USDA Lowers Grain Stocks

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA’s Quarterly Grain Stocks report out this morning shows declines in stocks of corn, soybeans and wheat compared to this time last year.

The report shows corn stocks down 12% from September 2011, soybean stocks down 21% and all wheat stocks down 2%. Old crop corn stocks in all positions on September 1, 2012 totaled 988 million bushels, soybeans totaled 169 million bushels, and wheat totaled 2.10 billion bushels.

On the Minneapolis Grain Exchange crop conference call this morning to analyze the report, Brad Paulson of Northern Crops Marketing & Investment said the numbers wheat and corn were lower than expected, while the soybean number was higher. “We fed quite a bit of wheat and feed demand for corn is still quite strong,” he said. “(The soybean number) would suggest that they underestimated or raised the 2011 soybean crop.”

Listen to the MGEX crop call here: MGEX Grain Stocks crop call

Audio, Corn, Soybean, USDA, Wheat

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Mike Marshall from Clarion, Iowa, has been named the September winner of the “Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”
  • The American Meat Science Association in cooperation with the National Pork Board will host PORK 101 October 15-17 at Iowa State University.
  • Recently, 34 Pioneer brand soybean varieties passed final scrutiny from the Pioneer research and development, field sales and agronomy technology service teams and will be commercially available to producers for planting in 2013.
  • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the appointment of 16 members to the United Soybean Board.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Register for Borlaug Dialogue 2012

    Melissa Sandfort

    Register now for The World Food Prize – Borlaug Dialogue 2012, October 17-19, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa. Themed “Transforming the Global Food Security Agenda”, this event will feature the expertise and diverse perspectives of governmental leaders, policymakers, CEOs and executives from agribusiness and NGOs, scientific and academic experts, development leaders and young leaders from around the world.

    The Secretary-General of the United Nations, H.E. Ban Ki-moon, will address the World Food Prize Laureate Award Ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol on the evening of October 18. In addition to the Secretary-General, two other high-ranking United Nations representatives will also participate in the Laureate Award Ceremony: Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, a UN Messenger of Peace; and Ambassador Ertharin Cousin, the Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme.

    NEW for 2012 — World Food Prize has gone mobile! Download the new app here.

    AgWired is pleased to announce that Elanco will be sponsoring our coverage of World Food Prize this year and we are looking forward to being there.

    Agribusiness, Elanco, Events, World Food Prize

    Farm Roads to Urban Intersections

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The Ag Institute of Florida is going social on their next luncheon workshop. It’s called “Farm Roads to Urban Intersections, a workshop exploring social media avenues from planning your trip to “are we there yet?” I know you’ll enjoy seeing Ryan speak, a great agvocate!

    Nationally recognized writer Ryan Goodman, known for his daily blog “Agriculture Proud,” will be the keynote speaker for the luncheon. Goodman, a young cattle rancher from Arkansas, will share his passion for agricultural advocacy and insights on blogging to bridge the gap between farmers and urban customers.

    “It’s not a matter of ‘if’ a company or organization is going to use social media as part of its public relations and marketing – it’s a matter of ‘how.’ This workshop brings together experts who can help with strategy and messaging to make sure you’re getting the results you want from your social media efforts,” said Lisa Lochridge, president of the Ag Institute and director of public affairs for the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association.

    This event includes the Agriculture Institute of Florida’s 2012 Annual Meeting and lunch. Registration is required.

    Ag Groups, Social Networking

    “Fuels America” Campaign Launched

    Cindy Zimmerman

    In the face of increasing calls to waive the nation’s Renewable Fuel Standard, biofuel industry stakeholders today announced a major new communications campaign to educate consumers and policy makers about the benefits of renewable fuel to America’s economy, energy security and environment.

    The new coalition – Fuels America – includes several agricultural organizations in addition to ethanol companies and groups such as Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), and American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE). Farm and commodity groups represented include National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) National Association of Wheat Growers, National Farmers Union, and National Sorghum Producers.

    The Fuels America campaign will be a national effort, including advertising, beginning in Washington, DC and several states, including Colorado, Ohio, Delaware and Montana. Each state will have its own online platform reachable through FuelsAmerica.org and feature the stories of renewable fuel innovators and communities with a stake in maintaining the RFS. The coalition also has a Twitter feed @FuelsAmerica.

    A telephone press conference was held this morning to announce the new coalition and campaign with BIO president and CEO Jim Greenwood, Novozymes president Adam Monroe, Marion (Ohio) Chamber of Commerce president Pam Hall, and ZeaChem president and CEO Jim Imbler.

    Listen to or download that press conference, which starts with comments from Jim Greenwood: Fuels America press conference

    Audio, Corn, Ethanol, NAWG, NCGA, RFA, sorghum, Wheat

    Portable Satellite TV Receiver from Winegard

    Chuck Zimmerman

    It’s college and pro football time and judging by the social media messages I see, farmers are just as rabid fans as anyone! So, if you’re tailgating and want to bring along some HDTV experience then check this out. A portable HDTV satellite dish from Winegard. So we’re talking pre-game, during the game and post-game sports so you don’t miss anything! Maybe you’ll tailgate a little longer now. Our Sales Manager, Dave, has one and will be reporting on how well it worked after his next tailgate.

