House Agriculture Committee Chair Mike Conaway (R-TX) says they are moving forward with work on the 2018 Farm Bill. “Still on track for late for fourth quarter (this year) or early first quarter of next year,” said Conaway during a conference call with reporters Wednesday. “We’re going to be ready on the committee…when floor time opens up.” Rep. Conaway was …
National FFA Kicks Off Today
Today is the official start of the 90th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, but the blue coats have been seen around the city for the past week, since the national officer team joined state and local officials last Thursday in a welcoming ceremony that included turning the downtown Indy canal blue. This year, the theme of the convention and expo …
Today is Full of Bologna
Today is National Bologna Day and the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) has joined with the Beef Checkoff to celebrate by unveiling a new guide to bologna that tells you everything you could ever want to know about this lunch time staple that originated in Bologna, Italy as a variation of mortadella. It can also be spelled baloney, …
Registration Open for ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference 2018
Like the song from “A Chorus Line” says, ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference is a singular sensation, a thrilling combination, and a one of a kind experience, and it’s scheduled to be held May 20–23, 2018 once again in Lexington, Kentucky. An idea, even in its root meaning, is “to see.” Da Vinci, Einstein, Edison, the Wright brothers, Tesla, Bell, …
SMART Farmer Rochelle Krusemark
Rochelle Krusemark is a Minnesota grain and soybean farmer, a state and national soybean board and USFRA board member, wife, mother and grandmother – all at the same time! Obviously a busy lady, Rochelle squeezed in time as she was watching her two toddler grandsons to tell us what being a SMART farmer means to her, and why she is …
New Growth Energy Podcast
Growth Energy has launched a new monthly podcast discussing the latest developments in the ethanol industry. In this first edition, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor discusses this very exciting week that has seen the biofuels industry unite, led by champions in the Senate and state governors, to get the attention of the White House and defend the Renewable Fuel Standard …
EPA Administrator Backs Down on RFS Proposal
All the noise made this week by biofuels supporters over proposed volume reductions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has apparently made an impression. In a letter to seven senators sent late Thursday, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt committed to final 2018 RFS renewable volume obligations “at levels equal or greater” to those that the agency proposed in July, as well …
Deere Wins Fight to Protect Green and Yellow
It’s not easy being John Deere green and yellow – especially if you are another equipment manufacturer. A U.S. District Court in Kentucky this week ruled in favor of Deere & Company protecting the use of the trademark green and yellow color combination on John Deere agricultural equipment. The court decision permanently bans the use of the John Deere colors …
GAP Report Says Ag Productivity Growth Too Slow
The Global Harvest Initiative 2017 GAP report was released Wednesday at the World Food Prize symposium in Des Moines, and for the fourth straight year it shows that global agricultural productivity growth is not accelerating fast enough to sustainably feed the world in 2050. “If agricultural productivity growth continues to decline, there will be significant ramifications for the economic vitality …
Deere Spotlights New Gator™ XUV Models
John Deere’s new gas-powered Gator XUV835 and diesel-powered Gator XUV865 utility vehicles were turning heads at the Sunbelt Ag Expo this week. “It’s our first ever three passenger wide vehicle,” said Mark Davey, John Deere marketing manager. “And we have the ability to give you a factory-installed cab, plus the ability to install heat and air from the factory.” Davey …