We are so happy to announce the arrival of Harper Jae Slagle, new daughter of our contributing editor Melissa Slagle and husband Nate. She was born at 8:17 am on August 1. Little Harper also has a proud big brother, Braden. So, Melissa is going to be taking a little time off from her regular duties here, although she is …
Why We Go Meatless on Wednesdays and Fridays
In the spirit of full disclosure, the owners of AgWired – Chuck and Cindy Zimmerman – have a confession to make. We go meatless on Wednesdays and Fridays. The reason is because we love meat. Therefore, going without it is a sacrifice, a form of abstinence for religious reasons. From the time of the Holy Apostles, Christians have fasted on …
House Passes Disaster Bill and Goes Home
The August recess begins today for Congress and despite a vote in the House approving disaster relief for livestock producers under an expired provision of the 2008 farm bill, lawmakers are leaving with very little accomplished toward either drought relief or new farm legislation. “I’m going to support this bill, it’s better than nothing but it’s not what we should …
Support NAFB Foundation in Dix Harper’s Memory
Some of our fondest memories of our early years in NAFB involve Dix Harper. Back in the days of regional meetings, Dix was always there with the rest of us in the Southeast. We will miss his smiling face at the annual meeting this year, as I’m sure we all will. When Dix passed away on July 22, his family …
Monsanto Wins Patent Case Against DuPont Pioneer
Monsanto Company has won a patent infringement trial in the U.S. District Court against DuPont Pioneer over the use of Monsanto’s patented Roundup Ready® technology. In rendering its verdict, the federal jury found that DuPont (NYSE: DD) and DuPont Pioneer had willfully infringed Monsanto’s patented Roundup Ready® technology when it tried to patch the problems with DuPont’s own Optimum® GAT® …
U.S. House Enters Can Kicking Event
I have to give Kentucky farm broadcaster Jeff Nalley the credit for this one – If “can kicking” were an Olympic sport, we’d have a “gold medal Congress”. The leadership of the U.S. House has apparently decided to kick the farm bill can down the road and not to move forward with a vote on five-year farm legislation before the …
Senators Celebrate “Meat Mondays”
The offices of U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) today celebrated ‘Meat Monday’ with barbeque beef brisket, ribs, and sausage from Hill Country BBQ restaurant. For the senators from beef producing states, it was a response to last week’s USDA employee newsletter promoting “Meatless Mondays” that was accidentally approved and put on line, and subsequently removed but …
Corn and Ethanol Groups Respond to RFS Waiver Request
Corn growers would rather see a waiver request than attempts to eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) but the ethanol industry thinks it will still be denied by EPA. In response to the request for a waiver announced this morning by livestock and poultry groups, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Garry Niemeyer of Illinois called it “premature to ask …
Livestock and Poultry Groups Seek RFS Waiver
Livestock and poultry producers are filing a petition with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeking a waiver from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in light of the current drought situation likely to cause feed shortages. “We need a waiver now,” said Randy Spronk of Minnesota, National Pork Producers Council president-elect. “I and NCBA support American ethanol,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef …
BASF On-Target Application Academy Schedule
BASF On-Target Application Academy events were held in various locations this past month and more are upcoming. Developed by Bob Wolf, Ph.D., of Wolf Consulting and Research, TeeJet Technologies and BASF, with insight from a grower roundtable, the On Target Application Academy is a one-of-a-kind educational opportunity to provide growers extensive hands-on training for better awareness of herbicide application best …