Category Archives: NAFB

Senate to Consider Farm Bill Today

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nafb-heitkampThe full Senate is slated to begin consideration today of the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013 passed last week by the agriculture committee.

“This is the biggest jobs bill we will pass in any Congress,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) meeting with farm broadcasters last week. “It’s time to get it done.”

Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) also met with farm broadcasters last week. “Wouldn’t it be great if the United States Senate and the House of Representatives actually went to conference and passed a farm bill not moments before the expiration of the extension, but months before the expiration?” she asked.

Regarding amendments from the floor to the bill, Heitkamp expects to see a challenge to the sugar program, attempts to reduce crop insurance, and more on the nutrition program.

Listen to or download full comments here: Senator Heidi Heitkamp

nafb-johannsSen. Mike Johanns (R-NE) voted against the bill in committee because he believes it is a step backward in farm policy. “It’s a step not beyond 2013, it’s a step more toward 1980 in farm policy,” he told farm broadcasters. “I just don’t think it serves agriculture in the long term.”

While attempts to restore cuts to the nutrition program are expected on the floor of the Senate, Johanns thinks it will have to be increased from the $4 billion passed out of his committee. “I just think in order to get a bill with the House, it’s going to have to be north of that $4 billion,” he said. What that “magic number” is, however, Johanns is not sure.

Listen to or download full comments here: Senator Mike Johanns

2013 NAFB Washington Watch Photo Album

Find more NAFB Washington Watch audio on AgNewsWire.com

Ag Committee Chairs Visit with NAFB

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Senator Debbie StabenowAn optimistic Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman met with farm broadcasters on Wednesday morning, the day after her committee passed a new farm bill called the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013. “This is the biggest jobs bill we will pass in any Congress,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). “It’s time to get it done.”

Stabenow says the majority of the bill they passed out of committee is virtually the same as last year and she believes they addressed the concerns of southern producers. “I think we have a strong coalition and have really produced what I think my friends down the hall should just take as the commodity title,” she said.

The senator talked about the amount of savings in the bill, concerns about the nutrition title, what they did with cotton in the bill, and conservation compliance. Overall, Senator Stabenow is optimistic about getting a farm bill soon, and that combined with new immigration policy, will be a “positive one-two punch for producers.”

Please feel free to download, listen and share: Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow

Representative Frank LucasHouse Ag Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) met with the farm broadcasters just shortly before his committee began markup of their bill and said he was “as wound up as an 8 day clock” and expected it to be a long day but maybe not quite as long as last year’s 15 hour session. “But I would note that we had approximately 100 amendments a year ago, as of this morning we have approximately 100 amendments this time,” he said.

Lucas says the bill will go to the House floor this year “a dramatic improvement over a year ago” but he does expect it to be “a struggle we’re prepared to engage in and we’re prepared to move forward on.”

Chairman Lucas said it’s important to look long term in the farm bill. “Farm bills are not necessarily about this year or next year or year three,” he said. “Farm bills are about making provisions for year four or year five, when the wheels come off.”

Please feel free to download, listen and share: House Ag Committee Chairman Frank Lucas

2013 NAFB Washington Watch Photo Album

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Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack Meets with NAFB

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NAFB Meets Ag Secretary VilsackThis morning U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack met with attendees of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Washington Watch. As is a “tradition” now, he posed with us in the USDA office building. He then spent quite a while talking with us and answering questions. You can find more photos in my online photo album.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom VilsackOf course the focus of his opening remarks and first few questions was on the farm bill and the versions in both the House and Senate. He seems to favor the Senate version and you’ll hear his reasons during the session. I think he was very relaxed and willing to answer all questions during what must be a busy time as new legislation is being debated this week.

There is a lot of good stuff in here but I don’t have time to try to summarize it all. The Secretary addresses not only the farm bill but COOL, APHIS decision on 2-4-d/Dicamba tolerant traits and interestingly, public/private sector partnerships/investments.

Please feel free to download, listen and share: Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack Mtg. with NAFB

2013 NAFB Washington Watch Photo Album

Find more NAFB Washington Watch interviews on AgNewsWire.com

Senate Farm Bill Markup Today

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NAFB Washington WatchThe Senate Agriculture Committee meets this morning to consider the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013, their version of a “Farm Bill.” Yesterday, farm broadcasters meeting in Washington D.C. had the chance to interview a number of representatives from various agricultural and renewable fuels organizations and most of them had something to say about what the House and Senate have in their respective draft bills.

