2016 Looks Bright for AASV

Joanna Schroeder

The future looks bright for the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) whose conference this year saw record attendance and is expected to keep on growing. As the event came to an end, Chuck Zimmerman had a few minutes with Past President Dr. Ron Broderson, DVM and current President Dr. George Charbonneau, DVM, who also served as the Program Chair …

Animal Health, Audio, Swine

BIVI Research Focuses on Evolution of PCV2

Joanna Schroeder

Porcine circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) continues to evolve and was a hot topic during the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) that took place in New Orleans. There were several presentations on the virus and one was delivered by Dr. Brian Payne that focused on his PCV2 cross-production research. This is an important topic to producers, said Payne, because Boehringer …

Agribusiness, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine

Golden Plow Awarded to Rep Mike Conaway

Joanna Schroeder

The Golden Plow award was given to Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas) during the Farm Bureau Advocacy Conference that took place last week. AFBF President Zippy Duvall presented the award to the Chairman of the House Ag Committee- the highest honor given to members of Congress. Conaway was nominated by the Texas Farm Bureau who noted his dedication to the ag …

AFBF, politics

Phytobiomes Roadmap Released

Joanna Schroeder

A collaboration has released a new Phytobiomes Roadmap that presents a new vision for agriculture to increase health, productivity, and sustainability of current cropping and forest systems. Led by the Phytobiomes organization, the Roadmap, according to the group, outlines a strategic plan for acquiring critical knowledge of how all of the components on a farm interact and affect each other. …

Agronomy, Crop Science, Precision Agriculture, Soil

Soil Health Institute Appoints New Board

Joanna Schroeder

The Soil Health Institute has appointed its first ever board of directors of which features representatives of all areas of farming and agricultural practices along with four full-time farmers. The Institute expects to ultimately add an additional nine directors with six of those being farmers/ranchers. The new board of directors includes: Bill Buckner, President/CEO, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Neil …

Ag Groups, Soil

AFBFA Announces First Peas to the Table Contest

Joanna Schroeder

During the recent Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference held in Kansas City, Missouri, Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell announced the First Peas to the Table Contest. The new national competition, according to Julie Tesch, executive director of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, encourages children aged kindergarten through 5th grade to plant, raise and harvest peas this spring. …

AFBF

Monsanto Scientist Wins Biodiesel Impact Award

Joanna Schroeder

Beth Calabotta, former Monsanto Director for Bioenergy and currently serving on the National Biodiesel Foundation, was honored during the 2016 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo with the “Eye on Biodiesel” Impact award for her tireless dedication to the advancement of biodiesel. Beth’s experience in the field of agricultural yield technology and the markets that drive demand for protein give her …

Audio, Biodiesel, National Biodiesel Conference

Biodiesel Policy on Track Says NBB’s Steckel

Joanna Schroeder

Biodiesel policy is laser-focused right now on two primary issues – the RFS and the tax incentive – two policies that drive growth in the industry. During an address to the membership at the 2016 National Biodiesel Conference, NBB Vice President of Federal Affairs Anne Steckel said they should take credit in the success of getting higher volumes under the …

Audio, Biodiesel, Farm Policy, National Biodiesel Conference

Bio-Oil Produced Right on the Farm

Joanna Schroeder

Soon farmers will be able to produce bio-oil right on their farm. The renewable fuel can be produced from agricultural and food waste using a new mobile unit. The goal of USDA project is to be able to distill this bio-oil in existing petroleum refineries. The research team, headed by Agricultural Research Services (ARS) chemical engineer Akwasi Boateng with the …

Agribusiness, Biofuels, USDA