The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is marking the beginning of a new era. The Reverend of Renewables is climbing into the backseat of the ethanol organization and allowing Executive Vice President Geoff Cooper to drive. Cooper will assume the position of president and CEO in October 2018, while current President and CEO Bob Dinneen will transition into the role of …
FDA Considering Fake Meat and Milk
The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is spending time this month discussing meat and milk. Last week, FDA held a public meeting to discuss foods produced using animal cell culture technology – mainly lab-grown fake meat products – and which agency should be in charge of regulating. The meat industry believes fake meat should be regulated by USDA. “Any …
Inari Aims to Transform Agriculture
A new plant breeding technology company called Inari Agriculture is being introduced today with the mission to transform agriculture and its impact on society and the environment by developing a more personalized plant breeding approach. Inari is a Flagship Pioneering company headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., which started in early 2016 and has since recruited more than 80 leading research scientists …
Southern Peanut Growers Celebrating 20 Years
The 2018 Southern Peanut Growers Conference is celebrating 20 years this week, July 19-21 at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Miramar Beach, Florida. The gathering brings together peanut farmers and industry partners from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi. The three-day event provides farmers with information about peanut production, legislative issues, marketing and promotions. In addition to the conference sessions, …
Ag Equipment Sales Higher at Mid-Year
All categories of agricultural machinery sales are in the plus column so far this year compared to last, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). “We view 2018 as a rebuilding year for agriculture; we’ve experienced a steadily improving economy, tax reform provides incentives and machines need to be replaced,” said Curt Blades, AEM senior …
Alltech Founder Honored by Irish-U.S. Business Group
Alltech founder, the late Dr. Pearse Lyons was honored on the 4th of July with the Kennedy-Lemass Medal by the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland. The award honors U.S. leaders of Irish heritage who have helped to strengthen the Irish-U.S. relationship. Pictured with the award here are Dr. Lyons’ wife Deirdre and son Mark. Chamber president Barry O’Sullivan described Dr. …
Registration Open for Export Exchange 2018
Registration is now open for Export Exchange 2018, Oct. 22-24 in Minneapolis. The U.S. Grains Council (USGC), the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), and Growth Energy are encouraging U.S. suppliers of coarse grains and co-products, industry representatives and members of the grain trade to plan on attending this biennial event which connects them with international grain buyers. The Exhange is expected …
Zimfo Bytes 7/6
The Canadian Agri-Business Education Foundation has announced the winners of their annual scholarships. Each student will receive $2,500 for post-secondary agricultural education. The 2018 winners are: Adriana Van Tryp, Laura Carruthers, Pete Giesbrecht, Owen Ricker, Jeremy Chevalley, Émilie Carrier, and Justin Kampman. The Farm Credit Administration has appointed Dennis Shields to serve as associate director of the Agricultural and Economic …
Commodity Classic Releases 2019 Schedule
Less than eight months to go ’til Commodity Classic 2019 – time to start getting prepared! The tentative schedule for the show to be held February 28 through March 2 in Orlando, has been released and includes extended trade show hours, a full slate of educational sessions, and the Main Stage on the trade show floor returns with presentations from …
God Bless America and the American Farmer
Food for thought this Independence Day from former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack: “America has to understand and appreciate what it has in agriculture. American consumers walk out of the grocery store with still more money in their pocket and their paychecks and their incomes than virtually anybody else in the world. That creates great flexibility in our economy directly …