President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order Tuesday to keep meat and poultry processing facilities open during the COVID-19 national emergency. During a Tuesday press availability, President Trump said the order “will solve any liability problems” for the plants. “We’re working with Tyson… and we always work with the farmers. There’s plenty of supply.” :30 Under the Executive Order and …
Field Notes from Koch Agronomic Services – Episode 3
Welcome to Episode 3 of the Field Notes podcast series from Koch Agronomic Services, where we break down the science and technology behind agronomy to help growers do more with less. Crop science experts and others in the agriculture industry will discuss topics ranging from nitrogen loss and soil health to ways growers can increase operational efficiencies. Retailer Perspectives on …
ZimmCast 642 – Conversation with Calyxt
Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast. How are y’all doing? We hope you’re well and safe. We also want to see an end to this stay at home situation. Although the ZimmComm Team has not been traveling, we have been pretty busy. Podcast production, video editing, recording media calls, interviews via phone, sending news releases are part of our stock …
Farm Credit Update on COVID-19 Impact
Farm Credit leaders participated in a media call Tuesday for an update on agricultural credit conditions, COVID-19’s impact on farmers, ranchers and rural communities, and how Farm Credit is helping during this challenging time – including via the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. Webinar participants: Todd Van Hoose, President and CEO, Farm Credit Council Pat Calhoun, President and CEO, …
Farm Workers Not Included in Immigration Order
President Donald Trump will be signing an Executive Order today prohibiting immigration into the United States for 60 days, but that order will not apply to seasonal farm workers. “Farmers will not be affected by this at all,” the president said during the daily Coronavirus Task Force briefing on Tuesday. “If anything we’re going to make it easier.” (:44)
Ethanol Industry Losses Mount
As the COVID-19 pandemic and crude oil glut continue to ravage world fuel markets, U.S. ethanol sales in 2020 could fall by more than $10 billion and the industry’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) could drop by nearly one-third, according to a new analysis by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The economic losses stem from a “pernicious combination of …
USDA Announces Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
Late Friday U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced a new Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to assist farmers, ranchers, and consumers in response to the COVID-19 national emergency. President Trump directed USDA to craft this $19 billion immediate relief program to provide critical support to our farmers and ranchers, maintain the integrity of our food supply chain, and ensure …
ZimmCast 641 – CommiditAg App & COVID-19 Messaging
Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast. In this week’s program I’m featuring a conversation with John Demerly, CEO, CommoditAg, about the new app they launched during Commodity Classic. That was the last on location meeting either of us attended and it seems like a lot longer ago than it really is! John says the app provides the opportunity for agricultural …
U.S. Soy is Open for Business
The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) held a webinar for the media Wednesday to provide an update on the industry and its continued resilience through this time. Participating in the webinar were, USSEC CEO Jim Sutter, USSEC Chairman Monte Peterson, and Regional Directors Brent Babb and Rosalind Leeck. They discussed the industry’s response to COVID-19 in various export markets, how …
Agriculture Secretary Addresses U.S. Food Supply Issues
The White House Coronavirus Task Force Update on Wednesday included comments from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on the U.S. food supply. Secretary Perdue discussed the health and safety of essential food processing workers, praised those working in the food industry, and stressed that the food supply is “strong, resilient, and safe.” He also stated that there is plenty …