The Agricultural Retailers Association recently recognized two legislators who have lead efforts to defend the industry’s freedom to operate: Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.). Both were named ARA’s 2015 Legislator of the Year. ARA recognized Sen. Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, for his determined efforts on behalf of the agricultural industry during his years …
Passing of Jack Farmakis
We just learned that Jack Farmakis has passed away and are saddened to hear it. Once upon a time his company represented the first company that Cindy, Gary Cooper and I started in Florida. And his company now represents Gary’s Southeast AgNet and AgNet West. Jack was an active member of NAFB since 1974 and left his mark on the …
New Holland Launches Marketing Technology Platform
The AgNerd in me was very interested in the announcement by New Holland about launching a new dealer marketing services platform created by SproutLoud. The cutting-edge new platform features a highly-advanced tool loaded with preapproved messaging and images to ensure brand consistency—which equips its US and Canada dealers with expanded options for advertising and marketing and increases the agility and …
More Bayer LibertyLink Real Yield Game Winners
Thanks to social media we can share a picture of one of the second round of winners in the Bayer CropScience LibertyLink Real Yield Game. Here’s Bill Graff who won a year’s supply of LibertyLink Soybeans and Liberty herbicide. He’s also going to Commodity Classic! So here’s the list of final winners: Winner #4 William Graff, Illinois Year’s supply Winner …
Don’t Let Sauce Slip From Your Chili Dog
Have you ever eaten a chili dog with a fork and knife? I hope not. It’s just not proper etiquette or necessary. But then how do you eat one without dripping the sauce all over the place. With the help of the Queen of Wein, National Hot Dog and Sausage Council and Washington D.C. landmark Ben’s Chili Bowl we learn …
Ethanol Industry Strong at #RFANEC
This morning at the National Ethanol Conference, Bob Dinneen, Renewable Fuels Association, gave his annual State of the Ethanol Industry Speech in front of over 1,000 attendees. He said that the domestic ethanol industry remains strong and touted its ability to successfully navigate the vagaries of the markets and overcome the perils of policy uncertainty. “The strength of the U.S. …
Preview of CIRB Annual Meeting
Leaders in the crop insurance business are gathered in California for the annual meeting of the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau. To get a preview before the activities started I spoke with Michael Torrey, Michael Torrey Associates. His company represents and manages CIRB. Before looking ahead Michael talks about the challenging last year for the industry when critics were trying …
Time to Talk Crop Insurance
The Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau kicks off its annual meeting today in Indian Wells, CA. I am going to guess that the President’s budget will once again be a topic of discussion. During the next couple days I’ll be meeting members and speakers to learn the potential impact of proposed changes to the budget affecting crop insurance and what …
National Ag Day Schedule & Registration
It’s time to get registered for National Ag Day Activities on March 14-15. You can register on this page. I will be covering the activities again this year and am looking for a sponsor. Want to showcase your company or organization in my coverage on the ZimmComm News Network? Give me a shout. 2016 National Ag Day Schedule Monday, March …
Who Will FarmNext and How
Who will be farming next? What are their thoughts and concerns? These questions and more are dealt with in a new white paper published by YI Advisors. The paper was presented during last week’s FarmNext Summit in Washington, DC. I spoke with Tom Allison, Associate Director of Research for YI Advisors to learn more about the FarmNext Initiative and the …