IFAJ Boot Camp for Young Leaders

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s a reason why I support the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists. It is because of programs like the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism awards. These winners attend a pre-Congress Boot Camp.

The winners participate in a two-day boot camp to develop their professional skills in agricultural journalism and get a broader global perspective in agricultural communication. The first day’s program is joint with the Master class. The award-winners get expert training in agricultural journalism and will report running news during the congress.

Let’s meet one of them.

Lindi van Rooyen has been a journalist at Farmer’s Weekly since 2010. She began her career as a news reporter, later venturing into travel writing and has now found a home at South Africa’s leading English agricultural magazine. Lindi writes a wide range of agricultural related articles including investigative news, opinion columns and farm production features. She has won several awards during her career, the highlight of which is the latest award from the IFAJ.


2012 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2012 IFAJ Congress is sponsored by DuPont Pioneer
Agribusiness, Alltech, Education, IFAJ, International, Media

A Happy Farm Progress Show

Chuck Zimmerman

I am worn out and not ashamed to admit it. The Farm Progress Show was not only busy as usual but upper 90 degree temperatures and a media tent that hovered around 100 degrees inside half the time contributed. Cindy and I have a lot of interviews to share in the coming week. So let’s get started.

Before leaving the show on Thursday I spoke with Mark Lovig, Operations Manager. Mark is the guy you see everywhere. He seemed to be a happy camper as the show was winding down. The roads were in great shape and there’s more work that will be done on them before the next show. Attendance was strong although the drought sure hit the area hard. All field demos went off without a hitch and had a lot attendance. The FPS crops weren’t bin busters but had just enough rain to come through pretty good. Mark is already looking forward to 2013 in Decatur, IL.

Listen to my interview with Mark here: Interview with Mark Lovig

2012 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2012 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland and Monsanto Roundup Ready Plus
Audio, Farm Progress Show, Media

NAMA at Farm Progress Show

Chuck Zimmerman

During the Farm Progress Show the National Agri-Marketing Association held a reception which was very well attended. The idea here is to reach out and engage with other people and organizations in the ag world. There are probably five times as many people in the business who could and should be a NAMA member as there are members. So we’ve got a lot of work to do in getting the NAMA brand out there. If you’d like to join then please consider doing so now. You won’t find a better organization to network with fellow agricultural marketing professionals. Look at these pros having a good time at the reception!

While I’m at it. Have you registered for the new NAMA Fall Conference? Do a little Forward Thinking and get it on your calendar and get your registration in now so we know you’re coming!

2012 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2012 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland and Monsanto Roundup Ready Plus
Ag Groups, Farm Progress Show, NAMA

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Diamond V dedicated its new 17,000 sq. ft. high-tech global headquarters at its 77-acre campus in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
  • The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy is now accepting nominations for the second year of the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards.
  • Becker Underwood has released the company’s first ever sustainability report, Be Legendary. Be Positive., highlighting the company’s economic, environmental, social and governance performance.
  • The next generation of Rancher Balers from Vermeer is here with the introduction of the Rancher 6640 and Rancher 6650 Balers.
    Zimfo Bytes

    RFS Comments Start; Corn Growers Want More Time

    John Davis

    Today kicked off the 30-day comment period to the EPA on the waiver request of the Renewable Fuels Standard. But the National Corn Growers Association is already asking for more time. NCGA President Garry Niemeyer sent a letter to the EPA requesting an additional 30 days of comments, citing harvest and the uncertainty of this year’s corn crop:

    “Across the nation our members are beginning harvest, one of the busiest times of the year,” Niemeyer wrote. “Given the demands of harvest, I am concerned that the proposed 30-day comment period will not provide sufficient time for a thorough analysis of the proposed waiver and would hinder farmer participation in this important policy process. Also, with the crop still in the field, it is too early to determine this year’s final corn supply.”

    Without the additional requested time, comments are set to close at the end of September. Then, the EPA must make its decision within 60 days after comments close. In 2008, when Texas Gov. Rick Perry made a request for a partial waiver of the RFS, the EPA received 15,000 comments from throughout the country.

    Ag Groups, Corn, Ethanol, NCGA

    Apples to iPods Contest

    Melissa Sandfort

    Vermont’s pick-your-own orchards will offer a chance to win an iPod during the Apples to iPods promotion that kicks off next week.

