Yearly Archives: 2017
U.S. Ag Export Value Could Rise in 2017
Will an even stronger dollar pull the value of U.S. agricultural exports down in 2017? USDA’S Gary Crawford has the story.
Major Ag Policy Discussions Coming in 2017
The American Farm Bureau Federation anticipates major agricultural policy discussions in 2017. Micheal Clements has more.
What Farmers will Plant in 2017
Just barely into the new year and farmers and analysts are already looking ahead to figure out possible plans for spring planting.
Survey Says
When it comes to taking surveys, many of us are reluctant, but we all want to know the results. That’s why it’s important for...
Cold Cattle
We all know its cold and many of us take extra precautions with our pets, and that’s not says farmers don’t do anything for...
98th American Farm Bureau Convention
The American Farm Bureau 98th Annual Meeting is underway in Phoenix, AZ and quite a crowd of farm leaders from Tennessee joining the estimated...
Tennessee Young Farmers Shine
Young farmer Matt Niswander of Lawrence County was named the winner of the American Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Rqancher Discussion Meet during the...
Setting Policy for Farmers
Farmers from across the country have finished their business session at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Phoenix.
Farm Leaders Proud of Farm Bureau
Farm Bureau leaders attending the American Farm Bureau annual meeting talk about why they are Farm Bureau Proud.
Ditch the Rule for Good
Farm leaders attending the American Farm Bureau annual meeting are calling on Congress and the new Trump Administration to put an end to EPA’s...
Engaging Consumers
During a break-out session at the American Farm Bureau annual meeting, farmers learned how to better engage consumers to share the ag story.
What USDA Surveys Mean to Ag
Why should farmers participate in NASS surveys?
Challenges for Row Crop Farmers
Dr. Pat Westhoff, Director of the Food and Ag Policy Research Instititute at the University of Missouri, gave a not so encouraging outlook for...
Advocating Ag through Music Videos
The Peterson Farm Brothers of Kansas have been a shot in the arm for bringing attention to agriculture through their popular youtube videos.
Trump Completes Cabinet with Perdue
Positive reactions from the farm community over the selection of Sonny Perdue to be the next Secretary of Agriculture.
AFBF Sets Path for Farm Bill Recommendations
Now with President Trump and Congress in place, Farm Bureau leaders will be pushing the debate for what needs to be included in a...
Growing Bio Plastics
Knoxville-based start-up company, Grow Bio Plastics didn’t win the Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge this year, but it was a great opportunity to show...
Learning soft skills with 4-H and NASA
A new program sponsored by NASA and 4-H combines STEM based education and life skill development, whether on Earth or in space.
Water Usage and Conservation on the Farm
New water management survey going out from UT Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics to about 5000 row crop producers in middle and west Tennessee.
Farm Bureau Continues Push to End Death Tax
Farmers and ranchers here in Tennessee and across the country have been urging Congress to put an end to the Death Tax.
Getting Served
Gov. Bill Haslam as announced the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act as part of his legislative package he will send to the Tenn. General Assembly.
Ready for Service
Tennessee’s LT. Governor and Speaker of the Senate Randy McNally is now presiding over the 110th Tenn. General Assembly.
Ag Stars
For the past 16 years, young adults in West Tennessee have been taking part in what is referred to as Ag Star.
Fat Making Its Comeback
American consumers increasingly choose products with dairy fat. USDA’s Stephanie Ho has the story.
Super Food Day
For many of us, Super Bowl Sunday is a big deal, with lots and lots of food. But too often many folks end up...
Farm Bureau Supports Supreme Court Nominee
Picking a Supreme Court Justice is one of the most important decisions the President and Congress can name and approve. President Trump’s nominee of...
Music City Beef Connection
New NCBA President Craig Uden of Nebraska says record crowd attends cattle industry convention and trade show in Nashville.
All About the Beef
Smith County’s Steve Anderson is now the president of the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association and there’s no doubt he’s qualified.
Ag, Wildlife Partnership Growing Stronger
TWRA Executive Director Ed Carter believes the partnership between the agency and farmers across the state is stronger than ever.
Animal Ag Alliance
Kay Johnson Smith of the Animal Agriculture Alliance says the organization will have to step up and be more proactive to protect our farmers...
Still Our Number One Industry
Rep. Curtis Halford is chairing once again the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee during the 110th Tennessee General Assembly.
The Love for Bacon
It’s Valentine’s Day, and thoughts turn to love … and bacon.
Budget for Our Most Important Industry
Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton presenting his budget this week to the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
Seeing the Forest and the Trees
Bob Qualman is chairman of the Tennessee Forestry Commission and he presented the commission’s annual report to lawmakers this week.
