Senate to Vote on Second WOTUS Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

wotus-ernstAfter failing to invoke cloture on a bill that would require EPA to re-work the Clean Water rule known as WOTUS, the Senate did vote to allow debate on a resolution of disapproval, sponsored by Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, that would scrap the WOTUS rule entirely.

“My legislation is the necessary next step in pushing back against this blatant power grab by the EPA,” said Sen. Ernst. “We will send this to the president, where he will be forced to decide between the livelihood of our rural communities nationwide and his unchecked federal agency.”

President Obama has already said he will veto any bill passed by Congress that makes changes in the water rule which has already been put on hold by court cases against it. A vote on Sen. Ernst’s bill will be held on Wednesday.

Listen to Sen. Ernst here: Sen. Ernst on WOTUS disapproval

Audio, EPA, Water

Senate Fails to Take WOTUS Rework to Vote

Cindy Zimmerman

wotus-senateForty-one senators voted against moving forward with debate on a bill that would require EPA to rework the controversial Clean Water rule known as Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS), which was enough to keep the bill from a vote on the floor.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Barrasso (R-WY), would instruct EPA to craft a WOTUS rule that “takes into consideration positions held by folks like farmers, ranchers, manufacturers and small businesses.” The bipartisan legislation was backed by a number of Democrats, including Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) who spoke in favor of the bill on the floor. “Uncertainty of #WOTUS rule affects everyone,” she tweeted. “Working 2 give certainty 2 farmers & #smallbiz w/ our bipartisan bill.”

Floor speech from Sen. Heitkamp: Sen. Heitkamp on WOTUS

The Republican senator from North Dakota also gave an impassioned floor speech against the WOTUS rule. “The federal government should be doing all that it can to empower those who grow our food and create jobs,” said Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND). “Instead regulators are stifling growth with burdensome regulation that generates cost and uncertainty.”

Floor speech from Sen. Hoeven: Sen. Hoeven on WOTUS

Audio, EPA, Water

Deere to Acquire Precision Planting & Monosem

Chuck Zimmerman

Pat Pinkston, John DeereThis morning John Deere announced that the company has acquired Precision Planting from the Climate Corporation, a subsidiary of Monsanto. Also included in the announcement is an exclusive agreement with Climate Corporation for near real-time data connectivity between certain John Deere equipment and Climate Corporation’s FieldView Platform.

Making the announcement at the Develop with Deere conference was Pat Pinkston. You can listen to his announcement below.

Yesterday Deere made another announcement that it is acquiring Memosem, a leading manufacturer of precision planters in Europe. Also announced is a joint venture creating SageInsights with DN2K’s cloud software platform. Yep, lots of announcements from Deere!

Listen to Pat’s comments here: Pat Pinkston, John Deere

climatecorp2The Climate Corporation, a subsidiary of Monsanto Company, held a press conference this morning to discuss the new agreements.

“To maximize the value of digital agriculture, farmers need solutions for simple and seamless collection of in-field agronomic data,” said Mike Stern, president and chief operating officer for The Climate Corporation. “As a result of these milestone agreements, farmers will experience the fastest, most frequent and highest resolution third-party connectivity between John Deere’s equipment and the Climate FieldView platform.”

Stern was joined in the press conference by Climate senior vice president for agronomic services John Raines, and Illinois farmer Steve Moffitt. Climate Corp/Deere press conference

Agribusiness, Audio, John Deere

Developing with Deere

Chuck Zimmerman

Develop with DeereHello from Kansas City, MO and the Develop with Deere conference. John Deere has once again brought together application developers to learn and to discuss opportunities with John Deere’s open API system.

I’m learning to and will be bringing you stories as they happen. I know there is going to be an announcement this morning and hopefully I can provided you with a very personal look at that very soon.

John Deere

There is a Future for Agriculture

Kelly Marshall

ffa-15-113-rachel-greigRachel Greig has been part of the FFA program for 7 years and intends to make it part of her life for many years to come.  She attended the 2015 National FFA Convention this year as Pennsylvania’s State FFA Secretary and you can hear her passion for the future of agriculture in her interview with Jamie Johansen.  

Pennsylvania State FFA Secretary Rachel Greig

“My passion about agriculture is advocating for younger people or our future generations because not everybody knows what agriculture is all about, or even what FFA is all about, so its very important we know where our food comes from and who does all the work to put into our food,” Rachel says.

Her future plans are to attend college and become a speech and language pathologist, hopefully in an elementary school, and coming home to beef cows, pigs, and sheep after the bell rings.  She’d like others involved in FFA to know there’s a place in agriculture for them when their time in high school is over.

