- House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson and Ranking Member David Scott have confirmed that they will speak at the March 20 Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit.
- 2022 will go into the record books as the third-costliest year for weather disasters in U.S. history, with an estimated $165 billion in total economic losses. In the agriculture sector, new analysis by American Farm Bureau Federation economists in the latest Market Intel shows extreme weather caused more than $21 billion in crop losses. The impact to America’s farms and ranches demonstrates the importance of farm bill programs to help rural communities recover from weather-related disasters.
- The winner of the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Collegiate Discussion Meet is Maddie Dvorak of Florida. She was awarded the top prize following a discussion on the role of farmers in shaping climate initiatives to benefit society overall, as well as their own farms and ranches.
- Rob Sharkey, known in digital circles as The Shark Farmer, is the host of a popular podcast and multiple TV shows on RFD-TV, PBS, and Acres TV. Drawn by his connection to Beck’s Hybrids faith-filled believe campaign, Sharkey wanted to work with a company that shares the same values. He will provide a fully immersive look into working with Beck’s from the perspective of a farmer and lead viewers and listeners on a behind the scenes experience of selecting the right products for his farm, planting and managing the crop, and harvesting.
- Only 111 more days until Canada is ready to welcome the 2023 IFAJ world congress — New Frontiers in the West — hosted in Calgary and Olds, Alberta. Early bird pricing is now in effect for those who register for the full week of the congress. Save $200 off the base price of $1,323 CAD by using the code INTHEWEST23 at checkout.
- Swanson Russell has been chosen by global ag and turf chemical product company Nufarm to lead their U.S. marketing efforts. Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, Nufarm is a worldwide leader in herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and plant growth regulators for the ag, lawn care, golf and ornamental markets.
- At the opening banquet of the 121st Anniversary Convention, National Farmers Union (NFU) presented Sarah Vogel of North Dakota and Doug Peterson of Minnesota with the 2023 Meritorious Service Awards, the highest honor presented by Farmers Union. Luke Runyon of Greeley, Colorado was awarded the 2023 Milt Hakel Award for Excellence in Agricultural Journalism.
- National Farmers Union (NFU) concluded their 121st Anniversary Convention held in San Francisco, California. With an agenda that was focused on the ability of NFU and Farmers Union members to create change, delegates and attendees heard from United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, keynote speaker Dr. Glenda Humiston, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, California Secretary of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross, as well as representatives from the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, and the Department of Justice.
- The U.S. Soybean Export Council’s (USSEC) 2023-2024 Board of Directors was seated on March 7, 2023 during the organization’s annual meeting prior to Commodity Classic in Orlando. Stan Born, an ASA director and soybean and corn farmer from Lovington, Illinois, was elected as USSEC chair for a 12-month term.
- The National Potato Council (NPC) installed its 2023 roster of Executive Committee members this week at the organization’s annual Washington Summit. During the Annual Meeting of the Voting Delegates, RJ Andrus of Idaho Falls, Idaho, was elected to serve as the Council’s President for the next 12 months.
- Brent Cheyne was elected President of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). Brent farms with his son Rodney near Klamath Falls, Oregon, where they raise wheat, barley, oats, alfalfa and Angus cattle. In 2011, Brent began his time with the Oregon Wheat Growers League as the Oregon president before accepting the position of NAWG Secretary in 2015.
