The Agricultural Retailers Association is holding its winter board meeting in Washington, DC after a day of visits on Capitol Hill. Before the meeting started I visited with ARA Chairman, Harold Cooper, Premier Ag. We talked about the policy priorities for ARA this year. The first and foremost one he says is the retail exemption to OSHA’s Process Safety Management …
NCGA Dialogues on Behalf of Members
To better serve their members the National Corn Growers Association gathers their state affiliate staff and select grower volunteers every two years to discuss challenges and opportunities for the organization. Staff and growers from Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin gathered in Santa Fe for presentations and discussions. The …
Record-Setting Attendance at IPPE
The 2016 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) saw an estimated 30,000 poultry, meat and feed industry leader attendees from all over the world. The show also hosted a record-setting 1,301 exhibitors in more than 464,750 net square feet of exhibit space. IPPE is the world’s largest annual poultry, meat and feed industry event of its kind, and is sponsored …
Ag Retailers Storm the Hill
It’s a beautiful sunny day in Washington, DC. Perfect timing for members of the board of the Agricultural Retailers Association to take their priorities to Senate and House offices. All day these members will be visiting with their elected leaders to distribute information and talk with the Representative, Senator and/or their aides. They have been briefed. They are on a …
Ag Retailers Hold Winter Board Meeting
The agriblogger is on the highway again this week, moving to Washington, DC for a few days to work with the Agricultural Retailers Association at their Winter Board Meeting. ARA planned this right since the snow was a week ago and has been pretty well cleared up on the streets. I talked with Daren Coppock, President/CEO, ARA, to have him …
Key Issues Top Farm Bureau’s 2016 Strategic Plan
Farm Bureau’s strategic action plan for 2016 includes several key issues for agriculture, including the government’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) action, protecting farmers’ rights to use biotechnology and trade issue. This news release from the group says the policy issues are a result of deliberations by delegates to the AFBF’s 97th Annual Convention in Orlando. “We will continue …
Improving Production with Farm Controllers
The 2016 International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) is all about innovation, with several companies using the expo to showcase innovative new strategies to help improve production. Intelia has always been a standout when it comes to electronic innovations, and their latest products offer producers the potential to see exceptional improvements in both production and sustainability efforts. The Canadian company, …
NFMS Will Hear From Ag Executive Panel
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) will be hosting an agribusiness panel discussion featuring some of agriculture’s leading manufacturers at the National Farm Machinery Show. On February 10, the AEM Ag Executive Outlook panel will discuss key issues including the future of agriculture, new technologies, and the vital role of ag advocacy at the local and national level. The AEM …
USPOULTRY Elects New Chairman
The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) elected a new chairman at a board meeting held during the 2016 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). Previous vice chairman of the board, Paul Hill, of Ellsworth, Iowa, was elected into the position, and was presented with the time-honored “working man’s gavel” by Sherman Miller, the 2015 chairman. Hill is a native …
John Deere Strengthens Partnership with FFA
John Deere has been partnering with the National FFA Organization to ensure the future of agriculture for more than 72 years. 2016 will continue the tradition of providing opportunities for members of the FFA to grow into leaders who can strengthen their communities as well as agriculture. John Deere has pledge one million dollars annually for the next five years …