Administration Supports Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack demonstrated the Obama administration’s strong commitment to ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by spending over an hour at the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference on Friday morning.

“This is an industry that is worth supporting,” he told the crowd of about 250 ethanol industry leaders. “Which is why the president is supporting the Renewable Fuel Standard, and it’s why I’m supporting the Renewable Fuel Standard.”

In light of the lowered crop forecast for corn due to the drought, Vilsack noted that the RFS has built-in flexibilities and the market is responding as it should. “The market responds, the market reacts, the market pays attention, and we’re already seeing that,” he said.

Vilsack also stressed the need for the industry to defend itself in the face of attacks by critics and for friends of the industry to step up as well.

Listen to Vilsack’s remarks here: Secy Vilsack at ACE Visack answers audience questions: Secy Vilsack Questions


2012 ACE Conference Photo Album

ACE, Audio, Corn, Ethanol, USDA

NCGA CEO Addresses Ethanol Producers

Cindy Zimmerman

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) CEO Rick Tolman shared the farmer’s perspective to the American Coalition for Ethanol’s conference while addressing the group on the 2012 corn crop, the drought and NCGA’s support for ethanol and all markets for U.S. corn.

“It could all change tomorrow,” was the theme of Tolman’s talk, just hours after the USDA released a new crop forecast showing a 13% drop in corn production this year compared to last. “This too shall pass,” said Tolman. “We think the future’s going to be bright still.”

Tolman stressed the importance of withholding judgment on the final size of the total corn crop until more complete information is available and harvest is complete and reminded attendees that a few short months ago it appeared that farmers would produce a record crop, far exceeding forecast demand. Despite the significant short-term impact of the drought, he noted that conditions will improve, production will increase and ethanol will remain a key market for corn.

NCGA remains committed to maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard corn ethanol requirement and Tolman said they are working to set the record straight about the RFS and correct misinformation that has been distributed by those who want to waive or dismantle the program. Most important is the inaccurate statement that more corn is used for ethanol than is used for livestock. “That is not true,” said Tolman. “More corn is GROUND for ethanol, but more still is consumed for livestock” when the co-product distillers grains is added to the equation.

Listen to my interview with Tolman at ACE: Interview with NCGA CEO Rick Tolman

Listen to Tolman’s comments at ACE: NCGA CEO Rick Tolman remarks at ACE


2012 ACE Conference Photo Album

ACE, Audio, Corn, Ethanol, NCGA

2012 AAEA Awards

Chuck Zimmerman

Their were some very significant awards given out at the Ag Media Summit from the AAEA. Here are some of them.

2012 AAEA Distinguished Service Award, Sponsored by Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)

Jim evans, Phd
Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois

Dr. Evans is being recognized for his work in the development of the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center on the U of I campus, creating a multi-faceted compendium of information on agriculture in general and the profession of agricultural communication in specific.

“Jim Evans and his staff are the true keepers of agriculture’s historical attic,” said Larry Dreiling, chair of AAEA Legacy Committee. “AAEA has now authorized to ACDC to be the association’s archivists. Our rich history joins the history of so many other agricultural organizations. It’s to Jim Evans’s credit we who love this profession have this treasure trove to keep our industry’s legacy alive and vital.”

2012 AAEA Lifetime Achievement Award, Sponsored by CHS Inc.

Earl Manning
Mid-South Regional Editor Emeritus DTN/The Progressive Farmer

“Earl Manning was selected for his lifetime of devotion to his readers and to the profession of agricultural reporting,” said Larry Dreiling, Legacy Committee chair. Of special note, Dreiling said, is Manning’s work as AAEA president in 1985-86 and in the development of InfoExpo we know today, which changed the way 8 editors met with agribusiness companies and other ag organizations during the Communication Clinic, the forerunner of today’s Ag Media Summit.

