The House Agriculture Committee convened a hearing Tuesday to hear from farmers and rural lenders about the state of financial conditions in farm country. Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) painted a depressing picture in his opening remarks. “Declining prices and cash receipts, escalating natural disasters, and increasing input costs have created a perfect storm that will compromise the foundation of …
Animal Ag News 7/23
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Biden-Harris Administration is making investments that will strengthen American food supply chains, increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, create more, new and better markets for producers, and lower food costs. Thanks to funding from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, USDA is investing nearly $110 million through the Meat …
DWFI Podcast 37 – Opportunities of Irrigation and Mechanization
In November 2023, the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute announced a new USAID Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Irrigation and Mechanization Systems (ILIMS). ILIMS enhances global food security by generating research-based solutions to support the growth of vibrant irrigation and mechanization markets; develops strong institutions and local capacity for their sustainability; and fosters opportunities for equitable access for …
Peanut Industry Honors Bob Parker
At the end of 2023, Bob Parker retired as President and CEO of the National Peanut Board after serving in that capacity for a decade. For his tenure and leadership, he was presented with the annual Valor Award by Valent at the 2024 Southern Peanut Growers Conference. “I tell people if you cut my arm, instead of blood, peanut butter …
Amp Americas Partners with Dairy to Deliver Methane
A new dairy RNG project on the Wisconsin farm will reduce methane emissions by converting 90,000 gallons of dairy waste per day to renewable energy. Amp Americas, a leading dairy renewable natural gas (RNG) company, today announced the completion of a project that converts dairy waste into RNG at Darlington Ridge Farms in Darlington, WI. The facility, which is now …
Sec. Vilsack Comments on Biden Dropping Out
After news broke on Sunday that President Joe Biden was dropping out of the presidential race, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack issued the following statement: “In the 38 years that I have known President Biden, he has consistently and selflessly put our country first—and today is no exception. As a result, he will go down in history as one of …
Industry Ag News 7/19
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the names of individuals who hold senior staff positions in Washington, D.C. Eric Deeble has been promoted to Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Cindy Long has been promoted to Deputy Under Secretary for Food and Nutrition Service and Sean Babington has been promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff in the …
House Ag Member Still Optimistic for 2024 Farm Bill
Republican Congressman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma still thinks it’s possible to get a farm bill before the end of 2024. “I don’t want to wait personally for January to do the farm bill… I want to do the farm bill as soon as possible,” the senior member of the House Agriculture Committee told the Southern Peanut Growers Conference on Friday …
Chancellor Perdue Seeks Grower Input
The former Governor of Georgia and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture came before the Southern Peanut Growers Conference Thursday in his newest role as University System of Georgia Chancellor. Sonny Perdue was named UGA Chancellor in 2022, a role which provides leadership in higher education, extension, and research priorities within the state university system, so he wanted to hear what …
House Ag Vice Chair Addresses Peanut Growers
Many of his Republican colleagues are in Milwaukee this week for the convention, but Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia put peanut growers and his family ahead of attending his party’s big party. “It’s not that I don’t want to be there, it’s that I have a six year old and a ten year old and I had four other things …