ZimmComm is headed out today to the 75th annual NAFB convention at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri. We first started attending NAFB in the mid-1980s and have been there every year since 1987. But there are lots of NAFB members who have been faithfully attending the annual meeting since before it started being held in Kansas City. …
Ag Reporters Grill EPA Chief on RFS Issues
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt faced a grilling from agricultural reporters Tuesday about the agency granting waivers exempting refineries from Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) obligations and why it is taking so long to decide on allowing year round use of 15% ethanol in all markets. The embattled administrator, who faces Congressional hearings this week where he will likely be questioned on …
Understanding the Farmers of Tomorrow
OsbornBarr has rounded up ag thought-leaders from across the country to discuss and tackle issues impacting the agricultural community. The first challenge they collectively believe is imperative is understanding farmers of tomorrow. Chairman of the newly formed O+B Agricultural Advisory Council, Richard Fordyce, former Missouri Director of Agriculture, attended the 2017 National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Trade Talk to talk …
Enogen® Corn Hybrids Good for Feed and Fuel
Enogen® corn hybrids from Syngenta have been providing value for farmers and ethanol producers, now Enogen® Feed hybrids can help provide value for beef and dairy producers as well. “Enogen continues to be an exciting part of our business in Syngenta and the NK brand,” said Quinn Showalter, NK Sales Head, during an interview at the National Association of Farm …
Biodiesel Benefits Farmers and Livestock Producers
Midwest soybeans are fueling the country from coast to coast. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has a goal of supplying 10 percent of the nation’s diesel fuel by the year 2022, equating to about four billion gallons per year. NBB Board Member and Nebraska Farmer Greg Anderson said the northeast market for heating oil is a bright spot, while California …
Trade, Farm Bill & Taxes…Oh My!
Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst represented the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) at last week’s NAFB Trade Talk. As you can guess, trade, 2018 farm bill and tax reform we key issues we discussed. When it comes to NAFTA renegotiations, Hurst said, “U.S. agriculture can see some benefits from this renegotiation. We can see changes to phytosanitary rules. We …
ACE Optimistic About E15 Parity
Last month’s concession letter to ethanol state senators from EPA administrator Scott Pruitt is providing some hope that 15% ethanol might soon be treated the same as E10 when it comes to Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP), which would allow the fuel to be sold year round in all parts of the country. “We believe they have the statutory authority today …
Get Ready for the Census of Agriculture
It’s that time farmers. The 2017 Census of Agriculture is coming in December. The survey is conducted by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. It has been conducted since 1840 and is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. It takes place every five years. During the NAFB Trade Talk session I visited …
Propane Can Do That
The Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) has launched a new website dedicated to agricultural applications of propane. “It’s a really good site. I think if you’re excited about saving money and having reliable, powerful, clean equipment, it will be a great site for you,” said Cinch Munson with PERC. The site also offers details about the Farm Incentive Program …
Biodiesel Producers Testify at ITC Hearing
The International Trade Commission held a public hearing in Washington yesterday to hear from biodiesel producers hurt by subsidized biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia. “We’ve got a group of members and unfortunately some biodiesel producers who had to close plants this year,” said Kaleb Little with the National Biodiesel Board during an interview at the National Association of Farm …