The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announces support for Early Concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) to speed the development of new crop varieties. Funding is made through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, which seeks to address challenges in food and agricultural sciences through research, extension, and education opportunities. EAGER is established …
Young Farmers and Ranchers Round up Awards
Winners of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Agriculture competitions were announced at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. Young farmers and ranchers from around the country competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge of and achievement in agriculture, as well as commitment to promoting the agriculture industry. …
Ag and Rural Prosperity Report Given; Ag Groups Respond
The following is a statement from American Seed Trade Association President & CEO Andrew W. LaVigne: “We’re pleased that the Trump Administration recognizes the critical importance of U.S. agriculture and the rural economy. Under the strong leadership of Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, the Agriculture and Rural Prosperity Task Force is taking positive steps to identify and address some of the …
Alabama Beekeeping Symposium Set for Early February
Alabama Cooperative Extension System will host the 23rd Annual Beekeeping Symposium in early February. Set for Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, the workshop will be held at the Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center. “A group of outstanding speakers will cover a broad range of topics that will interest keepers from beginners to veterans,” said Dr. James Tew, beekeeping specialist with …
Moran Talks Ag Issues at AFBF Annual Convention
Kansas Republican Senator Jerry Moran addressed the American Farm Bureau Federation’s national convention regarding the development of the 2018 Farm Bill. Moran encouraged Farm Bureau members to work with their representatives as they develop the new legislation. Farm Bill He feels that passing a disaster assistance bill for agriculture will set the stage for the 2018 Farm Bill. Moran is …
Farm Safety Net Should be Called Food Safety Net
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall suggested a rethinking of what farmers consider the farm bill to be. Opening the 99th Annual American Farm Bureau Federation Convention Sunday, Duvall says it’s time to stop calling the farm bill a safety net for farmers. Farm Bill Duvall calls the farm bill a food security bill for everyone. Food Security AFBF held meetings …
Stable Forecast for U.S. Crop Prices Forecast
U.S. grain prices and crop demand for 2017-2018 will likely show no major changes, according to Dr. Keith Coble, former chief economist for Senate Agriculture Committee Republicans and the head of the Agricultural Economics Department at Mississippi State University. Coble spoke to workshop attendees during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show about global crop …
USDA Under Secretary Confident Good Neighbor Relations Will Prevail in NAFTA Talks
Current North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations are a lot like a Sumo wrestling match, according to Ted McKinney, under secretary of trade and foreign agricultural affairs for the Agriculture Department. He said there is an extraordinary amount of posturing in the circle, but he is hopeful that the United States, Canada and Mexico will meet in the middle …
Ag Law Experts Review Top Legal Issues Affecting Farmers
Court decisions and changes in the law can have significant impacts on farm and ranch businesses, according to two agricultural law experts who presented at a workshop at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. Tiffany Dowell Lashmet, assistant professor and Extension specialist in agricultural law with Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, and Paul Goeringer, Extension …
Cargill, Hershey, Leave Grocery Manufacturers Association
Ag giant Cargill, along with the Hershey Company, are the latest to drop out of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, joining at least eight other major companies in retreat. The two join Tyson Foods, Campbell Soup Company and others who have recently left Washington, D.C.’s largest food industry association. Politico reports many of the companies that have left are viewed as …