Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features Andy LaVigne, CEO of American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). The seed industry is among many groups hoping Washington will approve legislation to establish a national voluntary GMO labeling standard. In this in-depth interview, Andy LaVigne discusses industry implications if Congress fails to develop national guidelines to override state statutes and how the Trans-Pacific Partnership …
Grains Council Confirms Good Quality Corn Crop
The U.S. corn crop was generally good, according to a new report from the U.S. Grains Council (USGC). This news release from the National Corn Growers Association, a founding member of the council, says the USGC’s 2015/2016 Corn Harvest Quality Report found 94 percent of corn samples samples rated at quality grade No. 2 or better. “This is the fifth …
Food Dialogues to Focus on Sustainability
The Food Dialogues®: Dairy Strong Farming; for the Future panel will tackle the concept of “sustainability” and all it’s different meanings for different people. The panel, hosted by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), will take place at the Dairy Strong conference from 10:15 – 11:45 a.m. CT on Thursday, January 14, 2016 in Madison, Wis. and will be …
NCGA: Boosting Corn Utilization Key Success Strategy
National Corn Growers Association leaders say the corn industry needs a better plan than hoping bad weather fixes weak prices, as some market analysts have suggested. This news release from the group says it has recommitted to boosting corn utilization as a key strategy in achieving a healthy and viable corn industry long term. “To successfully address farmer’s income you …
Farm Bureau Video Highlights Problems with WOTUS
A new video from Farm Bureau shows just how problematic the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule is. This news release from the group says the story revolves around a farmer who is being cited by the government on the basis of the Environmental Protection Agency’s controversial water regulation and how more farmers could be in trouble for doing a …
AFBF Offers Survey to Improve USDA Programs
The American Farm Bureau Federation has launched an online survey to collect feedback from farmers and ranchers about 10 programs being offered from the Agriculture Department. AFBF plans to use the results to create recommendations for the USDA to make its programs better serve growers. Any farmer or rancher is encouraged to take the survey. The process requires about 10 …
Precision Impact Award Presented to Leading Retailers
AgProfessional Magazine, MapShots AgStudio, and the Agricultural Retailers Association sponsored an award presented to three retailers leading the way in precision agriculture. Accepting the Precision Impact Award on behalf of their companies were: Elliott Marsh, East Georgia Agronomy Services, Southern States Cooperative; Glen Franzluebbers, Central Valley Ag Cooperative, and Luke Lightfoot, Co-Alliance, LLC. The award was presented on December 3 at …
Missouri State Fair Receives High Honors
The Missouri State Fair has been recognized as one of the best in the world by the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE). “The Missouri State Fair is the premier agriculture showcase in the state,” Fair Director Mark Wolfe said. “It is outstanding to see the efforts of our Fair Commission and Staff recognized on an international scale.” During …
Major Farm Organizations Comment on Omnibus
Some major farm groups are offering their thoughts, good and bad, on the omnibus legislation just passed by Congress. American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman found plenty to like in the measures, but had some misgivings on some parts. “America’s farm and ranch families will benefit greatly from the strong, bipartisan congressional passage of important tax relief, funding and …
Farm Foundation to Hold Antimicrobial Stewardship Summit
Antimicrobial stewardship is of vital interest to the livestock industry. That’s why our friends at Farm Foundation will hold a free, national summit highlighting policy, education and economic issues surrounding the stewardship of antimicrobial drug use in food-producing animals Jan. 20-21, 2016, in Washington, D.C. A collaboration of Farm Foundation, NFP, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), the …