    The Carryout automatic portable HDTV tailgating satellite dish by Winegard Company, the #1 antenna manufacturer in the U.S.A., sets up in just a few minutes with little-to-no effort. Compatible with DISH® and DIRECTV®, users can watch the games in crisp, clear HD with DISH or enjoy DIRECTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket in standard definition. To receive HD programming, you must have an activated HD receiver with HD programming package and an HDTV, sold separately.

    ‘Nothing makes tailgating more fun than watching other games and pre-game coverage before the game,” said Aaron Engberg, Director of Mobile Products for Winegard. “And, at such an affordable cost and the flexibility in using a receiver from home, it’s a quick and easy way to create the ultimate tailgating experience.”

    Made in the U.S.A., the Carryout automatic antenna is only 15.6” tall and 20” in diameter, and weighs just 11.5 lbs. It features an easy grip handle along with an eyelet on the base for added security. Included are a 50’ coax and 12V power cable. The Carryout features DVB technology for extremely fast and accurate satellite acquisition and automatically locks on and switches between the desired satellites, viewing a single satellite at a time.

    Equipment, Media

    Muddy Footprint Mystery

    Melissa Sandfort

    It seems like things disappear on the farm and no one knows where they go. Grandma’s flowers were eaten overnight, and it wasn’t until she caught the rabbit red-pawed that we knew for sure who the culprit was. But that’s nature at work so I can’t be upset.

    Tools in our shop seem to grow legs.

    I am disheartened when I read stories about how, when hay prices were sky-high, farmers were finding hay bales missing. I also remember when I was younger my grandpa had a fuel tank about 100 yards from his front door, and somehow once a month or so, dad would knock on the tank to see how full it was and the fuel had just disappeared.

    It has been going on for years and years, and it’s stealing, plain and simple.

    Take a listen as grandpa goes on another “AgWalk” with us today and tells about his story of the muddy footprint mystery. Listen to Grandpa explain

    It really wasn’t a mystery – grandpa called the sheriff because the footprints led next door, and that neighbor had just sold clean red clover seed the day before, but it was just brushed under the rug.

    Until we walk again …

    Uncategorized

    2012 NAMA Professional Development Awards

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The National Agri-Marketing Association presented its 2012 Professional Development Awards of Excellence today. These awards honor NAMA members with hands-on responsibility in marketing and communications, public relations, product/species management and sales. Here are our recipients.

    First up is Troy Schroeder, Broadhead, pictured with NAMA President Beth Burgy and Don Tourte, Farm Progress Companies. Troy received the NAMA award for Marketing Communications.

    I asked each of our award recipients what the award means to them and what impact NAMA has had on their career.

    You can listen to my interview with Troy here: Interview with Troy Schroeder

    Our next recipient is Justin Funk, Managing Partner, Agri Studies, Inc. Justin is very involved in the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association as well as being a NAMA member.

    You can listen to my interview with Justin here: Interview with Justin Funk

    Receiving the award for Product/Species Management is Kevin Bien, AGCO. Kevin is passionate about marketing the Fendt and Gleaner Combine brands as you’ll hear in our interview.

    You can listen to my interview with Kevin here: Interview with Kevin Bien

    The award for sales was presented to John Rozum, World Dairy Expo. I’ll be seeing John next week in Madison, WI for this year’s show. He was glad to be here for the award because he got out of a little bit of set up work.

    You can listen to my interview with John here: Interview with John Rozum

    2012 NAMA Fall Conference Photo Album

    Ag Groups, Audio, NAMA

    Fuel Prices Are Impacting Farms and Businesses

    Melissa Sandfort

    Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Have high fuel prices had an impact on your farm/business?”

    Our poll results: Sixty-four percent said Yes, big impact on our budget; fourteen percent said Yes, minimal impact on our budget; twelve percent said No, not yet; and ten percent said No, don’t expect any.

    Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What grade would you give the new student lunch program? Tell us why with a comment.” New government nutrition standards, which went into effect this year in a bid to combat childhood obesity, require schools to serve more variety and larger portions of fruits and vegetables. What do you think – are these new lunches a good thing or will students just toss more food in the trash can?

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

    Food, USDA, ZimmPoll

    New NAMA Fall Conference Big Success

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCast 366The new National Agri-Marketing Association Fall Conference is a big success. Almost 200 people registered and attended! That’s a big increase over the Trends in Agriculture conference. So congratulations to the committee who put this program together.

    Speaking of that committee, it was chaired by Amber Harrison, United Suppliers, Inc. I visited with Amber to get a preview of the program. She says the executive committee tasked her committee to revamp the fall conference and create some new excitement for it. The focus became celebrating leadership and how to improve yourself and those you work with.

    Listen to this week’s ZimmCast here: New NAMA Fall Conference

    2012 NAMA Fall Conference 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.

    Ag Groups, Audio, NAMA, ZimmCast