- House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson of Minnesota introduced legislation that would provide the Food and Drug Administration with the flexibility to allow hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) to be marketed in dietary supplements. The bill would also require a study and report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the production of hemp, on the regulatory and market barriers for farmers engaged in hemp production.
- At this month’s Beltwide Cotton Conference in Austin, Texas, Dr. Dan Fromme was named the 2020 Cotton Specialist of the Year. The award, sponsored by BASF, was presented to Fromme at the event’s annual award dinner and reception, attended by cotton specialists from across the Cotton Belt.
- Dr. Don Jones, Cotton Incorporated’s director of Agricultural Research – Breeding and Genetics in Cary, N.C., has been selected by the Joint Cotton Breeding Committee as the recipient of the 2019 Cotton Genetics Research Award.
- HELM Agro US, Inc., a global manufacturer of high-quality crop protection and fertilizer products, announces the hiring of Jeff Krieger as Regional Sales Manager for the east Cornbelt.
- Swanson Russell announced that Brent Schott has been appointed to president. Chief Executive Officer Dave Hansen has moved into the role of chairman. Brian Boesche will continue his role as chief creative officer.
- Swanson Russell recently promoted Stuart Adams to media strategist, Jack Chatelain to designer and Jon Lundeen to associate creative director.
- The Global Farmer Network welcomed 29 new farmers at its first international-based Global Farmer Roundtable, January 6-10, 2020 in Mexico City.
- The Empire State Potato Growers announced that they have entered into agreement with Lee Newspapers Inc., publishers of Country Folks weekly farm newspaper, to purchase Empire Farm Days.
- AgGrad nominations for the second cohort of the ‘AgGrad 30 Under 30’ program soon close. Submit nominations for worthy candidates today at 30under30.ag. The deadline is January 31st.
- Sukup Manufacturing Co. and the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs are bringing SILO, the first ever feature film about a grain entrapment, to the Iowa Power Farming Show on January 29th, 2020 at 4:30pm CST. The film will screen at Hy-Vee Hall at the Iowa Events Center. The event is presented with the support of the Iowa Power Farming Show, Successful Farming Magazine and Iowa Corn.
- Texas A&M AgriLife has hired Jennifer Yezak, an experienced public servant in agriculture policy, to lead AgriLife’s extensive agriculture and natural resources policy agenda in our nation’s capital.
- The GROWMARK Foundation is once again offering 15 $1,500 scholarship program for students in the United States and Ontario, Canada, pursing two- or four-year degrees or trade school certification in an agriculture-related field.
- Vermeer and professional bull rider, Jess Lockwood, have forged a marketing partnership, making the two-time world champion of the PBR tour the newest face of Vermeer Agriculture.
- Case IH is proud to announce a new partnership with Montana-based farmstead, Welker Farms Inc.
- The National Association of Wheat Growers has announced that it has selected House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) for its “Wheat Leader of the Year Award”.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture announces plenary speakers for the 2020 Agricultural Outlook Forum, to be held Feb. 20–21, 2020, in Arlington, Va., under the theme “The Innovation Imperative: Shaping the Future of Agriculture.”
