GROWMARK and COFCO officials sign agreement A new grain partnership was created on Friday between agricultural cooperative GROWMARK, Inc. and global supply chain agribusiness COFCO International Limited (CIL) providing a direct link from farmers in the Midwest to the global marketplace, and China in particular. “We now have a direct pipeline from our growers to the end user,” said Brent … Read More
Eroding Infrastructure of Major Concern for Farmers
Mid-America Freight Coalition has shared new research that quantifies what we already knew; aging river locks and dams on the Mississippi are threatening the economy with billions of dollars in lost jobs and reduced activity. The USDA recently conducted a study on the economic implications to agriculture if something were to happen at either Lock & Dam 25 on the Upper … Read More
NCGA Disappointed in Failure to Support Waterways
Last week the House of Representatives failed to pass the FY17 Energy and Water Appropriations bills and the National Corn Growers Association is not pleased. They, along with 19 other agriculture groups, sent a letter to the House Appropriates Committee earlier this spring to express the need to support revitalization of the deteriorating inland waterways infrastructure. “Our association remains resolute … Read More
NCGA Joins Fight for the Nation’s Inland Waterways
The National Corn Growers Association participated in Infrastructure Week, joining many other groups to point out the importance of the nation’s inland waterways. More than 60 percent of U.S. grain exports are moved by barge, making waterways of vital importance to agriculture. Farmers depend on the system to deliver crops to the global marketplace, and businesses rely on the rivers … Read More
ASA Pleased with New Highway Bill
The final legislation for Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, commonly known as the Highway Bill, is headed to President Obama’s desk for a signature. The funding for road and bridge construction is good news for growers, as is the reversal of $3 billion in cuts to crop insurance that happened in October. The American Soybean Association is pleased with the results of … Read More
PrecisionHawk Named To UAS Task Force
PrecisionHawk was one of approx. 25 diverse representatives selected by U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta this week, as they announced the creation of a task force to develop recommendations for a registration process for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The group will advise the Department on which aircraft should be exempt from registration due to a … Read More
NCGA: UAS Good for Farmers, Consumer & Environment
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that recreational users of unmanned aerial systems, or drones, must register their systems with the federal government. A task force will be created to develop recommendations for a registration process for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). “As with any technology, unmanned aerial systems will make our farms safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly. That’s … Read More
Rural Transportation Topic of Next Farm Foundation Forum
News of too few rail cars to move this year’s grain harvest from farming areas to consumers has grabbed the headlines most recently, but agriculture and rural America are facing several other transportation issues this year. Farm Foundation will look to address some key issues, including the nation’s aging transportation infrastructure – roads, bridges and waterways, during its next free … Read More
New Shuttle Loading Facility Up and Running
A new 110-car shuttle loading facility on the Norfolk Southern railroad near Kankakee, Illinois is up and running just in time for the fall harvest. The state-of-the-art facility is the result of a partnership between GROWMARK and Heritage FS Eastern Grain Marketing (EGM) that provides additional value from GROWMARK’s investment in Central States Enterprises, a partner firm with significant rail … Read More