USDA Teams Up with GE for Renewable Energy

John Davis

General Electric Aviation plans to buy $5 million worth of biofuels for its jets beginning in 2015, thanks to a partnership with the USDA. The two are collaborating with the Ohio Aerospace Institute, air carriers and producer groups to develop a Midwest-regional strategy to provide renewable-jet fuel at GE Aviation’s Cincinnati-area facilities. This USDA press release features Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack discussing how this will help provide new jobs to farming areas:

“We have an incredible opportunity to create thousands of new jobs and drive economic development in rural communities across America by developing innovative ways to use agricultural products to help reduce our reliance on foreign oil,” said Vilsack. “USDA’s collaboration with General Electric Aviation will bring together multiple sectors of Ohio’s economy, including agricultural producers, to foster new innovations in the field of renewable fuels while bolstering new economic opportunities in the Midwest. USDA is proud to work alongside private and public institutions to support the research, creation and distribution of next generation energy solutions.”

This comes on the heels of the USDA giving a Value Added Producer Grant to the Ohio Soybean Council for a pilot project at Ohio State University’s Bioproducts Innovation Center to refine bio-jet fuel from soybean oil. In addition, the Farm Service Agency is working in northeastern Ohio and northwestern Pennsylvania to turn some non-food crops into biofuels through the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP).

Biofuels, USDA

Not Even a Cackle

Melissa Sandfort

With 100-degree weather in Nebraska this week, it seems odd to draw a comparison to a Christmas song, but the title of this post reminded me of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”. But this story has nothing to do with a mouse.

Just like any good farmer, my grandmother’s family had a little bit of everything in the late 1930s, from crops to garden to hogs and chickens. During the dry years, my great-grandmother would raise chicks for extra money. This particular year, she started in the early spring taking care of a gaggle of chickens and was anxiously looking toward August when she would sell them.

I’ve written briefly about my grandmother in previous posts because of her influence on my gardening, and this week she decided to get in on the fun and tell one of her own stories.

So take a listen as grandma takes us on her first “AgWalk” about her mother’s chickens. Listen to Grandma explain

You ask how many chickens went missing? About 350.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Alltech Symposium iBook

Chuck Zimmerman

Have you wondered what to do with all those photos from your event? Not ready to print a book? Then take Alltech’s lead and publish an iBook.

The Alltech 28th Annual International Symposium, held May 20 – 23, 2012, in Lexington, Ky., was a venue for close to 3,000 delegates from around the world to discuss the future of agriculture and the challenge of feeding 9 billion people by 2050, as well as to explore the wide range of possible solutions to meet that challenge. While the 2012 Symposium is already “in the books,” the experience lives on in the Alltech 28th International Symposium iBook, which is now publicly available through Apple’s iBookstore and iTunes.

The Alltech Symposium iBook offers an inside look at the annual international event through a collection of photos, videos and articles. It is available as free download for the iPad through the iBookstore or through iTunes for computers.

“The Alltech Symposium is an exhilarating event filled with contagious energy and exciting new ideas — you really have to see it to believe it,” said Catherine Keogh, Alltech’s chief marketing officer. “This iBook is a great way for the delegates who attended to relive the experiences they had this year; and for anyone who couldn’t attend, this is an opportunity to get a glimpse at what this international event was all about. The great thing about this format is that through the photos and video, the story of the event can really come alive.”

The 29th Annual Alltech International Symposium is scheduled for May 19-22, 2013 in Lexington, Ky.

Agribusiness, Alltech

Most Favor Choice at the Pump

Melissa Sandfort

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Will you buy E15 for your MY2001 or later car if it’s offered?”

Our poll results: Nearly half, forty-nine percent, said Yes; twenty-nine percent said No; and twenty-two percent said it depends on price. Looks like consumers are in favor of having a choice at the pump, and are fans of ethanol!

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, ” When do you think Congress will complete a Farm Bill?” On June 20, the Senate voted 64 to 35 to pass the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012. When do you think — given that it’s an election year and amidst all other “big” news items — we will have a new “Farm Bill?”

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

ZimmPoll

Dr. Fred Below is Quotable on BASF Panel

Cindy Zimmerman

Dr. Fred Below, Professor of Plant Physiology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, was one of many experts on a panel at the recent BASF Agricultural Solutions Media Summit but he had some of the best quotes that were most tweeted from the event.

One of his more quotable comments was that because university extension budgets are being “cut to the bone,” the agricultural media has a greater role than ever in getting the word out about sustainability in food production. “I would love to see extension and university research have a larger role, but we simply don’t have the numbers that we need,” he said. “So we need to rely on our corporate partners and the media to get the message out.”

Below is very excited about the potential for drought tolerant corn in getting toward the ever-elusive consistent 300 bushel yield. “I can hardly wait for drought tolerant corn,” he said. “If you can even partially control the weather in your hybrid selection, that would give us a huge advantage.”

Dr. Below says that the focus on feeding a growing population is really making people pay attention to the importance of crop yield, one of his favorite topics. “It’s good to see crop yield, and agronomists, and the whole ag industry be sexy again,” he quipped. “It’s a great time to be in agriculture.”

