USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) Administrator Martin Barbre gave an update to Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) members during their annual meeting last week. One of the big topics of discussion was the recently announced availability of two programs that protect hemp producers’ crops from natural disasters. “We’re trying to get to a level where we can insure producers’ …
CIRB Honors Sen. Roberts for Crop Insurance Support
The “Father of the Modern Crop Insurance Program” was honored today for his lifetime of service to farmers and the industry by the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB). CIRB Chairman, Zane Vaughn of ARMtech, presented Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) with the crop insurance industry’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Chairman Roberts is the only Member of Congress to …
ARC Scholarship and Internship Details
The Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) is in year four of the ARC/Gardner & Gardner Communications internship program. The 2020 intern host will be Charleston|Orwig in Hartland, Wis. The 2020 intern should have strong writing skills, organizational ability and social media skills. The ideal candidate should thrive in and enjoy being in a fast-paced, team-oriented culture. Successful interns with C|O are …
New NCBA President Follows His Mother’s Footsteps
Fifth-generation Florida rancher Marty Smith was elected president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) at the annual Cattle Industry Convention last week, following in the footsteps of his mother Jo Ann Smith, who served as president of the organization in 1985. The Smith family is pictured here with Jo Ann on Marty’s left. “It’s a tremendous honor to lead …
Bayer Makes Innovation and Pipeline Announcements
Bayer made a couple of major pipeline and innovation advancements for the Crop Science Division on Thursday. A new herbicide molecule, “the first new post-emergence mode of action for broad acre weed control in 30 years.” Bayer announced a molecule in Phase 2 of early development which has demonstrated effective control of key resistant grasses in early research. The work …
USDA’s McKinney Optimistic About Ethanol Exports
USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney says he will leave “no stone unturned” in his quest to increase U.S. agricultural exports, including ethanol. McKinney spoke to the Renewable Fuels Association National Ethanol Conference Wednesday about the markets where he sees the most potential for ethanol, including China, Mexico, Brazil, and India. Listen to his remarks: …
43rd President Visits National Ethanol Conference
The Renewable Fuels Association was honored to welcome George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, to the 25th Annual National Ethanol Conference today in Houston. By championing an all-of-the-above approach to domestic energy production while in office, President Bush put the United States on a course toward greater energy security and made an indelible mark on agriculture …
Cattle Industry Welcomes EPA Adminstrator Wheeler
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler got a warm welcome when he addressed the Board of Directors meeting for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Friday and was able to proudly list repeal of the 2015 “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) in the accomplishments his agency has made for farmers and ranchers. “If you didn’t spontaneously applaud at that one I …
The Countdown Begins: 100 Days to ONE
ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (ONE) returns to Lexington, Kentucky May 17–19 for its 36th year. ONE draws on Alltech’s global reach and business scope to assemble thought-leaders from the agriculture, business, health and wellness, and brewing and distilling sectors. “Science, technology and human ingenuity converge at ONE,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “The topics up …
Florida Ranch Wins Environmental Stewardship Award
Blackbeard’s Ranch in Myakka, FL was named the national winner of the 2019 Environmental Stewardship Award Program this week at the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, in San Antonio, TX. “My family has been in Florida for six generations,” said Blackbeard’s managing partner Jim Strickland. “We’ve always been in the cattle business, and we’ve always taken pride …