The Beltwide FMC Team

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s the FMC team ready for the start of the trade show at the 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences. I really appreciate their support and making my coverage of this year’s event possible. To find out what cotton growers will find when they visit with FMC I spoke with Stu Throop, Product Manager.

Stu says that FMC has “placed a tremendous emphasis on bringing new innovative solutions to the industry” and is featuring some of those here at Beltwide. Two of those products are Athena and Mustang Max. Growers who stop by the booth can enter a drawing to win one of two $250 gift cards at Home Depot and also be entered to win a grand prize later this year of $2,500.

You can listen to my interview with Stu here and learn more about what’s new at FMC: Interview with Stu Throop

2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

AgWired coverage of 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conference is sponsored by
Agribusiness, Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton, FMC

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • In a new study funded by the Pork Checkoff researchers at Texas Tech and Iowa State universities found that the pork industry can generally use less bedding year-round than it currently does while improving overall animal well-being – a breakthrough finding that could save the industry an estimated $10.1 million per year.
  • Direct Solutions launched its new logo and tagline as part of a larger strategic branding initiative unveiling.
  • In December, HCC, Inc. launched a new mini-site for their vertical tillage tool, SMART-TILL 9.
  • Valley Irrigation announced the addition of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) to its control technology product line.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Welcome To Beltwide Cotton Production Conference

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Missouri cotton farmer and Chairman of the National Cotton Council Charles Parker welcomed everyone to the 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences. His remarks kicked off the Beltwide Cotton Production Conference.

    Besides talking about this year’s conference Charles talked about the activities of the National Cotton Council during 2011.

    Following the opening remarks we heard about weather patterns in the cotton belt, a review of the 2011 season and an outlook for 2012 as well as other topics. I’ll have more on those presentations as soon as I get time.

    You can listen to the opening remarks here: Charles Parker Welcome Remarks

    2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conference is sponsored by
    Ag Groups, Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton

    Wild Weather Tops 2011 Ag Stories

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Wild weather was the winner for the biggest ag story of 2011 according to our latest ZimmPoll. We asked the question, “What do you think is biggest ag story of 2011?” Wild weather got 40% or the response followed by Record farm land value – 17%; New free trade agreements – 16%; High commodity prices – 16%; Super committee “no”- farm bill – 11% and Record U.S. farm exports at a big fat 0%. Weather, it’s always on the top of a farmer’s mind and with good reason.

    Our new ZimmPoll is now live. We’re asking the question, “What do you think of the LightSquared broadband internet proposal?” This is certainly a hotly debated topic with GPS companies and users very concerned over the implications. If you need more information about it you can find lots of resources online here, here and here.

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

    ZimmPoll

    The Environmental Footprint of Cotton

    Chuck Zimmerman

    At the 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences the media received a preview of the Cotton Life Cycle Inventory & Life Cycle Assessment. This is a benchmark study for cotton sustainability.

    Cotton Incorporated announced today the completion of a comprehensive life cycle inventory and life cycle analysis of cotton products. The endeavor is part of the Cotton Foundation VISION 21 Project and included the participation of the National Cotton Council, Cotton Council International and Cotton Incorporated. The two-year study, managed by PE International, was designed to establish current and accurate benchmarks of potential environmental impacts across the global cotton supply chain. The peer-reviewed data and assessment methodology will help direct sustainability research efforts for the cotton industry, as well as to aid textile decision-makers in achieving their own sustainability goals.

    To learn more about the study I spoke with our presenter, J. Berrye Worsham, President/CEO, Cotton, Inc. He says they wanted to have a sense of the environmental footprint of cotton from “cradle to grave.” That’s what this study has accomplished and the results can be found on their website. Berrye says the study is now a tool for the industry since there are companies conducting their own life cycle assessments. As a benchmark, it will be valuable for making comparisons when it is done again in a few years. The study found ways that the industry and even consumers can improve the footprint of cotton. In the case of consumers an example would be doing more cold water washing and less use of dryers to dry clothes. You can hear more about the study in my interview with Berrye: Interview with Berrye Worsham

    I’ve also got a photo album started from the conference: 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conference is sponsored by
    Ag Groups, Audio, Cotton

    Beltwide Kicks Off 2012 Ag Conference Season

    Chuck Zimmerman

    This image greets you as you take the escalator down to the meeting room and registration floor for the Beltwide Cotton Conferences at the Orlando World Center Marriott.

    I got in too late to register but will get that taken care of early in the morning. While wandering around to get my bearings I did find the general session of the Consultants Conference going on. It looks like a big group is already here and hard at it.

    This conference is really multiple conferences going on at the same time and location. In fact, there’s a lot of sessions and seminars to choose from. I’m interested to sit in on “SOCIAL MEDIA IN PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE.” It takes place tomorrow morning. Some of the segments include, New vs Old Information Sources to Clientele, Mississippi Crop Situation-A Team Blog, Blogging From a County Agent Perspective and Accountability- Tracking Your Progress.

