A news release Friday from Purdue University indicated that, “As much of the Midwest shivered during a mid-January blast of arctic cold temperatures, organizers of the 2018 Indiana Small Farm Conference and trade show were looking forward to the warm sun of spring. “‘Planting season will be here before you know it,’ said Michael O’Donnell,… Continue Reading
Category Archives: General Interest
Federal Panel of Judges Considers Venue Issues Regarding Dicamba Lawsuits
DTN writer Todd Neeley reported yesterday that, “Attorneys representing farmers from across the country who filed multiple lawsuits alleging off-target dicamba damage to their crops will try to convince a federal panel of judges next week that the cases should be heard in a single court. “The seven-judge U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation is… Continue Reading
In Response to Disruption from Fintech Competitors, Banks Looking at Tech Veterans
Patricia Nilsson reported this week at The Financial Times Online that, “Financial institutions started poaching professionals from the tech world about three years ago in response to disruption from fintech competitors, says Max Johnson, manager at the recruitment agency Robert Walters. But to convince tech tribes to work for them, they have had to change…. Continue Reading
2017 Venture Capital Totals for Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Chicagoland
Sarah Hauer reported last week at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online that, “Milwaukee-area companies raised more than $25 million in venture capital last year, down from a spike in 2016, according to data released from the PitchBook-NVCA Venture Monitor. “The $25 million was raised by 16 companies and 10 investors. In 2016, $44.57 million was raised… Continue Reading
Iowa State Lawmaker Seeking to Link Water Quality With CAFO Moratorium
Donnelle Eller reported this week at The Des Moines Register Online that, “Iowa lawmakers should halt construction on animal confinements until Iowa’s water quality is significantly improved, a coalition of about two dozen state, local and national groups said Tuesday. “The Iowa Alliance for Responsible Agriculture asked lawmakers to support 15 bills tightening oversight of confinements… Continue Reading
Arkansas Legislative Subcommittee Supports Plant Board’s Proposed Dicamba Ban
Associated Press writer Andrew Demillo reported yesterday that, “Arkansas lawmakers recommended regulators move forward Tuesday with efforts to ban an herbicide that farmers in several states say has drifted onto their crops and caused damage, advancing the prohibition despite a lawsuit by a maker of the weed killer. “A legislative subcommittee supported the state Plant… Continue Reading
U.S. Venture Capital Firms Invest $84 billion in Tech in 2017, Returns Slower Than in the Past
A Mercury News article from earlier this week reported that, “Money to find the next big thing is flowing into Silicon Valley at the highest rate since the dot-com boom — and there does not seem to be a bubble in sight. “In 2017, U.S. venture capital companies dished out $84 billion to 8,000 technology startups… Continue Reading
Farmers Lose Appeal Over Failed Grain Elevator
Paul Hammel reported yesterday at the Omaha World-Herald Online that, “More than 30 farmers who ended up losing an estimated $2.6 million in the closing of a Pierce, Nebraska, grain elevator lost a final attempt Friday to try to recover their losses. “The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that the farmers could not sue the Nebraska… Continue Reading
USDA Initiative to Help Military Veterans Become Farmers
Emily Cyr reported last week at Fox News Online that, “The U.S. government wants to help military veterans become farmers. “The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently launched a program to help America’s veterans transition from a military career to an agricultural one. “Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue introduced The Vets in Agriculture Initiative to connect veterans… Continue Reading
Tax Measure May Get Fix Regarding Sales to Ag Co-Operatives
Bloomberg writers Mario Parker and Sahil Kapur reported yesterday that, “A provision in last month’s U.S. tax overhaul that gives farmers the opportunity to significantly minimize their taxable income is drawing fire from some companies who could lose out as a result, while two Senators behind the change pledged to fix the problem. “The measure in question gives… Continue Reading
