The Iowa Food Summit took place today in Des Moines, IA leading up to the opening of this year’s World Food Prize. Following the Summit, several national nonprofits launched a new campaign, Vote to End Hunger (VTEH), an effort to urge 2016 presidential candidates to focus on ending hunger, alleviating poverty and creating global opportunity. “Throughout the world, countries such …
First Chairwoman of CropLife America
At the recent annual meeting of Croplife America some newly elected board leaders were announced. One of those is the first ever chairwoman, Diane Allemang, director of North America business development and global portfolio at FMC Corporation. Diane was elected to a two-year term and is the 46th chair of the board. I spoke to Diane this morning to get …
RFS Uncertainty Hurting Farm Income
The uncertainties around the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) are threatening farm income and hurting the economic stability of rural economies. A new white paper from the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), using recent USDA data on net cash income for American farmers and ranchers, states that income is expected to decline by 26 percent …
Case IH Supporting Canadian Ag Journalists
My online coverage of the 2015 Canadian Farm Writers Federation Annual Meeting was sponsored by Case IH. Attending for the company was Dan Danford. We had a great time, especially supper at Fort Calgary. Sponsored by Case IH! Before the end of the conference I visited with Dan to find out why Case IH supports CFWF. We also talked about …
Push for TPP Approval is On
President Obama met with agriculture and business leaders on Tuesday as the push to get Congress to approve the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) begins. “History of free trade agreements with reference to agriculture will tell us that agriculture is a winner every time,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a press conference about the agreement. “TPP is going to be …
Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Dr. Jayson Lusk, OSU
Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features Dr. Jayson Lusk from Oklahoma State University. Dr. Lusk … has conducted extensive research on consumer attitudes toward food safety and acceptance of new technologies. Proposed labeling legislation over foods that contain ingredients from GMO crops has proven to be a polar issue that may see attention in the US Senate. In this interview, …
IFAJ in Good Hands
Recently the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists retained the services of Qu’Anglo Communications & Consulting for global office management services. During the Canadian Farm Writers Federation Annual Meeting I spoke with Hugh Maynard, President, Qu’Anglo. Hugh talked about some of the activities of the IFAJ including the upcoming meeting in New Zealand where he says they will be amending their …
Lots of Reaction to TPP
Seems like everyone has something to say about the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement reached by negotiators meeting in Atlanta for more than five days, even though few details have been released. U.S. Trade Ambassador Michael Froman does say that agriculture is a big winner under the agreement. “Tariffs will either be eliminated or greatly reduced or quotas will be significantly …
Meet the 2016 Alice in Dairyland
In an effort to educate audiences across Wisconsin about the importance and global impact of agriculture, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection(DATCP) has created a secret weapon: they call her Alice, and the role she holds as an agricultural industry professional is making an incredible impact on Wisconsin youth. Alice in Dairyland is a one year, full …
Keep an Eye on Ceva Animal Health
Ceva Animal Health is set on becoming a major player in the swine industry within the next five years. The global company was just created in 2000 in France, and the North American operations started in only 2005, but already Ceva has experienced a five fold growth increase. Craig Wallace, Ceva CEO and North American Zone Director, says growth in …