In case you were not able to tune in for the estate tax press conference, here is the audio with statements from all the major ag organizations participating. That includes the American Farm Bureau Federation; the American Soybean Association; the National Association of Wheat Growers; the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association; the National Corn Growers Association; the National Cotton Council; the …
Soybean Growers Appeal to Congress
Soybean farmers are in Washington D.C. this week for a little lame duck. In addition to uniting with other agriculture groups urging Congress to fix the “death tax,” American Soybean Association (ASA) farmer-leaders are participating in a biodiesel fly-in to discuss renewing the biodiesel tax incentive that expired at the end of last year. Participating from ASA are grower-leaders Joe …
Ag Groups Unite for Estate Tax Reform
Ten diverse agricultural organizations are conducting a press conference right now in Washington DC to urge Congress to act on estate tax reform during the lame-duck session. Scott Bennett (pictured), Virginia Tech University student and active participant in his family’s livestock operation, did a really nice job speaking on behalf of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association – noting that he …
New BASF Plant Health Education Website
BASF Corporation has just introduced a new online, interactive educational module – planthealtheducation.com. The new learning program is customized by region and provides growers with education on disease control, Plant Health benefits and resulting yield advantages of F500®, the active ingredient found in Headline® fungicide, Headline AMP™ fungicide and TwinLine® fungicide. “This educational session gives growers an in-depth look at …
Last Chance for NAFB Foundation Toy Tractor
As you start your Christmas shopping, consider this for someone on your list – a signed John Deere toy tractor that will support future farm broadcasters. Joe Ertl has personally autographed each of the numbered John Deere B 1/16 scale toy tractors for the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Foundation. This unique tractor was specifically designed for NAFB and …
Happy Thanksgiving!
If you have food on your table today – thank God and thank our nation’s fabulous farmers and ranchers for the affordable, safe and abundant food supply they produce for the world. I found this poem online that gives good reasons to give thanks today for those who produce the food, fuel and fiber that we all enjoy everyday: I’m …
Pope Stresses Importance of Agriculture
Pope Benedict calls agriculture an “indispensable resource for the future” that is not given enough importance today. During an address on November 14, the Pope reflected on the importance of agricultural work in light of the global economic situation. “In this context a strategic re-launching of agriculture appears decisive. In fact, the process of industrialization has often overshadowed the agricultural …
Last Chance for GIPSA Comments
Nearly 29,000 comments have been received so far on the proposed Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rule and today is the deadline for those who will be affected by the rule to make comments. As it says on the Regulations.gov page to submit comments, this is “Your Voice in Federal Decision Making.” Since this is a regulatory action, …
Stabenow New Senate Ag Chair
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 …