RFA Honors Former Ag Committee Chair Peterson

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association today honored former Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), longtime chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, with the RFA Industry Award, presented during the digital 26th annual National Ethanol Conference.

“I’ve been working on ethanol for a long time. I believe in it, and it’s been a passion of mine and it’s just been a pleasure for me to be able to lend a hand to make sure this industry is successful and moves ahead,” Peterson said in accepting the award. “I’m not going to walk away from ethanol, and now that I’m not in office I don’t know exactly what I’m going to do yet, but I will stay engaged in advocating for agriculture in some way, shape or form. You’re going to have my help— whether you want it or not.”

RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper said, “Congressman Collin Peterson, or ‘The Chairman,’ as anyone involved in agriculture knows him, has been the ethanol industry’s most effective and passionate advocate in the House of Representatives for decades.”

Listen to Cooper presenting the award and Rep. Peterson’s comments.
2021 NEC Industry Award to Rep. Collin Peterson 7:20

2021 National Ethanol Conference virtual newsroom

Audio, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

Farm Journal Grows 2021 Great American Farm Show

Cindy Zimmerman

Farm Journal is ramping up its Farm Journal Field Days™2021 building on the momentum and audience engagement of the inaugural event in 2020.

The one-of-a-kind Great American Farm Show Experience™ features the Pro Farmer Crop Tour™, Farm Journal Field Days and #FarmON™Benefit Concert. It will crisscross through farm country Aug. 16-27 offering attendees the opportunity to participate in person and online. Overall, the Great American Farm Show Experience is the most efficient and effective branding and lead-generation event in all of American agriculture.

Pro Farmer Crop Tour will kick off the two-week blitz of activities with scouts walking fields throughout the Midwest to assess crop conditions and predict corn and soybean yields. The cornerstone of Farm Journal Field Days will be in-person events hosted by some of the nation’s most progressive and influential producers, offering visiting farmers as well as agricultural companies a unique behind-the-scenes look at how they do business.

The grand finale #FarmON Benefit Concert will be live, in an on-farm setting, streamed online and will benefit a non-profit organization. Learn more from Farm Journal.

Events, Farm Journal, Farm Shows

Precision Ag News 2/17

Carrie Muehling

  • Crop insurance is not acting as a barrier to the adoption of conservation practices and has a role in helping farmers maintain healthy soil. That’s according to a new peer-reviewed study in the renowned Journal of Environmental Management. During the study, researchers from Purdue University, Arizona State University, and the Nature Conservancy used interviews and a multi-state survey to determine if crop insurance requirements limited cover crops and conservation tillage for corn producers in the Midwest.
  • For many growers, elite corn hybrids with the most current trait packages are the pivotal factor behind strong yield and profit potential. To give growers highly informed choices, Syngenta increased genetic trialling by more than 30%, offering a deeper, more extensive understanding of how hybrids perform in different environments and soil types. The Trait Conversion Accelerator, a $30 million corn breeding facility in Nampa, Idaho, is home to the Syngenta R&D and seed production site where a majority of Syngenta North American corn trait conversion work takes place.
  • The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) administered oaths of office to its incoming leadership members. Michael Crowder of West Richland, Wash., was sworn in as president of the association. Kim LaFleur of Plympton, Mass., was elected as First Vice President, and Ian Cunningham of Pipestone, Minn., was elected as Second Vice President. NACD’s Southeast Region Executive Board Member Gary Blair of Starkville, Miss., was elected to serve as the association’s Secretary-Treasurer.
  • Farm tractor and self-propelled combine unit sales start the year continuing growth in both the U.S. and Canada according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. U.S. total farm tractor sales rose 24.7 percent in January compared to 2020 while U.S. self-propelled combine sales grew a significant 76.8 percent. U.S. unit sales grew across all segments, with the biggest gains continuing in the small sub-40hp segment (gaining 32.9 percent). 100+hp continued to grow in January, up 1.2 percent, building on a 3.2 percent total gain throughout 2020. Four-wheel-drive units also delivered solid gains, up 33.7 percent for the month.
  • BASF launched the e3® Sustainable Cotton Grower Fund, a unique and unprecedented effort to provide additional economic support for cotton farmers in the e3 Sustainable Cotton program who commit to growing sustainable cotton.
  • The 2Blades Foundation recently entered into a new research collaboration with Bayer, building on earlier work and complementing ongoing efforts to identify new disease resistance genes to combat the growing challenge of Asian soybean rust, a devastating airborne disease of soybean.
  • American soybean growers will now have a tough new EPA-registered seed treatment option for guarding crops from sudden death syndrome (SDS) and improving their yields. It will be made available in the U.S. for the first time through Direct Enterprises, Inc. (DEI), the Indiana-based seed treatment experts.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Overview of the 2021 Top Producer Summit

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm Journal Top Producer SummitFarm Journal’s 2021 Top Producer Summit is underway in Nashville, TN where we’re live in person. The event will continue next week in a virtual format.