American Soybean Association director and farmer from Delaware Richard Wilkins said they are pleased to see that both bills allow some flexibility for growers. “They both contain provisions that allow the soybean grower to choose which type of “safety net” they feel works best for them,” he said.
Interview with Richard Wilkins, American Soybean Association

Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation says both drafts contain the Dairy Security Act and he expects the Senate to pass this proposal which they support, but on the House side there is another proposal being offered which they oppose. “Basically it would turn farmers into takers of government welfare because it would not allow the marketplace to correct quick enough,” he said.
Interview with Chris Galen, National Milk Producers Federation

Bob Dinneen with the Renewable Fuels Association says there is an energy title in the Senate draft. “And we hope to be able to have some funds in that to allow USDA to continue to make funding available for blender pumps and do some other things for future technologies,” he said.
Interview with Bob Dinneen, Renewable Fuels Association

Colin Woodall with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says as far as they are concerned, they would rather not be in the farm bill at all. “Our number one priority was to make sure there was not a livestock title in either bill, right now there’s not so we’re happy with that,” he said.
Interview with Colin Woodall, National Cattlemen's Beef Association

2013 NAFB Washington Watch Photo Album

Find more NAFB Washington Watch interviews on AgNewsWire.com

Farm Bill Top Issue at NAFB Washington Watch

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As both the House and Senate Agriculture committees are marking up their versions of a farm bill this week, that was the number one issue for farm broadcasters meeting in the nation’s capitol for their annual Washington Watch.

nafb-ww-thatcherMary Kay Thatcher with the American Farm Bureau Federation sees few major differences between the two committee drafts released last week. “If you look at all the titles, except commodities and nutrition, they’re fairly similar – there isn’t really a nickel’s worth of difference in conservation, research, rural development or specialty crops,” she said. Even the commodity titles she thinks are more similar this year than last, but there are differences in nutrition. “I still think the food stamp program is going to be the big ticket that’s going to hold us up in getting this thing done.”

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Mary Kay here: Interview with Mary Kay Thatcher, AFBF

nafb-ww-doggettJon Doggett with the National Corn Growers Association says their top priority with the farm bill is risk management and crop insurance, which is why they joined with a number of other agriculture and environmental groups last week in hammering out a compromise to support tying conservation compliance and crop insurance but oppose means testing or payment limitations. “We worked out some common sense language that makes this a very workable program for growers that offers them plenty of opportunity that if they inadvertently get out of compliance they can quickly get back in,” he said. “In return, we have an assurance from the conservation community that they will be with us to protect the funding for crop insurance.”

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Jon here: Interview with Jon Doggett, NCGA

The Senate farm bill mark up is scheduled for Tuesday and the House on Wednesday.
Link to Senate farm bill page.
Link to House farm bill draft.

2013 NAFB Washington Watch Photo Album

Find more NAFB Washington Watch interviews on AgNewsWire.com

Interview with NAFB Mike & Andy Show

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Mike Hergert and Andy VanceThis year’s coordinators of the NAFB Washington Watch program are Mike Hergert, Red River Farm Network (left) and Andy Vance, Feedstuffs. NAFB just held a business meeting for members and our event organizers gave us an overview of the program.

I got Mike & Andy outside the room after the meeting to talk about this year’s agenda which you can find here (pdf). We’re hoping to get some very fresh farm bill mark up information as it happens tomorrow and Wednesday. I also asked them about weather and crop conditions in their areas and it’s like you might expect. Up until now wet and cold but Mike says the temperatures in his area have heated up so we’ll hope for some good planting progress now!

Listen to my interview with the Mike & Andy Show here: Interview with Mike Hergert and Andy Vance

I have a photo album started: 2013 NAFB Washington Watch Photo Album

NAFB Watching Washington

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NAFB Washington WatchIt’s time for National Association of Farm Broadcasting members to gather in Washington, DC for their annual Washington Watch program. It has been a few years since I’ve attended but thanks go out to GROWMARK for making it possible this year!

We’ll kick off activities this afternoon with the Issues Forum. It’s kind of like a mini Trade Talk with representatives of many different organizations attending and available for interviews. I’ll do as many as the time allows and be sharing them with you. The Issues Forum session is sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association. You can find a list of all sponsors here (pdf).

I’m going to miss the evening’s Press Club dinner with a representative of the World Wildlife Fund. Don’t think I’ll be missing much with that.

Tomorrow morning we meet up at USDA and will be speaking with a number of department heads including the Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack. It looks like Wednesday morning will be all about the Farm Bill as we hear from different members of the Senate and House where their versions of the new legislation are going through mark ups.

So that’s where in the world of agriculture I’ll be this week. See you from there.

