The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a final rule today that establishes required renewable volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for 2020 that is basically the same as the proposed rule that industry stakeholders say still falls short. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says the rule fails to deliver on President Trump’s commitment to restore …
Register for the 2020 Agri-Marketing Conference
It’s time to get registered for the 2020 Agri-Marketing Conference which will be held in San Diego, April 15-17. The ZimmComm Team will be attending and can be found in the Connection Point once again. With interactive breakout sessions and stellar opportunities to meet new people, the 2020 conference is the perfect place to find the resources you need. • …
A New Look at Corn and Soybean Production
Those attending the 2019 American Seed Trade Association CSS & Seed Expo had the opportunity to learn more about modern corn and soybean production from a couple of industry experts. Retired University of Illinois Extension Agronomist Emerson Nafziger provided some insight on managing today’s more efficient corn hybrids. “My basic thesis is that hybrids have gotten so much better that …
FMC Announces CEO Change in 2020
The Board of Directors for FMC Corporation has elected Mark Douglas as president and chief executive officer of FMC, effective June 1, 2020, replacing Pierre Brondeau who will continue to serve as chairman and CEO through May 31, 2020, at which time he will become executive chairman and remain a member of the Board of Directors. “Mark has been elected …
Pork Producers Set 2020 Priorities
The president of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is celebrating progress made in 2019 despite the challenges and setting priorities for 2020. On a call with reporters Wednesday, NPPC president David Herring of Lillington, NC pointed to both USMCA and the recent Japan agreement as successes in 2019 for pork producers, and getting the China phase one deal across …
Merry Christmas from NAFB
All right. All right. All right. The National Association of Farm Broadcasting gets the honor of first place as the first email in my inbox wishing me a Merry Christmas. Our message crosses the airwaves loud and clear: may you enjoy a wonderful Christmas with those you love and a prosperous 2020! You can see Santa sending his “message of …
Precision Ag Bytes 12/18
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) seeks public comments on its interim rule for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), USDA’s flagship program that helps producers plan and implement 150-plus conservation practices on working lands. The rule – now available on the Federal Register – takes effect upon publication and includes changes to the program prescribed by the 2018 Farm …
Thriving Amongst the Giants
A general session at the 2019 American Seed Trade Association CSS & Seed Expo addressed needs of seed businesses who are employing key business strategies to ensure success in an environment of transition and consolidation. The panel, entitled “Thriving Amongst the Giants,” featured Scott Beck of Beck’s Hybrids, John Latham of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, Myron Stine of Midwest Oilseeds, and …
Hula Sets Corn Yield Record of Over 616 Bushels
David Hula of Charles City, Virginia has once again broken his own record in the National Corn Growers Association 2019 National Corn Yield Contest and set the bar pretty high for the future. Hula produced the highest yield on record at 616.1953 bushels per acre, beating his previous record of 542-plus bushels in 2017, which broke his 2015 record of …
Research Looks at Farmers of the Future
Research presented at the 2019 American Seed Trade Association CSS & Seed Expo answered questions about who the farmers of the future will be and what they will need from the agriculture industry. “The goal is to help the industry have some focus on what’s coming, think about their own plans, how they can disrupt themselves to become more competitive, …