, Australia. Other awards were presented during our dinner last night that included the Star Prize for Broadcast Journalism, First Place – Online Video -Eric Poulsen, Denmark; Television – Kerry Staight, Australia; Radio – Damien O’Reilly, Ireland. …
Sweden Minister of Rural Affairs
The Sweden Minister of Rural Affairs is Eskil Erlandsson. He was on our morning program here at the 2012 IFAJ Congress. After the morning session was completed he held a press conference which I recorded and have posted below. One of the questions that I thought was interesting pertained to Sweden’s use of biofuels and making use of ethanol by-products …
A Dire Future Without Major Societal Changes
Our opening speaker at the 2012 IFAJ Congress immediately dove into the deep end on the theme of “Solutions for a Green Future.” He is Johan Rockstrom, Executive Director of the Stockholm Resilience Center. As he opened his remarks he pointed to what he calls the most significant news of our age which was announced yesterday. He was referring to …
2012 IFAJ Congress Underway
The 2012 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress is officially underway. Here’s our happy group during the opening reception. The program kicks off with a variety of speakers addressing the theme of “Solutions for a Green Future.” Then we’ll have the annual IFAJ business meeting followed by a visit to Hamra Farm, headquarters for De Laval. 2012 IFAJ Congress Photo …
Corn Growers Call for Careful Analysis Over RFS
At least two governors, Bev Perdue of North Carolina and Mike Beebe of Arkansas, have petitioned the EPA to waive the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) for ethanol in light of the drought gripping much of the corn-producing region of the country. The National Corn Growers Association… which has alliances with the livestock producers who want to see lower feed prices …
Romney Announces Farmers and Ranchers Coalition
Presumptive Republican nominee for President Mitt Romney today announced a coalition of agricultural leaders for his campaign. The Farmers and Ranchers for Romney coalition is chaired nationally by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, Ambassador Tom Nassif, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE), and former USDA Acting/Deputy Secretary Charles Conner. “I’m honored …