Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show – Where Farmers Meet

Jamie Johansen

On the heels of a successful 2012 event, Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show has already paved way for 2013. Mark you calendars for another successful showcase of leading agriculture innovations September 11-13, 2013 in Woodstock, Ontario.

“We can not thank our supportive exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers and the Woodstock community enough for helping us present the 2012 edition of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show,” says COFS President Doug Wagner. “This year’s Show provides us with the ideal springboard to plan our 20th anniversary celebrations.”

“The feedback from exhibitors and attendees alike has been very positive,” says COFS Sales Coordinator Paul Roper. “As 2013 approaches, we plan to continue providing the interactive demonstrations, diverse exhibitors and new product launches that we have become known for.”

Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show is “Where Farmers Meet” and at the 2012 event 41,500 attendees agreed. 2013 will mark the 20th anniversary of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. Special celebrations, new anniversary logo and demonstrations are all in the works to be unveiled in the new year.

Exhibitor contracts for next year’s Show will arrive in February along with details for 2013 demonstrations. For specific questions in the meantime, please contact Paul Roper at paul@canadasoutdoorshows.com.

Stay updated on the 2013 event on Facebook and Twitter.

Events, Farm Shows, Farming

Women Rushing West for AAW Convention

Jamie Johansen

Learn, share, energize while “Seeking your Fortune in Agriculture” at the 37th Annual American Agri-Women convention. Women involved in agriculture from throughout the United States and Canada will head to Denver, Colorado November 7-10, 2012. Their purpose reflects the mission of the 40,000-member organization: Gather resources and knowledge to represent the agriculture industry in an educated, professional and passionate manner.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the latest issues in agriculture, including sustainability, marketing and advocacy. Here from Teresa Scanlan, Miss American 2011, Advocates for Agriculture, Troy and Stacy Hadrick and many more. Experience break-out sessions about estate planning and property rights, social media, leadership and parliamentary procedure to broaden your own farm, ranch or agribusiness.

Find out more and register for the event here. Whether you are able to attend our not be sure and follow American Agri-Women on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to follow the convention on Twitter using the hashtag #AAW2012.

Ag Groups, Education, Events

4-H and FFA “Champions of Change” Honored

Cindy Zimmerman

The White House this week recognized 12 members and leaders of FFA and 4-H as Champions of Change, a program to honor ordinary Americans doing great work in their communities. Each week, a different sector is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, are recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities

“The members of 4-H and FFA are shining examples of the positive change young Americans are bringing across the country, said Jon Carson, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Public Engagement. “Today we are not only celebrating the work of students having an impact on their communities, but we’re also honoring the mentors and teachers who are fostering these leadership skills in the youth of today.”

The honorees were:
Ridge Howell, Checotah, Oklahoma
Jessica McAtamney, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jacob Dickey, Champaign, Illinois
Neeta Patel, Princeton, New Jersey
Kea Norrell Boyd, Lansing, Michigan
Bill Jimmerson, Bozeman, Montana
Kaydn Ence, Saint George, Utah
Jordan Paine, Oxford, Nebraska
Chamonix Mejia, Laredo, Texas
Samuel Roberson, Prairie View, Texas
Andrea Kneer-Rice, Frederick County, Maryland
Pete Dreisbach, Hardinsburg, Kentucky

FFA

Start Clean Now for Spring Planting

Melissa Sandfort

Farmers are being encouraged to start clean for next year’s planting season, and now is the time to get a handle on tough weeds. Tom Rothman with Minnesota Farm Network recently spoke with Monsanto’s Ryan Rector about why weed control in the fall is important and what tools growers have to help them be proactive when it comes to weed management, including the new Roundup Ready PLUS Weed Manager PLUS App for iPhone and Android platforms.

Listen to Tom’s interview here: Tom Rothman and Ryan Rector

Weed Manager PLUS, launched at the 2012 Farm Progress Show, provides weed management recommendations by region and crop, calculates potential incentives for farmers who use endorsed residual herbicide products and delivers a tank mixing tool and measurement conversion calculator. All that, PLUS – it’s FREE! Weed Manager PLUS can be downloaded at Google Play or the Apple App Store. For more information on weed control, visit RoundupReadyPLUS.com.

Agribusiness, Audio, weed management

Paulsen Updates Digital Media Thought Paper

Chuck Zimmerman

Paulsen Marketing has updated their thought paper, “Digital Media’s Evolution and Impact on Telling Agriculture’s Story.” You’ll now find some new insights into how the digital communications age is affecting the agribusiness world.

Digital media has been a game-changer for ag communicators to deliver content to audiences. Paulsen public relations spoke with prominent ag communicators who shared insight about how digital media has transformed the way news is gathered, delivered and how agriculture’s story is told.

Their dialogue in this Thought Paper describes key trends and behind-the-scenes secrets that marketers and PR professionals can use to reach media and consumers of content with effective and interactive messages.

We’ll share inside information about the way ag journalists are using new digital tools and explore how mobile technology will influence the future of digital.

Here’s an example of some of the information you’ll find in the paper regarding the growth of mobile technology.

According to a recent survey conducted by Prosper Mobile Insights, half of smartphone and tablet users (51.1%) say they now check their email using only their mobile device. Overall, 7 in 10 smartphone or tablet users (69.3%) conduct at least one web-based activity solely with their device:
• 45.3% admit to mobile-only Internet searches.
• 42.3% connect with friends on Facebook sans stationary computers or other Internet-capable devices.
• 29.6% say they conduct all their online banking on a mobile device.

