RFA Ethanol Podcast

Secretary Vilsack Addresses #Classic22

Cindy Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has made very few in-person appearances since becoming the head of USDA for a second president last year, but he did make it a point to attend the 2022 Commodity Classic in New Orleans Friday and address thousands of corn, sorghum, soybean, and wheat farmers. “I’m here today to talk about the opportunities and challenges …

Audio, Commodity Classic, USDA

Crop Insurance Premium Benefit Offered for Cover Crops

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) has announced details of the 2022 Pandemic Cover Crop Program (PCCP) that both benefits farmers and supports climate smart production practices. Agricultural producers who have coverage under most crop insurance policies are eligible for a premium benefit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) if they planted cover crops during the 2022 crop year. To …

Audio, CIRB, cover crops, Crop Insurance, USDA

USDA to Invest $1 Billion in Climate Smart Commodities

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Jefferson City, Missouri yesterday to announce $1 billion in partnerships to support America’s climate-smart farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. The new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities opportunity will finance pilot projects that create market opportunities for U.S. agricultural and forestry products that use climate-smart practices and include innovative, cost-effective ways to measure and verify greenhouse …

Audio, carbon, climate, USDA

2021 Production Up for Corn, Soybeans and Cotton

Cindy Zimmerman

Corn, soybean and cotton production were all higher in 2021 compared to 2020, according to the 2021 Crop Production Annual Summary released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). U.S. corn growers produced 15.1 billion bushels, up 7% from 2020 and the second highest on record. Corn yield in the United States is estimated at …

Corn, Cotton, Soybean, USDA

Vilsack Stresses Climate Smart Agriculture at #AFBF22

Cindy Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack stressed the role of farmers and ranchers in addressing climate change issues during an address Monday at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. Vilsack said he is excited about a new partnership between USDA and Farmers For Soil Health, an initiative of the United Soybean Board, National Corn Growers Association and National Pork …

AFBF, Audio, USDA

USDA Announces $633 Million in Climate-Smart Investments

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Pennsylvania Friday to announce $633 million in investments to reduce the impacts of climate change on rural communities. In a press call with reporters, Vilsack highlighted 791 investments that USDA is making in five programs specifically designed to help people and businesses in rural areas. These programs include Community Facilities Disaster Grants, Electric Loan …

Audio, USDA

Former Senator Crashes Vilsack Presser at NAFB

Cindy Zimmerman

Now that Pat Roberts is retired from his long and illustrious 40-year career in Congress, he decided to try his hand at farm broadcasting during Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s virtual press conference at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual convention this week in Kansas City. Standing up at the microphone to ask Vilsack a question, Roberts said, “I’m …

Audio, NAFB, USDA

Farm Bureau Survey Shows Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Up 14%

Cindy Zimmerman

Your 2021 Thanksgiving dinner is more expensive this year than it was last year, but still a bargain, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. Farm Bureau’s 36th annual survey indicates the average cost of this year’s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10 is $53.31 or less than $6.00 per person. This is a $6.41 or 14% increase from last year’s …

AFBF, Food, USDA

USDA Secretary Vilsack from COP26

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack had a busy week at COP26 last week, participating in numerous events to underscore the administration’s commitment to climate action. Vilsack held a media call Friday afternoon from COP26 in Glasgow, UK. He discussed COP26 events, the recently-announced partnership with the EU and the Agriculture Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate. Taking questions from reporters, Vilsack also …

Audio, Environment, International, Trade, USDA

House Ag Committee Hearing on Livestock Industry

Cindy Zimmerman

The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing Thursday to address the current state of the livestock industry, meat processing, production and supply. Among the witnesses testifying were Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Vice President Todd Wilkinson of South Dakota, and François Léger of FPL Food, on behalf of the North American Meat …

Audio, Beef, Livestock, Meat, NCBA, USDA