Agwired congratulations go out to GROWMARK System employees who were recognized at the recent 2011 National Council of Farmer Cooperatives’ (NCFC) Information Fair, a communications contest that recognizes excellence in the publications, member relations, and marketing products of farmer cooperatives. Earning first place honors were: Amy Bradford, corporate communications manager, and Ann Kafer, director, Corporate Communications & Marketing Services, in …
NFocus Forums for Agribusiness in August
Major corn and soybean producers and agribusiness suppliers will convene this August for the NFocus Forums for Agribusiness. “We are providing the opportunity for 30 to 40 large-acreage corn and soybean producers to meet in one-on-one private sessions with key suppliers,” says Kim Nicholson, managing partner of NFocus Partners, LLC. “With the number of producers farming 5,000 acres or more …
Texas Corn Growers Stress Water Grows Jobs
No doubt that water use issues are among the biggest challenges facing agricultural producers nationwide, but particularly in states where water is at a premium. That’s why corn growers are getting more pro-active in states like Texas. The Texas Corn Producers rolled out a new public information campaign just this week, with the message that water conservation goals can be …
Another Record Breaking Harvest for All
Farm Bureau families helped to feed even more hungry Americans in 2010. American Farm Bureau reports that farm and ranch families of the organization raised more than $273,000 last year and donated more than 18 million pounds of food to hungry Americans as part of Farm Bureau’s “Harvest for All” program through Feeding America. That is the combined equivalent of …
Nufarm Forms Strategic Alliance in Mexico
Nufarm Americas is forming a strategic alliance in Mexico with Sumitomo Chemical Company’s affiliate Valent de Mexico (VdM) to distribute crop protection products. According to Nufarm officials, the company will provide selected products from its line of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides to VdM, which will offer those products through its well-established existing distribution channel. “Nufarm and SCC are working together …
Ag Lawyer Warns of Government Regulation
The challenge to American agriculture to produce more food, fuel, and fiber on decreasing acreage continues to be challenged by governmental regulation, according to Gary Baise, agricultural lawyer with Olsson, Frank, Weeda, Terman, Bode, and Matz law firm in Washington, D.C. “Don’t think they (the EPA) can’t shut you down,” he said at the recent GROWMARK FS Green Plan Solutions …
NCGA to Feature IRM Calculator at Commodity Classic
Hard to believe that Commodity Classic is just around the corner now, but it is – and, thankfully, so is spring! As spring approaches, growers must again consider refuge requirement compliance. The National Corn Growers Association, along with agribusiness partners, offers the Insect Resistance Management Refuge Calculator as a tool to help farmers determine how to comply with varying and …
BASF Continues Support of Operation S.A.F.E.
BASF will continue support of Operation S.A.F.E. (Self-Regulating Application and Flight Efficiency) fly-ins in 2011 through its collaboration with the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA). Through the partnership, BASF provides financial support for participating aerial applicators, which can be used towards membership in NAAA or for new spray equipment. “More than 800 aerial applicators participated in 99 Operation S.A.F.E. fly-ins …
USDA Deregulates Corn Amylase
Syngenta Seeds announced today it has received full deregulation from USDA for corn amylase (Event 3272), the first corn output trait designed to help ethanol industry become more efficient, profitable and environmentally friendly. Syngenta Seeds plans to sell corn containing Event 3272 under the “Enogen” seed brand. “Enogen corn is a breakthrough product that provides ethanol producers a proven means …
Farmer Co-op Council Testifies on Wall Street Reform Act
Implementing legislation aimed a reforming Wall Street could have an impact on farmer cooperatives. As the Commodities Futures Trading Corporation (CFTC) implements provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act involving over the counter (OTC) derivatives, the Commission must ensure that farmer co-ops can continue to effectively manage risk and offer hedging tools to their farmer-owners, a representative of the National Council of …