The nation’s winter wheat growers have learned through experience to be prepared for more trouble ahead. Much of the nation has been in a deep freeze for the past several days. Hard red winter wheat growers in Kansas and Oklahoma are already not expecting to have a large crop this year. They’ve been battling lower prices because of a large …
U.S. Ethanol Production Near Capacity but Constraints Limit Growth
As demand for ethanol has increased, the number of ethanol plants in the U.S. has quadrupled since 1999. A USDA report says the growth in the number of ethanol plants has been driven by the Renewable Fuels Standard, which was first enacted in 2005. The initial increase in plant numbers after 2005 led to some plants not producing at their …
Farmers Explore the Challenges and Rewards of Organic Farming
A panel of Farm Bureau members who farm organically discussed the challenges and rewards of choosing organic farming at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. Panelist Tom Schwarz, an organic farmer from Bertrand, Nebraska, who currently serves on AFBF’s Organic and Direct Marketing Issue Advisory Committee, said organic was a viable option for his …
Supreme Court Weighs Arguments in Water War
Lawyers for Florida asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday to reject a special master’s report denying the state relief in its long-running dispute with Georgia over water flow into the Apalachicola River. “This court has never had a situation where it’s recognized a state as being injured. It’s recognized that the upstream state is wasting a resource and it’s …
Gene Editing Holds Potential to Revolutionize Agriculture
Gene editing holds the potential to revolutionize agriculture, according to expert speakers at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. Addressing farmer and rancher attendees in separate workshops, the University of Florida’s Dr. Kevin Folta and Dr. Alison Van Eenanaam with the University of California, Davis, coupled their enthusiasm for the practical benefits gene editing …
Perdue Highlights Priorities, Accomplishments in New Administration and USDA
The Agriculture Department is being reoriented with a new focus on farmers, its customers, and has already built a record of success, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said. He made his comments at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show in Nashville. In his opening remarks, Perdue spoke about the importance of trade to …
Perdue Presents Agriculture and Rural Prosperity Task Force Report to Trump
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will ceremonially present the findings of the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to President Donald J. Trump at the 2018 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. On April 25, 2017, President Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the task force “to ensure the informed exercise of regulatory authority that impacts agriculture …
USDA/NIFA Announces Support for Crop Breeding Research
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 …