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 …
Missouri Ag Coalition Fights HSUS Prop B
Signs opposing a proposition on the Missouri ballot backed by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) are popping up all over the state with election day just around the corner. Like David against Goliath, Missouri’s agriculture groups, united under the banner Missourians for Animal Care, are fighting against the heavily-funded HSUS campaign with yard signs and a volunteer …
Ag Law Center Offers GIPSA Webinar
A webinar on the proposed GIPSA rule was offered this week by the National Agricultural Law Center (NALC) and is still available on line for those who are interested. The webinar is one of several events the center has conducted for the industry to understand the rule, including a series of regional workshops in Arkansas. The purpose was to provide …
Interview with Kip Cullers
Soybean superstar Kip Cullers was in big demand by the media on Tuesday in the thriving metropolis of Stark City, Missouri when the governor honored him for once again breaking the soybean yield record on his contest plot with 160.6 bushels per acre. I waited until everyone had their turn before doing my interview with Kip, and enlisting the help …
MachineryLink Gives Soybean Champ Working Man’s Award
World champion soybean grower Kip Cullers got a plaque from Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and a crystal globe trophy from the Missouri Soybean Association for breaking the soybean yield record again. But, MachineryLink presented the “Crop King” with a more practical honor – an embroidered pair of his trademark overalls. Todd Branson and Mark Gabrick were on hand at the …