INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
March 28, 2015

GMO labeling bill re-introduced

A GMO labeling bill that would allow for voluntary labeling of food products has been reintroduced in Congress.
— Read More
March 27, 2015

USDA announces no actions under Feedstock Flexibility Program

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation announced today that it does not expect to purchase sugar under the Feedstock Flexibility Program in the second quarter of 2015.
— Read More
March 27, 2015
News

EU finding ugly foods attractive

A new movement is under way in Europe to get consumers to be more accepting of “ugly food” and cut down on food waste.
— Read More
March 26, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue
News
Allen Thayer

Smashing Good Time: ASGA president outlines future

Growers went back in time at the ASGA Annual Meeting—at least for one night.
— Read More
March 26, 2015
News

Professor tells House committee that GMOs should not be labeled

Molecular biology and genetics professor Nina Fedoroff says genetic modification has a good history.
— Read More
March 25, 2015

Lawmakers to vote on $1B water plan amid drought

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)—Facing pressure to address an ongoing drought, California lawmakers are expected to vote Wednesday on a plan to speed up more than $1 billion in water spending.
— Read More
March 25, 2015

FDA declares GM apples, potatoes safe and nutritious

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has evaluated several varieties of genetically engineered apples and potatoes and found them to be as safe and nutritious as their conventional counterparts.
— Read More
March 25, 2015

Woes on WOTUS shared at Senate Ag hearing

More woes have been shared in testimony at a Senate Agriculture hearing Tuesday about the EPA’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) proposed rule.
— Read More
March 25, 2015

NFU maintains sugar policy support at annual conference

Last week, the National Farmers Union (NFU) convened its annual convention to set policy positions for the country’s second largest farm organization over the next 12 months.
— Read More
March 24, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue
News

Off the Top for Mar. 2015: News, products and updates from the sugarbeet industry

— Read More
March 24, 2015

Sen. Stabenow makes opening statement at hearing on Waters of the United States Proposed Rule

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Sen. Debbie Stabenow, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, released the following opening statement – as prepared for delivery – at today’s hearing entitled “Waters of the United States: Stak
— Read More
March 24, 2015

USDA implements 2014 Farm Bill provision to limit payments to non-farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a proposed rule to limit farm payments to non-farmers, consistent with requirements Congress mandated in the 2014 Farm Bill.
— Read More
March 24, 2015

No, California won't run out of water in a year

Lawmakers are proposing emergency legislation, state officials are clamping down on watering lawns and, as California enters a fourth year of drought, some are worried that the state could run out of water.
— Read More
March 23, 2015

GMO label bill in Maine seeks fast track

A bill introduced in the state Legislature of Maine would require labeling of foods with GMO ingredients—removing a stipulation from a previous GMO labeling bill.
— Read More
March 23, 2015

USDA awards $200M for skills training to help SNAP recipients get good jobs

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, joined by Labor Secretary Tom Perez, announced March 20 the recipients of $200 million in competitive awards to fund and evaluate pilot projects in 10 states to help Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP) p
— Read More
March 22, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue
News

Location and Quality Driving Current Land Values

As 2014 came to a close, land values had stabilized from the double digit increases of the past few years, according to Farmers National Company.
— Read More
March 22, 2015

USDA celebrates women agriculturists on National Ag Day

As part of a larger roll-out of efforts to support women in agriculture and better measure their contributions, USDA on Wednesday held a Google Hangout with Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden, Chief Mathematical Statistician at the USDA National Agricultural
— Read More
March 22, 2015

"Strategic plan" outlines DWR role in new laws

As state and local agencies begin to implement new groundwater laws, the California Department of Water Resources has released a "draft strategic plan" covering its role in implementing the laws—and farm organizations urge their members to review the docu
— Read More
March 21, 2015

California lawmakers to announce drought-relief package

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)—Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders are set to announce emergency drought-relief legislation as California enters its fourth consecutive dry year.
— Read More
March 20, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue
News
Allen Thayer

Idaho Irrigation Show Displays New Products

More than 50 irrigation equipment manufacturers, dealers and distributors of landscape and agricultural irrigation products attended the Idaho Irrigation Equipment Show & Conference on Jan. 15 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
— Read More
March 20, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue

