Farm Bill Conference Committee Meets This Week

Cindy Zimmerman

The 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee will hold its first public meeting this week on Wednesday, September 5 at 9:30 am Eastern. Agriculture Committee Chairmen Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, and Ranking Members Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., announced the meeting last month, saying that they are “committed to working together …

AFBF, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Farm Bill

Secretary Perdue Comments on Current Issues

Cindy Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue visited the Farm Progress Show this week, making an appearance for everyone at the show to enjoy with Max Armstrong and Orion Samuelson in the VIP tent, followed by a press gaggle where trade was the number one topic, along with WOTUS and the Renewable Fuel Standard. Asked about Canada and its dairy policy – …

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Biofuels, Farm Progress Show, Trade, USDA

Weather Causes Early End to FPS18 Day One

Cindy Zimmerman

There’s always something new at Farm Progress Show and this year a big storm caused something that has never happened before – an evacuation and shut down of the show before noon. Rain had been in the forecast for the day, but everyone was hoping it would either miss us or not be too bad. However, when the storm was …

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Animal Ag Bites 8/27

Carrie Muehling

Allflex, part of the Antelliq Group, has announced that it has acquired Agrident, the German-based agricultural technology company specializing in RFID data capture systems used in process control and animal management systems worldwide. The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs and the International Poultry Welfare Alliance have selected Ryan Bennett to lead both organizations as their new executive director …

AgWired Animal, Animal Bites, Dairy, Poultry

Old MacDonald Had a Daughter

Cindy Zimmerman

Female farmers have a new anthem thanks to the efforts of Land O’Lakes, song writer Liz Rose, and songstress Maggie Rose who collaborated to re-imagine the children’s song “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” introducing “She-I-O” for a new generation. The song and video featuring women on the farm is the cornerstone of the new All Together Better initiative from the …

AgWired Animal, Cooperatives, Video

Study Reveals Growing Interest in Lamb

Cindy Zimmerman

A new survey from the American Lamb Board (ALB) reveals increasing consumer interest in lamb. “This study revealed positive trends for lamb in the US,” said Jim Percival, ALB board chairman and sheep producer from Xenia, Ohio. “Among the General Population, 24% reported eating lamb in the last year, up from 20% in 2011 and 21% in 2006.” The lamb …

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America’s Pig Farmer of the Year Announces Final Four

Carrie Muehling

The public will once again help to choose the 2018 America’s Pig Farmer of the Year. The National Pork Board honors a U.S. pig farmer each year who excels at raising pigs follow the We Care ethical principals and who is committed to sharing the farming story with the American public. “The four finalists demonstrate how pig farmers embrace the …

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Animal Ag Bites 8/20

Carrie Muehling

The IDEAg Group LLC announces a new partnership with Sioux Nation Ag Center at Dakotafest 2018. Dakotafest takes place Aug. 21-23 at Schlaffman Farm in Mitchell, South Dakota. Over 500 exhibitors will offer trade show booths, educational sessions and family-friendly offerings. Download the Dakotafest mobile app at www.dakotafest.com for show information. The challenges and questions generated by market and regulatory …

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites, Dairy, Horses, Sheep

Pork Checkoff Makes Big Pig Impression

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Pork Board is making a big impression with a new “virtual pig experience” – first debuted at World Pork Expo and on display last week at Ag Media Summit. “Our pig experience includes about 1100 pounds of a display and the pig head comes down and it gives you the Google “nap pod” experience,” said Kylee Deniz, NPB …

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Animal Ag Bites 8/13

Carrie Muehling

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the government of Morocco has agreed to allow commercial imports of U.S. poultry meat and products into Morocco for the first time. The National Cattlemen’s Foundation is now accepting applications for the W.D. Farr Scholarships for the 2018-19 school year. Two annual $15,000 grants will be …

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites, Beef, Poultry, Swine