Agnition announced that it has launched Commence for Soybeans, a microbial catalyst seed treatment for soybeans that stimulates microbial activity for healthier soil and a superior growth environment. For the first time since the organic regulations were introduced in 2000, the National Organic Program (NOP) plans to substantively address the issue of animal welfare. The Dow Chemical Company is proud …
Rep. Lucas on Protecting Ag
Former House Agriculture Committee chairman Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) stopped by the Agri-Pulse Ag Day kickoff event Tuesday evening and commented on the budget plan unveiled by House Republicans would protect 2014 Farm Bill programs. “The 2014 Farm Bill is primarily mandatory spending for the next five years but there’s a certain amount of discretionary spending, like day to day …
House Panel Hears Testimony on WOTUS
Representatives of agricultural organizations unanimously condemned the proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule during a hearing held Tuesday by the House Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry. American Farm Bureau Federation General Counsel Ellen Steen told the panel that “unless dramatically altered,” the rule will create enormous uncertainty and vulnerability for farmers and ranchers nationwide. “It is impossible to …
USDA Census Highlights Family Farms
The family-owned label applies to the vast majority of farms in this country. The latest information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) agriculture census shows that these farms are the backbone of the ag industry, making up 97 of the farms in the U.S. “As we wrap up mining the 6 million data points from the latest Census of …
FFA Takes Message to Capitol Hill on National Ag Day
The future of farming is in Washington, D.C., this week to bring the message of agriculture to those who govern this country. Thirty-six FFA state officers are on Capitol Hill for the the 42nd anniversary of National Ag Day, which is celebrated today in classrooms and communities across the country. “Agriculture plays a key role in all of our everyday …
Agri-Pulse Farm to Fork Politics
Innovation was the topic of discussion at this year’s Agri-Pulse “Farm to Fork Politics: Unleashing Innovation in Agriculture” in Washington, DC. The panel consists of Bill Horan, Farmer and Chairman, Truth About Trade & Technology; Paul Sauder, CEO, Sauder’s Eggs; David Fischhoff, Chief Scientist, Climate Corporation; Ronnie Green, Vice President, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska. Rep. Rodney Davis …
USFRA Keeps Growing to Educate Consumers
The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance® (USFRA) recently surpassed 80 affiliates with the addition of nine new industry partners, but board members Mike Geske of Missouri would like to see that grow even higher. “We’re all affected by this same food conversation in the United States,” said Geske during an interview at Commodity Classic. “People want to know their food …
Ag Secretary and EPA Chief at NFU
The heads of both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency spoke to the National Farmers Union (NFU) convention in Wichita Monday. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $97 million in programs to support the continued development of farmers markets, farm to school efforts and rural economies and will also expand risk management tools for specialty crops and …
Senators Call for Dietary Comment Extension
A bipartisan group of senators have asked for a 30-day extension of the public comment period for the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s (DGAC) Scientific Report. Senate Ag Committee chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions chair Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, joined their respective committees’ ranking members, Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, and Patty Murray, D-Washington, in sending a letter …
March Madness to Choose the Wiener
March Madness will determine the winner of the college basketball world. Well, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) will be choosing the wiener – the best hot dog in Major League Baseball. In March Madness style, the NHDSC even has a bracket to determine the champ in the classic and unique hot dog categories. Voting will be conducted …