    I guess you could say that social media has become “mainstream” in production agriculture today, eh? Who’d a thought?

    AgWired coverage of 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conference is sponsored by
    Beltwide Cotton

    Golden ARC Awards Deadline Extended

    Cindy Zimmerman

    For those folks just getting back into the office this week after the holidays and playing the game of catch-up, the Agricultural Relations Council has some good news. The deadline for the 2011 Golden ARC awards has been extended to on or before Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012 at 5 p.m.

    The annual competition will include nearly 40 categories for agricultural public relations activities conducted in full or partially in the year 2011. Re-instituted in 2009, the Golden ARC awards program began in 1990. The contest recognizes the stellar work created by professionals in the agricultural industry.

    The format and requirements for the Golden ARC awards are similar to other leading PR awards programs, based on best practices for public relations and public affairs campaigns and tactics.

    Categories fall into two divisions – Campaigns and Tactics. A student category is also available. The 36 categories reflect the broad scope of public relations and public affairs activities today, including campaigns and a range of tactics, from traditional media releases to social media.

    The contest is open to both ARC and non-ARC members.

    The entry fee for the first entry for non-ARC members is $300 (includes a membership fee). Additional entries are $125 each. More information is available at www.GoldenARCawards.com or at the ARC website, www.agrelationscouncil.org.

    ARC, Public Relations

    National Cattlemen Ready to Tackle 2012

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The staff of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) in Washington DC is ready to tackle top priority issues in 2012 – and number one on the list is estate tax reform.

    According to NCBA Manager of Legislative Affairs Kent Bacus, the estate tax, commonly referred to as the death tax, is one of the leading causes of the breakup of multi-generation family farms and ranches. In December 2010, Congress passed temporary estate tax relief effective through Dec. 31, 2012. For now, estates worth more than $5 million per individual or $10 million per couple are taxed at a 35 percent rate.

    NCBA supports the Death Tax Permanency Repeal Act, introduced by Congressman Kevin Brady (R-Texas). Bacus says if a full repeal is not possible, the next best option is to make the 2010 package permanent.

    Listen to Kent talk about it with NCBA’s Mike Deering in the latest issue of Beltway Beef audio news.

    Beef, NCBA

    Mid-Atlantic Farmers Feed US Reaches Out to Capitol Consumers

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Farmers Feed US has come to the nation’s capitol.

    Farmers Feed UsA coalition of agricultural commodity groups and farmers from Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware are reaching out to consumers in Washington DC by launching the Mid-Atlantic Farmers Feed US.

    “The Mid-Atlantic Farmers Feed US program is a tremendous opportunity to introduce the region’s consumers to the hard-working men and women who raise healthy, nutritious and affordable food,” said Charlie Arnot, CEO of the Center for Food Integrity. “We need to show that even though our systems have changed and our use of technology has increased, the farmer’s commitment to do what’s right has never been stronger.”

    Open to residents of those three states and Washington, D.C., the program will offer consumers the chance to win one of four “Free Groceries for a Year” sweepstakes prizes, while introducing them to 10 of the region’s farmers. The diverse group of farmers includes producers of livestock, poultry and eggs, grains, vegetables, watermelons and even mushrooms.

    Since July 2009, Farmers Feed US has been connecting farmers and consumers in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Minnesota and Illinois. During that time, those programs have accounted for more than 1.35 million consumer sweepstakes registrations, with each one introducing consumers to farmers from their state. Additionally, the program has built a consumer “opt-in” list of more than 85,000 consumers in participating states, who have requested on-going communication on farming and food, as well as social media platforms on Facebook and Twitter with more than 20,000 likers and followers.

    Farming

    GROWMARK Launches History Website

    Cindy Zimmerman

    GROWMARK is honoring 85 years of growth with a new history section on their website.

    The Our History site is designed to be as easy to use for people who want a little information as for those who want to dig deeply into the rich history of the System. Users will find seven “eras,” chosen by significant events which impacted the cooperative as it grew from humble beginnings in the 1920s into today’s strong cooperative system. Each era includes a written narrative and a timeline. Video interviews with former chairmen of the board and chief executive officers are also included in relation to important events.

    growmark“A company’s future is rooted in its history. And for the GROWMARK System, 85 years of history communicate a clear mission for improving members’ profitability, working together with a strong sense of integrity, and always positioning this network of cooperatives for long-term success,” said Ann Kafer, GROWMARK director of corporate communications and marketing services. “Honoring that rich history with this website is fitting. I’m certain past, present and future employees, directors, and farm customers will learn much and come away proud of the legacy that’s been created by the GROWMARK System.”

    The site is designed for the future, with the ability to add eras and events as needed. More videos and photographs will continue to be added in the coming months. The site can be found by clicking on the “Our History” tab on www.growmark.com

    GROWMARK