Mark your calendars: Sunday, October 16 is World Food Day 2016, and the theme of this year’s event is “Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too.” The day will be one of the most celebrated events on the UN calendar, with over 150 countries recognizing it during various events and ceremonies. Rome is hosting several key World Food Day …
RealAg Radio Debuting on SiriusXM Rural Radio Ch. 147
Rural Radio Channel 147 on SiriusXM will launch a new radio series called “RealAg Radio.” This new program is produced by RealAgriculture.com and hosted by my friend Shaun Haney and Kelvin Heppner. The series debuts as Canada’s only daily, one hour ag show, broadcast across the country featuring the latest headlines from around the world of Canadian agriculture with discussions …
#CFWF16 Farm Tours
During the first full day of the 2016 Canadian Farm Writers Federation conference attendees had a choice of several tours. As a biker, I chose the Science & Cycling Tour. It is way better than sitting on a bus! Here’s my group in a shot after our last tour stop on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. …
Welcome to #CFWF16 – Saskatchewan Surprise
We’re getting a Saskatchewan Surprise in Saskatoon for the 2016 Canadian Farm Writers Federation annual meeting. Our reception and dinner were held in the Western Development Museum. The opening reception featured welcoming comments from the Honorable Lyle Stewart, Minister of Agriculture, Province of Saskatchewan. Stewart says, “Agriculture in Saskatchewan is part of our identity here. To some we’re known for …
Congress Ratifies Treaty Tied to Global Food Security
Congress made history last night by finally passing a broadly-supported international treaty to strengthen American agriculture and enhance global food security, an action endorsed by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). First signed by President George W. Bush, and pending for nearly 15 years, the now ratified International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (“The Treaty”) will …
The Cuban Gold Rush
Few Americans can say they have stepped foot on Cuban soil. Even fewer can say they had the opportunity as a journalist and yet even fewer as an agricultural journalist. Luckily, I am one of those who can answer yes to all of the above. Thanks to the American Agricultural Editors’ Association (AAEA) and Alltech, I recently traveled to Cuba …
It’s Time for #CFWF16 in Saskatoon
I’ll be traveling with Case IH this week to attend the 2016 Canadian Farm Writers Federation Conference. This year we will be in Saskatoon. It’s another Canadian place I’ve never been. This annual conference has been a great way to see parts of Canada I’ve never had a chance to visit. And I have made lots of good friends as …
The Global Value of US Soy
Our 300 international attendees were present for the 2016 U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange held earlier this month in Indianapolis, offering soy growers from across the country the opportunity to engage with an international audience about the value of U.S. Soy. One attendee who utilized the opportunity to communicate with the international audience was Kevin Scott, a diversified corn and …
US Challenges Chinese #Rice #Wheat #Corn Support
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers today announced the launch of trade enforcement action against China at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The action challenges China’s use of “market price support” for three key crops (rice, wheat, and corn) in excess of China’s commitments under WTO rules. “These programs …
Shipping Soy and Other Specialty Grains
For the 4th year in a row U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) has joined forces with the Midwest Shippers Association (MSA) to host the U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange and Midwest Specialty Grains Conference. Sometimes it’s easy to forget how our products get from point A to point B. We put our heart and soul into production and neglect the …