Farm Foundation to Talk About Sustainable Practices

John Davis

farmfoundationlogo3How the world’s farmers meet the demands of a growing population in a sustainable way is the subject of the next Farm Foundation Forum on Wednesday, March 6, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The forum will also be broadcast on the web for free.

Attendees will discuss a new report from Solutions From the Land (SFL), a national dialogue of landowners and conservationists focused on the sustainable policies and practices:

The report is the result of a three-year conversation among thought leaders in agriculture, forestry and conservation to identify the land challenges faced today and in the years ahead, and propose pathways to address those challenges. The pathways proposed are not intended to be prescriptive, but rather to serve as the basis for robust, solutions-oriented conversations among the diverse range of stakeholders with interests in land use issues. This includes foresters, farmers, ranchers, conservationists, community leaders, recreation enthusiasts, the wildlife community, policy makers and agribusiness leaders.

Former Texas Congressman Charlie Stenholm will moderate the discussion on the report.

More information on attending in person or watching the webinar is available on the Farm Foundation website. Register by noon Monday, March 4.

Ag Groups, Farm Foundation

FMC Wants Students to Stand Up & Be Heard

John Davis

nfms-13-fmc-thompsonAgriculture students from across the country will get the chance to showoff their musical talent for a chance to win scholarship prizes in FMC’s second annual “Stand and Be Heard Anthem Singing Contest” starting March 1.

“FMC is focusing on the future of agriculture,” Tim Thompson, the company’s Agricultural Products North America product manager, told Chuck during an interview at the National Farm Machinery Show. Students in NAMA, FFA, and 4-H the chance to win up to $10,000 in scholarship money. They have until June 15, 2013 to get their entry in, when the public votes on who they like best. A panel of judges narrows it down a bit more, and four finalists will also have the opportunity to go to Nashville to work with a music producer and record their version of the National Anthem. Tim said it’s a great way to show the future of agriculture how much this country cares. “We had 170-plus students who participated with videos a year ago, almost 200,000 votes that came in and we got down to four.”

You can listen to Chuck’s interview with Tim here: Interview with Tim Thompson

2013 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album


Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and New Holland Agriculture
Agribusiness, Audio, FMC, National Farm Machinery Show, NFMS

New Holland: Better Performance, Comfort in New Tractors

John Davis

nfms-13-nh-t4-5Our friends at New Holland had some pretty exciting news at the recent National Farm Machinery Show as they rolled out two new series of tractors that they say will bring better performance and more comfort for the hard-working producers who use them. Mike Cornman with New Holland told Chuck a little bit about the new T4 and T5 series of tractors, both designed to appeal to livestock and dairy producers in particular.

“Whether they’re doing chores around the farm, whether it be a haying process or moving bales, etc., we really bring some new features to the tractors for 2013,” Mike said.

With the T4 Series, there’s three models from 70-90 horsepower, with a variety of features, most notably, a cab that is a big upgrade. “Really spacious for the operator with a nice layout of the controls, and also, an operator training seat so another person can safely join them in the cab and be able to observe what’s happening in the tractor. So a real nice update to the cab, providing a lot of comfort to that operator.”

The T5 Series is touted as ready to redefine utility tractor standards. It’s targeted to professional, full-time farmers with increased efficiency in operation.

LMike said the new T4s and T5s will be available at your local New Holland dealer later this year.

You can listen to Chuck’s interview with Mike here: Interview with Mike Cornman

2013 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album


Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and New Holland Agriculture
Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland, NFMS

Economic Outlook in Meat Industry

Chuck Zimmerman

Steve MeyerOur morning two general session featured several economists including Steve Meyer, President, Paragon Economics. I talked with him afterward to get a few of his thoughts on how things are looking for the meat industry.

The number one item is weather. Of course Steve says that’s harder to predict than the markets! Steve says we’re on such a tight supply situation with grains, soybeans and hay that what happens this spring with the weather is key. A normal weather pattern would be nice and he says we’re all assuming that because you have to assume something. He says that if we do have normal weather and a crop then we’ll see some growth in chicken production and a slight growth in hog production. Cattle are another matter and have a rather long turn around time.

Listen in to my interview with Steve to hear more of his thoughts on the economic outlook including factors like supply, demand, pricing and effect of exports here: Interview with Steve Meyer

2013 Annual Meat Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Meat

Fact vs. Fiction in Food Crisis Management

Chuck Zimmerman

Sue Borra and Eric MittenthalCrisis management. We hear a lot about it and any company wants to be ready to handle one if it should happen. How do you deal with fact vs. fiction, especially in the food industry? At today’s Annual Meat Conference we heard from Sue Borra, Senior Vice President of Communications, Food Marketing Institute and Eric Mittenthal, Vice President, Public Affairs, American Meat Institute, on this topic.

When it comes to food retail Sue says food safety is the number one concern. They place extremely high value on what their customers think. So if a crisis breaks out they want to be able to communicate rapidly, effectively and with as much information as possible. Both Sue and Eric emphasized the importance of planning ahead and being ready to be proactive. Their organizations are constantly looking ahead and prepare information that is readily available to their members.

I brought up social media since we’ve seen both fact and fiction explode overnight on some issues, including in the food world. Sue says that most retailers are now active in social media and they monitor what is being said about their companies. It’s about trust and transparency! Very important words.

