Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The U.S. Grains Council is pleased to present the first annual Corn Export Cargo Quality Report for the 2011/2012 corn marketing year as a service to foreign buyers and other interested parties.
  • Sand County Foundation is proud to name the Wineinger-Davis Ranch as the recipient of the 2012 Leopold Conservation Award in Colorado.
  • CustomWeather, Inc., has announced the availability of key weather data for Agribusiness to minimize risk and plan efficiently.
  • David Baum, D.V.M., Ph.D., has joined Harrisvaccines as vice president of sales and technical services.
    Zimfo Bytes

    LightSquared Implements Voluntary Chapter 11 Restructuring

    Melissa Sandfort

    LightSquared announced that it commenced voluntarily reorganization cases under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to give it time to resolve regulatory issues that have prevented it from building its coast-to-coast integrated satellite 4G wireless network.

    The company fully expects to continue normal operations throughout this process. All LightSquared distribution partners and customers, including public safety, emergency response, government and military users of LightSquared’s satellite-based communications services can continue to rely on LightSquared to provide them with mission critical communications services.

    LightSquared intends to work with all key constituents to conduct an orderly restructuring process to maximize its asset value and to exit Chapter 11 in the quickest and most efficient manner possible.

    Read a previous reaction from agricultural and farm equipment organizations as they urged the Federal Communications Commission to withdraw the conditional waiver granted to LightSquared in 2011 and modify the company’s satellite license to prohibit the building of a ground-based network.

    Agribusiness, Precision Agriculture

    Mixed Results on Controlling Resistant Weeds

    Chuck Zimmerman

    With all the talk about herbicide-resistant weeds this year, some farmers are still not concerned about the issue, according to our most recent BASF Production Poll.

    37.5% of respondents said they don’t have resistant weeds (at least not yet!). However, the same number said they would be using a mix of methods to control or prevent resistance – pre-emergence herbicide, additional sites of action, and working with a consultant on a plan. Another 25% said they would be using a pre-emerge application for control.

    With soybean planting running way ahead of schedule already – 46% planted, nearly twice the five year average – our new poll asks what farmers are doing to protect that crop this year. Let us know!




    See what BASF and university researchers found when they used comprehensive pest-management programs rather than common approaches.


    For more information on BASF Crop Protection products, visit http://agproducts.basf.us
    BASF, Crop Protection, Soybean

    Kansas Rancher is America’s Farmers Mom of the Year 2012

    Melissa Sandfort

    Debbie Lyons-Blythe, White City, Kansas, is Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Mom of the Year 2012.

    Lyons-Blythe was nominated by her children (Meghan, Allie, Trenton, Tyler and Eric), and also by her aunt, Mary Ferguson, who she describes as “more of a friend than an aunt.” Both nominations summarized in 300 words what makes Lyons-Blythe so special to her family, farm, community and the agricultural industry.

    Debbie and her family run Blythe Angus, near White City where her husband Duane’s family homesteaded in 1890. They raise 250 registered Angus cows and sell registered bulls, along with a commercial heifer development program. They also have a diversified cropping operation, including hay, for the cowherd. Although all five of her children help on the ranch, it is Debbie who provides the daily labor. Duane works in town and she said she is “blessed” to have a husband supportive of her passion for ranching. A graduate of Kansas State University, Debbie serves on the board of directors for the Kansas Livestock Association and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and is an active member of the American Angus Association. She authors an online blog, “Life on a Kansas Cattle Ranch,” with which she strives to give consumers a glimpse of life on a family farm.

    The other four regional winners were Danni Beer, Keldron, S.D., Sherri Lynn Kannmacher, Martinsville, Ill., Sarah Peterson, Niles, Mich., and Delores “Dee Dee” Clements Darden, Smithfield, Va.

    Beef

    Zimfo Bytes

    Melissa Sandfort

      Zimfo Bytes

    • CJ BIO America broke ground on their first U.S. construction project – a $320 million lysine production facility at the North Central Ag Industrial Park west of Fort Dodge, Iowa.
    • The American Society of Agricultural Consultants has launched a new website.
    • TradeMark Nitrogen Corporation has named Mike Barry to the company’s management team as General Manager.
    • Debbie Lyons-Blythe, White City, Kan., is Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Mom of the Year 2012.
      Zimfo Bytes

      Develop a Relationship With Your Local Reporters

      Chuck Zimmerman

      Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “When was the last time you talked to a journalist about agriculture?” The question was inspired by an AgChat Twitter conversation question that had been submitted by @BASFAgro! We’re supposed to stand up for our industry and livelihoods that are threatened by lots of misinformation that gets spread by the media. What are we doing about it? How are we speaking out? Are we willing to develop a relationship with the reporters at our local mainstream media outlets (newspaper/radio/tv/web)?

      Here are the results, 50% said Recently (I do frequently). Wow. Keep it up. But 22% said Never (Waste of time) and just over 9%/each said, Recently (I rarely do); Long time ago; Never (I will now though).

      Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Who should be responsible for child nutrition?” This question was inspired by last night’s FoodChat Twitter conversation. I appreciate the school lunch program and what USDA thinks it is accomplishing by creating rules but somehow it doesn’t sit right with me. There would be no need for this if parents would take some personal responsibility for themselves and their children. More and more government control of our lives just won’t work in the long run. At least that’s my opinion. What’s yours?

