Dan Basse, Ag Resource, returned to the ASTA 2018 CSS and Seed Expo for the 6th year in a row to deliver his insights on the intersection of economics and agriculture. Some of Basse’s comments included: Population growth slowing – 9 billion people now about 2054 When you look at population growth, it’s all about Africa Black swan event for …
Major Seed Companies after the Mergers
The past two years have seen major changes in the agricultural seed industry and some of the traditional companies have different names and different players. That’s why the “Majors after the Mergers” panel was a big hit at the ASTA 2018 CSS and Seed Expo this week. Dan Basse, Ag Resource, moderated the panel which consisted of Jim Collins, Corteva; …
Biofuels Stakeholders React to Final RFS Rule
Most biofuels stakeholder organizations expressed disappointment in the final rule for required renewable fuel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for 2019, and biomass-based diesel for 2020, released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday. The rule maintains the 2019 conventional biofuels (corn ethanol) level at 15 billion gallons, while biomass-based diesel, advanced, and cellulosic categories all …
AGCO Presents 13th Operator of the Year at ARA2018
AGCO Corporation presented its 13th Annual Operator of the Year award to Jerry Born of Fairmount, North Dakota at the 2018 Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) Conference & Expo last week in Boca Raton, Fla. The award recognizes the value of the hard work professional applicators do caring for crops and customers across the country, as well as their involvement in …
ARA Installs New Chairman
Troy Johnson of Wilbur-Ellis was installed as new chairman of the Agricultural Retailers Association during the closing session of the 2018 ARA Conference and Expo in Boca Raton, Florida this week. Johnson succeeds John Oster of Morral Companies in the position. Pictured here left to right are Oster, Johnson, and ARA CEO Daren Coppock. Johnson shared with attendees his commitment …
USDA Under Secretary Northey at #ARA2018
Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service Bill Northey discussed trade and a 2018 farm bill, among other topics, during a visit to the 2018 Agricultural Retailers Association convention this week in Boca Raton, Florida. “I’m very hopeful,” said Northey about getting a farm bill by the end of the year, especially after word Thursday from House and Senate …
Willards Honored by ARA for Service
At the 2018 Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) Convention this week, Billy and Bob Willard were honored with the ARA Distinguished Service Award for their support for ARA and the agricultural retail industry. “Willard Agri-Service is the gold standard for ag retailers,” said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock, who presented the award which honors individual members of the association who …
ARA Lifetime Award Goes to Yargus
The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) presented Larry Yargus with its highest individual honor this year, the Jack Eberspacher Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1992, Yargus acquired Layco, the company his father Lloyd Allen Yargus founded, and led the company’s transition to Yargus Manufacturing, Inc. “Not only has Larry led his family business to major success, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, …
Simplot Grower Solutions is ARA Retailer of the Year
The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) has named Simplot Grower Solutions its 2018 Retailer of the Year. The award is sponsored by Bayer and AgPro Magazine and is recognized as a symbol of quality and prestige within the industry. This coveted award honors an ag retailer, large or small, that represents the best of the best. Simplot Grower Solutions, the retail …
Trade is Hot Topic at #ARA2018
The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) 2018 Conference and Expo started off with the timely topic of trade Tuesday. Ambassador Darci Vetter, General Manager of Public Affairs & Vice Chair of Agriculture Food and Trade of Edelman Public Affairs, presented a pre-conference workshop on “Trade, Tariffs, and Their Impact on American Agriculture.” Vetter, who is former chief agricultural negotiator at the …