Rest in Peace Ken Tanner

Cindy Zimmerman

A great Southern farm broadcaster will be laid to rest today in North Carolina.

Former NAFB president Ken Tanner passed away last month at the age of 83. While no official obituary has been published, there will be a Mass of Christian Burial for Ken today in Cary, NC at St. Michael the Archangel Church.

Ken was one of the North Carolina-based Tobacco Radio Network broadcasters, hired by Ray Wilkinson to be part of the team with Dix Harper in the 1980s. We have many fond memories of Ken from our earliest days in the business. He was a great broadcaster and a devout Catholic who really wanted to be a priest, or a sports announcer.

After TRN had its run, Tanner did go back to his first love – baseball. He joined the Durham Bulls as an announcer in 2000 until 2019 when he started having health issues.

In 2020, NAFB historian Mike Adams caught up with Tanner for a segment of “Where are They Now” and they reminisced about broadcasting and baseball.
Mike Adams interview with Ken Tanner 2020 (17:21)

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

Audio, NAFB, obituariess, people

Industry Ag News 7/8

Carrie Muehling

  • The American Soybean Association wants to recognize exceptional soy volunteers and leaders. During 2023 Commodity Classic, individuals will be recognized and honored for state association volunteerism, distinguished leadership achievements and long-term, significant contributions to the soybean industry. The nomination period is open through Oct. 24, 2022.
  • Mark your calendars and make plans to join the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse for the Ag Outlook Forum. Ag Outlook Forum is scheduled for September 26, 2022, at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown.
  • The bridge between the University of Illinois and prospective Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications (ALEC) students is expanding with The Morrow, a new student-produced online magazine.
  • If you’re new to agriculture or marketing – or an industry veteran who wants to enhance your expertise – then you need to be at NAMA Boot Camp August 10-12.
  • AGCO Corporation, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, proudly celebrates the 175th anniversary of its Massey Ferguson® brand.
  • Youth members of Farmers Union from around the country participated in the 84th annual National Farmers Union All-States Leadership Retreat. This year’s event was held at Wisconsin Farmers Union’s Kamp Kenwood on the shores of Lake Wissota near Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
  • The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has awarded $9,400 in grants to recognize the remarkable agricultural literacy programs of ten state and county Farm Bureaus. The grants are funded through the White-Reinhardt Fund for Education program, which acknowledges communities that are engaging with students on the fundamental role of agriculture in the everyday lives of all Americans.
  • Christine Gemperle, a second-generation almond grower in California’s Central Valley, has been honored by UPL, a global leader in sustainable agriculture solutions, as the inaugural winner of its Allies for Agriculture initiative. UPL introduced Allies for Agriculture to recognize the often-unsung heroes who are advancing and transforming the industry to ensure food security.
  • The World Food Prize Foundation announced that Mackenzie Carlson has joined the organization as the new Program Manager, Development and Finance. As Program Manager, Mackenzie will support and implement WFPF’s fundraising strategy and improve processes for finance management. Her responsibilities will include grant writing, donor relations, budgeting, spreadsheet management and financial reporting.
Zimfo Bytes

ZimmCast 695 – Preview of 2022 Ag Media Summit

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

This will be episode 695 of the ZimmCast. I’d love any feedback you want to give. Do you like the format? What would change? What topics or speakers would you like to hear? Message me and I really appreciate it.

Agricultural Media SummitIn just over a week the annual Ag Media Summit will take place in Raleigh, NC. If you have not registered, you can do so on site if you need to. But you can also follow on social media with the hashtag #AgMediaSummit2022 and I’ll be posting lots of photos and interviews when I can.

In this week’s program you can hear a preview of the event from Kenna Rathai, Broadhead, who is Chair of the Steering Committee for the Ag Media Summit this year.

It is easy to find more information about the Ag Media Summit and to register. Just go to AgMediaSummit.com.

I hope you enjoyed this episode and thank you for listening.

Listen to the ZimmCast here:
ZimmCast 695 - Preview of 2022 Ag Media Summit (12:31)

Want to sponsor the ZimmCast? Just let me know and we can talk through ideas for your company. I’m AgriBlogger on Twitter or just email me at chuck@zimmcomm.biz.

Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

ACN, Ag Groups, Ag Media Summit, Agencies, Agribusiness, Audio, LPC, Media, ZimmCast

Precision Ag News 7/7

Carrie Muehling

  • Koch Ag & Energy Solutions (KAES), a global provider of value-added solutions for the agriculture, energy and chemical markets, and OCP, the world’s largest phosphate mining and leading global fertilizer group, are pleased to announce they have successfully completed the acquisition announced March 2, 2022. KAES, through an affiliate, acquired a 50% interest in Jorf Fertilizers Com-pany III (JFC III) from OCP, establishing a 50/50 Joint-Venture between the two companies. The trans-action closed on June 30, 2022. JFC III owns and operates a cutting-edge industrial facility producing up to 1.1 million metric tons annually of phosphate-based fertilizers. Through its advantaged location within the Jorf Fertilizer Complex, the world’s largest phosphate fertilizer production platform, JFC III benefits from a unique relationship with OCP’s broader industrial operations at the Complex.
  • In 2019, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System brought the world of farming to the palm of a farmer’s hand with an app. The Farming Basics app opened a gateway of information for small and beginning farmers. Fast forward to 2022—this app has gotten a facelift, providing even more information to farmers. The Farming Basics app is available as a free download on iOS and Android devices.
  • In a recent election at the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST), Dr. J. Alex Thomasson — head of the Mississippi State University Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and William B. and Sherry Berry Endowed Chairholder — was chosen as the President-Elect for 2022-2023.
  • Green Lands Blue Waters is excited to announce the launch of the Next Gen Ag and Conservation Professionals Mentorship Program. This program is funded by a 2022 Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Equity Conservation Agreement and is hosted in partnership with the Mississippi River Network.
  • NCGA has a new tool for growers: the Corn Rootworm Risk Tool. This calculator allows farmers to enter historical and current management data—along with corn rootworm intensity—to determine the potential risk of developing resistance to valuable Bt traits.
  • The North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) announced that the transition period is complete, and the new organization has successfully unified three regional equipment dealer associations with the Equipment Dealers Association. NAEDA is one of the most well-respected and fastest-growing equipment dealer associations in North America and has represented equipment dealers in North America since 1889. NAEDA will be hosting its first board meeting July 25-26, 2022, and will refine its strategic plan for the future at that meeting.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

DWFI Podcast – Business Ecosystem in Rwanda

Cindy Zimmerman

Of Rwanda’s roughly 600,000 hectares of irrigable land, only 10% is currently irrigated. With a more developed irrigation industry, farmers would be able to take advantage of three growing seasons, rather than one, enabling better food security and income. However, there are gaps in knowledge needed to advance the industry.

Seeking to make these advancements accessible, staff at the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute have completed a study which maps and analyzes the business ecosystem for smallholder irrigation in Rwanda. The Rwanda smallholder irrigation ecosystem map shines a light on farmer-led irrigation – the distribution and use of small irrigation pumps and associated equipment by individual farmers or shared between a few farmers – and analyzes the business ecosystem for providing those goods and services.

In this episode, Arianna Elnes, DWFI communications specialist, interviews Natacha Akaliza, DWFI program consultant; Savant Nzayiramya, DWFI policy intern; and Nick Brozović, DWFI director of policy; about the team’s research and key findings.

DWFI Podcast 13 - Business Ecosystem in Rwanda 24:22

View the full report and findings – https://go.unl.edu/ecosystem

The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska was founded with the mission to have a lasting and significant impact on achieving more food security with less pressure on scarce water resources by conducting scientific and policy research, using the research results to inform policy makers, and sharing knowledge through education and communication.

How to subscribe:

