RFA Ethanol Podcast

2021 World Press Freedom Day Statement from IFAJ

Chuck Zimmerman

World Press Freedom DayThe beginning of a statement on the 2021 World Press Freedom Day, issued by the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Press Freedom Committee, starts with the following:

Yes, we should be enthusiastic about celebrating the International Press Freedom Day on May the third. Unfortunately, there is a risk that the toast we raise this year is a bitter one, and there are several reasons to believe that the situation is not better for agricultural journalists than for journalists in other sectors.

The best thing we can do right now is to try to encourage each other and strengthen our connections with journalists who face threats and repression.

In the statement you’ll find information on decreasing democracy and freedom, public mistrust of journalists and more. This is over the last ten years. Included is a link to the Freedom House report, Freedom in the World: Democracy Under Siege. It shows a significant decline in the United States Freedom Under Siege aggregate score. Reasons include: political corruption and conflicts of interest, lack of transparency in government and punitive immigration and asylum policies. Looking at the overall decline in freedom this past year a significant factor is, as you might think, the whole COVID-19 situation. There is no question that many governments took advantage of this with “excessive or abusive lockdown rules” or “to cover up consolidation of power and suppress dissent.”

I’ll add a point of personal opinion regarding the actions taken by large tech corporations which I believe is also repressing true press freedom. You can argue all you want that Google, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter and others are not “the press.” However, when you see where people are getting their news and a platform like Facebook is at the top you know the power they have. They’ve all shown a willingness to remove anything that doesn’t conform with their views. That’s not freedom.

IFAJ, International, Media

Animal Ag News 5/3

Carrie Muehling

  • Dr. Dennis Nuzback, consultant to Phibro Animal Health Corporation, hosts a free MYCOmpass™ webinar titled “Smart Strategies for Effective Mycotoxin Management,” which is available at Phibro Academy and can be accessed here: https://academy.pahc.com/catalog/info/id:353.
  • Four Midwestern dairy groups announced a Federal Milk Marketing Orders proposal aimed at creating long-term stability in fluid milk pricing and reducing the likelihood of negative producer price differentials that cut into farmers’ revenue last year during the pandemic. The proposal from the Dairy Business Association (DBA), Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Minnesota Milk and Nebraska State Dairy Association comes after the groups began studying options early this year. They said the proposal, which they’re calling “Class III Plus,” aims to build upon the current pricing system, recent proposals by dairy cooperatives, and dairy farmer petitions to define a better Class I pricing system.
  • A compilation of recent research trials demonstrates that ProsperEO™ improves growth rate and feed efficiency throughout the life of turkeys in both feed and water applications. ProsperEO is an everyday antibiotic-free health additive containing patented essential oils and prebiotics. Ralco is a leading global provider of natural solutions to maximize nutrient conversion in plants and animals.
  • Over 300 NCBA members put “Boots on the Hill” during NCBA’s 2021 Virtual Legislative Conference held April 18-21. While there weren’t any cowboy boots and cowboy hats seen roaming the halls of the Capitol, this year members from across the country participated in meetings with their Members of Congress and agency officials through virtual platforms.
  • The Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. brand, managed by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, launched a new beef campaign highlighting real beef farmers and ranchers. Consumers will be invited to learn more about how cattle farmers and ranchers around the country are employing sustainable practices to care for the land and produce high-quality beef.
  • A national cattle identification system that was first developed at Kansas State University has received a big boost of support from one of the country’s largest food companies. Tyson Fresh Meats, a subsidiary of Tyson Foods Inc., is backing U.S. CattleTrace, a system that uses ear tags with ultrahigh frequency technologies to establish a national animal disease traceability system.

