Wheat Growers grain and agronomy cooperative announces that Travis Antonsen has been promoted to lead Wheat Growers’ grain origination efforts as the Producer Marketing Manager.
Prior to joining the Wheat Growers team, Antonsen was the head of origination for the Minnesota Soybean Processors plant in Brewster, Minn. Before that he was a merchandiser for the South Dakota Soybean Processors facility in Volga, S.D.
The Minneapolis Grain Exchange has been doing a monthly conference calls with commentary on USDA crop and supply/demand reports for many years. Now they are doing the same for their friends north of the border.
Today was the inaugural MGEX conference call in conjunction with the Stats Canada agricultural data releases, following the release of March Intentions of Principal Field Crop Areas, 2012 report. The call included commentary on the data from Dennis Cajigas from Zaner Group. The first call had several Canadian journalists tuned in, as well as farm broadcaster Al Gustin of KFYR in Bismark, ND who asked about the impact recent developments regarding the Canadian Wheat Board may have had on this year’s planting intentions in Canada.
All of the MGEX conference calls are posted on the exchange website – links right on the front page. Contact Rita Maloney or Joe Victor at MGEX if you would like to receive notices about upcoming calls.
Listen to today’s MGEX Canadian crop conference call here: MGEX Canadian Conference Call
Caught up with the execs of the National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates at the 2012 Commodity Classic to find out what’s new with wheat.
What’s really new for NAWG is a brand new scholarship program with BASF just announced at the Classic, and CEO Dana Peterson says they are happy about the scholarship but sad about the circumstances that brought it about. “We are pleased to join with BASF to honor a longtime friend of wheat, Mr. Jerry Minore. He passed away just recently from a sudden illness and we were sorry to see him go,” Dana said.
Because Jerry just passed away less than a month ago, the details on the scholarship are still being developed, but Dana says they will be announced soon and available on the NAWG website.
Dana says they are thrilled with the record turnout of over 6,000 producers at Classic this year and pleased to celebrate their fifth year being one of the commodity groups that join together for the event.
Listen to my interview with Dana here: NAWG CEO Dana Peterson
I also spoke with U.S. Wheat president Alan Tracy at the wheat industry booth and he told me how excited they are about export opportunities in Asia, noting that they just celebrated their golden anniversary in Philippines. “In Asia, we continue to do very well,” he said. “I just returned from the Philippines where we celebrated the 50th anniversary of our having an office there in Manila.”
Alan says the Philippines have become at least the 5th largest market for U.S. Wheat. “This year it’s going to be 95% of their wheat comes form the United States,” Alan said, adding that the export market makes up about half of the U.S. crop in a given year.
Listen to my interview with Dana here: US Wheat President Alan Tracy
2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album
Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New HollandBASF Crop Protection is expanding its support of young people pursuing careers in agriculture by joining with the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) Foundation to establish a memorial scholarship to honor longtime wheat industry friend and BASF employee Jerry Minore. As a BASF Senior Market Manager, Minore was a liaison to the wheat industry, including NAWG and the Foundation, and an advocate for wheat growers.
Paul Rea, Vice President of U.S. Crop Protection for BASF, says Jerry passed away suddenly just a few weeks ago. “It was a real loss and everyone was looking for a way we could remember his service so what better way than to award a memorial scholarship in his name,” said Paul.
Listen to or download Paul talking about BASF’s commitment to the future of agriculture and the new scholarship: BASF VP U.S. Crop Protection Paul Rea
BASF has funded the Jerry Minore Memorial Scholarship for up to $5,000 per year the next three years. Applications for the scholarship program will be accepted through the end of 2012, with the first recipients to be announced at next year’s Commodity Classic.
This year, for the fifth consecutive year, BASF partnered with the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) to present another six students with scholarships.
Recipients of the $1,000 NCGA scholarships, pictured here with Paul Rea and NCGA Chairman Bart Schott, are (left to right): Andy Chamra, a junior at Iowa State University pursuing agricultural business; Denise Beam, a sophomore at Pennsylvania State University pursuing a degree in animal sciences with an agricultural business management minor; Gracie Weinzierl, a sophomore at Illinois State University majoring in agricultural education in addition to crop and soil science; Andrew Perry, a sophomore at the University of Missouri-Columbia, studying agricultural economics and plant science; and Bethany Olson, a junior at Iowa State University specializing in agricultural business and international agriculture.