Audio, International, Irrigation, Water, Water for Food

Animal Ag News 7/5

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Bison Association (NBA) kicked off National Bison Month in July. As part of the celebration, consumers are encouraged to add this uniquely American, delicious, humanely raised, supremely healthy protein to their regular diets.
  • Ground has broken — quite literally — on a $19 million research initiative aimed at understanding how a farmer or rancher’s grazing management decisions impact soil health and, in turn, how soil health can positively impact land and producer well-being. The inaugural field sampling took place on Noble Research Institute’s ranches in southern Oklahoma in April 2022 with a second sampling session completed June 29. Field sampling was also conducted in June at the Michigan sites, and a final sampling session has been scheduled in August for the project’s Wyoming locations.
  • Dairy industry leaders joined hunger relief organizations from across the Midwest to exchange ideas and discuss business models that will help get more dairy into the hands of people experiencing food insecurity. The first Dairy Nourishes America Midwest Symposium was organized by Feeding America®, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. DFA hosted the meeting, June 22-24.
  • R-CALF USA will host its 23rd annual convention and trade show “Code of the West,” Aug. 18-19, 2022, in Deadwood, South Dakota. With an exciting lineup of speakers, the group looks forward to its success in further developing strategies to improve the trajectory of the U.S. cattle industry.
  • As of June 1, there were 72.5 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, down 1% from June 2021 and down slightly from March 1, 2022, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
  • The Animal Agriculture Alliance recently welcomed Grace Platte as coordinator, membership and communications. In this role, Platte will assist in managing the organization’s membership and sponsorship processing, recruitment and engagement. She assumed her new role on June 27.
  • It’s not too late to register for the 2022 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting, which will be held in Reno, Nevada, July 25-27. Register at www.ncba.org before July 6 for discounted rates. All registrants will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a Dell Rugged Laptop package, valued at more than $2,000. Discounted air travel through United Airlines is also available.
  • GENYOUth, the national nonprofit organization formed through a partnership between America’s dairy farmers and the NFL, announced the appointment of Ann Marie Krautheim to CEO.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Industry Ag News 7/1

Carrie Muehling

  • The American Farm Bureau Federation has named Joby Young the organization’s next Executive Vice President, stepping into the role in mid-July following the retirement of Dale Moore.
  • In July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will collect updated information on 2022 acres planted to barley, canola, corn, dry edible beans, oats, sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers, and Durum and other spring wheat in three states. NASS previously collected planted acreage information during the first two weeks of June, with the results published in the June 30 Acreage report. Excessive rainfall had delayed planting at the time of the survey, leaving a portion of acres still to be planted in: Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. If the newly collected data justify any changes, NASS will publish updated acreage estimates in the Crop Production report to be released at noon ET on Friday, Aug. 12. It will be available online at www.nass.usda.gov/Publications.
  • The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) shares their 2023 Farm Bill priorities as Congress prepares for the next Farm bill.
  • Farmers are invited to submit nominations for the 2023 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year contest, supported by Purina. This is the fifth year of the contest, which celebrates farm dogs and the many ways they support farmers and ranchers in producing nutritious food for families and their pets across America. The contest opened in January and the nomination deadline has been extended to July 15. Eligibility guidelines and submission requirements are available at https://www.fb.org/land/fdoty.
  • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for a new pilot program created under President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the development of biobased products that have lower carbon footprints and increase the use of renewable agricultural materials, creating new revenue streams for farmers.
  • Rising fuel prices are putting growing pressure on farmers and ranchers as they grapple with increased costs of growing food and fiber. USDA estimates show that the cost of fuel, lube and electricity is expected to increase 34% in 2022 compared to 2021. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyze the factors contributing to rising fuel prices in the latest Market Intel.
  • Fifteen agriculture students have been selected as the sixth class of recipients of the GROWMARK Foundation scholarship. More than 300 students from across the United States and Ontario, Canada, applied for the award. Applications were evaluated by a panel of agribusiness professionals, and the funds are available for the fall 2022 semester.
Zimfo Bytes

Meister Media Launches Global Ag Tech Initiative

Cindy Zimmerman

Meister Media Worldwide, Inc. (MMW) has just announced the launch of the Global Ag Tech Initiative(SM) to lead a new generation of worldwide agriculture forward to sustainably produce safe and abundant food to feed the world.

“The MMW CropLife Media Group® and its PrecisionAg® brands have been at the forefront leading the precision agriculture industry with an expanding portfolio of new products and services enabling U.S. crop input providers to bring these new capabilities alive on the farm,” says Eric Davis, Managing Director of the Global Ag Tech Initiative. “Building on this foundation the Global Ag Tech Initiative will leverage all MMW domestic and international markets and diverse platforms to build out new global and region-specific programs to advance the new generation of digital data-driven agriculture around the world.”

The Global Ag Tech Initiative provides opportunities to connect with the industry on multiple levels through a portfolio of events and informative products. Some of those include:

GlobalAgTechInitiative.com — A global digital source of expert commentary, longer-range trends and insights, headlines from key precision regions, and curated precision tech content from Meister Media Worldiwde’s family of brands across production agriculture.

