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Melissa Sandfort

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  • Silk Soymilk announced a new website that allows consumers to trace the origin of the soybeans in each carton of Silk down to the county level.
  • Cibus Global has moved its U.S. research facilities to a state-of-the-art, Platinum LEED-certified location in San Diego.
  • At the fall Board meeting of the American Butter Institute, Mark Korsmeyer, Dairy Farmers of America, Inc., Kansas City, Mo., was elected President of ABI and two new officers were seated.
  • Harvest Heroes is a new program designed to recognize everyday heroes in the agricultural community. High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal and John Deere have partnered to introduce these extraordinary individuals and stories to the world. It’s a thank you to the everyday heroes who make agriculture a special community.
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    The Smell of Harvest

    Melissa Sandfort

    Our house sits at the bottom of a hill, near a small creek. Ever notice as you’re driving through the country, how, when you get to the bottom of a hill, the temperature drops about 5 to 10 degrees? It just “feels” different.

    We were sitting outside the other night when the cool breeze mixed with the smell of harvest, and I had to breathe it in. My husband, on the other hand, thought I was crazy. I claim his sniffer must be off because they were harvesting in the field directly across the road, and to the south about a half mile. How could he not smell it? The musky smell of corn dust, mixed with oil and fuel from the combine, tossed in with a little dirt and dried corn shuck? It’s distinctive. And unmistakable.

    Having a nose full of harvest smells at their best, I then proceeded to have a sneezing fit. That was the allergies kicking in. I’m not sure how I survived all these years being allergic to dust, mold, pollen, grass, trees, pets, you name it. Maybe it just made me stronger because for some reason, I just can’t help but enjoy the scent this time of year brings. The only thing that would make it better is if a nearby neighbor would burn off their leaf pile. Or start up their wood fireplace.

    Bring on the hayrack rides and marshmallows. Please.

    Until we walk again…

    Uncategorized

    Ag Law Center Offers GIPSA Webinar

    Cindy Zimmerman

    ag lawA webinar on the proposed GIPSA rule was offered this week by the National Agricultural Law Center (NALC) and is still available on line for those who are interested.

    The webinar is one of several events the center has conducted for the industry to understand the rule, including a series of regional workshops in Arkansas. The purpose was to provide “information only” for livestock producers and others in the industry who would be affected by the proposed rule.

    They provide a pretty detailed explanation of how and why the rule was developed, how and why to make comments, and a real in-depth look at what the rule actually says. The details of the proposed rule are presented by NALC staff attorney Beth Rumley and it’s definitely worth a listen. If you want to skip ahead to that, it starts about 35 minutes in to the webinar.

    All livestock producers – poultry, pork and cattle – are strongly encouraged to find out how this proposed rule will impact them and provide comments to USDA before the comment deadline coming up on November 22. As of this week, over 11,000 comments have been received, according to NALC. That’s about twice what it was just three weeks ago, so with another five weeks of comment period time to go, lots more are expected. USDA is required to read and consider ALL comments that are received – so your comments are as important as your vote in an election, if not more so. The easiest way to make comments is by email at comments.gipsa@usda.gov.

    GIPSA

    BASF Announces The Verdict

    Chuck Zimmerman

    There’s a new weapon in the farmer’s arsenal from BASF. Actually, it’s an expanded label for Verdict™ herbicide that includes soybeans.

    To highlight the newly expanded label, BASF has changed the Integrity™ herbicide name to Verdict herbicide. The additional use pattern in soybeans represents a growing change in management strategies for preemergence herbicides, as growers continue to seek products that help them get the most out of every acre through simple and effective weed management programs.

    Verdict, powered by Kixor® herbicide technology, is a corn preemergence herbicide product with the flexibility of use for soybeans. Verdict is a simple solution for preemergence burndown and residual control of 46 of today’s toughest weeds in corn, grain sorghum and soybeans, providing a foundation for maximum yield potential.

    “Verdict herbicide offers a stronger option for broadleaf weed control in corn, with the simplicity and convenience to also be used in soybeans,” said Bryan Perry, Kixor Product Manager at BASF. “BASF developed Verdict in response to our customers’ need for uncomplicated, effective weed-management solutions that contribute to an efficiently-managed operation. As part of the Kixor family of products, Verdict also offers growers additional modes of action to utilize in their corn and soybean weed resistance programs.”

    Agribusiness, BASF

    High Valley is On The Combine

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Are you looking for some good music for your iPod this harvest season? Look no further than High Valley in iTunes. They might just make you smile while you’re “On The Combine!” They’re a Canadian country band and thanks to Penny Brown, Centricity Music, for bringing it to my attention. It’s downloading in iTunes on my computer now.

    Uncategorized

    2011 Ag Media Summit Logo Contest

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Ag Media SummitHey AAEA and LPC members. Want to pocket $200? Enter a design in the 2011 Ag Media Summit logo contest.

    This contest is open to any LPC or AAEA member or student member of either organization. ACT members, you may participate if you are a student member of either organization.

    Things to consider:
    Theme: Jazz It Up! NOLA 2011
    Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
    Dates: July 23-27, 2011

    Keep in mind this logo is used in a variety of mediums from signage to the website to give-aways so don’t make it so complicated that it does not reproduce well. It’s a good idea to design it so it looks good in black and white too.

    Deadline for submission: Wednesday, October 20, 2010; to dianej@flash.net, please put “AMS 2011 logo submission-“your name” in the subject line. Please submit as a pdf but keep it so that you can modify it slightly if the committee requests. You may submit as many entries as you wish.