Melissa Schenck of Boston, Kentucky – pictured here with Paul and ASA president Steve Wellman – was chosen as the 2012-2013 ASA SOY scholarship recipient. Schenck, a senior at Nelson County High School, will pursue a degree in agriculture communications at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, beginning this fall.
Melissa says she plans to go to Murray State University and major in ag communications or ag business. “Getting a scholarship from ASA and BASF means that college is going to be easier to pay for,” she said. “This scholarship has taken a load off my shoulders” and her parents too! She’s never been to Commodity Classic before and is really enjoying it.
Listen to or download an interview with Melissa here: ASA-BASF Scholarship Winner Melissa Schenck
See video of all scholarship winners here:
2012 BASF Science Behind Photo Album
Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New HollandOur ZimmPoll question this week is about what you think will be planted this year (just for corn and soybeans, with our apologies to the wheat and cotton growers), and USDA’s Chief Economist gave his answer at the 2012 Agricultural Outlook Forum last week.
“We’re estimating corn plantings at about 94 million acres, the largest plantings since 1944,” said Joe Glauber at the forum. “We’re projecting soybean area at 75 million acres. That’s very similar to last year’s levels.” Last year, actual planted acres totaled 92.3 million for corn and 75.2 for soybeans, so if Glauber were voting in the ZimmPoll, his answer would be “more corn, less soybeans.”
USDA is also predicting wheat acres to increase 3.6 million acres to 58 million and cotton lower at 13 million acres.
This is just USDA’s guesstimate at this point. The planting intentions survey of farmers is being done now and results will be released at the end of March. What do you think the answer will be? Vote in the ZimmPoll and let us know!
Some of Nashville’s top talent will take the stage at the Grand Ole Opry for the 2012 Commodity Classic Evening of Entertainment on March 3, sponsored by Monsanto.
Entertainers in the lineup for the evening include Darryl Worley, John Conlee, Sarah Darling, Mike Snider, and Joey+Rory. (We just saw Joey+Rory, best known for their hit “Cheater, Cheater, last week in Nashville at the Cattle Industry Convention – they’re great!)
“The Evening of Entertainment will cap off three days of learning sessions, policymaking, networking and a sold-out, record-setting trade show that has the 17th annual Commodity Classic on pace to be the largest in history,” said Commodity Classic co-chair Jeff Sollars.
Commodity Classic will be held March 1-3 at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., and is presented annually by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Sorghum Producers.
At the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) convention last week I had the opportunity to chat with Chris Wharam, a BASF tech services rep with in North Dakota, about how they help farmers and custom applicators in his state.
Chris was already pretty familiar with the crop protection business before he took the job with BASF, since his family owns Valley Sprayers in Park River, ND. Chris also has a master’s degree in plant pathology from North Dakota State University. “In my role with BASF, I get the opportunity to work with many people all throughout agriculture – including growers, retailers, distributors, university folks, consultants,” he said.
One of the things that BASF does to help aerial applicators is sponsor Operation S.A.F.E. (Self-Regulating Application and Flight Efficiency) fly-ins around the country. “It’s an opportunity for applicators to get their equipment calibrated and do pattern tests,” Chris said. “A little over 1200 planes have gone through these SAFE fly-ins, 150 different locations all over the United States.”
Many aerial applicators, like Valley Sprayers, also do custom ground applications for their clients, which Chris says is very important for cereal crop growers in his part of the country. “We often will make an application of Headline in the tank with our herbicide applications in that 3-5 leaf stage, and growers are consistently capturing a 4-6 bushel yield bump with that application,” he explained. “As the season progresses, we have an opportunity to apply fungicide again at the flag leaf time and our products at that time would be TwinLine® or Headline.” Finally, at flowering time, Chris says they have the head scab product called Caramba®, “again growers are consistently capturing anywhere from a 5-10 bushel yield advantage and reducing the toxins associated with scab infections.”
Listen to or download my interview with Chris from NAAA here: Chris Wharam with BASF
2011 NAAA Convention Photo Album
AgWired coverage of the 2011 NAAA Convention is sponsored by BASF.
Wheat Growers has announced Bill Pool as Director of Communications and Corporate Marketing.
