Rich Keller
Summit to show algae’s potential as renewable fuel
Even though those in agriculture don’t talk about algae as a source of fuel, there appears to be huge interest in algae as the source of renewable biofuel and much more. More than 800 scientists and stakeholders from around the world attended the Algae Biomass Summit last year, and attendance is anticipated to be larger at this year’s sixth annual conference in Denver, Colo., Sept. 24-27.
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Commentary: Too many programs for Congress to assess
If members of Congress cannot figure out how to deal with the farm bill economics, how in the world do they expect to complete a budget for all the departments and operational costs of each branch of the government, and have it total within the parameters of the budget cutting that is being demanded?
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Many positives for Argentina ethanol production
At a time when there are complaints about corn being used for ethanol production and the price of corn as a feedstock is making ethanol production unprofitable, there is economic-based discussion about Argentina jumping into corn ethanol production at a high level.
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A million more signatures for GMO food labeling
The people who think that all “genetically engineered” foods should be labeled as such are still organizing for the November California vote on Proposition 37. Just because groups gathered a million signatures to get the proposition on the ballot doesn’t mean they are taking a rest.
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More than 1,200 counties declared disasters
As of July 18, 1,207 counties in 29 states had been declared disaster areas eligible for disaster assistance by farmers and ranchers.
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No Stop to Farmland Prices
As farmland prices continue to soar, there still aren’t many pessimists warning that prices being paid for prime farmland are excessive. There are some who worry that farmland prices cannot support further advances if commodity crop prices dip by any substantial degree during 2012.
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Need to contact crop insurance agents early
The money and manpower is in place to handle crop insurance claims from this year’s drought situation, according to Bill Murphy, administrator of the USDA Risk Management Service.
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Concern about rural development funding
The National Association of Counties e-mailed an announcement explaining a letter sent to members of the House of Representative asking for funding of the rural development title in the farm bill. A total of 72 organizations signed onto the letter.
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Dry weather crops still need fungicides
Weather that includes sufficient moisture for good crop growth is usually thought of as a crop that needs protected with fungicides, and crops growing in dry weather are often thought to be unworthy of protecting. That thinking is definitely not the case.
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Commentary: EU too influential over Central America ag
The European Union is tightening its business connections with Central American countries, and that presumably means agricultural exports to Europe is part of that tightening. I’m afraid this means European countries are achieving more power over how crops are grown by Central American producers.
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July is Smart Irrigation Month
July is “Smart Irrigation Month” as proclaimed by the Irrigation Association (IA) ever since 2005. It is an initiative to increase agricultural producer, landscaper and the public awareness of the value of water-use efficiency, plus grow demand for water-saving products, practices and services.
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