It’s been a busy year for the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) as the weather has thrown plenty of challenges at farmers across the country. Widespread flooding in the spring slowed things down for growers, and RMA responded with the decision to extend the acreage reporting deadline by one week in 14 states. But that wasn’t the only action they …
BASF Sponsors Media Tent at FPS19
Media covering the 2019 Farm Progress Show have a place to escape the outside elements, thanks again this year to a BASF-sponsored media tent. In addition to providing wifi connectivity and meals for working media, BASF works hard to line up helpful content, as well. “We put some time and effort into having great content and great topics and great …
Rep. Davis Visits Farm Progress Show
Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) spent time Tuesday in his own 13th District, visiting the Farm Progress Show in Decatur. Davis said the event is a great place to see farmers and agricultural companies alike, and recognized a level of displeasure in the agriculture industry when it comes to trade. He said a vote on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is …
Animal Ag Bites 8/26
Seven food writers recently participated in a food and farm excursion to see first-hand how veal calves are raised. The North American Meat Institute, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, hosted the tour which included visiting multiple veal farms in Pennsylvania and Indiana. The writers visited with farmers, animal nutritionists, veterinarians, feed representatives and chefs to learn more about the …
GROWMARK Foundation to Provide FFA Jackets
After the unexpected passing of GROWMARK vice president and long-time employee Mike Builta in April 2019, the GROWMARK Foundation is helping his family to honor his memory by providing FFA jackets to FFA members in Illinois. “In the weeks and the days after his passing, his wife approached us and asked if the GROWMARK Foundation could become a place to …
Zimfo Bytes 8/23
Elanco Animal Health Incorporated announced it has entered into an agreement with Bayer AG to acquire its animal health business in a transaction valued at US$7.6 billion. Building on over a century of agricultural education, National Farmers Union announced its ninth Beginning Farmer Institute cohort. Thirteen beginning farmers and ranchers from across the United States will take part in the …
Managing Costs During Tight Margins
Margins are tight in the ethanol industry, and for a number of reasons from political to regulatory to economic. John Christianson, Principal, Christianson PLLP, told those attending the 2019 American Coalition for Ethanol Conference that successful plants have to be strategic and focused. “It really comes down to leadership and it comes down to a laser focus,” said Christianson. “The …
Precision Ag Bytes 8/21
EFC Systems, Inc. announced Steve Dietze has joined EFC Systems as Senior Vice President, Business Development effective August 14th. Syngenta and the Analytics Society of INFORMS launched the 2020 Syngenta Crop Challenge in Analytics, a competition that seeks analytical approaches to improve complex crop breeding processes. Data analytics, mathematics and statistics students, as well as professionals worldwide are invited to …
Animal Ag Bites 8/19
AlzChem Animal Health is expanding their sales team with the addition of Kevin Miller as Regional Sales Manager for the USA. Miller joins AlzChem from Merck Animal Health having previously worked with a number of leading animal health and feed companies. The overall economic impact of Wisconsin’s dairy industry is bigger than ever, according to new research conducted by the …
Zimfo Bytes 8/16
John Ochs, a 35-year honorary member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB), passed away August 6, 2019, in Ann Arbor, Michigan at the age of 68. John was Special Assistant and Press Secretary to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture John Block and helped cultivate the relationship between farm broadcasters and USDA during the Reagan administration. After his career at …