2012 Andy Markwart Horizon Award, sponsored by the AAEA PIF and John Deere

Jennifer Shike
Assistant Director for Communications and Marketing University of Illinois College of ACES

This year’s winner, Jennifer Shike, is the adviser for the Illini Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow chapter and serves on the student committees for both AAEA and LPC.

Jennifer said in her Horizon Award application essay:

“It’s been an honor to receive awards in AAEA and LPC contests, but they pale in comparison to the satisfaction I receive from helping young people achieve success. If I were to receive this honor, I would use the stipend to attend the 2013 Ag Media Summit. And, if allowable, I would like to share the stipend with a student who
is not financially able to attend. I would not be where I am today without strong mentoring provided by my heroes in agricultural communications. That’s the legacy I hope to leave. I believe that’s the legacy Andy Markwart left as well.”

Other awards presented during our closing banquet included:

AAEA Designer of the Year: Jamie Cole, Massey Ferguson FarmLife/Red Barn Media Group
AAEA Story of the Year: “The Big Apple,” Richard Banks, Massey Ferguson FarmLife/Red Barn Media Group
AAEA Writer of the Year: Claire Vath, DTN/The Progressive Farmer
AAEA Photo of the Year: William DeKay, The Western Producer
AAEA Photographer of the Year: William DeKay, The Western Producer

2012 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2012 Ag Media Summit is sponsored by FMC
ACN, Ag Media Summit

Ag Media Summit Awards

Chuck Zimmerman

Let’s just say that their are a lot of award winners at the Ag Media Summit. For a full list follow these links: AAEA Awards (pdf) – LPC Awards.

Here are most of the first place winners from the AAEA contest. They were pretty excited with their achievements and we congratulate all the winners.

2012 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2012 Ag Media Summit is sponsored by FMC
ACN, Ag Media Summit, LPC

Boehringer Ingelheim Family Time

Chuck Zimmerman

The Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Swine Health Seminar not only provides speakers on topics of interest to the swine industry but an opportunity for some family togetherness. As in Boehringer Ingelheim family time.

Here’s (Colonel) Dan Johnson wrestling with one of the younger attendees. There are lots of activities to keep the kids entertained while Mom and Dad are “working.” Today we’ve got an Olympics competition going on with relay races, soccer and even a scavenger hunt. The weather is a little windy but that’s not bothering the kids.

I’m going to have a lot more photos to share but will have to wait until getting back to ZimmComm World Headquarters tomorrow to upload them. The internet access here is just too slow. So check the photo album late tomorrow for updates. 2012 BIVI Swine Health Seminar Photo Album

Agribusiness, Boehringer Ingelheim

Control Weeds Early With FMC

Chuck Zimmerman

Matt Foster, FMC, attended the Ag Media Summit InfoExpo to talk to ag editors about pre-plant weed control options. This summer’s weather has been brutal for field control of weeds and he says that growers are looking for options.

Matt says that although a good pre-plant program is not a farmer’s “salvation” it is a good tool in their toolbox. He says it’s really a no-till problem since some of the resistant weeds love the no-till environment. He says that farmers may also want to consider a fall application of a pre-emerge like Authority to have a wider planting window in the spring.

You can listen to my interview with Matt here: Interview with Matt Foster

2012 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2012 Ag Media Summit is sponsored by FMC
Ag Media Summit, Agribusiness, Audio, FMC

Captain Peter Shinn Talks Afghan Security

Chuck Zimmerman

Once upon a time I worked in the same area at DTN with Captain Peter Shinn. That was a while ago. We always knew when Peter was in the office. He definitely has a voice for radio!

At the Ag Media Summit Captain Peter Shinn was our luncheon keynote speaker with the topic of “Agriculture and the gulf War—it’s a Matter of Security.” Peter talked about what the National Guard Agribusiness Development Teams are doing to improve agriculture in Afghanistan – and why it’s important for Afghanistan’s security and ours.

