USDA Releases Prospective Plantings Report

Cindy Zimmerman

The much-anticipated 2015 Prospective Plantings released by USDA today shows declines expected in corn, wheat and cotton acres this year, with only a modest increase in soybean acreage. Corn planted area for all purposes in 2015 is estimated at 89.2 million acres, down 2 percent from last year. If realized, this will be the third consecutive year of an acreage …

Audio, Corn, Soybean, USDA

World Backup Day

Chuck Zimmerman

When was the last time you backed up your computer? Your phone? Your tablet? Your memory cards? Hopefully you know the answer to that. If you haven’t then do it today – World Backup Day. This infographic was sent to me by Cloudwards. Click on it to see the rest of the graphic. March 31st has been declared World Backup …

Events, Gadgets, Technology

Rural Electric Tackles Diversity & Internet Access

Jamie Johansen

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with former Congresswomen from my home state of Missouri, Jo Ann Emerson. She currently calls Washington, D.C. home where she holds the title of first female CEO for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). “I am very excited to be selected by the Board of Directors of the NRECA to serve …

Ag Groups, Audio, Internet

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Nominations for 2015 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year will be accepted for one more day and Monsanto Company wants to hear your story! Brownfield, Ag News for America, is pleased to announce Farm Broadcaster Mark Dorenkamp has joined the Brownfield team. DTN/The Progressive Farmer has repeated its success of earning more North American Agricultural Journalists (NAAJ) writing awards than …

Zimfo Bytes

ABEF Sensational Six

Chuck Zimmerman

Student chapters of the National Agri-Marketing Association are putting the final touches on their presentations for this year’s Marketing Competition. Here’s a new way to support them courtesy of the Agribusiness Educational Foundation. Got mine ordered. Do you want to put some support behind your alma mater? Have you met sharp young NAMA students? Does a school just “speak” to …

Ag Groups, Education, Marketing, NAMA

CAST Appoints New Executive Vice President

Jamie Johansen

The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST), a nonprofit organization that specializes in assembling and communicating science-based agricultural information to a broad audience, announces the appointment of its new Executive Vice President, Kent G. Schescke. Linda Chimenti, the current EVP, will retire at the end of May after 15 successful years with CAST. Mr. Schescke will assume the role …

Ag Groups, Technology

Brownfield Rolls Out in Michigan & Minnesota

Chuck Zimmerman

Brownfield Ag News continues to grow as it rolls out networks of radio station affiliates in Michigan and Minnesota today. In Minnesota Farm Broadcaster Mark Dorenkamp has joined the Brownfield team. He takes over the helm as Anchor/Reporter of Minnesota Brownfield. Brownfield Minnesota replaces former Minnesota Farm Network programming. The network has 23 affiliated radio station in the state. Nicole …

Media

ZimmComm Drawing During Agri-Marketing Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Visit ZimmComm during the Agri-Marketing Conference in KC, MO and enter for your chance to win a brand new Anker Asto E7. Travel much? Then you need power for your gadgets and this baby has it. On a recent trip as I was standing in line to board I charged my phone and two other people’s phones at the same …

Ag Groups, NAMA

Whistleblower Speaks Out Against HSUS

Chuck Zimmerman

It looks like the tables have been turned on animal liberation group Humane Society of the United States. A former undercover investigator for the extremist group is featured in a just released video by HumaneWatch.org discussing gestation stalls or also called individual maternity pens (IMPs) which are used to house pregnant pigs. You can watch the video below. IMPs provide …

Animal Activists, Animal Agriculture, Video, Wackos

USDA Extends ARC and PLC Deadlines

Cindy Zimmerman

*UPDATED* with audio below Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a one week extension for producers to choose between Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC), the safety-net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill. The final day to make the decision, update yield history or reallocate base acres will now be April 7, 2015. “This is an …

Audio, USDA