Wall Street investment firms are once again putting money into farmland. Institutional investors are buying up farmland as farmers, who would normally be competing for the land, are hanging on to their cash. This investment money can mean different things for local ag communities. Some institutions will purchase land and lease it back to a farmer, who can then continue …
Farmers Respond to Poll on NAFTA
The bi-monthly Farm Journal Pulse Survey recently asked farmers a simple question: “Do you think the U.S. should withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement?” About one-third of the nearly 900 responses were positive. Producers who voted for getting rid of the agreement did so because they believe the Ag economy would be better off without the trade deal …
Support for Organic Agriculture Research, Extension, and Education
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced the availability of $17.6 million in grants focused on organic agriculture research, education, and extension activities. These grants are funded through a competitive process by NIFA’s Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “America’s organic industry continues to be one of …
Pork Checkoff Reaches Millennials – Part 1
The Pork Checkoff is partnering with the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) on a unique digital food platform called Tastemade. National Pork Board vice president of strategic communications, Kevin Waetke, says this effort highlights pork recipes. Recipes Tastemade is a global digital food and travel network. More than half of Tastemade views happen on mobile devices or connected TVs. …
Census of Ag Data is Vital to the Future of American Agriculture
The 2017 Census of Agriculture has been sent to farmers all across the country. Greg Thessen of the National Ag Statistics Service office in Des Moines, Iowa, says the Census is very important to each and every producer. Important The time it will take to fill out the census will depend a lot on whether or not producers have both …
Analyzing Profitability on the Farm
Analyzing profitability is critical on the farm. But studying profits and production can cost producers time. Syngenta offers the AgriEdge Excelsior® whole-farm management program to help speed up that process. Joe Goodman, a Syngenta AgriEdge® specialist explains. Speed The program offers an in-depth economics component for growers. Economics Through the examination of the farm, AgriEdge Excelsior can help growers increase …
New Procedures for U.S. Soybean Exports to China
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is making U.S. soybean farmers and exporters aware of a new procedure to comply with China’s phytosanitary import requirements. The new procedure, which applies to both bulk and container shipments of raw, unprocessed soybeans to China, goes into effect January 1, 2018, and is necessary to maintain …
Putnam Provides Tips for Safe Christmas Tree Disposal
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam encourages Floridians to dispose of Christmas trees safely. Dry limbs and needles from discarded Christmas trees can be an ignition source for fire if not properly cleared away from homes and natural areas. One way to remove this potential fire hazard is by recycling Christmas trees. Many locations offer tree recycling services, such …
Efforts Moving Ahead to Modernize KORUS
Efforts by the U.S. and South Korea are moving ahead to modernize the 2011 Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, or ‘KORUS,’ a key trade agreement for the U.S. pork and beef industries. The South Korean government sent its parliament a plan to renegotiate KORUS and announced it’s ready to start talks. The White House must tell Congress it plans to launch …
FAA Sues Farmer Over Irrigation Rigs
Federal authorities have filed a lawsuit against a Georgia farmer because they allege the farmer’s massive metal crop-irrigation rig is causing radio interference. An ABC News report says the irrigation unit is on a farm in south Georgia where the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a radio tower that relays signals to keep aircraft on course. The lawsuit alleges that …