- The American Farm Bureau Federation has named Joby Young the organization’s next Executive Vice President, stepping into the role in mid-July following the retirement of Dale Moore.
- In July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will collect updated information on 2022 acres planted to barley, canola, corn, dry edible beans, oats, sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers, and Durum and other spring wheat in three states. NASS previously collected planted acreage information during the first two weeks of June, with the results published in the June 30 Acreage report. Excessive rainfall had delayed planting at the time of the survey, leaving a portion of acres still to be planted in: Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. If the newly collected data justify any changes, NASS will publish updated acreage estimates in the Crop Production report to be released at noon ET on Friday, Aug. 12. It will be available online at www.nass.usda.gov/Publications.
- The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) shares their 2023 Farm Bill priorities as Congress prepares for the next Farm bill.
- Farmers are invited to submit nominations for the 2023 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year contest, supported by Purina. This is the fifth year of the contest, which celebrates farm dogs and the many ways they support farmers and ranchers in producing nutritious food for families and their pets across America. The contest opened in January and the nomination deadline has been extended to July 15. Eligibility guidelines and submission requirements are available at https://www.fb.org/land/fdoty.
- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for a new pilot program created under President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the development of biobased products that have lower carbon footprints and increase the use of renewable agricultural materials, creating new revenue streams for farmers.
- Rising fuel prices are putting growing pressure on farmers and ranchers as they grapple with increased costs of growing food and fiber. USDA estimates show that the cost of fuel, lube and electricity is expected to increase 34% in 2022 compared to 2021. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyze the factors contributing to rising fuel prices in the latest Market Intel.
- Fifteen agriculture students have been selected as the sixth class of recipients of the GROWMARK Foundation scholarship. More than 300 students from across the United States and Ontario, Canada, applied for the award. Applications were evaluated by a panel of agribusiness professionals, and the funds are available for the fall 2022 semester.
