USDA officials have been on the road this year meeting with agricultural stakeholders around the country to talk about the importance of Trade Promotion Authority for the president in expanding international markets for U.S. products. USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Alexis Taylor was in California a few weeks ago and today she was in Florida. …
Agri-Marketing Conference Preview
In just a week agricultural marketers and students from around the country will be gathering in Kansas City, MO for the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference. The ZimmComm team of Cindy, Jamie and Taylor and myself will be there bringing you all the play by play action. I spoke with the Chair of this year’s conference, Christine Hart-Nieland, Brighton Agency, about what …
Industry Adjusting to Lower Farm Equipment Sales
Sales of farm tractors and combines are continuing their downward trend this year and the industry is adjusting after several good years in a row, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). “The last five years have been pretty darn good years and we were at pretty high levels of equipment sales,” said AEM Senior Vice President and Ag …
Ag Conservation Easement Funding Available
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Natural Resources Conservation Service chief Jason Weller have announced the availability of $332 million in financial and technical assistance through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). “Conservation easements are an important tool to help these landowners and partners voluntarily provide long-term protection of our nation’s farmland, ranchland, wetlands and grasslands for future generations,” said Vilsack. …
USDA Releases Prospective Plantings Report
The much-anticipated 2015 Prospective Plantings released by USDA today shows declines expected in corn, wheat and cotton acres this year, with only a modest increase in soybean acreage. Corn planted area for all purposes in 2015 is estimated at 89.2 million acres, down 2 percent from last year. If realized, this will be the third consecutive year of an acreage …
Rural Electric Tackles Diversity & Internet Access
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with former Congresswomen from my home state of Missouri, Jo Ann Emerson. She currently calls Washington, D.C. home where she holds the title of first female CEO for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). “I am very excited to be selected by the Board of Directors of the NRECA to serve …
USDA Extends ARC and PLC Deadlines
*UPDATED* with audio below Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a one week extension for producers to choose between Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC), the safety-net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill. The final day to make the decision, update yield history or reallocate base acres will now be April 7, 2015. “This is an …
Propane Grain Dryers Increase Efficiency
Farmers at Commodity Classic were showing increased interest in upgrading their grain dryers to high efficiency propane units. Cinch Munson with the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) says their research shows that a new propane grain dryer can result in 50% efficiency savings. “PERC has worked with a number of grain dryers manufacturers over the past few years to …
State Farmers Union Presidents Meet Pope
Five Farmers Union state presidents and National Farmers Union’s (NFU) chief counsel capped off a series of meetings with officials at the Vatican by meeting Pope Francis himself on Wednesday. The presidents of state Farmers Unions in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin have been engaging in discussions about family farmers, food security and environmental stewardship. “In discussions …
Meet Bethany – Farm Mom of the Year
The Farm Mom of the Year is an award presented by America’s Farmers for those mom’s out there who don’t ask for recognition for everything they do. It’s a simple opportunity to thank them. Bethany Pugh, Monsanto Farm Mom of the Year, hails from North Carolina and is the heart of Middle Creek Farms and Pamlico Shores Produce. Ken Rahjes, …