Agronomist Chosen to Lead Agri-Knowledge Division

Agri-Trend Inc. has named Tim Eyrich as the director of business development of its new Agri-Knowledge Division, which is dedicated to improving knowledge transfer between the scientific community, industry and growers.
— Read More
March 20, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue

Betaseed Sponsors Minn. High School

Betaseed Inc. is the newest sponsor of the Academy for Sciences & Agriculture (AFSA) High School in Vadnais Heights, Minn.
— Read More
March 20, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue

BioSafe Systems Announces California Territory Manager

BioSafe Systems announces the recent addition of Ed Chell as California Territory Manager for the agrichemical division, supporting the crop protection, water treatment and food safety business segments.
— Read More
March 20, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue

Fungicidal Surfactant SSS Cuts Costs

This Specialized Spreader Sticker is a proven technology in chemical enhancement.
— Read More
March 20, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue

ICON Introduces New, Larger AG-13 Scraper

Once again, ICON Industries has made high-capacity earthmoving available to the agricultural market—this time in an even larger size.
— Read More
March 20, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue

Mattracks Offers TA9000 Track Series

Mattracks, an innovative leader in rubber track conversion systems, introduced its new series of 9000 tracks.
— Read More
March 20, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue

Product Helps Pivot Owners

Net Irrigate, a manufacturer of wireless agricultural irrigation monitoring (WAIM) technology, announces WireRat 4.0, an update to its WireRat technology that offers pivot owners new benefits like the ability to self-test the system and increased battery
— Read More
March 20, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue

Reclaiming the GE Conversation

The beet sugar industry is adding a national spokesperson and blogger to talk about the safety and need for genetically engineered (GE) food.
— Read More
March 20, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue

Syngenta Hires New Sugarbeet Supply Operations Manager

Syngenta announced Bruce Peters as the new sugarbeet supply operations manager in North America.
— Read More
March 20, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue

Syngenta Offers New Treatment

Syngenta will offer Clariva pn seed treatment nematicide on select nematode-tolerant sugarbeet varieties for 2015 planting.
— Read More
March 20, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue

T-L Irrigation Celebrates 60th Anniversary

Since founding T-L Irrigation Company 60 years ago in Hastings, Neb., LeRoy W. Thom has consistently guided the company under the philosophy that “We’re farmers,” emphasizing that T-L’s manufacturing and marketing decisions are deeply influenced by how a
— Read More
March 20, 2015
News

Food industry waging a bitter battle over proposal on added-sugar labels

Of all the issues the Obama administration is grappling with, a modest redesign of what food labels say about sweeteners might not have seemed among the more controversial. But ever since First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled the plan last year, a lobbying f
— Read More
March 19, 2015

Bill would allow Boise irrigators to fund cloud seeding efforts

BOISE—A bill sailing through the Idaho Legislature would allow water districts to use member fees to fund cloud seeding programs designed to increase water supplies.
— Read More
March 18, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue
News
Lanworth News Release

H&S Manufacturing: Growing with the Red River Valley: Halfmanns focus on building best beet equipment

For Craig Halfmann, a sugarbeet grower from Stephen, Minn., 1984 was a trying yet pivotal year.
— Read More
March 18, 2015

Western Sugar Cooperative building new future

Grower members of the Western Sugar Cooperative received good news Feb. 16 when company President and Chief Executive Officer Rodney Perry and Chief Financial Officer Jason Bridges visited the annual meeting of the Nebraska Non-Stock Sugar Beet Growers.
— Read More
March 17, 2015

Hershey’s most popular chocolates will go GMO-free by end of year

Now that Valentine’s Day has come and gone, the Hershey Company’s love affair with Genetically Modified Organims is (mostly) over.
— Read More
March 16, 2015

International Sugarbeet Institute to be held March 25-26 in Fargo

FARGO, N.D.—The 53rd annual International Sugarbeet Institute will take place March 25-26 at the FargoDome in Fargo, according to Mohamed Khan, the ISBI committee chairman.
— Read More
March 15, 2015

Tens of millions in sugarbeet storage pile losses

SIDNEY, Mont.—When sugarbeets are stored in piles, managing the beets is vital to prevent storage losses.
— Read More
March 14, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue
News
Allen Thayer