“Bill Pool has a depth of understanding and knowledge of our industry that will help significantly move our communication and marketing efforts forward,” Steve Briggs, Wheat Growers Senior Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Agronomy, said. “His experience with and connections to major agricultural enterprises will serve Wheat Growers well.”
Bill Pool is a Minnesota native who most recently was Vice President and Regional Sales Director for Farm Market iD. Prior to that he held sales and marketing positions for Technekes LLC, American Cyanamid and Cargill.
Wheat Growers is a grain and agronomy cooperative. Interestingly, members now grow more corn and soybeans than wheat!
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack is confirmed to once again be the keynote speaker for an expected crowd of more than 4,800 corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum producers and guests during the 2012 Commodity Classic, March 1-3 in Nashville, Tenn.
“The secretary’s return for a third straight visit is testament to the value of our grower constituency in Washington,” National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer said. “Given the concerns farmers have around the federal budget and 2012 farm bill discussions, the secretary’s message will be of great importance to attendees.”
”We are privileged and honored to have Secretary Vilsack as the keynote speaker for the Commodity Classic General Session,” said American Soybean Association President Alan Kemper. “The secretary’s visit will be a highlight of this dynamic event where farmers share ideas, network and learn about future trends in agriculture.”
Commodity Classic is the nation’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused conference and trade show, presented annually by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Sorghum Producers. For more information, visit CommodityClassic.com.
Stamina® F3 Cereals fungicide from BASF Crop Protection has received EPA registration for seed treatment use on small grains, including wheat, barley, rye, oats and triticale.
“Stamina F3 Cereals arms our growers with an effective seed treatment for their small grain seedlings,” said Don Guy, Marketing Manager, BASF Cereals Portfolio. “As one of our SeedSolutions treatments in our cereals offering, Stamina F3 Cereals delivers excellent disease control, convenience of use and low-dusting application. Stamina F3 Cereals has a red colorant and its higher application rate makes it very suitable for on-farm applications. Stamina F3 Cereals also complements Stamina® F3 HL fungicide seed treatment, which is designed specifically for commercial application.”
Stamina F3 Cereals delivers the benefits of three active ingredients that work together to provide broad-spectrum seed and seedling disease control in small grains. These three active ingredients, F500® (the same active ingredient in Stamina and Stamina F3 HL fungicide seed treatments, Headline® fungicide and TwinLine® fungicide), triticonazole (active ingredient in Charter® fungicide and Charter® F2 fungicide seed treatments) and metalaxyl (active ingredient in Acquire® fungicide seed treatment) have proven performance as shown in BASF’s current Crop Protection Solutions and SeedSolutions offerings. Seed treatment application with Stamina F3 Cereals has been associated with more rapid and increased emergence of seedlings under certain cold conditions.
USDA expects more corn, wheat and cotton to be planted this year, but slightly less soybeans, according to the Prospective Plantings report released this morning.
Corn growers intend to plant 92.2 million acres of corn for all purposes this year, up 5 percent from last year and 7 percent higher than in 2009. If realized, this will be the second highest planted acreage in the United States since 1944, behind only the 93.5 million acres planted in 2007. Soybean planted area for 2011 is estimated at 76.6 million acres, down 1 percent from last year. If realized, the United States planted area will be the third largest on record. All wheat planted area is estimated at 58.0 million acres, up 8 percent from last year. All cotton plantings for 2011 are expected to total 12.6 million acres, 15 percent above last year.
*POST UPDATE*
Listen to commentary about the report from Brian Hoops on Midwest Market Solutions who participated in this morning’s Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGEX) Crop Report Conference Call.
The 2011 Commodity Classic is one for the record books.
Attendance at the annual meeting of corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum growers shattered previous records. Total attendance was more than 4826, breaking the previous record at Nashville three years ago by almost 300. Total number of growers was over 1600, compared to the previous record of 1513 in 2009 in Grapevine. The number of media was down a bit, but still a pretty substantial 126. Next year, Classic is back in Nashville, maybe to set yet another record!
In a show of unity, the leadership of the National Corn Growers Association, the National Association of Wheat Growers, the American Soybean Association and the National Sorghum Producers issued a joint statement on the federal deficit and debt reduction following the conclusion of the Classic business sessions.
