CIRB is Focused on the Farm Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) was in the neighborhood so he stopped by to say hello at the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) annual meeting in Scottsdale last week and posed for a photos with members, including chairman Ron Rutledge, Farmers Mutual Hail. Rutledge says this year is an important one for the crop insurance industry in Congress with a …

Audio, CIRB, Crop Insurance

Five Mineral Myths Busted

Carrie Muehling

Alltech did some myth busting at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show with regards to the latest strategies and newest technologies in trace mineral supplementation. A panel discussion including Dr. Vaughn Holder, ruminant research director with Alltech, conducted a forum where they busted five mineral myths relating to ruminant nutrition. Holder said producers should …

AgWired Animal, Alltech, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA

Sustainability a Focus for Beef Supply Chain

Carrie Muehling

Many of those gathered at this year’s Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show in Phoenix are working toward sustainability within the beef industry at all levels of the supply chain. “Sustainability, as defined by NCBA, is about producing safe and nutritious beef with economic viability, environmental stewardship and social responsibility,” said Dr. Sara Place, Sr. …

Ag Groups, AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, NCBA, Sustainability

Cattlemen Release 2018 Policy Priorities

Carrie Muehling

A number of topics are priorities for cattle producers in the coming year, beginning with the passage of a new Farm Bill. “Everybody is trying to push completion of the Farm Bill before the current one expires, and we are no different,” said Colin Woodall, senior vice president of government affairs with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “We want to …

Ag Groups, AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA

CattleFax Predicts Large Supply and Strong Demand in 2018

Carrie Muehling

It appears strong demand will continue to support the cattle industry in the coming year, even though the supply continues to grow. “The cattle cycle is pretty well on track,” said Randy Blach, CEO of CattleFax. “We saw the USDA numbers released yesterday that indicated the herd expanded again in 2017. We expected that would be the case. But it …

Ag Groups, AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA

CIRB Honors Mary Kay Thatcher

Cindy Zimmerman

After over 30 years with American Farm Bureau Federation, the name Mary Kay Thatcher has become well known in the agriculture world. But as of January 31, Thatcher retired from AFBF and is now looking forward to her next challenge doing federal relations for Syngenta. Mary Kay has been a regular speaker at the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) …

AFBF, Audio, CIRB, Crop Insurance

USDA Deputy Censky Visits #CIRB2018

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Steve Censky visited the 2018 Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau annual meeting this week in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Our crop insurance program here in the United States is the envy of countries around the world,” said Censky. At the same time, he admitted that the 2018 farm bill will be facing budget challenges. “The dollars are …

Audio, CIRB, Crop Insurance, USDA

Report Outlines Animal ID & Traceability Recommendations

Carrie Muehling

A key report regarding U.S. beef cattle identification and traceability systems was released this week and the Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trade Show in Phoenix. Developed by World Perspectives, Inc., the report contains conclusions and recommendations based on surveys and interviews with industry stakeholders as well as other research. “I think a few things emerged from …

Ag Groups, AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA

Dealers Seek Solutions for Growers at Develop with Deere

Carrie Muehling

The 2018 Develop with Deere conference saw growth in the number of local equipment dealers attending, as they continue to seek solutions that will help their customers. “They’re certainly looking to fill gaps in the Operations Center that are specific needs to their customers in their areas. That varies greatly,” said Brad Silva, Platform Marketing with John Deere. “It doesn’t …

AgWired Precision, Audio, John Deere, Precision Agriculture

Builta Named GROWMARK Vice President, Energy and Logistics

Carrie Muehling

GROWMARK has named Mike Builta the new Vice President of Energy and Logistics. He will replace Kevin Carroll, who will retire on February 15 after 32 years of service. GROWMARK’s energy and logistics division includes lubricants, propane, diesel and gasoline products. It also encompasses the warehouses for storage and transportation of those products. “It’s a huge portion of the business. …

Audio, GROWMARK