Beef Checkoff Sets FY2014 Plan of Work

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BeefCheckLogo_w_TagThe Cattlemen’s Beef Board will invest about $38.5 million into programs of beef promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications in Fiscal Year 2014, if the recommendation of the Beef Promotion Operating Committee is approved by USDA, following review by the full Beef Board.

In action concluding its two-day meeting in Denver this week, the Operating Committee — including 10 members of the Beef Board and 10 members of the Federation of State Beef Councils — approved checkoff funding for a total of 18 “Authorization Requests,” or proposals for checkoff funding in the fiscal yearbeginning Oct. 1, 2013. The committee also recommended full Beef Board approval of a budget amendment to reflect the split of funding between budget categories affected by their decisions.

The committee had to cut about $1 million total from proposals to meet budget requirements and, in the end, cut a total of $1.15 million.

Just one proposal submitted was cut completely, and that was a $100,000 request from the National Livestock Producers Association to help tell the beef story to consumers through participation on the established “America’s Heatland” program on public television.

The remainder of the cuts was achieved through reductions in budgets for the following programs: North American Meat Association’s veal promotion, “Moms, Millenials and More” communcation program, foreign marketing program, and Authorization Requests.

For the full report click here.

Agribusiness, Beef, NCBA

Zimfo Bytes

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    Zimfo Bytes

  • National Ag Day is March 25, 2014, and there is still time for you to align your organization with this high-profile event.
  • Grain Systems Inc., a global brand of AGCO , announced that it has purchased Johnson System Inc., a leading manufacturer of catwalks, towers and support structures based in Marshall, Michigan.
  • As part of an organization-wide revitalization of its communications and outreach efforts, the American Soybean Association unveiled the newly-redesigned SoyStats.com.
  • JCB’s North American dealer network continues to expand with the addition of Deep South JCB.
Zimfo Bytes

A Big Bowl o’ Ice Cream

Melissa Sandfort

As summer draws to a close, I look back (once again) and think where did it go? When we were kids, I thought the summer months went by in a flash, but maybe that’s because I was stuck at home with a long “to do” list that my mom religiously wrote each morning before leaving for work. It included dreadfully awful items like dusting, vacuuming, water the plants, burn the trash and so on. I wished that one day she’d just write, “Do whatever you want today!”

I’m still waiting for that note.

But another thing I remember about summer nights was homemade ice cream. Dad would haul the ice and salt downstairs to the shower room, mom would gather the remainder of the ingredients and my brother and I would take turns cranking.

Not so different from back in Grandpa’s day. Listen as he reminisces.

Listen to Grandpa explain

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

GROWMARK Names Scholarship Winners

Cindy Zimmerman

fs-growmarkForty-six college students from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin recently received help to continue their college educations from GROWMARK as recipients of scholarships aimed at promoting higher education in agriculture and business.

“GROWMARK invests in future talent by providing more than $44,000 in scholarships annually,” said Ashley McClintock, GROWMARK university relations manager. “We are committed to education and personal development, and the GROWMARK Scholarship Program allows us to recognize the future leaders in agriculture and business.”

GROWMARK has been supporting college students with scholarships since the early 1960s. Today, they are awarded to students majoring in agriculture or accounting at 16 universities and colleges. Each educational institution is responsible for the selection process and awarding scholarships.

See the names of all the winners here.

Listen to an interview with Ashely here: Interview with Ashley McClintock, GROWMARK

Agribusiness, Audio, Education, GROWMARK

Former San Juan Biofuels Facility Selling at Lender Owned Auction

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REVISED Maas-300x600-Dove-Creek-9-13-2Maas Companies of Rochester, Minn., will liquidate the former San Juan Biofuels Oilseed Crush Facility located in Southwestern Colorado at a Lender Owned Auction.The auction will be conducted on-site at the plant, 7099 CR H, Dove Creek, Colorado on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. The auction offers on-site and internet based bidding opportunities.

San Juan Biofuels was originally a local coop targeting biodiesel production from sunflower oil.Due to the economic conditions the biodiesel plant equipment was never purchased.The coop altered its focus to include: food grade vegetable oils, animal feed, renewable heat, electricity and wood pellets.The plant operated until 2011, and now the equipment is ready for a new owner.The auction will sell the plant for sale in bulk lots, including over 70 lots of equipment, two buildings and ancillary equipment selling in bulk lots or as an entirety with a land lease or to be moved.The real estate is on a long term lease with Dolores County Development Corporation, buyers are encouraged to contact the auction company to explore the land lease opportunities.

A complete package detailing the bidding process is available by contacting the auction company directly at 507-285-1444.Information can also be found at the company’s website: www.maascompanies.com.

Agribusiness, Biodiesel

Leading NAMA into a New Year

Jamie Johansen

nama-fall-13-kenna-paulLeadership within an organization is key to it’s success and the National Agri-Marketing Association has gone above and beyond to ensure their leadership is a cut above. During NAMA Fall Conference business was carried out, professional development sessions took place and the gavel was passed down the ranks to the upcoming president.

Paul Redhage with FMC and outgoing NAMA President, talked with Chuck about changes that were made during the recent board meeting and then looked back on his term as president of the national organization.

“Well, there are about four or five. Number one is that we are in good financial shape. Part of that is the economy of agriculture, but part of it is from some things we have done as an organization to be prepared. The second area is when it comes to the strategic plan and membership development has been a key effort there. One thing I am personally proud of is I helped establish the young professionals membership.”

