Animal Ag Bites 11/12

Carrie Muehling

  • Zoetis has announced a new data and testing agreement with Leachman Cattle of Colorado to provide a unique genomically enhanced genetic evaluation.
  • The incidence of occupational injuries and illnesses within the poultry sector’s slaughter and processing workforce has fallen by 83 percent over the last 20 years and continues to decline according to the 2017 Injury and Illness Report recently released by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • Finalists for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) National Anthem Contest, sponsored by Norbrook, and the NCBA Cowboy Poetry Contest, sponsored by IMI Global, have been selected. Public voting for winners will run through Dec. 4, 2018. Winners will be announced Dec. 5. To view finalists and cast your vote (one vote per location per day), or to register for the convention, go to www.convention.beefusa.org.
  • National Horse and Burro Rangeland Management Coalition Chair, Ethan Lane, released a statement in response to the injunction to halt research exploring surgical sterilization of horses and burros on federal land: “By stifling research exploring surgical population management solutions for horse and burro populations on federal land, we are furthering irreversible damage to rangelands and adding to a complex animal welfare issue. Surgical sterilization is a population management technique scientifically proven to be safe, effective and cost-efficient. The Bureau of Land Management was proceeding in a responsible, measured manner in this study, and they have support from sportsman, livestock, wildlife, and land conservation organizations who represent millions of Americans.”
  • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association members are disappointed in the announcement that R-CALF will be allowed to expand its “activist-funded” crusade against state beef councils. NCBA says R-CALF claims are “without merit and only serve to divide beef producers and distract beef councils from the important work of building demand for our products.”
AgWired Animal, Animal Bites

USTR’s Gregg Doud Talks Trade at #NAFB18

Cindy Zimmerman

Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the US Trade Representative’s Office Gregg Doud held a press conference at the 2018 National Association of Farm Broadcasters Convention in Kansas City Thursday to talk trade after Trade Talk.

Doud discussed what’s in the new U.S. Mexico Canada trade agreement (USMCA) and also addressed strategies dealing with China and the European Union.

Listen here – USTR chief ag negotiator Gregg Doud

2018 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Audio, Exports, NAFB, Trade

U.S. Drivers Hit Six Billion Miles on E15

Cindy Zimmerman

As the administration begins to move toward making E15 available year round, Growth Energy says American drivers have already driven a total of six billion so far on the 15% ethanol blend with no complaints.

“American drivers know a good value when they see it, which is precisely why once they try E15 they come back again and again,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “E15 provides unrivaled value for engines, the environment, and people’s wallets and we’re seeing more and more Americans rely on E15 to fuel their lives.”

E15 is approved for all 2001 and newer vehicles and major retailers like Kwik Trip, Sheetz, Casey’s, Cumberland Farms, Thorntons, Kum & Go, RaceTrac, QuikTrip, Rutter’s, Minnoco, Protec Fuel, Murphy USA, Family Express, and Cenex offer E15 at more than 1,600 stations across 30 states.

Skor talked about the new milestone a the National Association of Farm Broadcasting last week –
Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor comments on six billion miles on E15

Audio, Ethanol, NAFB

FMC Proud to Be Part of NAFB

Cindy Zimmerman

FMC Corporation was once again a sponsor of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual Trade Talk, a unique event that provides the chance for agribusiness companies and organizations to be interviewed by dozens of agricultural reporters in one place.

In this interview, FMC Senior Communications Manager Lisa Homer (now a proud member of the Golden Mic Club!) says the event is a great opportunity to connect with the people who tell the story of agriculture, and she talks about the exciting FMC product pipeline.

Listen here – Interview with Lisa Homer, FMC, at 2018 NAFB Convention

2018 NAFB Convention Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, Media, NAFB

RFA Displays Custom Ethanol Motorcycle at NAFB

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) was once again proud to be a sponsor of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual convention, this year having on display the new custom motorcycle built by Paul Teutul Jr. for the American Chopper TV series.

In one of many interviews with farm broadcasters at the annual Trade Talk, RFA Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White discussed E15 expansion since the President Trump called on EPA to change the outdated Reid Vapor Pressure rule that keeps the blend from being sold in the summer months. He said they are encouraged by news like the announcement this week that GROWMARK will now offering pre-blended E15 at its company-owned terminals in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri.

He also talks about the challenges ahead in getting the E15 rule approved before next summer, and the continued efforts by RFA to educate boaters and motorcyclists that all of their engines are approved to use up to a 10% ethanol blend but NOT E15.

Listen here: Interview with Robert White, RFA, at 2018 NAFB Convention

2018 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, NAFB, RFA

Night of Honors Winners

Cindy Zimmerman

Longtime good friends Don Wick and Mike Adams were inducted into the NAFB Hall of Fame this year. Adams and Wick served together as officers of NAFB, Wick was president in 1997 and Adams in 1999. Now they are friendly competitors as Mike this year started working for American Ag Network in North Dakota, while Don is president of Red River Farm Network, also in North Dakota.

Mary Kay Thatcher, who retired last year from the American Farm Bureau Federation and now works for Syngenta, was honored with the 2018 Dix Harper Meritorious Service Award Winner for her years of helping farm broadcasters tell the story of agricultural policy from Washington DC.