The VISION Conference — The definitive digital farming conference for North America, providing market-tested insights set to transform agribusiness with a focus on a 3-to 5 -year view. An event for decision-makers and those interested in seeing what the future holds for ag tech.

Tech Hub LIVE – The leading new event for data-driven digital agriculture practitioners in the U.S. showcasing new technologies and solutions to deploy today – coming up July 19-21 in Indianapolis!

The Global Ag Tech Alliance North America — A partnership with industry-leading technology and crop input organizations supporting the activities, research, and outreach that facilitate the adoption of precision and digital agriculture products and practices.

Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Events, Media, Precision Agriculture, Tech Hub LIVE, Technology

New ASTA Leadership Elected

Cindy Zimmerman

New ASTA chair Jim Schweigert (L) with outgoing chair Brad May

The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) elected its 2022-23 officer team during the association’s Leadership Summit this week in Indianapolis. Jim Schweigert, Gro Alliance, is the new chair for the organization, replacing Brad May of BASF. Both are pictured here during the “ASTA Night at the Ball Game” pre-summit event.

A third-generation seedsman, Schweigert is the president of Gro Alliance, the largest independently-owned contract corn and soybean seed production company in North America. The company is also a leader in custom corn breeding and seed corn nursery services in the U.S. and in Chile where it operates through its joint venture, CIS Alliance. He also serves as a board advisor for ZeaKal.

Among Schweigert’s top priorities for the association over the next 12 months is increasing engagement with the next generation of seed industry innovators. “The recent influx of investments in the seed industry, both in terms of capital and ideas, is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in breeding, on-seed chemistry, channels to market and new business models,” said Schweigert. “This is not the time to be on the sidelines, as policy will be made by those in the game.”

In addition to Schweigert, other members of the 2022-23 ASTA officer team are:
• First Vice Chair: David Armstrong, Sakata Seed America
• Second Vice Chair: Dan Foor, La Crosse Seed

Newly-elected Regional Vice Presidents are: Bryan Gerard, JoMar Seeds (Central); and Luke Turner, Turner Seed Co. (Southern). The new ASTA leadership team will begin official duties on July 1.

Agribusiness, ASTA, Seed

Precision Ag News 6/30

Carrie Muehling

  • The Soil and Water Conservation Society awarded the prestigious Hugh Hammond Bennett Award to American Farmland Trust Senior Research Advisor, Ann Sorensen, PhD, for her 50 years of service to the conservation of natural resources.
  • Share the story of how conservation is part of your farm operation and you could be recognized with a Conservation Legacy Award. The awards recognize farm management practices of U.S. soybean farmers that are both environmentally friendly and profitable. All applications must be submitted by August 15, 2022.
  • Experienced ag account professional Taylor Janicek has joined Meristem Crop Performance Group, LLC, one of the fastest-growing crop input suppliers in America. Janicek now becomes Meristem’s sales representative in the Northern Corn Belt, operating out of central Michigan.
  • Global soil health innovator and regenerative agriculture leader Heliae Agriculture is proud to announce the appointment of a new Director of Ag Science, Cassidy Million, Ph.D. This position will champion Heliae Agriculture’s industry outreach, agronomy trials, and product training for its portfolio of microalgae solutions.
  • Gowan Company is pleased to announce the EPA’s rescission of a cancellation order for the active ingredient spirodiclofen. This result was based on work done by Gowan’s regulatory team and included data Gowan submitted to the EPA, allowing for the completion of risk assessments and registration review decisions for spirodiclofen. In addition, this submission included Gowan’s commitment to implement label changes that adequately address the EPA’s risk concerns. As a result, Gowan has submitted an amended label for the sole end-use Envidor™ product that reflects the risk mitigation proposed by the Agency.
  • John Deere now offers a new AutoTrac™ Ready option for select full-size Gator™ Utility Vehicles to give farmers and ranchers hands-free steering capabilities and increased versatility.
  • Bushel announced the availability of a payment and money facilitation network. The product launch, announced during Bushel’s first-ever customer conference, will address the challenge the industry faces of facilitating payments for nearly 90% of a $200 billion industry through paper checks.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture