New EVP of Missouri Cattlemen’s Association

Chuck Zimmerman

Congratulations to Mike Deering who is the new Executive Vice President of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. Mike is a good friend and the ag media have loved working with him in his former role as head of communications for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. NCBA is losing a good one here.

He will assume the position on Sept. 23. Deering currently serves as head of communications for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) policy division in Washington, D.C. MCA President and cattleman Lonnie Duckworth from Butler, Mo., said Deering’s vast experience with agricultural associations accompanied by his unwavering passion for Missouri’s farm and ranch community makes him uniquely qualified to move MCA forward.

“He has proven himself as a transformational leader at NCBA and we are thrilled to have that kind of leadership for our state,” said Duckworth. “Mike is a fighter for the American farmer and rancher and truly believes agriculture is the single most important industry to sustaining life on this planet. We need that kind of passion, loyalty and determination.”

“I’m ready. There is tremendous opportunity for MCA to reintroduce itself as the definitive voice and trusted leader for Missouri cattlemen and women,” said Deering. “From burdensome and unneeded regulations coming from partisan bureaucrats to an onslaught of extremist groups trying to end production agriculture, the challenges are many, but with a vibrant state association, we will secure the future of the Missouri cattle industry.”

Ag Groups, NCBA

NAMA Fall Conference Registration Open

Chuck Zimmerman

The National Agri-Marketing Association announces the keynote speaker for the fall conference and registration is now open.

Steven Schussler, founder of RainForest Cafe, will be hosting the Opening General Session.

Steven Schussler is a master at multi-tasking as the World’s Premiere Branding Expert, Consultant, Entrepreneur, Restaurateur and creator of Rainforest Cafe®, Teacher, Motivational Speaker and National Best-selling Author of “It’s A Jungle In There, Inspiring Lessons, Hard-won Insights and Other Acts of Entrepreneurial Daring”.

Passion and imagination are the two most powerful engines of success. Steven has breathed life into his restaurants, retail, attractions and entertainment venues worldwide by combining persistence and an unwavering belief in his dreams.

NAMA

Gateway NAMA Boot Camp Scholarship

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello young agrimarkeing professionals. Want to get a leg up on your career and network with some of the best and brightest? Check out Gateway NAMA’s Boot Camp scholarship.

Gateway NAMA is a large supporter of young professionals, helping them gain knowledge and achieve experience within the agri-marketing industry to strengthen their career path. The annual NAMA Boot Camp is a great opportunity for professional development and Gateway NAMA is proud to support it. To help young professionals take advantage of this opportunity, the Gateway NAMA Chapter will be awarding two applicants with scholarships to attend the NAMA 9th Annual Boot Camp!

Criteria:

$500 scholarships with be awarded to two applicants. The funds will offset both registration and travel costs.
To nominate an applicant, the nominee must be a NAMA member. The applicant does not need be a NAMA member.
Applications must be received by Gateway Chapter, Friday, July 27, 2012. Winners will be announced Wednesday, August 1, 2012.
First priority will be given to applicants 25 years or under or with less than two years of agricultural communications experience.
Hotels must be reserved by August 5 at the Sheraton Crown Center.
Winners are expected to attend the full session, from Tuesday, August 21 to Thursday, August 23.
Winners must show proof of conference registration, reservation at the Sheraton Crown Center as well as receipts for travel costs to receive reimbursement.
Sumit to Mandy Heth at mandy.heth@adfarmonline.com.

NAMA

NCBA Comments on EPA Dust Standard

Cindy Zimmerman

The Environmental Protection Agency agreed with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and withdrew its proposed Livestock Reporting Rule late last week. Now, NCBA is hoping EPA will also agree on the dust standard.

NCBA testified at an EPA hearing in Philadelphia Tuesday in opposition to any attempt to lower the coarse particulate matter (PM) standard as part of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Every five years, the EPA is required to review scientific studies associated with “criteria pollutants” regulated under the NAAQS of the Clean Air Act to determine if the pollutant is regulated appropriately. One of the criteria pollutants is PM, which includes dust. PM in arid western regions is made up primarily of mechanically generated crustal material, including fugitive dust. The coarse PM emitted from cattle operations is fugitive particulate matter or fugitive dust, which is the result of windblown dust and cattle movements. Because rural coarse PM is largely a natural phenomenon, it is extremely difficult to ensure compliance with the standard in dry, arid regions where coarse PM predominates despite use of best management practices.

Ashley McDonald, NCBA Deputy Environmental Counsel, said during the hearing that if the PM NAAQS is further reduced, it will be virtually impossible for current agricultural facilities, including feedlot operations, to demonstrate compliance. “NCBA believes regulations designed to protect the public health can only achieve that goal when they are based on a solid scientific foundation,” said McDonald. “Over the past 30 plus years, many experienced medical and public health experts in respiratory diseases, epidemiology, toxicology and clinical treatment have noted that coarse PM has never been demonstrated to have adverse health effects at ambient levels.”

NCBA supports the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act, proposed by U.S. Senator Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) and Congresswoman Kristi Noem (R-S.D.). The legislation essentially would exempt farmers and ranchers from federal dust regulations if it is regulated at the state or local level.

