U.S. wheat producers have more proof that their promotional dollars are hard at work on their behalf. A study recently released by U.S. Wheat Associates showed a return of $23 for every $1 invested in overseas promotions of U.S. wheat from 2000 to 2007.
The results of the economic analysis of wheat export promotion were announced at the joint board meeting of U.S. Wheat and National Association of Wheat Growers in Washington, D.C., Jan. 24. The study was commissioned by U.S. Wheat and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service Market Access Program. Harry M. Kaiser, the Gellert Family professor of applied economics and management at Cornell and director of the Cornell Commodity Promotion Research Program, designed and conducted the research.
"The study showed U.S. wheat export promotion had a large and beneficial impact for producers and the economy that far exceeded its cost," Kaiser said. "One of the econometric models we used showed that the overall average revenue benefit to the entire wheat industry from the combined producer and FAS expenditures was estimated to be about $115 for each dollar spent." The study also predicted that increasing the promotion investment has the potential for even greater returns to wheat producers, the wheat supply chain, and the U.S. economy. [Read More]
Judging from the varied reactions of viewers watching the recent 60 Minutes TV segment, "California: Running Dry," the state's three-year-drought is more complicated than simply the weather, according to the president of a national coalition of farm and ranch women. "If you look at comments on the CBS website, you can see how emotional people are," said Chris Wilson, president of American Agri-Women. "But if people ...
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Texas Gary Peterson, Ph.D., professor of grain sorghum breeding and genetics based at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Lubbock, received a 2009 Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence in the international involvement category. His honor was presented during the 2010 AgriLife Conference held recently at Texas A&M University in College Station.
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Iowa Lawmakers sent legislation to the governor recently requiring school districts to use their cash reserves before levying to raise taxes on property owners. While House File 2030 may delay property tax increases in some districts, it will not address the shortfall in state aid caused by Iowa's across-the-board budget cuts, which will result in higher property taxes according to the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.
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OMAHA, Neb. (AP)--Two Nebraska programs designed to help rural businesses will receive $325,000 in federal stimulus money. U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson says the money will go to a business development fund in Wahoo and a fund designed to help businesses in a 35-county area. The Greater Wahoo Development fund will receive $125,000.
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Arkansas Members of the Arkansas National Guard's Agricultural Development Team, which is scheduled for deployment to Afghanistan in spring 2010, received training from University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture animal science and poultry science faculty members in late January at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center and the Leland Tollett Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Four team members who will work ...
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The following is a statement from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on the proposed Fiscal Year 2011 budget: "I don't need to tell the American people that in 2009, America struggled through the most serious economic recession since the Great Depression. Families were forced to make difficult decisions.
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As beef producers consider their breeding decisions this spring, one factor that should weigh into those decisions is the marketing opportunity for those calves next fall. While it is difficult to predict where the market will end up in 2011, producers can look at current beef industry trends and breed association-sponsored marketing programs to help decide what direction to take this breeding season. Recently, the beef industry...
The Natural Resource Conservation Service has established the application cut-off for the Organic Initiative as March 12. The Organic Initiative through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program is offered to address specific opportunities in the 2008 farm bill for certified organic producers and those transitioning to organic production. Under this initiative, a producer's conservation goals may include but are not limited...
Colorado U.S. Sens. Mark Udall and Michael Bennet and Congressman John Salazar applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its decision to purchase up to $9 million of surplus fresh potatoes and up to $21.9 million of surplus fresh fruits for federal food nutrition assistance programs. The USDA's decision, announced recently by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, will provide immediate relief for Colorado potato farmers ...
Texas Gary Peterson, Ph.D., professor of grain sorghum breeding and genetics based at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Lubbock, received a 2009 Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence in the international involvement category. His honor was presented during the 2010 AgriLife Conference held recently at Texas A&M University in College Station.
It seems as though the last farm bill was just completed, and it is now time to start posturing for the 2012 farm bill. Although I am a member of several grower organizations such as wheat, corn and sorghum, I do not get actively involved in lobbying because of my position with the Kansas Wheat Commission. Because the various commissions are funded by public checkoffs, we as commissioners are not allowed to lobby--we may, however, ...
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)--A cattle buyer from North Dakota who falsely claimed ownership of a herd in eastern Montana has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for bank fraud. Forty-one-year-old Todd Kenneth Horob of Williston was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull in federal court in Billings on Thursday for bank fraud, wire fraud, bankruptcy fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft. Cebull also ordered ...
Kansas One of the top priorities for crop producers is efficient weed control. Check out the most up to date research information at the Weed Management School that will be held Jan. 25 starting at noon at the Ness County Fairgrounds in Ness City.
Have you ever imagined how agriculture is perceived in other areas of the world? If you're a college of agriculture student, here's your chance to experience agriculture in a whole new realm. Thanks to a partnership with The Grains Foundation and The National FFA Organization, the opportunity of a lifetime awaits for 12 lucky college students.
A report released last November from the U.S. Department of Agriculture concludes that climate change is already affecting U.S. agriculture, land resources, water resources
Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas are the latest states to publish regulations dealing with trichomoniasis or "trich" as it is commonly called. That leaves
