The 2012 Census of Agriculture released today by the USDA reveals less farms and new trends. The census reveals there are now 3.28 million farmers operating 2.1 million farms on 914.5 million acres of farmland across the United States. Those numbers are all lower than 2007 when the census reported 3.18 million farmers, 2.2 million farms and 922 million acres. …
Next USFRA Food Dialogues in Chicago
The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) has announced the date, place and topic for its next Food Dialogues. It will be held at the Chicago Integrity in Food Marketing event at the InterContinental Hotel, June 10, from 9:30-11 a.m. CDT. USFRA’s research tells us that nearly 60 percent of people feel it’s extremely important for grocery stores and restaurants …
RoboFlight Offers Affordable Ag UAVs
RoboFlight is a global company that deals in data acquisition including UAV platforms as well as full scale aircraft and satellite systems. Beyond the agricultural industry, RoboFlight also works in security, search and rescue, utilities, mining and insurance. Chuck interviewed Phil Ellerbroek, Global Director of Sales for RoboFlight, and he shared more about the company. RoboFlight acquired Aerial Precision Ag, …
Opening Day for Farmland Movie
The long-awaited theatrical debut of the Farmland movie has arrived! The film is being distributed via D&E Entertainment in more than 60 major markets, starting today, after being privately screened around the country to agricultural audiences and shown at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, Nashville Film Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival and Cleveland International Film Festival. In …
CUTC Highlights Native American Spirit
Kristin Meadors with the Kentucky Distillers Association will deliver the keynote address at the National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Utilization and Technology Conference, June 2 in Louisville, Kentucky. “The bourbon industry’s iconic utilization of corn makes it a perfect platform in which to kick-off three days of lively discussions among the corn industry’s leading researchers, processors and business representatives,” said …
REPREVE Launches New Biomass Crop System
A North Carolina-based biomass company has launched a brand new system for the production of high-yielding energy crops that can be used for renewable, bio-based products. REPREVE® RENEWABLES LLC is collaborating with farmers and landowners across the country to use the innovative biomass crop system grow giant miscanthus grass on marginal and underutilized land. REPREVE developed a comprehensive solution to …
BASF: Knowing the Enemy is Key in Weed War
The first defense in the war against weeds is knowing the enemy, according to BASF Crop Protection. A recent BASF survey found that 76 percent of growers have made changes to their weed management programs to address weed resistance and proper weed identification is fundamental to any effective control program. “The first step in weed control is to know your …
Walmart Highlights Ag Sustainability Pledges
Kicking off a new Sustainable Product Expo this week, the CEOs from more than a dozen global companies gathered at Walmart headquarters in Arkansas Tuesday to pledge to increase sustainable food production. Eight of the largest food companies announced pledges to help ensure that tomorrow’s food supply is affordable and sustainable for the nine billion people projected to inhabit the …
Farm Bureau Urges Ditching of EPA Water Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed “Waters of the US” rule was published in the Federal Register last week – all 111,000 words of it. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) responded with just three words – “Ditch the Rule”. AFBF Public Policy Director Dale Moore says the “ditch” part comes from the fact that a reading of the rule indicates …
New Center Strengthens Bayer Bee Commitment
Bayer CropScience has a long history of commitment to pollinator health and honey bees in particular and the new North American Bee Care Center builds on that foundation. “There’s been so much interest in pollinators over the last few years,” says Dr. Ian Kelley, Bayer Bee Health Issues Manager, who says they came up with the idea for the center …