BASF Presents Awards at Beltwide Cotton Conferences

Carrie Muehling

At last week’s virtual Beltwide Cotton Conferences, BASF sponsored two prestigious professional awards: Cotton Specialist of the Year and Cotton Marketer of the Year.

The Joseph J. O’Neill Cotton Marketer of the Year award was presented to Barry Evans of Texas. The award is sponsored by BASF and ICE Futures (formerly the New York Cotton Exchange). BASF’s Kenny Melton presented the award to Evans as it was announced by O.A. Cleveland of Mississippi State University.

“As a farmer, we never think we’re very good at marketing so to receive this, it is very humbling. It’s very nice to be recognized,” said Evans, who farms full time in Swisher County, Texas.

BASF also named Dr. Seth Byrd, an agronomist with Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension, the 2021 Cotton Specialist of the Year during this year’s virtual conference.

Listen to the Marketer Award presentation here:
2021 Beltwide Cotton Marketer Award 2:39

Audio, BASF, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton

Traction Launches New Accounting Solution For Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman

Traction™ announced today the launch of a new cloud-based farm accounting application. This first release gives farmers an easy way to manage their day-to-day cash accounting transactions from any connected device including phones and tablets.

Until now, farmers have had to choose between non-farm specific applications or legacy desktop software to manage financial information and overall farm profitability. The challenge is two fold: integration of accounting to field-level analysis and using older, sometimes non-supported software that is challenging to maintain.

With Traction, farmers can invest in their future by capturing all of their financial and field information with one platform. This provides an accurate view of operational performance while using cutting-edge technology that is intuitive and expandable in the future.

The release of Traction’s Basic Accounting enables you to:

  • Manage an unlimited number of farm entities.
  • Connect your bank and credit card accounts to synchronize your transactions.
  • Maintain your cash-based balance sheet and income statement with drill-down analysis.
  • Use your phone to take pictures of invoices and tag them to transactions.
  • Perform standard tasks like adding accounts, transaction editing and reconciling bank statements.
  • Create field names and boundaries and see a map of your farm (Spring 2021).
  • View profit centers by field and/or crop from your actual expenses and revenue (Spring 2021)

Traction’s Basic Accounting solution is available for $950 per year which includes 2 manager logins. The company is working on field operations and agronomy solutions that will provide seamless integration, available later in 2021. Additional information and a free 30-day trial can be found at www.tractionag.com.

Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Farming

Precision Ag News 1/13

Carrie Muehling

  • The introduction of the Vermeer round baler in 1971 had a major influence on how hay and cattle producers harvested hay. To help commemorate the half century of innovation, Vermeer has planned a number of activities that will take place at the factory, online and across and its dealerships. To follow along as the company celebrates “50 years of the Vermeer round baler,” visit vermeer.com, facebook.com/vermeeragriculture or instagram.com/vermeerag.
  • By decision of the board of directors and CEO, the 32nd Independent Professional Seed Association Annual Conference has gone totally virtual. The conference is scheduled for January 20-21, 2021. Registration is still open for the virtual event at ipseed.org.
  • Golden Harvest agronomists are hosting a series of free virtual Winter Agronomy Summits where they will share their perspectives on key topics to help farmers start 2021 strong. To view a full schedule with session descriptions and register to attend a Golden Harvest virtual Winter Agronomy Summit, visit www.VirtualAgronomySummit.com.
  • The University of California, Riverside, is leading a new effort to stop and reverse a worldwide decline in honeybees, which threatens food security and prices. To boost dwindling honeybee populations, the University of California’s Office of the President has awarded $900,000 to a four-campus network of bee researchers and engineers. The network, which includes researchers from the Davis, San Diego and Merced campuses, is approaching the problem in three main ways. The first is through breeding programs. A second goal of the new network is to develop medications and treatments for sick bees. Finally, the group is looking to give beekeepers tools to better monitor bees’ health. Small devices will be able to ‘listen’ and ‘smell’ inside hives to give beekeepers indications about the health of the hive.
  • Showcasing farmers growing commitment to sustainability will be a major goal for the National Corn Growers Association in 2021. Several major initiatives by NCGA, as well as collaborative efforts with partners, will bear fruit in the new year.
  • Precision Planting’s annual winter conference is the preeminent gathering of farmers and farm equipment dealers who are dedicated to exploring the future of high-return technology on-farm. This year’s theme is, “Build Your Picket Fence Stand.” Through a combination of in-person and video sessions and demonstrations, Precision Planting is continuing to share new agronomic information, real-world research and trial results, new product announcements and local expertise with farmers across the U.S. to help them build their ideal or “picket fence” crop stand. Winter Conference registration is now open to farmers and members of the media at: www.precisionplanting.com/special-event/winterconference. Farmers are encouraged to find a Winter Conference location nearest to them and register online to attend in person.
  • Monty’s Plant Food Company deepened their capacity as a trusted advisor and innovator of product solutions to farmers through the expansion of their research and development department. They announced the arrival of two key R & D department employees, Dr. Fritzie Chen and Dr. Cassidy Million, as well as an ongoing expansion that will double the footprint of Monty’s laboratory facility for in-house plant testing and experimentation.
  • The National Wheat Foundation is accepting grower enrollment for the 2021 National Wheat Yield Contest. The Contest is divided into two primary competition categories: winter wheat and spring wheat, and two subcategories: dryland and irrigated. The Foundation is accepting entries for Winter and Spring Wheat. The deadline for Winter Wheat entries is May 15th with an early registration deadline of April 1st. The Spring wheat entry deadline is August 1st, with an early registration deadline of June 15th.
  • BRANDT has added four new members to the company’s Discovery & Innovation team and a new Territory Sales Manager. New Discovery & Innovation team members include John Weber, Technical Agronomist, Pacific Northwest; Gregory Jackson, Technical Agronomist, Eastern Seaboard; Natalie Starich, Technical Data Specialist; and Grant Meckes, Lab Technician. The Discovery & Innovation team is led by Vice President Brian Haschemeyer, who oversees the company’s formulation development, agronomy research and technical support. On the commercial side, BRANDT has added Beau Artist as a Territory Sales Representative for the Turf and Ornamental group covering OR, WA and ID. In addition, BRANDT veteran Charles Lanfier has been promoted to Regional Sales Manager, Southeast/Delta.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Agri-Pulse Plans 2021 Ag & Food Policy Summit

Cindy Zimmerman

After the 2020 Agri-Pulse Summit was rescheduled several times and ultimately went virtual, the 2021 event is already planned to be a virtual event

The 2021 Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit will feature three half-day sessions, March 22-24, with the theme: “Climate Risks, Rewards and Uncertainties.”

“President-elect Joe Biden made action on climate change a key part of his campaign platform and has pledged to focus on climate in every federal agency. He’s not alone,” says Agri-Pulse Editor and Founder Sara Wyant. “Major food companies are already making carbon commitments and expecting farmers and supply chains to comply with a focus on sustainable and regenerative practices. Yet, there are a lot of different factors involved with getting the science, the economics and the cultural factors to align in a way that produces measurable and valuable outcomes.”

The agenda will include political appointees, members of Congress, food and agricultural leaders, along with industry experts and academics, who will discuss the potential for agriculture to play a key role in providing solutions to climate change. Discussions will focus on research needs, potential costs and carbon payments, options for federal policy, proposed regulatory changes and more.

If COVID-19 restrictions allow, Agri-Pulse will also host a reception at the National Press Club on March 24.
Click here for registration and more information.

Agri-Pulse, Events

Partnership Aims to Standardize Cotton Research Data

Cindy Zimmerman

Cotton Incorporated recently joined forces with USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Partnerships for Data Innovations (PDI) on an effort to standardize and centralize cotton research data.

At last week’s Beltwide Cotton Conferences, Cotton Incorporated Senior Director of Agricultural & Environmental Research Ed Barnes said the project actually grew out of discussions at last year’s Beltwide and it is really just getting underway. “This project is really focused on we can do a better job of capturing our research data,” said Barnes. “We’ve really made a lot of progress in just six months.”

Listen to an interview with Barnes here:
2021 Beltwide Interview with Ed Barnes, Cotton Incorporated 9:19

2021 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Virtual Newsroom

Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton

EPA Announces Sustainable Pest Control Initiative

Cindy Zimmerman

Photo provided by MS Farm Bureau

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler was in Mississippi on Monday where he announced a $2 million dollar initiative that encourages smart and sustainable pest control in agriculture. The initiative, which is an extension of EPA’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP), expects to award grantees up to $200,000 to implement sustainable pest management practices that align with the agency’s goal of providing a healthier environment for all Americans.

