On Tuesday, USDA officials announced the establishment of the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program to create a consistent regulatory framework around hemp production throughout the United States. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue made the announcement in a pre-recorded video. “At USDA, we are always excited when there are new economic opportunities for our farmers, and we hope the ability to …
ZimmCast 628 – Conversation with Demeter
In this week’s program I have a conversation with Sharlet Teigen, CEO, Demeter Communications. Sharlet talks about the start of the company and the challenges she and the team had to overcome. For her it began with a major move from Chicago to rural Montana. Cindy and I have known Sharlet for many years so we also do some reminiscing …
China Reportedly Willing to Buy $20 Billion in US Ag Products
News reports today say China is willing to buy at least $20 billion of agricultural products in a year, and possibly twice as much or more in the future. President Donald Trump talked about China buying agricultural products during a cabinet meeting on Monday. “If we could get $20 billion a year from China — that China purchases $20 billion …
USDA Deputy Provides Farm Bill Update
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing Thursday to hear from USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky regarding implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill. “At the Secretary’s direction, our implementation cadence and priorities corresponded to the conditions testing the resilience of the American farmer,” Censky told the committee. He gave updates on implementation of the Dairy Margin …
Biofuels Groups Disappointed With EPA Proposal
Less than two weeks ago biofuels organizations and stakeholders were praising the Trump Administration agreement to promote biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Now that the details have been made public, not so much. The notice released by EPA on Tuesday “does not change the proposed volumes for 2020 and 2021. Instead, it proposes and seeks comment on adjustments …
ZimmCast 627 – Commercial UAV Expo Americas
Drones, drones and more drones! In this week’s program you will hear Jeremiah Karpowicz, Executive Editor of Commercial UAV News, talk about this year’s Commercial UAV Expo Americas. This trade show and conference focuses on commercial drone integration and operation in a variety of industries, including agriculture. Here’s some more information about the conference. In the Conference Program, UAV industry experts share …
President Trump Addresses Farmers Through NAFB
The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) worked with officials from the White House to share remarks from President Donald J. Trump that he recorded from the Oval Office to the nation’s farmers, ranchers, and agriculture community through NAFB broadcast members. In his remarks, the President talked about a number of different topics important to the agricultural community as harvest …
First Florida Hemp Conference Next Month
The inaugural Florida Industrial Hemp Conference (FIHCE 2019) will be held November 3-5 in Orlando. FIHCE 2019 is a networking and educational event designed to foster the development of an industrial hemp industry in Florida. Topics at the conference include the latest information on the hemp market, state and federal legislation, growing and cultivation, research, banking, and lots more. Gene …
Agriculture Wins With Japan Agreement
President Donald Trump gathered farmers and ranchers and other stakeholders at the White House on Monday for the signing of the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement. In his remarks prior to the signing, President Trump talked about the many agricultural commodities that will benefit from the new agreement.
Trade Factors in Future of Farming
Trade disputes, tariffs and negotiations are a significant factor when looking at the future of agriculture around the world. The Bayer Future of Farming Dialogue last week included a panel on trade featuring Iowa farmer and former president of the National Corn Growers Association Pam Johnson. Johnson says a free trade world is a necessity for agriculture. “Trade wars are …