Deer Farmers Pleased with Farm Bill

Chuck Zimmerman

North American Deer Farmers AssociationThanks to the Farm Bill I just learned about the North American Deer Farmers Association. Farm Bill? Yep. They sent me a release about their take on the legislation which I’m posting below. I’m thinking of joining. I may not actually farm deer but work a property lease where we harvest them!

“We’re very pleased to have a final, comprehensive Farm Bill,” says NADeFA Executive Director Shawn Schafer. “This bill is a significant step forward for the deer industry and includes several provisions specific to the deer industry, not the least of which are disease research for deer, elk and other cervidae; country-of-origin labeling for venison; and much needed disease indemnity for individual farmers.”

The 2014 Farm Bill includes several key victories for NADeFA and the national cervid farming industry, such as:

• Deer in USDA’s Research Initiatives: The USDA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiatives (AFRI) program has been amended to include emphasis on disease (EHD, CWD), mapping the genome, pest/parasite, diagnostics and vaccination research for deer, elk and other cervidae.
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Ag Groups, Farming, Food

Ag Leader’s Hydraulic Down Force Improves Planting

Joanna Schroeder

It’s hard to forget the spring of 2013 when growers had more rain then they could handle. For some they lost crops, for others the seed was planted a bit late. But what if there was a way to improve your changes for a better harvest despite too much soil moisture. Well, there is a way to do just that: Ag Leader’s new Hydraulic Down Force System.

Brett Buehler Ag LeaderTo learn more about how this precision technology works, I spoke with Ag Leader’s Brett Buehler during the 2014 Iowa Power Farming show. As explained by Buehler one of the big issues growers face during planting is that the seed is planted at the proper depth. When the seed is not optimally planted, it can negatively impact yield. While there are technologies on the market to help address this, Buehler said that many of them have limitations that the Hydraulic Down Force System overcomes.

For many growers, last year’s crops were planted in wet conditions. (During planting the soil gets compacted and in essence turns in to cement so the roots can’t grow deep enough to access the water and nutrients they need throughout the growing season). “Last year was the perfect storm. We had a wet planting spring and it got dry during the summer. So the guys who used our Hydraulic Down Force System last year had tremendous yield,” said Buehler.

Planters still come from the factory with springs that growers have to adjust and it is hard to determine what the right adjustment is when field conditions can change in less than 50 feet. So unlike the air bag option that some companies have developed, Ag Leader went with a hydraulic actuator that in essence allows the planter to react nearly instantaneously.

“So instead of taking 30 or 40 seconds to compass the air to get the right amount of downforce,” explained Buehler, “we can react within a second with the hydraulic down force.”

The technology, says Buehler, is excellent for the grower who has varying soil types his field.

Listen to my full interview with Brett Buehler: Hydraulic Down Force Leads to Up in Production

Click here to view the 2014 Iowa Power Farming Show photo album.

Ag Leader, Audio, Iowa Power Show, Precision Agriculture

Poultry Part of Novus Past, Present and Future

Cindy Zimmerman

The vision of Novus International is to help feed the world affordable, wholesome food and achieve a higher quality of life, a global viewpoint that provides the company with a firm foundation in the past and optimism for the future, according to chief information officer and vice president of operations Scott Hine.

ippe-14-novus-hine“It’s something that’s stood the test of time and I think it has a lot of future potential as well,” Scott told me last week at the International Production and Processing Expo. “The products that we produce are really exemplary of continuing to do just that.”

Novus was formed in 1991 when Monsanto sold its feed ingredients division and With two products for the poultry industry to Mitsui and Nippon. Since then, Novus has brought numerous products to the market, including more than 100 over the past decade, but the company remains just as dedicated to the poultry industry as ever. “MHA and ALIMET is the better source of methionine, MINTREX is the most bio-available mineral out there, and our CIBENZA line of products we are continuing to extend,” said Scott. “Poultry is our number one business and continues to be.”