“We note that agriculture made a down payment in cutting spending when the Department of Agriculture directed $4 billion in savings under the Standard Reinsurance Agreement for federal crop insurance toward deficit reduction. We believe any further reduction in discretionary spending should recognize and reflect this contribution. We would also note that agriculture-related programs represent less than one-half of one percent of the federal budget.
“Looking forward, we believe any meaningful approach to deficit and debt reduction in the FY2012 budget must encompass all entitlement programs and all discretionary spending. We look forward to working with Congress and the Administration to develop a budget that successfully addresses the need for federal deficit and debt reduction balanced with the need of ensuring a successful agricultural economy.”
2011 Commodity Classic Photo Album
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UC Davis has won $40 million in federal grants to develop climate-change-tolerant plants and plants better suited to produce fuel. UC Davis scientists, who will led the various projects, will work with researchers at more than 50 universities spanning 20 states. UC Davis wheat geneticist Jorge Dubcovsky will receive $25 million to head a team that will work to develop new varieties of wheat and barley, and UC Davis forest tree geneticist David Neale will receive $14.6 million to head a team that will work to sequence the genomes of loblolly pine and two other conifers.
“Each of these projects features transdisciplinary, regional, integrated teams, including scientists from institutions that represent underserved populations.” said Roger Beachy, director of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture that awarded the grants. “This approach represents a new paradigm in how USDA science can best solve critical issues facing agriculture today.”
Linda P.B. Katehi, UC Davis Chancellor, added, “We are honored and pleased that the grant awards recognize the expertise and leadership of UC Davis in the field of plant genomics. We look forward to the practical solutions for agriculture and for the environment that will arise from these collaborative projects.”
After seeing a retweet this morning from FarmerNation I found this video posted that is a very tongue in cheek criticism of the Canadian Wheat Board. It’s on YouTube and the FarmerNation site and comments can be left and have been. I have no position on this but have to say that this video is hilarious regardless of which side you fall on. At least I hope the CWB can laugh (and comment). My favorite line from the CWB character is “You’re speaking eskimo.” Thanks FarmerNation and TheSaskFarmer for a good laugh.
If you can’t take policy makers to the field then take the field to the policy makers.
On Thursday, September 23rd and Friday, September 24th a live wheat field, approximately one quarter of an acre in size, will sprout from the streets of the nation’s capital in an effort to promote food literacy via farm-to-fork wheat education. The North Dakota Wheat Commission along with fellow members of the nation’s wheat industry will unite to deliver an authentic experience to city dwellers and key influencers during the Wheat Foods Council’s second Urban Wheat Field. The event will take place on Maryland Avenue between 3rd and 4th streets.
Coming off the success and excitement of New York’s Urban Wheat Field in 2008, the Wheat Foods Council is looking forward to strengthening their message and enhancing the experience at the Washington, D.C. event.
Experts in the areas of wheat agriculture, milling, baking and nutrition will guide visitors through each phase of the grain’s life cycle, engaging them in hands-on activities and demonstrations along the way. “This is a great opportunity to reach the urban population who may not be familiar with the agriculture industry or completely understand where their food comes from. They will be able to see the farm-to-fork process firsthand,” said Erica Olson, North Dakota Wheat Commission marketing specialist. The wheat on display is a hard red spring wheat variety grown in the Northern Plains.
Preceding the event, the National Association of Wheat Growers will host a reception for congressional staff members to experience the event and meet with representatives from their individual state wheat commissions.
Charter® F2 fungicide seed treatment has received registration from the Environmental Protection Agency, according to BASF Crop Protection.
“Charter F2 combines the benefits of Charter® fungicide seed treatment and AcquireTM fungicide seed treatment for convenience of use and excellent seed safety whether applied on-farm or commercially,” said Chris Exton, Marketing Manager, Seed Treatments for BASF Crop Protection. “Charter F2 is a ready-to-use formulation that controls a broad spectrum of the toughest diseases to help barley and wheat seedlings get a strong start.”
Charter F2 controls many of the most common disease threats in grains, including Fusarium seed rot and seedling blight, damping-off, wheat common bunt, and wheat and barley loose smut. It also provides suppression of Rhizoctonia root rot, common root rot and dry seed decay.
Charter F2 can be mixed with Stamina® fungicide seed treatment for a broader and enhanced spectrum of disease control, as well as Axcess™ insecticide seed treatment for insect control.