    The AMS Steering Committee will vote on the entries and their decision is final. The logo then becomes the property of the AMS and it will be the logo for the 2011 event only.

    ACN, Ag Media Summit, LPC

    Leica Geosystems Adds To Sales Staff

    Chuck Zimmerman

    AgWired sponsor, Leica Geosystems, has added to their sales staff. First up is Matt Hayes who is the southern region sales manager. Hayes started with Leica Geosystems in July, and is based in Florida.

    Originally from Canada, Hayes brings more than 20 years of experience in precision agriculture and ag equipment sales to the position. Hayes honed his sales skills for a number of years in an equipment dealership, then left to start an independent precision agriculture dealership. Most recently, Hayes served in a sales management position with a John Deere dealer in Florida.

    “I was attracted to Leica because of its deep roots,” Hayes said. “This is a strong company with almost 200 years of history. Leica is not only steering tractors, but they are also building CORS networks and have a large footprint in precision guidance globally. I’m excited to introduce the company and its products to new dealers, and help farmers benefit from the available technology.”

    Also joining Leica is David Greer who is the Midwest sales manager. Greer joined Leica Geosystems earlier this year, and is based in South Dakota.

    Greer started his career working for an independent farm equipment manufacturer and wholesaler. As the precision agriculture segment developed, Greer moved into sales and has held positions with several precision ag companies.

    “I enjoy building relationships with resellers and farmers,” Greer said. “I like to help people solve problems. Leica offers simple, reliable, affordable equipment that can help farmers meet the challenges they face, and that leads to increased efficiency and improved profitability.”

    Agribusiness, Leica Geosystems

    NAFB Foundation Toy Tractor Available

    Chuck Zimmerman

    We’re getting near time for the annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention. It’s one of my favorite times of the year because it also means time for deer hunting!

    The NAFB Foundation has just announced that you can place an order for one of their toy tractors, designed, signed and numbered by Joe Ertl. This year the model is a John Deere B. This is the final year for the program so get your order in soon. It is expected that these will sell out.

    Joe Ertl has personally autographed each of the numbered John Deere B 1/16 scale toy tractors for NAFB. To make it a unique toy for the organization, Joe designed and mounted a replica of a tractor radio.

    There are only 200 of these tractors being produced and sold to benefit the NAFB Foundation. Numbers 6-200 will be available to the public for sale. Numbers 1-5 will be auctioned live during the Foundation Auction at the NAFB Convention on November 11, 2010.

    Orders for 6-200 are currently being taken, but the tractors won’t be shipped until early December 2010.

    Made in the USA. Price is $85 plus shipping and handling.

    Place your order here.

    Education, NAFB

    USFRA – A Unified Voice For U.S. Agriculture

    Chuck Zimmerman

    How many times have we heard of the need for a “unified voice for U.S. agriculture?” I lost count a long time ago. Now there is an effort underway to accomplish this much needed goal. Two days ago the legal papers were completed to form the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA). To learn the who/what/why I spoke with Rick Tolman, CEO, National Corn Growers Association. NCGA is one of more than 20 national food and agricultural organizations who sent representatives to a formation meeting where an agreement was reached to incorporate USFRA to “focus on working together to enhance U.S. consumer trust in modern food production that ensures the abundance of affordable, safe food.” Rick is chair of the USFRA Steering Committee. The photo above is of individuals who attended the formation meeting (thank you Steve Drake’s Facebook page!).

    “Today represents a start toward a unified voice for U.S. agriculture,” said Rick Tolman, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association and chair of the USFRA Steering Committee. “While the results of today’s organizational meeting represent the culmination of six months of planning, it is only the beginning of a process designed to create a coordinated effort by and on behalf of U.S. farmers and ranchers. Several participants have stepped forward to officially join the Alliance. Others need to return to their boards to determine whether they will join.”

    Rick told me that USFRA hopes to have its first campaign up and running shortly after the first of the year and will be sending out an RFP for a management organization to handle coordination since there are no plans to create a full time staff. He says they really hope to take advantage of the efforts already started by many organizations and coordinate them in a unified way so that consumers hear the same message. I asked him about the AgChat Foundation and he says that is a specific group that USFRA will be reaching out to as well as many others. Organizations have been asked to respond about affiliation no later than November 1. After that date, a board of directors will be established and will elect an executive committee. Rick says that members of the USFRA Board, its executive committee and its affiliated organizations will be announced formally in mid-November. If any farm group out there would like to become involved they are encouraged to contact Rick at NCGA or others that you’ll hear him mention in my interview.

    You can listen to my interview with Rick here: Rick Tolman Interview

    Ag Groups, Audio

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    Melissa Sandfort

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    • Becker Underwood announced that it has acquired Biological Control Products (Pty) Ltd., a leading company in Africa for solid-state fermentation of fungal products.
    • More than 60 representatives from more than 20 national food and agricultural organizations agreed to incorporate a U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) to focus on working together to enhance U.S. consumer trust in modern food production that ensures the abundance of affordable, safe food.
    • In anticipation of more strict milk quality standards in the United States, A&L Laboratories is rolling out its new and comprehensive Quality Milk Program, to assist U.S. dairy operations in the quest for higher quality milk.
    • Record-breaking grower Kip Cullers has done it again-shattering his world-record soybean yield by nearly six bushels with an outstanding 160.6 bushels per acre on his 2010 test fields-and BASF is pleased to rally all of agriculture to congratulate him on this achievement.
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