Scott says Novus markets products now in over 100 countries around the world with over 3,000 customers. “We’ve got fantastic global customers as well as fantastic regional customers,” he said, many of whom were at the expo last week. Interview with Scott Hine, Novus International


International Production and Processing Expo Photos

Sponsored by Novus International Inc

Animal Health, Audio, IPPE, Novus International, Poultry, Poultry Expo

The Cow in Patrick O’Shanahan’s Kitchen

Joanna Schroeder

There is a cow in Patrick O’Shanahan’s kitchen this morning as his dad makes his world famous french toast. Why? Because Patrick thinks his food comes from the grocery story until the cow, a menagerie of chickens and a few maple trees appear causing him to The Cow in Patrick oShanahans kitchenrethink where his food comes from. In this new children’s book, “The Cow in Patrick O’Shanahan’s Kitchen,” authored by Diana Pritchard, children can begin to learn more about the animals that provide their food and the farm to fork concept.

Prichard, who lives in a rural farming community and is raising children of her own, says she is frustrated about the voices who are telling the story of American farmers. “Watching people who have little or no practical knowledge of agriculture dominate our national discourse on food and faring is extremely frustrating,” explained Prichard. “I wanted to contribute a positive and informed message for parents and kids.”

And that she did. The illustrations are quirky and fun and the ideas of where food comes from are easy to understand and presented in an engaging way. With all the concern about where our food comes from, this book is a great way to introduce children to the concept of how food is produced.

Food

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Congratulations! It’s a Farm Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

baby-farm-billAfter a what seemed to be a never-ending labor process, Congress has finally delivered a new farm bill – well past its 2012 due date. Everyone has something to say about the overdue bill, so we’ll take the releases in the order they came.

First to pass out cigars is the American Soybean Association (ASA). “We are relieved and pleased to see the farm bill cross the finish line this afternoon,” said ASA President and Iowa farmer Ray Gaesser.

National Farmers Union was next in the in box. “Passage of the bill on a wide 68-32 margin is a testament to the importance of the legislation to every region of the country,” said NFU President Roger Johnson.

Another admirer is the National Cotton Council. “Congress has demonstrated strong bi-partisanship and we urge President Obama to sign this long-awaited bill into law,” said chairman Jimmy Dodson.

From the National Corn Growers Association – “We’re happy to see the farm bill pass the Senate and are looking forward to seeing it signed and implemented,” said NCGA President Martin Barbre. “While it’s not perfect, we’re pleased to see the bill contains many provisions we’ve been working hard for over the years.”

American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman added his congratulations. “We are particularly pleased with provisions in the 2014 farm bill to provide risk management to fruit and vegetable farmers and to support livestock farmers during disasters,” he said.

And, from the man who will be charged with raising the little tyke, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says the bill will achieve “meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer. While no legislation is perfect, this bill is a strong investment in American agriculture and supports the continued global leadership of our farmers and ranchers.”

During a press call today on a separate topic, Vilsack was asked what USDA will do first when the farm bill is finalized. Listen to or download his comments here: Vilsack on Farm Bill Implementation

Ag Groups, Audio, Farm Bill, USDA

Senate Passes Farm Bill – Not Your Father’s FB

Chuck Zimmerman

fb-2014The Senate just passed the Farm Bill. The vote was 68-32. Now it’s on to the President’s desk.

I’m just waiting on the press releases to start showing up. Curiously, I got one before the vote!

From Senator Debbie Stabenow’s website:

The U.S. Senate today voted overwhelmingly to approve the bipartisan Farm Bill authored by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, by a vote of 68-32. The bill represents rare bipartisan agreement on a major jobs bill, legislation that will help grow Michigan’s agriculture economy, the state’s second-largest industry. The 2014 Farm Bill reduces the deficit by $23 billion and represents the most significant reform of American agriculture policy in decades. The Farm Bill was approved by the House last week and will now head to the White House for the president’s signature.

“This isn’t your father’s Farm Bill. It is a bill for our future that grows our agriculture economy, helps provide greater access to healthy Michigan-grown foods, preserves our land and water, and cuts unnecessary spending. The Farm Bill is a rare example of a major bipartisan jobs bill and a bipartisan deficit reduction bill,” Chairwoman Stabenow said.

