Farm Bill Top Topic at NAFB Trade Talk

Cindy Zimmerman

For the third year in a row now, the main topic of discussion at the NAFB Trade Talk was farm bill, or lack thereof.

nafb13-afbf-thatcherDespite 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 we’re going to get something before the end of the year,” said Mary Kay Thatcher with the American Farm Bureau Federation. Interview with Mary Kay Thatcher, AFBF

nafb13-nfu-johnson“Last year when I was here I predicted that by the end of the year we’d have a farm bill and I’m going to make that prediction again,” said National Farmers Union president Roger Johnson. Interview with Roger Johnson, NFU

ncga-martinNational Corn Growers Association president Martin Barbre says they are still hopeful. “We’re pressing every day, working with our friends in Congress,” the Illinois grower said. “We got it to conference, that’s a step forward!” Interview with Martin Barbre, NCGA

American Soybean Association board member Ray Gaesser of Iowa says they are also pleased to see some progress. “We’ve been working on the 2012 farm bill for more than three years,” he said. “But we are encouraged that it has at least come to conference.” Interview with Ray Gaesser, ASA

The other ASA, the American Sugar Alliance, is watching the farm bill progress very carefully because it is so critical to their industry. “The farm bill is .. our one, two and three most important priorities that we deal with,” said chairman Ryan Weston. “We’ll just keep working with all the other farm organizations and members of Congress to try to get a farm bill done by the end of the year.” Interview with Ryan Weston, American Sugar Alliance

The National Sorghum Producers chairman J.B. Stewart of Oklahoma is hoping this process is finally coming to an end. “I think both sides of the aisle are definitely ready to get this behind them,” he said. “We certainly are.” Interview with J.B. Stewart and Tim Lust, NSP

National Association of Wheat Growers president Bing Von Bergen hopes the conference committee puts partisan politics aside. “When they’re in conference they need to reach across the table and say … let’s meet in the middle. And we believe that will happen.” Interview with Bing Von Bergen, NAWG

There are other issues important to agriculture, like the water resources bill and immigration reform, but everyone is looking forward to not having to talk about a farm bill again next year at Trade Talk!

2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

AFBF, Ag Groups, ASA, Audio, Corn, Farm Bill, NAFB, NSP, sorghum, Soybean

Thanks to FMC for NAFB Trade Talk

Cindy Zimmerman

nafb13-fmc-paulIt’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 exhibiting can do dozens of interviews in that time span. It’s challenging, fun, informative, rewarding, and exhausting. There’s really nothing else like it.

One of the long-time sponsors of this one-of-a-kind event is FMC Agricultural Products and our very good friend Paul Redhage. They also sponsored our coverage of NAFB on our sister site, PrecisionPays.com, and we sincerely appreciate that as well.

Paul and I interviewed each other at Trade Talk but only mine was for real. He was just showing off his smart phone case that looks like a microphone. We talked about what’s new with FMC, including the popularity of the Anthem Singing Contest, which they took to the National FFA Convention last month. Paul says they brought in a sound booth to allow FFA members to “get a head start” on prepping for the 2014 contest. “We had over 400 students do that!” Paul said. “So the kids really responded enthusiastically.”

In our interview, Paul also talks about how FMC’s successful “Authority Minute” will expand its focus to become simply “The FMC Minute” in December. Interview with Paul Redhage, FMC Agricultural Products

2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, FMC, NAFB

Giving #FoodThanks for Thanksgiving

Talia Goes

zp-nhOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, ”How do you show food thanks?”

Our poll results:
· Thank a farmer in person – 32%
· Via social media – 26%
· Donating to a local food bank – 16%
· Nothing – 16%
· Invite people out to your farm – 5%
· Other – 5%

As our hearts and stomachs are full, we are wishing all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving season. Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What is your opinion on the EPA lowering biofuels requirements?” The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week released its proposed 2014 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for the amount of renewable fuels to be blended into gasoline and diesel. The release has prompted a deluge of commentary from both sides of the biofuels issue. But what do you think – is it good for refiners and bad for ag and the economy? Let us know!

ZimmPoll

Classic + Ag Connect = Really Big Show

Cindy Zimmerman

nafb13-aem-classicWith 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.

ZimmCast 416In this edition of the ZimmCast, we hear from Sara Mooney, AG CONNECT show director with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, and National Corn Growers Association board member Rob Elliott of Illinois about this partnership and what it will mean for the agriculture community as a whole. AG CONNECT and Commodity Classic

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

2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

AEM, Agribusiness, Audio, Corn, NCGA, ZimmCast

Never a Shortage of Research at Alltech

Jamie Johansen

nafb-13-7-editedThere 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 microbes in soil to increase digestibility. Alltech has also conducted research in protein and carbohydrate content in crops. This improves yields and the nutrient value, but also passes down the food chain to those animals who consume them.

