Ag Headlines, Thursday August 27, 2015

Monsanto Announces Pull Back of Syngenta Offer

Following reports from earlier this week that Monsanto had upped the bid, the company announced Wednesday that Monsanto is no longer pursuing the current proposal for Syngenta. In a news release, Monsanto announced Syngenta said Monsanto’s enhanced proposal did not meet financial expectations. Monsanto will continue its focus on opportunities within its existing core business and resume the implementation of its approved share repurchase program as soon as practical, according to the company. After the announcement, National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson said “this is clearly not only good news for family farmers, but for economically competitive markets as well." The NFU Board of Directors had passed a resolution earlier this year opposing the potential merger.

Word Dairy Expo Dairy Cattle Entries due August 31

Monday is the deadline to enter dairy cattle in contest at World Dairy Expo this fall. Entry forms are available online through the Dairy Cattle Entry System. Entries must be submitted by midnight Monday to avoid late penalties, or postmarked no later than Monday. World Dairy Expo will be held September 29th through October 3rd at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. The even attracts more than 70,000 attendees from more than 90 countries each year. Find more information about the upcoming entry deadline online at world dairy expo dot com (www.worlddairyexpo.com).

Secretary Vilsack Campaigns with Hilary in Iowa

USDA secretary Tom Vilsack spent time on the campaign trail with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Wednesday. The move followed an announcement that Vilsack will endorse Clinton for president earlier in the week. Vilsack noted that “Hillary Clinton is not new to the fight for middle-class families.” According to the Hagstrom report, the Clinton endorsement puts Vilsack in the possible position of favoring Clinton over Vice President Joe Biden, should he decide to run. During a campaign stop Wednesday, Clinton announced a proposal for increased investment in rural areas through a series of public-private partnerships that increase federal capital in rural areas. NBC News reports that Clinton’s campaign director for Iowa, Matt Paul, was a longtime Vilsack aide and previously worked for USDA. Vilsack had a brief campaign for president in 2008 but dropped out and endorsed Clinton.

NAFB News