Going for the Good Stuff

Melissa Sandfort

Last week was county fair week and that means one of our local towns was filled with carnival sights, funnel cake smells and 4-H animal sounds. Our son loved every minute of it and the entire time I kept thinking how much better this all was when I was a kid – funny how growing up ruins everything.

Getting to see all of the animals was the highlight of the weekend. And much to my surprise, I never was asked, “Mommy, can we have chickens? Can we have a rabbit?” He seems to be content with black kitty and our horses.

We were touring the goats (which were my son’s favorite) when I caught sight of the smartest one in the show arena. Can you see him sticking his head through the fence chowing down on the bag of feed? I had to laugh and think to myself – “Follow your nose little guy! That’s right – it’s 100 degrees and if you can get a little extra nourishment, the judges will never know.”

As our son grows and is able to “do” more at local events, I get a clearer picture of where our summer days are headed…showing our horse Thelma in 4-H. I’m just not sure I’m ready for a goat yet.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Ag Leader Technology Good Fit with Wyffels

John Davis

Over the past few days, we’ve been talking a lot about how the seeds from Wyffels Hybrids are important for producers to get the most out of their land. With a high-quality product like Wyffels, you also need to combine it with the right kind of technology that helps make sure you are getting the right amount of corn in the ground to maximize those planning efforts you might have put together with your seed rep. That’s where our friends at Ag Leader come in. During the recent Wyffels Hybrids Corn Strategies event, Chuck talked with Rick Hofer from Ag Leader, who said their automation equipment helps farmers be more precise.

“With our SeedCommand products, we have automatic shutoffs for row units, which [helps you] save 5-10 percent on your seed costs… which affects your bottom line,” he said. Hofer also gave us a nice rundown on some of the new and even soon-to-be-released equipment from Ag Leader, which they were able to show off as part of the Wyffels Hybrids Corn Strategies event.

Hear more of what Rick had to say to Chuck here: Interview with Rick Hofer, Ag Leader Technology

2012 Wyffels Hybrids Corn Strategies Photo Album

Ag Leader, Agribusiness, Audio, Corn, Precision Agriculture

USDA: Conservation Project Tour a “Real Gem”

John Davis

You can’t underestimate the value that an event like the recent Indian Creek Watershed Project Field Tour. “It’s a real gem,” Ivan Dozier, Illinois State Conservationist with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) told Chuck during one of the stops on the tour. He said he’s been involved in water shed planning for a long time, and it makes him feel good to see this project being so successful.

During the tour, Dozier said he’s been most impressed by the number of producers who are willing to take the chance with their livelihoods to have these conservation test plots. And he’s also pleased to see so many people from around the country coming out and seeing for themselves how it works. “Those people look at what’s going on here and start sharing some of those ideas, take them back with them, so they don’t have to start from scratch everywhere. They can start trying things in their areas.”

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Ivan here: Interview with Ivan Dozier, Illinois State Conservationist, USDA-NRCS

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

Be Ready for “Farm it Maybe” to Go Viral

Cindy Zimmerman

Watch out “Farming and I Grow it” guys – there’s a new kid on video and he just “maybe” the next YouTube sensation for agriculture. L’il Fred performs “Farm It Maybe” a parody of “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen inspired by the now famous Kansas brothers’ video. Be sure to check out the lyrics – here’s a sample:

Woke up at quarter to 6
See what the weather predicts
Slip on my really cool kicks
Time to go to work

Made my way to the barn
On my family owned farm
Got some hay in each arm
Gotta get to work

Social Networking, Video

Drought Drawing National Attention

Cindy Zimmerman

The widespread drought is now garnering national attention, with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today meeting with President Obama on the situation and giving a press briefing at the White House.

Calling it the “most serious situation we’ve had in 25 years,” Secretary Vilsack said the president is fully informed about the damage being inflicted by the weather on crops and farmers. “61% of the land mass of the United States is currently characterized as being impacted by this drought,” said Vilsack. “Our hearts go out to the producers, the farm families who are struggling with something they have no control over.” As of today, about one third of the counties in the United States are designated as secretarial disaster areas.

Vilsack said the drought will likely have an impact on food prices down the road, but warned that it may lead to price-gouging. “If people are beginning to see food price increases now, it is not in any way, shape or form related to the drought,” he said.

Best comment from Vilsack that is getting lots of airplay – “I get on my knees every day, and I’m saying an extra prayer now. If I had a rain prayer, or rain dance, I could do, I would do it. But right now the focus needs to be on working with Congress.” That comment was in response to a Christian media reporter’s question about whether Vilsack thought it was a good idea to have a national day of prayer and fasting for relief from the drought.

Great to listen to the questions from the mainstream media relating to agriculture that reflect how far removed they are indeed from the farm.

Listen to or download Vilsack’s press briefing here. Vilsack Drought Briefing

Thanks to USDA Radio’s Gary Crawford for sending me the briefing audio and @usdapress for tweeting the photo of the secretary and the president.

Audio, USDA

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