Syngenta announces the registration of Besiege insecticide for use on cotton, tobacco and pastures.
Fresh Produce Locator, a new website created to make the procurement process of selling and buying produce easier and more efficient, is eager to welcome its newest selling members.
Online followers can track the 2011 wheat harvest with family-owned, custom wheat-harvesting crews as part of the 2011 All Aboard Wheat Harvest Tour.
McCormick USA is proud to announce the new and innovative lineup of the X10 Series compact and utility tractors.
Next week I get to do something I love to do. Get up on stage and talk about social media and networking. The venue will be the National Sunflower Association Summer Seminar in Deadwood, SD.
The National Sunflower Association (NSA) is a non-profit commodity organization working on problems and opportunities for the improvement of all members. Membership in the NSA includes growers and the support industry. There are four general categories of NSA activities: Market Development and Promotion; Production Research; Education and Policy Issues.
I’ll be conducting two sessions. The first one will provide an overview of social media and examples of how it is being used by agribusiness today. Then I’ll conduct a session that will be a “how-to” and hopefully attendees that don’t have social media accounts will have them by the time we’re done!
You’ll be seeing the #NSASS11 hashtag in my tweets next week. If you’re there please feel free to add it to your tweets too. Also, if any of you are sunflower growers, let me know your social networking identity so I can feature you in my presentations!
The President/CEO of Novus International is Thad Simons, seen here addressing the audience for the company’s 20th Anniversary Celebration at the headquarters in St. Louis, MO. Thad says that 20 years “seems like yesterday.” Many of the original founders and Novus team were on hand. He says this celebration provides an opportunity to take a look back and see “where we came from.” The original vision is still the vision of today.
In order to better learn what the needs of their customers are Thad says Novus has brought in people from fifteen countries to share their perspectives. Part of the discussion is looking forward to the next twenty years. As most companies and farmer know, the need for food is going to double in a very short time and Thad says that Novus and their customers take that challenge seriously and are looking for ways to meet the challenge. He says that interaction with international visitors shows how common the challenges are in all countries around the world. Thad Simons Interview
You can watch Thad’s remarks to the Novus 20th Anniversary Celebration in this video:
We had a fantastic lineup of speakers for the Novus International 20th Anniversary Celebration. They all lined up at the conclusion of the festivities. I have captured remarks and interviews with a couple of them to share with you and will have a couple more later.
Missouri’s Director of Agriculture, Dr. Jon Hagler, was on the program. Jon says that what Novus has accomplished is a serious benefit to Missouri. He loves the slogan, “Innovation with Integrity,” which “so well suits Novus International. Having a company like Novus here for twenty years make such a difference not only for communities like St. Charles and St. Louis but also for farm families all across the state, all across the nation and frankly if you look around us, all across the world.” I also asked him about the current status of farm disasters from flooding and storms. He points to Missouri Agriculture Disaster Relief Fund as a place that people can get information about how to help those who are struggling to recover. Dr. Jon Hagler Interview
I also recorded his stage comments for you which you can download and listen to here: Dr. Jon Hagler Remarks
Another one of our speakers was Dr. William Danforth, Chairman, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. He says that it’s great to have a company like Novus that “serves the world.” He calls their growth an “expansion into something very important and that is providing enough food for people to eat.” He says we’ve got great challenges and Novus is going to help solve them. Dr. William Danforth Interview
I also recorded his stage comments for you which you can download and listen to here: Dr. William Danforth Remarks
NSF Davis Fresh has changed its name to NSF Agriculture to more accurately reflect new services that include GlobalGAP certification and food safety services for livestock, poultry and egg production operations.
Dr. John Varty is setting out to chronicle how and why agriculture production has changed in Canada as farmers work to meet the demands of an increasing global population. As Varty travels across the country, driving a Massey Ferguson 1660 compact tractor, he will explore a variety of agriculture-related subjects.
An amendment to end the ethanol blenders tax credit (VEETC) passed the Senate today by 73 to 27, a vote that some agricultural groups applaud while some denounce, while the ethanol industry says it is unlikely to matter.
“Today the Senate voted against rural America and domestic, renewable energy, and in favor of more foreign oil,” said National Corn Growers Association President Bart Schott of North Dakota.
