America’s Pig Farmer Leon Sheets had the pleasure of introducing the new Pig Farmers of Tomorrow at the National Pork Forum this week, appropriately on National Pig Day, March 1. Adam Krause from South Dakota and Emma Lasco and Christine Snowden, both from Iowa, have been named for the honor, which recognizes farm leaders, ages 18-29, who intend to make …
Farm Credit: What’s on the Horizon for Rural America
Farm Credit discussed “The Rise of Rural America: What’s on the Horizon” during a learning session at Commodity Classic in Anaheim. At a time when the rural footprint is shrinking based on growing urban and suburban population centers, farmers and the business people who support them may need new strategies to stay politically engaged. The lack of available broadband connectivity …
John Deere Receives JB Davidson Award at #Classic18
John Deere’s Matt Badding was on stage at the Commodity Classic to receive a special inaugural award from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. The John Deere S700 Series Combine was recognized by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) as one of the best among the 50 products that received the AE50 …
ZimmCast from #Classic18
In part this week’s program was sort of hijacked by the Shark Farmer and Farmer Derek. But there is so much more than that. It is probably the busiest week of the year for the ZimmComm Team. From the Bayer AgVocacy Forum to Commodity Classic to Pork Industry Forum to Farm and Gin Show and to the American Association of …
Sonny Day at Commodity Classic
A lot of drama and speculation preceded the appearance of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue at Commodity Classic, thanks to some reports questioning his support for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), so he wasted no time in stating his “unequivocal” support for the law. “I have not and will not support any policies in this country that diminish the demand, undermine …
Panel Discusses Broadband Connectivity at Classic
Visitors to the Commodity Classic Trade Show had an opportunity to listen to a panel assembled by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). The Agricultural Executive Panel: The Infrastructure for New Technology is part of the AEM’s Infrastructure Vision 2050 Initiative, recognizing the gap between broadband infrastructure and production agriculture. The group included Nebraska corn and soybean grower Brandon Hunnicut, …
Pork Forum Panel Focuses on Gene Editing
The science of gene editing and its potential for the pork industry took center stage Wednesday at the opening session of the annual Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City. Journalist and author Michael Specter keynoted the session and moderated the panel on gene editing, which included University of Missouri animal scientist Kevin Wells, The Maschhoffs president Bradley Wolter, NPPC director …
Ag Innovations Honored at Commodity Classic
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers honored three companies with the inaugural Davidson Prize for Innovation at the 2018 Commodity Classic in Anaheim, California. The Davidson Prize is named for J.B. Davidson, the father of modern agricultural engineering, and was created to celebrate breakthrough innovations in areas of agricultural, food and biological …
Sen. Cruz Allows Bill Northey Confirmation
Bill Northey is at last free to take the job at USDA that he was nominated for almost six months ago after Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) lifted his hold on the nomination and allowed the confirmation Tuesday. The Senate confirmed Northey on a voice vote to become USDA’s undersecretary for farm production and conservation as Sens. Cruz, Pat Toomey (R-PA), …