Making Hunger Extinct at #TransformFFA

Lizzy Schultz October 27, 2016

Those who study and work in the agriculture industry are often directly involved in global conversations about world hunger, as well as the fight to eliminate it, and FFA students are no exception. When HungerU, a mobile tour that promotes awareness and discussion about food insecurity, set up a booth at the 2016 National FFA Convention & Expo, they were impressed with the knowledge and appreciation these future ag leaders already possess.

“All of the FFA students have a really unique perspective on agriculture because a lot of them have a background in agriculture, but that isn’t always the case at the Universities we go to,” said HungerU’s Anna Libra in an interview during the convention. “We see a lot more appreciation for agriculture here, the facts about world hunger are less shocking to FFA students.”

The HungerU exhibit was fun and interactive, with a giant T-Rex on display in honor of the organization’s commitment to “Make Hunger Extinct,” and students visiting the booth were encouraged to take the HungerU challenge.

“It’s five questions about global food security, and after we ask students to come in and take the challenge they have the opportunity to opt in to have us donate a meal on their behalf to local organizations we’ve partnered with,” said Libra.

Learn more in Jamie’s full interview with Anna here:
Interview with Anna Libra, HungerU

Be sure to check out even more action by viewing the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo Photo Album.

Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by

Ag Groups, Audio, Education, FFA, Food, University

Alltech’s Aimee Reese Inducted into NAPW

Jamie Johansen October 27, 2016

Alltech’s Aimee Reese has been honored by the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) as a 2016-2017 inductee into its VIP Woman of the Year Circle. She is recognized with this prestigious distinction for leadership in agriculture bio technology. NAPW is the nation’s leading networking organization exclusively for professional women, boasting more than 850,000 members, a thriving eChapter and over 200 operating Local Chapters.

“I’m pleased to welcome Aimee into this exceptional group of professional women,” said NAPW President Star Jones. “Her knowledge and experience in her industry are valuable assets to her company and community.”

For the last 10 years, Aimee Reese has been Senior Executive Assistant at Alltech. There, she supports the Owner/Founder and CEO, Dr. Pearse Lyons, with scheduling of meetings, conference calls, etc. She handles all administrative duties and manages a staff of assistants. Ms. Reese is also involved with the Association of Executive and Administrative Professionals.

The unwavering dedication demonstrated by Ms. Reese fully utilizes the aspirations for success that have earned her this recognition from the National Association of Professional Women, honoring her as an inspiration and a leader in her industry.

Agribusiness, Alltech

Hunting with a Bad Boy

Chuck Zimmerman October 27, 2016

Well, say hello to a brand new Bad Boy Off Road Recoil IS Crew. This four passenger side by side features a 72V AC drivetrain for what I like to call “silent running.” It let’s you get a lot closer to your deer stand than a gas engine.

Did I mention that I’m on my annual deer hunt? It’s that time in Georgia and the Crystal Pig Hunt Club is seeing some early pre-rut action!

Back to the Bad Boy. This vehicle also has 4 wheel independent suspension so we’ve got a very smooth ride on these rough roads and trails here at the Pig. That means a lot, especially after a long day in a stand and cleaning deer.

Speaking of deer, my first morning in the Recoil I went to my stand and shot two does. I saw the buck I want and hope to find him in my sights next time. I put the does in the cargo space and hauled them to our cleaning stand.

So, why a Bad Boy and why now? To start with, I have an old model Bad Boy from before they were acquired by Textron Specialized Vehicles. It is also out here at the Pig doing yeoman’s work moving us around. I’ve been very impressed with it and when the opportunity presented itself to test drive a new model I jumped. During this Georgia deer season I’ll be letting you know a lot more about using the Recoil in a very practical situation. I’m making notes for now and there will be much more to come.

Thank you Textron and Bad Boy Off Road! Official hunt vehicle of the Crystal Pig Hunt Club this season.

Hunting

Ethanol Impresses Students at National FFA Convention

Kelly Marshall October 27, 2016

FFA Students already understand the importance of ethanol to rural communities and national security, says Cory Harris of Growth Energy and American Ethanol. That’s why they’ve chosen this special group of agriculture students to focus the message of performance.