The Renewable Fuels Association calls the vote disappointing but “ultimately inconsequential” since the underlying economic development bill to which this amendment is attached is “unlikely to make it to the president’s desk.” American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Executive Vice President Brian Jennings added that the votes are “symbolic and will not become law. The ethanol industry notes that just last month, the Senate voted to protect tax subsidies for the oil industry. “Ironically, the United States Senate has spent the better part of a week on an amendment that is unconstitutional and going nowhere, even while the news pours in that OPEC has hit a high-water mark of $1 trillion in revenues,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the Obama administration opposes an abrupt end to the VEETC. “We need reforms and a smarter biofuels program, but simply cutting off support for the industry isn’t the right approach. Therefore, we oppose a straight repeal of the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) and efforts to block biofuels infrastructure programs.”
On the other side of the corn field, National Cattlemens Beef Association (NCBA) President Bill Donald called the vote “a giant step toward leveling the playing field for a bushel of corn” noting that cattle producers “support our nation’s commitment to reducing our dependence on foreign oil. But after 30 years and more than $30 billion in taxpayer support, the day has come to let the mature corn-based ethanol industry stand on its own two feet.”
A coalition of groups, including food retailers, poultry organizations and environmental interests also applauded the vote as “the start of a new era for U.S. biofuels policy.”
Immediately after the vote to end the VEETC, senators defeated an amendment that would have stopped federal funding for ethanol blender pumps by a vote of 41 to 59. At the same time, the House approved an amendment to the ag appropriations bill for the same thing by 283 to 128. The appropriations measure must still go through the Senate and is likely to change there.
The U.S. House of Representatives today voted 217-203 to pass the agricultural appropriations bill for fiscal 2012, cutting $2.7 billion in discretionary spending, including funds for USDA’s proposed Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) regulation.
The National Cattlemens Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), both opposed to the proposed rule, are pleased that the appropriations bill could put it on hold. “The National Pork Producers Council is grateful that the House is requiring USDA to take a time out on the GIPSA rule, which as proposed is bad for farmers and ranchers, bad for consumers and bad for rural America,” said NPPC president Doug Wolf of Wisconsin, who adds that the rule would cost the pork supply chain about $333 million a year.
NCBA past president Steve Foglesong of Illinois says their beef cattle producer members are thrilled with the vote in the House. “When we had our annual meeting back in February, the priority coming out was this GIPSA rule,” Steve said. “It was one thing our members said absolutely cannot happen.”
Other organizations pleased with the action include the National Turkey Federation, National Chicken Council and American Meat Institute. The appropriations measure still must go through the Senate and is likely to change substantially.
I’m on location for the big Novus 20th Anniversary Celebration. This Platinum Leed Certified building has continued to be developed, including the landscape. I’ve got some other views of the facility in the online photo album I’ve started.
To kick off my coverage I just met with Francois Fraudeau, President, Specialty Business. Francois is moving to the headquarters in St. Louis after having managed Novus business in the European and Asian markets. He says that his new position is part of the recent company organizational changes that have been made to position the company for future growth. He also says that Novus will use “Innovation with Integrity” to help meet the food needs of a growing world population. That he says required the development of new technologies, keeping in mind the need to focus on sustainability. Francois Fraudeau Interview
Novus International is having a birthday party today and I will be there. Actually Novus is having birthday parties all over the world this year in celebration of 20 years. The company will host more than 500 people from more than 30 countries this week at its headquarters facility in Missouri Research Park.
Confirmed to speak at the Novus 20th Anniversary Ceremony:
• Honorable Jeremiah “Jay” Nixon, Governor of the State of Missouri
• Susuma Katagiri, Mitsui and Company, Ltd. (representing Novus’ Board of Directors)
• Thad Simons, President and CEO, Novus International
• Dr. Joe Privott, President of Privotts, LLC and Former President of Novus International
• Dr. Jon Hagler, Director of Agriculture State of Missouri
• Roberto Kaefer, President, Globoaves
• Thanomvong Taephaisithphongse, Executive Vice President, Betagro Group
• Dr. William H. Danforth, Danforth Plant Science Center
• Dr. Marcos Fava Neves, Professor University Sao Paulo, Brazil & Author, The Future of Food Business
During World Pork Expo I spoke with Dan Meagher, President, Novus Global Animal Nutrition Solutions Business Unit. Dan attended the Novus celebration in Brazil and I’m sure I’ll see him today in St. Louis. You’ve got to like a company that has multiple birthday parties in different countries.
Novus has experienced significant growth. Dan says they are a lot closer to accomplishing the company vision which is “helping to feed the world affordable, wholesome food.” In our interview Dan talks about how the company has grown.
Novus was founded in 1991, and today, has employees working in more than 100 countries, serving more than 3,000 customers worldwide. Novus has facilities including corporate offices, research and development laboratories, and manufacturing operations in more than 50 countries.
