The Animal Agriculture Alliance has been busy over the course of the last year staying up-to-date on animal ag issues, researching current activist campaigns and advocating farm policy. At the 2013 NAFB Convention I met up with Kay Johnson Smith, President and CEO, and Emily Meredith, Director of Communications during the events Trade Talk. Hot topics of discussion included the …
Farm Bill Top Topic at NAFB Trade Talk
For the third year in a row now, the main topic of discussion at the NAFB Trade Talk was farm bill, or lack thereof. Despite reports that high hopes are fading for a farm bill yet this year, the ag group representatives we talked to were still cautiously optimistic. “I think progress is being made and I’m still confident that …
Thanks to FMC for NAFB Trade Talk
It’s really hard to describe the National Association of Farm Broadcasting‘s annual Trade Talk to someone who has never experienced it. Farm broadcasters often refer to it as “running the gauntlet” in the quest to visit with as many of the exhibitors as possible in the short six hours Trade Talk is open. Spokespersons for the various companies and organizations …
Classic + Ag Connect = Really Big Show
With corn, soybeans, wheat and sorghum growers all part of the Commodity Classic, who thought it could get any bigger? But it will definitely be bigger in 2016 when Classic joins forces with AG CONNECT expo to become what may well be the biggest farm show on Earth. In this edition of the ZimmCast, we hear from Sara Mooney, AG …
Never a Shortage of Research at Alltech
There is never a shortage of topics to discuss when it comes to Alltech. The company was present for last week’s NAFB Convention Trade Talk and I chatted with Vice President of Alltech, Aidan Connolly and Ann Kopecky, Alltech’s North American Field PR Manager. Aidan shared how Alltech’s Crop Science program is exploring natural alternatives to fungicides and focusing on …
MFA President/CEO Bill Streeter
During the MFA, Inc. annual meeting President/CEO Bill Streeter took the stage. During his remarks he reviewed the history of this 100 year old farmer cooperative, the oldest in the United States. Before we got started this morning I sat down with him to get his thoughts on this historic occasion. He’s proud of MFA members and employees and optimistic …
Missouri Dignitaries Address MFA Annual Mtg.
On today’s program at the MFA, Inc. annual meeting were Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and Senator Roy Blunt. I recorded their comments to share with you. Governor Nixon stressed the importance of exports of Missouri ag products. “”Won’t it be nice if someday you can go into a shop in Beijing, China and it says Made in Missouri?” You can …
Prince Agri Sponsors Dairy Nutrition Symposium
The opening speaker at the Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop pre-conference symposium, sponsored by Prince Agri Products, was Dr. Robert Corbett, Dairy Health Consultation. His focus was on how nutritional and management practices can have a major impact on a dairy cow’s immune system during the transition period. I spoke with him after his presentation. He says that minimizing …
Miss Missouri at MFA Annual Mtg.
Welcoming us to the start of the MFA, Inc. annual meeting is Don Mills, Chairman of the Board. He’s pictured here with Shelby Ringdahl, current Miss Missouri. Shelby will be signing the National Anthem for us. I spoke to both of them prior to the start of today’s activities. Shelby says she’s seen a lot of local companies come and …
Small Numbers But Growing Market
Herd numbers are down this year in the beef community, but enthusiasm is high. Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) Chairman, Weldon Wynn was on hand at this year’s Trade Talk during the NAFB Convention. There is no doubt that the checkoff dollar is slim, but Weldon said they are making that dollar stretch. Weldon went on to discuss our international market, …