Farmers at Commodity Classic were showing increased interest in upgrading their grain dryers to high efficiency propane units. Cinch Munson with the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) says their research shows that a new propane grain dryer can result in 50% efficiency savings. “PERC has worked with a number of grain dryers manufacturers over the past few years to … Read More
Protecting Ag Important to Rep. Lucas
Former House Agriculture Committee chairman Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) stopped by the Agri-Pulse Ag Day kickoff event Tuesday evening and commented on the budget plan unveiled by House Republicans would protect 2014 Farm Bill programs. “The 2014 Farm Bill is primarily mandatory spending for the next five years but there’s a certain amount of discretionary spending, like day to day … Read More
Farmers Unite to Fight Organic Attack Video
Both conventional and organic farmers joined together last week on social media to criticize a video that uses cute kids to attack modern farming practices. The YouTube video was produced by a group called Only Organic and features children acting out a school play singing “Old McDonald had a Farm” with lyrics about pesticides and GMOs and hormones and antibiotics. … 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
Mississippi State University Utilizes Drones
Robert Moorehead, Director of Geosystems Research Institute and Northern Gulf Institutes at Mississippi State University, was at the 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show to showcase the research being done on harnessing UAV technology on farm.. Moorehead had a chance to chat with Chuck Zimmerman about their use of UAVs and drones. Geosystems Research focuses on agriculture; they utilize UAV … Read More
USA Rice Federation at 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show
The USA Rice Federation is the commodity association that represents all industry aspects (growers, millers, merchants) of the rice industry; they have members in all 6 major rice producing states. While at the 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show, Randy Jemison, Director of Louisiana Field Operations for USA Rice Federation, spoke with Chuck Zimmerman about their role in supporting rice … Read More
Monsanto Offers New Cotton Varieties for 2015 Season
While at the 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show, our own Chuck Zimmerman had a chance to chat with Monsanto’s Keylon Gholston, Cotton Product Manager with Monsanto, who provided insight into new cotton technologies and products that will be beneficial to growers. Keylon was excited to further explore the 2015 varieties that Monsanto released in December; “We really want to … Read More
Brock Commodity Outlook at Farm & Gin Show
The 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show once again featured the annual Commodity Outlook from Richard Brock, of Brock Associates. In an interview after his presentation, Brock said he encouraged growers to shift acres to cotton if they’re in a cotton producing area as he sees the downside risk being minimal and upside potential being greater than most are anticipating. … Read More
USFRA Holds Research & Food Industry Workshop
I had the opportunity to catch up with U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) chairwoman Nancy Kavazanjian during the Commodity Classic to find out about their Research & Food Industry Workshop which was held just prior to Classic. “We’ve been doing research because to talk the talk we need to know what the consumers want to know, the messages that … Read More
Seed Education Campaign Taking Root
Registration is now open for the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) 132nd Annual Convention which will be in Washington DC this year, June 17-20, where members will be sowing seeds of information inside the Beltway. “One of the focuses there is going to be on advocacy,” said ASTA CEO Andy LaVigne at Commodity Classic, who adds that it will be … Read More