Listen in to my conversation with Sue and Eric to learn more about their thoughts on this subject here: Interview with Sue Borra & Eric Mittenthal

2013 Annual Meat Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Food, Meat

Sponsoring Great American Wheat Harvest

Chuck Zimmerman

Barry Nelson and Conrad WeaverDuring the recent AG CONNECT Expo Conrad Weaver unveiled the new trailer for The Great American Wheat Harvest film documentary. Today we’re announcing that AgWired has come on board as a Silver Sponsor! We’ll be updating you throughout the film’s production process with interviews and more.

To hear what another sponsor has to say I talked with Barry Nelson, John Deere, Legacy Sponsor, seen here at the podium with Conrad (seated). Barry says John Deere was interested not only because custom harvesters use green equipment but because, “It really focuses on the families and the importance of agriculture and feeding the world.” He says this is not a one color project and encourages other companies, including equipment companies, to jump on board and become a sponsor. It’s a project that agriculture can be proud of in helping tell the story of where food comes from and there is a significant promotional plan for the film when completed.

You can listen to my interviews with Barry here: Interview with John Deere Legacy Sponsor

Agribusiness, Audio, John Deere, Wheat

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

Sequester Monster is Coming

Cindy Zimmerman

sequester-monsterThe impending deadline for “sequestration” has taken on the character of a looming cataclysmic event or awakening of a sleeping monster in a horror movie – a monster with an axe aimed at all government spending.

Sequester is scheduled to take effect on March 1 and so far Congress has made no effort to prevent the across the board spending cuts from taking place. I talked with GROWMARK government affairs director Chuck Spencer to find out more about the Sequester Monster.

Chuck explains that sequestration traces back to the Budget Control Act of 2011 requiring Congress to come to an agreement on deficit reduction by the end of 2012 – or else there would be cuts to all defense and non-defense spending. “There are exemptions within the provisions, obviously Social Security, veterans affairs, some nutrition programs,” he said. “Those cuts for sequestration can range anywhere from 10 percent in some discretionary defense programs to 7.8% for non-defense discretionary programs.”

gmk-chuck-spencerNo one really knows what the reductions would mean but Chuck says there are those who believe that with the ballooning federal deficit, drastic measures are needed. “Households when times get tough are able to cinch the belt up and make things work, why can’t government do the same?” he said.

One proposal to avoid sequestration comes from the Democrats who are suggesting taking all the needed cuts – $55 million – from defense and agriculture. The reasoning behind taking half from agriculture is ending direct payments, which is supposed to be done whenever a new farm bill is completed. Chuck says one problem is that those cuts would take effect immediately, and the current farm bill that was extended through September includes direct payments for this season. “Many farmers have incorporated their management plans for 2013, we’re coming up on spring planting season, and a change in that type of program – particularly for crops in the southern part of the country – would be very difficult to deal with,” he said.

Listen to my interview with Chuck here: Chuck Spencer, GROWMARK

Audio, Farm Policy, GROWMARK

Resistance Fighter of the Year Award Winner

Chuck Zimmerman

Syngenta Resistance FighterFighting weed resistance is becoming more and more important and one way Syngenta has been working on it is with their Resistance Fighter of the Year Program. Here’s one of this year’s winners, Scott Stallbaumer from Saint Marys, KS. I met him in the Syngenta exhibit at the National Farm Machinery Show. The other winner is Scott Holder from Boyle, MS.

Syngenta is once again honoring two outstanding leaders in the fight against herbicide resistance through the Resistance Fighter™ of the Year program. Over the past five months, many worthy people have been nominated as advisors committed to preventing the spread of resistant weeds. These individuals have continually supported this effort by providing growers with the information and tools they need to stay on top of all forms of herbicide resistance in their fields.

Now in its fourth year, the Resistance Fighter of the Year program recognizes those dedicated individuals who strive to protect America’s farmlands from herbicide resistance. Eligible recipients include farm managers, retailers, consultants and county extension agents who have successfully implemented resistance management programs with growers in their area.

Learn how and why Scott became a Resistance Fighter of the Year award winner in my interview with him: Interview with Scott Stallbaumer

2013 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, National Farm Machinery Show, Syngenta

FMC Marketing with Authority

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 385The Authority Minute is a video podcast series by FMC that has come about because as Paul Reghage, FMC, says, “Growers were telling us they like to hear from other growers.”

Paul Redhage FMCSo FMC developed the Authority Minute series which Paul says will be at least 18 episodes. These short interview segments include farmers, retailers, consultants and researchers including not only FMC researchers but Monsanto as well since Authority is part of the Monsanto Roundup Ready Plus Platform. To watch the Authority Minute visit the website and get registered to be eligible for one of $15,000 worth of prizes. Every time a farmer views a video it adds another entry in the drawings.

Besides the Authority Minute Paul says it’s time for round two of the Anthem Stand Up & Be Heard Singing Contest. The format is similar to last year and March 1st is when students can submit their entries on the website. Paul says the program has worked well for FMC. He says the company has a theme of Investing in Farming’s Future which includes supporting youth in agriculture.

Learn more about these FMC marketing programs in this week’s ZimmCast here: FMC Marketing with Authority

2013 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsors, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong and Monsanto, Roundup Ready Plus, for their support.

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our Subscribe page.


Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and New Holland Agriculture
Agribusiness, Audio, FMC, National Farm Machinery Show, ZimmCast