USDA Expands CRP and Funds Rural Infrastructure

Cindy Zimmerman

As President Biden opened a two-day virtual climate summit on Earth Day, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack discussed the role USDA and agriculture will play in the administration goal calling for U.S. emissions to be 50% to 52% lower in 2030 compared to 2005. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced USDA will open enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) …

Audio, climate, Environment, USDA

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast – Episode 7

Cindy Zimmerman

This episode of the Daugherty Water for Food podcast features Nebraska state climatologist Martha Shulski for a discussion on the impact of climate change on society and the environment and how to talk about it. Shulski is also a DWFI Faculty Fellow, associate professor of Applied Climate Science at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, director of the Nebraska State Climate Office …

Audio, climate, Environment, Podcasts, Water for Food

Ethanol’s Role in a Net-Zero Future

Cindy Zimmerman

This edition of the Ethanol Report explores ethanol’s role as a “net-zero hero” with highlights from the 26th annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC). The report includes remarks from David MacIntosh, Environmental Health & Engineering Inc.; Stefan Unnasch with Life Cycle Associates; and Michael Berube, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation, who all spoke at the 2021 NEC. In addition, we …

Audio, Corn, Environment, Ethanol, RFA

Trust In Food Symposium Theme is Regenerative Reset

Cindy Zimmerman

The annual Trust In Food Symposium is being held this week with the theme Regenerative Reset and a focus on trends in carbon and climate, animal ag and innovation. Trust In Food, a Farm Journal initiative, has a record-setting audience of leaders from across the food value chain, the conservation community and public agencies registered for the event, which is …

Animal Agriculture, Environment, Farm Journal, Farming, Food

Truterra Launches First Farmer-Owned Carbon Program

Cindy Zimmerman

Truterra today announced the launch of TruCarbon, the first farmer-owned carbon program. Truterra is the sustainability business subsidiary of Land O’Lakes, one of America’s largest farmer-owned cooperatives, and TruCarbon is a new program that will help farmers generate and sell carbon credits to private sector buyers. The program is designed to provide both the best experience for farmers and a …

AgWired Precision, Cooperatives, Environment, Precision Agriculture

Ag Climate Alliance Unveils Policy Recommendations

Cindy Zimmerman

A diverse alliance of groups representing farming, forestry, food, government and environment today unveiled a set of recommendations to guide the development of federal climate policy. The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) was formed in February 2020 by four groups that now co-chair the alliance: American Farm Bureau Federation, Environmental Defense Fund, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, and National …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio, climate, Environment

EPA and USDA Announce Next Gen Fertilizer Challenge

Cindy Zimmerman

The Environmental Protection Agency has teamed up with USDA to advance agricultural sustainability with the Next Gen Fertilizer Challenges. The competition includes two challenges that seek proposals for new and existing fertilizer technologies to maintain or improve crop yields while reducing the impacts of fertilizers on the environment. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced …

AgWired Precision, Audio, Corn, Environment, EPA, Fertilizer, NCGA, Precision Agriculture, USDA

New Alltech ONE Virtual Session Focuses on Asia

Cindy Zimmerman

The Asian Agri-Business session of the Alltech ONE Virtual Experience began very early this morning for those of us in the western world, but a normal hour for our friends in Asia. As the energetic pace and market diversity in Asia have helped the region remain a global economic powerhouse, Alltech examines what the future may hold for the dynamic …

AgWired Animal, Alltech, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Environment

NCBA and PLC Celebrate Environmental Policy Updates

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) recently celebrated landmark improvements to environmental policy through finalization of the Trump Administration’s rulemaking on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The updates make the process more efficient, while also laying the groundwork for healthy and resilient open spaces and pastureland. Public Lands Council Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover …

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Environment, Livestock, NCBA

USDA Undersecretary Updates NCBA on Grasslands Management

Cindy Zimmerman

James Hubbard, USDA Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment, attended the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) summer meeting this week to provide an update on Forest Service management of grasslands. The Forest Service manages 3.8 million acres of National Grasslands across 12 Western States. They are managed sustainably with the help of some 6200 permitted ranching families, who pride themselves …

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Environment, NCBA