Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA is awarding $6 million to universities and cooperative state extension services to develop online decision tools and other materials and train experts to educate producers about several key farm bill programs. The new Web tools will help farmers and ranchers determine what participation in programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill will … Read More
IFBF Members Urge Support of Conservation Programs
Iowa Farm Bureau members urge Governor Branstad to sign legislation authorizing additional one-time investments approved by lawmakers this year, including appropriations to the Water Quality Initiative, Soil Conservation Cost-Share Program, and the Ag Drainage Well Closure Program. A commitment to these important conservation programs will leverage private funds and are ideal areas to invest in Iowa’s water quality and soil … Read More
NACD Welcomes Rollout of USDA’s RCPP
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) looks forward to supporting the USDA in the implementation of the new USDA NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The new RCPP program will promote collaborative projects that improve soil quality, water quality/quantity, and wildlife habitat in a specific area. The eight Critical Conservation Areas (CCAs) are: Great Lakes, the Chesapeake Bay watershed, … Read More
KC Big Data Forum
Join the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City on July 17 to learn more about the opportunities and challenges facing the agricultural industry regarding big data. This forum will feature a number of national speakers touching on different aspects of this increasingly popular and important topic. Bid data refers to the generation of enormous amounts of data due to new … Read More
Iowa Farmers Participate in Nutrient Reduction Strategy
Iowa farmers are increasingly familiar with the state’s nutrient reduction strategy and nearly three of four plan to implement practices included in the strategy this year according to a survey by Agri-Pulse and Iowa Soybean Association. More than 88% of farmers participating in the survey were familiar with the strategy while 76% said they plan to implement practices recommend in … Read More
Getting the Dirt on Soil
The U.S. Geological Survey has released a set of maps depicting the distribution of selected chemical elements and minerals in soils across the country. Understanding the composition of soil is important for a variety of reasons. Specialists in agriculture and food safety find soil data useful because soil is the source of most biologically active trace elements that reach humans … Read More
USDA Helps Ag Producers Improve Water Quality
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that $33 million in assistance will be provided to farmers and ranchers to make conservation improvements that will improve water quality in 174 watersheds. “This targeted approach provides a way to accelerate voluntary, private lands conservation investments to improve water quality and to focus water quality monitoring and assessment funds where they are most needed,” … Read More
National Summit on Herbicide Resistance Scheduled
The Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) have announced plans for a second national scientific summit on the topic of herbicide resistance on September 10th in Washington, D.C. The event will be hosted by National Research Council at the Auditorium in the National Academy of Sciences Building on Constitution Avenue and will draw public policy makers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, growers … Read More
Homegrown by Heroes
Few vocations are as American as veterans and farmers and now there is a new initiative that helps those who are both. The Farmer Veteran Coalition has announced the national launch of the Homegrown By Heroes initiative. This product labeling program allows farmers, ranchers and fishermen from all 50 states and U.S. territories who have served or are still serving … Read More
Pre-registration for NCGA CUTC 2014 Ends Soon
Pre-registration for the National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Utilization and Technology Conference (CUTC) ends May 25. The event takes place June 2-4 in Louisville, KY. CUTC will feature the cutting-edge technologies and new uses that continually improve and dynamically change the corn industry with a focus on wet and dry milling. “As the conference approaches, it is exciting to see … Read More