New legislation could make bonus depreciation on farm equipment permanent. U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) says his bill will encourage investments and economic growth by making permanent a fifty percent depreciation bonus on new equipment and property purchases. This would allow businesses to deduct half the cost of new purchases immediately, freeing up money for reinvestment to help them grow. …
Allergen-Free Peanuts Among USDA Innovations in FY 2014
Allergen-free peanuts is just one of the many innovations in ag during fiscal year 2014 for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The agency’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) says USDA received 83 patents in FY2014, up from 51 patents in 2013, leading to new patents and inventions with the potential for commercial application and potential economic growth. “USDA has a proven …
Drake Named to Ag Public Relations Hall of Fame
The Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame will be adding Steve Drake, ag communicator and consultant. The honor is to recognize those who have contributed to public relations and the Ag Relations Council (ARC). ARC along with Agri Marketing magazine sponsor the program. Steven has previously won an ARC Founders Award and has worked in public relations for more than …
Zimfo Bytes
The Pork Checkoff has selected 12 college students to be a part of the #RealPigFarming Student Social Forces team this year. Valent U.S.A. Corporation announced it has been named a 5-star member of the National FFA Foundation. DuPont Pioneer announced a technology license and research collaboration agreement with Vilnius University to further the technical and commercial utility of guided Cas9 …
Corn Growers Tell EPA the #RFSWorks
Corn growers from across the nation were in Kansas City, Kansas yesterday to testify and rally in support of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Leaders of the National Corn Growers Association were among over 200 stakeholders to provide comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to reduce the volume of ethanol required to be used in the nation’s fuel supply …
Dancing Bachelor Farmer Supports Ethanol
He’s been a guy handing out roses to the ladies on “The Bachelor” and wowing everyone with his fancy footwork on “Dancing with the Stars.” Now, Chris Soules says he just a “normal famous guy” back home in Iowa supporting agriculture and getting back to what he loves: farming. He recently served as the grand marshal for the American Ethanol …
The Passing of the 2014 Farm Bill
Here’s an interesting mini documentary of the passing of the Agricultural Act of 2014. It features the work of Rep. Frank Lucas, Agricultural Committee Chairman. Every few years a farm bill must be passed to ensure the state of American agriculture. Farmers like Danny Davis of Oklahoma rely on the provisions granted in the legislation to maintain their farms, and …
Going Big with the New Holland T9
Looking for a big boy tractor for those large acre row crop applications? Take a look at this New Holland T9 Series tractor that was on display for ag media on La Belotta Sustainable Farm near Turin, Italy. Darragh Mullin, CNH Industrial, APAC Product Marketing< Tractors gave us a walk around tour of the machine. New T9 4WD tractors give ...
Ag Relations Council Annual Meeting
Thank you to Den Gardner and Kristy Mach for some photos from this week’s Agricultural Relations Council Annual Meeting. In the image below the group is in class getting one of many lessons that are on the program. Of course it’s not all work. The group does know how to have fun as seen in this photo of one of …
Zimfo Bytes
The American Farm Bureau Federation announced that Trudy Wastweet has joined the organization as director of congressional relations in the Public Policy Department. A corner of downtown Lancaster will transform into a mini music festival when LNP Media Group and New Holland present Live on Vine, a six-hour block party and county music concert event for the 21-and-over crowd. West …