Passing of George Logan

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George LoganCindy and I were very saddened to hear of the passing of George Logan. George was one of the people we got to know well through the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. He was always willing to talk and offer advice over the years and always seemed to kept a pretty level head. We have memories of visiting him at his Lake of the Ozarks place when our daughters were younger and wish we could have done that more often. Here’s the announcement from the NAFB office.

Dear NAFB members,

Once again, our association finds itself saying goodbye to one of our long standing members. We received notice this morning that George Logan passed away.

George served our organization in so many ways–he was President in 1972, served as NAFB’s first Executive Secretary, honored as the Meritorious Service Award recipient in 1985 and was inducted in the NAFB Hall of Fame in 1995. George was also instrumental in helping set up the NAFB Foundation and served as Treasurer of the Foundation until just a few years ago. His impact on NAFB is evident and his friendliness and sincerity will be missed.

Services are currently pending. NAFB will provide details when they become available.

Tom Brand
Executive Director
National Association of Farm Broadcasting

Post Update: You can find a full biography of George Logan, details about services and more using this link.

Season’s Greetings From NAFB

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NAFB HolidayThe National Association of Farm Broadcasting is sharing their season’s greetings.

Celebrate…

the Tradition of Giving,
the Beauty of the Season,
and a New Year of
Peace and Happiness!

From Your Friends at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting

2012 NAFB President Tom Steever has written a holiday story for your listening pleasure, featuring the 2012 NAFB Board of Directors. Click the link to listen! Holiday Greetings from the 2012 NAFB Board of Directors (mp3)

Telling the Animal Ag Story

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Kay Johnson Smith Animal Ag Alliance
The Animal Agriculture Alliance participated in this year’s National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention. Here’s Kay Johnson Smith, President/CEO, being interviewed by one of the broadcasters.

Kay says that all of the animal ag industries have animal care guidelines that have been developed over years of work and are based on scientific research. She encourages farmers to be transparent and proactive. Most consumers don’t have a good understanding of how their food is raised and they’re asking questions. She says “our industry has been silent too long,” and encourages farmers to get involved in using social media to join the conversation about food. Kay offers some ideas for farmers who have concerns about the actions of animal rights activists.

Listen to my interview with Kay: Interview with Kay Johnson Smith

2012 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Asgrow 4P System and agSeedSelect

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During the 2012 NAFB Convention I spoke with Dan Kurdys, Asgrow Brand Manager. In a challenging year he says they had great harvest results with a greater than four bushel advantage over their competition. He attributes that to their “diverse germplasm pool, Genuity Roundup Ready trait and defensive and agronomic traits that are available to purchase.” Dan says they’ve developed the Asgrow 4P System, Plan, Plant, Protect and Perform, to give growers an edge in the soybean growing process.

Looking ahead to 2013 farmers can find the right Asgrow seed by using their agSeedSelect tool. This is available for your mobile device, either Apple iOS or Android.

No need to search through hundreds of pages to find the right seed for your field. agSeedSelect lets you create, store, email and print a seed guide tailored to your specific geography and crops. Featuring videos by our agronomists, the app provides detailed information on top products from Asgrow, DEKALB and Deltapine.

You can listen to my interview with Dan here: Interview with Dan Kurdys

CBB – Doing More With Less

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In 2011 beef checkoff dollars funded the National Beef Quality Audit and identified that producers needed to do a better job of telling their story. During the recent National Association of Farm Broadcaster’s annual Trade Talk the Cattlemen’s Beef Board shared what programs they are funding to help producers do just that.

Chuck talked with Kim Brackett, Secretary/Treasurer for CBB, she talked about resources producers can use to help answer some hard questions consumers have. CBB has flip books available through your state beef councils to help get the conversation started.

“We have invested a lot of checkoff dollars into programs focusing on equipping producers with the tools and the skills they need to engage with consumers. Have a conversation and try to answer the questions consumers have. Some of the programs we have funded are Masters of Beef Advocacy, National Beef Ambassadors and United States Farmers and Ranchers Alliance.”

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Kim here: Kim Brackett - Cattleman's Beef Board

Chuck also spoke with Wesley Grau, Chairmen of CBB. Wesley was excited to share how even in these tough times CBB is doing much more to help spread the word about beef.

“You know that old saying, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going.’ We are doing more with less. We are streamlining efficiencies with committees and Cattlemen’s Beef Board. I think we are following the pattern of the average producer in America and that is to buckle down and get the job done, whatever the cost.”

