The Obama administration today announced new investments in the biofuels industry as part of the Defense Production Act (DPA). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Navy and Department of Energy jointly announced $30 million in federal funding to match private investments in commercial-scale advanced drop-in biofuels. The Energy Department is also announcing a total of $32 million in new investments …
Zimfo Bytes
AgWeb recently launched the interactive Winter Wheat Harvest Map — updated daily — to give online users and followers a chance to see real-time wheat harvest results from across the country. Syngenta announced that it has entered into a barley breeding collaboration with InterGrain. BRANDT has named Dennis Salettel as new Business Development Manager for the company’s Turf and Ornamental …
Iowa Farmers Market App
Iowans now have a mobile way to locate a local farmers market thanks to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Listen to Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey talk about it today: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today unveiled the free Iowa Farmers Market app for smartphones that is designed to help Iowans access the more that …
New President of International Seed Federation
The new President of the International Seed Federation is Tim Johnson, Illinois Foundation Seeds. I spoke with Tim about his induction to the position at the ISF World Seed Congress 2012 in Rio de Janeiro. He says it’s an honor to be selected by the general assembly of ISF for the two year commitment. He calls it the “global ASTA” …
The John Deere PowerStick
As I sit in the Des Moines airport one of my helpful gadgets is the new John Deere PowerStick. It’s a 2GB USB drive that also charges up and includes multiple connectors to power up your other gadgets! That’s a cool combo. You charge it while you use it and it charges your iPhone or other device when you need …
John Deere Does Agile Development
Agile Development is not something you might think of when you think of John Deere. It’s a term associated with software development that is “based on iterative and incremental development, where requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration between self-organizing, cross-functional teams.” Guess what? That’s what John Deere is doing according to Aaron Senneff, Development Manager at John Deere Intelligent Solutions …
Farm Groups React to Obamacare Ruling
In a split 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has voted to uphold the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. Two major farm groups were also split in their evaluation of the decision, with the American Farm Bureau and National Farmers Union both issuing statements yesterday. Here’s what Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation had to say: “Farmers, …
Kicking Off National Hot Dog Month
To celebrate the start of July’s National Hot Dog Month, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) is proud to announce the winner of its t-shirt slogan contest. ‘Hot Dogs: Relish the Moment’ was America’s top choice for the Council slogan, beating seven other finalists in a Facebook poll. Gadi Lefkowitz of Baltimore, MD, who submitted the winning slogan, …
New Chairman of American Seed Trade Association
It’s the passing of the gavel. This time at the American Seed Trade Association convention. Here is new ASTA Chairman, Blake Curtis, Curtis & Curtis, Inc. (left) with past Chairman Mike Gumina, Pioneer Hi-Bred. I spoke with Blake at the end of the convention to find out things went in his opinion and what the future priorities are for the …
Zimfo Bytes
Woodruff Sweitzer announces the addition of five team members to the staff roster: Tori Powers, Kristin Witt, Dan Hood, Laura Tyson and Michelle Hanko. Pioneer Hi-Bred will now be known as DuPont Pioneer. Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC launches the Feeding for 30 Facebook page, offering tips on proper sow nutrition and management as well as industry insights for swine …