U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, (R-KS), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, has announced that the Senate has proceeded to floor debate on his proposed food labeling bill. The bill was created to set a national standard for providing consumers with information about biotechnology. “This legislation is a true compromise,” said Chairman Roberts. “I have worked with my colleagues …
TPP is a Priority for SoyGrowers this Week
The Trans-Pacific Partnership and its impact on the soybean growers of this nation is a top issue for the American Soybean Association. Their annual spring meeting is being held this week in Washington D.C. and President Richard Wilkins has taken the opportunity to highlight what the agreement will mean to producers in a down farm economy. “We recognize that with …
CTIC Hosting Summer Tour In Idaho
The team at the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) was on hand during the 2016 Commodity Classic, using the event as an opportunity to spread the word about their search for a new Executive Director, as well as their upcoming Conservation in Action Tour. The CTIC board of directors is searching for a new executive director, as former director Karen …
USDA Encourages Small, Healthy Changes in March
The USDA has launched a challenge in honor of National Nutrition Month. The MyPlate, My Wins Challenge encourages people to make a small, simple change towards a healthier lifestyle. Teams or groups can join the challenge online and pledge to consume two foods from each of the My Plate food groups a day and be active twice a day for two …
UF/IFAS Photo Contest Needs Your Pictures
The University of Florida Center for Public Issues Eudcation in Agriculture and Natural Resources (PIE Center) is inviting you to submit your favorite photographs in their 4th annual photo contest. The Center is looking for pictures that capture a moment, landscape, product or service that represents and celebrates the agriculture industry. All photographs must be submitted by Friday, March 18 …
GMO Answers Stands Up For Science
The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the controversial legislation surrounding GMO labeling were hot discussion topics at the 2016 Commodity Classic, with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressing the issue during the event, as well as several commodity groups. In the trade show, the Council for Biotechnology Information (CBI) had a booth dedicated to GMO Answers, an …
I AM USFRA Series
We’re starting a new series here on AgWired and we’re calling it “I AM USFRA.” Most of you have probably heard about the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, which was started in 2010 with the goal of engaging in dialogue with consumers who have questions about how today’s food is grown and raised. USFRA consists of nearly 100 agricultural organizations …
InfoAg Conference is Gearing Up for 2016
It might be their off-season, but the people behind the InfoAg Conference aren’t taking it easy. Harold Reetz, the original founder of the event, recently traveled to the 2016 Commodity Classic. His goal in attending the event was to share more about the opportunities available at InfoAg with the great group of farmers who come to Commodity Classic. Since 1995 …
Bayer Partnerships Invest in New Tech
Searching for the latest in agricultural innovation, Bayer has formed strategic innovation partnerships with two leading venture capital firms in the past year. “Bayer is 150 years old and has a long and rich history of product development for agricultural uses,” said Geoff Kneen, Bayer R&D Licensing and New Ventures Manager for North America. “But we recognize there are technology …
AFBF Asks Courts to Stop Sage Grouse Overreach
The American Farm Bureau Federation together with the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, the Public Lands Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association have petitioned the court to stop the federal use of land management to exclude millions of acres from grazing. Currently these lands are being used for only one purpose, to provided habitats for the greater sage grouse, despite …