Dallas Clark Teams With America Needs Farmers

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s what we need. Another respected sports figure to help bring positive attention to farming today. He’s Dallas Clark, an NFL tight end, now teamed up with America Needs Farmers.

Dallas Clark, a small-town Iowa boy who’s made it big in the National Football League, is teaming up with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) and the University of Iowa (UI) to promote the America Needs Farmers (ANF) campaign.

“I really respect and have a lot of pride in the values that farmers have, and the values of Iowa and the values of community, and that’s what Farm Bureau represents,” said Clark, a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season. “I’m thrilled to be part of this initiative and believe in the importance of farming and the effects it has on our communities and the world.”

Clark joins an impressive list of former Hawkeye players who support ANF, a campaign launched by legendary Hawkeye coach Hayden Fry in 1985 during the Farm Crisis. The ANF emblem is displayed on Hawkeye football players’ helmets today.

ANF merchandise is for sale at www.bravosportsmarketing.com. Farm Bureau members can take advantage of special discounts throughout the year at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

Ag Groups

Wisconsin Branded Tag Program Unveiled

Melissa Sandfort

The Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC) is pleased to announce the launch of the Identifying Wisconsin branded tag program.

The voluntary Identifying Wisconsin branded Official ID program is the first of its kind and has been developed with support from Wisconsin livestock producers, industry and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).

The Identifying Wisconsin initiative is an independent, industry-funded program dedicated to accurate animal identification and highlights the consumer value and quality of Wisconsin livestock. The program was developed by producers, for producers and consumers.

Under the Identifying Wisconsin program, Wisconsin producers with a premises ID can purchase approved AIN (840) and Premises ID tags. All tags approved for the program will carry the “Wisconsin Origin” seal that is printed by tag manufacturers and only distributed to farms in the state of Wisconsin through select distributors.

The tags offered under this program can be used to satisfy traceability needs for marketing, state and national animal health programs and on-farm management. Data about the farm of origin is housed in a producer and industry managed database located in Madison, Wis.

As consumers, processors and export markets require more traceability of the product sold back to the farm of origin and the lingering concern of what would happen in the event of a catastrophic disease outbreak; the Identifying Wisconsin program has allowed Wisconsin to take a leadership position in this effort and position itself to meet the needs of consumers both domestically and internationally.

Agribusiness, Livestock

Data Collection Focus of Farm Foundation Webinar

John Davis

Having good information is critical to agricultural operations, but increasing budget concerns are limiting the U.S. government’s ability to provide the information farmers want and need. Our friends at the Farm Foundation recently held a webinar organized by the Council on Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (C-FARE), in partnership with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), and Montana State University to address those issues brought on by what could become an information bottleneck.

“The importance of data is a really critical matter for us today,” said Farm Foundation President Neil Conklin, who served as moderator for the event. “Data remains as important as ever to public and private decision makers and to the smooth functioning of markets.”

Conklin was joined by Joseph J. Prusacki, Director, Statistics Division, USDA National Agricultural Statisics Service (NASS), who provided an overview of data uses, user groups and the impacts of budget cuts; Jim Robb of the Livestock Marketing Information Center, who talked about the challenges USDA faces in data collection; Paul Hughes of Nestle Purina PetCare, who provided a private sector perspective on data collection issues; and Mark Seetin of the U.S. Apple Association, who addressed producer groups’ concerns on the issue.

It’s some excellent information, and over the next few days, I’ll be giving you a closer look at what each one had to say. In the meantime, I’ll let you hear the entire hour-long webinar here:
Farm Foundation Webinar on Data Collection

Audio, Farm Foundation, USDA

Remote Display Access From John Deere

Chuck Zimmerman

During the John Deere FarmSight Technology Summit in Des Moines we saw a live demonstration of Remote Display Access. During the event we broke up into groups like this one to rotate display stations for different products being announced. In the video below you can watch the demo and hear our presenters talk about the benefits of this new technology. To use Remote Display Access from a remote computer, tablet or smartphone, users can log in to JDLink.com or MyJohnDeere.com and navigate to the Remote Display Access link that connects to the display in the cab of the equipment they select. The actual live operator’s view of the display data is sent via wireless cellular data connection from the MTG to the John Deere communications network, which the remote user can access from their device.

