Farm Financial Conditions are Rough

Cindy Zimmerman

The House Agriculture Committee convened a hearing Tuesday to hear from farmers and rural lenders about the state of financial conditions in farm country. Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) painted a depressing picture in his opening remarks. “Declining prices and cash receipts, escalating natural disasters, and increasing input costs have created a perfect storm that will compromise the foundation of …

Audio, Corn, Farm Bill, NCGA

DWFI Podcast 37 – Opportunities of Irrigation and Mechanization

Cindy Zimmerman

In November 2023, the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute announced a new USAID Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Irrigation and Mechanization Systems (ILIMS). ILIMS enhances global food security by generating research-based solutions to support the growth of vibrant irrigation and mechanization markets; develops strong institutions and local capacity for their sustainability; and fosters opportunities for equitable access for …

Audio, Irrigation, Technology, Water, Water for Food

Peanut Industry Honors Bob Parker

Cindy Zimmerman

At the end of 2023, Bob Parker retired as President and CEO of the National Peanut Board after serving in that capacity for a decade. For his tenure and leadership, he was presented with the annual Valor Award by Valent at the 2024 Southern Peanut Growers Conference. “I tell people if you cut my arm, instead of blood, peanut butter …

Ag Groups, Audio, Peanuts, SPGC

Amp Americas Partners with Dairy to Deliver Methane

Cindy Zimmerman

A new dairy RNG project on the Wisconsin farm will reduce methane emissions by converting 90,000 gallons of dairy waste per day to renewable energy. Amp Americas, a leading dairy renewable natural gas (RNG) company, today announced the completion of a project that converts dairy waste into RNG at Darlington Ridge Farms in Darlington, WI. The facility, which is now …

Dairy, Energy, Technology

Sec. Vilsack Comments on Biden Dropping Out

Cindy Zimmerman

After news broke on Sunday that President Joe Biden was dropping out of the presidential race, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack issued the following statement: “In the 38 years that I have known President Biden, he has consistently and selflessly put our country first—and today is no exception. As a result, he will go down in history as one of …

politics

House Ag Member Still Optimistic for 2024 Farm Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

Republican Congressman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma still thinks it’s possible to get a farm bill before the end of 2024. “I don’t want to wait personally for January to do the farm bill… I want to do the farm bill as soon as possible,” the senior member of the House Agriculture Committee told the Southern Peanut Growers Conference on Friday …

Audio, Farm Bill, Peanuts, SPGC

Chancellor Perdue Seeks Grower Input

Cindy Zimmerman

The former Governor of Georgia and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture came before the Southern Peanut Growers Conference Thursday in his newest role as University System of Georgia Chancellor. Sonny Perdue was named UGA Chancellor in 2022, a role which provides leadership in higher education, extension, and research priorities within the state university system, so he wanted to hear what …

Ag Groups, Audio, Peanuts, SPGC

House Ag Vice Chair Addresses Peanut Growers

Cindy Zimmerman

Many of his Republican colleagues are in Milwaukee this week for the convention, but Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia put peanut growers and his family ahead of attending his party’s big party. “It’s not that I don’t want to be there, it’s that I have a six year old and a ten year old and I had four other things …

Ag Groups, Audio, Farm Bill, Food, Peanuts, SPGC

Ready to Roll on the River

Cindy Zimmerman

Peanut growers and industry representatives from Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi are in Savannah, Georgia this week Rollin’ on the River for the 2024 Southern Peanut Growers Conference. The three-day event is sponsored by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Florida Peanut Producers Association, Georgia Peanut Commission, and Mississippi Peanut Growers Association. Leaders of the state organizations, pictured here, gave us …

Ag Groups, Audio, Food, Peanuts, SPGC

Taranis Introduces AI-powered Agronomic Assistant

Cindy Zimmerman

Taranis today announced the launch of the industry’s first AI-powered agronomic engine, Ag Assistant™. Using multimodal AI, Ag Assistant promises to revolutionize service and management opportunities for ag retailers and the growers they serve by providing unprecedented timeliness and accuracy in addressing in-season threats. The advancement introduces a new approach to AI-powered farm management. Jason Minton, Chief Commercial Officer for …

Agronomy, AgWired Precision, AI, Precision Agriculture, Technology