Seems like everyone has something to say about the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement reached by negotiators meeting in Atlanta for more than five days, even though few details have been released. U.S. Trade Ambassador Michael Froman does say that agriculture is a big winner under the agreement. “Tariffs will either be eliminated or greatly reduced or quotas will be significantly …
Keep an Eye on Ceva Animal Health
Ceva Animal Health is set on becoming a major player in the swine industry within the next five years. The global company was just created in 2000 in France, and the North American operations started in only 2005, but already Ceva has experienced a five fold growth increase. Craig Wallace, Ceva CEO and North American Zone Director, says growth in …
Foundation Helps @GROWMARK to Give Back
Investing in the future of agriculture and feeding the hungry are the main goals of the GROWMARK Foundation, which supports a variety of causes and organizations dedicated to those aims. Foundation manager Amy Bradford says they focus on five key areas. “Agriculture in general, education, leader development, supporting other cooperatives, and priority community needs,” said Bradford, who adds that the …
Global Crop Insurers Meet in KC
Agricultural leaders from more than 30 nations have been meeting in Kansas City this week to discuss the challenge of feeding a growing world population and how crop insurance can help farmers accomplish this goal. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack welcomed the International Association of Agricultural Production Insurers (AIAG) and provided his perspective on the importance of crop insurance for both …
NAMA Professional Development Awards
NAMA announced the winners of this year’s Professional Development Awards at the recent Fall Conference in Denver. Each year, NAMA recognizes industry leaders in the areas of marketing communications, sales and public relations. The 2015 Marketing Communications award recipient is Christine Hart-Nieland, Senior Account Manager at Brighton Agency. An agri-marketing veteran of nearly 25 years, today Chris is on the …
Staff Changes at NCGA
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has made some staffing realignments to place a renewed emphasis on demand under the newly created Market Development Department. The Market Development team adds two new members from current staff as Max Starbuck and Susan Powers join that department. In his new role, Starbuck will serve as Director of Market Development and focus on …
Bayer Luke Bryan Farm Tour Kicks Off
The 7th annual Luke Bryan Farm Tour, sponsored by Bayer, kicks off this week with his first concert in Ft. Wayne, Indiana at M&J Farms tomorrow. Bryan, the son of a peanut farmer from Georgia, launched the tour in 2009 as a way to highlight and celebrate the contribution farmers make to improving lives. “Farmers enrich our bodies and lives …
EPA Updates Farmworker Standards
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released updated farmworker standards to provide health protections under the law similar to those already afforded to workers in other industries. “We depend on farmworkers every day to help put the food we eat on America’s dinner tables—and they deserve fair, equitable working standards with strong health and safety protections,” said EPA Administrator Gina …
New Holland Hero from France
Representing France in the New Holland “Seeds of Life Series” at the Expo Milano is Xavier De Rozières from Portel-des-Corbières. Xavier has 850 hectares (2,100 acres) including 100 hectares of vineyards and 10 hectares of olive groves and produces both red and rosé wines that are among Languedoc’s most renowned. He says he was surprised to be chosen as one …
Fall Market Basket Survey from @FarmBureau
We’re seeing lower food prices at the grocery store than we did a year ago this time, according to a new survey just released from the American Farm Bureau Federation. Lower retail prices for several foods, including whole milk, cheddar cheese, bacon and apples resulted in a slight decrease in the 2015 Fall Harvest Market Basket Survey. The informal survey …