The nation’s largest outdoor farm show, Farm Progress Show, has been selected to participate in the 2014 International Buyer Program (IBP). This year’s event takes place in Boone, IA, August 26-28. The IBP is an export program led by the U.S. Department of Commerce. It brings thousands of international buyers to the U.S. for business-to-business matchmaking with U.S. companies exhibiting … Read More
National Resources Inventory Report Summary
Findings in the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) 2010 National Resources Inventory (NRI) Report shows a boom in growing certain specialty crops, in agricultural land, stable erosion rates and notable land use changes. The report is designed to show a summary on the status, condition and trends of land, soil, water and related resources on the nation’s private lands … Read More
Attention Farming Entrepreneurs
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and The Georgetown University McDonough School of Business Global Social Enterprise Initiative (GSEI) recently announced a partnership to help strengthen rural America. The multi-year collaboration will address solutions to building greater economic opportunity and security for those who live in rural communities, starting with a program involving the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative to advance rural … Read More
Vilsack Addresses AFBF Convention
This morning’s general session at the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention featured a speech by our U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Yes, he spoke about the farm bill and the need for Congress to pass a new one. Interestingly, he also told us a personal story about being an orphan. Through his adopted father’s side of the family he’s … Read More
AFBF Adopts Drone Use and More
Voting delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 95th annual meeting concluded this week by approving resolutions that will provide the organization with its marching orders in 2014 on unfinished business like the farm bill and immigration, as well as setting policy on new issues such as drones and agricultural data. “Congress is still haggling over dairy policy, but for … Read More
Unmanned Systems in Precision Ag Conference
Mark your calendars for the 3rd Annual Unmanned Systems in Precision Agriculture Conference. The event is scheduled for February 11-13, 2014 at the UGA Tifton campus Conference Center. Developers will be showing, discussing and demonstrating their UAV (drone) technologies for the agricultural industry. If you are a grower, farmer, producer, politician, consultant, engineer, scientist or student then be sure and … Read More
Use Cover Crops? Yes or No?
Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) wants to know if you are using cover crops on your farm. They are wanting input from farmers on cover crops as a conservation option on farms across the county. The survey just takes 10 minutes or less and is for those using cover crops and those who haven’t tried them yet. Your input will … Read More
Can Drones Increase Profitability?
Kansas State University’s Dr. Kevin Price was one of the presenters at the 2014 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention. His presentation was titled Drones: Turning Technological Controversy into Profit. The use of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s) to fly over crops and livestock to maximize profits is one of the hottest topics entering the agriculture sector. He shared how this … Read More
Deadline Extended for Conservation Stewardship
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended the deadline for new enrollments in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for fiscal year 2014. Producers interested in participating in the program can now submit applications to NRCS through Feb. 7, 2014. “Extending the enrollment deadline will make it possible for more farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to … Read More
What’s New Sessions at Commodity Classic
Agriculture’s newest, most innovative products and services will be showcased at the What’s New sessions at the 2014 Commodity Classic. The 19th Annual Commodity Classic is Feb. 27-March 1, along the banks of the famous River Walk in San Antonio, TX. “If you’re coming to Commodity Classic hoping to learn and gain some new ideas to take back to your … Read More