U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has been chosen to be the new chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, replacing Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas who was defeated in her re-election bid. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, as we begin writing a new farm bill that once again recognizes the importance of …
Pork Producers Submit GIPSA Comments
With just days remaining before the comment period deadline, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) yesterday submitted its official comments on the proposed Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rule. NPPC comments say the USDA agency “lacked authority or exceeded it on certain provisions of a proposed rule on buying and selling hogs, failed to support the need for …
Novus International Recognition
Novus International President and CEO Thad Simons has been selected from among nearly 300 regional candidates nationwide as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year in Distribution and Manufacturing. Simons received the national award “for transforming Novus International, Inc. from a one-product spinoff from Monsanto (in 1991) into a diversified, global manufacturer of health and nutrition products for livestock, …
NCBA Submits Comments on GIPSA Rule
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today submitted official comments on behalf of its membership to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) regarding its proposed rule on livestock and poultry marketing. Colin Woodall, NCBA vice president of government affairs, says the comments submitted to USDA represent a thorough review of the potential consequences …
Commodity Classic Registration is Open
The countdown has started – just 106 days until the 16th Annual Commodity Classic! The annual event will be “smooth sailing” for soybean, corn, wheat and sorghum farmers, March 3-5 in Tampa, Fla. Housing and registration officially opened today at noon. Definitely need to register early to get a good hotel. Growers who attend the 2011 Commodity Classic are sure …
Ethics Group Questions GIPSA Boss Conflict
A government ethics watchdog group thinks it might be a conflict of interest for a trial lawyer known for suing meat and poultry companies to be in charge of making new rules for regulating that industry. The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) this week sent a letter to USDA’s general counsel expressing concerns about J. Dudley Butler’s …
NAFB Shutterbug
Did we take your picture at NAFB last week? If so, it’s probably in our NAFB convention photo album. There’s almost 800 photos in there, so if you got in the way of our cameras, check it out. Like all of our on-line photos, feel free to copy and use as you please. We still have lots of interviews from …
RFA Loves NAFB
There were lots of ethanol issues to discuss at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual Trade Talk event in Kansas City last week. The topics included the lame duck session of Congress, importance of renewing biofuels tax incentives, doing more to invest in cellulosic ethanol, labeling for E15 at the pump, just to name a few. Renewable Fuels Association …
AgriSolutions Releasing AgManager Software Upgrade
A popular agricultural accounting program is getting a face lift. AgriSolutions®, the developer of AgManager® accounting software, is announcing an exciting new release which includes many feature updates and a new, easy-to-use interface. These improvements further enhance the ability of agricultural producers to manage the demands of their modern farm businesses. The agricultural accounting experts at AgriSolutions Inc., of Brighton, …
America’s Heartland Redesigns Website
America’s Heartland has a new website using all the latest social networking tools.