“I’d like them to know there is a future for agriculture. And here [at the convention] you can go and visit many colleges– ag colleges, and they are amazing.  So it doesn’t just end after high school.  You can move forward and keep moving forward.  It just never stops.”

Find photos from the event here: 2015 National FFA Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by New Holland
Ag Groups, Audio, FFA

Agri-Pulse Partners with Tom Davis

Kelly Marshall

Tom DavisThe well-respected source of farm and rural policy information, Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc., has grown substantially in the last year.  With their online presence experiencing a boom the company has reached an agreement with respected publisher, Tom Davis.  The plan is to enhance the strategic planning, marketing and sales efforts of the fast growing company.

“We are very pleased to have someone with Tom’s publishing experience and industry networking skills join the Agri-Pulse team,” said Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse President. “As we continue to expand our paid circulation and develop an even stronger web presence, we wanted to add another experienced media professional to provide strategic insight and work with prospective subscribers and advertisers.”

Davis brings a wealth of previous publishing experience, including 37 years with Meredith Corporation where he served as Publisher of Successful Farming magazine. Most recently, he served as Vice President/Group Publisher for several of Meredith’s consumer media products.

Tom graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University and has been recognized as a Distinguished Agricultural Alumni. He has held leadership positions in a number of industry organizations, including the National Agri-Marketing Association, Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, American Business Media’s Ag Council and the National FFA Organization.

Visit Agri-Pulse.com or sign up for Agri-Pulse Daily Harvest to keep up with policy affecting rural America.

Agri-Pulse, Agribusiness, politics

Nominate a Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives

Jamie Johansen

Farm Credit 100Farm Credit is looking for an individual or group of individuals whose leadership and vision is changing the future of agriculture and rural America for the better. They are searching for 100 leaders who are positively shaping what is next for rural communities and agriculture to award Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives.

Whether the leader is a “farm kid” who speaks to youth in urban areas about the importance of agriculture; a business leader respected for commitment to their community and the thriving future of rural America; an agriculture educator who may have inspired thousands throughout the years; or a farmer or rancher dedicated to progress and innovation on their farm or ranch, we invite you to help us identify these dynamic visionaries. Please consider submitting a nomination today.

Following your nomination, a panel of experts on rural matters, including Farm Credit leaders and representatives from around the agriculture industry, will evaluate and help select the top 100 honorees. We will announce the Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives honorees in March 2016.

Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives honorees will have the opportunity to share their stories and inspire with their vision throughout the Farm Credit centennial year in 2016 and beyond. Additionally, ten distinguished Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives honorees — one from each nomination category — will receive a $10,000 award to help further their contributions to thriving rural communities and agriculture. These ten honorees and a guest also will be invited to Washington, D.C. to participate in a special Farm Credit recognition event in 2016. Nominations will be accepted through December 18, 2015. Please see the Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives official rules for further details. Doesn’t have to be a farm credit borrower to be nominated or win.

Agribusiness, Farm Credit

NeATA Asks Farmers to Save the Date

Kelly Marshall

NEATAThe University of Nebraska is asking farmers to mark their calendars for the upcoming Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association Conference.  The event will be held February 3-4 in Lincoln, NE at a new locations in the Nebraska Innovation Campus Center.  The keynote speaker for the conference will be Governor Pete Ricketts.

You can follow the NeATA on Facebook and Twitter for more updates.

Ag Groups, Events, Technology

Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Sen. Joni Ernst

John Davis

open-micAgri-Pulse Open Mic this week features Sen. Joni Ernst.

From her family’s Iowa farm to the troubled lands of the Middle East, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst has dedicated her life to the nation’s security: for ample food and against foes. In this week’s Open Mic Interview U.S. Senator Joni Ernst shares her thoughts on proposed legislative action to block the EPA’s new clean water rules, the economic significance of the agency’s RFS volume obligation announcement, long term funding for the Highway Trust Fund and why Washington should address GMO food labeling.

Click here to listen to Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Sen. Joni Ernst.

Agri-Pulse, Audio, politics

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • Tom Liebe has been hired as president and CEO of Cooperative Network, the statewide association for cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
  • Missouri’s farmers and ranchers are helping tell the story of agriculture and the beef industry through a new interactive exhibit opening summer 2016 at the Saint Louis Science Center.
  • At its October 27, 2015, Organizational Meeting, the MGEX Board of
    Directors named 2015-2016 public directors, named Board officers and approved committee
    assignments.
  • Agriscaping Technologies announced the launch of Agriscaping University to educate and provide career opportunities in sustainable landscaping.
Zimfo Bytes