Listen to my interview with Fred Below here. Dr. Fred Below at BASF Summit

Audio, BASF

Late Swine Nutrition Expert Honored at Pork Expo

Cindy Zimmerman

A University of Illinois professor who spent his lifetime contributing to the livestock nutrition industry was honored at World Pork Expo earlier this month.

JBS United recognized the contributions of Dr. David H. Baker as this year’s John B. Swisher Leadership Award Winner. Dr. Baker’s family accepted the post humus award in his honor on June 5 at the Expo in Des Moines.

The John B. Swisher Annual Leadership Award (by JBS United, Inc.) is an honor presented to an individual who exemplifies extraordinary leadership qualities and who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the swine industry.

Throughout Baker’s career, he provided over 40 years of contributions to the animal and human nutrition industry. His work has helped improve the quality of livestock feed, led to the production of chemically defined diets for use in animal research studies, and increased the understanding of diseases caused by vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

With 451 peer-reviewed publications, six major awards from the American Society of Animal Science and five from the Poultry Science Association, Baker’s lifelong commitment has fundamentally advanced the scientific community in the fields of animal nutrition.

Baker’s work has been recognized by the University of Illinois, which named Baker a University Scholar, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which presented Baker with the Distinguished Service Award.

2012 World Pork Expo Photo Album

Feed, Livestock, Pork, World Pork Expo

Farm Foundation Free Webinar on Data Collection

John Davis

Knowledge is power, and having good data to have good knowledge (and thus, good power) is key to having an efficient operation, no matter if it’s farming or any other business. That’s why our friends at Farm Foundation will be holding a free one-hour webinar this Friday at 2 p.m. EDT on how the ag industry needs to respond to changes in data collection systems:

This webinar is 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. Farm Foundation, NFP is a sponsor.

The free webinar will review how federal budget cuts are changing the nature of data collection and data use. Four speakers will provide perspectives on how agricultural statistics are used by the food and fiber sectors, and how the changing nature of data collection, distribution and availability will impact the industry.

Speakers will include Joseph J. Prusacki, Director, Statistics Division, USDA National Agricultural Statisics Service (NASS), providing an overview of data uses, user groups and the impacts of budget cuts; Paul Hughes of Nestle Purina PetCare, looking at perspectives from the grains and oilseed sectors; Jim Robb of the Livestock Marketing Information Center, focusing on how data collection changes will impact the livestock sector; and Mark Seetin of the U.S. Apple Association, offering perspectives from the fruit and vegetable industry.

To register, CLICK HERE and to join the webinar on the day of the event, click on this link. When you are asked to log in, use the “Enter as guest” option. Type in your name and click the “Enter Room” button.

Farm Foundation

New Editorial Content Director Of Successful Farming

Melissa Sandfort

Meredith Corporation announced that David Kurns has been named Editorial Content Director of the Successful Farming brand, effective August 1. He will replace Loren Kruse, who is retiring after 36 years with Meredith.

Kurns, 51, is a leading digital content expert. He was part of the founding team that launched www.agriculture.com. He later served as the first Editor-in-Chief of Meredith Interactive Media, which included oversight of the Better Homes and Gardens and Parents branded websites.

Kurns next took his editorial content expertise to the company’s business-to-business marketing services agency, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing. He was responsible for creating and directing custom marketing initiatives for major clients, including Kraft Foods, The Principal Financial Group, Chrysler, MetLife and Publix.

Kurns began his career as a newspaper journalist with stops at the Ames Tribune and the Quad-City Times. A 1982 graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications, Kurns currently serves as Chair of the ISU Greenlee School of Journalism Advisory Council. He is a past recipient of the James W. Schwartz Award for Distinguished Service to Journalism and Communication, the Greenlee School’s highest honor.

A native of Joliet, Ill., Kurns and his wife, Sharon, live in Johnston, Iowa. They have two children, Daniel (24) and Anna (21).

Agribusiness, Media

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The Sorghum Checkoff is currently funding the re-instated Sorghum Conversion Project in conjunction with MMR Genetics (NuSeeds America), and USDA.
  • Professional Farmers of America announces the launch of a new subscription service called Pro Farmer Inputs Monitor.
  • Under a new agreement, Great Plains will supply Case IH with twin row planters to be sold through Case IH dealerships under the Case IH brand beginning in 2013.
  • DTN/The Progressive Farmer is bringing its industry leading weather-information system to the Apple iPhone and Android devices in its new Ag Weather Tools app.
Zimfo Bytes

NAMA Executive Committee Meets

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s the Executive Committee of the National Agri-Marketing Association after an afternoon of meeting on the business of the organization. Things are going very well for NAMA and we’re going to have some exciting announcements soon about the new fall meeting. Which by the way needs to be on your calendar – September 25 – 26, Minneapolis, Minnesota – Graves 601 Hotel. This new meeting replaces the Trends in Agriculture meeting that has been held in the fall.

And while I’m at it, I know there are a lot of you AgWired fans who are not members of NAMA. I highly encourage you to join. I’ve said it many times, but if there were just one professional organization I could belong to, it is NAMA. No question about it. If you are involved in any form of agricultural marketing then this is “your” organization. Got questions? Feel free to ask me.

NAMA