There was a lot to see and hear about at Commodity Classic but maybe the best testimonials for a product are the growers themselves. I spent a little time with two growers who gave several Stoller USA products their stamp of approval. Why? Because they have seen significant increase to their yields.
Ken Miller, both a grower and ag retailer who lives in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, said that he has been selling Stoller USA products for 12 years and has been using them for 10 years. I asked him when he became a believer and he said two years for him to believe in the product. Miller uses Bio-Forge, Sugar Mover Plus and X-TRA power. He is routinely seeing 12-14 bushel per acre increases in his corn yields, 6-7 bushels per acre increases in his soybean yield and 5-7 bushel per acre increases in his wheat yields. One of the benefits he noted was that the Bio-Forge helped the plant to make a “massive root system” that enabled it to take up the nutrients from the soil.
Donny Carpenter, a grower from Dimmitt, TX first began using Bio-Forge on his wheat. Last year, due to increased commodity prices for wheat, he increased his acreage and used Bio-Forge for the first time as a seed treatment. He noted that early on he couldn’t tell the difference between his Bio-Forge treated and untreated acres, but when the crop began to boot, this changed.
“We had a crop that stood better, didn’t try to fall because there wasn’t any lodging and it out yielded the untreated area by 12-15 bushels per acre.”
Although Carpenter plans to reduce his wheat crop this season (commodity prices have dropped again for wheat) he will be using the Bio-Forge on his corn and cotton this year and plans on experimenting with various types of applications.
I asked them both what they recommend for other growers and Carpenter encouraged other growers “to give it a shot.” Miller said, “Use Stoller products because they are proven.”
You can download (mp3 file) or listen to a Ken’s interview here:
You can download (mp3 file) or listen to Donny’s interview here:
AgWired coverage of the 2010 Commodity Classic
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Can you define sustainability? Neither can I. But that was the first task of the panel discussion of commodity group leaders this morning at Commodity Classic. Moderated by Mark Mayfield, the panel discussed what sustainability means to them. Panelists included: Darrin Ihnen, President, NCGA, Rob Joslin, President, ASA, Karl Scronce, President, NAWG and Gerald Simonsen, Chairman, NSP.
You’ll hear the panel says what sustainability isn’t and provide some good reasons why farmers are very much involved with this issue.
You can listen to the commodity group leaders with Mark below.
AgWired coverage of the 2010 Commodity Classic
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National Association of Wheat Growers President, Karl Scronce had his turn with Mark Mayfield on stage here at Commodity Classic.
Exports and trade was the first subject to come up in the interview. Karl says exports are vitally important and the U.S. is the biggest exporter in the world. He says trade has been very sporadic depending on the time and country you’re talking about. There are a number of trade agreements in the works that could be very important in the future.
You can listen to Karl and Mark below.
AgWired coverage of the 2010 Commodity Classic
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Fifteen years ago, StollerUSA opened up an office in Australia, and today Stoller Australia has demonstrated that they have many products that are beneficial for Australian growers. I caught up with Richard Emery, who runs this division during the Ag Associates Conference. He began by telling me that the country has a diverse range of crops including wheat and cotton, mangoes and table grapes, citrus, vegetables, and more.
One of the country’s biggest challenges is water scarcity – the country has been in a drought for nearly 10 years. Emery told me that the drought has flown down through many of the crops and water has become a very scarce commodity and has become one of the company’s biggest challenges.
However, Stoller has some products that help growers address some of these challenges including Root Feed. “For example, Root Feed has become very popular because it builds the root system of the tree or plant. So it actually makes it a more durable plant and able to overcome some of these stress periods,” explained Emery. “And also the development of the product Bio-Forge has been very timely because we’re now using it after a drought stress or heat wave. Afterwards, we apply Bio-Forge and we get a much quicker recovery of the plant.”
Bio-Forge can be used universally, whereas Root Feed, Emery notes, is limited to where there is a good fertigation system.
The importance of root systems is very new to growers in Australia and Emery says that his team spends a good amount of time educating the grower about the importance of strong, healthy roots. Emery concluded, “The roots are the brains of the the plant. So they need to be doing everything they can to have a robust, continually growing root system under their crop.”
Listen to my interview with Richard below.
Ag Associates Conference Flickr Album.
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