The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is estimating a record high 89.5 million acres of soybeans planted in the U.S. for 2017. That’s up seven percent from last year. Corn acres are looking to be down about three percent. All cotton acreage for 2017 is estimated at 12.1 million acres, 20 percent above last year, while all wheat planted …
Quarterly Hogs & Pigs Report
The Pork Checkoff hosted the USDA’s Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report on Thursday, June 29, 2017. This quarterly teleconference featured three agricultural economists and their reactions to the report. Panelists included: Dr. Lee Schulz, Extension Livestock Economist, Iowa State University Dr. Scott Brown, Assistant Extension Professor, University of Missouri-Columbia Joe Kerns, President, Kerns & Associates, Ames, IA Reports seemed to …
The Growing Enogen Footprint
Enogen hosted about 1,200 farmer-customers at the American Ethanol E15 250 Presented by Enogen. As Enogen continues to grow, the NASCAR race held at Iowa Speedway was the perfect place to spotlight the farmers who supply the Enogen corn which will produce about 2 billion gallons of ethanol this year. “We see this race as a great opportunity to support …
Ag Groups Provide NAFTA Input
A number of agricultural organizations provided their input to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) this week regarding the upcoming negotiations to update the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). “NAFTA has been overwhelmingly beneficial for the vast majority of farmers and ranchers across the U.S. for decades,” said Colorado Farm Bureau President Don Shawcroft in comments on …
ASTA Preparing Farm Bill Input
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) has an interest in several titles of the farm bill, so the organization is making preparations for the 2018 legislation. The research title is extremely important to the industry, and trade promotions are absolutely critical, Jane DeMarchi, VP of Government and Regulatory Affairs and Virginia Houston, Associate Director for Domestic and Government Affairs for …
E15 at the Pump with Kum & Go
Kum & Go stores launched E15 about two years ago because of the growing demand for higher octane and a lower cost fuel option for customers. We met up with Jim Pirolli, Vice President of Fuels at Kum and Go, during the recent NASCAR American Ethanol E15 250 presented by Enogen to learn more about those blue pumps. “We found …
Engine Smart. Earth Kind.
The story of biofuels seems pretty simple when you hear the words, “Engine smart and earth kind,” from Growth Energy’s CEO Emily Skor. The Iowa Speedway is smack-dab in the middle of corn country. You can’t find a better location for the NASCAR Xfinity American Ethanol E15 250 presented by Enogen Syngenta. “E15 is a win, win fuel for consumers. …
Clariant Colors the Seed Industry Bright
If you haven’t heard of Clariant, it’s pretty remarkable to discover all the ways this manufacturer of chemicals might be involved in your daily life. With manufacturing plants around the globe, Clariant’s color division is providing pigments to industries like plastics, oil, even airline de-icing. They were at the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) annual meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota last …
ZimmCast with NGFA Communications
With this week’s program I’m starting a series of podcasts with the communications directors of agricultural organizations. I thought it would be interesting and hopefully entertaining to talk with the people who are helping communicate their organization’s message to various audiences, which includes their own members. I hope they will share some of the methods they are employing to get …
ASTA Honors Dr. Stephen Smith
Dr. Stephen Smith was honored last week at the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) annual conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Smith was made a Lifetime Honorary Member during the Gala Banquet in recognition of his leadership, vision, and service to the seed industry. “Dr. Smith has been an ardent supporter of ASTA’s activities on the domestic and international levels for …