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Paul here: Interview with Paul Redhage

Coming up the ranks as the new NAMA President is Kenna Rathai. The passing of the gavel took place during the fall conference in St. Louis, but Kenna will officially take the title as president in January.

“First, I am very excited to lead an amazing group of ag marketers at an incredible time in agriculture. One thing that we will continue to do is move our strategic plan forward. That includes communication with members, strategic alliances within the industry and also reaching out to non-traditional audiences. But another challenge I would like to throw out to members is to get engaged with the organization. We want more members to be active, whether that is at the chapter or national levels. We want to see new volunteers on committees and more attendance at programs.”

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Kenna here: Interview with Kenna Rathai

2013 NAMA Fall Conference Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Marketing, NAMA

New Holland Powering American Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

producers-clubNew Holland is proud to be powering American Ethanol as the premier equipment partner for Growth Energy and its member ethanol plants.

“We’re pushing forward with a positive message about ethanol and working together with not just the plants but also the producers,” said Luke Johnson, Growth Initiatives sales manager with New Holland, at the kickoff of a New Holland American Ethanol Producers Club event at the Absolute Energy plant in Lyle, Minnesota.

new-holland-mn-lukeThe producers club is a way for New Holland to show its support of the farmers who produce the corn that makes American ethanol. “We have a great discount structure program set up for them,” Luke said. “Our partnership is circular for everyone. The producer helps the ethanol plant and gets better prices in the corn market because of the industry, we support them with a fantastic discount program and support the industry at the same time to keep the positive message out there.”

The event at Absolute Energy is the 12th one that New Holland has held this year and Luke says they expect to do more next year. “Everything about it has been positive,” he said. The event will be held at the plant on Wednesday and we will be bringing you lots of information from it this week.

Listen to my interview with Luke here: Luke Johnson, New Holland
New Holland American Ethanol Producers Club photo album

Audio, Energy, Equipment, Ethanol, New Holland

Farm Bill Comments from Growth Energy Economist

Cindy Zimmerman

The farm bill is important for agriculture and renewable energy and I had the opportunity to chat with a veteran farm policy expert who now serves as Vice President and Chief Economist for Growth Energy.

growth-millerJim Miller has served many roles in his career, from leadership positions with the National Farmers Union and National Association of Wheat Growers to Senior Policy Advisor on the Budget Committee under Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) and USDA Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agriculture Services, so he’s had his share of farm policy experience and farm bills in particular.

“The process for developing the 2013 farm bill is just a tremendous mess,” said Miller. “The action that the House took in splitting the nutrition title from the rest of the farm bill I don’t think is very hopeful to those of us interested in farm bills and what that means for rural America.”

Miller thinks it will be very difficult for the House and Senate to achieve a compromise. “I do not envy those who are likely to be appointed to the conference to try to reconcile these differences,” he said. The House has yet to appoint conferees and now has several more procedural steps before that might occur. In the meantime, Congress is facing the bigger issues of keeping the government funded and dealing with the debt ceiling, which means it is almost certain the current farm bill extension will expire at the end of September without a new one. Miller says that’s not a big deal for most farm programs and the nutrition program but will impact a number of the other titles which lose the authorization to operate when the extension expires.

Jim also comments about the challenges to the RFS in this interview from the New Holland American Ethanol Producers Club event being held this week in Lyle, Minnesota at the Absolute Energy ethanol plant: Jim Miller, Growth Energy

Audio, Equipment, Ethanol, Farm Bill, Farm Policy, New Holland

BASF Launches New Mobile Website

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BASFBASF launched a new mobile platform, m.agproducts.basf.us, for U.S.-based Crop Protection products. This platform gives BASF customers and employees access to company and product information for use on all tablets and smartphone models.

The m.agproducts.basf.us website features full access to all BASF Crop Protection product information. This includes relevant product labels and material safety data sheets (MSDS). The Contact Us section has a Rep Finder option to allow customers to quickly find out the BASF representative for their location. This section also has Customer Service and Media Contact information available.

The Product section gives customers an A to Z listing of the BASF product portfolio. Each product features information on How It Works, Labeled Crops, Problems Controlled and a Research Library. The m.agproducts.basf.us platform allows users to share any of the information through social media including Facebook, Google+, Twitter and YouTube.

Agribusiness, BASF

Kohn Joins ASTA

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Michelle KohnMichelle Kohn, formerly a research analyst for agriculture consulting firm, Agralytica, has been named Director, International Programs and Policy, said Andrew W. LaVigne, president and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA).

In this new role at ASTA, Kohn will be responsible for the management and direction of USDA Cooperator/donor-funded programs and for assisting in the development of ASTA’s international policies and priorities. She will be the staff lead for the International Executive Committee and the major foreign markets (Argentina, India, Mexico, China and Brazil) committees.

Formerly at Agralytica, Kohn provided analysis and support for market research, program evaluations and strategic market analysis for government agencies, trade associations and US exporter organizations. Among the industries she analyzed were soybeans, wheat, grains, oilseed and animal agriculture; and among the issues she evaluated were crop insurance, tariffs and trade barriers.

Prior to Agralytica, Kohn provided writing, research, statistical and other project management support for an environmental nonprofit. A graduate of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland, Kohn is currently working on an MS-MBA in Food and Agribusiness Management from Purdue University and the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

Agribusiness, ASTA