DC Media Question Motives of GIPSA Boss

Cindy Zimmerman

The head of USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) has been the subject of two recent articles by Washington DC watchdog reporters who are questioning his objectivity when it comes to writing new rules for the livestock industry.

J. Dudley Butler, a Mississippi trial lawyer, was appointed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in May of 2009 to serve as Administrator of GIPSA and immediately charged with coming up with a new rule to protect livestock producers against “unfair, fraudulent or retaliatory practices” as required by the 2008 Farm Bill and through existing authority under the Packers and Stockyards Act. That rule was announced in June 2010.

Last week, Big Government’s Capitol Confidential did a piece about Butler entitled “Fox Guarding the Hen House” which focuses on how the GIPSA head could profit from the rule he proposed once he returns to private practice as a trial attorney. The article notes a comment Butler made in a speech to the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM), an organization that he helped to found, in August 2009 – after he was appointed to the USDA position. Here’s the quote, in context from Beef Magazine, highlighting the significant phrase. “When you have a term like ‘unfair, unreasonable or undue prejudice,’ that’s a plaintiff lawyer’s dream,” Butler says in the clip. “We can get in front of a jury with that. We won’t get thrown out on what we call summary judgment because that’s a jury question.”

The Hill picked up on the story this week, saying that some things don’t mix well, like “trial lawyers and regulation of the cattle industry.” The article notes that cattle producers have a reason to be concerned about Butler – “a regulatory boss with a background in suing the very industry he now regulates, and one can readily understand the apprehension among many cattlemen and beef producers.”

Both articles note that congressional leaders have already called Butler’s actions into question, but that the Obama administration appears to be unconcerned. It does seem to be a clear conflict of interest and one has to wonder why Butler was appointed to do this job in the first place.

Livestock, Media, USDA

Mid South NAMA Gets Social

Chuck Zimmerman

The Mid South NAMA chapter lunch meeting is about to get started. I’ll post a different photo later. We’re just mingling before eating and doing some social media talk.

Janice Person, Monsanto, and I are tag teaming a presentation. The chapter conducted a member survey prior to the mtg. to find out what level of social media participation the members were involved in and solicit questions. I’ll post more on that later.

In the meantime, you can use the Twitter hashtag #midsouthnama to follow tweets or add you’re own. We’re posing some of the questions there and seeking input. Thank you.

Post Update: Our session has concluded. We had a full one with over 30 attending. That’s really good for a NAMA meeting today. I think this topic is still of great interest to a lot of agricultural companies and member organizations. We had some really good questions that included:

• What is the most significant benefit and most significant drawback (real or potential) of a trade association trying to improve its reputation through a significant commitment to social networking ?
• Is this a viable marketing tool for agriculture yet? Especially considering the average age of farmers is in the high 50’s.
• How widespread is use among ag audiences
• How to make $$ in the ag world with social media?
• How to combat crack-pot posters!
• How do you manage Social Media with existing staff and budget …. full time.
• How are you measuring the value?
• Compared with personal use of social media, how much are farmers using it for business and how much do they want to use it for business?
• Where is it all going?
• How do you manage the proper updating of material and responses and how do you measure the impact?

I invite you to post your responses to these questions in comments. Janice and I provided our answers in our session and would be happy to discuss these topics if you contact us.

NAMA

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Senninger Irrigation announces the introduction of their new UP3 (Universal Pivot Products Platform). The new features of this design have been applied to the proven technologies of the i-Wob, Xi-Wob and LDN.
  • Monsanto Company and the Makhteshim Agan Group announced an agreement that makes Makhteshim Agan key partner of selected offpatent molecules to support Monsanto’s Roundup Ready PLUS weed management platform.
  • Applications are being accepted until Dec. 13 for the popular Almond Industry Leadership Program.
  • Bayer CropScience announced that import tolerances (Maximum Residue Levels) for its Movento and Ultor insecticides have been established on certain commodities intended for export to Japan, effective immediately.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Agri Marketing Announces Product Awards

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Agri Marketing Magazine has announced two awards this year. The first one is their 2010 Product of the Year which is AgriGold’s GIANTS.

    “The judges voted unanimously for AgriGold’s GIANTS,” says Lynn Henderson, Publisher of Agri Marketing. “We have set very rigorous standards for a product to be named, including the benefit and value added to the marketplace, strategic marketing, share of market and sales growth and other industry recognition the product has achieved. AgriGold’s GIANTS were voted first in all categories.”

