Be part of the experience as we celebrate the American farmers who work and preserve the land to feed millions. This year National Ag Day celebrates with live AND virtual events. Visit agday.org for more details.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a statement commending Mexico’s action to declare ineffective measures concerning genetically engineered (GE) corn that the United States successfully challenged in the USMCA dispute. Today’s action safeguards approximately $5.6 billion in U.S. corn exports to Mexico. USDA, in coordination with USTR, will continue to monitor Mexico’s compliance with its USMCA commitments.
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) expressed optimism after Mexico rescinded portions of a decree that banned genetically modified corn. The development is an outgrowth of corn grower advocacy that led to a dispute panel that ruled in late December last year that Mexico had violated its commitments under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement when it banned the imports.
America’s farmers and ranchers need a new, modernized farm bill, a strengthened farm safety net, and open trading markets. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall traveled to the Capitol to emphasize those priorities to the Senate Agriculture Committee as he testified in the hearing “Perspectives from the Field: Farmer and Rancher Views on the Agricultural Economy, Part I.”
Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa (FMH) announced the acquisition of Canadian company Palliser Insurance. Palliser is a leading crop hail insurance provider headquartered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, offering crop hail insurance across Western Canada, supported by the industry’s largest network of agents and adjusters. Farmers Mutual Hail previously had a 20 percent share in the company, with FMH leaders serving on Palliser’s Board of Directors.
John Hannon, Ph.D., the Chief Operating Officer of Vertimass LLC, has joined the Board of Directors for Advanced Biofuels USA, an educational nonprofit dedicated to the understanding, development and use of advanced biofuels in the US and around the world.
CNH Industrial N.V. reported results for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2024, with Q4 2024 net income of $176 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.14, compared with net income of $583 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.44 in Q4 2023(1). Consolidated revenues were $4.88 billion in the quarter (down 28 percent compared to Q4 2023) and Net sales of Industrial Activities were $4.13 billion (down 31 percent compared to Q4 2023). Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,692 million, and Industrial Free Cash Flow was $848 million in Q4 2024.
Farm Journal has named Angie Denton as the Drovers editorial leader to guide content development for the beef cattle audience and provide solutions to enhance animal production, management best practices and profitability.
Farm Progress, a leading provider of agricultural media and event solutions, announced the appointments of Matt Coniglio as vice president of sales and Beth Wagner as vice president of business development. These roles are a part of Farm Progress’s ongoing evolution, reinforcing the company’s commitment to growth and leadership in the changing agricultural market.
The American Soybean Association is pleased to share it has promoted ASA Director of Government Affairs Alexa Combelic to lead the organization’s D.C.-based policy office as its next Executive Director of Government Affairs. Combelic joined the national soy policy group in May 2020 as one of ASA’s first in-house policy staff and has managed its often-complex, ever-evolving biofuels portfolio, in addition to transportation and infrastructure.
National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew testified in front of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry to detail the current economic situation that family farmers and ranchers are facing. President Larew emphasized the urgent need for a strong, fully funded farm bill in 2025 with policies to strengthen the farm safety net, invest in conservation and ensure fairness in agricultural markets. He also urged Congress to protect the Packers and Stockyards Act, support country-of-origin labeling and address trade policies that impact farm incomes. Discussing the uncertainty stemming from recent federal funding freezes, he stressed the need for clear, stable policies to support rural communities.
