Zimfo Bytes

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Monty’s Plant Food Company has introduced Dri-Sulfur 42, a granular nutrient designed to help enhance plant development while addressing deficiencies in soil.
  • The American Royal Association announced that the second annual American Royal Steak Competition Winner will be announced at their 2013 Grapes & Steaks Competition on October 9, 2013.
  • The National FFA Organization has partnered with four Major League Baseball teams for FFA Day at the Ballpark events this summer.
  • The winners of the Syngenta Photography Award, a new international competition to stimulate dialogue around some of our planets key challenges, have been announced.

Opinions on Committee Farm Bills

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Are so-called “ag gag” bills fair?”

Our poll results: Fifty-two percent said No, forty-one percent said Yes and seven percent said I Don’t Know. So most of you feel that ag gag bills are not fair. Do you think answers would be different if we called them “See Something, Say Something” laws?

chart

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What’s your opinion of committee farm bills?” The Senate Agriculture Committee voted 15-5 to approve their version of a 2013 farm bill. And according to House Ag Committee Chairman, Frank D. Lucas, “The work of the Agriculture Committee, including reauthorizing the Farm Bill, affects every American; ensuring that our farmers and ranchers have the tools they need to produce an abundant and affordable food and fiber supply is as important to our country as national defense.” Let us know what you think.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by New Holland Agriculture.

Zimfo Bytes

Zimfo Bytes

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The Farm Journal Foundation’s Farmers Feeding the World initiative recently co-hosted an international agriculture and food security briefing with the Senate Hunger Caucus on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
  • The Organic Trade Association has formally established a Farmers Advisory Council to provide input from small- to medium-sized organic farmers, ranchers and growers to the trade association on matters geared to advancing organic agriculture.
  • Zoetis announces the launch of its EQStable board on Pinterest, providing equine enthusiasts across the country with inspiration and an easy way to save favorite horse images and ideas.
  • National Livestock Credit is pleased to announce the purchase of Superior Livestock Auction, Inc.

Zimfo Bytes

Purina Launches Cool Cow App

CoolCow Mobile App_Store Graphic_114x114The Cool Cow mobile app puts the tools dairy producers need to monitor and address heat stress at their fingertips. Research shows that cows can begin to show the effects of heat stress at a Temperature Humidity Index or THI of 68. Reproduction can be impacted at a THI of 55.[1]

Heat stress and an associated 10 percent to 35 percent milk production loss[2] may cost a dairy producer $1.60 to $5.60 per cow per day.[3] These losses can continue to mount when reductions in reproductive performance and increased days open are added into the equation.

The mobile app features an easy to use heat stress calculator for inputting the current temperature and humidity readings. The temperature and humidity is then translated into a THI reading that shows the severity of heat stress, ranging from mild to extreme risk; providing dairy producers insight on the current conditions inside their barn. In addition to the heat stress calculator, the mobile app offers tips on mitigating heat stress from management to nutrition.

The Cool Cow mobile app is available to download for Android phones at: http://bit.ly/AndriodCoolCow and for iPhones at: http://bit.ly/iPhoneCoolCow.

New Format for Beltwide Cotton Conference

The National Cotton Council cotton-board.jpgcoordinated Beltwide Cotton Conferences has a new format that no longer includes the production conference component but continues the forum’s technical conferences and adds emphasis to the consultant’s conference.

The 2014 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, set for January 6-8 at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel, will include a half-day Cotton Consultants Conference and the day and a half Cotton Technical Conferences. The 2014 Consultants Conference, set for Monday, January 6, will be more robust, providing technical information desired by consultants and others involved in key production/marketing-related decisions such as Extension specialists/agents, industry sales/support personnel and many producers.

Planned for the 2014 Consultants Conference are new developments from industry, including discussions of new varieties and chemistries. Also included will be special sessions where scientists, from the various disciplines ranging from agronomy to weed science, will interact with attendees to foster a lively exchange of ideas and experiences.

Most Readers Not Far From the Farm

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How many generations are you removed from the farm?”

Our poll results: Thirty percent say they are “One Generation, My Parents are Farmers,” 23% are “Two, My Grandparents Were Farmers,” 22% say “None, I’m a Farmer,” nine percent are not farmers but work in the ag industry, seven percent have “No Direct Farm Connection,” and three percent say “Three, My Great-Grandparents Were Farmers,” “More Than Three,” or “Other.” It is safe to say that most of our followers are not far removed from the farm, if at all!

chart

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Are so-called “ag gag” bills fair?” In the wake of undercover videos at animal agriculture operations that have shown abuse, and especially those that were compiled over a period of time, edited and then released to the public without doing anything to stop the abuse or take it to the proper authorities, several states have passed legislation making that illegal. Most of the laws simply require mandatory reporting of animal cruelty when it happens but opponents have labeled them “ag gag” laws that would suppress efforts to document and publicize animal abuse. Those in favor prefer to call them “See Something, Say Something” bills. Do you feel that the so-called “ag gag” bills are prohibitive? Will these laws hamper efforts to stop animal cruelty? Does this impede our efforts for transparency in the food systems? Let us know.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by New Holland Agriculture.

Zimfo Bytes

WTO Launches New Trade Monitoring Database

WTOThe WTO launched a new trade monitoring database, which provides detailed information on trade measures implemented by WTO members and observers since October 2008. The database can be accessed through the WTO website.

The trade policy data is taken from the regular trade monitoring reports prepared by the WTO Secretariat. All information is submitted to the relevant WTO member for confirmation; if not confirmed, this is clearly indicated within the database.

The database will be updated each time a new trade monitoring report has been discussed by WTO members. The most recent update was completed on 15 October 2012. The next is expected at the end of July 2013.The information contained within the database can be displayed in a number of ways, including by implementing country, by country affected by the measure, by type of measure, and by products affected.

Zimfo Bytes

Zimfo Bytes

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Hundreds of JCB employees joined in the celebrations to mark the production of the company’s one millionth machine.
  • MGEX announced total Exchange volume in April at 146,574 contracts traded, a 58.3 percent increase from March 2013.
  • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced new rules to better target Community Connect broadband grants to areas where they are needed the most.
  • Charelston/Orwig study shows consumers value “locally sourced” food despite difficulties defining it.

Ag Organizations Applaud Six Countries

fas_logoKey members of the U.S. agricultural value chain have joined together to applaud the work of the United States and like-minded governments to promote the importance of science-based regulations to facilitate trade of agricultural commodities derived from agricultural biotechnology.

In a joint statement, the United States was joined by the governments of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada and Paraguay to announce their intention to work collaboratively to remove global barriers to the trade of agricultural biotechnology and promote science-based, transparent and predictable regulatory approaches.

The U.S. agriculture sector agrees that a particular area of concern is the timeliness and efficiency of global regulatory systems. In the joint statement, the like-minded governments have highlighted their intention to promote synchronization of authorizations by regulatory authorities – in particular for food, feed and processing purposes.

Soybean Executive Named NAWG CEO

palmerLongtime soybean industry executive Jim Palmer has been named chief executive officer of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). Palmer was selected by the NAWG Board of Directors after a search process led by the NAWG officers and grower-leaders of the National Wheat Foundation, NAWG’s affiliated charitable organization.

He will officially begin work with the Association and Foundation as of June 1, though he plans to meet with NAWG’s grower-leaders and staff throughout the month of May.

Palmer has worked in administrative roles for national and state agriculture organizations for the past 30 years, most of that time in the soybean industry. From 1997 until early 2012, he worked as the executive director for the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. Earlier in his career, he was engaged in commercial agriculture credit and was the staff lead during the development of the United Soybean Board, the national soybean checkoff. Since leaving Minnesota Soybean, he has worked as an independent management and development consultant with agriculture companies around the United States.

Generations of Family Farming

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Does celebrity media attention sway your purchasing/listening/watching decisions? (e.g. Carrie Underwood supporting HSUS)”

Our poll results: Sixty-four percent said No, sixteen percent said Yes, eleven percent said Carrie Underwood Who, seven percent said Depends on the Celebrity, and two percent said Other. It looks like our audience doesn’t make decisions based on what media coverage of so called “celebrities.” How about you? Do you think differently? Let us know.

Untitled

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “How many generations are you removed from the farm?” With fewer and larger farms in the United States, not as many people are involved in production agriculture as 40 years ago. What is your family connection to farming? Let us know.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by New Holland Agriculture.

Zimfo Bytes

Conquer with Cadet Sweepstakes

cadetFMC Agricultural Products Group announces the Conquer with Cadet Sweepstakes, inviting growers to visit www.FMCcadet.com and listen to the personal stories of corn and soybean growers who have had success with best practices while using Cadet herbicide. Online participation will be rewarded with a chance to win a John Deere Gator utility vehicle.

In addition to the John Deere Gator grand prize, five first place winners will receive a $250 Home Depot gift card. An additional 20 people will receive $100 Home Depot gift cards as a second place prize. Entries must be submitted by May 30 in order to be eligible for prizes.

Regional Farm Mom Winners

MonsantoFrom Alaska to Florida, Maine to Hawaii, many people took the time to share what makes their favorite farm mom so special. Now, American Agri-Women and Monsanto have selected five regional winners. Votes will help determine this year’s national winner, to be announced on Mother’s Day.

Each regional winner was awarded a $5,000 cash prize from Monsanto. Online votes cast on AmericasFarmers.com before May 12 – Mother’s Day – will determine the winner of the national title and recipient of an additional $5,000 prize.

The 2013 regional winners are:

  • Northwest Region: Aimee Hachigian-Gould, Ulm, Mont.
  • Southwest Region: Mary Ann Bansen, Ferndale, Calif.
  • Midwest Region: Tina Hinchley, Cambridge, Wis.
  • Northeast Region: Sue Roehm, Leesburg, Ohio
  • Southeast Region: Betty Rosson, Louisa, Va.

Put Some LabelBling on Your Groceries

YLfreshLabelBling, a new line of high impact labels by Yerecic Label, uses new techniques to create an upscale look at an affordable rate for fresh produce growers, packers and shippers. The line focuses on the use of eye-catching visuals such as holographic films, sparkle inks and embossing to draw attention and interrupt the shopper as they carry out their shopping mission.

Many brands have the misguided idea that bold innovative packaging is too expensive. LabelBling proves that you can distinguish a product’s visual appeal significantly without overspending. The original and innovative designs help to differentiate the product in the clutter of colors in the produce department.

Zimfo Bytes