Will cattle producers be helped or hurt by the proposed Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) regulation that is intended to provide protection for producers against unfair, fraudulent or retaliatory practices in the livestock business? That is the question that many in the cattle business are asking now, less than two months after the rule was proposed. Many of …
Iowa Corn Farmers Still Optimistic Despite Flooding
Last week, the USDA announced its estimated harvest numbers for corn this fall and the report was full of good news. They are expecting another record harvest this year as well as an increase in bushels per acre. Should their predictions come true, this will be the third record harvest in a row. In addition, corn growers will achieve this …
Meat Meets Colbert
A word of advice to agricultural lobbyists – throw your media training out the window if you agree to do an interview with Stephen Colbert. American Meat Institute President J. Patrick Boyle was the main dish Tuesday night on the Colbert Nation “Know Your Lobby” segment, which profiles lobbying organizations. “Although I’ve had a lot of tough interviews in my …
Cattle Feeder Concerned With GIPSA Proposed Rule
The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) proposed rule that was published in June is causing quite a bit of concern among cattle feeders, who would be impacted right along with every other aspect of the meat and poultry industry. I talked about the issue with Jerry Bohn, general manager of Pratt Feeders in Kansas, who will be taking …
Digital Media Impact On Farmers and Ranchers
The Impact of Digital Media on Farmers and Ranchers was the title of a NAMA Boot Camp presentation by Jack Semler, Readex Research. I’ve been hoping to see Jack’s research which was done for the American Business Media’s Agri Council but have missed presentations at events like the Ag Media Summit. The farmers surveyed for this project were taken from …
Communications Plans Don’t Have To Be Scary
Communications plan? What communications plan? Sound familiar? You need a plan and helping NAMA Boot Campers with a method to create one was Beth Burgy, Broadhead+Co. Her presentation is titled, “Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Scary Communications Plan.” To learn how little red riding hood figures in you’ll need to listen to my interview with her. Beth says …
How To Communicate With Farmers
Those pesky producers. How do you communicate with them? Isn’t there just one way that reaches all farmers? Not. So to help beginning agrimarketers the morning session at NAMA Boot Camp features a producer panel led by Janelle Buxton, Successful Farming/Agriculture.com (seated on left). Next to her are Colleen Gerke, Lonny Duckworth and Ken McCauley. I spoke with Ken before …
Zimfo Bytes
Osborn & Barr launched “O&B Blog.” Created to foster continued dialogue around the issues and opportunities facing our industry today, O&B Blog will feature thought-pieces from O&B’s staff, as well as that of selected key leaders from the ag, rural and food industries. Paul Georgy, President of Allendale, Inc., promotes Rich Nelson by expanding his responsibilities to include media relations, …
NAMA Boot Camp Underway
The 2010 National Agri-Marketing Association Boot Camp is in full swing in KC, MO. This is the 7th annual event. Time flies when you’re having fun. Seems like just yesterday the first Boot Camp was held. The Chair for this year’s event is Melanie Acklin, Director of Marketing, SFP. I spoke with Melanie after the farm tour today that was …
GIPSA Rule Hot Topic At Next USDA/DOJ Workshop
The next USDA/DOJ public workshop on competition in the livestock industry is scheduled for next week in Ft. Collins, CO, and I will be attending. The session will be held on Friday and there will be a separate session the evening before hosted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and National Pork Producers Council which I will also be attending. …