Trailblazers and Beef Advocates

Cindy Zimmerman

Speaking of beef, Markie Hageman was selected as the 2021 Beef Advocate of the Year and also named as one of the very first industry Trailblazers.

The Advocate of the Year award, given by the Beef Checkoff-funded Masters of Beef Advocacy (MBA) program, recognizes one outstanding beef advocate for their efforts in educating consumers about cattle and beef. Hageman was selected for her success in creating social media content that highlights the benefits of beef production, the cattle industry and what it’s like being a first-generation rancher in California.

She is also one of ten beef community spokespeople chosen through a competitive application process for the industry’s new Trailblazers program, developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. Chandler Mulvaney, NCBA director of grassroots advocacy & spokesperson development, says the Trailblazers will receive specialized training to serve as industry spokespeople and inform beef advocates at the local and state levels on advocacy, media and spokesperson best practices. Every year new Trailblazers will be accepted into the program.

Listen to interviews from the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show last week with both Hageman and Mulvaney.
CIC22 Interview with Chandler Mulvaney, NCBA 5:44
CIC22 Interview with Markie Hageman, Beef Advocate 8:15

2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Beef Checkoff, Cattle Industry Conference

Heil Sound, Makers of ZimmComm Gold Mics, Changes Owners

Chuck Zimmerman

Heil SoundHeil Sound, makers of the famous Golden ZimmComm Microphone, have transferred ownership from the founder and his wife. I have had the fortune to talk with Bob Heil about the model PR 20 microphones. He was intrigued by the fact that we use them to interview farmers and all kinds of people involved in agribusiness around the world.

Heil Sound, the Fairview Heights, Illinois-based manufacturer of professional microphones, has announced the successful transfer of ownership from Bob and Sarah Heil to current President and CEO, Ash Levitt, and Director of Operations, Steve Warford. Sarah Heil has retired, but Bob will continue to do outreach work and product design within the amateur radio space under the title Founder and CEO Emeritus.

Gold Heil PR 20When discussing the transition, Heil said, “My life has been about achieving great sound, whether on the concert stage or in the amateur radio world. I’ve watched Heil Sound go from a regional sound company to a world-class microphone manufacturer. This company has been my passion but it is time for me to step aside. There is no better team to carry the company forward than Ash and Steve, and I have the utmost confidence in them.”

We wish Bob and his wife all the best. Their microphones have been used to conduct thousands of interviews over the years. If you have been interviewed by us then you are a member of the ZimmComm Golden Mic Club, a special group that includes U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture, global company CEOs and farmers of all commodities.

Two people are responsible for our choice in using this microphone and especially the gold color (a special edition). Steve Mays, who I worked with at Learfield Communications mentioned them to me and Tom Slunecka, Minnesota Soybeans, coined the Golden ZimmComm Microphone name. Here’s a big thank you to both of them for what has been one of the best equipment decisions we’ve made.

Equipment, Podcasts

Preview of the 2022 CIRB Annual Meeting

Cindy Zimmerman

The 58th Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) Annual Meeting is coming up this week, February 9-11, at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, CA.

CIRB Executive Vice President Mike Torrey says everyone will be happy to be in person again after having a virtual meeting last year. “Because it’s been so long since we’ve been together, a lot happened in the market place and in the ag economy,” said Torrey. “The theme of this is Resilience and everything is going to be geared around these challenges.”

Founded in 1964 and headquartered on Capitol Hill, CIRB offers advocacy, support and membership services to the crop insurance and reinsurance community, and coordinates the Crop Insurance Coalition, which Torrey says has proven to be helpful over the past two years with limited access to lawmakers in Washington DC. “When it was built, nobody knew something like COVID would happen,” Torrey said. “But the coalition has allowed the industry to continue to have the means to educate new members of Congress.”

CIRB22 preview interview with Mike Torrey, CIRB (12:26)

