MGEX Reports Higher October Trading and New Team Member

Cindy Zimmerman

MGEXThe Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGEX) reports that trading volume in October was up significantly over a year ago.

According to MGEX, October futures and options trading volume was 149,923 contracts, a 33 percent increase over the same period a year ago. Total exchange open interest was up 39 percent over October of last year, led by a strong increase in open interest of Hard Red Spring Wheat (HRSW) futures contracts. HRSW futures open interest totaled 67,318 in October 2010, compared to 43,339 in the same period last year.

MGEXMGEX also announced the addition of Joe Victor as Business Development Specialist. Victor comes to the Exchange with 30 years of experience in the cash, futures and agricultural investment industries.

“Joe Victor is a well-respected and experienced addition to the MGEX team,” Mark G. Bagan, President & CEO, MGEX said. “His industry knowledge and credibility will serve our members and market participants well,” Bagan said.

Markets

Former Congressman Named Growth Energy President

Cindy Zimmerman

Growth Energy has announced former congressman Jim Nussle as new president and chief operating officer of the ethanol organization, effective November 1.

growth energy nussle buisJim Nussle (pictured on the left with Growth CEO Tom Buis) is a former eight-term Congressman from Iowa and served as Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush. He has served on the Board of Directors of Growth Energy since February 2009. As President and COO, Nussle will be responsible for Growth Energy’s day-to-day operations, including revenue growth, budget, expenses, communications, and other non-lobbying associated activity.

Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis says Nussle will provide immediate value to the organization. “Jim’s experience on Capitol Hill and his ability to manage large teams will be huge assets to Growth Energy,” Buis said. “As a former Iowa Congressman, he also possesses the knowledge of ethanol and agriculture that will allow him to hit the ground running and be a powerful advocate for America’s ethanol supporters.”

Nussle is looking forward to the opportunity to work full time on behalf of the ethanol industry. “While representing the 1st District of Iowa for 16 years, I witnessed the positive impact that ethanol production had on rural America,” Nussle said. “Over the past few years as a Director at Growth Energy, I’ve seen the benefits of ethanol to the entire country. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work full-time on behalf of America’s ethanol supporters, so that our nation can benefit even more from this clean, green, renewable fuel.”

I had the opportunity yesterday to chat with the former congressman (who doesn’t mind being called “Mr. President”!) about his new role in Growth Energy as President and COO. Listen to that interview here: Jim Nussle Interview

Audio, Ethanol

Get Out and VOTE!

Cindy Zimmerman

voteHopefully everyone reading this will be wearing one of these “I Voted” stickers by the end of today – well, assuming your polling place has them. Mine didn’t this morning and I was quite disappointed. It’s kind of like getting ashes on Ash Wednesday – wearing it is a reminder to others of what day it is.

Much is being made about this year’s election, with many calling it one of the most significant in our lifetime. Fact is, every election year is significant. Voting is the single most important act we can perform as citizens of a free country.

Take advantage of it and VOTE – NOW!

politics

AFBF Annual Convention Agenda Shapes Up

Cindy Zimmerman

farm bureau 2011Topics ranging from environmental policy and food safety to the 2012 farm bill and use of social media by farmers and ranchers highlight a slate of conferences during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 92nd annual meeting, Jan. 9-12 in Atlanta, Ga.

“Successful farming and ranching in the 21st century involves managing a vast amount of knowledge and information on a day-to-day basis,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “This can be a real challenge, but by attending AFBF’s annual meeting in Atlanta in January, Farm Bureau members can cut through the clutter and return home with a better understanding of how all the various issues impact their lives and livelihoods.”

Leading the environmental issues conference will be Bryan Shaw, chairman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Sharing the podium with Shaw will be Charles Bronson, Florida’s 10th agriculture commissioner, who as head of the nation’s largest agriculture department has been in the middle of numerous water quality battles in Florida, most recently as part of EPA’s efforts to establish numeric nutrient criteria. Other featured conferences will address timely and relevant issues such as the outlook for the 2012 Farm Bill, food safety issues and the latest information regarding animal welfare from an agricultural perspective. Also on the agenda will be the latest update on the crops and livestock markets featuring Gerald Bange, chairman of USDA’s World Agriculture Outlook Board.

Farm Bureau members will also have the opportunity to learn how to successfully use social media to both network with other farmers and reach out to consumers. Speakers addressing “Grassroots Engagement with Social Media” will include Dan Toland with the Ohio Farm Bureau, California rancher Jeff Fowle, Farm Bureau member and president of the AgChat Foundation, and Minnesota dairy farmer and Farm Bureau member Emily Zweber.

More than 5,000 Farm Bureau members from across the nation are expected to attend AFBF’s annual meeting. Farm Bureau members can register for the 92nd AFBF annual meeting through their state Farm Bureaus. Find out more about how to register here.

AFBF

New Logo For National Corn Growers Association

Chuck Zimmerman

The National Corn Growers Association has unveiled a new logo or brandmark. This will take some getting used to since the “old” one was in use for decades. But I like it. How about you?

“In August, we reached a record membership level of 36,216 individual dues paying members,” said NCGA President Bart Schott, a corn farmer in Kulm, N.D. “We’ve also got a record number of entries in our National Corn Yield Contest as it approaches its 50th year, and more and more of our growers are becoming more involved in our organization.”

