It was a packed house for our Secretary of Agriculture as he was hosted by WGN and ADM during the 2017 Farm Progress Show. Sec. Sonny Perdue visted with ag and local media prior to taking the stage. Naturally, trade was a hot topic followed by Hurricane Harvey and an update from D.C. Listen to or download the complete press …
Bayer and 4-H Launch Science Matters Collaboration
Opening day of the Farm Progress Show, Bayer and the National 4-H Council announced a new partnership for future innovators in science and technology to help feed a growing population. The nationwide collaboration, Science Matters, is designed to address the need for an enhanced STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) workforce by planting a love of scientific exploration in young …
NCGA Officers at #FPS17
Officers of the National Corn Growers Association are busy at the 2017 Farm Progress Show this week. I had a chance to chat with NCGA president Wesley Spurlock of Texas, first vice president Kevin Skunes from South Dakota, and 1st VP elect Lynn Chrisp first thing yesterday morning at show. We talked about a variety of topics, including crop conditions …
Secretary Perdue in Florida
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue visited the Citrus Expo in Fort Myers, Florida this week to learn more about citrus greening and hold a farm bill listening session with Congressman Tom Rooney of the local district. The only opportunity for reporters to ask questions of the secretary was a short, crowded, disorganized gaggle that covered a wide range of non-agricultural …
Iowa Farmer is 1st Woman to Chair USGC
Iowa farmer Deb Keller was elected as U.S. Grains Council (USGC) chairman at the organization’s 57th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in Vancouver, Washington earlier this month. She is the first female selected for the role in the organization’s nearly 60 year history. Keller’s experience as a strong advocate for trade will amplify the Council’s mission of developing markets, enabling …
USDA Forecast Optimistic Despite Conditions
U.S. farmers are expected to produce a record-high soybean crop this year, according to USDA’s August Crop Production report released Thursday. Soybean production is forecast at 4.38 billion bushels, up two percent from last year, while corn growers are expected to decrease their production by seven percent from last year, forecast at 14.2 billion bushels. Soybean yields are expected to …
PERC Announces New Propane Farm Incentive Program
If you’ve been thinking about switching to propane, now is the time, says Cinch Munson, director of agriculture business development at the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). The Propane Farm Incentive program has been newly revised, taking it from a two-step process to one-step where farmers receive their application packet from the dealer when they purchase a piece of …
USDA Getting #BackToOurRoots
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has been on a five-state “Back to Our Roots” Tour to gather input on the 2018 Farm Bill, meeting with farmers, ranchers, foresters, producers, students, governors, USDA employees, and other stakeholders. This is the first of two RV tours the secretary will undertake this summer. This first RV Tour features stops in five states: Wisconsin, Minnesota, …
Perdue Remarks on Bilateral Talks in Mexico
While meeting with Mexican Secretary of Agriculture José Calzada Rovirosa, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today held a teleconference for U.S. media. The two leaders engaged in bilateral talks, including a panel discussion with U.S. and Mexican producers, several agricultural site visits, and a joint press conference – seeking to build on the U.S. and Mexico’s well-developed track record …
New Propane Irrigation Engines Available
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has partnered with Origin Engines to develop new 5.7- and 6.2- liter engines, EPA-certified and optimized for industrial applications like irrigation and power generation. Pete Stout, Origin Engines PERC invested in the research and development of Origin’s new engines, providing industry expertise and financial support through the research, development, and testing process for …