    “We will be publishing a special supplement with the next issue of Agri Marketing magazine providing in-depth look at the GIANT’S remarkable success,” says Henderson.

    This is the twelfth year the magazine has been conducting its Product of the Year program. “The program is designed to recognize the outstanding technology that is being introduced to agricultural producers and the exceptional marketing program supporting it,” Henderson said.

    In addition to the Product of the Year award the magazine has also announced a 2010 New Product of the Year – SmartStax Corn which was developed jointly by Dow AgroSciences and Monsanto.

    “This is the first time we have awarded a NEW Product of the Year,” says Lynn Henderson, Publisher of Agri Marketing. “For over a decade, we have awarded the Product of the Year award. This year we decided to issue that award again-to a product that has been in the commercial market place for over two years-and the NEW Product that, as the name implies, is in its initial year of introduction.

    “Both awards have very rigorous standards including the benefit and value added to the marketplace, strategic marketing, share of market and sales growth and other industry recognition the product has achieved,” Henderson adds.

    “It is interesting to note that initial reports showed some corn hybrids containing the SmartStax trait were yielding somewhat lower than those containing triple stacks,” Henderson observes. “However, as harvest progressed and more reports were received, the SmartStax hybrids were consistently yielding higher than the triples. In addition, the judges cited the trait’s ability to provide much more comprehensive insect control, regardless of the genetics used in the hybrid.

    Agribusiness, Media

    AdFarm Has a Passion For Agriculture

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCast 279In this edition of the ZimmCast we’ll meet Roger Reierson, President, AdFarm . Cindy spoke with Roger to learn what’s new at the agency. We’re continuing this series of interviews with leadership at agricultural marketing agencies which seems to have drawn a lot of attention and many more to come.

    With a name like AdFarm you would think the company has a passion for agriculture and that’s exactly what Roger told Cindy. The company started working on ag projects with offices in Canada and Fargo, ND. They went through a re-branding effort that included new offices and additional staff. They “don’t do anything but agriculture.” They believe they’re an agricultural company that does marketing and communications for agriculture. When it comes to what’s new Roger points to the area of being a “catalyst” for agriculture. An example would be a project in California to bring farmers into the world of social media. Roger says the agency has been on the forefront of social media marketing in agriculture with staff who have been strong advocates of the platform. He says it becomes an integral part of strategy for messaging and telling your story in a broader way than was possible just a few years ago. As he puts it, “it’s a global platform.”

    When it comes to marketing AdFarm itself Roger says the members of the staff do a lot of communications directly with farmers (in their little red truck). They want to gain insights from them to bring to their work. He says that most of the staff have a direct connection with agriculture through college degrees or a family farm. They’ve also launched a new website that is very social media oriented.

    Please enjoy this week’s program: ZimmCast 279 - Interview with Roger Reierson

    Make sure you subscribe to the AdFarm Around The Farm Blog.

    This week’s program ends with some fun music from Music Alley. It’s a song titled, “NewsFlash” by Eileen Carey. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

    Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsors, Novus International, and Leica Geosytems for their support.

    The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our a Subscribe page

    Agencies, Audio, ZimmCast

    Support NAFB Foundation For Chance To Flip

    Chuck Zimmerman

    If you’re a member of the NAFB Foundation Booster Club then it’s time to renew. If you’re not, then join today. For incentive you’ll be in a drawing for a new Flip camera.

    The NAFB Foundation Booster Club campaign is in full swing! A big thank you to all of the generous individuals and companies that have contributed to the 2010 Booster Club! We are still working toward our goal of $21,000.

    It’s not too late to give and help the NAFB Foundation achieve its goal. All those who have contributed $100 or more in 2010, including those that give at the convention, will have their name entered in a drawing to win one of two Flip video camcorders.

    All contributions made on-site will automatically be included. If you can’t make it to the NAFB Convention, you can still make your contribution online or by mailing a check to the NAFB office. To be eligible for the drawing contributions made before the convention must be received by close of business Friday, November 5.

    Your support to help protect the future of ag and rural broadcasting is greatly appreciated. We hope we can count on your support!

    NAFB

    Agri-Pulse Pledge to Expand UI Communications Program

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Agri-Pulse Communications is putting their money where their mouth is to help communications students at the University of Illinois (UI) get the education they need to compete in a new media world.

