USDA economist lays out climate change concerns
A USDA economist says agriculture can and should play a part in the climate change discussion. Jan Lewandrowski, with the agency’s Climate Change Program Office, says the climate is changing, however he says the consequences aren’t all bad for agriculture. “It’s a mixed bag,” Lewandrowski told Brownfield after addressing the National Association of Conservation Districts convention in Orlando Monday. It’s a mixed bag because, he says, the northern and eastern parts of the U.S. are in for longer growing seasons and adequate precipitation. However, he feels being part of climate change mitigation is the thing to do. “[Mitigating climate change] stands to ...
NRCS to get more attention
Harris Sherman, USDA Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment has only been on the job for a couple of months, but already he recognizes the importance of partnerships and the Under Secretary says the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is vital to their mission that USDA wants to accomplish. AUDIO: USDA Under Secretary Sherman (5:10 MP3)
Conservation cuts concern groups
Conservation is promoted and practiced with help from other organizations. There is, however, a degree of concern among conservation interests about proposed Obama Administration budget cuts. At the same time that President Obama was proposing his budget, USDA Undersecretary Harris Sherman was telling the National Association of Conservation Districts annual convention that many federal programs will have to live with frozen or lower budgets. NACD Secretary Treasurer Jack Majeres, a land owner from Dell Rapids, South Dakota, hopes that increased conservation funding of the 2008 Farm Bill will stand, but regardless of that, he says conservation districts have help. “We have many partners out ...
NACD to hold annual meeting
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) 64th annual meeting begins Sunday, January 31 in Orlando. NACD President Steve Robinson of Marysville, Ohio says both the general sessions and breakout sessions will focus on this year’s theme, “Committed to Conservation.” “We’re going to talk about partnerships, the value of those and how we work together on the local level and on the national level,” said Robinson. “Our breakout sessions will cover lots of topics, some of our district folks will be the speakers at some of those breakout sessions so other districts can learn what their counterparts are doing around the nation.” The ...
Top Story
NPPC still supports mandatory NAISThe National Pork Producers Council has a lot of questions about the new USDA proposal for a scaled-back version of the National Animal ID Program. Last week, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a plan which would only require animal identification for... Read More...
More News
- Bipartisan bill would block EPA GHG regulation
- USDA’s NAIS decision called “rare victory”
- NPPC still supports mandatory NAIS
Featured: Natl. Biodiesel Conference
Ford’s 6.7 liter diesel fine with B20The gleaming blue Ford truck parked by a biodiesel pump sports a shiny bold emblem on the left door stating plainly that the machine takes any biodiesel blend up to 20 percent. That particular truck is so new, Brien Fulton, a diesel drive train expert... Read More...
More Featured
- GM announces B20-capable equipment
- Irving, Texas big on biodiesel
- Robinson: conservation still at historic high
Managing For Profit
Pork production in Canada
At the recent Iowa Pork Congress, Brownfield’s Jerry Passer talked with Karl Kynoch, chairman of the Manitoba Pork Board and learned that like in the U.S., pork production in Canada has been going through many of the same struggles. AUDIO: Karl Kynoch, Manitoba Pork Board (3:00 MP3) Read More →
Read More Posts From This CategoryRural Issues
Sen. Johanns on the budget and spending
Brownfield’s Ken Anderson had the opportunity to sit down with Nebraska Senator and former U.S. Ag Secretary Mike Johanns last week. Ken asked the Senator about his reaction to the President’s proposed budget. AUDIO: Sen. Mike Johanns, Nebraska (3:00 MP3) Read More →
Read More Posts From This CategoryCyndi Young's Two Cents
Privilege to vote
I’ve heard many people say “I don’t trust any of ‘em” referring to candidates for political offices at every level of government- from County Sheriff to State Governor to President of the United States of America. So, you ask “Why vote?” I believe that that attitude and level of complacency is at the heart of... [Read more of this review]
Read More Posts From This CategoryInnovations
A Wet Winter Means New Concerns for Calving Season
Much of the country has experienced plenty of moisture this winter. That means there are some special considerations to keep in mind during calving season. Steve Tegarden, marketing manager for cattle biologicals for Intervet Schering Plough animal health, helps cattlemen prepare for 2010. AUDIO – Steve Tegarden 2:57 Read More →
Read More Posts From This CategoryInside D.C.
Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace
There’s an odd psychology among many national ag groups – whether producer, input or processor – as well as among monster-big companies when it comes to “responding” to attacks from activists or ill-informed bureaucrats on what we do and how well we do it. It generally comes down to waiting until the bomb has dropped or getting someone else... [Read more]
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