A half million members strong, the Texas Farm Bureau is one of 25 state farm bureaus that are affiliate members of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) and president Russell Boening says it helps them connect with consumers in the Lone Star State. “USFRA has done such a good job of communicating our message of modern agriculture to consumers,” …
GROWMARK Cultivating a Positive Workplace
GROWMARK is finding that promoting an inclusive workplace culture can have lots of positive benefits. “When work teams feel that their opinions are valued and that they can have a voice in the decision making process, they’re more engaged in their work and they’re more productive,” says Heather Thompson, GROWMARK Manager of Young Producer Programs. “They’re more committed and they …
Kubota Honors Farmer Veteran
Kubota has donated another tractor to a farmer veteran as part of their “Geared to Give” program. Chad Tackett served in the U.S. Air Force before he came home to manage 200 acres of pines, hardwoods and pasture ground with his wife Shirlene. At a special ceremony, Tackett was presented the keys to a new Kabota L-Series compact tractor as …
I AM @USFRA – #Sugarbeets
The latest addition to the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) family is the 10,000 farmers in 11 states who make up the American Sugarbeet Growers Association (ASGA). One of those farmers is Galen Lee of New Plymouth, Idaho who currently serves as ASGA president. “In addition to sugarbeets, we also raise hay, grain, and corn, because we have a …
BASF Engenia Registered by EPA
Late yesterday BASF announced that Engenia™ herbicide has received registration for use in the United States in dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. “Soybean and cotton growers now have a new tool at their disposal to manage glyphosate-resistant weeds,” said Neil Bentley, Director of Marketing, U.S. Crop, BASF. “Engenia herbicide is our most flexible and advanced dicamba for dicamba-tolerant crops. It’s a …
First Wheat Yield Contest Winners in 20 Years
The winners of the first National Wheat Yield Contest in 20 years used new techniques, advanced seed varieties, and innovative production practices to produce an average of 135 bushels per acre. The National Wheat Foundation recently announced the winners of the 2016 National Wheat Yield Contest, sponsored by Monsanto, BASF, John Deere, and Winfield, which drew nearly 170 entrants. The …
See the Future of Plant Breeding from #ASTACSS
Gene editing could be as revolutionary for plant breeders as cut and paste editing has been for the print industry. The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) held a press conference at the recent CSS & Seed Expo in Chicago to talk about new innovations in the industry that have great potential. We already posted the audio from that press conference …
Why #Farmers Grow #GMOs
Maryland farmer Chip Bowling agrees with a new survey that finds the main reason farmers have increased their use of genetically modified (GM) crops is sustainability. “We’re better at what we do because of technology, whether it’s seeds and traits or through the equipment that we use,” says Bowling, who farms on the Chesapeake Bay. He is also chairman of …
#Ethanol Reaction to Trump Team Mixed
Some ethanol interests are getting a little nervous about the oil industry ties of several Trump administration cabinet selections. Those include former Texas Governor Rick Perry for energy secretary, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt for EPA administrator and ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State. The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) issued a call-to-action to its grassroots membership last …
Sorghum Checkoff Board Directors Sworn in
The Sorghum Checkoff Board swore in one new and three returning directors this week at the annual board meeting in Lubbock, Texas. Returning to the board are Martin Kerschen of Kansas; Daniel Krienke of Texas; and Clayton Short of Kansas. Newly appointed to the board is Kent Martin of Oklahoma. The newly sworn in board members were appointed by the …