The School Lunch Parodies

Melissa Sandfort

Who has seen The Hunger Games – or read the books? You’ll get a laugh out of the comparisons drawn in this video. Kids these days may have some “out there” ideas (at least that’s what some of us ‘old’ folks think) but one thing they have right is that they stand up for what they believe, and speak out about it too. The school lunch program changes have students up in arms, and hungry. In a recent ZimmPoll, nearly HALF of respondents gave school lunches an ‘F’.

Student distaste for the program has gone viral. Enjoy. And may the odds be ever in your favor.

Agribusiness, Food, USDA

PowerSuite Nominated for Technology Award

Melissa Sandfort

PowerSuite for Retailers is the first and only cloud-based sales and customer management tool designed specifically for U.S. Ag retailers. XS’ PowerSuite application was one of 11 products recently nominated for the ARA/AgGateway Technology Award. The winner will be featured during the ARA Annual Conference & Expo in November and will receive $1,000 to a charity of choice. The contest runs through October 18.

PowerSuite was created due to an expressed need from field reps and managers of U.S. Ag retailers for on-demand access to their customer’s sales information for reports and analysis.

You can vote for PowerSuite here.

Agribusiness, Technology

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Make plans now to attend the 37th Annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013.
  • Hoosier Ag Today is proud to announce that Cayla McLeland has joined the organization as Regional Sales Manager and Regional Farm Broadcaster.
  • JBS United’s Director of Purchasing and long-time employee of over 34 years, Chris Wallace, passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 14.
  • Aarian Marshall has joined the Agri-Pulse team as fall intern.
Zimfo Bytes

Farmers Finding More Than Just Aflatoxins

Melissa Sandfort

There is no doubt that feed quality will be a challenge this year. Four of the nation’s top producing corn states have already been given permission to blend corn at levels exceeding the FDA aflatoxin action level and other states may soon be following in pursuit. As the USDA reports this year’s corn supply at an eight-year low, much of the Midwest is trying to utilize this year’s poor corn crop for their livestock.

While Aspergillus, the mold responsible for aflatoxins, has been the most notorious culprit in the 2012 harvest due to its carcinogenic properties, other toxins may show up this year. The hot and dry growing season provides just the right climate for the mold Fusarium verticillioides, which causes fumonisin B1 and can have serious effects on horses and swine. Penicillium is another mold of concern, especially during storage. Silage that is dry, poorly packed or has a significant amount of soil contamination can allow Pencillium to produce PR toxin, patulin, mycophenolic acid, roquefortine C, penicilic acid and several other mycotoxins.

In order to better identify mycotoxins, Alltech recently launched its 37+ Program. The mass spectrometry technique LC-MS2 can investigate 38 different mycotoxins quantitatively, and more than 50 others qualitatively in less than 15 minutes per sample analyzed, with limits of detection in the parts per trillion range. This approach allows a broader analytical approach compared to other commercial methods that can only see a ‘snapshot’ of contamination.

For more information about the 37+ Program or any concerns relating to mycotoxins, please call the Mycotoxin Hotline at 866-322-3484.

Agribusiness, Alltech, Harvest

Mouse Traps

Melissa Sandfort

Living out in the country, I fully expect to see bugs and spiders in our house. I’m forever turning a corner and finding a spider crawling somewhere – that said, I should just keep a Kleenex in my hand at all times for just the occasion! I wasn’t even surprised the day I found a small garter snake on the tile by the front door (there IS a big gap between the doors that makes a wonderful entrance for snakes).

I’d say of all the creepy crawlies, the spiders bother me the most.

But in the past two weeks, we’ve caught three mice and one 4T boys sock. With the disappearance of black kitty, the mice have found their way into the warmer climate. We put sticky mouse traps by the back door since we had our suspicions they were coming in through the garage and within minutes, had already caught two. The next week, our son decided to see just how sticky the traps were and we caught his new sock. He was so distraught when I had to toss it in the trash, but my mom’s “never fail stain removal list” doesn’t include sticky mouse trap glue.

So I went on a kitten-finding mission and thanks to a good friend, now have two new cats. I hope they’re mouse-hunters. This is Chip, short for Chipmunk because my niece thought from the back he looked like a chipmunk. The other is Earmuffs because she’s all white and then just has color on her ears.

Much as I love cats, I have created a new problem though – their favorite pastime is climbing the sliding glass door screen. It’s still better than having mice in the house.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Soybeans Up, Corn Crop Down a Bit

Cindy Zimmerman

The October USDA crop production report out this morning took a little bit more off the corn crop but increased the soybean crop by nine percent.

Corn production is forecast at 10.7 billion bushels, down slightly from the September forecast and down 13 percent from 2011. This represents the lowest production in the United States since 2006. Based on conditions as of October 1, yields are expected to average 122.0 bushels per acre, down 0.8 bushel from the September forecast and 25.2 bushels below the 2011 average. If realized, this will be the lowest average yield since 1995. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 87.7 million acres, up less than 1 percent from the September forecast and up 4 percent from 2011. Acreage updates were made in several States based on administrative data.

Soybean production is forecast at 2.86 billion bushels, up 9 percent from September but down 8 percent from last year. Based on October 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 37.8 bushels per acre, up 2.5 bushels from last month but down 4.1 bushels from last year. Compared with last month, yield forecasts are higher or unchanged across all States. Area for harvest
in the United States is forecast at 75.7 million acres, up 1 percent from September and up 3 percent from last year. Acreage updates were made in several States based on administrative data.

The cotton forecast was increased by one percent to 17.3 million 480-pound bales and the new citrus crop production report has oranges up four percent from last season at 9.37 million tons.

*POST UPDATE with audio*
The Minneapolis Grain Exchange crop conference call this morning featured Randy Martinson, Progressive Ag, who also provided commentary on the October WASDE report, which lowers ending stocks for wheat by 44 million bushels, and beginning stocks for corn by 193 million bushels.

Listen to the MGEX crop call here: MGEX October crop report call

Audio, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Soybean, USDA

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