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Wesley here: Wesley Grau - Cattleman's Beef Board

2012 NAFB Convention Photo Album

NAFB Foundation Auction Record

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The 2012 NAFB Foundation Auction was a record success this year, raising over $22,000 according to Foundation president Ken Anderson of Brownfield Ag News.

Ken extends special thanks to Orion Samuelson, WGN Radio, Chicago, IL, for his generosity in donating the first two copies of his new book, “You Can’t Dream Big Enough.” That generous donation was multiplied by the generosity of the bidders, especially Patrick Gottsch (RFD-TV) and Evan Slack who were high bidders for the first book.

Auction chairman Greg Akagi says the first book was sold twice at the auction to both Evan and Patrick who paid a combined $7500 for it. Murray Wise Associates bought the second book during the silent auction for $200. “The total overall was $7,700.00!! And that made the Auction Chair very happy,” said Greg.

The now traditional boys versus girls bidding war over a weekend at the Lake Ozark home of Al Johnson and Sara Wyant (Agri-Pulse) ended in TWO weekends – twice the dollars for the Foundation – and since the boys club included my husband, it means we will be part of both!

Ken reports that they had 75 silent auction items and 13 live auction items this year and he thanked everyone who contributed to this year’s successful event, including the Foundation Auction Committee – Sally Behringer (MustangRED Communications, Lawerence, KS), Haylie Shipp (Northern Ag Network, Billings, MT), DeAnna Thomas (WMBD/WIRL Radio, Peoria, IL), Ty Higgins (Ohio Ag Net, Columbus, OH), and Carah Hart (Osborn Barr Communications, Kansas City, MO).

“My mind is already thinking ahead for the 70th Annual NAFB Convention and what we can do to make the NAFB Foundation Auction another great success,” Ken says. We need to think about donating a fishing weekend on the Gulf of Mexico!

Syngenta Shares New Product Lines at NAFB

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It was obvious Syngenta was excited to talk about all the new and innovative things they have going on in the soybean and corn labs at the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s annual Trade Talk.

I spoke with Scott Erickson, Soybean Genetics Portfolio Manager for Syngenta. He shared how they are tackling all the things that can rob yields during the growing season and save farmers time and money.

“Well, we work on the seed part of the business which would be NK brand soybean varieties. Our focus is how do we put together the best genetic package that can deliver the most yield potential to todays soybean growers.”

“A lot of soybean farmers know CruiserMaxx Beans from Syngenta. That’s a registered insecticide and fungicide that we sold under the CruiserMaxx label, but now we have also launched a new fungicide focused on root strength called Vibrance. Soybeans from Syngenta this year, if purchased with treatment on them, will all come with CruiserMaxx Beans plus Vibrance. That is a great way to get the seedling off to a great start.”

Listen to my complete interview with Scott here: Scott Erickson - Syngenta

I also sat down with Chuck Lee, who is head of the corn division for Syngenta. He shared his enthusiasm for a great new product that will create drought tolerance in corn fields all season long.

“So, obviously we have lots invested in corn. We have lots of exciting things just this year that are coming out in the corn space. And probably one of the most exciting is our Agrisure Artesian technology. It’s a drought tolerant technology. It provides season long drought protection. It has really been an effective trait. We have more than 1,000 farmer strip trials out this year and in those strip trials they have increased yields up to 15% in moderate and severe drought environments.”

Listen to my complete interview with Chuck here: Chuck Lee - Syngenta

2012 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Economic Outlook for Pork Industry

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Pork producers were well represented at the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Trade Talk. I sat down with National Pork Producers Council economist, Steve Meyer. Steve shared his thoughts on the 2012 growing season, as well as his outlook for our next fiscal year.

“It’s been a tough year because of the cost of production. The drought drove corn prices to records and soybean meal prices to records. Producers have suffered through that, but many had some coverage on feed costs through the end of the 2011-2012 crop year in August. But there wasn’t a lot of coverage for the fall.”

“We had a lot of hogs come to market in August and September primarily because producers were trying to ship the hogs a little early to reduce weights. So, we had a surge of pigs that drove, what I think the prices to the seasonal low. I think we will kind of move sideways, still seeing some pretty substancial loss for cash markets this fall. The outlook for next year is a little better, but still not very good with only profits during the summer months. A real critical thing for producers right now is that we get rain next year.”

Steve also commented on what impact pork producers across the county would see if the farm bill wasn’t reinstated come January.

Listen to my complete interview with Steve here: Steve Meyer - NPPC

2012 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Farm Credit – Working For Producers

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Whether it’s managing risk associated with high prices, a drought or the lack of a farm bill, Farm Credit Services of America shared with us at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Trade Talk that producers are always #1 in their mind.