“We are always taking a fresh look at how to approach what we do and just as farmers embrace new technology and new ideas for their fields, so too it has become time to embrace a new look and feel for our national organization,” Schott added. “This new symbol for our association reflects our movement forward as a team working to create and increase opportunities for corn growers, and harvesting progress along the way.”

Ag Groups, Corn, NCGA

LPC Royal Gala Photos

Chuck Zimmerman

The Livestock Publications Council held its annual Royal Gala and once again I could not make it. But thanks to the LPC Facebook Group page we have photos like this one.

Funds raised at the event are used for the ongoing improvement of the LPC Heritage Center at the American Royal. Maybe I can make it next year! Sure looks like fun.

LPC, Media

AGROPRESS Holds Second National Conference in Serbia

Chuck Zimmerman

I need a sponsor to go find out what’s new in the world of agribusiness in Serbia. Any volunteers? One of my IFAJ buddies, Goran Djakovic, has invited the ag press to come visit next May. This is a photo from an event that just took place in Serbia.

The second national conference “Agribusiness Serbia – Development Priorities 2011” took place October 26, 2010. This event was organized by the Association of Agricultural Journalists AGROPRESS, in cooperation with the USAID Agribusiness project, and with support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management.

The gathering counted around 250 participants – the most distinguished representatives of agricultural associations, companies, international organizations and the media. Over 50 journalists from Serbia and abroad, as well as numerous journalists members of AGROPRESS, informed about the event.

President of the Board of Directors of AGROPRESS Goran Djakovic welcomed participants and announced “Balkan Tour 2011 – Serbia”, a 5 day long workshop-tour through the Serbian agribusiness sector for international agricultural journalists. It will take place May 18-23, 2011. More on the Tour: http://www.agropress.org.rs/workshop-serbia-2011.html.

International, Media

Cotton Incorporated Cottonseed Video Contest

Chuck Zimmerman

Cotton Incorporated is asking dairy producers to get creative with their video cameras in order to win a free truckload of whole cottonseed, along with other prizes. It’s the “Innovative on-farm storage solutions for cottonseed contest.” Launching November 1, the contest invites dairy producers to grab their cameras and show off their cottonseed storage savvy.

While fun at heart, the video contest was created with purpose: to educate fellow dairy producers about innovative and cost-effective storage solutions for the feedstuff, supplies for which are forecast to double in 2010-11. The contest will live on Cotton Incorporated’s recently launched website, www.wholecottonseed.com. The new website and contest coexist to engage progressive dairy producers with whole fuzzy cottonseed in a new and interactive way.

Enter The Cottonseed Video Contest from Whole Cottonseed on Vimeo.

The video contest entry requires dairy producers to demonstrate in three minutes or less an innovative storage solution for cottonseed. Entries must be submitted at www.wholecottonseed.com/contest by December 10, 2010. Cotton Incorporated will select the top five videos, based on the following criteria weighed at 25 percent each: originality, maintenance of seed quality, economic feasibility and presentation (clarity of message, creative, professional delivery). The five finalists will receive a $500 Visa® gift card and a Kodak® flip camera and digital picture frame. The public will subsequently have the opportunity to vote and elect the winning video. The recipient of the grand prize shall receive a free truckload of cottonseed worth approximately $5,000.

Ag Groups, Cotton, Video

NAFB President-Elect Ready for Convention

Cindy Zimmerman

The big event of the year for farm broadcasters and everyone else associated in the business is just around the corner – are you ready?

lindsay hillThe president-elect of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) has everything in place for the annual meeting in Kansas City next week and she is very excited about some of the changes in store this year.

“We really listened to what people gave us in terms of feedback from last year’s convention,” says Lindsay Hill of Ohio’s ABN Radio Network. “People were telling us, we want more news makers, we want more professional development.” So – news makers and professional development were expanded. There will be three back-to-back professional improvement sessions on Wednesday afternoon and a keynote session on Friday featuring Scott McKain, author of “Collapse of Distinction.” There will be a news maker session on Wednesday morning on the future of agriculture, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will visit on Thursday afternoon after Trade Talk, and then another news maker session on Friday morning.

Speaking of Trade Talk, Lindsay says it will be a little bit longer this year. “We stretched it out just an extra 30 minutes, because a lot of broadcasters said they didn’t even have time to get lunch, so hopefully that will help.” Business sessions have been changed around a bit, with the all council meeting still on Thursday afternoon, but the separate council meetings and regional meeting on Friday afternoon.

Thursday night will feature entertainment with Sammy Kershaw and Friday night’s President’s banquet will be an “Evening in Hollywood.” There is lots more in the jam-packed schedule, so be sure to check it all out in the on-line agenda. If you have not registered yet, don’t miss out! On-line registration is closed, but you can still register on site.

Listen to or download my interview with Lindsay here: Lindsay Hill Interview

Audio, NAFB

Dairy and Beef For Alltech

Chuck Zimmerman

Dairy or Beef. The choice is yours at the Alltech Global 500. We’ve got two conferences taking place this year as the company expands on its successful dairy conference.

I’ll be focusing on dairy quite a bit while Alltech’s Dave Butler takes care of the beef side but we’ll be sharing content. My photos will be loaded into this album during the conference: Alltech Global 500 Photo Album. I’ll post links to additional resources as soon as I can.

This evening we kick off with a Kentucky Ale welcome reception which is staring soon. It’s going to be a fun week in Lexington!

Agribusiness, Alltech, Animal Health