Between scoops of corn ice cream and live music, farmers and policymakers gathered at Minnesota Farmfest to discuss the issues that matter most to rural America. The Listening Session held by the House Agriculture Committee presented an opportunity for farmers, lenders, and other agricultural stakeholders to outline their priorities in the upcoming Farm Bill. Farmers testified that crop insurance is an essential risk management tool for America’s family farmers, and they asked that it be protected and strengthened in the next Farm Bill.
Agricultural producer sentiment improved slightly in July as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index rose 2 points to a reading of 123. Farmers were also more optimistic about their perception of current conditions and future expectations on their farms. The Index of Current Conditions rose 5 points to a reading of 121, while the Index of Future Expectations was up one point to 124. The Ag Economy Barometer is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. This month’s survey was conducted July 10-14.
The Renewable Fuels Association announced that Pivot Clean Energy, Encore Energy Services and Continuum Ag have joined as the association’s newest associate members.
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced the hiring of Jennifer Sharkey as Membership Operations Manager. In this role, Sharkey will be responsible for implementing and administering NCGA’s Customer Relationship Management System and will play a key role in membership recruitment and retention strategy.
The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) will host a “Fork to Farm” event on Saturday, Aug. 12, sponsored by the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB). The event will take place in west-central Wisconsin and includes a farm and identity preserved processing facility tour. Attendees include a trade team of food entrepreneurs and marketers from Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan. Farmers are also invited to attend.
The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) announces the launch of the “It’s Sustainably Soy” Certification program to recognize organizations, construction firms, and executives for utilizing sustainable soy-based products in their infrastructure projects.
The Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year state winners have been announced for 2023. The group will announce the 2023 Farmer of the Year at the Sunbelt Ag Expo.
U.S. retail dollar sales of potatoes increased 16.8 percent July 2022–June 2023, which closed with a strong quarter (April–June 2023) that saw retail dollar sales growth of 14.5 percent compared to the same period last year. Dollar sales reached $16.9 billion for the 52-week period, the highest in five years.
The 2024 Beltwide Cotton Conferences (BWCC) call for papers opened August 1, 2023. Those interested in making an oral or poster presentation at this forum must start the process by clicking m-anage.com. Please note, due to changes to the Confex platform, submitters must create an account before submitting abstracts.
The 2023 Bayer Cotton Growers of the Year Johannes and Scarlett Roellgen from the Darling Downs say their agronomist, information sharing among farmers, and Cotton Australia’s myBMP program are important factors in their success. Johannes and Scarlett Roellgen from Tyunga Farms, Brookstead were announced the 2023 Bayer Cotton Growers of the year with fellow Darling Downs grower Daniel Skerman, representing Skerman Farms at Dalby, taking out the AgriRisk High Achiever award.
