The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior today announced that farmers, ranchers and landowners implementing Farm Service Agency (FSA) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) practices intended to protect and increase lesser prairie-chicken populations will not be subject to additional regulations as a result of the species’ listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. … Read More
NCGA Addition Brings Expertise & Enthusiasm
The National Corn Growers Association welcomes Dr. Nick Goeser who joins the organization as Manager of Soil Health and Sustainability. Goeser, a multi-faceted scientists and educator, brings nearly a decade of experience in the agricultural industry and academic research to the position. “Nick is an incredibly valuable addition to our team, and we are excited utilizing his deep knowledge of … Read More
ASA Pushes for Broad Land Grant Coalition
In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this morning, the American Soybean Association (ASA) and six other national farm groups urged USDA to consider the needs of soybean growers and growers of all crops when awarding funds included in the 2014 Farm Bill to land grant universities for the development of websites and web-based tools to assist producers in … Read More
Study Finds High Value of Rice Agriculture for Wildlife
There’s no doubt that rice, waterfowl and wetland habitats work cohesively to form a perfect ecosystem, and a recently published report puts a monetary value on those existing rice lands. Authored by Ducks Unlimited scientists for The Rice Foundation, the study found that the cost of attempting to replace rice lands with natural wetland habitat would exceed $3.5 billion. “I’ve … Read More
“Dirt” Author to Open Global Ag Conference
A well-known expert on soil health headlines the opening keynote session at the 6th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture (WCCA) on June 23. In his address titled, “A Case for Global Soil Restoration,” David Montgomery will speak on the need to reverse the trend of soil degradation, one of the most overlooked environmental crises that the world faces. He also … Read More
National APLU Report Outlines Research Challenges
The national Association of Public and Land-grant Universities released a report outlining six “grand challenges” facing the United States over the next decade in the areas of sustainability water, climate change, agriculture, energy and education. The APLU project was co-chaired by W. Daniel Edge, head of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State University. The report is available … Read More
Budding Conservation Practice Helps Farmers
An up-and-coming conservation practice offered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps farmers and ranchers manage water on their land, keep water clean and better cope with extreme weather like drought. Drainage water management enables landowners to determine when and how much water leaves farms through underground tiles and drainage ditches. Underground tiles lay beneath fields removing excess water … Read More
CUTC Highlights America’s Only Native Spirit
Kristin Meadors with the Kentucky Distillers Association will deliver the keynote address at the National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Utilization and Technology Conference, June 2 in Louisville, Kentucky. “The bourbon industry’s iconic utilization of corn makes it a perfect platform in which to kick-off three days of lively discussions among the corn industry’s leading researchers, processors and business representatives,” said … Read More
ISPA Conference Awards Deadline Extended
The International Society of Precision Agriculture presents the 12th International Conference on Precision Agriculture. The event will be held July 20-23, 2014 in Sacramento, CA. As the original awards deadline was coincident with holidays for some, we have extended it to May 3, 2014. Please consider nominating a deserving colleague for one of the awards described below, and insure that … Read More
ZimmComm Team Looking for Summer Intern
ZimmComm New Media is now taking applications for a summer intern. Students in the agricultural communications field interested in attending and learning how to “agri-blog” some of the most important industry events held every year should apply. The opportunities will include all-expense paid trips to one or more industry events where students will assist in the compiling of photos, audio, … Read More