Senate Passes Farm Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) calls it not the best possible bill, but “the best bill possible” – the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012 passed the Senate this afternoon by a vote of 64 to 35.

Both Roberts and Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) stressed the bi-partisan cooperation involved in getting the bill crafted and passed. “We got a 16-5 vote out of committee, bipartisan, and we did it in four and a half hours. That set a record,” said Roberts.

Before the vote was taken, Sen. Stabenow talked about how much the new bill would save the taxpayer. “We have the opportunity to vote on deficit reduction – $23 billion dollars in deficit reduction,” she said.

Listen to comments from Stabenow and Roberts here: Comments from Senate Floor on Farm Bill

Audio, Farm Bill

New Website for Alliance for Potato Research & Education

Melissa Sandfort

The Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE) is pleased to announce the launch of its new website. APRE, a not-for-profit research and education organization established one year ago today, is 100% dedicated to expanding and translating research into science-based policy and education initiatives on the role of all forms of the potato – a nutritious vegetable – in a well-balanced diet.

The APRE website is designed as the go-to online resource for all nutrition science related to the potato.

Visitors will have access to a wealth of regularly updated news and information on the site, including original scientific briefs, a video library featuring potato nutrition advice from registered dietitians, and comprehensive industry and government links. Other features include ongoing updates about APRE’s partnerships with USDA’s MyPlate and the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Kids Eat Right program, a full calendar of scientific and professional conferences, meetings, and more.

Agribusiness, Potato

Chairman’s Outlook for ASTA Convention

Chuck Zimmerman

American Seed Trade Association Chairman, Mike Gumina, Pioneer Hi-Bred, welcomed everyone to this morning’s general session at the ASTA convention. I visited with him to find out to learn more about ASTA and what to expect at this year’s meeting. Mike says ASTA is a broad based organization representing over 700 companies. “We like to say everything from alfalfa to zucchini.” He says that ASTA deals with four main areas that include intellectual property rights; state & local issues; federal issues and the international realm.

Mike provided me with an overview of this year’s convention. About 100 ASTA members participated in yesterday’s Storm the Hill Day to tell the seed industry story. After listening to Sec. Vilsack’s presentation this morning there will be discussions on each of the different areas (state/federal/international issues). Then he says we’ll get into how ASTA will deal with these policies through the organization’s different divisions.

Looking back over the last year Mike says ASTA has been very successful. He notes one issue which is “how do we transition patented biotech traits into a generic mode.” He says they’ve made good progress on this complex issue. Another area is the issue of “co-existence.” The co-existence of biotech and organic which has long been an issue. Learn more about ASTA by listening in on our conversation.

Listen to my interview with Mike Gumina here: Interview with Mike Gumina

2012 ASTA Convention Photo Album

Ag Groups, ASTA, Audio, Seed

Ag Secretary Addresses ASTA

Chuck Zimmerman

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, addressed the American Seed Trade Association this morning during their 129th Annual Convention. I’ll have audio of his remarks posted here shortly.

The theme of the start of Sec. Vilsack’s comments is “you can’t have it without seed,” which ties right in with the theme of the convention, First-the Seed. He used this line along with quoting statistics about U.S. ag exports and jobs created in rural America for example. He was here to provide the group with his perspective on the political lay of the land. He says there are challenges that include recent years of flat budgets for agricultural research and competition for water resources. He also challenged ASTA’s members to spur innovation and redefine “rural economy.” He said, “What extraordinary power you have.”

Post Update:

Listen to Secretary Vilsack here: Sec. Vilsack ASTA Address

2012 ASTA Convention Photo Album

ASTA, Audio

Knee-Deep (Not the Zac Brown Band Song)

Melissa Sandfort

Maybe it was the 90th birthday party that perked him up, or maybe the hospital trip where they took him off all the unnecessary meds (thank goodness), but my grandpa is back at it, his voice is 100 percent and we’re recording audio about life on the farm back in the late ‘30s and early ‘40s.

Even though I grew up on the farm and still live on the farm, I find his stories fascinating. Farming has advanced over the years and the efficiencies they have multiply daily, but I think it’s a nice reminder to look back and appreciate where we came from and how we got to where we are today.

This week, grandpa explains a little about having to move wooden cattle feed bunks by hand. I often think about what kept my great-grandparents alive to 100 years old and what keeps my grandparents ticking right along, and I think hard work lends a big hand in it. There isn’t a lazy bone in either of my grandparent’s bodies, they’ve always been healthy and at an ideal weight. There’s something to be said for physical labor, working up a sweat and getting your hands dirty. There’s also a lot of respect in that.