You can listen to an excerpt of Peter’s remarks here: Captain Peter Shinn

2012 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2012 Ag Media Summit is sponsored by FMC
Ag Media Summit, Audio

Lindsay Calvert AAEA Intern

Chuck Zimmerman

Lindsay Calvert has been the AAEA intern this summer and was “working like a dog” at the Ag Media Summit. She worked at DTN/The Progressive Farmer which was the host company for the internship. After that experience she says she may want to change her mind about being in public relations and start her career on the media side.

In the photo Lindsay was being recognized on stage by JoAnn Alumbaugh.

You can listen to my interview with Lindsey here: Interview with Lindsay Calvert

2012 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2012 Ag Media Summit is sponsored by FMC
ACN, Ag Media Summit, Audio

How Biofuel Production Helps Livestock Producers

Joanna Schroeder

The Midwest has finally been getting rain, but not in time to reverse the state of the corn crop due to the nationwide drought. Yet, biofuel producers are still helping livestock producers says Monte Shaw, Executive Director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). Because of ethanol production, there is a larger corn crop and more flexible supply than ever available during other drought periods.

The recent USDA report confirms what the agricultural and biofuels industry already knew – that the drought’s impact on supply and price will be felt by corn consumers around the world. Shaw added, “Yet, the ag sector has seen droughts before, and it will survive again. This is a time when all of agriculture should pull together. Unfortunately, national livestock trade associations have chosen to politicize the on-going drought as part of their multi-year effort to return corn prices to $2 per bushel. At times like this, it is important to look past the rhetoric to the facts.”

During the American Coalition 25th Annual Ethanol Conference, Cindy Zimmerman sat down with Shaw to discuss the call for a waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) with many of the calls coming from the livestock industry. They also discussed 10 ways ethanol producers are helping livestock producers during this tough time.

Monte Shaw interview at ACE conference

“In particular ethanol helps the farmer-feeders. We have a better price of corn. It makes them more competitive against the integrators,” explained Shaw. “But then we also have the distillers grains. And if you think about it, we planted 95 million acres of corn this year instead of 75 million because of ethanol. So yes, we’re taking a nasty hit from this drought and this is going to cause pain among all corn users, but we’re going to have a much bigger crop than we would have otherwise.”

“And then the ethanol industry returns that 20 million additional acres of protein goes straight to the livestock industry. So we have 20 additional acres of protein that would not be out in the market, the feed market, if it weren’t for the ethanol industry,” he added. Read More

ACE, Agribusiness, Audio, Corn, Ethanol

It’s An Exciting Time To Be Involved Agriculture

Jamie Johansen

The 2012 North American Ag & Food HR Roundtable was full of industry recruiters saying their businesses are growing and they are ready to hire, as well as university representatives expressing they had great students ready to full those spots. Lori Pence-Barber, Career Services Coordinator for the College of Agriculture at Purdue University, couldn’t agree more with her colleagues. I got a chance to talk with her about the universities perspective on careers in the agriculture industry.

“It’s a very exciting time to be in agriculture and I know we say that all the time. We even got to say that during the recession. This is something I was talking with some people in the industry yesterday about how I was getting phone call after phone call from media outlets and a lot of them were ag related wanting to find the doom and gloom of the recession and asking if we were having a hard time placing students. They were looking for a story that I couldn’t give them. I told them I was really sorry, but we aren’t having problems placing any students.”

“This is a great opportunity for folks like myself to come and network with colleagues. We can share ideas about what we are doing in our own offices, so it’s kind of like we beg, borrow and steal. I like to call it not reinventing the wheel. But also it gives us face time with the industry that we really don’t have during the academic year. In my case I wear many different hats and they want to meet with me right before the career fair or right after. I just don’t have quality time to see them and that is what we get during these two and a half days.”

You can listen to my interview with Lori here: Interview with Lori Pence-Barber

Check out our photo album for the 2012 North American Ag & Food HR Roundtable.

AgCareers, Agribusiness, Audio, Education