Audio, CIRB, Crop Insurance

Industry Ag News 2/4

Carrie Muehling

  • Exhibit space at the 2022 Commodity Classic in New Orleans has nearly sold out, with 389 companies committing to the trade show floor.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new USDA Market News Mobile Application, providing producers and everyone else in the supply chain with instant access to current and historical market information. The initial version of the free app includes nearly 800 livestock, poultry, and grain market reports, with additional commodities added throughout the coming year.
  • The Progressive Agriculture Foundation has named Susan Turner of Tompkinsville, Kentucky, as its new outreach specialist, and announced the promotion of Jana Davidson to program manager.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association welcomed Farmers Business Network/Gradable as its newest associate member. FBN is an independent ag tech platform and farmer-to-farmer network with a mission to power the prosperity of family farmers around the world while working towards a sustainable future.
  • Transportation Go!, the premier conference for soybean and grain transportation and trade issues in the Upper Midwest, announced that Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Daniel B. Maffei and Surface Transportation Board Vice-Chairman Robert E. Primus have agreed to appear at this year’s conference, March 3-4 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
  • The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is celebrating and uplifting outstanding agricultural literacy programs with a total of $26,000 in scholarships and grants to help educators, volunteers and communities connect agriculture to students’ daily lives.
  • California walnut growers recently voted to continue their marketing order, which means the California Walnut Board will continue its efforts to advance the industry and drive demand for walnuts. The continuance referendum vote was held from December 6-31, 2021 for eligible growers and is required by its Federal Marketing Order every six years.
  • Land O’Lakes, Inc. kicked off the third season of its Something Greater podcast with a conversation about the future of carbon markets and sustainable farming. In the episode Jason Weller, President of Truterra, the sustainability business of Land O’Lakes, and Lukas Fricke, a Nebraska farmer, discussed how farmers can be compensated for implementing sustainable practices.
  • Syngenta announced that after 44 years of dedicated service with the company, Dennis Kelly, head of State Government Relations, will retire on April 1, 2022.
  • Curious Plot announced Dean Huff – an agency veteran with wide experience integrating traditional and digital communications functions across the food, agriculture and pet sectors – has joined the company as executive vice president, integration lead.
  • Meister Media Worldwide announced the sale of the Florida Grower brand and related assets to AgNet Media, effective March 1, 2022.
Zimfo Bytes

Minnesota Cattleman Takes Reins as New NCBA President

Cindy Zimmerman

Don Schiefelbein, a Minnesota seedstock breeder and cattle feeder, became the new president of the National Cattlemens Beef Association (NCBA) during the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention this week in Houston. Schiefelbein and his family operate Schiefelbein Farms, a diversified farming operation in Kimball, Minn.

The 2022 NCBA officer team, approved by the NCBA board of directors, took office at the end of this year’s convention. Todd Wilkinson of South Dakota was named president-elect and Mark Eisele of Wyoming was elected vice president. Nebraska rancher Buck Wehrbein was elected chair of the NCBA Policy Division and stocker/backgrounder Gene Copenhaver of Virginia was elected policy vice chair. Brad Hastings of Texas and Clark Price of North Dakota were elected as chair and vice chair of the NCBA Federation Division, respectively.

Before returning to the family farm, Schiefelbein served as the executive director of the American Gelbvieh Association, and previously worked for the North American Limousin Association after graduating from Texas A&M University. Schiefelbein has a long history of industry service, most recently in the role as chair of the Beef Industry Long Range Planning Committee. He has also held several positions on committees and the board of directors of the American Angus Association. In addition, Schiefelbein is a past president of the Minnesota Cattlemen’s Association.

Schiefelbein plans to focus on several priorities, including ensuring NCBA members’ voices are heard as the organization continues to grow, uniting its membership and making sure NCBA is at the forefront of issues that impact the cattle industry to protect producer interests.

Learn more about him in this interview.
CIC22 Interview with Don Schiefelbein, 2022 NCBA President 4:38

2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

NCBA Convention Virtual Newsroom

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA

2021 Environmental Stewardship Award Regional Winners

Cindy Zimmerman

Seven of the nation’s top cattle operations were recognized as Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) regional winners for their environmental conservation efforts during the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in Houston, Texas this week. The regional winners will compete for the national award, which will be presented during NCBA’s Summer Business Meeting in Reno, Nevada, July 25-28, 2022.

Established in 1991, by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association to recognize outstanding land stewards in the cattle industry, the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) is generously sponsored by Corteva Agriscience, McDonald’s, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation.

Here is a list of the winners, with interviews for five of the seven. Pictures of all the winners can be found on the convention website.

Region I: EZ Acres, LLC, Homer, New York
Brothers Mike and Pete McMahon manage more than 2,500 acres of the sixth-generation family-owned dairy cattle farm and beef operation.

Region II: Vaughn Farms, Forsyth, Georgia
James Vaughn, his wife, children and sister manage nearly 5,600 acres which are devoted to producing forage crops, providing pastureland for their cattle, and managing timberland for pulp, lumber and energy production.

Region III: Robbins Land & Cattle, Scranton, Iowa
Justin and Lacie Robbins manage their Iowa row crop and cattle operation based on the responsible use of natural resources.
CIC22 Interview with ESAP winner Justin Robbins, Iowa 2:26

Region IV: Dry Creek Ranch, San Angelo, Texas
After a 26-year career in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, Carl and his wife, Pat, returned to the family ranch to establish a registered Hereford cattle herd and continue conservation practices and improvements.
CIC22 Interview with ESAP winner Carl and Pat Schlinke, Texas 4:56

Region V: Joe C King & Sons Ranch, Winnett, Montana
The King family operates with the belief that their area of Montana is best left as native range where cattle, wildlife and the landscape can live in harmony with each other and act as a mutually beneficial system.
CIC22 Interview with ESAP winner Chris King, Montana 1:52

Region VI: JY Ferry & Son, Inc., Corinne, Utah
Sustainability has long been an objective for JY Ferry & Son, with a 100-year history of conservation focusing on agricultural practices that conserve water, energy and other natural resources.
CIC22 Interview with ESAP winner John Ferry, Utah 2:05

Region VII: Blair Brothers Angus Ranch, Vale, South Dakota
Blair Brothers Angus Ranch is a family-owned operation focused on embracing conservation practices that enhance soil, water, livestock and wildlife.
CIC22 Interview with ESAP winner Ed Blair, South Dakota 2:34

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, Environment, NCBA

Beef – Here and There, Domestic and Abroad

Cindy Zimmerman

British Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce at #CattleCon22

Cattle producers heard from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie, and British Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce for the last day of the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Thursday.

