RFA Ethanol Podcast

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • CME Group announced the launch of Weekly Grain Options on Corn, Wheat and Soybeans futures to begin trading May 23.
  • Peyton Sellers and SFP will be teaming up for charity this weekend when Sellers and the No. 84 Sugar Hill Racing Ford compete in the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at Richmond International Raceway.
  • Valley Irrigation introduced Pivot Cruise Control software, which allows producers to be even more precise with chemigation and fertigation.
  • Results of a new poll released by the Center for Food Integrity indicates consumers are coping with the rising cost of food by changing their shopping behaviors.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Get AgWired on iPad Flipboard

    Chuck Zimmerman

    We want you to use the AgWired app on your iPhone, iPod Touch or Android phone. And you can use it on your iPad.

    But I thought I’d point out another very cool way to get AgWired on your iPad by using Flipboard. I love the Flipboard app because it takes rss feeds and puts them in a very user friendly display that takes advantage of the iPad screen space.

    So, get the Flipboard app and then add the AgWired RSS Feed. That’s all there is to it.

    So go get some good stuff on your iPad.

    Apps

    Get Your Corn Refuge In An FS Bag

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The whole refuge in the bag concept is a great one and now GROWMARK is making it available. This spring there are two FS Seed corn varieties that have the Refuge In Bag (RIB). They are FS 54VX1 RIB and FS 61BX1 RIB. Each bag contains the correct blend of traited and non-traited seed needed to meet refuge requirements for both above- and below-ground pests.

    “FS Seed is one of the few regional seed companies to offer Genuity® SmartStaxTM RIB CompleteTM for planting this spring,” said Lance Ruppert, FS Seed sales and marketing manager. “Our focus has been and will continue to be to bring the best seed innovations to growers through our FS Seed brands, and this is just the latest example.”

    Farmers using Genuity SmartStax seed corn are required to plant five percent of their corn acres with non-traited varieties, to help reduce the development of resistant pests. Using RIB Complete technology eliminates the need to dedicate certain acres to refuge. “Growers can purchase and plant one product that satisfies their need for both yield potential and IRM (insect resistance management) refuge requirements,” Ruppert said. “ This simplicity helps make planning and planting more efficient.” Farmers interested in using RIB Complete corn this spring should contact their local FS crop specialist.

    Corn, GROWMARK, Seed

    MyWay RTK Introduces Andy Hill as GM

    Melissa Sandfort

    MyWay RTK LLC – a precision farming technologies company that specializes in open-technology RTK (Real Time Kinematic) – introduced industry veteran, Andy Hill, as the new General Manager. Hill comes from Premier Technologies, Inc., bringing with him 20 years industry experience in precision farming and agriculture.

    With its territory already blanketing the entire state of Illinois and quickly expanding in states like Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, Wisconsin and the Dakotas, MyWay RTK executives sought a proven industry expert to oversee the company’s continued growth.

    As General Manager, Hill’s primary role will be facilitating the expansion of the MyWay RTK territory and working with industry representatives to implement the latest MyWay RTK offerings.

    Precision Agriculture

    Picture A Better American Farm

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Here’s a photo contest for you to consider entering. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the I Make America campaign have launched the Picture a Better America Photo Contest. Their goal is to, “demonstrate the urgent need to invest in America’s crumbling infrastructure.”

    The contest will showcase the hard-working men and women who “make” America. The Picture a Better America Photo Contest aims to greatly amplify the voices of I Make America’s grassroots supporters and others committed to demonstrating the real cost of Congressional inaction on infrastructure investment and who are pushing for passage of a fully-funded six-year highway bill by September 30th of this year.

    “We’re calling on all Americans to send in their photos to the Picture a Better America Photo Contest. We need to show our elected officials that our roads, bridges and highways are crumbling and America needs Congress to pass a fully-funded highway investment bill this year,” said AEM President Dennis Slater. “The time is now for Congress to invest taxpayer dollars in projects that will create meaningful jobs and will make our roads safer.”

    I think you’ll be especially interested in the America Grows Here Category. You’ve got until July 15 to enter and you can get full details on the website.

    Have you ever eaten corn on the cob? Are you wearing a cotton shirt? America is a world leading provider of these products and more. Without investment in American infrastructure, our products, crops, and the machines that harvest them, will sit idle in our fields instead of feeding and clothing the world. Show the natural beauty of America’s farms and fields, by submitting a photo today!

    Follow on Twitter.

    AEM

    The Number 15

    Melissa Sandfort

    Grab your #2 pencil. Or wait – was it the #15 pen? Either way, I think I’ve forgotten how to write and I think I’ve forgotten what it really means to “pen a letter.” Grandma used to tell me to pay more attention in penmanship class, and I believe that’s almost gone the wayside as penmanship class has morphed into typing class.

    What happened to the eloquent love letters, the sprawling beauty of a letter written with ink on a piece of paper? What happened to the days when the ink pen seemed to produce such words, such passion, such conviction. The text was thoughtful, melodically written … it was poetry. Each letter, each word, captured greatness and elegance. Simple written words closed the miles between lovers, ended wars, saved families.

    I feel almost guilty as I “pen” this blog post on the computer. (Although, I know it’s much faster.)