So take a listen as grandpa takes another “AgWalk” with us today. Listen to Grandpa explain

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

ASTA Storms The Hill

Chuck Zimmerman

The heat is on in Washington, DC for the members of the American Seed Trade Association. Today was “Storm the Hill” day and members took to the streets to visit their elected officials and talk about issues important to the seed industry. It could not be a better time for the organization to pick this location as the new farm bill is being worked on at both the Senate and House level.

At the end of a day of update sessions and office visits ASTA held a Storm the Hill Reception on Capitol Hill at the House Longworth Bldg. The event was well attended by members of the organization and various Representatives and their staff.

Following this reception members got to head back to the Gaylord National to freshen up before attending the ASTA Welcome Reception which was held at Oxon Hill Manor, a local historical site and beautiful location for some fellowship and relaxation.

You can see photos from all the activities here at the ASTA Convention online: 2012 ASTA Convention Photo Album

Feel free to download and share.

Ag Groups, ASTA

ASTA Members Hear from House Ag Leaders

Cindy Zimmerman

Members of the American Seed Trade Association were on Capitol Hill today getting updates on farm legislation from Congressional leaders, including House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN).

Chuck was there with them today during a busy day for progress on the 2012 Farm Bill, with the Senate whipping through amendments at lightning speed. “I hope it passes,” Rep. Lucas said about the Senate bill during an interview with Chuck. “I need a Senate bill to pass so I can complete my work in the House so we can ultimately wind up in a conference committee and work out our differences.”

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Lucas here: Rep. Frank Lucas interview

The House agriculture committee had hoped to mark up their version of the farm bill next week, but that will now wait until after the July 4 recess since floor debate is scheduled next week on the Agriculture Department appropriations bill that touches on farm programs. “We’re ready to mark up, it’s just a question of timing over here,” said Rep. Peterson, pictured here with ASTA members from his home state. “It looks like an easier process than I had to deal with in ’08.”

Peterson says his biggest concerns with the Senate bill are in the commodity title and food stamps but he is pleased with dairy and conservation provisions that have been included.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Peterson here: Rep. Collin Peterson interview

2012 ASTA Convention Photo Album

ASTA, Audio, Farm Bill

Majority of Businesses Know Nothing of Pinterest

Melissa Sandfort

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Does Your Business Have an Interest in Pinterest?”

Our poll results: Thirty-one percent said Yes, part of our marketing plan or just figuring it out; thirty-one percent said No, no application for us; and thirty-eight percent knew nothing about Pinterest.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Will you buy E15 for your MY2001 or later car if it’s offered?” The EPA has given its approval for the first retailers to sell 15% ethanol blended fuel. E15 is a legal fuel for sale to cars, pickups and SUVs made since 2001. Here’s some more background on E15. Sales could start this week in Iowa, Illinois and/or Kansas. What do you think?

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

ZimmPoll

Zidua Herbicide Receives Federal Registration

Melissa Sandfort

Corn growers battling tough-to-control, small-seeded broadleaf weeds and grasses will have a powerful new tool, as BASF Crop Protection announced the federal registration of Zidua herbicide. Future registrations for use in soybean and wheat are anticipated in early 2013.

According to 10 years of research and field trials, the residual weed control provided by Zidua lasts up to two weeks longer than other herbicides currently on the market – which helps protect growers’ yield potential. Research also shows that Zidua provides up to 10 percent better performance than other residual herbicides in controlling Palmer amaranth and waterhemp.

Nine states in the South have already reported resistant Palmer amaranth, and herbicide options for control have become increasingly limited. Meanwhile, glyphosate-resistant waterhemp is continuing to spread across the country. Of the 10 states that have now confirmed glyphosate-resistant waterhemp, three have waterhemp populations with resistance to multiple sites of action.

Listen to BASF Herbicide Technical Market Manager Luke Bozeman explain more about Zidua.

BASF, Corn, weed management

Michele Payn-Knoper Speaking at Women in Ag

Melissa Sandfort

With unmatched passion and commitment to helping people understand the path from farm gate to the consumer plate, keynote speaker Michele Payn-Knoper will inspire the audience to build connected communities in the industry at the debut of the Women in Agribusiness Summit in New Orleans, Sept. 16-17.

Under the direction of Frances Pratt, co-chairwoman and event director from conference host company HighQuest Partners, the Women in Agribusiness Summit will bring together an unparalleled cross-section of women from the agribusiness and food production sectors.

At this dynamic event, attendees will gain superior industry knowledge from highly successful stakeholders, share in professional and career path development opportunities, create key relationships with like-minded professionals in the sector, and promote the agribusiness industry to the next generation of women.

Payn-Knoper will address this extraordinary group on how to lead through the significant changes facing agriculture in the 21st century by relaying poignant moments, not only from her years of experience helping farmers in over 25 countries build connections that impact the future of agriculture, but from her years growing up on a farm.

Agribusiness, Events