Farmers and ranchers are accepting and embracing the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), better known as drones. This news release from Farm Bureau says one of the group’s members, Jeff VanderWerff, went before a Senate subcommittee to explain drones’ value and how farmers and ranchers are leading the way in exploring commercial use for this technology. America’s farmers and … Read More
Land, Regulations Top Young Farmer Concerns Again
A new survey shows that young farmers are still worried about getting adequate land to grow crops and raise animals. This news release from the American Farm Bureau Federation says the group’s annual outlook survey of participants in the Young Farmers & Ranchers program found that 29 percent of respondents were concerned about that issue, followed by government regulations, which … Read More
Ag Groups Testify on WOTUS
Representatives of agricultural organizations testified on how the proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule would impact them during a hearing held Tuesday by the House Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry. American Farm Bureau Federation General Counsel Ellen Steen told the panel that “unless dramatically altered,” the rule will create enormous uncertainty and vulnerability for farmers and ranchers nationwide. … Read More
Deere Sponsors Policy Panel at #Classic15
John Deere sponsored an ag policy panel at the 2015 Commodity Classic, moderated by our friend Sara Wyant with Agri-Pulse, and featuring the policy specialists from the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and National Farmers Union (NFU). Among the issues NFU’s Chandler Goule and AFBF’s Mary Kay Thatcher discussed was EPA’s pending Waters of the U.S. proposal “Waters of the … Read More
Have Good Conversations With Consumers
Having good conversations with consumers will be key if farmers want to build long-term trust in today’s food system. That was the message attendees of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 96th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show heard from Charlie Arnot, CEO of the Center for Food Integrity (CFI). “Farmers are accustomed to fixing things in the next production cycle. … Read More
Railroad Updates Progress
Billions of dollars to improve service on one of the most important railroads for grain producers looks to resolve problems that hurt the grain industry last year. Attendees of the recent American Farm Bureau Federation’s 96th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show heard from Greg Guthrie, director of ag products for BNSF, who updated them them on a $5 billion … Read More
Big Data Could be Next Cash Crop
It’s said that knowledge is power, and now information could be a powerful cash crop for farmers. Attendees of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 96th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show heard from Jason Tatge, current president, CEO and co-founder of FarMobile, who sees huge potential for farmers to dictate the sale of their data to large agricultural companies. According … Read More
Field to Market Workshop at AFBF
An alliance for sustainable agriculture is giving farmers, companies and ag organizations what they need to measure sustainability and meet the needs of a booming global population. During the American Farm Bureau Federation’s recent 96th Annual Convention, Rod Snyder, president of Field to Market, the Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, talked about the tools available to help farmers track their progress … Read More
Farm Bureau Workshop Shows How to Fly High with UAVs
Farmers and ranchers at the recent American Farm Bureau Federation’s 96th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show got a better look at the benefits of unmanned aerial vehicles. This news release from the group says the workshop presented by Kevin Price, executive vice president of applied research and technology development at AgPixel/RoboFlight Systems, LLC, showed how the combination of UAVs … Read More
ScoutPro is AFBF Entrepreneur of the Year
The lead for Iowa-based ScoutPro has been honored as the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Entrepreneur of the Year. This news release from AFBF says Michael Koenig was picked from four finalists and receives $30,000 in prize money to implement his business idea, which is software to assist farmers with crop maintenance, while Paul Greive represented Pasturebird, LLC, which won the … Read More