Listen to an interview with Ashley after the hearing yesterday. NCBA's Ashley McDonald

Audio, NCBA

Producers See Performance, Flexibility of Anthem

John Davis

Not only are the folks at FMC anxious to see the release this fall by the EPA of the herbicide Anthem, but if the reaction at the recent Anthem Field Plot Tour in Ames, Iowa is any indication, so are the producers who showed up at the tour. Dean Getting, Retail Marketing Manager for FMC, said people were able to see a comparison with industry standards on rates and efficacy of Anthem. “Everyone, I think, walked away with encouraged hearts that this will help in their arsenal,” adding in an interview with Chuck that Anthem is an additional tool for producers to use.

Getting said Anthem’s biggest asset might be its flexibility. “They can put it on in the fall. They can put it on in the spring. They can incorporate it. They can use it pre[-emergent]; they can use it post,” and opens up windows of opportunity when farmers might have to go to plan b.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Randy here: Interview with Dean Getting, Retail Marketing Manager for FMC

You can find photos from the event here: FMC Anthem Field Plot Tour Photos

Agribusiness, Audio, FMC

Most Believe U.S. Crops are in Trouble

Melissa Sandfort

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How worried are you about the weather impact on crops this summer?”

Our poll results: Seventy-four percent said very worried; twenty-one percent said moderately concerned; four percent said they’re confident the crops will overcome and two percent said “what weather?”.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Should nutrition programs be split out of the Farm Bill?” With all the controversy surrounding cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), better known as food stamps, there has also been talk that the bill could be split. What do you think – should nutrition be separate from agriculture?

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

ZimmPoll

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Minneapolis-based advertising and marketing agency Broadhead has tapped Greg Wetzel as its new chief creative officer.
  • USDA is proposing to increase membership on the United Soybean Board from 69 to 70 members to reflect changes in production levels that have occurred since the board was last reapportioned in 2009. Comments may be posted online and must be received by Sept. 10.
  • FMC Corporation recently announced the appointments of Bethwyn Todd as director and Steve Fasano as strategic marketing and business development manager of FMC Professional Solutions.
  • The U.S. Grains Council is pleased to welcome back Kimberly Karst as the new director of global programs.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Below: 300-Bushel Corn is No Accident

    John Davis

    Getting 300 bushels an acre out of corn takes careful planning and doesn’t happen by accident. That was the message from Dr. Fred Below of the University of Illinois gave to those attending the Wyffels Hybrids Corn Strategies event in Vincent, Iowa heard this year. “[Farmers] have to select the best hybrids; they have to feed those hybrids with the right nutrients when they need them. They have to follow through and commit to it,” Below told Chuck during an interview right before his remarks.

    Below admits that years like this one certainly make it more challenging to get those big yields, but good managed crops do help producers get around these challenges. And he said that getting the right hybrid is the most important first step. Below added that the strategy will need to change from feeding the soil to feeding the plant, and farmers will need to make more use of more technologies. “Biotechnology, application technology and fertilizer technology. And we’re going to have to marry all those together to try and close the yield gap between the potential that is there and what we are actually achieving.”

    Don’t forget, the Wyffels Hybrids Corn Strategies team is setting up today, July 18th on Nicholas Farms near Litchfield, Illinois.

    Listen to Chuck’s interview with Fred here: Interview with Dr. Fred Below, University of Illinois

    2012 Wyffels Hybrids Corn Strategies Photo Album

    Agribusiness, Audio, Corn

    Ag Lender Sees Value of Conservation Tour

    John Davis

    Who better than a person who makes long-term investments in the land, an ag lender, to offer an evaluation of the long-term conservation efforts on display at the recent Indian Creek Watershed Project Field Tour? “It’s a wonderful thing. It’s trying to let others know that farmers are being very responsible stewards of the land,” Gary Bressner, an ag lender at the State Bank of Graymont and one of the local organizers of the tour, told Chuck during an interview. Bressner said farmers are natural conservationists because of their long-term investment in the land.

    He continued that the tour is helping producers learn about new technology that helps them cut down on the amount of chemicals needed to farm and how to prevent the loss of those enhancements into the watershed. Bressner also said that he was impressed with the wide variety of attendees to the tour, including farmers, folks from Washington, D.C., trade organization representatives, and many others. “It’s really nice to see the interaction between all of them.”

    Listen to Chuck’s interview with Gary here: Interview with Gary Bressner, ag lender and tour organizer

    2012 Indian Creek Watershed Project Field Tour Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the CTIC Indian Creek Watershed Field Tour is sponsored by AGROTAIN
    Agribusiness, Audio, Conservation, CTIC, Farming

    Corn Growers Heading to Hill With Message

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Corn growers are heading to Capitol Hill this week with a message – they want a farm bill NOW!

    “All of the NCGA corn farmers, 127 delegates are in Washington DC, and we’re going to present our message that we want a farm bill now,” said National Corn Growers Association president Garry Niemeyer of Illinois. “And hopefully we’re going to get a rain as well.”

    The farmers on the Hill are also talking about the drought, according to Garry. “We still don’t know what the final yields will be and that makes a lot of people nervous,” he said. “We’re very concerned about what the future holds for demand destruction because of the higher prices of corn as well.”

    With the clear example of what weather can do to a crop, Niemeyer says getting a farm bill passed is more important now than ever. “Our highest priority is crop insurance,” he said. “That’s the reason it’s so essential and you’ll see on the corn growers on the Hill wearing this pin that says “Farm Bill Now.”

    Listen my interview with Garry here: NCGA president Garry Niemeyer

    Audio, Corn, NCGA