The upcoming Presidential election, and the potential changes to funding and regulation that the changing administration may bring, is a concern for many within the agriculture industry, and it was a major talking point during the 2016 GROWMARK Annual Meeting & Agribusiness Symposium. Chuck Spencer, Executive Director for Government Affairs at GROWMARK, is using the upcoming elections as an opportunity …
A Glimpse into the World Economy Outlook
The international audience at the U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange went home with a head full of key insights for soybeans and the “World Economic Outlook – Now through 2017” was a small part. Tim Quinlan, Director, Senior Economist, Wells Fargo Securities, Global Division, keynoted the closing plenary and provided an analysis on the macro U.S. and major foreign economies. …
New Holland Expands Self Propelled Forage Harvesters
New Holland has continued the launch of its Self Propelled Forage Harvester line that started last year. The five model line-up ranges from 480 horsepower all the way up to 825 horsepower according to New Holland’s Doug Otto, with whom I spoke with during the 2016 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa this week. One of the greatest features of …
Iowa Home to New Ag Tech Accelerator
Iowa is the new home of a new startup business accelerator: Ag Tech Accelerator (The Accelerator). Four investors have provided funding for the initiative including DuPont Pioneer, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company, John Deere and Peoples Company. Each company has committed to providing $100,000 for the first year. The Accelerator was announced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership and the …
Report Finds #Ag Can Help Combat Climate Change
Growers to provide feed, fiber and fuel and now according to a new report released during a press conference at the Farm Progress Show this week, farmers, or agriculture, can also help combat climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). ICF International conducted the research entitled, “Charting a Path to Carbon Neutral Agriculture: Mitigation Potential for Crop …
China Commits to $1.8 Billion Worth of U.S. Soy
During the 2016 U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange in Indianapolis, buyers from China committed to buy nearly $1.8 billion worth of U.S. soy, totaling 146 million bushels of new crop U.S. soybeans. Several of these commitments were made official at a signing during the event, hosted by the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC). “China continues to be the No. 1 …
NCGA Shares Messages & Priorities at #FarmProgressShow
Several members and staff from the National Corn Growers Association spent time with media, farmers, industry partners and academics during the 2016 Farm Progress Show to share the organization’s key priorities and messages. The clear intent of our effort is to communicate the economic challenges farmers are facing and leverage NCGA’s position as a thought leader to raise awareness and …
Midwest Row Crop Collaborative Launched
During the Farm Progress Show this morning a new initiative was announced to add more support to on-farm conservation programs and practices: The Midwest Row Crop Collaborative. One of the Collaborative’s first actions is to raise $4 million dollars over five years to support Soil Health Partnership (SHP). The initiative was created to support, enhance and accelerate the use of …
The @NHAgriculture NHDrive Concept Autonomous Tractor
Want a glimpse into the future of farming? You get it at the New Holland exhibit at the Farm Progress Show. On display is a concept tractor that is autonomous. I spoke with Carlo Lambro, Global President for New Holland, about this driverless tractor. Actually, the owner has the option to drive it or remotely control it since the New …
Iowa Ag Water Alliance Announces Conservation Strategy
Two years ago several Iowa-based agricultural groups launched the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance (IAWA). Today during the 2016 Farm Progress Show, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey announced the organization’s new Conservation Infrastructure Strategy to assist in the identification of economic development opportunities associated with achieving the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The IAWA also announced the formation …