This is probably the shortest news release I’ve received in a long time. The United States Soybean Export Council (USSEC) Board of Directors has decided to put the CEO of USSEC on administrative leave with full pay and benefits while the Board considers its current direction and the long term goals of the organization. The day to day operations of …
A Classic Event
Everyone at Commodity Classic this year seemed to be impressed that attendance was as good or better than ever, despite the economy. “As I understand it, we are either right at the record or over it, so that is phenomenal,” said National Corn Growers Association CEO Rick Tolman. Unofficial numbers I heard were about 4500 total registration with 1500 of …
BASF Supports Young Corn and Soybean Leaders
BASF, the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced this year’s scholarship winners for both organizations at the 2009 Commodity Classic. The scholarships are awarded to tomorrow’s agricultural leaders pursuing a degree in an industry-related field. Adam Burnhams (center) with U.S. Crop Protection Products at BASF presented the students with their awards on Friday. Four …
BASF Kixor is Cutting Edge
As BASF prepares to introduce its new Kixor™ herbicide this year, the media got a preview of the “Science Behind” this new product at the Commodity Classic on Wednesday. Kixor is cutting-edge chemistry that basically kicks weed butt. It offers rapid burndown and residual control of more than 90 broadleaf weeds, including the toughest weeds that have become more tolerant …
Classic as Big as Texas
The farm economy is apparently not hurting as much as other sectors, since attendance at the 2009 Commodity Classic is expected to be as good or better than last year. According to the conference organizers, pre-registrations by the end of last week were virtually the same as last year, although the number of farmers registered was already higher. Now, that …
Columbian Poultry Success Story
As the name implies, the International Poultry Expo is a global event that attracts poultry industry professionals from around the world. I had the pleasure of meeting Jorge Bedoya, president of the Columbian Poultry Industry Association, at the U.S. Soybean Export Council booth and got to talk with him about how soybean producers in this country have helped grow the …
More About U.S. Soybean Federation
I just got off the phone with Missouri soybean grower, Warren Stemme, who is the Vice President of the newly formed U.S. Soybean Federation. I wanted to learn more about the USSF so I could share with you. Warren says the USSF is just getting started so there is no staff yet although they plan to put a lobbyist in …
Soybean Farmers Form U.S. Soybean Federation
I don’t know if you saw the release about USDA recommending that their Office of the Inspector General conduct an audit and perhaps investigation of the United Soybean Board but the allegations are serious. Apparently all is not well in soybean grower organization land. This is evidenced even more by this morning’s announcement of the U.S. Soybean Federation (USSF). I …
ASA Calling For Investigation of USB
All is not rosy in the soybean world as evidenced by a release sent out this morning by the American Soybean Association. “Serious ethical, legal, and financial allegations have been raised about how farmer checkoff funds and program activities are being conducted,” said ASA President John Hoffman, a soybean producer from Waterloo, Iowa. “These significant allegations have caused ASA to …
USDA Makes Unprecedented Change in Crop Report
The U.S. Department of Agriculture today did something it has never done before – adjusted its official October acreage and production estimates for six field crops. “There has never been a complete reissue of a crop production report, with a lock up and with the secretary’s briefing,” said Joe Prusacki with USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service. USDA revised the numbers …