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

      Food, ZimmPoll

      DTN/The Progressive Farmer Market Strategies App

      Chuck Zimmerman

      Telvent GIT, S.A., parent company of DTN/The Progressive Farmer, just launched a new Market Strategies app. It is now available via the Apple iTunes Store and Android Market.

      The Market Strategies app ensures producers will have the most accurate, real-time data on commodity markets with instant alerts to changes in the market. Unlike other consumer-based applications, the app shares DTN/The Progressive Farmer’s industry leading innovative market strategies and recommendations to help producers react to volatile market changes, increasing their profits and reducing input costs.

      With the Market Strategies app, producers will receive in-depth information on 15 different commodities, including corn, dairy, soybeans, wheat and even inputs like fuel, feed corn and soybean meal. The app also offers customizable features to create a market advisory plan that meets the unique crop and input needs of each producer, giving them clear marketing and purchasing recommendations to maximize profitability.

      Apps, Media

      New Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. Commercials Debut

      Melissa Sandfort

      Two new checkoff-funded “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” online advertising video commercials will be making their world debut this week.

      The first spot called “Island” is full of sizzle and beauty shot that brings our hero – beef – to life. The intended message – that Lean Beef has the power to elevate the everyday – comes through in a clear and engaging way.

      The second spot called “Invitation” features a new child star who convincingly and earnestly conveys the message about beef. The spot’s message – that Lean Beef has the power to bring people together – is a feel-good message that will surely resonate well with consumers.

      The new commercials can be seen on ABC.com throughout the top 10 ABC Network programs that score high against adults age 25 to 54. Programming will include shows such as: The Bachelorette, Castle, Grey’s Anatomy, Happy Ending, Last Man Standing, Modern Family, Once Upon a Time, Private Practice, Revenge and Suburgatory. The two spots will also be shown via a two-month long sponsorship of the ‘Moments’ sections of Modern Family and The Bachelorette, a popular feature on ABC.com.

      Advertising, Beef

      USDA Celebrates 150 Years Live

      Chuck Zimmerman

      I’m a little late to the live webcast but right now USDA is celebrating 150 years of service. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, is commemorating the event with a variety of people on stage.

      When President Abraham Lincoln founded the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1862, he called it “the People’s Department,” a sentiment that still rings true today as the Department’s diverse portfolio boasts strong support for American agriculture and local and regional food systems, as well as critical nutrition assistance, food safety, conservation, rural development, and research programs, among many other programs and initiatives.

      As the department commemorates 150 years of accomplishments, USDA is looking to the future. In the years to come, we will help address the changing needs of agriculture and rural America.

      The continued work on food, agriculture, economic development, science, natural resource conservation and many other issues will ensure USDA still fulfills Lincoln’s vision – touching the lives of every American, every day.

      As we promote innovation – both here at USDA and in the countryside – we will help create jobs and support economic growth, and promote healthy families and communities, and a stronger nation.

      To watch the celebration live, please visit www.usda.gov/live. For more information on the 150th anniversary celebration, please visit www.usda.gov/usda150. Additional information on USDA’s work to strengthen the American economy can be found at www.usda.gov/results.

      USDA

      Mary Geiger Moves To Kansas Dept. Of Agriculture

      Chuck Zimmerman

      All I can say is congratulations to Mary Geiger who is starting a new phase of her career with the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Mary has been a bright spot in the communications department of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. (Plus, I dare say, she’s much better looking than Mike Deering!) So now what are we going to do Mike? Here are the thoughts he shared with me on Mary’s big move.

      Bitter-sweet is the term that can best describe the news I have to share today. Associate Director of Communications Mary Geiger will be advancing in her career by serving as the director of communications for the Kansas Department of Agriculture. This is an outstanding opportunity for Mary professionally and personally, as she is afforded an opportunity to be closer to her hometown of Troy, Kan., while also working for the industry she loves.

      At the same time, this is a loss for NCBA. Mary has been a determined, go-getter from day one. By leveraging contacts established while working on Capitol Hill, Mary has effectively established NCBA as the go-to source for congressional press secretaries to access the most trusted information regarding the beef cattle industry and policy positions impacting producers. She introduced the concept of tele-townhall meetings, which have been a win for cattlemen and women investing in this organization. Mary has played a significant role in the success of the revamped monthly NCBA membership publication National Cattlemen and she has helped provide content for NCBA’s weekly TV show Cattlemen to Cattlemen. Mary never forgets who she works for and has always considered cattle producers as her top priority. Her accomplishments are many and she is a passionate fighter for the industry.

      The two-person policy communications team with Mike and Mary in NCBA’s Washington office is one of the most effective policy communications teams in Washington D C. I am extremely proud of what Mary contributed to NCBA, the entire U.S. beef cattle community and the important role that she has played on NCBA’s communications team.

      Please thank Mary for her service at NCBA and join me in congratulating her as she begins an exciting new career. Her last day at NCBA will be May 25.

      So, if you think you can fill Mary’s shoes at NCBA here’s where you can get more information.

      Ag Groups, NCBA