The food and agriculture economies are continuing to feel the impact of COVID-19 as the pandemic enters a second year of global disruption. “Beginning in mid-March, when it was declared a pandemic in the United States…the impact on agriculture was immediate,” said American Farm Bureau Federation chief economist John Newton, speaking today at the virtual 57th annual Crop Insurance and …
Truterra Launches First Farmer-Owned Carbon Program
Truterra today announced the launch of TruCarbon, the first farmer-owned carbon program. Truterra is the sustainability business subsidiary of Land O’Lakes, one of America’s largest farmer-owned cooperatives, and TruCarbon is a new program that will help farmers generate and sell carbon credits to private sector buyers. The program is designed to provide both the best experience for farmers and a …
Senators Question EPA Nominee on RFS and WOTUS
The Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and the Renewable Fuel Standard were two topics Environmental Protection Agency nominee Michael Regan addressed during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Wednesday. Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) called WOTUS the “one that everyone ought to be concerned about because that’s the number one issue.” Regan, who …
AgWiki Launches Equity Crowdfunding Campaign
AgWiki, a new tech company in the field of agriculture information, announces the launch of its equity crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine. AgWiki’s mission is to have a central place where everyone in food production around the globe can connect and exchange ideas, information, and expertise. The platform already boasts nearly 3000 active users. AgWiki CEO Randy Krotz said it has …
Vilsack Ready to Return to Old Job in New Times
Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appeared before the Senate Agriculture Committee Tuesday to be questioned about his goals if confirmed to return to his old job as the new Secretary of Agriculture. Joking that he realized it was Groundhog Day and he was “back again,” Vilsack noted that “this is a fundamentally different time.” In his opening statement, Vilsack outlined …
Yara Celebrates 75 Years in North America
Yara North America is celebrating its 75th anniversary as a leading crop nutrition solutions provider, working toward a mission to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet by helping farmers produce better, healthier crops through nutrition fertilizers, industrial products and digital farming tools. “Since 1946, Yara North America has been committed to being the crop nutrition company of the …
Daugherty Water for Food Podcast Episode 5
This episode of the Daugherty Water for Food podcast features a discussion on water law with the Nebraska Governance and Technology Center. Water regulations, and the subsidies and penalties that follow them, are not easy to change when a major weather event impacts water storage and use. As more and more weather events occur due to climate change, some advocates …
China Starting to Buy U.S. Ethanol
Reports that China is buying U.S. ethanol again sent a positive message to the industry Tuesday that the Phase One trade agreement promises may yet be met. During an investor call, Archer Daniels Midland Co-Chief Financial Officer Ray Young said they believe China has already made commitments “in the first half of the year for U.S. ethanol equal to the …
Former Sen. Daschle Comments on Split Senate
Former South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle shared his thoughts on a 50-50 split Senate during an appearance on a panel at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Summit Tuesday. He offered advice from his own experience in the 107th Congress in 2001, the only other time in history there was a split Senate. “It’s going to take good chemistry, it’s going …
Heliae® Agriculture Adds Seed Treatment Product
Heliae® Agriculture has announced the introduction of PhycoTerra® ST, a new seed treatment formulation designed to help the soil provide necessary water and nutrients to the developing seed and ultimately improve crop yield. PhycoTerra® ST has a unique formulation that allows growers to tap into the potential of this product with lower user rates without sacrificing performance, providing a more …