U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) have introduced a resolution to vacate the “Waters of the United States” rule– a resolution that signifies their intent to roll back the rule once President-elect Trump takes office. The resolution makes clear that the Clean Water Act (CWA) is vital to protecting American resources, but WOTUS takes it too far. …
Inviting Your Feedback on the AgWired Audience
Howdy AgWired Tribe. I’ve got a question. How do I show an advertising agency or company who our audience is? Some want numbers and demographics in order to utilize us in a marketing campaign. Whether you are a farmer or work for agribusiness or an agency I’m interested in your thoughts and ideas on this. Many of you have been …
#AFBF17 Looks at Immigration Reform
A panel recently addressed the issue of immigration reform at the American Farm Bureau Federation‘s 2017 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. Tom Hertz, an economist from the Department of Agriculture and Mark Delich, director of congressional affairs at FWD spoke to the attendees about the economic and political realities of the issue, as well as some proposed reforms. Hertz …
2016 Crop Production Summary Is In
It’s been touted for months, but the USDA’s final Crop Production 2016 Summary finally confirms it, last year was a record-high yield for corn and soybeans. In 2016 corn growers produced 15.1 billion bushels- 11 percent higher than 2015. Average yield is estimated to be 174.6 bushels per acre, up 6.2 bushels over the last crop. The National Agricultural Statistics …
USFRA at #AFBF17
One of the new exhibitors at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) 2017 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show in Phoenix this week was the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), a group that AFBF was instrumental in creating five years ago. USFRA Senior Manager for Affiliate Relations and Ag Communications Paul Spooner chatted with Farm Bureau members at the …
NASDA and @FarmBureau Presidents Town Hall
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall held a town hall meeting with National Association of State Departments of Agriculture President and Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain this week at the 2017 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show to discuss issues critical to American agriculture, including who the next agriculture secretary might be. “The only thing I can tell you …
U.S. & Cuba Trade Workshop at #AFBF17
Cuba has become a near and dear topic for me since visiting the country a few months ago with fellow ag media. The people of Cuba are eager to normalize relations with their big neighbor to the North opening trade and opportunities for U.S. agriculture. During the 2017 American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show experts gathered …
GROWMARK’s New Nationwide Scholarship Program
GROWMARK is announcing a new scholarship program, according to Youth and Cooperative Education Specialist Karen Jones. “The GROWMARK Foundation was looking for ways to support education in agriculture for students. We decided a scholarship would be a great way to support students studying agriculture, those who become our future employees or future customers or members,” Jones says. Fifteen students will …
Farm Bill Talk at #AFBF17
There was a lot of interest in the development of the next farm bill at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting this week in Phoenix. A session on the topic featuring a couple of top agriculture committee staffers was standing room only. AFBF Senior Director of Congressional Relations Mary Kay Thatcher, who moderated the session, says Congress has a …
#AFBF17 is a Wrap
The 98th American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting came to a close yesterday after the voting delegate session where members set policy for the coming year. Delegates approved policy resolutions on a number of issues including crop insurance, the inclusion of food assistance in the upcoming farm bill, school nutrition, biotechnology, energy and more. Delegates passed a special resolution urging …