Transformation for Agricenter
Agricenter International, just outside of Memphis, is one of the state’s best kept secrets, but numbers and interest are growing.
UT Ag Renaissance
Dr. Tim Cross, Chancellor of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, gave an update to lawmakers on the Land Grant’s progress and budget...
Farms, Land in Farms Downward Trend
It seems every year the number of farms and the total acreage for farms continues trending down. And the latest USDA survey shows 2016...
Young Leaders Gather In Franklin
This weekend hundreds of young farmers and rural cooperative representatives from across the state are gathering for their annual Tennessee Young Leaders conference.
New Report on the Farm Sector Through 2026
What are the prospects for the farm sector over the next ten years? USDA has a new report to try and answer that question
Addressing Young Leaders
Tennessee Speaker of the House Beth Harwell was a keynote speaker recently at the Tennessee Council of Co-ops Young Leaders Conference held in Franklin.
Ditching the Waters of the U.S.
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall was able to witness President Trump to eliminate the Waters of the U.S. rule.
TN Young Leaders Conference a Success
The Tennessee Council of Cooperatives recently held their annual Young Leaders Conference and Drew McClanahan from Humphreys County was a first time attendee.
Advocating for Ag
Farmers from Tennessee and across the country recently let their voices be heard during the American Farm Bureau’s Advocacy Conference in the nation’s capitol.
Improving our Roads and Bridges
For farmers and ranchers across Tennessee perhaps nothings more important than good, safe roads for their families and also their jobs.
The Impact from Bird Flu Hits Tenn. Poultry
State officials addressed the media after the first ever case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was detected in a broiler breeder house in...
Ag Support from DC
Farm leaders from across the state recently attended the American Farm Bureau’s Advocacy Conference in Washington to learn more about the issues affecting our...
Low Path Avian Influenza Detected in Giles Co.
State officials have now confirmed low pathogenic avian influenza in a broiler breeder flock in Giles County.
Disease Mutations Hard to Track and Control
It would be a lot easier to protect people and poultry from flu viruses if those viruses weren’t changing all the time.
Ag Day Celebrations
Today is Ag Day on the Hill as a celebration of Tennessee’s agricultural industry is being held at the state capitol to showcase to...
Ag Day on the Hill
Tennessee’s Legislative Plaza in Nashville was transformed into all things about agriculture as hundreds of farmers and industry representatives put on a showcase of...
Dealing with the Hard Freeze
Tennessee farmers are very concerned over the past two days hard freezes on crops like strawberries and peaches.
Second HPAI Case Detected in Lincoln County
State and federal officials say on Tuesday samples were tested and have been confirmed showing a second case of highly pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza...
Poultry Producers Urged to Step-up Biosecurity
In light of recent avian influenza outbreaks here in Tennessee, animal health officials are urging poultry producers to beef up biosecurity.
Tennessee 4-H Congress
A unique experience for Tennessee 4-H’ers this week at the state capitol in Nashville for their 70th annual 4-H Congress.
A Break with the Bureau
This about 400 Farm Bureau leaders from all across the state were on Capitol hill in Nashville to meet with state lawmakers on priority...
Confirmation Hearing for Sonny Perdue
It’s taken some time, but finally former Georgia Governor and farmer Sonny Perdue was in front of Senate members of the Agriculture Committee for...
Blue Jackets Invade Gatlinburg
This week over 3000 FFA members and guests are once again back in Gatlinburg for their annual convention, something the residents and business owners...
Tennessee FFA Convention
Around 3000 FFA members and guests are in Gatlinburg for their 89th annual convention. This is the first trip for Jason Smith, a member...
Tennessee FFA Convention
Lots of hard work and dedication paying off for FFA members in Gatlinburg at their 89th annual convention as several of the top awards...
New FFA Leadership
At the close of the 89th Tennessee FFA Convention, 8 new state officers were selected and installed for 2017-2018.
Closer to Broad Access
A key vote on the floor of the state senate this week will put rural Tennesseans closer to broadband access than ever before.
Making the Best Better
During the recent Tennessee 4-H Congress in Nashville, 9th and 10th grade delegates learn all about citizenship, leadership and state government. They elect their...
Securing our Roads and Bridges
Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris has been busy the last few months helping Gov. Bill Haslam push his Improve Act legislation through the Tennessee...
Seconds Matter
Carroll County farmer Hal Eason says everybody needs to think about safety, constantly. After a tractor accident in 2014, he’s thankful to be alive.
