Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced USDA is making $20 million available for agricultural water conservation efforts throughout California to combat the effects of drought. “This $20 million will be directed to drought mitigation, focused on improving irrigation efficiency, providing producers resources to stabilize fallow ground and to assist with watering facilities and grazing distribution,” said Vilsack during a press … Read More
Senate Approves Farm Bill
The U.S. Senate today voted 68-32 to approve the Agricultural Act of 2014 – what was supposed to be the 2012 Farm Bill. “This is not your father’s Farm Bill. It’s a new direction for American agriculture policy,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, who notes that the legislation includes “one of the largest … Read More
Perfect Storm Creates Propane Pain
In recent years, the U.S. propane industry has been growing by leaps and bounds, producing so much that they were even had a good export market going. But a perfect storm arose this winter that has caused pain at the propane tank, with shortages and prices skyrocketing to $5 a gallon before settling back down a bit. “It pretty much … Read More
Thune Watching Farm Bill Conservation
Senator John Thune (R-SD) believes a farm bill is “getting closer to the finish line” but he still has concerns about aspects of it. “Particularly the lack of reform in the commodity title of the bill, I think that’s a real missed opportunity,” said Thune during a press call with reporters this week. The South Dakota senator is also concerned … Read More
SST Software Partners With GeoVantage
SST Software, an industry leader in precision agriculture, will soon offer remote sensing services to growers and ag service providers in partnership with GeoVantage, a global provider of multi-spectral imagery. The partnership will enable SST to provide seamless ordering, acquisition, and delivery of multi-spectral imagery across the U.S., Canada, and Australia. SST’s software currently manages approximately 85 million acres of … Read More
BASF Invests in IT Farming Tools
BASF has announced plans to expand its services and initiatives for growers and agricultural professionals worldwide through a significant investment in the development of new IT tools. The new integrated tools will be designed to help growers make agronomic decisions, manage their business operations and better connect to the global agricultural community. As part of this investment, BASF is establishing … Read More
CropLife Foundation Seed Treatment Report
Croplife Foundation has released a new report on “The Role of Seed Treatment in Modern U.S. Crop Production” which contains extensive information on the benefits of seed treatment for growers, consumers and the environment. Among the findings of the report: Seed treatments offer effective control against early-season pests and diseases, and reduce the need for additional rescue treatments or replanting. … Read More
Cover Crop Seed Growth
With cover crops becoming increasingly important for farmers to provide nutrients and protect against erosion, different varieties are being developed to address specific needs. At the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CSS & Seed Expo in Chicago last week, Risa DeMasi with Grassland Oregon, who is second vice chairman of ASTA, enlightened attendees about what they are doing to develop … Read More
Former NRCS Chief on Conservation Program Future
A former chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service says both the House and Senate farm bills are similar when it comes to reduced funding and consolidation of conservation programs. Bruce Knight, who served as NRCS chief in the Bush administration, gave a synopsis at a Farm Foundation forum on conservation last week. “The largest difference is whether or not … Read More
New Initiative for Soil Health
Farm Foundation, NFP and The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation today announced the launch of a new initiative designed to :bring attention to the critical role of soil health in the challenge of feeding 9 billion people by 2050.” The announcement was made to mark World Soil Day which will be commemorated tomorrow, December 5, and coincides with Farm Foundation’s forum … Read More