Happy FAPRI Anniversary

Cindy Zimmerman

For 25 years a group of University of Missouri economists has provided commodity price projections and policy analysis to the U.S. Congress, international trade negotiators, farm groups and farmers.

FAPRI 25th anniversaryOn Friday, the MU Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) celebrated its silver anniversary with a gathering of friends and supporters, including Missouri Senator Kit Bond and FAPRI founder Abner Womack.

Womack has turned over leadership of the unit started in 1984 to professors Pat Westhoff and Willi Meyers, co-directors of MU FAPRI. He continues as FAPRI adviser and professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics.

“Every acre of crop land in the world and every cow in the world’s herd are represented in our models,” Womack said of the analytical team he founded 25 years ago. “Our main job remains in giving unbiased facts, based on numbers. We don’t make policy recommendations,” Womack said. “We present the facts and let policymakers determine the answers. That is our strength.”

A silver edition Web site shows a policy timeline, a history of MU FAPRI, videos, letters and quotes from supporters.

Research, University

Global Harvest Initiative Webcast

Cindy Zimmerman

A high-level symposium held by the Global Harvest Initiative in Washington, D.C., will be Webcast live on Tuesday, September 22. The symposium, featuring U.S. leaders in food and agriculture, is focusing on ways to sustainably double agricultural output to meet rapidly growing global demand anticipated by the United Nations.

Global HarvestGlobal Harvest Initiative’s Symposium, Agriculture at a Crossroads will include a keynote address by U.S. Senator Richard Lugar and a roundtable on agriculture innovation and productivity challenges by the CEOs of the companies that founded the Global Harvest Initiative – Archer Daniels Midland, DuPont, John Deere, and Monsanto. Other speakers represent the World Food Prize, World Wildlife Fund and Farm Foundation, among many others.

To view the 9:00 a.m. to 5: 00 p.m. EST live Webcast, go to www.globalharvestinitiative.org.

Ag Groups, Agribusiness

Arenus Makes Splash with Dock Dogs

Cindy Zimmerman

ArenusFor a decade now, DockDogs have been entertaining audiences around the world with their high flying canines. To support their efforts, STEADFAST® CANINE, a joint health supplement from Arenus, will sponsor the 2009 DockDogs National Championship.

Scheduled for October 16-18 at King’s Island Resort in Mason, OH, the national championship will be the single largest event that the association has ever hosted. It is estimated that 400 teams and 800 entries will participate. Four pools will be on hand to accommodate the record number of competitors.

Arenus“STEADFAST® CANINE is pleased to partner with DockDogs to promote the high demand sport of canine dock jumping. It was a rewarding experience to see these canine athletes perform at the DockDogs World Championship in Minnesota,” said Celeste Mohatt, Marketing Manager for Arenus. “We are proud to be back at DockDogs Nationals as the preferred joint health supplement.”

Arenus, a division of Novus Nutrition Brands, LLC, creates products like STEADFAST® CANINE that draw upon over 15 years of proven research, field studies and expertise in animal health and nutrition from Novus Nutrition Brands’ parent company, Novus International, Inc.

Novus International

Ag Commissioners Urge Protection of Farmland

Cindy Zimmerman

Most of the country’s original colonies are urging the federal government to preserve and protect our nation’s farmland.

“Protecting farmland for future agricultural use is of utmost importance to every citizen of the United States… so critical to maintaining the future viability of our agricultural sectors and rural communities,” said agriculture commissioners and officials from
13 states in a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Of those 13 states, 11 were among the original colonies, which actually became 18 of our present day states. They include Connecticut, Deleware, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. The others that signed the letter are Ohio and Michigan.

American Farmland TrustAmerican Farmland Trust (AFT) coordinated the letter commenting on the federal Interim Final Rule regarding the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP), and AFT Senior Director of Farmland Protection Programs Bob Wagner says the states signing the letter represent over 70 percent of all the acreage protected under state farmland protection programs. “These states recognize that the federal government has been a key partner in helping protect farmland since 1995, and they are offering improvements to the FRPP program so that it can be most effective and efficient,” said Wagner.