Doug Stark, President and CEO of Farm Credit Services of America, spoke with me about how producers can take advantage of the servies they have to offer.

“There is a lot going on in agriculture right now. Certainly the drought and the weather has occupied most producers minds throughout this year. But fortunately we have crop insurance, which was a great safety net. That leads to the farm bill and the debt deficit and getting something done there. It’s been an interesting year and challenging year in a lot of regards, but at the same time producers are doing well.”

“There are some really good opportunities out there in agriculture and we are seeing that the Farm Credit system is really doing a good job stepping up and financing producers when they need credit to expand and grow and buy land in some cases at record prices. And in other cases we just need to support them because they were impacted by the drought and by high feed costs.”

Listen to my complete interview with Doug here: Doug Stark - Farm Credit

2012 NAFB Convention Photo Album

US Wheat Associates Fight For Farm Bill

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US Wheat Associates sat down with me during the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Trade Talk to discuss how their checkoff dollars are used to promote and market US wheat and what the lack of a farm bill come January will mean to US wheat producers.

Dan Hughes, Vice Chairman for US Wheat Associates, shared his passion for the industry as a farmer and as an advocate for other US wheat producers.

“US Wheat Associates is a group of 19 states that has wheat checkoffs. These are funds generated by producers in each state to help in marketing and promotion. We take those funds and leverage with USDA funds. We get grants from the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program. For each dollar the producer puts in we get a grant for $2 or $3 from USDA. That is how we fund our overseas offices. We have 15 offices around the world. From Korea to Africa. From these locations we service the buyers of US wheat.”

“The lack of a farm bill is a great concern for us right at the moment. As I mentioned earlier we rely heavily on MAP and FMD funding from USDA. Currently without a farm bill those program have expired. So by the end of January we will have to begin closing offices overseas. That is really not expectable because we are not the only wheat supplier in the world.”

Listen to my complete interview with Dan here: Dan Hughes - US Wheat Associates

2012 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Ag Leader Technology – Independent and Innovative

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The Ag Leader Technology team talked to farm broadcasters at the recet NAFB convention. I sat down with Lori Costello, Marketing Communications Manager (seated on right), and we talked about the great anniversary year Ag Leader is having.

There are some unique things about Ag Leader Technology that you may not know. For example, Lori says Ag Leader Technology is independently owned and they take great pride in that. The also, “develop, manufacture, ship and support” all of their products right from their office in Ames, IA. When it comes to training Lori says, “We want everyone to be an agnerd.” That’s why they developed the Ag Leader Academy.

Lori says that Ag Leader Technology’s founder, Al Myers, has a main goal to keep being an innovator and bring products that farmers need to the market. It was 20 years ago that Al started the company so that’s the anniversary that the company is celebrating.

Listen to my interview with Lori to find out what else sets the company apart in the precision ag arena here: Interview with Lori Costello

2012 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Beef Producers Unite for Alltech’s Global 500

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It is just a week before Alltech’s 5th Annual Global 500 kicks off. Dairy and beef leaders from across the world will come together to share ideas and educate themselves on new and cutting edge technologies.

They are expecting over 500 beef producers to attend this year’s event. Steve Van Dyke, cow/calf producer from South Dakota, attended his first Global 500 last year and can’t wait to attend again.

“The Global 500 was different from other beef events I’ve attended because it offers a worldwide perspective on beef production, beef sustainability and beef quality improvement,” said Van Dyke. “Alltech’s Global 500 provides information to people in all phases of beef production, but always in an insightful way.”

“The food animal industry is changing rapidly, both in the US and globally,” Van Dyke added. “At Global 500, we were challenged to look at things from a new perspective. The lessons I learned at Global 500 made me a better manager, producer, and steward of the industry I love.”

This year’s agenda seeks to once again offer some insight on topics such as branding beef, social media, employee training, decreasing carbon footprints and mycotoxins as well as many presentations that will address the core theme for the event, the EPS Principle: Efficiency, Profitability and Sustainability.

I am excited to attend this years event and during the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s (NAFB) Trade Talk I had a chance to talk with David Butler, Web Marketing Manager for Alltech. He offered insite to the upcoming event and shared what hot topics will be discussed. Check my interview with David here.

Also during NAFB I spoke with Ann Kopecky, Alltech’s North America Field PR Coordinator, about Alltech’s recent launch of their 37+ Program. This new mass spectrometry technique investigates 38 different mycotoxins allowing for a broader analytical approach into the contamination.

Listen to my interview with Ann here: Ann Kopecky - Alltech

2012 NAFB Convention Photo Album