Dealing with Ups and Downs: Wyoming grower’s eyes now set on April

Dave Miller is glad his 350-acre sugarbeet crop did better in 2014 than the year before on his farm located five miles north of Worland, Wyo.
— Read More
March 14, 2015

Ontario Sugarbeet Growers' Association wants to grow industry

If the Ontario Sugarbeet Growers' Association can find a way to unlock the high-energy carbohydrates naturally produced in sugarbeets, the industry is poised to soar–literally.
— Read More
March 13, 2015

As drought worsens, L.A. water agency offers cash to Sacramento Valley farmers

With the drought stretching into its fourth year, a heavyweight water agency from Los Angeles has come calling on Sacramento Valley rice farmers, offering up to $71 million for some of their water.
— Read More
March 13, 2015

USDA speeding up biotech deregulation process

The USDA is speeding up the process to get new biotech crops tested and deregulated for use by farmers.
— Read More
March 12, 2015

National Agriculture Day nears

National Agriculture Day is Wednesday, March 18.
— Read More
March 12, 2015

Bill would provide ag industry relief from transportation regulation

U.S. Senators Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced bi-partisan and bi-cameral legislation eliminating a burdensome regulation that requires agriculture industry professionals to obtain a hazardous material end
— Read More
March 12, 2015

Oregon bill seeks to regulate GMO crops in the state

A state representative in Oregon has introduced a bill that would designate areas for the growing of genetically engineered crops and require that GM crops outside of those areas to be destroyed.
— Read More
March 12, 2015

San Francisco floats soda warning labels on advertising

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—San Francisco could become the first city in the county to require warning labels on advertising for soda and other sugary beverages.
— Read More
March 12, 2015

New California water legislation might be on tap

WASHINGTON — California water legislation is starting to trickle across Capitol Hill.
— Read More
March 11, 2015

Small snowpack in Oregon means big water worries

How scant is the snow in Oregon’s mountain ranges?
— Read More
March 11, 2015

Idaho growers off to early planting

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho—Many Idaho farmers are preparing fields and planting early due to a mild winter and the early arrival of spring weather.
— Read More
March 11, 2015

Washington mounting case for drought declaration

LACEY, Wash.—Washington officials are preparing to declare a drought emergency, reviewing water supply forecasts and lining up money to make the most of every drop.
— Read More
March 11, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue
News
Allen Thayer

Sugar Markets Get Messier

Around 330 beet growers and several of their families attended the 2015 ASGA Annual Meeting on Feb. 1-3 in Long Beach, Calif.
— Read More
March 11, 2015

Red River names Maatz executive director

The Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association announced that Duane Maatz has been named executive director for the association.
— Read More
March 11, 2015

How the sugar industry influenced dental research

Tooth decay is the most prevalent chronic disease among children in the United States, and one of the ways to prevent it is by reducing sugar intake.
— Read More
March 11, 2015

Coke benefits from higher prices in North America

NEW YORK (AP)—Coca-Cola reported a better-than-expected profit last month as it stepped up marketing and fetched higher prices for sodas in North America.
— Read More
March 10, 2015

California Small Farm Conference opens in San Diego

The annual California Small Farm Conference in San Diego will run through today, and the ongoing drought is high on the list of topics attendees aim to tackle.
— Read More
March 10, 2015

Eight people recognized for support of Idaho agriculture

BOISE—Five people received governor’s awards for excellence in agriculture Feb. 17 during the annual Larry Branen Idaho Ag Summit.
— Read More
March 09, 2015

Fruits and vegetables get a star-studded marketing push

NEW YORK (AP)—What if cauliflower got the same type of marketing firepower as candy bars and potato chips?
— Read More
March 08, 2015

Ag Under Secretary Scuse leads USDA trade mission to Southeast Asia

Leaders from six state agriculture departments and 21 U.S. agribusinesses and organizations will accompany U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary Michael Scuse on a trade mission to Southeast Asia on March 9-13 to expand export opportunitie
— Read More
March 08, 2015

Maui sugar plantation looking for biofuel crop

WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP)—Hawaii’s last sugar cane plantation wants to transition to growing plants for energy. But it hasn’t found another crop that grows as well as sugar cane in a variety of soils or one that can stand up to Maui’s strong winds.
— Read More
March 07, 2015