When I was little, I always wanted to ride in the tractor with my dad. And even though my memory isn’t that great, I DO remember sitting in the hallway crying and throwing a tantrum because I had the chicken pox and mom wouldn’t let me go with him to feed the cattle .
The tractor he used didn’t have a passenger seat, so he cut a 2×4 that went from the arm rest to the window sill. That quickly became MY seat. In particularly rough fields, I really had to hang on because as dad’s seat flexed up and down, my 2×4 board bounced all over the place and nearly slid off. By the end of most rides, my rear was bruised but I was none worse for the wear.
This is a cast iron tractor seat saved from a seed drill from the Hoosier Drill Company. Hoosier Drill was acquired by the Oliver Farm Equipment Company in 1929, so this dates back pre-1929.
Can you imagine bumping around over a field in this seat with no padding? I’m no longer complaining about the 2×4.
An Iowa farm woman is on track to be the first female president of the National Corn Growers Association next year.
The National Corn Growers Association Corn Board today elected Pam Johnson of Iowa to become the organization’s first vice president for the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. When she becomes NCGA president in October 2012, Johnson will be the first woman to lead NCGA.
Johnson farms with her husband and two sons, raises corn and soybeans on a 2,700-acre farm in Floyd, Iowa. They also manage a seed business and are members in value-added businesses such as ethanol and biodiesel. Johnson is the board liaison to the NCGA Grower Services Action Team and has served on the Finance Committee and has chaired both the Bylaws Committee and the NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team.
Pam has already shown herself to be an advocate for agriculture and a leader in the industry. I interviewed her at Commodity Classic this year about how she stood up for women in agriculture in response to criticism by the Environmental Working Group. As liaison to the Grower Services Action Team, Pam had the pleasure at the Classic of presenting five college students with $1,000 scholarships as part of the NCGA Academic Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program sponsored by BASF Crop Protection.
Brownfield Ag News announced the charter affiliates for its Ohio network today. Local ag coverage will be handled by Dave Russell. Meanwhile, new Brownfield farm broadcaster Meghan Grebner is getting some in-studio training at the company headquarters in Jefferson City, MO. Cindy and I had dinner with Meghan earlier this week and we look forward to her continued contributions to AgWired! Meghan is pictured on the left of Brownfield farm broadcaster Julie Harker.
Ohio Brownfield Ag News is pleased to introduce its outstanding line-up of Charter Affiliates. These radio stations are committed to serving the agricultural audience in their respective areas and are carrying Ohio Brownfield Ag News radio programs: WERT-AM 1220, Van Wert; WKSD-FM 99.7, Paulding; WLOH-FM 104.5, Lancaster; WLOH-AM 1320, Lancaster; WLOH-FM 99.3, Logan; WCSM-FM 96.7, Celina; WMTR-FM 96.1, Archbold; WFOB-AM 1430, Fostoria; WMVR-FM 105.5, Sidney; WVNU-FM 97.5, Greenfield; WKFM-FM 96.1, Huron; and WKTN-FM 95.3, Kenton.
Ohio Brownfield Ag News radio network provides news, markets, weather, event coverage and feature and commentary programming relevant to those who live and work on farms and in rural communities in Ohio, and to those with an interest in food and fiber production in the Buckeye state.
Ohio Brownfield is committed to local, on-the-ground coverage of agriculture, with Veteran Farm Broadcaster Dave Russell living and reporting in the Buckeye state. With the backing of an award winning team of nine other full-time farm broadcasters, two of whom are dedicated to market coverage, Russell has more time to focus on Ohio agriculture.
It’s been almost exactly a year since USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) published a controversial proposed rule that would fundamentally change the way livestock is marketed in this country, and those opposed to it remain hopeful that the proposal itself will be fundamentally changed – or just eliminated.
Colin Woodall with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) says they are encouraged that the U.S. House of Representatives could vote soon on the 2012 agriculture appropriations bill, which includes language to defund the proposed GIPSA rule. “So we are really working hard to make sure we preserve that language,” Colin says in the latest Beltway Beef Commentary. He encourages cattle producers and others in the industry to contact their Congressional representatives and send a signal to the secretary that we’re “serious about this rule being a huge burden on cattle producers.”
USDA’s official position on the appropriations language is that “The final rule has not yet been published and any concerns about the rule are better addressed through the standard rulemaking process than through an appropriations rider.”
