Wyant Receives Communication Excellence Award
Congratulations to Sara Wyant, president and CEO of Agri-Pulse Communications, who recently received the Rueben Brigham Award.
The award is given by the Association of Communication Excellence (ACE) to a communicator who has made a major contribution in the field of agriculture, natural resources, or life and human sciences. The award is named after Reuben Brigham (1887-1946) who served as an Extension editor and 4-H club agent in Maryland and was called to the Federal Extension Service office in 1917 to develop an editorial and visual aids service for Extension editors.
The Reuben Brigham award was a pleasant surprise for Wyant, and she was proud to be a recipient. “I was really delighted to be honored by an association that does so much to keep other people informed,” Wyant said. “ACE is an international association of people who offer professional development and networking opportunities so they can extend their knowledge about agriculture.”
Rabo AgriFinance at Ag Media Summit
“U.S. Agriculture’s Labor Crisis: Can It Be Fixed?” was the topic for the Ag Media Summit Newsmakers session last week, sponsored by Rabo AgriFinance.
David Magaña, RaboResearch Fresh Produce Analyst, gave some insights into the reduction of the agricultural labor force available due to a declining percentage of young people. “Obviously this has been a challenge for years for agriculture,” said Magaña. “On the supply side of labor, we’ve seen drastic changes in demographics in Mexico. The natality rate has drastically declined from an average of seven children per family in the ’70s, to close to two children per family nowadays.”
Learn more in this interview:
Interview with David Magaña, Rabo AgriFinance
Precision Ag News 8/9
New Cover Crop Survey Released
The 2022-2023 National Cover Crop Survey Report was released today the challenges assumptions on the role of incentive payments in cover crop adoption.
According to the survey, nearly half of the cover crop users participating in the survey reported receiving some sort of payment for cover crops in 2022, and almost 78% of cover crop non-users said incentive payments would be helpful. However, over 90 percent of the farmers who were receiving cover crop incentives reported that they would definitely or probably continue planting cover crops after the payments ended, while only 3.3% said they definitely or probably would drop cover crops at the end of the incentive program. Overall, less than 16% of cover crop users said receiving incentive payments was one of their goals for cover cropping.
“What the survey showed is that cover crop incentive payments are an important factor in encouraging and helping farmers to transition into cover cropping, but once they see the soil health improvements and other cover crop benefits, most stick with cover crop planting long after the incentives end,” said Dr. Rob Myers with USDA-NIFA North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program and lead researcher for the survey.
The 2022-2023 report marks the seventh National Cover Crop Survey, issued jointly by SARE, Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), based on insights from nearly 800 farmers in 49 states. The survey series started in 2012, and data from the surveys has been used in academic research, educational programs, policy planning and even testimony to Congress.
“The National Cover Crop Survey goes beyond acreage statistics by providing insights into what farmers want to achieve with cover crops, what motivates them to try and continue the process, how cover crops relate to other soil-building practices like no-till, and their approaches to using the practice,” says Ryan Heiniger, executive director of CTIC. “We are also just as interested in the perspectives of non-users of cover crops. Understanding their concerns and information needs provide direction for developing better outreach materials, and can help policymakers clear obstacles that hamper adoption or create more attractive incentives.”
Andy LaVigne, president and CEO of ASTA, adds that the survey provides seed producers with valuable insight on cover croppers’ needs. “Our members are extremely interested in learning about the needs of growers when it comes to which varieties they’re seeking and when and how they make cover crop planting decisions,” LaVigne says. “These perspectives help the seed industry plan ahead to ensure that farmers have the species they want as well as genetics that help them manage their cover crops effectively to achieve their goals.”
This was the first survey to explore livestock in cover crops, and it found 25% of respondents integrated livestock into their cover crop program. Of those who grazed cover crops, 76% reported a net increase in profit from the practice.
Get more details on the survey in this presentation with Heiniger, LaVigne, and Dr. Myers – read the full report.
2022-2023 Cover Crop Survey (39:06)
Interview with ASTA President and CEO Andy LaVigne
Cover Crop Survey interview with Andy LaVigne, ASTA (6:12)
Field Notes from Koch Agronomic Services – Episode 30
The Field Notes podcast series from Koch Agronomic Services (KAS) breaks down the science and technology behind agronomy to help growers do more with less.
Vital Tools in Range and Pasture Management
In this episode, we’re discussing pasture and range management with our KAS experts, Technical Agronomist, Lacie Thomas, and Territory Business Manager, Ryan Walker. They’ll address pasture management and the inputs needed to maximize yield potential and protect soil health on grazing land.
