Fresh on the heels of a legislative victory in Minnesota, where passage of a tax credit bill gives young farmers better access to land, the National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) converges in Washington, D.C to advocate for a 2018 Farm Bill that renews rural economies and enables a new generation of farmers to grow the nation’s food supply. “These …
USDA Announces $6 Million for Sustainable Energy Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced up to $6 million in available funding for research to support the next generation of sustainable biofuels and biomaterials. Funding is made through USDA’s Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI), a joint initiative with the Department of Energy. “Renewable energy is an important contributor to our …
Corn Silage and Forage Field Day Is June 15
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences invite producers to attend the 2017 Corn Silage and Forage Field Day, June 15 in Tifton, Georgia. The annual event will be held this year at the University of Georgia, Tifton Campus Conference Center, with registration starting at 7:30 …
U.S. Cattlemen’s Association Heads to Washington
The United State’s Cattlemen’s Association will bring a delegation of producers to Washington D.C. this week to talk issues with legislators. States represented at the fly-in will include Arizona, Indiana, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Texas. USCA President Kenny Graner says this is an opportunity for cattlemen to put a face on the issues being debated …
Dairy Exports Higher for 11 Straight Months
U.S. dairy production keeps going higher and processing facilities are running at or even over capacity, so the need for growing exports has never been greater. Farm Journal’s milk business dot com reports that dairy exports topped year-ago levels once again for the eleventh straight month. Exports of products like milk powder, cheese, butterfat, whey, and lactose were up 12 …
‘Pink Slime’ Trial Underway in South Dakota
It’s been roughly five years since ‘pink slime’ was a buzzword in the national media. A Reuters report says the Beef Processors, Incorporated, $5.7 billion defamation lawsuit against ABC television is underway this week in Elk Point, South Dakota. BPI claims ABC television, owned by the Walt Disney Company, and ABC reporter Jim Avila, defamed the company by calling its …
Legislation Would End Cuba Trade Embargo
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators has come together to co-sponsor legislation that would end the Cuban trade embargo. The bill is called the “Freedom to Export to Cuba Act” and would bring an end to all legal barriers for the U.S. to conduct business with Cuba. Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar says U.S. policy toward Cuba has been defined by …
Eating Your Greens—Microgreens, That is!
from USDA Agricultural Research Service Small edible plants called microgreens aren’t just tasty toppings for soups, salads, and sandwiches. They’re also healthful. According to results of an Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-led study, eating red cabbage microgreens helped mice moderate their weight and cholesterol levels despite a high-fat diet. Over the past several years, chefs have touted the taste, texture, color …
Scientists Find Way to Surgically Strike Out Weeds That Impede Crop Growth
by Brad Buck University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences By using a combination of fumigants, University of Florida scientists believes they can surgically strike out some weeds that otherwise get in the way of vegetable growth. Researchers with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences have shown that farmers can place fumigants in specific zones, rather …
UF/IFAS Budget Affected by Gov. Scott’s Veto Pen
According to a release from Sydney Stone, legislative assistant for the University of Florida/IFAS Governmental Affairs, while the governor’s veto list included a huge hit to the K-12 and higher education budget, 14 UF/IFAS projects, most of which were existing – not new projects — were saved. (from Sydney Stone) We want to send out a big, huge, thank-you to …