Sugar Association questions WHO guideline on sugars

The Sugar Association appreciates the World Health Organization's (WHO) efforts to address obesity and dental caries around the world.
— Read More
March 07, 2015

USDA extends yield, base acre deadline to March 31

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack extended a Feb. 27 deadline until March 31 for farmers to update their yield histories and base acres for new farm bill programs.
— Read More
March 06, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue
News

TPP Negotiations Resume

The chairmen of the Senate Finance Committee (Orrin Hatch, R-Utah) and House Ways and Means Committee (Paul Ryan, R-Wis.)
— Read More
March 06, 2015

Calif. farms to go without federal water again in 2015

SACRAMENTO—Many farms in California’s Central Valley will have to do without federal water again this year unless big spring storms replenish the state’s woeful mountain snowpack.
— Read More
March 06, 2015

USDA launches initiative to develop new solutions to end child hunger

In a speech at the 2015 National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference on Monday about the extent of childhood hunger in America and the impact of USDA programs on reducing food insecurity, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced more than $27 million in gran
— Read More
March 05, 2015

Healthful diet report: Sugary drinks out; coffee, eggs in

WASHINGTON (AP)—An extra cup or two of coffee may be OK after all. More eggs, too. But you definitely need to drink less sugary soda. And, as always, don’t forget your vegetables.
— Read More
March 05, 2015

Coke has been tipping millions into innovation for Queensland's sugarcane farmers

Coke has upped its investment to improve yields of of Australian sugar cane farmers as well as reduce the amount of chemicals they use and boost their tech arsenal.
— Read More
March 04, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue
News
Phillip Hayes

American Agriculture Remains Driving Force Behind America’s Success

“The farm—best home of the family, main source of national wealth, foundation of civilized society, the natural providence.”
— Read More
March 04, 2015

Managing herbicide resistant weeds

There may be snow on the ground, but Joe Armstrong, Dow AgroSciences field scientist says it isn’t too early to start thinking about weed management.
— Read More
March 04, 2015

Idaho House panel supports federal policy for GMO labeling

BOISE—A joint memorial from the Idaho Legislature to Congress urging the federal government to create a national policy for the labeling of genetically engineered foods has passed a House committee.
— Read More
March 04, 2015

Vilsack says guidelines will focus on nutrition

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says he will be personally involved in finalizing the government’s new dietary guidelines and indicates he will keep them narrowly focused on nutrition.
— Read More
March 03, 2015

National survey on cover crops seeks farmer participation

Farmers are invited to share their thoughts on cover crops—whether or not they use cover crops themselves—in a national survey, now in its third year of collecting valuable data on the increasingly popular management practice.
— Read More
March 03, 2015

USDA: Long-term projections

U.S. sugar production is projected to increase at a gradual rate over the next decade.
— Read More
March 03, 2015

Bayer CropScience invests in ag’s future

The 2015 Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum “Feeding Imagination Today—Nourishing Tomorrow” took place last week in Phoenix, Ariz.
— Read More
March 02, 2015| Published in the March 2015 issue
News

2015 Forecast for Irrigated Agriculture

As California and much of the southwest United States continue to cope with record drought conditions, irrigated agriculture throughout the country awaits clarity on new regulations coming from the U.S. EPA regarding clean water.
— Read More
March 02, 2015

USDA announces Commodity Credit Corporation lending rates for March 2015

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for March 2015.
— Read More
March 02, 2015

Celebrate National Groundwater Awareness Week

Groundwater along with oxygen is arguably the most important natural resource for human life.
— Read More
March 02, 2015

Iteris announces ClearAg Crop Protection Beta Testing Program

SANTA ANA, Calif.—Iteris Inc., a leader in providing intelligent traffic management and weather information solutions, announced the opening of its ClearAg Crop Protection application programming interfaces (API) beta testing program.
— Read More
March 01, 2015

American Academy of Pediatrics affirms important role sugar can play in improving children's diets

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is affirming the important role sugar can play in improving the quality of a child's diet.
— Read More
March 01, 2015

IA relocating headquarters to Fairfax, Va.

On Wednesday, March 4, the Irrigation Association will relocate its office to a new location in Fairfax, Va.
— Read More