You can listen to the program here: Vital Tools in Range and Pasture Management 12:48)
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Livestock Publications Council Awards
LPC’s Hall of Fame Award was Established in 1990, to honor distinguished livestock publishing leaders. Presenting the award to Diane Johnson is Molly Schoen, Charolais Journal.
Diane Johnson, is no stranger the organization, having served more than 20 years as its executive director. During that time, she was a part of the development of the Ag Publications Summit which later became the Ag Media Summit. Diane was an integral part of 21 Ag Media Summit events including two Congresses held in the United States for the International Federation of Agriculture Journalists.
LPC’s Headliner Award Program, inaugurated in 1980, salutes an individual for meritorious service to the livestock industry. This year’s recipient is Dr. Bob Hough. Presenting the award is Katrina Huffstutler, Grant Company, LLC.
Hough has served the livestock industry in numerous capacities for almost 50 years but may be best known for his roles as chief executive office of the Red Angus Association of America and executive vice president of the North American Limousin Foundation.
There are many more awards which you will be able to find a list of on on the LPC website. The Ed Bible Distinguished Service Award was presented to Tim Steinbeck, Modern Litho.
Ag Communicators Network Awards
Two former presidents of the Ag Communicators Network (ACN), have been named ACN’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipients for 2023. Presenting the awards is Cynthia Clanton, CHS, Inc.
Greg Lamp and Karen McMahon were selected based on their outstanding leadership and professional and personal achievements, emphasizing contributions made toward improving the viability and value of the Ag Communicators Network.
Lamp, a recent retiree and 40-year media industry veteran, has served ACN through the years in various capacities. Throughout his years as an ACN member, Lamp always has dedicated his time selflessly to the organization and led with integrity.
McMahon leaped into service within ACN after attending her first photography seminar in 1979. Her support and leadership have raised thousands of dollars in sponsorship for the association’s annual conferences.
Within ACN and the ag communications industry, McMahon’s work has been recognized by ACN and prestigious organizations such as Minnesota Magazine & Publication Association, the Livestock Publications Council, IFAJ Council, American Society of Business Publications, and Oscar in Agriculture.
Don Wirth, an innovative Oregon farmer and promoter of cover crops and forage in the United States and internationally, has been named the Agricultural Communicators Network (ACN) Distinguished Service Award recipient for 2023.
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to individuals who give back to the agricultural community and have demonstrated outstanding leadership efforts in education, science, or public affairs relevant to agriculture. Presenting the award is Michelle Paul, Ag West Farm Credit.
There are a lot more ACN Awards and you can find a full list here. Some include.
Of the Year Winners:
Writer of The Year – Steve Werblow, The Furrow
Story of The Year – “Making hay was a part of his flight plan”, Amber Friedrichsen, Hay & Forage Grower
Photographer of the Year – Martha Mintz, Corral Creek Communications
Photo of the Year – Joel Reichenberger, DTN/The Progressive Farmer
Designer of the Year – Rachael Davis, Noble Research Institute
Communicator of the Year – Jamie Cole, Red Barn Media Group
Andy Markwart Horizon Award Winner:
Betty Haynes, Prairie Farmer
Animal Ag News 8/7
ZimmCast 716 – A New Podcast and New Presidents
Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast.
Cindy and I are getting a break from the agriblogging highway for a few weeks. We just completed a journey to Des Moines for Tech Hub Live, to San Destin, FL for the Southern Peanut Growers Conference and Palm Springs, CA for the Ag Media Summit. It has been a busy summer and I am very grateful for air conditioning. I’m old enough to remember summers in Sarasota, FL without AC and when my parents got our first box fan. This latest warm spell we’re having is nothing knew and that is no matter what the climate activist wackos say. It’s amazing how much misinformation is being spread right now.
So, back to this week’s podcast. I’m going to start with an excerpt of the brand new podcast, The Heart of Rural America, hosted by Amanda Radke. She’s a South Dakota cattle rancher, wife, mama, author, and motivational speaker. Amanda also wrote for AgWired back in 2010! I highly recommend you subscribe to and listen to her new podcast. We are very proud of Amanda and have enjoyed watching her family and career grow over the years.
Next in the program are interviews with the new presidents of the Ag Communicators Network and the Livestock Publications Council. The gavel was passed for both organizations during the Ag Media Summit. First up is Martha Mintz, Corral Creek Communications. Next, you can listen to my interview with Katrina Huffstutler, Grant Company LLC.
Listen to the episode here:ZimmCast 716 - A New Podcast and New Presidents (16:08)
So that’s the ZimmCast for this week. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.
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