While there are differences in agricultural practices by the states in the region, the letter identified common issues of concern, and asked that the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) allow the states maximum discretion to implement FRPP as Congress directed in the 2008 Farm Bill.

Farming, USDA

#FuelChat Scheduled

Cindy Zimmerman

fuel chatThe Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is hosting a second open on-line Twitter #FuelChat to answer questions and offer information about all things ethanol on September 23 at 2:00 pm Eastern time.

The first #FuelChat was held in July during the evening hours but after some consultation and research, it was decided that a daytime chat might be better for those who want to engage in the conversation. Topics for the conversation are in development and suggestions should be sent to #FuelChat.

Participants can use the application TweetChat, using #FuelChat to see live comments and questions being posted and join in the chat. For those not currently using Twitter, the first step is would be to set up an account with Twitter. Those who have never taken part in a live on-line chat are welcome to just tune in to see how it works.

Ethanol, RFA

Awards for Successful Farming and Agriculture.com

Cindy Zimmerman

The young and beginning farmers behind the Farmers for the Future project at Successful Farming magazine and Agriculture.com netted the media company two awards at the recent Media Industry News (MIN) Integrated Marketing Awards held in New York. Pictured accepting the awards on behalf of Successful Farming magazine are John Walter, Executive Editor and Jeff Caldwell, Multimedia Editor.

Successful AwardThe Farmers for the Future program took home two honorable mention awards. The first came in the Total Integrated Program category that honors projects comprising multimedia editorial content, events and programs.

The Farmers for the Future program includes feature stories in Successful Farming magazine, a microsite and multimedia content on Agriculture.com, a young and beginning farmer conference and a social network site.

The Farmers for the Future social network was awarded in MIN’s Social Media Program category. The network that began in September 2008 has more than 2,100 members and offers members myriad ways to connect with one another, including blogs, forums, chat and video chat. The Farmers for the Future project is sponsored by DEKALB and the Farm Credit Foundation.

Media

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The National FFA Organization announced that Dr. W. Dwight Armstrong of Dayton, OH, will become chief operating officer effective Oct. 5, 2009.
  • Fastline is pleased to announce the new Auctions.Fastline.com. This new online auction is designed to offer Fastline customers an easy and effective tool to sell their farm and construction equipment to their audience.
  • Thirty-eight college students from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin will be able to continue their education with help from GROWMARK. Click here for the list of recipients.
  • Recognized with the Ed Bible Distinguished Service Award for her dedication and service to LPC is Becky Terry, Winchester, Kan.
    Zimfo Bytes

    NCGA Launches Markets Now Member Benefit

    Chuck Zimmerman

    NCGA MarketsHere’s another reason to be a member of the National Corn Growers Association. Now you can get your markets on your mobile phone as a new member benefit. Our friends at Commodity Update who also make AgWired Mobile possible are powering the new service. You can find out more on the NCGA website.

    The National Corn Growers Association announced the launch of a new membership benefit that provides access to market updates through mobile phone messages. The program, called NCGA Markets NOW!, will keep subscribing members informed of the information that growers need when deciding when to sell their crop.

    “When we came across this opportunity, we felt that it was a perfect fit. NCGA Markets NOW! provides members with the information that they need to make the best possible choices for their operation,” said Tim Dolan, Chairman of NCGA’s Grower Services Action Team. “In doing so, it furthers the association’s mission of promoting the best interests of the American corn producer.”

    The NCGA Markets NOW! service is fully customizable and provides both scheduled updates and on demand services. The service works with the members existing cell phone and is available through virtually every cell phone carrier. Easy to use, other groups utilizing similar services have reported nearly universal satisfaction.

    Ag Groups, Markets, NCGA

    2009 NAFB Foundation Toy Tractor Available

    Chuck Zimmerman

    NAFB Foundation TractorIf you would like to support the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Foundation then here’s one way you can do it. Place your order now for the 2009 NAFB Foundation Toy Tractor!

    This year’s model, a Farmall Super M…once again designed and signed by Joe Ertl, is available on a limited basis.

    Click here or visit www.nafb.com to order today!

    NAFB