 

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Industry Ag News 4/30

Carrie Muehling

  • The Georgia Peanut Commission’s referendum received reaffirmation with a vote of 94.43 percent, the highest the commission has received in its nearly 60-year existence. The 2021 referendum was held March 15 through April 16, 2021.
  • Farm Journal Foundation strongly supports the America Grows Act of 2021, a bipartisan bill introduced that would significantly increase U.S. public investment in agricultural research and development. The bill, introduced by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), would increase funding for agricultural research by 5% annually on an inflation-adjusted basis at four agencies at the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the next 10 years. The bill is modeled after the successful 21st Century Cures Act, which passed in 2016 and spurred additional funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
  • IFAJ will be presenting 3 webinars in the month of May in partnership with the Swedish, Finnish and Argentinian guilds, all the details available on the IFAJ website.
  • The National Farm Machinery Show will begin accepting online applications for new exhibitors Friday, April 30 at 9 a.m EST. Applicants will be added to the exhibitor waitlist and be informed if potential space is available. Exhibitors that participated in the 2020 National Farm Machinery Show have their space automatically reserved for the 2022 show. The new exhibitor application form will be posted at farmmachineryshow.org/waitlist-application. Information regarding contract renewals, attendee registration and media credentials will be announced in late-May.
  • The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) submitted comments in response to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) request for public comment on a climate-smart agriculture and forestry strategy. ASTA’s comments focused on the crucial role of plant breeding innovation and variety development in addressing climate change and creating new economic opportunities along the agriculture and food value chain.
  • Land O’Lakes, Inc. reported net sales of $3.9 billion and net earnings of $136 million for the first quarter ending March 31, 2021, compared to net sales of $3.8 billion and net earnings of $37 million in 2020. Each business unit delivered strong results and increased net earnings compared to the prior year.
  • The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is joining the TextileGenesis™ platform as the world’s first sustainable cotton fiber to offer full transparency across the supply chain on the platform.
  • Syngenta Group reports strong results for the first quarter of 2021. First quarter sales were $7.1 billion, up 20 percent compared to Q1 2020. The Group’s growth accelerated with seed and crop protection innovations that enable regenerative agriculture practices which help protect against drought and flooding and enhance soil health. Modern Agriculture Platform (MAP), which provides farmers access to market-leading technologies, tripled in revenue from Q1 2020. Biologicals more than doubled in size, supported by the recent acquisition of Valagro.
Zimfo Bytes

Study Shows Health Benefits of Biodiesel

Cindy Zimmerman

A new study released this week by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) shows switching to biodiesel results in significant health benefits such as decreased cancer risk, fewer premature deaths and reduced asthma attacks.

The study, conducted by Trinity Consultants, was sponsored by NBB with support from the Nebraska Soybean Board, South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, California Advanced Biofuels Alliance, Iowa Soybean Board and the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board. It used well established EPA air dispersion modeling tools coupled with health risk assessments and benefit valuations to assess the public health benefits and resulting economic savings of converting from petroleum-based diesel to 100% biodiesel, known as B100, in 13 sites and communities in the U.S. exposed to high rates of petroleum diesel pollution.

Researchers found that switching to 100% biodiesel for home heating oil and transportation would annually bring the 13 communities studied:

340 fewer premature deaths.
46,000 fewer lost workdays.
$3 billion in avoided health care costs.

In the transportation sector, benefits included a potential 45% reduction in cancer risk when heavy-duty trucks such as semis use B100 and 203,000 fewer or lessened asthma attacks.

When Bioheat® fuel made from 100% biodiesel is used in place of petroleum heating oil, the study found an 86% reduced cancer risk and 17,000 fewer lung problems.

National Biodiesel Board CEO Donnell Rehagen, NBB Director of State Governmental Affairs Floyd Vergara, and Matt Herman, Director of Environmental Science, presented the findings during a virtual press conference Thursday.

NBB presents biodiesel health benefit study findings (26:05)

NBB biodiesel study Q and A (20:26)

Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Soybean

New BASF PR Manager

Chuck Zimmerman

Miracle King WilsonCongratulations to Miracle King Wilson (pictured) who is the new PR Manager for BASF Agricultural Solutions. Congrats also go to Odessa P. Hines who has moved into the position of BASF Ag Solutions External Affairs Manager.

In her role, Miracle will be responsible for “providing strategic PR direction and counsel for company product launches and key initiatives; managing media inquiries, serving as the BASF ag spokesperson, arranging and coordinating media relations activities and managing our agency’s PR team.”