    Agri-Pulse“In today’s 24-7 news cycle, agriculture needs to have highly trained communicators who can write, broadcast, blog, tweet and utilize other types of communication tools in a way that provides audiences with accurate and timely information,” says Agri-Pulse Editor Sara Wyant. “This program has the potential to attract top talent for teaching and research.”

    To that end, Agri-Pulse has announced a $10,000 pledge to UI to enhance its joint agricultural communications program with a first-of-its kind endowed chair in agricultural communications, named after distinguished professor James F. Evans, to support teaching and research in the field. As part of this joint program between the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) and the College of Media, the university plans to have at least three teaching positions and include initiatives in environmental and consumer communications.

    “Dr. Evans has been a wonderful teacher and mentor for hundreds in agricultural communications and we are extremely pleased that the chair will be named in his honor,” adds Wyant. “This donation is a way for my husband, Allan Johnson, and I to give back to those who have helped us grow and prosper as agricultural communicators and demonstrate our support for the development of bright, capable experts who can communicate about food, feed, fiber, fuel, natural resources and rural development.” Sara’s son, Jordan Lutz, is a sophomore at UI studying agricultural and biological engineering,

    Others can donate to the cause or find out more here.

    Education, Media

    Zimfo Bytes

    Melissa Sandfort

      Zimfo Bytes

    • Cellectis plant sciences announced that it has signed a licensing agreement with Midwest Oilseeds Inc. The agreement provides Cellectis plant sciences with the ability to utilize Midwest’s Aerosol Beam Injector technology for precise modification of plant genomes.
    • Ag Software Designs, LLC is pleased to announce the launch of FieldRx, an independent web-based precision ag engine to be used by ag professionals for creating site-specific field prescriptions.
    • Bayer CropScience is pleased to announce the return of Movento and Ultor insecticides, which received re-issued registrations from the EPA.
    • New Holland Agriculture was presented with two awards for engineering innovation by the Agrosalon 2010 Exhibition committee: for the CSX7000 combine’s Opti-Fan system and the FR9000 forage harvester’s IntelliFill system.
      Zimfo Bytes

      They Just Don’t Make ‘Em…

      Melissa Sandfort

      …like they used to. I hear that same phrase muttered under the breath of house wives when it comes to washing machines and blenders, and the same from farmers when it comes to equipment. Things are made faster, cheaper, and don’t last as long as they used to. I think that’s to encourage continued consumer spending.

      Take this bridge for example. I almost wandered around in the weeds to look for a “patent date” marked on it because I’m quite sure it was built in the early 1900s. A century-old bridge. We celebrate century-old farms, and today I marvel that a bridge can last this long. The next thought that went through my head was – how do combines get over this bridge? I guess they don’t. They just take the other way around.

      There’s a story that goes along with this bridge. It involves a kitten, blanket and an old-school cooler that we couldn’t get the lid off of. I’ll save that story for another time.

      Until we walk again…

      Uncategorized

      FFA Convention Sets Record and Honors Advisor

      Cindy Zimmerman

      The 83rd National FFA Convention, which concluded over the weekend in Indianapolis, set an all-time event attendance record with a total crowd of 54,942 members, advisors, sponsors and guests.

      The new slate of young leaders for the organization are pictured here, left to right: Riley Pagett of Oklahoma, president; Landan Schaffert of Colorado, secretary; Shannon Norris of New Mexico, western region VP; James Flatt of Tennessee, southern region VP; Tiffany Rogers of Michigan, eastern region VP; and Wyatt DeJong of South Dakota, central region VP.

      The organization recognized the service of and bid farewell to its long-time national FFA advisor, Dr. Larry D. Case, who will retire on Jan. 1, 2011. “FFA members, you are the future and you make this Missouri farm boy proud,” Dr. Case said to the crowd at the convention. “I’m a thankful man. More than anything I’m thankful for the love of my family…thank you from the bottom of my heart for making it possible for me to be of service to others.”

      To honor Dr. Case for his 26 years of service to the organization, the FFA instituted the Larry D. and Joy L. Case Endowment that will be used to benefit agricultural instructor training, student leader development and global agriculture career opportunities. As of Oct. 22, $63,500 has been raised for the Case Endowment principal. T-shirts with the national advisor’s face are being sold and “FFAowl” can be texted to 20222 by any cell phone and $10 will be donated to the endowment.

      FFA