Land-grant universities and other organizations are expressing concerns over the administration’s plan to move Department of Agriculture agencies out of the nation’s capital. USDA recently announced it will move the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture out of Washington, D.C., to a more “cost-effective” location closer to farmers. The Public and Land-grant Universities Board on …
Survey: Commodity Prices Impacting Ag Retailers
A recent survey shows agriculture retailers are feeling the burden of fluctuating commodity prices. Low commodity prices and a volatile market stemming from trade concerns are on the minds of retailers, according to the survey published by Proagrica. 65 percent of respondents are feeling financial pressure due to fluctuating commodity pricing and competition. Elsewhere, 68 percent felt that enhanced management …
Cotton Board Recommends $82 Million Budget for Cotton Incorporated
New Cotton Board Chairman and Officers Elected During its annual meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Cotton Board reviewed and voted to recommend Cotton Incorporated’s proposed 2019 budget of $82 million to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. The Cotton Board elected Peter McGrath, an importer, as chairman of the board, and an entire slate of new officers for the 2018-2019 program …
UF/IFAS a Trusted Source of Agricultural-Related Information
Florida’s county commissioners look to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) for reliable agricultural-related information, according to a recent study. In May 2018, the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (PIE Center) surveyed 43 county commissioners to identify the sources they use for information on agriculture, food, water and natural …
Applications Being Accepted for Peanut Leadership Academy Class XI
Applications are now being accepted for Class XI of the Peanut Leadership Academy. To be eligible for participation, candidates must derive their primary livelihood from farming and currently produce peanuts, make a commitment to the program and agree to attend all sessions except in times of illness or a family emergency, be between the ages of 22 and 45 and …
Tolar Resigns as President of Georgia Agribusiness Council
Georgia Agribusiness announced that Bryan Tolar has officially resigned from his seat as President effective August 31, 2018. The Council is thankful for Tolar’s service and dedication to the Agribusiness council. They wish Tolar much success in his future and know he will be blessed in all things. Executive Committee is currently accepting interested candidates to fill Tolar’s position. Please …
Ag Groups Respond to WOTUS Ruling
Last week’s federal court ruling lifting a delay on the controversial, Obama-era Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule has drawn a swift rebuke by key farm groups. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duval calls the South Carolina U.S. District Court ruling that upends a Trump EPA delay of WOTUS until 2020 while the agency rewrites WOTUS, “misguided.” Here …
Bayer/Monsanto Merger Clears All Hurdles
It has taken months of divesting, negotiating and waiting, but Bayer and Monsanto will complete their merger. An agweb.com article notes German-based Bayer can now officially begin integrating Monsanto after Bayer divested itself of certain Crop Science businesses in a sale to BASF. The name Monsanto is expected to officially disappear in the future. However, familiar brand names like Dekalb, …
Ag Lenders Worried About Farmers
Depressed commodity prices, poor weather, and trade war ramifications aren’t just worrying for the nation’s farmers. The second quarter Agriculture Credit Conditions Survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis says ag bankers are worried as well. The report, which covers April through June, says farm income, spending on capital equipment, and household purchases all decreased. Nearly half of the …
Growth Energy Comments on Proposed 2019 RVO Targets
Growth Energy submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency on the last day of the comment period on the agency’s proposed 2019 renewable volume obligation (RVO) targets. Growth Energy is asking the EPA to make the proposed numbers real by accounting for lost gallons which were caused by small refinery exemptions and reallocating those gallons to other refineries to fulfill …