Novus International has announced a new Novus Scholars partnership with Egerton University located near Nakuru, Kenya. The agreement, signed earlier this month, details how Novus International will assist the University in developing its local capacity as well as support the local feed industry by providing equipment and training. “We have established a repeatable model with our Novus Scholars program that …
Vilsack Visits Georgia Peanut and Ethanol Producers
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in the Peach State earlier this week talking with peanut growers and visiting an ethanol plant. Ethanol plants in the southeast are pretty rare – in fact, First United Ethanol, LLC (FUEL) is really the only one to speak of that is operating at any capacity. FUEL is a 100 million gallon per year corn-based …
DC Media Question Motives of GIPSA Boss
The head of USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) has been the subject of two recent articles by Washington DC watchdog reporters who are questioning his objectivity when it comes to writing new rules for the livestock industry. J. Dudley Butler, a Mississippi trial lawyer, was appointed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in May of 2009 to serve …
Agri-Pulse Pledge to Expand UI Communications Program
Agri-Pulse Communications is putting their money where their mouth is to help communications students at the University of Illinois (UI) get the education they need to compete in a new media world. “In today’s 24-7 news cycle, agriculture needs to have highly trained communicators who can write, broadcast, blog, tweet and utilize other types of communication tools in a way …
FFA Convention Sets Record and Honors Advisor
The 83rd National FFA Convention, which concluded over the weekend in Indianapolis, set an all-time event attendance record with a total crowd of 54,942 members, advisors, sponsors and guests. The new slate of young leaders for the organization are pictured here, left to right: Riley Pagett of Oklahoma, president; Landan Schaffert of Colorado, secretary; Shannon Norris of New Mexico, western …
Vilsack Defends GIPSA on AgriTalk
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack defended the proposed Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rule during a segment on Agri-Talk yesterday, after an economic study was released showing that implementing the rule as proposed would cost 104,000 jobs and $14 billion to the economy. Vilsack says it is “unfair and inaccurate” for livestock and meat groups to say that no …
Hoosier Ag Today Awards 4H Scholarship
Hoosier Ag Today (HAT) is encouraging young people to get into the communications field for agriculture. For the second year, HAT has sponsored the 4H Communications Scholarship award in Indiana. This year’s winner is Katherine Gambill from Vigo County, Indiana. HAT founder and longtime NAFB farm broadcaster Gary Truitt says they chose to sponsor the scholarship program because agriculture needs …
New Study Shows GIPSA Rule Would Cost Jobs
An economic impact study conducted by John Dunham and Associates concludes that the administration’s proposed rule on livestock marketing could leave approximately 104,000 Americans without jobs and a resulting $14 billion reduction in the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP). USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) proposed the rule on June 21, 2010 and it is currently in the …
NAFB Banquet Goes Formal
With a Hollywood theme this year, the NAFB President’s Banquet on Saturday Friday night will be a formal affair, according to convention coordinator and president-elect Lindsay Hill of ABN Radio Network. (Shows my age! Used to be on Saturday night…once upon a time…) “While the general dress code for the convention is business casual, this year’s President Banquet will be …
Did you Miss World Dairy Expo?
If you missed the 2010 World Dairy Expo, you missed a lot! Here’s some of the posts we did on World Dairy Diary – including audio, video and photos that you are welcome to download or link to. Amazing Results in Boosting Milk Fat Levels – interview with Dr. Scott Bascom, a nutritionist with Cooperative Plus in Wisconsin. How Lower …