    Until we walk again …

    Uncategorized

    GROWMARK Illinois Essay Contest Winner Announced

    Chuck Zimmerman

    GROWMARK has announced the Illinois state winner of their essay contest for FFA members. The theme this year was “The Importance of Agriculture in Everyday Life” and the winner is Keirra DeCamp of Pleasant Hill.

    In her contest entry, DeCamp said: “So, the real question here is: ‘Where would you be without agriculture?’ Without agriculture, you would be inconvenienced, naked, malnourished, unprotected, and, most importantly, hungry.”

    DeCamp is a student at Pleasant Hill High School and a member of the Pleasant Hill FFA chapter. Her FFA advisor is Beth Arnold.

    As the contest winner, DeCamp will receive a $500 scholarship from GROWMARK at the Illinois FFA State Convention, held in Springfield during June. The Pleasant Hill FFA chapter will also receive a $300 award in honor of her accomplishment to help future students.

    Four state runners-up will each receive a $125 scholarship. The runners-up and their FFA chapters are, in alphabetical order: Jacob Day, Lincoln FFA, Lawndale, Ill., Jonathan Drover, Technology Center of DuPage FFA, Westmont, Ill., Lucas Frye, Illini Central FFA, Easton, Ill., and Sarah Higgins, Mercer County FFA, Joy, Ill.

    This is the eighteenth year for the program, sponsored by the GROWMARK System and FS member cooperatives, in conjunction with state FFA leaders, to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues in agriculture, and understand the unique role of cooperatives.

    Agribusiness, Education, GROWMARK

    Alltech is Calling All Farming Filmmakers

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Alltech is looking for videos that tell the story of how game changing innovations are helping farmers feed the world.

    The Kentucky-based animal health and nutrition company has announced the first ever “Farming Film Festival,” offering a $2,000 grand prize. Following the theme of the Alltech 27th Annual International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium, The Game Changers, video submissions should focus on an idea or technology that helps farmers meet the tough challenges in their career.

    “Emerging new media such as YouTube and other social media outlets have been game changers for many in the agriculture industry,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech. “Sharing these game changing stories with others ignites a new wave of hope and innovation, and that’s what we hope to do with the Farming Film Festival.”

    The rules are pretty simple. The video may be up to 2 minutes in length (including credits), it must tell the story of a farmer’s game changer and it must include footage of the farmer on the farm. That’s all there is to it. First prize is $2000, second is $500 and third is $250. First and Second Place Winners will be chosen by an independent panel of science and agriculture journalists. Third Place Winner will be the finalist with the largest number of online votes.

    Participants in the Farming Film Festival may enter by uploading their video to YouTube and emailing the link to contest@alltech.com. Winners will be chosen by a panel of science and agriculture journalists based on creativity, quality of video, story interest and number of views and will be awarded up to $2,000 cash. The deadline for submission is May 13.

    For official rules and how to participate, visit www.alltech.com/farmingfilmfestival.

    Alltech

    Essex, It’s What’s for Ketchum

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Congratulations to Kim Essex who we’ve known as the NCBA consumer marketing guru.

    Ketchum, one of the world’s leading public relations agencies, named Kim Essex as senior vice president and senior client director for the Ketchum Midwest Brand and Food Practice. In addition to leading brand work on key Ketchum accounts, Essex will serve as a senior strategist to clients for Ketchum Midwest, which comprises Ketchum’s Chicago and Pittsburgh offices, and will lead business development in the agriculture and food sectors.

    Essex most recently served as senior vice president of consumer marketing for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) for nine years. She led a team that executed the “Beef, It’s What’s for Dinner” program, including advertising, public and influencer relations, retail and foodservice marketing, and digital strategy.

    “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Kim as both a colleague and a client, and I have seen her successfully tackle tremendous challenges in the food and commodity space,” said Bill Zucker, director of Ketchum Midwest. “A common thread in all of her work is that Kim truly owns the challenge, embracing the client or the brand on both a professional and personal level.”

    Essex will report to Pamela Von Lehmden, senior vice president and director of the Midwest Brand and Food Practice. She will also work closely with Linda Eatherton, director of Ketchum’s Global Food & Nutrition Practice.

    Ag Groups, Agencies

    Supporting The Agri-Business Educational Foundation

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Russ ParkerThe Agri-Business Educational Foundation is made possible by volunteer leaders like Russ Parker (left), J.L. Farmakis, and all the people who support it with their financial contributions. I am going to start a series of posts with these folks over the coming months to find out why they support the ABEF.

    Russ is a board member of the ABEF and I visited with him at the recent Agri-Marketing Conference. He says he got involved because he was a student NAMA member and got hired right away into the job he still holds today. He sees the ABEF as a way to give something back for having such a rewarding career. He is a judge for the student NAMA marketing competition and that allows him an opportunity to see prospective new hires for not only his company but perhaps recommendations he can make to other agrimarketing professionals and clients.

    Russ also points to the Vision2020 project which was launched earlier this year:

    Named ‘Vision2020,’ the new initiative seeks to raise up to $4 million over the next 10 years for college student scholarships, student and young professional development programs, and support of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) Student Program. Funding may also be made available for outreach to high school juniors and seniors, promoting careers in Ag business, marketing and communications.

    Listen to Russ give you some good reasons to support the ABEF: Russ Parker Interview

    Audio, Education, NAMA