As farmers integrate more precision technology into their equipment and operations, the ability to remotely supervise and support those field operations becomes even more important to both farmers and dealers. To provide that support, John Deere introduces Remote Display Access, which allows users to view the operator’s display screen on their John Deere equipment.

By using an Internet-connected device, users with Remote Display Access can view the operator’s GreenStar™3 2630 Display screen, which helps them to identify any problems, assist the operator in navigating the steps needed to resolve an issue or ensure correct settings and machine operation.

To operate Remote Display Access requires the GreenStar™ 3 2630 Display; JDLink Modular Telematics Gateway (MTG) hardware with the latest updates; JDLink subscription with Remote Display Access; and an ethernet cable to connect the display to the MTG.

Displays from multiple machines can be viewed at the same time, and multiple remote users can view the same operator’s display if a remote desktop sharing program is used. Remote Display Access is compatible with most web browsers, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0, Google Chrome and Apple Safari 5.0.

John Deere FarmSight Tech Summit Photo Album

Agribusiness, Equipment, John Deere, Technology, Video

Monsanto Genuity RIB Complete Recipe Challenge

Chuck Zimmerman

Just in time for the 4th of July holiday week, a great time for grilling, Monsanto announces the GENUITY® RIB COMPLETE® RECIPE CHALLENGE. Top recipes will win a Big Green Egg® Grill with accessories and Genuity RIB Complete Corn Blend.

The Genuity® RIB Complete® Recipe Challenge has officially kicked off, and farmers are invited to submit their tastiest recipe for barbecue ribs. Entries can be submitted online, at www.Genuity.com/RecipeChallenge, from July 2 through Aug. 3, 2012.

The contest is sponsored by Monsanto through its Genuity RIB Complete refuge-in-a-bag products and will be judged in cooperation with the National Barbecue Association. Judging will consist of two phases:

Judges will read all recipes and then select three regional finalists in each of five regions (for a total of 15 regional finalists) based on originality, expected ease of preparation, how the ingredients complement each other, and expected taste, appearance and tenderness.

Those 15 finalist recipes will then be prepared and one regional winner for each region will be selected based on actual taste, appearance and tenderness. One of the five regional winners will be selected as the national winner using these same criteria.

All five regional winners will receive a Big Green Egg® large grill with stand, rib rack, 3-piece barbecue tool set and other accessories valued at approximately $1,320. The national winner will also receive a $5,000 seed credit for Genuity® SmartStax® RIB Complete™ corn blend or Genuity® VT Double PRO® RIB Complete™ corn blend for the 2013 growing season. The other four regional winners will receive a $1,000 seed credit redeemable for the same corn blend(s). Read More

Agribusiness

NAMA Announces Fall Conference Theme

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 356“Fertile Ground, Forward Thinking” is the theme for the new National Agri-Marketing Association Fall Conference. The event will be held at the Graves 601 Hotel in Minneapolis, MN, September 25-26.

To learn more about the new NAMA Fall Conference I visited with NAMA President, Beth Burgy, Broadhead. She says the conference will be new and different this year with a sub-theme of “Celebrating Leadership.” The conference will be targeted to the mid level agrimarketing professional looking to take the next step in their career. At the same time NAMA will recognize the 200 plus volunteers who devote time and resources into making the organization work.

A farm tour is also being planned for the fall conference to take place the day before the conference kicks off. Programming is in the planning process right now but current and potential NAMA members are encouraged to block the dates on their calendar now and watch for the announcement of the opening of registration soon.

Listen to this week’s ZimmCast here: 2012 NAMA Fall Conference

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

Rural Benefits to Defense Biofuels Investments

Cindy Zimmerman

The Obama administration today announced new investments in the biofuels industry as part of the Defense Production Act (DPA).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Navy and Department of Energy jointly announced $30 million in federal funding to match private investments in commercial-scale advanced drop-in biofuels. The Energy Department is also announcing a total of $32 million in new investments for earlier stage research that will continue to drive technological breakthroughs and additional cost reductions in the industry.