To learn more about this unique hybrid type event schedule I visited with Sara Schafer, Editor, Top Producer. Sara talks about the program here which includes several major awards like the Top Producer of the Year. I have a virtual newsroom online for all ag media to be able to access interviews, photos and more on AgNewsWire.

Listen to my interview with Sara here: Interview with Sara Schafer 5:08

Audio, Farm Journal

RFA State of the Ethanol Industry Address

Cindy Zimmerman

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper focused forward in his annual state of the industry address at the 26th annual National Ethanol Conference on ethanol as the essential energy that it is.

“While 2020 was an incredibly difficult year for the ethanol industry, it definitely taught us one thing: When America’s ethanol industry stops running, so does America. Ethanol truly is Essential Energy,” said Cooper.

Looking forward, Cooper said ethanol can and should play a central role in the effort to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The carbon footprint of typical corn ethanol is already 50% better than gasoline, he said, with greater reductions on the way. “Mark my words, zero-carbon corn ethanol is coming,” Cooper said.

Listen to the full address and press availability with reporters below:
2021 NEC State of the Industry, Geoff Cooper, RFA 24:40

RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper press availability
2021 NEC Press Availability with RFA CEO Geoff Cooper 28:41

Audio, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

Animal Ag News 2/15

Carrie Muehling

  • The Livestock Export and Inspection Facility at St. Louis Lambert has enabled the shipment of 150 pigs to Sao Paulo, Brazil. This is the LEIF’s second shipment, the first being to Sao Paulo in November, and is a part of Brazil’s efforts to improve its herd in order to supply pork products to China subsequent to the devastation of the hog population in China caused by the African Swine Fever (ASF), an untreatable virus.
  • Syngenta Seeds, in partnership with the University of Arkansas Resiliency Center (UARC), unveiled newly published research highlighting the potential for beef producers to reduce their environmental footprint by using Enogen® corn for feed.
  • A recent research study determined that implementing ProsperEO™ Liquid in the water of turkeys starting at nine weeks of age increased pounds at the plant, improved feed conversion and reduced mortality. ProsperEO is Ralco’s everyday antibiotic-free water additive containing patented essential oils and prebiotics.
  • The Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin’s leading dairy advocacy group, announced its top legislative and budget priorities for this year’s session. Among the group’s areas of focus are improving the program that regulates larger farms, protecting customers with truth-in-labeling bills for dairy products and meat, and responding to challenges posed by COVID-19. The announcement came just before the start of DBA’s annual Dairy Strong conference.
  • Phibro Animal Health Corporation announces the opening of its newly renovated plant in Omaha, Nebraska. The Omaha production facility is geographically positioned to manufacture and supply mineral nutrition products and trace mineral premixes to U.S. livestock producers. Now, an extensive facility upgrade provides the next evolution of food safety, product quality and output while enhancing our customers’ ability to meet growing consumer needs. Phibro has increased the manufacturing footprint to more than 100,000 square feet and added technology innovations that will position it to evolve alongside the industry for the next decade and beyond.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Digital National Ethanol Conference Debuts Tuesday

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association 26th annual National Ethanol Conference begins tomorrow, February 16, bringing an all-new format that will allow for more industry leaders to participate in what has always been the most widely attended executive-level policy and marketing conference for the ethanol industry.

“The 2021 National Ethanol Conference promises to offer something of interest for everyone, whether their focus is on energy policy, environmental issues, domestic and international market development, new technologies, or consumer education and marketing,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “We’ve lined up a terrific group of speakers and panelists who are renowned thought leaders at the intersection of the energy and agriculture sectors. I have no doubt that all attending will come away from this year’s event more informed and more connected.”

With a new time-saving schedule spread over three days, from Feb. 16-18, the NEC will allow participants to take part completely in the all-digital program without missing their daily workplace responsibilities, especially because all those registered will have access to all the sessions either live or on-demand. Our digital platform also offers multiple, easy-to-use opportunities to conduct business with fellow industry customers and clients—all without the travel expense.

Cooper provides a preview of the event in this interview.
2021 NEC Interview with Geoff Cooper, RFA 12:50

Registration and other information about the National Ethanol Conference can be found at NationalEthanolConference.com.

Enjoy photos from the National Ethanol Conference for the past 13 years in this compilation photo album.
National Ethanol Conference Through the Years 2007-2020

