RFA Ethanol Podcast

Ag Unites – Now Time for Business

Jamie Johansen

As Monday came to a close, news in ag circles was still streaming in. We now have a leader at the USDA and agricultural organizations have welcomed the news of the confirmation of George Ervin “Sonny” Perdue III as the next Secretary of Agriculture. But this appointment comes with a long list of to-dos. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy …

Ag Groups, USDA

A Little Lesson on the Water Markets

Jamie Johansen

Mammoth Trading’s President, Richael Young sat on a panel during the 2017 Water for Food Global Conference called, “Drought, Water Risk and the Context for Water Markets.” Drought risk management was positioned as a focal point as panelists discussed the water transaction outlook, water policy trends and the role of public versus private investment in water markets. Mammoth Trading develops …

Ag Groups, Audio, Water, Water for Food

Moving Africa from Rain-Fed to Irrigated Farming

Jamie Johansen

Now founder and CEO of KickStart International, Martin Fisher, at first wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to do with his life. A Fullbright scholarship took him to Africa for a year to look for the potential use of technology and engineering in development. That one year turned in to 17 years in Kenya. Martin presented his case study at …

Ag Groups, Audio, Food, Irrigation, Technology, Water, Water for Food

Water Plays Role in Food Security Initiatives

Lizzy Schultz

One of the plenary speakers at the 2017 Water for Food Conference was Robert Bertram, Chief Scientist, Bureau for Food Security, U.S. Agency for International Development. Bertram has served as a key adviser on a range of technical and programmatic issues to advance global food security and nutrition. He leads U.S. Agency for International Development’s evidence-based efforts to advance research, …

Ag Groups, Audio, Water, Water for Food

A Champion of Water for Food Recognized

Jamie Johansen

As a world leader in agriculture innovation and development, Jeff Raikes, Co-founder Raikes Foundation & Daughterly Water for Food Board Chair, was a guiding source throughout the formation of the institute. He is said to be the inspiration for this conference when it comes to the concept of local solutions to global challenges. Jeff is stepping down from the board, …

Ag Groups, Audio, Water, Water for Food

New USFRA Board Members

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance® (USFRA®) welcomed new board members this week representing the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council and Nebraska Soybean Association. NCBA vice president Jennifer Houston of Tennessee, Rochelle Krusemark from Trimont, Minn., and Anne Meis of Elgin, Nebraska join USFRA’s 17-member Board of Directors and more than 100 affiliates and industry …

Ag Groups, USFRA

Wisconsin Dairies Hit Hard By Canadian Trade Actions

Lizzy Schultz

Over 70 Wisconsin dairy operations are already feeling the blow from a protectionist Canadian trade policy that has slammed the door on American dairy exports, violated existing trade commitments, and left farmers across the state scrambling to find milk buyers. Grassland Dairy Products Inc. informed over 70 operations this week that their contracts with the company will end May 1st, …

Ag Groups, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Dairy, Exports, Trade

Raising Protein for a Sustainable Future

Jamie Johansen

Future Food-Tech took place in San Francisco last week and brought together over 300 food business technology leaders, investors and food-tech innovators. Brad Greenway, Chairman, U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) sat on a panel titled, “Creating Consumer Demand for Healthier and More Sustainable Ingredients.” As the sole panelist who represented the animal agriculture community, Brad was able to share …

Ag Groups, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Sustainability, Technology, USFRA

Farm Bureau Urges Senate Confirmation of Perdue

Jamie Johansen

Yesterday we received news from the White House stating President Trump authorized emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas after those states were impacted by widespread wildfires. This was followed by news from USDA’s Acting Deputy Secretary Michael L. Young, who issued the memorandum. This news reminds us we are still without leadership at …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio

CAPA Launches New Website

Kelly Marshall

The Coalition to Advance Precision Agriculture (CAPA) is excited to present their new website, www.DiscoverPrecisionAg.org. CAPA is comprised of ag organizations, grower groups and agribusiness associations. Their goal is to facilitate communication between farm and agribusiness associations and government decision-makers in regards to all things precision agriculture. The new website will offer a valuable tool to promote science-based policy decisions …

Ag Groups