Last week the seed industry announced good news in the form of the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM), a world wide attempt to put seed regulations on the same page. Ric Dunkle, Senior Director of Seed Health and Trade for the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) was at the International Plant Protection Convention in Korea when the standards were … Read More
Non-GMO High Oleic Soybeans Expand to Missouri
The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council has signed an agreement to bring non-GMO high oleic soybean technology to growers in the state. Schillinger Genetics, Inc. (SGI) is now licensed to commercialize high oleic soybean traits and to breed soybean varieties that combine high oleic with low linolenic beans. The partnership is the first of its kind. “We believe strongly in the … Read More
Bertram Presents On Global Food Security
One of the plenary speakers at the 2017 Water for Food Conference was Robert Bertram, Chief Scientist, Bureau for Food Security, U.S. Agency for International Development. Bertram has served as a key adviser on a range of technical and programmatic issues to advance global food security and nutrition. He leads U.S. Agency for International Development’s evidence-based efforts to advance research, … Read More
Rural & Ag Groups Oppose Privatization of Air Traffic Control
The Agriculture Retailers Association, Alliance for Aviation Across America, Crop Life America, League of Rural Voters , National Agricultural Aviation Association, National Council of Agricultural Employers, National Farmers Union, National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry, National Women in Agriculture Association, and USA Rice Federation have joined together as the Alliance for Aviation Across America to ask Congress to oppose … Read More
ASTA Commends New Seed Standard
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) passed a final International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) for seed last week. This is a long awaited decision, says the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), one that has become necessary as import requirements for seed have become more restrictive and less science based. “The seed industry is truly global,” said ASTA President & … Read More
New Website for CAPA
The Coalition to Advance Precision Agriculture (CAPA) is excited to present their new website, www.DiscoverPrecisionAg.org. CAPA is comprised of ag organizations, grower groups and agribusiness associations. Their goal is to facilitate communication between farm and agribusiness associations and government decision-makers in regards to all things precision agriculture. The new website will offer a valuable tool to promote science-based policy decisions … Read More
EPA Dimisses Petition Against Chlorpyrifos
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently dismissed a petition regarding the crop protection tool chlorpyrifos, a decision the National Corn Growers Association and American Farm Bureau Federation have praised. The Obama administration had considered a ban on chlorpyrifos in 2015, but the decision had not been finalized. “We are pleased with the EPA’s decision today to deny a petition against chlorpyrifos … Read More
Sugar Farmers Address Farm Bill Policy
Galen Lee, President of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association, addressed the audience at Agri-Pulse’s Farm Bill Summit last week. The sugar industry is currently dealing with lower sugar prices than when Jimmy Carter was in office, so the importance of a strong safety net can’t be understated. “While we are smaller than other crops we still support 142,000 jobs in … Read More
Ag Groups Testify at House Hearing
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Wesley Spurlock, and American Soybean Association (ASA) President Ron Moore both addressed the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management earlier this week. Both testimonies spoke about the need for a strong risk management plan in a weak farm economy, noting the current prices of both corn and soybeans. “Farm prices … Read More
ASA Supports NBB Petition
The American Soybean Association (ASA) supports the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) in the filing of an anti-dumping and countervailing duty petition. The petition alleges Argentine and Indonesian companies are selling dumped biodiesel and subsidized biodiesel in violation of U.S. trade laws. ASA President Ron Moore made this statement in support of the petition: “Biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia have flooded the U.S. … Read More