As the Senate prepares to vote on comprehensive immigration reform today, Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) took to the floor Wednesday evening to detail some of his concerns about the farm worker provisions in the bill and amendments that he wanted to see added. The Georgia senator’s main issues center around requirements under the “Blue Card” program the new legislation would …
The Tin Man
Today Aunt Jeanette writes: One of our hired farm hands is always playing tricks on us. He has a quick wit and makes me laugh. His parents had a garage sale as they are moving and needed to downsize a bit. I knew about the garage sale, but since they live in a different town, I did not go. Plus, …
A Swinetiffic Relationship – Pork and Biofuels
Today is Iowa Swine Day (June 27) and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is taking a time to show how renewable fuels production is boosting the profitability of raising hogs in Iowa. “On Iowa Swine Day, it’s important to remember that a strong renewable fuels industry means a strong hog industry here in Iowa,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte …
Contestants Came Far & Wide For WLAC Competition
The World Livestock Auctioneer Championship took place in conjunction with the Livestock Marketing Association’s Annual Convention. Auctioneer’s from around the world who qualified for the event traveled to Montgomery, Alabama to compete and take in the convention. Chuck caught up with Garrett Jones from Los Banos, California, who was a contestant in the auctioneering championship. Garrett qualified in the top …
New Efforts for House Farm Bill
House Democrats have officially introduced the Senate version of the farm bill as Republicans continue to mull their options. Democrat representatives Dave Loebsack and Bruce Braley of Iowa, together with freshman Cheri Bustos of Illinois introduced HR 2498 with the exact text as the Senate Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013 which passed earlier this month on a …
IFAJ Has Two Positions Open
The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists is looking for a couple of good people. It’s to support the IFAJ Strategy 2020 program. you can read all about that here (pdf). There are two part time positions open to help administer the expanding day-to-day affairs of the organization. Here are short descriptions of the positions. You can find out more online. …
Multiplier Effect of IFAMA Student Involvement
A panel at the Student Summit luncheon at the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) World Forum last week showcased the “multiplier effect” that IFAMA has for the industry. It also shows the tremendous commitment of Novus International to bringing along future talent. Tomas Murtagh has been with Novus International for five years now as a business and financial …
Are You a Satellite Radio Listener
Before we get to our new Zimmpoll let’s look at the results of our latest one which asked the question, “How concerned are you about the government having your private data?” Our poll results read loud and clear this week. Over half of you are now more worried that the government sees private data. Our poll results: Sixty-nine percent said …
Ag Biotech Topic of Science Event
Increasing demand for major crops and the use of biotechnology in agriculture was the topic during the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Charles Valentine Riley Memorial Lecture in New York on Tuesday. The main lecturer, Dr. Stephen Long, Professor of Plant Biology and Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois, said the demand for major crops is expected …
Rural Radio a New Channel on Sirius XM
In case you didn’t know, both the current National Association of Farm Broadcasting President, Mark Oppold and incoming President, Janet Atkinson, will be anchoring shows on the newly announced Rural Radio, a 24/7 channel on Sirius XM. I think that’s the first time in NAFB history both have worked for the same company! The new channel (80) will launch on …