John Deere was one of the first companies to become a member of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) Premier Partner Advisory Group (PPAG) back in 2011 and they continue to provide strong support for the organization. Deere Director of Industry Relations Chuck Studer serves on the board of USFRA. “Deere’s been a long time sponsor … of USFRA,” …
Historic Agreements for Ag Trade with Cuba
Agriculture could play a key role in normalizing trade relations with Cuba, according to President Obama on his historic visit to that nation this week. “If we build on what we’re doing in agriculture and we see more U.S. farmers interacting with Cuban farmers, and there’s more exports and imports, the possibility of ending the embargo increases,” Obama said to …
Renewable Soy Warms Houses
Most people first notice cabinets, light fixtures and paint colors when they walk into a home, but one of the most important remodeling or new home building decisions is what is hidden behind those features– insulation. And now soy foam insulation is becoming an accepted choice, like wind or solar energy says Tom Decker, owner of Chicago Green Insulation. Decker’s …
NCGA Strategic Plan Focuses on a Sustainable Future
The recent Commodity Classic in New Orleans was the site of the National Corn Growers Association finalization of a new strategic plan to create a vision of sustainably feeding and fueling the world’s growing population. The plan addresses four major concerns heard throughout the agriculture industry: increase the demand, strengthen customer and consumer trust, enhance productivity and environmental sustainability, and striving …
#FarmCredit Looks at 2016 Challenges
Directors from Farm Credit overwhelmingly believe the greatest challenge facing farmers this growing season are commodity prices. More than 64 percent of the directors — from the boards of 17 Farm Credit lenders in 15 states and of AgriBank, their St. Paul-based funding bank — said commodity prices are the greatest challenge facing ag producers this year. The directors, most of …
New Cooperative Research Program for Sorghum
The Sorghum Checkoff, Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission and Kansas State University (KSU) have entered into a cooperative agreement to increase grain sorghum productivity and expand markets by 2025. Coordinated efforts for the Collaborative Sorghum Investment Program will begin April 1st, 2016, and operate through the Center for Sorghum Improvement at KSU. Results will impact sorghum producers throughout the country. “After …
Many Grocery Prices Down in Marketbasket Survey
According to USDA, Americans spend just under 10 percent of their disposable annual income on food, the lowest average of any country in the world, and the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Spring Picnic Marketbasket Survey highlighted a slight decrease in the current retail prices of several popular foods, including salad, orange juice, shredded cheddar, ground chuck, sirloin tip roast, …
NFU Renews Partnership with Feeding America
The National Farmers Union (NFU) has pledged to contribute to nationwide hunger relief through a renewed commitment to Feeding America’s Invest An Acre program aiming to help fight the food insecurity problem for millions of Americans across the country. The organization officially kicked off its fundraising efforts this week following an announcement at the NFU 114th Anniversary Convention in Minneapolis. …
AAEA Members Take Their Message to Capitol Hill
Farm income, assets, and equity are all expected to decline nearly three percent in 2016, while farm debt is forecasted to rise about two percent. However, the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association(AAEA) reminds us these numbers may not tell the whole story. AAEA members Ani Katchova (The Ohio State University) and Allen Featherstone (Kansas State University), along with Jeffrey Hopkins …
Zimfo Bytes
The Board of Directors of the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) has hired Linda Halley to be the interim executive director of the organization for the next five to six months. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) has officially named Dr. J. Craig Venter as the recipient of its 2016 George Washington Carver Award for innovation in industrial biotechnology. …