The American Soybean Association has confirmed five new members (John Heisdorffer, IA; Lucas Heinen, KS; C.W. Gaffner and Dan Farney, IL; and Monica McCranie, S.D.) and extended the appointments of nine other soybean growers to lead ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health Program. Eric J. Steiner will join the National Association of Wheat Growers as director of government …

Farm Journal Media has launched an all-new AgWeb.com – the Homepage of Agriculture. AgWeb, the largest online media and information network in agriculture, now features even more robust news, weather and market data. The Food Channel has released its top ten snack trends, one of its regular trend reports. The U.S. Grains Council has hired Keith Williams as the new …

The American Phytopathological Society’s website has been completely re-imagined and rebuilt, and will now include a daily news feed, an online bookstore, a webcast section, thousands of searchable abstracts, historical archives, and more. The American Angus Association will host its 127th Annual Convention of Delegates and related Angus activities in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition, Nov. 13-16, …

Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc. announced that Ed Schafer, former Governor of North Dakota and former Secretary of the USDA, has agreed to join Bion’s management team through the end of 2013. Bayer CropScience is cooperating with the EPA following an announcement to cancel uses of aldicarb, sold as Temik brand insecticide/nematicide, on potatoes and citrus. Uses on all other crops …

Osborn & Barr launched “O&B Blog.” Created to foster continued dialogue around the issues and opportunities facing our industry today, O&B Blog will feature thought-pieces from O&B’s staff, as well as that of selected key leaders from the ag, rural and food industries. Paul Georgy, President of Allendale, Inc., promotes Rich Nelson by expanding his responsibilities to include media relations, …

The National Corn Growers Association announces that Paul Bertels, former director of agricultural economic analyses and environmental impacts, has been promoted to the position of vice president for Production and Utilization. Ray Lee Equipment Co. has a new tool in hand to manage used-equipment inventory dollars across the dealer’s multiple locations: Purple Wave Auction. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the …

American Farmland Trust (AFT) is celebrating National Farmers Market Week through its America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest and the launch of an online leader-board of the top 20 vote getters in each of four categories. The lists of boutique, small, medium and large markets track up-to-the-minute results during the final month of voting, which closes on August 31. The Florida …

Nominations are now open for the AG CONNECT Expo 2011 Advocating for Agriculture Awards. Syngenta Seedcare announced that the EPA approved Avicta 500 FS nematicide for use on soybeans. Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association (www.wvma.org) member, René Carlson, DVM, was installed as the American Veterinary Medical Association president-elect. FMC Corporation announces the appointment of Frank Knight as business development manager for …

Clinton Griffiths pulled up to the AgDay news desk as the program’s new Anchor and Managing Editor. Veteran broadcaster Al Pell resumes his fulltime duties as AgriBusiness Director for both AgDay and U.S. Farm Report. Thomas Tracy was named Senior Vice President of Operations at Farm Credit Services of Illinois effective August 1. The growers and shippers of Northwest pears …

Nutrients for Life Foundation and GATX Corporation unveiled a specially-designed railcar July 25 during a reception held in conjunction with the Southwestern Fertilizer Conference in San Antonio, Texas. The railcar, emblazoned with the Nutrients for Life logo, will travel across the country delivering potash and creating awareness about the Foundation and fertilizer. Mahindra USA continues its commitment to provide hard-working, …