Miracle joins BASF from the North Carolina Department of Transportation where as the department’s Communications Specialist, she was responsible for planning, preparing and implementing communications activities to promote highway safety through the NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP); writing speeches for leadership for various safety-related events; handling media relations and writing press releases; and managing the program’s website, social media content and special events. She is also a former television anchor, reporter and executive producer.

In her new role with BASF Odessa will be “focused on activities and projects that build, grow and protect the BASF Ag Solutions brand.”

Agribusiness, BASF, Marketing, Public Relations

Alltech Announces Keynotes for ONE The Ideas Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Alltech ONE 2021The Alltech ONE Ideas Conference for 2021 is coming closer and has announced the line-up of keynote speakers.

Alltech has announced the keynote speaker line-up to be featured at the Alltech ONE Ideas Conference (ONE), a virtual event that will be held on May 25–27, 2021. Streaming keynote and on-demand presentations will be released during the global conference and will focus on the power of science, sustainability and storytelling.

Shirzad Chamine, author of the New York Times bestseller “Positive Intelligence,” has served as the CEO of the largest coach-training organization in the world and has used his expertise to train the faculty at the business schools at Stanford and Yale. Chamine lectures on the concept of mental fitness at Stanford, where he also works with the university’s student athletes. A preeminent C-suite advisor, Chamine has coached hundreds of CEOs and their executive teams.

A man of many talents, Dewitt Jones is one of America’s top professional photographers, as well as a motion-picture director, an author and a former photojournalist for National Geographic. He has also been at the forefront of corporate creative marketing by photographing national advertising campaigns for major brands. Jones is recognized as a world-class lecturer. His knowledge of the creative process, his relaxed and genuine style, and his ability to communicate make his presentations truly outstanding.

Economist, bestselling author, journalist, documentary filmmaker and broadcaster David McWilliams is ranked as one of the top ten most influential economists in the world. He has devoted his entire professional life to the objective of making economics as widely available and easily understandable as possible.

Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, represents the second generation of the global business founded by his father Dr. Pearse Lyons. Based on Alltech’s belief that agriculture has the greatest potential to positively impact the future of the planet, he launched the company’s vision of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™ in 2019. Alltech is driving science-led sustainability within agriculture and calling for collaboration to improve nutrition, human and animal well-being, and the preservation of natural resources.

“This past year has changed the world, and now, more than ever, we need to come together to share insights, inspiration and innovations,” said Lyons. “The Alltech ONE Ideas Conference connects changemakers for conversations that can shape the future of agri-food and our planet.”

You can read more from the announcement here. You can register here.

Agribusiness, Alltech

Farm Journal to Acquire AgFax

Cindy Zimmerman

Thanks to Farm Journal, the legacy of Owen Taylor and Debra Ferguson will soon have a new home.

Farm Journal has reached an agreement in principle to purchase the assets of AgFax, a multi-eNewsletter company that primarily serves producers growing cotton, rice, peanuts and tree crops. The weekly AgFax eNewsletters include: Southwest Cotton, Midsouth Cotton, Southeast Cotton, Southern Grain, Rice-Midsouth-Texas, Southern Grain and Midwest Grain. The bi-monthly issues include Weed Solutions-Midwest and Weed Solutions-Southern.

The owners of AgFax, Owen Taylor and Debra Ferguson, died in a car accident last December, leaving the business in the hands of their two children who are grateful for Farm Journal’s interest in carrying on their parents legacy.

“Our parents would be so proud to have the company they built become part of Farm Journal, an organization they worked with as freelancers decades ago. Farm Journal will certainly be a great home for AgFax,” said Taylor.

“The popular AgFax products will fold nicely into Farm Journal’s digital portfolio and expand our service to growers and input companies active with those crops,” said Andy Weber, Farm Journal CEO. “We are committed and proud to continue to serve these growers with the dedication and helpful information they’ve been accustomed to over the years.”

