It looks like the death tax is going to be really hard for Washington legislators to ignore. There are 31 ag groups making sure of it. They sent a letter to President Obama today “urging immediate, permanent and meaningful estate tax reform.” Anyone with a lick of common sense would know that if estate taxes are allowed to be reinstated …
New Research From Beef Checkoff
Some of the latest research being conducted by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board includes environmental footprint research, changes to the National Beef Cook-Off and new lean cuts of meat. To talk about them at the recent NAFB convention Trade Talk session was Robert Fountain, Jr., CBB Secretary/Treasurer. I thought the environmental footprint research sounded especially interesting. Interesting but sad that money …
CHS Growing With Renewable Fuels
Mark Fenner, CHS Energy (not pictured), was one of the people working during the NAFB Trade Talk session. He says that they market under the Cenex brand. They’ve been selling a lot of diesel fuel products and the new Tier 4 engines are a real focus for them. Trends in the renewable fuels area have a definite effect on them. …
Croplife America Presents Modern Agriculture
Mary Emma Young was taking care of business at the NAFB Trade Talk session for Croplife America. I visited with her to learn what the organization is focusing on this year. She says they have been pushing the image of “modern agriculture” and the use of new technologies. Of course using new technology depends a lot on regulations. This is …
Missouri Beef Council Thanks Farmers
This week’s Checkoff Chat, the Missouri Beef Industry Council podcast, is all about #thankafarmer. Cindy talked with Whitney Wallace about the importance of thanking farmers for food, fuel and fiber. You can hear about ways that the MBIC has helped consumers better understand where their food is coming from and who produces it for them:
Broadband Out of the Wild Blue
During the NAFB Trade Talk session I spoke with Matt Farr (not pictured), Wild Blue, about the company’s development. We’ve all been hearing about Wild Blue for years and according to Matt things have developed nicely. Here’s a short history: WildBlue launched its service aboard the U.S. capacity of Telesat’s Anik F2 satellite launched in July 2004. WildBlue-1, WildBlue’s second …
Thanksgiving and Farmer Priorities
This week is the time to give thanks to America’s farmers and ranchers for producing the most affordable and abundant food supply in the world. If you’d like to help do that using your social media channels then please visit #foodthanks. In this week’s program I’m featuring a couple of interviews from Trade Talk at the NAFB convention. Here’s your …
Andy Vance On Assignment With Ohio FFA Foundation
Andy Vance is embarking on a new career course with the Ohio FFA Foundation. The photo is of Andy listening to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack answer his question during the NAFB convention. Andy has been a sometimes contributor to AgWired and we really look forward to keeping in touch. You can listen to his farewell message to ABN …
Novus International Recognition
Novus International President and CEO Thad Simons has been selected from among nearly 300 regional candidates nationwide as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year in Distribution and Manufacturing. Simons received the national award “for transforming Novus International, Inc. from a one-product spinoff from Monsanto (in 1991) into a diversified, global manufacturer of health and nutrition products for livestock, …
NCBA Submits Comments on GIPSA Rule
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today submitted official comments on behalf of its membership to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) regarding its proposed rule on livestock and poultry marketing. Colin Woodall, NCBA vice president of government affairs, says the comments submitted to USDA represent a thorough review of the potential consequences …