Alltech’s Algae production facility was also covered. They have developed a source of algae with a wide range of benefits for many species. It can increase immunity, decrease mortality and increase litter size in herds. Herds who feed this type of algae can also brand their products as value-added DHA Omega-3 enriched for consumers.

nafb-13-10-editedListen to my complete interview with Aidan and learn more about their Crop Science and Algae programs here: Interview with Aidan Connolly

Ann talked about one of Alltech’s newest ventures. The In Vitro Fermentation Model (IFM) is on course to be launched this winter. IFM is designed to be a support tool for nutritionists as it will evaluate and troubleshoot dairy rations and reduce feed costs. The model will identify barriers to diet fermentation, formulate rations based on nutrient availability and reduce the loss of energy.

Listen to my complete interview with Ann and see how you can utilize IFM here: Interview with Ann Koepecky

Checkout photos from NAFB Convention: 2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Agribusiness, Alltech, Audio, Crop Science, Dairy, NAFB

New NAFB Officer Team

Leah Guffey

2014nafbofficersThe new leadership team for the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB) includes newly-elected vice president Brian Winnekins of WRDN-AM in Durand, Wisconsin.  He is pictured here with president Janet Adkison (RFD-TV and Sirius/XM Rural Radio), and president-elect, Susan Littlefield (KZEN, Columbus, NE).

Brian, along with his wife, Karla, are the owners and operators of the AM station that had been off the air for some time.  He says that even their daughter Brianna gets in on work at the station. “It was on the drive down to NAFB Convention in Kansas City that year that we wrote the business plan.  In 2011, we purchased the station and returned it to the air in 2012,” Brian says. “This year, we went to our full power, and Karla started selling full time for the station.”

Media, NAFB

MFA President/CEO Bill Streeter

Chuck Zimmerman

MFA Bill StreeterDuring 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 for the future.

You can listen to Bill’s Remarks here: MFA President/CEO Bill Streeter Remarks

You can listen to my interview with Bill here: Interview with MFA President/CEO Bill Streeter

MFA, Inc. 100 Yrs. Annual Mtg. Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio

Missouri Dignitaries Address MFA Annual Mtg.

Chuck Zimmerman

Missouri Governor Jay NixonOn 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 listen to Governor Nixon’s Remarks here: Missouri Governor Jay Nixon Remarks

Missouri Senator Roy BluntSenator Blunt talked about how important the continued development of renewable fuels is to rural America and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

You can listen to Senator Blunt’s Remarks here: Missouri Senator Roy Blunt Remarks

This afternoon at the conclusion of the annual meeting everyone is invited to take part in a group photo. I’ll be helping shoot that one.

MFA, Inc. 100 Yrs. Annual Mtg. Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio

Prince Agri Sponsors Dairy Nutrition Symposium

Chuck Zimmerman

Dr. Robert CorbettThe 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 stress in close-up and fresh cows is important in supporting their health, milk production and reproductive efficiency. He also noted that dairy cows experience a suppressed immune system at parturition, caused by the release of the stress hormone, cortisol, which makes them more susceptible to mastitis and a host of other health disorders. Elevated blood cortisol, he explained, causes white blood cells, known as neutrophils, to lose their ability to fight infections.

Listen to my interview with Dr. Corbett here: Interview with Dr. Robert Corbett

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Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Dairy, Video

Show How Much You Like Being an AAEA Member

Talia Goes

AAEAHow much do you love being an AAEA member and want the organization to grow? Enough to win $100? Shout it from your iPhone, Go Pro, Skype screen or whatever video contraption you’d like. The new I M AAEA video testimonial contest will give you the opportunity to win cash prizes!

The video contest is open to all AAEA members, and will recognize creative videos that highlight why you like being an AAEA member, what value you believe the organization brings, etc.

Winners will receive $100 Visa gift cards. Videos will be showcased on the AAEA YouTube channel and used in promotions to prospective members.

Tell your I M AAEA story in a 30 – 60 second video. Videos will be judged on creativity, relevance and message (no need to provide a high-quality film). You only have 30 to 60 seconds – have fun with this contest!

To enter, email (or DropBox) your video file to AAEA associate director Kenna Rathai. In the email/message, include your name, company, email address and phone number. The deadline for entry is Monday, Dec. 9.

ACN, Media