New on Agri-Pulse this week: Frank Lucas (R-OK) Chairs the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee and succeeded in getting a diverse farm bill through his committee in 2012 and 2013 with over a 3/4 majority. However, the toughest battle lies ahead, with floor debate expected in mid-June. Lucas talks about the major challenges of a bill that has budget restraints …
GROWMARK Interns Journey to Great
Summer is officially underway and for over 60 college students it is the beginning of a great journey as interns for GROWMARK, Inc. “This is our 54th annual GROWMARK summer internship,” says GROWMARK University Relations Manager Ashley McClintock. “We have 61 interns this summer, representing 16 universities across North America.” The 12 week internship program encompasses a variety of different …
Rural Interests Concerned About Losing Local TV
“Water, sunlight, and soil are essential ingredients to agricultural businesses and the communities that rely on them. So too is spectrum, and the free, local news and information broadcasted on it.” That’s the first line of a letter sent to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) this week from agricultural interests regarding concerns about television translator service and low power television …
AFBF Pleased with Immigration Bill Progress
The immigration reform bill passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday retained the farm labor provisions that the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) supports. “We believe this bill will help ensure an adequate supply of farm labor but also will provide an increased level of surveillance of high-risk areas along our borders,” AFBF president Bob Stallman said in a …
North and South American Corn Growers Unite
As most agricultural eyes were on progress of the farm bill last week in Congress, some very prominent farmers were in another nation’s capitol below the equator signing a new agreement to create an alliance between North and South American corn growers. Leaders of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), joined with maize producers …
AgFanatics Talk Planting Progress
Planting progress is on the minds of the AgFanatics. In episode #31, the AgFanatics talk with MaxYield Cooperative’s, Karl Setzer, to get his take on the markets and what he’s been witnessing in the northwest part of Iowa. Karl also shares his thoughts on corn planting progress in his area. Episode #32 features guest host Graham Utter discussing how his …
New Ag Chem Company Launched
A new agriculture and chemical company has been formed to produce and market a next generation of urease inhibitor. Eco Agro Resources was launched on May 1, with its patent-pending flagship product, N-Yield. David McKnight, CEO states “Eco Agro Resources is made up of 30 team members with over 100 years of agriculture and chemical experience. We have multiple lab …
House Ag Ranking Member Comments on Farm Bill
The full Senate is expected to begin work on a new farm bill today, but the question is will the House ever do the same? In a telephone press conference on Friday, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN) admitted they will have challenges facing us when whenever they do get the bill to the floor, but he …
Senate to Consider Farm Bill Today
The full Senate is slated to begin consideration today of the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013 passed last week by the agriculture committee. “This is the biggest jobs bill we will pass in any Congress,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) meeting with farm broadcasters last week. “It’s time to get it done.” Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) also …
Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Rep. Steve King
New on Agri-Pulse this week: Congressman Steve King is an outspoken conservative member of the House Agriculture Committee. He is in line to be the chairman when the next farm bill comes up in 2018. King put through an egg amendment that may keep states from imposing standards that restrict commerce with other states. He also wants to cut the …