Ninety-nine percent of U.S. farms are family farms, and they accounted for 90 percent of farm production in 2016, according to America’s Diverse Family Farms – 2017 Edition. Farming is still overwhelmingly comprised of family businesses. More than a third of farms have multiple operators, and larger farms are more likely to have multiple generations of farm operators. Farm households in general …

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall has been appointed to the White House’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations. Members of the ACTPN advise the president on the potential effects of proposed and current trade agreements. The ACTPN, which is administered by the U.S. Trade Representative, is the main trade advisory committee that provides policy information and advice to the …

MGEX, a Designated Contract Market (DCM) and Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO), has recorded the second-highest monthly exchange volume number for November with 245,980 contracts. This number is also 9% greater than last year’s November total. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has announced the appointment of five members to serve on the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board. The United Sorghum Checkoff Program is comprised of …

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has announced the appointment of 19 members and 3 alternate members to serve on the United Soybean Board. The board is composed of 73 members representing 29 states and Eastern and Western regions. Texas Governor Greg Abbott joined officials from Kubota Tractor Corporation, Commissioner John Sharp and local elected leaders in Fulton, Texas to announce a $1 …

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is urging support for #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving on Nov. 28. #AgGives on #GivingTuesday is an industry-wide campaign to raise funds, find volunteers and build awareness of agriculture in local communities. Every donor contributing $25 or more to the Foundation on #GivingTuesday will receive one entry for a chance to win an exclusive …

Registration and housing for the 2018 Commodity Classic, February 27-March 1 in Anaheim, California, is now open. All registration and housing reservations should be made online at www.commodityclassic.com.   A nationwide economic impact study released Thursday found that more than one-fifth of the nation’s economy is linked, either directly or indirectly, to the food and agriculture sectors and that more than one-fourth of all …

Kubota Tractor Corporation announced four new farmer veteran tractor recipients in its 2017 “Geared to Give” program in partnership with the Farmer Veteran Coalition. Four recipients, one from each of Kubota’s four operating divisions, were presented with keys to new Kubota L-Series compact tractors in recognition of their U.S. military service. Syngenta is proud to name Tori Streitmatter of Sparland, …

The World Food Prize Foundation announced the recipients of the 2017 John Chrystal and Elaine Szymoniak Awards. Francine Barchett, Nicholas Grandstaff, Akriti Bhattaria and Madeline Song received the award for their work as part of the 2016 Borlaug-Ruan Internship Program. For the third year in a row Science Magazine has recognized Novozymes in the top 10 in its 2017 Top Employers …

National Corn Growers Association will accept online harvest forms for the 2017 National Corn Yield Contest until Friday, December 1 at 4:30 pm CST.  Registration needs to be completed within two weeks of the final yield check or December 1, whichever comes first. DTN/The Progressive Farmer took home three awards from this year’s 2017 Folio: Eddie and Ozzie Awards last …

Mike Johanns, former U.S. Agriculture Secretary and Nebraska Senator, is now serving on the board of directors of the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska. The American Soybean Association reminds growers the deadline to submit a nomination for the Recognition Awards Program is October 27, 2017 at midnight.  This year’s program includes three …