Protesters nearly shut down the city of Auckland, New Zealand yesterday, but the ceremonial signing of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) went on as scheduled. Trade ministers representing Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States, and Vietnam gathered for the signing of the historic agreement concluded four months ago in Atlanta. The ministers …
Vilsack Puts Cottonseed Decision in Hands of Congress
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has reportedly informed Congress that he has no legal authority to approve a request from cotton growers that cottonseed be designated as an oilseed to qualify for farm programs. The secretary told reporters about the decision Wednesday at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture meeting in Washington DC. In response to press reports, House …
China Company to Buy Syngenta
*UPDATED with audio* Here’s some big news of the day. Syngenta announced today that ChemChina has offered to acquire the company for $43 billion. The Board of Directors of Syngenta considers that the proposed transaction respects the interests of all stakeholders and is unanimously recommending the offer to shareholders. There is committed financing for the deal and a strong commitment …
Policy Priorities for Ag Retailers
The Agricultural Retailers Association is holding its winter board meeting in Washington, DC after a day of visits on Capitol Hill. Before the meeting started I visited with ARA Chairman, Harold Cooper, Premier Ag. We talked about the policy priorities for ARA this year. The first and foremost one he says is the retail exemption to OSHA’s Process Safety Management …
Zimfo Bytes
Western Growers will launch its first Tech Talk Series on Tuesday, February 9 at 4:00 p.m. at its Center for Innovation & Technology in Salinas, Calif. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) was selected as the 2015 Wheat Leader of the Year by the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) board of directors. FCS Financial will award up to 35 scholarships, …
NCGA Dialogues on Behalf of Members
To better serve their members the National Corn Growers Association gathers their state affiliate staff and select grower volunteers every two years to discuss challenges and opportunities for the organization. Staff and growers from Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin gathered in Santa Fe for presentations and discussions. The …
Senate Ag Congratulates Farm Credit on 100 Years
Farm Credit gets to celebrate its 100th anniversary with some well wishes from the Senate Agriculture Committee. This news release from the committee says Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., introduced S.Res. 349, a resolution acknowledging the Farm Credit System’s anniversary and continued service to meet the credit and financial needs of rural communities. On July …
Do Iowa Caucus Results Reflect Ag Views?
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What’s your planting intentions prediction for 2016?” Are you still debating what will inhabit your fields this growing season. If so, it’s crunch time. It looks like many will be planting more soybeans this year or keeping it similar to 2015. Here are the poll results: More corn, less soybeans – 7% Less corn, …
Trump a Future Farmer?
Donald Trump was “honored” that he placed second in the Monday caucuses in Iowa and expressed his love for the state during his speech to supporters last night, with a parting note that he could become a farmer. “Iowa, we love you, we thank you, you’re special,” said Trump. “We will be back many, many times – in fact, I …
Record-Setting Attendance at IPPE
The 2016 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) saw an estimated 30,000 poultry, meat and feed industry leader attendees from all over the world. The show also hosted a record-setting 1,301 exhibitors in more than 464,750 net square feet of exhibit space. IPPE is the world’s largest annual poultry, meat and feed industry event of its kind, and is sponsored …