BIVI: Control More than Vaccination or Medication

John Davis March 5, 2013

Controlling disease in swine herds is more than vaccinating or medicating your livestock … that’s the message attendees of the annual Boehringer Ingelheim (BIVI) Swine Health Seminar in San Diego received before the American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting. During a session titled “Infection Chain – A New Perspective on Disease Management,” Dr. Edgar Diaz, associate director of swine for BIVI told the vets about the infection chain concept and its relationship to vertical transmission of pathogens.

“I think we over-focus on control of disease in piglets,” he said, adding that if a pig is sick in finishing, there was something wrong introduced into that herd in the first place. “[Long before that], we did something wrong with the introduction of the gilt to the reproductive herd… in the stabilization of the reproductive herd… in [trying] to short out the transmission of the disease between the sow and the piglet. Be more aware of all the infection chain and all of the process.”

Diaz suggested more focus on the vertical transmission of disease from the sow to the piglet.

Listen to Cindy’s interview with Dr. Diaz here: Interview with Dr. Edgar Diaz, BIVI

BIVI Swine Health Seminar Photo Album

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine

AgFanatics Live From Commodity Classic

Cindy Zimmerman March 5, 2013

The AgFanatics were live from the Commodity Classic in Florida last week where they discussed what’s causing the recent spike in old crop futures and what the next few weeks look like ahead of several key USDA reports. That was Episode #14 in the can already!

In Episode #13, the guys discuss what’s been new in the grain markets, possible port strikes in Brazil, and their thoughts on price direction. As always, it’s live, un-edited, agricultural discussion!

The AgriVisor AgFanatics podcast can be found on Itunes or right from the front page at www.agrivisor.com. You’ll love these guys!

Farming, GROWMARK, Markets

Soybean Farmers Set Policy Course

Cindy Zimmerman March 5, 2013

Voting delegates of the American Soybean Association (ASA) set policy regarding a comprehensive long-term farm bill, as well as additional critical soybean industry priorities, such as exports and trade, transportation and biotechnology, during its annual meeting at the 2013 Commodity Classic last week.

“The resolutions process is a great reminder that ASA’s policies come directly from the ground up,” said ASA President Danny Murphy, a soybean farmer from Canton, Miss. “The policies are raised, voted on and established as ASA priorities through an entirely farmer-driven process. It keeps farmers involved and it keeps ASA firmly tied to the everyday concerns of soybean farmers.”

Within the farm bill resolution language, ASA maintained that any new farm bill must not distort planting decisions, and it should protect and strengthen crop insurance as a viable risk management tool for soybean producers. The farm bill resolution approved by the delegates also contained language encouraging Congress to protect valuable programs streamlining conservation programs, reauthorizing and funding biodiesel and biobased education programs, agricultural research, trade development and food aid programs.

Read more about ASA’s policy priorities here.

Listen to Danny, along with ASA Chairman Steve Wellman and First VP Ray Gaesser, summarize issues important to soybean growers at the 2013 Commodity Classic: ASA Officers Press Conference

2013 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Ag Groups, ASA, Audio, Commodity Classic

Farm Bill Top Priority for Corn Growers

Cindy Zimmerman March 5, 2013

As it was last year at this time, getting a new farm bill was the top priority for delegates to the National Corn Growers Association Corn Congress policy meeting last week during the 2013 Commodity Classic.

NCGA President Pam Johnson says NCGA supports fundamental changes to farm programs that include effective and affordable federal crop insurance to provide assistance only when most needed.

“An effective, affordable federal crop insurance program remains our No. 1 farm policy priority,” Pam said during the NCGA press conference at Classic. “And we have long supported programs that complement growers’ crop insurance protection in those years where prices or yields are significantly reduced. For growers, especially young farmers, managing the potential loss of revenue is critically important.’’

Another big priority for corn farmers is ethanol and Pam says they will continue to fight the attacks on both the Renewable Fuel Standard and the approval of E15 in the marketplace. “We will not let these attacks stand,” she said. “We know our potential to produce is very great and we know that we need to continue to build that demand.”

Pam adds that growers have been hit with demand destruction because of the drought but “we hope to plant a really great corn crop this year and get some of that back.”

Listen to Pam Johnson summarize issues important to corn growers at the 2013 Commodity Classic: NCGA President Pam Johnson

2013 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, Ethanol, Farming, NCGA

Beck’s Hybrids Shares Positive Outlook for 2013

Jamie Johansen March 5, 2013

If you you missed the Beck’s Hybrids booth during last week’s Commodity Classic, then you weren’t looking hard enough. They were the ones raffling off the beautiful 2012 Limited Edition Camero Panther for the charity We Care for Orphans. And when I spoke with Ashly Fischer, Marketing Associate & Show Coordinator for Beck’s Hybrids, they had almost met their goal of raising $100,000 for the charity.

Ashley also shared how excited they were to be at Commodity Classic and the products and servies they can provide for growers across the country, even in these trying times.

“This is our second year here at Commodity Classic and we are just absolutely thrilled to be a part of this. There is so many farmers that come. We want to be here to support the associations because that is our audience and our customers. We want to be here supporting.”

