Most segments of the beef industry should be profitable in 2020, according to CattleFax. “We’ve got plenty of supply to deal with, not only in beef, but also in pork and poultry supplies will be larger,” said Kevin Good, CattleFax Vice President of Industry Relations and Analysis. “Thankfully, demand is very strong domestically. We see that in beef in particular.” …
Crop Insurance Update from USDA RMA at CIRB
USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) Administrator Martin Barbre gave an update to Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) members during their annual meeting last week. One of the big topics of discussion was the recently announced availability of two programs that protect hemp producers’ crops from natural disasters. “We’re trying to get to a level where we can insure producers’ …
Fake Meat Key Issue for NCBA in 2020
At the Cattle Industry Convention, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) released survey results that show widespread consumer confusion about plant-based fake meat products. Nearly two-thirds of the 1,800 survey respondents believed the fake meat products produced by Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods and LightLife contained real beef or some form of animal byproduct. Those surveyed also showed misconceptions about key …
CIRB Honors Sen. Roberts for Crop Insurance Support
The “Father of the Modern Crop Insurance Program” was honored today for his lifetime of service to farmers and the industry by the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB). CIRB Chairman, Zane Vaughn of ARMtech, presented Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) with the crop insurance industry’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Chairman Roberts is the only Member of Congress to …
ZimmCast 636 – Social Influencing and Greeley Hat Works
Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast. In this week’s program I talk about the whole concept of being an industry influencer on social media before sharing an interview with Trent Johnson, Owner, Greeley Hat Works. I met Trent in the NCBA Trade Show and learned a lot about hats. In the photo he’s doing a custom fitting for a customer …
New NCBA President Follows His Mother’s Footsteps
Fifth-generation Florida rancher Marty Smith was elected president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) at the annual Cattle Industry Convention last week, following in the footsteps of his mother Jo Ann Smith, who served as president of the organization in 1985. The Smith family is pictured here with Jo Ann on Marty’s left. “It’s a tremendous honor to lead …
Bayer Makes Innovation and Pipeline Announcements
Bayer made a couple of major pipeline and innovation advancements for the Crop Science Division on Thursday. A new herbicide molecule, “the first new post-emergence mode of action for broad acre weed control in 30 years.” Bayer announced a molecule in Phase 2 of early development which has demonstrated effective control of key resistant grasses in early research. The work …
USDA’s McKinney Optimistic About Ethanol Exports
USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney says he will leave “no stone unturned” in his quest to increase U.S. agricultural exports, including ethanol. McKinney spoke to the Renewable Fuels Association National Ethanol Conference Wednesday about the markets where he sees the most potential for ethanol, including China, Mexico, Brazil, and India. Listen to his remarks: …
Ethanol Industry Ready to Focus Forward
Still riding the high of hearing from former President George W. Bush, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper addressed attendees of the 25th annual National Ethanol Conference in Houston today with his annual State of the Industry remarks. “2019 marked just the third time in the last three decades where output fell from the preceding year,” Cooper said. …
43rd President Visits National Ethanol Conference
The Renewable Fuels Association was honored to welcome George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, to the 25th Annual National Ethanol Conference today in Houston. By championing an all-of-the-above approach to domestic energy production while in office, President Bush put the United States on a course toward greater energy security and made an indelible mark on agriculture …