Secretary Vilsack committed to addressing challenges that producers are facing regarding the supply chain, processing capacity and drought. He recognized the need for increased processing capacity and announced continued assistance for producers who have suffered loss from catastrophic disasters. Under Secretary Robert Bonnie noted the industry’s role in conservation efforts and that cattle producers play a critical role in environmental stewardship goals.

Dame Karen Pierce shared her optimism in strengthening the relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States through continuing negotiations to reach a free trade agreement. As the U.K. places the upmost importance on sustainable beef production, Pierce shared her confidence in the sustainability goals set by NCBA last year.

Listen to their remarks below:
CIC22 USDA Secretary Vilsack 29:29

CIC22 USDA Undersecretary Bonnie 24:45

British Ambassador, Dame Karen Pierce 24:37

2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

NCBA Convention Virtual Newsroom

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA

Alltech Offers Solutions for Healthier Cattle at #CattleCon22

Cindy Zimmerman

Alltech BeefAlltech had its solutions for healthier cattle on display at the https://convention.ncba.org/general-information in Houston, Texas Feb. 1-3.

Laurentia VanRensburg is the technical mineral manager for the Mineral Management platform at Alltech. She was speaking with attendees at the trade show about trace minerals and breeding.
CIC22 Interview with Laurentia VanRensburg, Alltech 4:42

Shelby Roberts, Beef Technical Sales Support for Alltech, discussed the causes and risks of calf scours and how to prevent the spread of pathogens.
CIC22 Interview with Shelby Roberts, Alltech 2:44

2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference

CattleFax Forecasts Positive Profitability Trends in 2022

Cindy Zimmerman

The popular CattleFax Outlook Seminar was back at the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Houston Wednesday.

The overall picture is that cattle price and profitability trends for producers are pointed in the right direction, even as challenges and uncertainty persist with continued disruptions from the pandemic. While issues around labor and packing capacity have lingered, both are expected to improve in the year ahead. These expansions in capacity combined with strong global and domestic consumer beef demand suggests increased profitability across segments, signaling a market that is healthier and more stable in the year ahead.

Kevin Good, vice president of industry relations and analysis at CattleFax, reported that U.S. beef cow inventories have fallen more than 700,000 head from last year and are off nearly 1.6 million from cycle highs. This year, the beef cowherd will near 30.1 million head.

CattleFax CEO Randy Blach concluded the session with an overall positive outlook, expecting margins to improve as cattle supply tightens and producers gain leverage back from packers and retailers, beef demand to remain solid with expected export growth, and utilization and packing capacity to improve over the next few years.

Listen to Blach’s presentation and an interview with Good.
CIC22 Randy Blach, CattleFax 9:01

CIC22 Interview with Kevin Good, CattleFax 5:13

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA

NCBA Releases 2022 Policy Priorities

Cindy Zimmerman

The executive committee of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) approved the organization’s 2022 policy priorities this week during the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, with an emphasis on strengthening the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the cattle industry.

The 2022 priorities include:
Improving market leverage and opportunities through increased access to market data and risk management tools for producers.
Securing the future of the beef industry by protecting crucial tax provisions, limiting regulatory burdens on farms and ranches, and leveling the playing field for producers.
Boosting the resiliency of the beef supply chain by addressing labor shortages, improving processing capacity, expanding technology, and strengthening transportation.
Achieving key cattle industry priorities in the 2023 Farm Bill.

“Cattle markets are going to continue to be a pretty high priority issue,” said Ethan Lane, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs. “And then climate and sustainability I think are going to continue to be top line items as cattle producers recognize what a positive story they have to tell in that space.”

Lane discusses NCBA policy priorities in this interview.
CIC22 Interview with Ethan Lane, NCBA 6:39

The NCBA policy team gave updates in all of their respective areas during the convention on Wednesday.
Ethan Lane, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs
CIC22 Policy Update - Ethan Lane, NCBA 9:50

Animal Health Policy Team: Allison Rivera, Executive Director of Government Affairs; Dr. Kathy Simmons, Chief Veterinarian; Chase DeCoite, Director of Animal Health and Food Safety Policy
CIC22 Animal Health policy update 22:07

Cattle Business Policy Team: Danielle Beck, Director of Government Affairs; Kent Bacus, Senior Director of International Trade and Market Access; Tanner Beymer, Government Affairs and Market Regulatory Policy
CIC22 Business policy update 26:12

Climate Issues Policy Team: Kaitlynn Glover, Public Lands Council; Scott Yager, Chief Environmental Counsel; Mary Thomas-Hart, Environmental Counsel
CIC22 Climate policy update 25:00

2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA