Jim Walker with CASE IH, who serves as chairman of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Ag Sector board, talked about what he expects for the future of the industry during an Ag Executive Outlook panel at the National Farm Machinery Show this week. Walker says increasing profitability with precision will be key. “Really the technology of precision farming is …
#NFMS16 is Big Show for FMC
Even though it’s called the National Farm Machinery Show and equipment is king, the people who provide the products for planters to plant and sprayers to spray also have a place at the show. FMC Corporation has carved out a nice niche for itself at NFMS, sponsoring the media room and exhibitor lanyards, and having a premium exhibit space right …
Crop Insurance Takes Hit in Budget Proposal
The Obama administration’s 2017 budget proposal includes reforms to the crop insurance program that would end up costing farmers more. Two specific changes are proposed – one would reduce subsidies for revenue insurance policies that insure the price at the time of harvest and the second would reform prevented planting coverage, including removing optional buy-up coverage. According to USDA, the …
Florida Rep. Gwen Graham with Ag Retailers
One of the members of Congress who met with leaders of the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) last week in Washington DC was Rep. Gwen Graham (D-FL), the daughter of former Florida governor and senator Bob Graham. She is pictured here (left) with Mary Hartney, president of the Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association. Rep. Graham recently completed her first North Florida …
Vilsack Discusses 2017 Budget for USDA
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack hosted a national media Tuesday call to discuss the Obama administration’s 2017 budget request for USDA programs. “Over the past seven years, USDA has made strides in improving the health of our nation’s children, enrolled a record number of privately-owned acres in conservation programs, bolstered the economies and infrastructure of small rural towns, and more,” said …
GROWMARK with Ag Retailers in DC
Joining the Agricultural Retailers Association last week in Washington DC was GROWMARK Executive Director for Corporate and Government Relations Chuck Spencer, who joined in legislative visits to discuss key issues for the cooperative and the industry. Spencer says top legislative priorities for GROWMARK include the labeling issue for genetically modified products. “We need to have a federal standard on genetically …
Novozymes Organization Restructuring
Novozymes has announced changes in the company’s organizational structure and executive leadership team with the formation of three distinct divisions – Household Care & Technical Industries, Agriculture & Bioenergy and Food & Beverages. The aim of the organizational change is to “enhance Novozymes’ ability to deliver more innovation to customers.” To lead the three divisions, Novozymes has appointed former Vice …
Wheat Awards
Members of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) were in Washington DC last week for their annual winter conference and during that time presented awards to friends in Congress. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) was presented with the 2015 Wheat Leader of the Year by the NAWG board of directors, including Washington farmer and NAWG president Brett Blankenship. “Senator Cantwell …
2016 Expected to be Challenging for U.S. Cotton
2016 is expected to be another challenging year for the U.S. cotton industry according to the National Cotton Council (NCC). NCC Vice President for Economics & Policy Analysis Dr. Jody Campiche told delegates at the NCC’s 78th Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas that the challenges will include low cotton prices, high global stocks and uncertainties regarding global mill cotton use. …
#TPP Signed Amid Protests in New Zealand
Protesters nearly shut down the city of Auckland, New Zealand yesterday, but the ceremonial signing of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) went on as scheduled. Trade ministers representing Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States, and Vietnam gathered for the signing of the historic agreement concluded four months ago in Atlanta. The ministers …