    In this technology-meets-agriculture contest, one specially marked wooden apple is hidden in an apple tree at 20 Vermont pick-your-own apple orchards. The lucky apple picker who finds a wooden apple wins an Apple iPod, iPod Shuffle or iPad.

    This good-natured promotion of Vermont’s working landscape is in partnership with Woodchuck® Hard Cider, Small Dog Electronics, Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture. The State of Vermont first launched this promotion in 2007 with hopes of growing participation at Vermont pick-your-own orchards. Since the launch, participation has been incredibly ‘fruitful’ across Vermont.

    Vermont’s nearly 4,000 acres of commercial apple orchards produce leading apple varieties: McIntosh, Cortland, Red Delicious and Empire. In 1999, the Vermont legislature designated the apple as the state fruit, and the apple pie as the state pie.

    Agribusiness

    Ag Sec. Vilsack Announces Beginning Farmers Grants

    Chuck Zimmerman

    New USDA grants to support beginning farmers were announced by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on the final day of the Farm Progress Show. Sec. Vilsack held a a press conference in the New Holland media tent.

    “In the past few decades, U.S. agriculture has become the second most productive sector of the American economy thanks to farmers adopting technology, reducing debt, and effectively managing risk,” said Vilsack. “Last year, America’s farmers, ranchers and producers achieved record farm income and record exports. To protect and sustain these successes, we must continue to build an agriculture industry diverse and successful enough to attract the smartest, hardest-working people in the nation. These grants will help beginning farmers and ranchers overcome the unique challenges they face and gain knowledge and skills that will help them become profitable and sustainable.”

    Find the full release here.

    Listen to or download Sec. Vilsack’s remarks and question/answer session here: Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack Remarks

    2012 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2012 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland and Monsanto Roundup Ready Plus
    Audio, Farm Progress Show, Farming, USDA

    FS InVISION Sightings at FPS

    Cindy Zimmerman

    A photo contest has been running to get the word out about new FS InVISION™ seed corn and today is the last day to vote for your favorite.

    “This year, we’ve re-branded our FS seed corn and it’s now FS InVISION seed corn,” said Justin White with FS who explains that the FS InVISION Sightings Contest was designed to let people know about that. Six finalists were chosen for the contest and folks visiting the Farm Progress Show in Iowa have been able to vote for their favorite, which will be announced tomorrow. The six finalists all received $500 toward expenses to attend the FPS here and the Grand Prize winner will receive a $500 gift card, and the chance to be featured in FS InVISION advertisements in 2013. In addition, for every photo uploaded, $10 was donated to the Illinois, Iowa, or Wisconsin State FFA Association.

    View the six finalists and vote here.

    Listen to my interview with Justin here: Justin White - FS InVISION Sightings

    2012 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2012 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland and Monsanto Roundup Ready Plus
    Audio, Corn, Farm Progress Show, FS System, GROWMARK

    FMC Announces Finalists in Anthem Contest

    Melissa Sandfort

    After receiving more than 155,000 votes in the “Stand and Be Heard Anthem Singing Contest,” FMC Agricultural Products Group (APG) announces the four finalists to continue on in the competition. Allison Nohre from De Pere, Wis.; Lexie Sistrunk from Oak Grove, La.; Jessica Smith from Picayune, Miss.; and Katie Wesler from Birmingham, Ala.; have been selected as finalists by popular online vote. Videotaped interviews and performances of the four finalists will be aired on RFD-TV on October 4 with online voting to determine the grand prize winner.

    Voting for the finalists will take place between September 24 and Oct. 19. Three of the finalists will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship. The grand prize winner will receive a $10,000 college scholarship. The grand prize winner will be announced on Oct. 24.

    Agribusiness, FMC

    Farm Progress Show Field Demos

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Weather has prevented a full schedule of field demonstrations during the Farm Progress Show for a couple of years now. Not so this year.

    We had a nice breeze to tone down a hot day in the field today during the show. Corn harvest demonstrations began at 11am and there were crowds on hand to watch the large combines, tractors and grain carts in action. I had the opportunity to make it out there for a while and see some of the action.

    2012 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2012 Farm Progress Show is sponsored by New Holland and Monsanto Roundup Ready Plus
    Agribusiness, Corn, Farm Progress Show, Harvest, Video