“One of the big questions out there is seed supply and it has been a big question since last fall. Beck’s Hybrid is in a great position. We are a family owned company. We are actually the largest family owned company and Sonny and Scott Beck planned for an unfortunate year and we have a great seed supply. We currently have record sales. We are up 15% in corn sales and right now we have some great products available.”

Listen to my interview with Ashley here: Interview with Ashley Fischer

2013 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, Corn, Seed

Happy 150th Birthday Bayer!

Cindy Zimmerman March 5, 2013

Bayer is celebrating 150 years of “Science for a Better Life.”

“Not too many companies really have that heritage and we’re really proud of that because that really describes our long term commitment,” said David Hollinrake, VP of Agricultural Commercial Operations Marketing for Bayer CropScience.
While agriculture is just one segment of Bayer, it is a significant one. “Agriculture is certainly the focus this week and the focus of my role but Bayer is significantly larger than just agriculture,” David told me. “We call ourselves a life sciences company – we have crop science, health care, animal science and material science – so we span a lot of scientific categories and our mission is science for a better life.”

David says the agricultural side of Bayer has diversified over the last couple of years to encompass the entire cropping pattern. “Think of it as crop protection, seeds, biotechnology – really creating what we call integrated solutions,” he said.

Listen to my interview with David here: Interview with David Hollinrake

2013 Bayer CropScience Ag issues Forum Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Commodity Classic, Farming

Obama Picks for Energy and EPA

Cindy Zimmerman March 4, 2013

President Obama announced his picks for Secretary of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency administrator on Monday. The President nominated MIT professor Ernest Moniz as energy secretary and EPA official Gina McCarthy as administrator for the agency.

While Moniz is a virtual unknown, McCarthy has served as EPA’s assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation and her appointment is being well received by agricultural and biofuels organizations.

“We appreciated working with Assistant Administrator McCarthy over the past few years in her role as head of the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, which was responsible for the approval of the E15 ethanol blend fuel option in 2012. We look forward to working closely with her and her team on ethanol and other issues that come before the agency,” said National Corn Growers Association President Pam Johnson.

Renewable Fuels Association president Bob Dinneen says McCarthy is “knowledgeable, willing to listen, and straight-forward. She knows the EPA inside and out and has typically approached challenges with a common-sense determination to resolve them in a timely manner.” Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis added that “McCarty has been a strong supporter of biofuels and we look forward to working with her to bring sustainable, clean, homegrown American fuels to the consumer.”

In September of 2009, McCarthy was one of two high-ranking EPA officials to visit farm operations and biofuel facilities in Iowa. She is pictured here during that visit with Margo Oge, director of the EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality and Senator Chuck Grassley on the farm of Rick Kimberley. (Photo from Iowa Farm Bureau Flickr)

Corn, Ethanol, NCGA, RFA

BIVI Invites Swine Vets to Live the Adventure

Cindy Zimmerman March 4, 2013

The annual Boehringer Ingelheim (BIVI) Swine Health Seminar for swine vets was quite the adventure this year.

BIVI addressed the issue of vertical transmission of pathogens in swine herds, featuring presentations by members of the BIVI swine vet team and other veterinary professionals. BIVI Director of Swine Technical Services Dr. Tyler Holck is very proud of their team. “It’s a team that has grown over the years,” he said. “We felt we needed a strong technical team to deliver the value through innovation that we have for a vision for BI.”

Dr. Holck says BI appreciates the opportunity to discuss important issues with swine vets each year at this time in advance of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting. “It’s not a large industry from the standpoint of people, so our customers are our partners,” he said.

Listen to my interview with Dr. Holck here: Interview with Dr. Tyler Holck, BIVI

As always, BI provided a wonderful evening of entertainment for the swine vets and their families. This year it was aboard the USS Midway aircraft carrier, featuring a night skydive, great USO-style entertainment, and a fun fireworks display. Check out the photo album to see! Great idea for anyone planning a big event in San Diego.

BIVI Swine Health Seminar Photo Album

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine

Propane’s New Role on the Farm

Jamie Johansen March 4, 2013

The trade show at the recent Commodity Classic was the place to share new and innovative products for growers and the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) was among exhibitors who used that to their advantage.

PERC is a checkoff, like many other agricultural organization. They use their funds to invest in research and safety training programs to educate the public. Farmers are among those who can utilize this alternative fuel. I spoke with Mark Leitman,
Director of Business Development and Marketing, during Commodity Classic and he not only shared some ways farmers across the country can take advantage of propane other than heating their home, but also talked about their Propane Farm Incentive Program.

“We’ve got a lot of opportunities for farmers to learn more about propane and ways they can use new technology on the farm and take advantage of propane’s low costs and environmental attributes and lower their costs of operation.”

“Grain drying and building heating continues to be some of the bigger uses, but we are seeing a huge growth in the amount of engines being powered by propane. In the ag sector, irrigation engines, is a low hanging fruit for us. It’s easy to place the engines, easy to place the tanks and it’s easy for the propane marketers to deliver. So, we are really promoting propane as an engine fuel in that application. Plus theres opportunities for trunks, lawn mowers and advance deficiency grain dryers. Just lots and lots of ways propane can be used on the farm.”

Listen to my interview with Mark here: Interview with Mark Leitman

2013 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, Propane

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