Agricultural organizations are voicing support for the bi-partisan Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act introduced in the U.S. House Wednesday by Reps. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) and G. K. Butterfield (D-NC). The bill includes a new provision to allow those who wish to label their products as GMO-free to do so by through an accredited certification process. “Our goal for this …
Deere Updates 3E Series Compact Utility Tractors
The 2015 John Deere 3032E and 3038E compact utility tractors feature some new customer-driven updates for added convenience, comfort and ease of use. The 3032E and 3038E are equipped with powerful, emissions-compliant Final Tier 4 engines with 31.1 (22.3 kW) and 37.3 (27.4 kW) horsepower, respectively. A hydrostatic transmission with Twin Touch™ pedals provides operators with simple, comfortable-to-use controls to …
State Farmers Union Presidents Meet Pope
Five Farmers Union state presidents and National Farmers Union’s (NFU) chief counsel capped off a series of meetings with officials at the Vatican by meeting Pope Francis himself on Wednesday. The presidents of state Farmers Unions in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin have been engaging in discussions about family farmers, food security and environmental stewardship. “In discussions …
WOTUS Subject of Senate Ag Panel
The proposed ‘Waters of the United States’ (WOTUS) rule was the topic of the day for the Senate Agriculture Committee Tuesday, led by Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) who is concerned about the impact of the regulation on numerous industries. “I find it particularly troubling that despite the unanimous outcry from a broad coalition of stakeholders and industries that have voiced …
Yeutter Kicks Off UNL Trade Center Fundraiser
Former agriculture secretary and trade ambassador Clayton Yeutter was honored at the Agri-Pulse Ag Day event last week in Washington DC, the day after he made a $2.5 million dollar commitment to establish an international trade and finance institute at his alma mater, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). “We want to endow some chairs in agriculture, business and law,” said …
Farmers Unite to Fight Organic Attack Video
Both conventional and organic farmers joined together last week on social media to criticize a video that uses cute kids to attack modern farming practices. The YouTube video was produced by a group called Only Organic and features children acting out a school play singing “Old McDonald had a Farm” with lyrics about pesticides and GMOs and hormones and antibiotics. …
House Ag Committee Chair at Ag Day Luncheon
National Agriculture Week was a busy one in Washington DC and with the House Agriculture Committee. Chairman Mike Conaway of Texas spoke at the National Ag Day luncheon on Wednesday. “Production agriculture has a wonderful story to tell,” said Conaway. “Problem is you just have to keep telling it over and over and over.” Conaway stressed the need for agriculture …
Wheat Bagel Breakfast with Side of Politics
The National Wheat Foundation and National Association of Wheat Growers hosted a bagel breakfast for Ag Day in DC on Wednesday featuring a panel discussion highlighting topics such as biotechnology, sustainability, Big Data and research. One of the panel participants was Matt Erickson, chief economist for the Senate Agriculture Committee, who talked about Big Data and agriculture. “When you talk …
Rep. Lucas on Protecting Ag
Former House Agriculture Committee chairman Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) stopped by the Agri-Pulse Ag Day kickoff event Tuesday evening and commented on the budget plan unveiled by House Republicans would protect 2014 Farm Bill programs. “The 2014 Farm Bill is primarily mandatory spending for the next five years but there’s a certain amount of discretionary spending, like day to day …
House Panel Hears Testimony on WOTUS
Representatives of agricultural organizations unanimously condemned the proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule during a hearing held Tuesday by the House Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry. American Farm Bureau Federation General Counsel Ellen Steen told the panel that “unless dramatically altered,” the rule will create enormous uncertainty and vulnerability for farmers and ranchers nationwide. “It is impossible to …