One of the hard news highlights of the 2015 IFAJ Congress was hearing from the man who was responsible for holding up the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement to get New Zealand’s dairy industry more access to other markets. “The fundamental reason why New Zealand agriculture is so strong is we don’t have a choice, it’s export or die for us,” …
New Zealand’s Minister of Primary Industries
The Honorable Nathan Guy, Minister of Primary Industries for New Zealand, is basically the counterpart of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in this country and he was delighted to welcome the 2015 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Congress to “little old New Zealand.” “This is a significant event for New Zealand,” said Guy of the 33 countries represented at the …
Greetings from IFAJ in New Zealand
We have seen the future and it is in New Zealand – 18 hours ahead of central time in the United States! The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) 2015 Congress is being held in Hamilton, New Zealand where we are learning a lot about this small, two island, South Pacific nation that is home to 30 million sheep, seven …
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 …
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 …