Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has been traveling Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy this week to engage with his counterparts on important issues facing agriculture at home and abroad. The Secretary, along with Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney has been participating in events with government officials and agricultural leaders. As President Trump was preparing to …
New Biodiesel Board Chair Optimistic for 2020
Renewable Energy Group (REG) CFO Chad Stone was recently elected as the new chairman for the National Biodiesel Board and last week he addressed the membership at the National Biodiesel Conference in Tampa. While 2019 was a disastrous year for the industry, which saw REG having to shut down a plant, Stone is very optimistic about biodiesel going forward. “For …
Plasma Blue Debuts at Biodiesel Conference
A novel process using electricity and liquid plasma to induce the transesterification process needed to produce biodiesel is generating a lot of interest at the National Biodiesel Conference this week in Tampa. The Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council saw the potential for the technology, developed by scientists at the University of Minnesota, which could produce six gallons of biodiesel …
National Biodiesel Board Shares “Vision 2020”
The 2020 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo kicked off Tuesday in Tampa with a new industry vision for a new decade. National Biodiesel Board CEO Donnell Rehagen unveiled the new industry vision statement in his state of the industry remarks to attendees. Biodiesel, renewable diesel, and renewable jet fuel will be recognized as mainstream low-carbon fuel options with superior performance …
Trump Touts Trade Triumphs at Farm Bureau Meeting
President Donald Trump addressed farmer and rancher members of the American Farm Bureau Federation for the third year in a row Sunday, and promised to be back next year while continuing to fight for what is important to them. “My administration understands that if we want to stand up for America, we must stand up for American farmers,” said President …
101st Farm Bureau Meeting Opens on Somber Note
The 101st American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Austin, Texas started off on a somber note with the announcement at the general session Sunday morning that the wife of AFBF President Zippy Duvall had passed away the night before. “It is with deep sadness that I share the news of Bonnie Duvall’s passing after a courageous battle with cancer,” …
USDA Deputy Secretary Talks Trade at Iowa Biofuels Summit
USDA Deputy Secretary Steve Censky had the pleasure of announcing the Senate passage of USMCA to the crowd at the 2020 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit Thursday in Altoona, Iowa. “Just about 20 minutes ago, I’m proud to say that the Senate finally passed the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement on a vote of 89 to 10,” said Censky as the crowd …
Senate Passage of USMCA Praised by Ag Groups
By a vote of 89-10 the U.S. Senate approved the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement (USMCA) today and sent it on to President Trump for his signature. Just before the vote, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said USMCA will benefit the entire economy, but especially agriculture – “farmers, growers, cattlemen, manufacturers, small businesses, big businesses.” (2:18) Reaction from the agricultural sector …
National Biodiesel Conference to Unveil “Vision 2020”
The National Biodiesel Board will unveil its “Vision 2020” for the industry during the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in Tampa, Florida on January 20-23. The largest gathering of North American biodiesel enthusiasts arrive in Florida on a roll with recent policy victories in Washington, DC, and California, as well as a heating oil industry that is partnering with producers …
Agri-Pulse Partners with AEM on “Campaign 2020”
Agri-Pulse is partnering with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) to provide comprehensive coverage of the 2020 elections. “Agri-Pulse first launched in-depth election coverage for the 2016 cycle, and we plan to expand our reports and analysis under a new series called ‘Campaign 2020’,” said Agri-Pulse Editor Sara Wyant. “This year’s coverage will explore important House and Senate races and …