Farm Bill, Farm Policy

Benefits of Novus MINTREX

Cindy Zimmerman

mintrexLast fall, Novus International received an important designation for chelated trace mineral products MINTREX® Zn, MINTREX® Cu and MINTREX® Mn from the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), which determined they have met compliance requirements for use in organic production.

ippe-14-novus-galoAt last week’s International Production and Processing Expo, I spoke with Novus director for North America business Ed Galo about MINTREX and its benefits for poultry producers. “MINTREX is a core technology of Novus and one that we have established a critical differentiation from other product offerings,” he said. “It’s a source of trace minerals which are very important for poultry production such as tissue strength, hatchability and bone strength.”

In 2011, MINTREX also achieved a special designation from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) defining a new feed ingredient category for chelated trace minerals.

Listen to Ed explain more about the benefits of MINTREX here: Interview with Ed Galo, Novus International


International Production and Processing Expo Photos

Sponsored by Novus International Inc

Animal Health, Audio, IPPE, Novus International, Poultry, Poultry Expo

Dupont Pioneer Collaborates with DTN

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 426If you’ve thought we need more weather monitoring stations out there you’re not alone. Dupont Pioneer and DTN/The Progressive Farmer announced a collaboration today that will address this very subject. The project will not only bring instant weather to customers but also market information and new electronic grain trading capabilities. I just spoke with Dan Uppena, DuPont Pioneer business manager, about the announcement. Dan says there will be more details about the new platform coming out via new announcements in the very near future.

Pioneer customers will be able to opt into an exclusive network of weather stations, including those positioned on growers’ farms, which provide accurate, real-time local information as well as environmental conditions in other regions. Data will seamlessly inform growers about forecasts and Pioneer crop models to help them make more informed management decisions for their farming operation.  In addition, customers will have access to DTN/The Progressive Farmer’s syndicated premium weather and market content to further aid decision-making.   

“At DTN/The Progressive Farmer, our mission has always been to provide the most accurate, timely and actionable information possible to our customers,” said DTN/The Progressive Farmer Vice President of Agriculture Matt Bradford. “We are excited by the opportunity to work with Pioneer to further that mission by rapidly developing a dense network of on-farm DTN/The Progressive Farmer Weather Stations, along with sophisticated decision tools, to increase operational efficiencies and maximize grower profits.”

Pioneer and DTN/The Progressive Farmer also will work together throughout 2014 and beyond to further advance electronic grain trading capabilities that link buyers with sellers for instantaneous commercial exchanges.   The tool works in real time to keep users up-to-the-minute with the highs and lows of today’s rapidly changing grain market.  The benefits include targeted price matches, 24/7 price monitoring, electronic hedging and mobile information on offers and market news with the convenience of trading anytime anywhere.  This effort will combine the cutting-edge technologies developed by DTN/The Progressive Farmer and Farms Technology, a subsidiary of DuPont Pioneer.

You can listen to this week’s program to learn more about the collaboration here. Dupont Pioneer - DTN Collaboration

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

Agribusiness, Markets, Media, Weather, ZimmCast

USDA Offers California Drought Help

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA-LogoAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced USDA is making $20 million available for agricultural water conservation efforts throughout California to combat the effects of drought.

calif-drought“This $20 million will be directed to drought mitigation, focused on improving irrigation efficiency, providing producers resources to stabilize fallow ground and to assist with watering facilities and grazing distribution,” said Vilsack during a press conference today with Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) and California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross. “We expect this is the first of a number of announcements that will be made this week and in the future to provide assistance.”

“We in California are facing a disaster that has the potential to devastate our economy,” said Costa. “We have not had this dry a time period in all of California’s recorded history, that’s how bad it is.”

“Thank you on behalf of the state of California and our farmers and ranchers,” said Ross. “These dollars coming at this time are very critical … Governor Brown is working with the state legislature to make additional agricultural conservation resources available.”

Interested landowners and managers have until March 3, 2014 to apply for available funds.USDA media call on California drought

Audio, USDA, Weather