The White House announcement Wednesday that the United States will begin the process of normalizing relations with Cuba brought positive responses from the agriculture industry. “Throughout history, agriculture has served as a bridge to foster cooperation, understanding and the exchange of ideas among people,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement. “I have no doubt that agriculture will continue …
Tax Extenders Package Passed
Following the recent action by the U.S. House of Representatives, the Senate on Tuesday evening passed the package of tax incentives for 2014 that will expire once again in just two weeks. Noting the short term nature of the legislation, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden said, “With this tax bill, the Congress is turning in its tax homework 11 …
ASTA Seed Foundation Update
First the Seed Foundation (FTSF) is a not-for-profit organization established in 2008 by the American Seed Trade Association with a focus on attracting bright young minds to the industry. “The seed industry is an exciting, dynamic, high tech industry,” said Foundation chairman Bud Hughes of Verdant Partners during an update at CSS 2014 and Seed Expo last week. “We want …
GOP Senate Ag Committee Members Named
The new Republican majority Senate has made committee assignments for the 114th Congress. For the Agriculture Committee, the new faces are Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Joni Ernst of Iowa, David Perdue of Georgia and Thom Tillis of North Carolina – all newly elected senators. Retired senators include Republicans Mike Johanns of Nebraska and Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, and Democrat …
African Seed Trade Learns from ASTA
It was AFSTA meets ASTA last week at the CSS 2014 and Seed Expo in Chicago. Denias Zaranyika is the Vice President of the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) and he attended last week’s event to see what he could bring home to his colleagues in the countries of Africa. “We want to exchange information and learn from Americans,” he …
Students Present Posters at ASTA CSS
Three students were awarded prizes sponsored by Dow AgroSciences for their winning poster presentations at the ASTA CSS 2014 and Seed Expo last week in Chicago. First place was awarded to Adam Gaspar from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who is pictured here explaining his presentation to one of the judges. Second place went to Lillian Brzostowski, a student at the …
Fermentation Education from BASF at CSS
Fermentation education was going on at the BASF booth during the ASTA CSS 2014 and Seed Expo last week in Chicago. The fermentation educator was BASF Biological Operations Manager Chris Feiden who explained and demonstrated for us the fermentation and filling process that takes place at BASF research facility in St. Joseph, Missouri and their quality assurance process. “We walk …
Economic Outlook at ASTA
Back again by popular demand this year at the ASTA CSS 2014 and Seed Expo was AgResource Company president Dan Basse giving his economic outlook for the year ahead. Basse says the protein side of the plate is doing very well right now, dairy and beef in particular, “so we call it the Year of the Cow” and while grain …
Research Looks at Value of Neonicotinoids
The agriculture industry is working to show the benefits of neonicotinoids in the face of an EPA report released in October concluding that the seed treatments “provide little or no overall benefits to soybean production in most situations.” During the ASTA CSS and Seed Expo last week, Dr. Pete Nowak with AgInfomatics discussed some of his findings on the value …
CRomnibus Passes Congress
After passing a short term extension early in the day on Saturday to give them more time to consider longer term spending legislation, the Senate decided by evening to put a bow on the so-called “CRomnibus” and wrap it up. The $1.1 trillion measure to keep the government funded through September 2015 passed the Senate by a vote of 56 …