“This is an important next step in the President’s direction to Navy, Agriculture and Energy to work together to support the commercialization of ready-to-use, drop-in, advanced biofuel substitutes for diesel fuel and jet fuel,” said U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. “This funding opportunity will enhance our national security and support the creation and commercial-viability of a defense-critical industry – domestic biofuels.”

“This is a matter of national security, energy security and also good for rural America,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “It opens up great promise for the development of non-food feedstocks as a potential cash crop for farmers throughout the United States. The refineries that will be converting this biomass into fuel will likely be located in rural areas, helping to create jobs.”

DPA is an authority that dates back to 1950 and has been used to boost industries such as steel, aluminum, titanium, semiconductors, beryllium, and radiation-hardened electronics.

The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) made possible through the DPA, will be carried out in two-phases, with government and industry sharing in the cost. In Phase 1, applicants will submit a design package and comprehensive business plan for a commercial-scale biorefinery, identify and secure project sites and take additional required steps spelled out in the announcement. Awardees selected to continue into Phase 2 will submit additional information for the construction or retrofit of a biorefinery.

Listen to a portion of this morning’s press announcement with Mabus and Vilsack:
Administration Press Conference

Audio, Biofuels, USDA

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • AgWeb recently launched the interactive Winter Wheat Harvest Map — updated daily — to give online users and followers a chance to see real-time wheat harvest results from across the country.
  • Syngenta announced that it has entered into a barley breeding collaboration with InterGrain.
  • BRANDT has named Dennis Salettel as new Business Development Manager for the company’s Turf and Ornamental group.
  • The Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and Missouri Corn Growers Association have been named a Bronze winner in the 33rd Annual Telly Awards for the short documentary, Underwater and Overlooked: Crisis on the Missouri River.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Iowa Farmers Market App

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Iowans now have a mobile way to locate a local farmers market thanks to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Listen to Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey talk about it today: IA Sec. of Ag Bill Northey
    Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today unveiled the free Iowa Farmers Market app for smartphones that is designed to help Iowans access the more that 230 farmers markets serving Iowans across the state.

    The app is available for both iPhones and Android phones and allows users to find the farmers market closest to them by using GPS location services or to search for specific farmers markets by city or zip code. Once they have located a market, the user can view the hours of the market, browse a list of vendors and see a phone number and email address of the market manager. App users can also leave reviews of the market and vendors and upload their photos to share with others.

    “This app will make farmers markets easier to find and give visitors useful information as they plan their trip,” Northey said. “We are entering prime market season when sweet corn and many other fruits and vegetables will be available, so I hope Iowans take advantage and enjoy this fresh produce and use this app to help them locate a market.”

    The app is free to download and is available through Apple’s App store and Google Play by searching “Iowa Farmers Markets.” The app for android phones can also be found at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.utc.titaniumapns2, and the link for Apple devices is http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ia-farmer-mkts/id501591188?ls=1&mt=8.

    Apps, Audio

    New President of International Seed Federation

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The new President of the International Seed Federation is Tim Johnson, Illinois Foundation Seeds. I spoke with Tim about his induction to the position at the ISF World Seed Congress 2012 in Rio de Janeiro. He says it’s an honor to be selected by the general assembly of ISF for the two year commitment. He calls it the “global ASTA” and is also very involved in the American Seed Trade Association.

    Tim says the ISF represents almost eighty national and regional seed associations around the world. Seed is Life is their tag line.

    The mission of the ISF is to facilitate the international movement of seed, related know-how and technology; to mobilize and represent the seed industry at a global level; to inform its members; and to promote the interests and the image of the seed industry.

    In order to fulfil its mission the ISF promotes strong co-operation among national and regional seed associations. It endeavours to work in partnership with organizations responsible for international treaties, conventions and agreements and those that shape policies that impact the seed industry.

    The ISF deals with many of the same issues that we’ve learned that ASTA deals with, phtyosanitary, intellectual property rights, co-existence and more. He is happy that English is the official language of the ISF.

    Listen to my interview with Tim here: Interview with Tim Johnson

    2012 ASTA Convention Photo Album

    Ag Groups, ASTA, Audio, International, Seed