Audio, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

Industry Ag News 2/12

Carrie Muehling

  • Bayer Vegetable Seeds has announced the opening of a new distribution center in Valdosta, Ga. The center will help Bayer support fruit and vegetable growers in the Southeast United States by providing access to its Seminis branded large seed portfolio and quality customer service.
  • Iowa Corn® is proud to announce the new Director of Market Development, Grant Menke. In this position, Menke focuses on growing the demand for Iowa corn through biofuels, livestock, international trade, and other key market opportunities.
  • The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture announces a total of $17,550 in scholarships and grant awards to recognize exceptional agricultural literacy programs conducted by educators, volunteers and communities across the country who work to connect students with how their food is grown. The Foundation also awarded 10 communities with grants totaling $11,550, which will be allocated through county Farm Bureaus this spring and used to create new agricultural literacy projects or expand existing agricultural literacy efforts. More information about the scholarships/grants can be found here.
  • Register now for the virtual Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit, scheduled for March 22-24.
  • Swanson Russell welcomes Libby Bullerdick, Bruce Hartford III, Joey Lenihan, Maddie Keast and Rick Kourchenko.
  • For hundreds of farmers in past years, a small grant from the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) has purchased these crucial pieces of farm equipment and made a difference in their livelihood. And now FVC is awarding another year of grants. To donate to support farmer veterans directly, visit www.farmvetco.org or text GIVE and the dollar amount to 270-838-3276 (270-VET-FARM). Applicants must be FVC members. There is no charge to become a member. Those interested in applying for the grant may do so online at https://www.tfaforms.com/4870169.
  • As a part of its mission to make land sales simple, instant and online; FarmlandFinder is announcing a sale-leaseback program as a part of its online marketplace for farmland.
  • Join host Shari Rogge-Fidler (President and CEO, Farm Foundation), and moderator Chris Clayton (Ag Policy Editor, DTN/The Progressive Farmer) for a lively panel discussion featuring agricultural economists and trade experts. Register here for the Farm Foundation Forum, available via Zoom on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. CST.
  • The 2021 special edition of Commodity Classic will be delivered digitally direct to your farm. Mark your calendars for March 2-5, 2021. The first 5,000 farmers register free. The cost of registration is $20 for all others. Register here.
Zimfo Bytes

Social Media Dilemma

Chuck Zimmerman

I joined Twitter as AgriBlogger in 2007, just a year after it was introduced, although it was another year before I started tweeting. I have over 19,500 followers. As new media pioneers, we were among the first to start using this innovative way to communicate with people around the world in 140 characters or less. Remember AgChat? That started back in 2009. Remember TweetUps? Once upon a time, Twitter was fun and exciting and a great way to connect and network with people of different backgrounds to exchange ideas and opinions. For farmers it was all about telling their story to help consumers better understand where their food came from.

I also joined Facebook in 2007 and I have almost 1700 friends from all over the world and many of them, if not most, are business acquaintances. I have always loved having that personal connection with family and friends, sharing photos and funny memes, getting back in touch with old friends and making new ones.

The problem is that these platforms, and YouTube as well, have become political weapons. When Twitter and Facebook started censoring people and opinions last year related to the pandemic, it was concerning. When Twitter actually banned the New York Post for a news story about Hunter Biden, that was incredible. Since the election, the level of censorship on all of the major social media platforms has just skyrocketed. Never in our wildest dreams did we ever think that freedom of speech and of the press might be endangered in this country, but we do believe it is right now. Fact checking should not apply to opinions.

Facebook and Twitter started out as enjoyable ways for individuals to keep in touch with people or share opinions, but quickly became places for companies to put on a public face and connect with customers. Now they are both essentially business platforms, but analytics have become almost impossible to collect in any meaningful way, making it very difficult to measure results. So, besides the fact that these social platforms are engaging in political censorship, they are becoming less useful for businesses. Ask any Facebook publisher what percentage of their followers actually get to see their content. The algorithms are making it impossible to reach an audience without buying advertising, and even advertising is getting rejected now.

The dilemma is what to do now? We have Facebook and Twitter accounts for ZimmComm, AgWired, Energy AgWired, and AgNewsWire, as well as personal accounts. It appears that at the moment, LinkedIn is still a safe space, so we are expanding our use of that platform. We have also looked into some of the alternative social media platforms but really don’t relish the idea of starting all over again with new accounts.

Because we believe Facebook is basically not helpful for our business at this point, not to mention just a pain to deal with on a day to day basis, we have made the decision to put a temporary hold on our business Facebook accounts. They will remain open for now but we will not be posting on them. We will also be less active on our personal accounts. For now we will keep using Twitter for business, but Cindy has deleted her personal account @farmpodcaster.

We know we are not the only ones struggling with this dilemma, on both an ethical and a business level, but it is a good time for everyone to look at how many platforms you are using now and whether they are still useful to you as a business – or healthy for you as an individual. Feel free to leave a comment or send an email with your thoughts to chuck@zimmcomm.biz.

Also, we invite you to subscribe to our weekly newsletters, follow us on LinkedIn, or just visit AgWired or our AgNewsWire service.

Social Media, ZimmComm Announcement

National Cotton Council Concludes Annual Meeting

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Cotton Council held its annual meeting this week in a virtual format.

Kent Fountain, a Surrency, Ga., ginner, was re-elected National Cotton Council (NCC) chairman for 2021 during the organization’s virtual annual meeting today. Ted Schneider, a Lake Providence, La., producer, was re-elected to the position of vice chairman for 2021.

U.S. cotton producers intend to plant 13.0 million cotton acres this spring, down 5.5 percent from 2019 (based on USDA’s February 2020 estimate), according to the National Cotton Council’s 39th Annual Early Season Planting Intentions Survey. Upland cotton intentions are 12.8 million acres, down 5.6 percent from 2019, while extra-long staple (ELS) intentions of 224,000 acres represent a 2.7 percent decline.

Cotton