Have you ever wondered how to milk 1,200 cows three times a day? Or gather 50,000 eggs a day? Or how to keep 7,000 pigs feed, watered, clean and happy? Well wonder no more. The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) has launched a fun and very informative “How To Farm” series that also looks how no-till techniques can aid …
NAFB Mourns Loss of Hall of Fame Member
The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) has lost another legend. Bill McReynolds, who spent 50 years on the airwaves at WOAI Radio in San Antonio, Texas has passed away. Bill was a 1997 inductee into the NAFB Hall of Fame. Bill is survived by his three sons Michael and wife Phyllis, Mark, and Don and wife Sharon, as well …
Corn Growers Pleased with Chinese Approval for Imports
Syngenta officially announced this week that Chinese regulatory officials have approved for the Agrisure Viptera® trait (event MIR162) formally granting import approval. The approval covers corn grain and processing byproducts, such as dried distillers grains (DDGs). The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is pleased with the action. “We see this as an encouraging step in what needs to be an …
Reports Say Pope Will Open His Farm
There’s a bunch of news stories on the web that Pope Francis will be opening up the papal farm at Castel Gandolfo to the public for tours next year, although I can’t seem to find any official word from the Vatican on its website or on the Catholic News Service. Since the original story is from the Associated Press, take …
Jon Doggett Named NCGA Executive Vice President
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today announced the promotion of Jon Doggett to Executive Vice President, effective January 1. Doggett has served as Vice President of Public Policy since July 2002, where he directs all aspects of NCGA efforts involving the federal government. He was also named one of Washington’s Most Influential Lobbyists by The Hill newspaper. In his …
Deere to Sell Crop Insurance Business to FMH
Deere & Company has announced an agreement to sell its crop insurance business, subject to regulatory approval, to Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company (FMH) of West Des Moines, Iowa. The action is a result of Deere’s previously announced review of strategic options for the crop insurance business. The agreement will result in Deere selling both John Deere Insurance Company and …
Bayer Encourages Comments on Neonic Benefits
Farmers and other stakeholders have only a few days left to comment on the EPA report about the “Benefits of Neonicotinoid Seed Treatments to Soybean Production” which finds little or no overall benefits. The comment period concludes on December 22. Dr. Becky Langer, Bayer CropScience Bee Care Program manager, says they developed a platform for people to comment on the …
How BASF Flo-Rite Helps Increase Yields
Keeping seed treatment on the seed to retain the active ingredient at maximum capacity is one of the main benefits of BASF’s Flo Rite Plantability Seed Coating and that benefits growers at harvest time. “Our Flo Rite plantability polymer acts as a thin film coating that locks that seed treatment on the seed and keeps it there where a grower …
NFU Disagrees with RFS Report Recommendations
The National Farmers Union (NFU) represented agriculture on a Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) advisory group that helped develop a new report on “Options for Reforming the Renewable Fuel Standard.” “It was very important that agriculture that supports the renewable fuels industry be present at the table,” said NFU vice president of programs Chandler Goule, who notes that while the meetings …
Bayer CropScience Funds FFA Grants
Bayer CropScience is partnering with the National FFA to inspire interest in agriculture and apiculture professions among America’s youth. The new grant program will help FFA members develop their unique talents and explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers with a focus on finding solutions that will help honey bees thrive. “I have a real passion for the FFA …