I got to chime in with some thoughts on mobile as did some other folks and you can find all of those insights in the full paper available from the Paulsen website.

Agencies, Media

How do we feed a growing world?

Melissa Sandfort

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, ” What cooperatives play a role in your life/business?”

Our poll results: Ten percent said Electric/water/utilities; ten percent said Farm Credit/credit union; five percent said Farm supplies; twenty percent said Energy/biofuels; three percent said Farm commodity; three percent said Other; thirty-five percent said Two or more of the above; and fifteen percent said None.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What is most important for feeding growing world population?” As of today, it is estimated at a little over 7 billion; by 2050 it is estimated it will be slightly over 9 billion. With a steadily increasing population, how do we feed everyone? What do you think?

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

ZimmPoll

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed four members and seven alternates to serve on the 12-person Hass Avocado Board.
  • MGEX announced the results of its annual Board of Directors election.
  • Members and friends of the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) should register soon to join the organization’s 30th anniversary celebration on Oct. 25, 2012, in St. Louis, MO.
  • The annual Citrus Crop Forecast from USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service will be broadcast “live” on Southeast AgNet Radio Network for the 17th consecutive year at 8:29 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Corn Harvest More than Double Time Ahead

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Farmers are more than double-timing it on the corn harvest this season.

    As of this past weekend, USDA reports that 69 percent of the crop was harvested, compared to 28 average for this time of year. Several corn belt states are running way, way ahead of normal, like Minnesota and Iowa, which normally have around 11-17% of the corn harvest complete by now. This year – over three-quarters of the crop in both states is harvested!

    National Corn Growers Association President Pam Johnson of Floyd, Iowa says farmers are working diligently to get the crop into the U.S. corn supply.

    “While this summer’s drought certainly took its toll, corn farmers are working tirelessly to get the crop out of field and into bins. Their commitment to maximizing the crop drives them forward, often late into the night, harvesting now to make sure they provide the most abundant, highest quality corn possible,” said Johnson, who notes that the rapid harvest pace means that the October USDA reports due out Thursday will provide a much clearer picture of the size of the U.S. corn supply.

    “For months, we have asked that those interested in the corn supply practice patience and remain calm while we wait for an accurate accounting of the crop to emerge,” said Johnson. “The vast majority of media coverage has relied upon preliminary data and projections to draw conclusions which may prove premature or inaccurate.”

    The September crop production report estimated this year’s corn crop at 10.7 billion bushels, the lowest since 1995 but still the eighth-largest in history.

    Corn, NCGA, USDA

    National Farm-City Council Extends Award Deadline

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The National Farm-City Council has extended the deadline for nominations for the second annual Charles Eastin Outstanding Service Award to October 16th. The award pays tribute to an outstanding individual within the United States who has contributed to Farm-City activities as an advocate for accurate communications between rural and urban audiences.

    The national award is in honor of Dr. Charles “Charlie” Eastin, DVM, who played a fundamental role in Farm-City activities. A board member for many years, Eastin was especially active in planning and initiating Farm-City events in the Lexington, Ken., area.

    Nominees to the Charles Eastin Outstanding Service Award can be any person 25-years-old or older, who has actively supported national, state or local Farm-City initiatives. He or she can be nominated by anyone active in a Farm-City program.

    Those interested in nominating an individual should go to the National Farm-City Council website for nomination rules and the application form. The completed application should be forwarded by October 16, 2012, to the state Farm-City contact as identified on the website. If no state contact is identified, the application should be endorsed by the local Farm‐City organizers and forwarded by October 16, to the National Farm‐City Council. The National Farm‐City Council will verify the credibility of the applicant. State Farm‐City contacts should submit the application to contact@farmcity.org to the National Farm‐City Council mailing address by October 23, 2012.

    Those completing the nomination should describe how this nominee has contributed to the success of Farm-City activities and provide evidence on the impact of this individual’s actions in organizing Farm-City events. A three-member committee, including at least one member of the National Farm-City Council, will judge the applications and select the recipient.

    Ag Groups

    Romney Outlines Rural Policy Positions

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney put his focus on agriculture and rural policy on Tuesday with the release of an agricultural policy white paper and a visit to an Iowa farm.

    Romney’s “vision for a vibrant rural America” includes tax policies to support family farms, expanding agricultural trade, achieving energy independence by 2020, and creating a commonsense regulatory environment. “The regulatory burden under this administration has just gone crazy,” said Romney during his stop at the Koch family farm near Van Meter, Iowa. “I’m going to put cap on regulation and any new major regulation will have to be approved by Congress.”

    Under tax policy, the white paper says Romney will “permanently eliminate the estate tax so that families passing farms from generation to generation will not have to worry about liquidating their assets.” Romney’s trade policy includes completing the Trans-Pacific Partnership and pursuing new agreements, focusing particularly on promising markets in Latin America. His agenda for energy independence includes maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), “fulfilling the federal government’s commitment to biofuels growers and refiners and providing them the certainty they need to followthrough on their investments in promising technologies.”

    Listen to or download Romney speech in Iowa – Mitt Romney in Iowa
    Read the entire Romney Agriculture White Paper.

    Audio, politics