“Our message here at National FFA Convention, […] we really wanted to focus this year on engine performance with Ethanol,” Harris told Jamie Johansen.

Many of the students at the event knew ethanol was corn based, and some related it to racing, but the team at Growth Energy wanted to go a little further. They brought in a racing boat and experts to share with the future of agriculture just how proficient this alternative fuel can be. Students can be skeptical about how it will work for them, Harris explains. Their goal is to assure members that the product works great in small engines too, like their car or lawn mower.

The Convention provides a great place for students to talk about the science behind the product, but it will also provide the opportunity for a student to attend a NASCAR race and see ethanol in action with a drawing for free tickets.

Learn more about Growth Energy and their goals for FFA in Jamie’s interview: Interview with Cory Harris, Growth Energy

Be sure to check out even more action by viewing the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo Photo Album.

Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by

Education, Ethanol, FFA

Megatrends Offer Agribusiness Opportunities

Cindy Zimmerman October 27, 2016

A number of global megatrends can mean new opportunities for agribusiness moving forward, according to Chris Nolan with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), who gave the keynote address this week at the 2016 Export Exchange co-sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the U.S. Grains Council.

Nolan identified five global megatrends – demographic shifts, global economic power shifts, accelerating urbanization, resource scarcity, and evolving technology – that provide opportunities for the agricultural industry.

One of the most important megatrends for the audience at Export Exchange is the demographic shifts, which Nolan differentiated from population growth. “The fact is population growth is not a trend but a fact of life,” he said. However, the accelerating growth of the middle class is a trend that means the need for food will increase faster than the overall rate of population growth. “To be in the middle class means you consume more calories and your diet includes protein,” said Nolan. “Feeding the middle class will mean increased protein consumption so investment in the protein value chain will be required.”

And producing more animal protein will mean producing more grains to feed those animals, which means opportunities for increasing exports of U.S. coarse grains and distillers feed from ethanol production.

Listen to Nolan’s presentation here: Chris Nolan, PricewaterhouseCoopers

2016 Export Exchange Photo Album

Coverage of Export Exchange 2016 made possible by

Audio, Ethanol, Feed, Grains, USGC

FFA to Farm Bureau: Life After the Blue Jacket

Lizzy Schultz October 26, 2016

Attendees at the 2016 National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis had a blast visiting the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) booth, which offered FFA members the chance to dress up in wacky accessories and pose for photos with the AFBF photo frame.

“Our hope is that we can bring FFA members into our booth, help them have a really great experience here, and we’re pushing our hashtag #FFA2YFR, as a way to help members remember that, as they transition out of their blue jacket there is still a really cool home for them with either the Collegiate Farm Bureau program or ourYoung Farmers & Ranchers Program (YF&R),” said Marty Tatman, AFBF Director of Program Development, in an interview during the Convention.

Also featured at the booth was a table for attendees sit down and take a moment to write thank-you notes for our nations farmers and veterans. The cards will be distributed to AFBF member farmers and veterans at various events throughout the year.

Learn more about AFBF’s involvement with FFA, as well as several upcoming AFBF events, in Jamie’s full interview with Marty here: Interview with Marty Tatman, AFBF

Be sure to check out even more action by viewing the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo Photo Album.

Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by

Ag Groups, Audio, FFA

#SecureTheFuture of Agriculture with Farm Credit

Jamie Johansen October 26, 2016

Farm Credit gave FFA members who attended the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo the opportunity to take a pledge and share how they will secure the future of agriculture. Farm Credit’s Growing Forward Specialist, Dakota Everts, is tasked with promoting their young beginning small farmer program and shared more about their commitment to the future of agriculture.

“At Farm Credit, our mission is to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture. We are asking FFA members how they can do that because we realize they are the future of agriculture.”

At first, Dakota said they seemed a bit apprehensive and didn’t quite understand the role they can play. “But when we explained to them that it’s through farming, it’s through education and going to school to study agriculture their faces lit up and they get very excited.”

Farm Credit also has scholarship programs for students wanting to go back to the farm or support agriculture in one way or another. Listen to my complete interview with Dakota to learn more: Interview with Dakota Everts, Farm Credit

Be sure to check out even more action by viewing the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo Photo Album.

Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, Farm Credit, FFA

Which Candidate is Better for Agricultural Exports?

Jamie Johansen October 26, 2016

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What is most important to food sustainability?”

Sustainability is no longer simply a word used in agricultural circles. Consumers are also weighing in and therefore food companies are recognizing the importance of sustainability in agriculture, but some aren’t understanding technology and food production work hand-in-hand. Yet, this poll stresses agriculture’s point. All factors need to come into play when we talk sustainability.

Here are the poll results:

Biotechnology – 14%
Precision technology – 0%
Nutrient management – 4%
Water management – 8%
Ag education – 13%
All of the above – 53%
Other – 8%

Our new ZimmPoll is live and asks the question, Which candidate is better for agricultural exports?

Both major party candidates have said they are opposed to the Trans Pacific Partnership which most studies show would help to open up markets and increase agricultural exports. The Obama administration has been strongly in favor of TPP and urging Congress to ratify the trade agreement as soon as possible, but that will not likely be before the end of the year, leaving it in the hands of the next president and a new Congress. So, which candidate would be better to help increase ag exports?

ZimmPoll

SHP Participates in Climate Research in Ag Event

Kelly Marshall October 26, 2016

Several key organizations have gathered in St. Louis, Missouri this week to delve into soil health as a key element in carbon sequestration efforts. “C-Quest: Charting a Course for Climate Research in Agriculture,” featured the Soil Health Partnership (SHP), a farmer-led initiative of the National Corn Growers Association. Together with Monsanto Company, Washington University in St. Louis, Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, Howard G. Buffet Foundation and the United States Department of Agriculture, The ILSI Research Foundation has been hosting this event to share solutions.

The conference focused on developing research targets for agricultural goals that:

Support achievement of USDA’s “building blocks” for climate-smart agriculture

Integrate existing U.S. Midwest field research networks (like SHP) for climate adaptation

Develop a research agenda to achieve a “carbon-neutral” agri-food system in the U.S. through a focus on soil carbon and soil health, including validation of soil carbon protocols.

“It’s exciting to see agricultural improvements that impact soil health recognized as an emerging opportunity to optimize productivity, sequester carbon and improve protection of our natural resources, like water,” said Soil Health Partnership Director, Nick Goeser. “We’re honored to participate in this discussion, and to see farmers recognized whole-heartedly as a part of the solution.”

The SHP is a leader in field-scale testing and measuring of more than 65 farm sites to lean what management practices improve soil health. Growers are learning more about practices like cover crops to prevent erosion and nutrient loss, conservation tillage like no-till or strip till, and using science-based nutrient management techniques to reduce nutrient loss.

NCGA, Soil Health Partnership

Celebrating 25 Years of Case IH Patriot Sprayers

Kelly Marshall October 26, 2016

October 21st marked the 25th year of producing Case IH Patriot sprayers at the Benson, Minnesota manufacturing faculty. Honored guests, executives and employees marked the day with a special ceremony.

“Twenty-five years ago, growers and professional applicators were introduced to Patriot sprayers and shown a better way to optimize their time and accuracy in any conditions,” said Jason Hausauer, Benson plant manager. “Today, we are proud to continue to build sprayers that offer some of the most advanced spray technology on the market.”

The “cab-forward, rear-engine” configuration gives Case IH Patriot sprayers a distinct look, as well as a performance edge. The design puts the static weight of the cab and engine over the front and rear axles. When the tank is full and the booms are extended, the design keeps the weight of the product tank in the center to allow more even weight distribution between the axles.

The occasion is marked with a limited edition 25th Anniversary Patriot 4440 and 3340 for 2017. The commemorative machines will feature eye-catching silver and red paint, anniversary decals, MICHELIN® tires, Raven Industries technology and Wilger COMBO-RATE® nozzle bodies, the new AIM Command FLEX™ advanced spray technology, and boom-size and precision-technology options to match customer needs.

Agribusiness, Case IH

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