Farm Bureau Outlines Tax Reform Needs
The American Farm Bureau Federation told lawmakers agriculture needs a simple tax code.
Growing Ag Ideas at Tech
The new director for the School of Agriculture at Tennessee Tech University is Dr. Dennis Duncan and he says there are several new projects...
Corn Planters Rolling
Finally for the past few days, farmers across Tennessee have had some good planting weather.
Local Improvements
Members of the Tennessee General Assembly are continuing to debate the Governor’s Improve Act, and carrying that legislation in the House is Rep. Barry...
HPAI Control Zone Released in Lincoln Co.
State Veterinarian Dr. Charles Hatcher has announced that the control zone surrounding two Lincoln County poultry farms affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza has...
All About the Hay
One of Tennessee’s most important crops is about to get all kinds of attention this Spring as thousands of farmers will be looking towards...
New Farmer on Fish & Wildlife Commission
Brian McLerran is a beef cattle farmer from Clay County and he was recently appointed by Gov. Bill Haslam as the District 3 Commissioner...
Star Farmer of Tennessee
Catherine Turner of the Covington FFA Chapter was named Tennessee’s Star Farmer during the 89th Tennessee FFA Convention.
Better Prepared
Erin Bacon of Jefferson County was a multiple winner at this year’s state FFA convention.
Continued Need for Large Animal Vets
Some rural areas are still suffering from a shortage of livestock animal vets. What’s being done about it?
Tractors Delivered
Jay and Alice Ann Yeargin of Weakley County are smiling a little more today because two of the prizes they won in the past...
Another Weather Challenge
Many Tennessee row crop farmers statewide have been once again halted by these scattered storms and rain showers over the past week.
Protecting Kids on the Farm
The numbers are staggering, even though there’s been a steady decline in the number of injuries and deaths to children on the farm thanks...
Secretary Sonny Perdue Goes to Work
The nation’s 31st Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, is officially on the job after months in waiting to take on the leadership of the...
Encouraging Start
This week, in a first of its kind meeting since President Reagan, President Donald Trump held a round table conversation with farmers and new...
A Passion for Teaching
For 30 years Debra Steen has been using her skills at Michey Elementary School in McNairy County to better prepare her students.
Backing Our Farmers
Long-time State Senator Rusty Crowe says he depends on his farmers in the state’s 3rd District, which covers Washington, Unicoi, and Carter Counties, to...
Value Added Beef
A beef producer expanding into value-added production and marketing opportunities may have some challenges starting out.
School Lunch Changes Coming
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is making some significant changes to what our kids will be eating at school next year.
Clarifying Ag in Property Tax Laws
The Tennessee General Assembly has passed legislation that clarifies a consistent and legal definition of “farm property” and agriculture for property assessment purposes.
Slight Increase Expected for Farm Income
Commodity prices may have hit bottom during 2016, but an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation says that doesn’t mean major price moves...
Counting on Ag
One of the most important surveys for farmers is the Census of Agriculture that comes out every five years.
AC Unit Ready for Summer?
You may be really ready for summer, but is your home AC unit ready?
Planting Pushes On
Row crop farmers throughout Tennessee are, at least for the moment, enjoying the drier conditions, but as always this time of year are dealing...
Rural Representation
The first session of the 110th Tennessee General Assembly has concluded and we hear from rural lawmakers and how important it is to represent...
A Snapshot of Current Farm Economy
Farm prices are most noticed, yet there are other indicators to consider when it comes to the current economic health of farmers and ranchers.
Beef Exports Return to China
The news coming that after 13 years China will once again allow the import of US beef has had a positive reaction with cattle...
UAV Technology for Wildfires
Officials with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture took part in a UAV demonstration to see how they could help with wildfires.
Rural Access Closer
The Broadband Accessibility Act is now law in Tennessee as Gov. Bill Haslam signed the legislation that will start to address the lack of...
Farm To School
Third graders in one of the fastest growing cities in the south had their best field trip of the year to the farm.
Preparing For The Future
Erin Bacon, senior at Jefferson County High School, won Tennessee FFA’s State Prepared Public Speaking Contest and will move on to represent Tennessee at...
Living to Serve
Allie Jo Shankle, from Henry County High School, and Ahmon Watkins, from Oakland High School, were recently elected as Tennessee FFA State Officers.
MTSU Ag
The prospects for the school of Agribusiness and Agriscience at Middle Tennessee State University continue to improve.
Ambassador for 4-H
Tennessee is blessed to have not only the largest 4-H Club program in the nation, but one of, if not the best in the...
Renegotiating NAFTA
The American Farm Bureau Federation is looking forward to the renegotiation of NAFTA.