Cotton, Farm Journal, Media

Precision Ag News 4/28

Carrie Muehling

  • Topcon Agriculture announces new manual guidance and autosteering receivers — the AGM-1 and AGS-2 — and new Topnet Live cellular, satellite and bridging correction services: Realpoint, Starpoint, and Skybridge.
  • USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will invest $330 million in 85 locally driven, public-private partnerships to address climate change, improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. Projects are awarded through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
  • As the prices of key crop production nutrients continues to rise, Loveland Products’ C2 Technology products, a proprietary product line of Nutrien Ag Solutions, are playing a critical role in helping producers manage nutrients while getting the most out of nutritional inputs.
  • The Irrigation Innovation Consortium (IIC) announced funding for seven research projects in 2021, three of which are led by Faculty Fellows of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI). The IIC is a university and industry collaboration that accelerates the development and adoption of water- and energy-efficient irrigation technology. DWFI and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln jointly are a founding member of the consortium and DWFI Director of Research Christopher Neale serves on its Executive Committee.
  • Nufarm Americas Inc. announced Ken Barham has been appointed VP Crop Protection Sales – US. Barham’s experience spans nearly 20 years in the US crop protection industry, most recently as Nufarm North America’s VP Customer & Brand Marketing during the past four years.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Student NAMA Award Winners Named

Chuck Zimmerman

NAMACongratulations to all the winners in the Student National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) competitions. Special congrats to the University of Guelph for winning the Marketing Competition!

The Student NAMA Program was virtual for the 2020-21 school year. The Student Awards Ceremony, held on 4/22/21, announced the Scholarship Recipients, Sales Competition winners & Marketing Competition winners. See the recording here.

Scholarships
$4000 Successful Farming/Fergie Ferguson Scholarship: Callie McClay, University of Illinois
$2500 Wayne Bollum Scholarship: Brianna Gable, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
$2000 Steve Vandeberg Scholarship: Brooke Courtney, Iowa State University
$1000 Mo-Kan Scholarship: Grace McDonald, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
$1000 Iowa Scholarship: Carla Edelman, Iowa State University

$1000 NAMA Foundation Scholarships
Emily Stambaugh, Pennsylvania State University
Grace Howe, Iowa State University
Megan Niewoehner, Iowa State University
Arslan Azeem, University of Regina
Hanna Spies, Iowa State University

Dr. John B. Riley Outstanding Student Advisor
Sarah Botham, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Outstanding Professional
Abby Bottenfield, nominated by Iowa State University
Read More

Education, Marketing, NAMA

Animal Ag News 4/26

Carrie Muehling

  • Ralco owners Brian & Mindy Knochenmus and Jon & Niter Knochenmus along with founder Lou Galbraith celebrated the company’s 50th anniversary Wednesday, April 21 with employees at their corporate headquarters in Marshall, Minnesota.
  • May is American Cheese Month, and Wisconsin, the State of Cheese®, is taking the celebration to a new level, with big plans all month long that coincide with the state’s 180th anniversary of cheesemaking. Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is engaging consumers by highlighting Wisconsin Cheese in stores and restaurants across the country, through virtual events and on social media in a one-of-a-kind celebration that cheese lovers won’t want to miss. Watch for memorable and educational experiences for cheese lovers every week during American Cheese Month. Visit WisconsinCheese.com/WondersOfWisconsin to enter the ticket lottery for free exclusive events.
  • U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, and U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) are standing up for American dairy farmers by reintroducing bipartisan legislation in the Senate to combat the unfair practice of mislabeling non-dairy products using dairy names. Representatives Peter Welch (D-VT) and Mike Simpson (R-ID) are introducing bipartisan companion legislation in the House.
  • The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) is pleased to announce its recognition by Trade Show Executive on their Gold 100 shows, ranked by net square feet of exhibit space for 2019. IPPE came in at #21 on the listing, up from #31 in 2018.
  • The USPOULTRY Foundation recognizes Michael Robach for 30 years of dedicated service on the Foundation Research Advisory Committee (FRAC). Robach has more than 40 years of experience in the food industry, much of which was obtained while serving as vice president, Corporate Food Safety, Quality and Regulatory for Cargill.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites