Producers — Complete 2012 Census!

Talia Goes

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack continues to remind producers to complete forms for the Census of Agriculture – the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agricultural data for every county in the nation. The 2012 Census of Agriculture will provide the USDA with current information to help ensure an abundant, safe, and accessible food supply for all of America. The …

Agribusiness, USDA

New Farm Bureau YF&R Chairman

Chuck Zimmerman

The new Chair of the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee is Zach Hunnicutt, Nebraska farmer. Many of you may follow Zach on Twitter @zhhunn. Now you’ll be following his travels in his newly elected position on this important Farm Bureau committee. Here’s Zach doing one of many media interviews at the AFBF annual meeting. I had my turn. Zach …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

12 spots open for college students to travel to Brazil for National FFA Organization’s I-CAL program. The Pritzker Group announced it acquired Omaha-based Intersystems. USDA Seeks Comments on proposed frozen vegetable grade standards. Arysta LifeScience North America, LLC and Cheminova, Inc. announced a partnership to combine two best-in-class fungicides.

Zimfo Bytes

Former NFL QB Speaks to BASF Growers

Cindy Zimmerman

Archie Manning was a well-known quarterback in the 70’s and 80’s, playing for the New Orleans Saints for ten years, then the Houston Oilers and the Minnesota Vikings – but these days he is better known as Eli and Peyton’s daddy. Archie, pictured here with Senior Vice President of BASF Crop Protection Nevin McDougall, provided some words of wisdom about …

Audio, BASF, Farming

Should We Be Friends With HSUS?

Talia Goes

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What do you think is top story of 2012?” Our poll results: It looks like the majority of you at fifty-seven percent felt like “The Drought” was the top story for 2012. “No Farm Bill” came in at fourteen percent and ten percent said “USDA Meatless Monday Uproar”. Our new ZimmPoll is now live …

New Holland, ZimmPoll

Talking Social Media at Farm Bureau Convention

Chuck Zimmerman

Social media showed up on the program at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting program a number of times. One of the sessions, “Social Agriculture: Social Media’s Role in the Industry,” featured Zach Hunnicutt, AFBF YF&R Committee; Katie Pinke, PinkePost.com; Ryan Goodman, AgricultureProud.com and Janice Person, Monsanto. I visited with Janice about their session which was moderated by Melissa …

AFBF, Agribusiness, Audio

Farm Bureau Annual Meeting Concludes

Chuck Zimmerman

The members of the American Farm Bureau Federation held their voting delegates meeting today to set policy for the coming year. The meeting was presided over by President Bob Stallman who then met with the press one final time for questions. Bob says that although there were a number of language changes in existing policies most of the day was …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio

BASF Opens Fields of Opportunity for Growers

Cindy Zimmerman

About 275 growers from all over the nation have been learning about new “Fields of Opportunity” from BASF Crop Protection this week while getting a break from winter weather on Ft. Lauderdale beach. “We’ve got growers as far away as the Pacific northwest,” says BASF Vice President for Crop Protection Paul Rea. “The universal theme from all those growers is …

Audio, BASF, Crop Protection, Farming

Should We Sit Down with HSUS in Common Cause

Chuck Zimmerman

Many eyebrows were raised during Sec. of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s speech at the AFBF convention yesterday. It was really a stand out moment in an otherwise pretty good speech and I wonder what you think about it. The photo is from his press conference following the closing session. Sec. Vilsack was talking about creating strategic alliances and reaching out to …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Animal Activists, Audio, USDA, Wackos

Farm Bureau Distinguished Service to Agriculture Awards

Chuck Zimmerman

During the closing session of the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting the organization presented its highest honor, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, to Ambassadors Dr. Richard Crowder and Dr. Kenneth Quinn. AFBF established the Distinguished Service Award to honor individuals who have devoted their careers to serving agriculture. With more than 40 years of experience in the agriculture …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio