A former Secretary of Agriculture and US Trade Ambassador believes Mitt Romney would be a better president for agriculture, doubts Congress will get a farm bill done next month, and would advise against waiving the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). That’s a few of the topics Dr. Clayton Yeutter touched on during a brief press appearance at the 2012 Farm Progress …
Livestock 101 at NAMA Boot Camp
Animal agriculture seems to be under a constant fire from those who don’t understand it. During the recent NAMA Boot Camp, Dr. Dan Thomson, Assistant Dean of Outreach and Professor at Kansas State University Vet School, addressed the basics of the industry along with issues and challenges so agri-marketers could help educate the growing population of non-ag consumers. “I think …
Monsanto Announces FieldScripts
Prior to the start of the Farm Progress Show, Monsanto held a media briefing to announce the first product in their Integrated Farming System (IFS) – FieldScripts. On the program were Dr. Robb Fraley, Dr. Ted Crosbie, Gregg Sauder, Precision Planting and farmer Kip Tom. I’ve captured their comments for you below. This coming planting season, farmers in four Midwestern …
Farm Bill Now Coalition at FPS
As the Farm Progress Show kicked off in Boone, Iowa, representatives from several of the more than 45 organizations that make up the Farm Bill Now coalition spoke out to urge Congress to finish work on new agricultural policy legislation as soon as possible. “Agriculture is one of the few bright spots in the American economy,” said National Corn Growers …
Do The Right Thing
During the 2012 NAMA Boot Camp a highlight for me was a breakout session on crisis management. Daren Williams, Executive Director of Communications for NCBA, spoke with attendees about the ins and outs of dealing with crises in the agriculture industry. In my interview with Daren he shared his role of promoting the wonderful world of beef to consumers, how …
Social Media Beyond the Choir
AgNerds from across North American came together in Kansas City, MO to attend the 2012 Agvocacy 2.0 Training. “Beyond the Choir” was a common theme throughout the week as we tweaked how to use social media in telling our story of agriculture to those not quite as familiar with it. Some came as social media gurus and others with a …
Farm Futures 2013 Planting Intentions Survey
Farm Futures released the results of a 2013 planting intentions survey. I visited with Arlan Suderman, Market Analyst, to learn what they found out. U.S. farmers are unsure about whether to increase corn acreage next spring, despite high prices and sharply lower production caused by this year’s historic drought. Instead, Farm Futures magazine’s first survey of 2013 planting intentions shows …
Farm Progress Show Media Tent Ready
The media tent at the Farm Progress Show is ready for the over 300 ag journalists that have pre-registered. Helping get things ready for us for the 26th year is Gene Hemphill. I visited with Gene to see how things were going here at the city in the field. Gene says we’ve got more permanent buildings and he’s seen more …
I’m Farming and I Grow It
The Agvocacy 2.0 Training would not of have been complete without a surprise performance from the Peterson Farm Boys. Their YouTube video, “I’m Farming and I Grow It” went vial this summer and has almost reached 7 million views. Greg and Nathan Peterson not only performed but took time out of their busy schedule to talk with us about why …
What Producers Want
A true highlight during the 2012 NAMA Boot Camp was the Producer Panel. Agri-marketers from across the country had the opportunity to learn how to effectively communicate with producers. After the panel I got to chat with Reggie Underwood, a Texas farmer involved in all facets of agriculture. “I think the greatest thing these ag marketers can do is to …