In this edition, we hear from a Texas farmer who grows both organic and traditional cotton and peanuts, as well as other crops. Jeremy Brown is one of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) faces of farming, which has given him the opportunity to engage with the non-farm public on the highly emotional topic of biotechnology and GMO crops …
Deere Celebrating 100 Years of Tractors in 2018
In March of 1918, John Deere entered the farm tractor business through the acquisition of the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company, and the rest is history a century later. Deere kicked off series of events to celebrate the centennial by hosting a Gold Key Tour for the Wade Purvis family of Florida and delivery of their new 8245R John Deere tractor …
Clovis Declines USDA Post as Northey Nomination Still Stuck
Controversial USDA nominee Sam Clovis of Iowa has withdrawn his name for consideration as Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics. Clovis has been controversial from the start, since the position is also called chief scientist, and the talk show host/economics professor has no scientific background. But grand jury testimony on Russian campaign involvement put Clovis in the spotlight last …
Bayer and 4H Launch Why Science Matters Contest
Science Matters to Bayer and the National 4-H Council and they are encouraging young people to consider how science impacts their everyday lives through a “Why Science Matters to Me” photo contest. The winners of the contest will receive a trip for three to the National Youth Summit on Agri-Science, January 12-15, 2018. Held annually in Washington, D.C., the summit …
FMC Transactions Complete DowDuPont™ Commitment
The DowDuPont™ merger should be finalized now with the DuPont divestment this week of a portion of its Crop Protection business to FMC Corporation. DuPont completed the divestiture of its Cereal Broadleaf Herbicides and Chewing Insecticides portfolio to FMC. In addition, DuPont divested its Crop Protection R&D pipeline and organization, excluding seed treatment, nematicides and late-stage R&D programs, which it …
NAWG President Resigns
The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) this week announced the resignation of Kansas farmer David Schemm as president of the organization to “pursue other professional opportunities in his home state of Kansas.” “During his time as President of NAWG, David helped move the wheat industry forward, grew its presence on Capitol Hill, and improved its relationship with the media …
Ethanol Report on the Road with E85
With more than 4,000 E85 stations across the nation and more being added every day, drivers of flex fuel vehicles could possibly drive across the country on only 85 percent ethanol with a little planning and a lot of E85prices.com. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White took his work on vacation this summer, taking the …
Grains Council Adds to Staff
The U.S. Grains Council is adding a new strategic director in Asia and assistant director in Southeast Asia to help increase near-term demand for feed grain sales and build long-term demand for ethanol among global customers. Tim Tierney has joined the Council as director of strategic marketing/ethanol in North Asia, filling a new role that seeks to capitalize on both …
Ibach Sworn in, Northey Still on Hold for USDA
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue traveled to Omaha yesterday to swear-in new Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach in his home state. “Greg Ibach will bring experience and integrity to his new role at USDA, and carries with him the knowledge he’s gained in the dozen years he has served as Nebraska’s Director of Agriculture,” said Secretary Perdue. …
2017-18 National FFA Officer Team Elected
Students from Arizona, California, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky and Oklahoma were elected to serve on the 2017-18 National FFA Officer team. Breanna Holbert, an agricultural education major at California State University of Chico, made history as the first female African American elected as National FFA president. Her fellow officers include: National Secretary – Erica Baier, agricultural education major at Iowa State …