West Central has announced a major commitment to its grower-members and to Iowa with the announcement of a $27 million expansion. According to West Central President and CEO Milan Kucerak, this is a significant investment for the company. He said on the dairy side they have three products – SoyPlus, SoyChlor and PASTURChlor – that they sell nationally and internationally. …
West Central to Help Meet Global Protein Demand
West Central has announced its plan for a $27 million, multi-year expansion to increase soybean processing capacity by 50 percent and build additional grain storage at its Ralston, Iowa complex. The project is set to have great benefits not only for Iowa but globally as discussed by Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. Naig said West Central’s expansion is …
Branstad, Vetter Keynote #WPX15 Luncheon
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad along with Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds spent some time at the Iowa Fairgrounds during World Pork Expo 2015 held is Des Moines, Iowa. While onsite, they spoke to dozens of Iowa pork producers as well as address a crowd during the SIP luncheon hosted by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). Branstad noted that Iowa …
World Pork Kicks Off with Positive Forecast
World Pork Expo kicked off this morning in rainy conditions but the weather is not hampering the estimated 20,000 attendees coming through the gates this week for the largest international trade show dedicated to all things pigs. With more than 400 exhibitors plus dozens of educational events, this year is sure to be a winner. The National Pork Producers Council …
Check Out the Online Biogas Calculator
There is a new online biogas calculator now available from PlanET Biogas Global. The tool enables farmers to check out the energy potential of their substrates. The biogas project calculator is free of charge and provides its users an early look regarding optimal substrate mixes for an efficient biogas production. “During my daily consultant work I have realised that most …
Pacific Ag Provides Farmers with More Value
Last week Abengoa’s cellulosic ethanol biorefinery went online and is expected to produce 25 million gallons of advanced ethanol per year as well as 21 MW of bioenergy. But how exactly does the corn and wheat residue get from the fields to the biorefinery in a economical and efficient way? Enter Pacific Ag. The company was founded by Bill Levy …
2014 World Food Prize Honors Dr. Sanjaya Rajaram
The 2014 World Food Prize was awarded on World Food Day, October 16, 2014 to Dr. Sanjaya Rajaram, a wheat breeder who has developed more than 400 varieties of the crop. Born in a small village in India and now citizen of Mexico, Dr. Rajaram conducted the majority of his research in Mexico at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement …
Study: GMOs Could Be Global Hunger Solution
According to a new report, “The Future of Farming and Rise of Biotechnology” released by the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA), decreasing regulations on genetically modified crops (GMOs) could be a valuable strategy in combating global hunger. NCPA Research Associate David Weisser notes that Nobel Prize winner Norman Borlaug’s use of biotechnology has been credited with saving 1 billion …
Verdesian Signs Deal with Los Alamos National Lab
On the heels of a media day hosted at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) sponsored by Verdesian Life Sciences, comes the announcement the Verdesian has signed a licensing agreement with LANL to develop and market their latest nitrogen enhancement technology for plants. The agreement extends the current relationship with LANL, under which Verdesian is marketing and distributing the research institution’s …
2014 GAP Reports Highlights Food Supply Obstacles
The 2014 edition of the GAP Report finds that global productivity is not accelerating fast enough to meet the expected agricultural demand by 2050 through sustainable practices. Published by the Global Harvest Initiative (GHI) and released during the World Food Prize, the trend means a new global challenge is emerging: how to sustainably provide enough food, feed, fiber and fuel …