Earlier this month, American Farm Bureau Appropriations Specialist R.J. Karney said they also believe funding for the rule should stay in place. “We want USDA to be able to review the 60,000 comments that were provided and also continue the economic analysis regarding this procedural rule,” he said. Colin explained that NCBA has a long-standing relationship with AFBF, “so this is not an issue that NCBA is now breaking a relationship with Farm Bureau, this is specific to trying to make sure that everybody understands exactly what this GIPSA rule does…take away marketing opportunities for cattle producers.”
Pork producers also remain concerned about the proposed rule. “The rule is so vague, we don’t know where it stands,” said National Pork Producers Council past president Sam Carney of Iowa at World Pork Expo last week. He says they are anxious to see what the USDA economic analysis will say, but that is not expected to be out until the fall.
The master carver working on a freshly roasted pig, pictured on the right, is Scott Moore, National Sales Manager, Pork, Novus International. Scott is from North Carolina. That was some very fine roasted pork he was preparing for us at World Pork Expo last week!
In his area Scott says that although the challenges producers have in his area aren’t unique they are more accentuated than other areas due to higher costs for grain brought in from the midwest. “If in fact $7 to $8 grain costs in the midwest is a problem, $9 to $10 costs is even more of a problem on the east coast,” he says. For this reason Scott says the new Novus Accelerating Finishing Profitability program contains specific elements to help producers deal with challenges, especially on a regional basis. Scott Moore Interview
Controlling enteric diseases caused by ileitis and Salmonella can help both keep food safe and pork producer profits growing. “Enteric diseases are sometimes below the threshold of detection,” said Kent Schwartz, DVM with Iowa State University. “Feed is the largest input into the cost of production and anything that comprises intestinal function has a propensity to cost money and among many other factors are infectious diseases.”
Dr. Schwartz recommends that producers keep good records on animals and determine whether they are achieving their potential. “Lawsonia and Salmonella are very common infections,” he said. “These agents can cause disease that are not necessarily visual but can impact feed to gain and we do have for those two agents very effective vaccines that can take them out of the equation.”
Listen to or download an interview with Dr. Schwartz here: Dr. Kent Schwartz
Since control of Salmonella is a food safety concern, BIVI senior veterinarian John Kolb says it is is something producers can and should address. “Salmonella’s always going to be there,” he said. “One more thing that we can do to reduce the amount of Salmonella in the pig itself, is use vaccination.”
Dr. Kolb recommends producers get their vet involved and determine when exposure to Salmonella starts and make sure the vaccine gets in ahead of it.
We’ve got some beef eaters in this community! In answer to our question, “What’s your favorite meat?” an overwhelming majority said Beef at 39%. Here’s how the other choices fared in order. Fish, 15%; Chicken, 12%; Pork, 10%; All of the above, 10%; Lamb, 5%; Venison, 5% and Other, 4%. I’ve spoken with some AgWired community members who voted that told me they voted for beef but definitely eat other meat choices. We just thought we’d ask the question this way to see if you had a favorite and it sure looks like you do. Thanks to everyone who participated.
Speaking of beef, the Beef Checkoff works with Chef Dave Zino to provide Beef, It’s What’s For Dinner how-to videos to consumers:
Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “Will ethanol be an issue in the presidential race?” Let us know what you think. And if you have any questions you want to suggest for future ZimmPolls please let us know.
ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.
Bayer CropScience announced that Jim Blome has been named as President/CEO and Head of Crop Protection for the North American region, effective July 1, 2011.
AgraQuest Inc. announced a new use for REQUIEM 25EC insecticide in leafy vegetables in California authorized under FIFRA Section 2(ee).
The Global Harvest Initiative published a new policy issue brief which highlights the importance of science-based technologies in sustainably addressing the mounting challenges of global hunger and food security in order to feed an anticipated nine billion people globally by 2050.
Novus International has seen a big growth in the use of enzymes and the outlook is for that growth to continue. I learned this while speaking with Gary Hayen at last week’s World Pork Expo.
Gary is the global product business manager for the enzyme and fermentation products business area. I asked him to provide an overview of how important enzymes are for the feedstock industry. He says, “For cost efficiency and nutrient utilization, enzymes are going to play a key role in being able to help the producer obtain the efficiency and cost effectiveness they need.” Basically enzymes play a role in freeing up some of the energy and protein/nutrition values of feed ingredients that you wouldn’t get without using them. Gary provides some specific examples of how this works in my interview with him. He says that it’s a real growth opportunity in the coming years. Gary says that they can show an up to $3 return on each animal for use of enzymes. Gary Hayen Interview
Don’t forget to register by June 24 for the AgChat Foundation Agvocacy 2.0 Conference which will be held August 22-23 in Nashville, TN. If you are passionate about agriculture and want to learn more about how you can use social media to “tell your story” then this conference is for you. The conference is open to 75 people (production ag, hobby farming, agribusiness, Extension, commodity organizations, academia or another sector of the industry). You have a chance to win a full or partial scholarship or other prize if you enter your ag photo in the AgChat Foundation 2012 Calendar contest by posting to the AgChat Foundation Facebook page.