The 2018 Doan Award winner was Tyne Morgan, host of U.S. Farm Report, pictured here receiving the honor from 2002 NAFB president Colleen Callahan. And the 2018 Plambeck Awards For Creative Excellence went to Arysta LifeScience for a single radio commercial and Wyffels Hybrids for best series. Congrats to all!

2018 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC
NAFB

Zimfo Bytes 11/9

Carrie Muehling

  • Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer. The state winner will be announced at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019. Applications are due by Dec. 15, 2018. The award application is available online at www.gapeanuts.com.
  • MGEX reports that the total exchange volume for October came in at 160,100 contracts, which is an increase of 33% compared to October 2017.
  • HELM Agro US, Inc. announced the hiring of Adam Hensley as the company’s new Marketing and Business Development Leader.
  • Commodity Classic and Successful Farming® are partnering to bring Commodity Classic attendees a dynamic list of educational and entertaining Main Stage presentations. The Main Stage line-up for 2019 includes: Brian and Darren Hefty of Ag PhD presenting on weed control and micronutrients; nationally-renowned speaker Jolene Brown talking about farm transition and succession planning; Marji Guyler-Alanz, president and founder of FarmHer; Rob Sharkey, known for his podcast The Shark Farmer; Al Kluis, marketing columnist for Successful Farming®; a cooking demonstration by Chef Denise Flores Ordoñez; and panel discussions and presentations featuring top ag experts and industry leaders.
  • The National Corn Growers Association announced the launch of the second Consider Corn Challenge contest.
  • The outcome of the midterm election and what it means for the food and agriculture sector will be the focus of the Farm Foundation Forum on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. For the free live audiocast, register HERE.
  • The National FFA Foundation has announced appointments to its sponsors’ board and individual giving council. For a complete listing of all current sponsors’ board and individual giving council members, visit FFA.org/our-leadership/.
Zimfo Bytes

Pork, Soy and Corn Groups Unite for Sustainability Research

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Pork Board (NPB), United Soybean Board (USB) and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) are joining together on a sustainability research platform that will benefit all three organizations and their producers.

The CEOs and farmer leaders of all three organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the 2018 NAFB Convention Wednesday in Kansas City, MO. The research program will include the sharing of completed research, coordination on current and planned research and define ways to share and communicate results with each organization’s members.

Pictured at the signing are NPB communications Cindy Cunningham; NPB CEO Bill Even; NPB President Steve Rommereim, South Dakota; USB CEO Polly Ruhland; USB chairman Lewis Bainbridge, South Dakota; NCGA CEO Jon Doggett, and NCGA president Lynn Chrisp of Nebraska.

A task force of farmer representatives from NPB, USB and NCGA will be formed and, with support from each organization, will be responsible for managing and evaluating the activities outlined in the MOU. Additionally, the task force will track progress and evaluate the value and impact of the MOU upon completion of all activities.

Listen to the group announcement here – Pork, Soy and Corn sustainability agreement

2018 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC
AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Corn, NAFB, NCGA, Pork, Pork Checkoff, Soybean, Sustainability

2018 NAFB Foundation Going Strong

Cindy Zimmerman

The NAFB Foundation presented $25,000 in college scholarships to five outstanding students during the foundation luncheon on Wednesday at the 75th annual convention.

The scholarship recipients, pictured here with NAFB Foundation president Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse, are:

Matthew Winterholler, Texas Tech University
National Wheat Foundation/U.S. Wheat Associates Scholarship

Jacqueline Janorschke, University of Missouri
George Logan Scholarship

Corryn La Rue, Utah State University
Glenn Kummerow Memorial Scholarship

Alexandra Voichoskie-Hansen, University of Lincoln
BASF Grow Smart Scholarship

Christy Allen, University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign
Orion Samuelson Scholarship, sponsored by CME Group

The big and fun NAFB Foundation live auction is at the Thursday evening reception at the end of a very long Trade Talk day, so for the first time one special item will be up for auction tonight at the opening reception sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association – which is a kayak tour on the Potomac guided by NCGA CEO Jon Doggett.

There are also TONS of great silent auction items pn display for bidding and, of course, you can always contribute on-line and become a member of the Booster Club.

Chuck talked to Sara Wyant about the foundation and its widespread industry support. Interview with NAFB Foundation president Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse

2018 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, NAFB, NCGA

2018 NAFB Social Media Corps

Cindy Zimmerman

College students passionate about social media and digital storytelling are busy sharing 2018 NAFB Convention updates throughout the event on various social platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Farm Credit and Zoetis are sponsoring this year’s Social Media Corps, which consists of (pictured left to right) Jackie Leeuw, Purdue University; Hannah Borg, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and Michaela Simcoe, South Dakota State University.

Follow the convention updates with the hash tag #NAFB18 and listen to an interview here with Hannah Borg about the mission of the Social Media Corps. NAFB18 Social Media Corps interview with Hannah Borg, Univ of Neb.

2018 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC
Audio, Farm Credit, Media, NAFB