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 …
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 …
Beef Excellence in Canada
Beef is what was for lunch during one of my tour stops at the Canadian Farm Writers Federation Annual Meeting. Excellent beef. Beef from the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence to be precise. This center opened earlier this year and is a Canadian beef and veal innovation, training, education and culinary marvel. The key areas are a presentation room, meat …
NFU President Pens Huffington Editorial
The National Farmers Union (NFU) wants Congress to take action on currency manipulation. In a Huffington Post guest column, NFU President Roger Johnson makes the case there needs to be enforceable language against the practice in all trade deals moving forward, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). “Currency manipulation has become our trade competitors’ favorite maneuver for skirting massive trade deals …
Borlaug Award Winner Pioneers Sustainability in Rwanda
An American working in the African nation of Rwanda is being recognized for his work in sustainability. The World Food Prize Foundation awarded its 2015 Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application to Eric Pohlman, whose work with farmers has made it possible for smallholders in Rwanda and other developing African countries to escape hunger and poverty and improve …
Global Crop Insurers Meet in KC
Agricultural leaders from more than 30 nations have been meeting in Kansas City this week to discuss the challenge of feeding a growing world population and how crop insurance can help farmers accomplish this goal. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack welcomed the International Association of Agricultural Production Insurers (AIAG) and provided his perspective on the importance of crop insurance for both …
New Holland Hero from France
Representing France in the New Holland “Seeds of Life Series” at the Expo Milano is Xavier De Rozières from Portel-des-Corbières. Xavier has 850 hectares (2,100 acres) including 100 hectares of vineyards and 10 hectares of olive groves and produces both red and rosé wines that are among Languedoc’s most renowned. He says he was surprised to be chosen as one …
New Holland Hero from Russia
Representing Russia in the New Holland “Seeds of Life Series” at the Expo Milano is Iliyas Ganiev from Kildurazovo. Iliyas manages 7,000 hectares (17.297 acres) of wheat, rye, barley, oat and forage crops. “We cultivate grain and other cereals and have 2,000 cows and produce milk,” said Iliyas through an interpreter. “I work with New Holland and buy my machines …
US Equipment Exports Decline by 16%
The first half of 2015 showed a drop of 16 % in the exports of U.S.-made agricultural equipment as compared to 2014. In total $4 billion were shipped to global markets. Exports to Europe dropped 31% and South America was down 30%. Markets in Asia grew by 19% and sales were up in Central America as well. The second quarter of …
New Holland Hero from South Africa
Gerry Manuel from Harare, Zimbabwe truly embodies the “Feeding the Planet” theme of Expo Milano 2015 and the New Holland “Seeds of Life Series” at the Sustainable Farm Pavilion. Born and raised in a family of farmers in Zimbabwe Gerry runs the Juggler Investments P/L Farm, founded and owned by his younger brother, in Harare. The 22 acre farm produces …