Are you alumni of the first Agvocacy 2.0 Training? You can apply too! We will be accepting up to 25 returning attendees who provide names of first-time applicants they “endorse”. We think this is a great way to get a mixture of “pros” and “newbies” together to learn from each other, while also identifying those who are just starting out in their social media ventures.
This year’s conference will include an extra half-day of training, beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday and concluding at noon on Tuesday. Registration is $365 and will include a free t-shirt. You can apply to attend the conference at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/agvocacy-2dot0-conference. The application process will run from June 1 to June 24 and those selected will be notified in mid-July. Those chosen to attend are encouraged to seek sponsorships from local businesses and organizations to help cover conference and travel costs.
More details about the Agvocacy 2.0 Conference will be posted here, as well as on Facebook and Twitter, over the coming months and make sure to check follow the hashtag #ACFC11 on Twitter for the most up-to-date information!
Are you ready to Chatter? If so, then Chatterbarn is looking for some feedback during their beta test before going fully “live.” So go ahead and register for your launch day invitation. Feel free to post your comments and thoughts here too and we’ll pass them along. What do you think about the idea and need for this type of social networking kind of environment for agriculture? Is one needed? Would you use it? You know. All those kinds of questions.
Chatterbarn is the destination point for rural living and everything agriculture. The ChatterBoard connects you locally, to your neighbors and community. It connects you around the world to your customers, vendors and business associates. Teams are your own personal groups that can be created to invite those that you interact with the most for quick access to discussion, knowledge sharing, and interaction. Hubs are public information centers sponsored by businesses in the agricultural industry. These information centers provide product information, training webinars, video conferences, and other critical information from companies around the world that impact your life the most.
The Chatterbarn Exchange is a powerful real- time marketplace that not only allows for sellers to post items for sale, but is unique in the fact that it can be buyer-controlled as well. This means that if you need something specific, even in a certain amount of time, you can submit a request with a price range that you are willing to pay, and Chatterbarn will match your request with someone that has what you are looking for and notify you immediately by email and/or text. The Chatterbarn Exchange not only facilitates the exchange of products, but also the exchange of information.
The third component of the Chatterbarn Exchange allows you to submit questions into the network, which can be responded to by others, to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, best practices, and information throughout the industry. You will use the Chatter Button throughout the site to make things happen. It will help you post your comments to the Chatterboard and submit your items to the Chatterbarn Exchange. So, are you ready to Chatter?
In this week's program Chuck talks with David Armano, Global Innovation and Integration.
David conducted a presentation on delivering expert opinion via social media to an audience at the start of International Poultry Expo week. He's got some great information about who consumers trust and how you can use today's consumer behavior to help communicate your message.
“Today the Senate voted against rural America and domestic, renewable energy, and in favor of more foreign oil,” said 
The 
NCBA past president Steve Foglesong of Illinois says their beef cattle producer members are thrilled with the vote in the House. “When we had our annual meeting back in February, the priority coming out was this GIPSA rule,” Steve said. “It was one thing our members said absolutely cannot happen.”
The National Corn Growers Association Corn Board today elected Pam Johnson of Iowa to become the organization’s first vice president for the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. When she becomes NCGA president in October 2012, Johnson will be the first woman to lead NCGA.
It’s been almost exactly a year since USDA’s 
Controlling enteric diseases caused by ileitis and Salmonella can help both keep food safe and pork producer profits growing. “Enteric diseases are sometimes below the threshold of detection,” said Kent Schwartz, DVM with Iowa State University. “Feed is the largest input into the cost of production and anything that comprises intestinal function has a propensity to cost money and among many other factors are infectious diseases.”
Since control of Salmonella is a food safety concern, BIVI senior veterinarian John Kolb says it is is something producers can and should address. “Salmonella’s always going to be there,” he said. “One more thing that we can do to reduce the amount of Salmonella in the pig itself, is use vaccination.”
In this week's program Chuck talks with David Armano, Global Innovation and Integration.
