More than 15 countries in the Western Hemisphere have sent officials to the Ethanol Summit of the Americas to talk over current and future ethanol opportunities in the region. The event runs through Friday (10/20/2017) and is sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council, the Renewable Fuels Association, and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. Tom Sleight, U.S. Grains Council president, and …
Farm State Senators Keep Pressure on EPA
Farm-state Senators have been keeping the pressure on the Environmental Protection Agency over its actions on biofuels. Politico’s Morning Energy says the small group of Senators has been blocking votes on EPA nominees. South Dakota Senator John Thune is a member of the group, who says, “We have enough of a bloc of Midwestern Senators that they’re going to have …
Stabenow to Shield Farm Bill from Cuts
Debbie Stabenow, the ranking member of the Senate Ag Committee, wants to defend the farm bill from possible budget cuts that could come during the budget reconciliation process that got started this week. Politico’s Morning Ag Report says she filed an amendment on Wednesday that’s intended to keep all farm bill programs away from any spending reductions from 2019 to …
Senate Ag Committee Sends Ibach, Northey to Full Senate
The U.S. Senate Ag Committee announced that it voted to send the USDA nominations of Greg Ibach from Nebraska and Bill Northey of Iowa on to the full Senate. Ibach is nominated to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, while Northey is nominated to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. Committee …
NFU on USDA Farmer Fair Practices Rule Decision
Earlier this week, the Department of Agriculture announced it would be terminating the Farmer Fair Practices Rule on Competitive Injury. A rule that, according to the National Farmers Unions, would have provided the most basic of protections to American family farmers and ranchers as they endure increasingly concentrated markets and unfair treatment from multinational meatpackers. NFU President Roger Johnson says …
NIFA Biotechnology Grants Put Science at Center of Food Safety Policy
The science of agriculture grows more complex every year. Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced support for projects to help bridge the gap between biotechnology innovations and the policies on how to use them. These grants are funded through NIFA’s Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants (BRAG) Program. “Biotechnology offers innovative tools …
More Than 64,000 Expected in Indianapolis for 2017 National FFA Convention & Expo
Innovators and leaders of tomorrow, FFA members make a difference by sharing their stories of agricultural education and FFA. This year, members will continue the tradition as they attend the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo, held in Indianapolis, the Circle City, Oct. 25-28, 2017. More than 64,000 FFA members from across the United States, representing all 50 states, Puerto …
New Invasive Ant in Florida Identified by UF Researcher
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers have discovered a new invasive ant species in south Florida that can have dire consequences for homeowners and for surrounding ecosystems. The yellow ant, Plagiolepis alluaudi, is native to Madagascar and is already invasive in several Caribbean Islands, including Barbados, St. Lucia and Nevis, among others, said Thomas Chouvenc, UF/IFAS …
Deere Wins Trademark Lawsuit
A U.S. District Court in Kentucky ruled in favor of Deere and Company in a trademark lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed by Deere to protect the use of the trademark green and yellow color combination on John Deere agricultural equipment. Following a one-week trial held in June, the court recently announced it had ruled in favor of Deere. The court …
U.S. Wheat Closing Cairo Office
U.S. Wheat Associates announced it would close its office located in Cairo, Egypt in December. U.S. Wheat President Vince Peterson called the decision “difficult.” However, he said the organization saw a need to begin adjusting its activities in the Middle East and North Africa several years ago as the supply of significantly lower-priced wheat from Russia increased. The organization previously …