It was yet another memorable Brownfield party at the annual Agri-Marketing Conference last week in Kansas City. Can you believe it’s been 25 years? What was your favorite Brownfield party over the years? I’d have to say it was the Red Solo cup year at Howl at the Moon. 2015 Brownfield NAMA Party Photos Because this year was a milestone, …
House Votes to Kill Death Tax
By a vote of 240-179 largely along party lines, the U.S. House voted Thursday to repeal the federal estate tax, better known by opponents as the “death tax.” Co-sponsor Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) told his colleagues that repealing the tax is a top priority for farmers and ranchers in his state and around the nation. “Agriculture, particularly raising cattle and …
Congress Moves on Fast Track
Bipartisan, bicameral Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation was introduced today in Congress that would put negotiations for new trade agreements that could benefit agriculture on the fast track. The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 introduced by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan …
Farmers and Ethanol Supporters Meet With Hillary
During her visit to Iowa this week, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton discussed issues important to agriculture with a group of farmer leaders, including former National Corn Growers Association president Pam Johnson (pictured) and former Iowa agriculture secretary Patty Judge. “We had about an hour with her and had a very good discussion with her,” said Judge who is co-chair …
Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Mitch McConnell
Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Congressional leaders return to Washington this week with an agenda bordered by trade, appropriations and a pushback against overregulation. The Kentucky Republican sees opportunity to work with the Obama administration on Trade Promotion Authority and cyber-security legislation, but expects push back over regulations that GOP leaders will try …
EPA Sets Timeline for Biofuels Volumes
Under a court settlement with the oil industry, the Environmental Protection Agency will now release the 2015 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for biofuels by June 1, 2015, and issue the final 2014 and 2015 RFS blending targets by November 30, 2015. In addition, EPA will also release and finalize 2016 numbers this year. The agency failed …
Congresswoman Dishes on Nutrition
As a lifelong Missouri farmer and a former nutritional science teacher, Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) has a bone to pick with the 2015 Dietary Guideline’s Advisory Committee’s (DGAC) report. In a recent letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell, Hartzler and 70 House colleagues said the report strayed “from purely nutritional evidence and venturing into …
Propane Program Pays Off for Growers
The Propane Farm Incentive Program paid off for participants last year, according to the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC). PERC reports that participants of the program, which provides up to $5,000 toward the purchase of new propane-powered irrigation engines, reduced their per hour energy costs by more than 40 percent in 2014 compared with their previously owned diesel-fueled irrigation …
USDA Official on the Road for Trade
USDA officials have been on the road this year meeting with agricultural stakeholders around the country to talk about the importance of Trade Promotion Authority for the president in expanding international markets for U.S. products. USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Alexis Taylor was in California a few weeks ago and today she was in Florida. …
Remembering Russell Pierson
Farm broadcasting pioneer and former NAFB president Russell Pierson passed away last week at the age of 103 and he was remembered at an Oklahoma City funeral service Monday by many friends and fans. “He hired me in 1974 and trained me to be a farm broadcaster,” said another former NAFB president, Ken Root, who delivered a eulogy at the …