“EPA wants farmers to choose what they can use in their fields and not have it chosen for them,” said Wheeler.

At the event, Mississippi Farm Bureau president Mike McCormick signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EPA Regional Administrator Mary Walker to enhance their communication and coordination efforts, as well as promote education and outreach.

Wheeler answered a few questions after his remarks, including whether he will resign from the administration. “I was disgusted by the events of last Wednesday,” he said. “I believe in the best interests of the agency, in order to ensure a smooth transition to my successors, it’s important for me to stay on.”

EPA chief Andrew Wheeler in Mississippi (15:28)

AgWired Precision, Audio, Crop Protection, EPA, pesticides

Animal Ag News 1/11

Carrie Muehling

  • Brand new for 2021, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is hosting a two-day virtual event for cattlemen and women across the country to come together for industry news, updates, education and networking. The 2021 Cattle Industry Convention Winter Reboot, scheduled for Feb. 23-24, is an opportunity to connect with NCBA and serves as a kickoff event for the Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show that will take place Aug. 10-12 in Nashville, Tenn., at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Winter Reboot attendees will receive a sneak peek into plans for the Cattle Industry Convention and the Cattlemen’s College.
  • Amy Penterman, a dairy farmer from northwestern Wisconsin, was chosen as the next Dairy Business Association president during the advocacy organization’s annual meeting.
  • Ralco Show announced the expansion of their show feed product line with ShoMax® for cattle, the next generation of feeds for the beef show industry. ShoMax is a complete protein-balanced premix specially formulated with patented Ralco technologies designed to make building high performance show feeds easier.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Former NAFB President Art Sechrest Passes

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Association of Farm Broadcasting sadly notes the passing of 1984 NAFB President Art Sechrest.

Sechrest joined NAFB at WVLN Radio in 1961 then continued his broadcast career at Illinois Farm Bureau and WJBC Radio. Art was noted for his professionalism, kindness, and solid presence reporting on the air. He served as NAFB President in 1984, was named 1991 Farm Broadcaster of the Year, and was inducted in the NAFB Hall of Fame in 2000. Additionally, Art won two Oscars in Agriculture (1975 and 1986), and served as NAFB Historian nine years.

Art suffered a stroke in 1994 but kept connected with NAFB members through the years; he most recently attended the 75th Anniversary NAFB Convention in 2018, connecting with friends from the past in-person.

Sechrest is pictured here with 2017 NAFB President Max Armstrong and 1999 NAFB President Mike Adams at Sechrest’s home in Normal. Both Armstrong and Adams presented their respective NAFB President’s Award to Art.

Link to obituary

NAFB

ARC Foundation Receives Major Endowment Gift

Chuck Zimmerman

The Agricultural Relations Council/C.O.nxt Scholarship Program has received a very generous donation.

Lyle Orwig, founder of Charleston|Orwig, now rebranded as C.O.nxt, has generously fully funded the Agricultural Relations Council/C.O.nxt Scholarship Program with a recent contribution of $75,000. It is part of an endowment established within the ARC Foundation a couple years ago.

A long-time champion of agricultural public relations/public affairs, Orwig is a founding inductee of the Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Agricultural Relations Council and Agri Marketing magazine. He has been an ARC member for decades and his former agency has been active in the organization through the years.

“The Foundation can now invest this and earn additional dollars for the endowment,” Orwig said. “We hope that the returns at some point will allow the ARC Foundation to increase the value of the scholarship each year and become even more meaningful to the recipients.”

The scholarship program has honored seven students since it was re-instituted in 2015. The scholarship assists a college student enrolled in an ag communications program.Read More

ARC, Public Relations

Industry Ag News 1/8

Carrie Muehling

  • CLAAS is saddened to announce that Helmut Claas, long-time managing director, chairman of the Supervisory Board and chairman of the Shareholders’ Committee of the CLAAS group, passed away on January 5 at the age of 94.
  • The National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow elected five student officers to serve until July of 2021. President Layne Mustian is a senior at Texas A&M University, Vice President Rachel McGreal is a sophomore at the University of Illinois, Secretary/Treasurer Lauryn Luttrull is a junior at West Texas A&M University, Member Relations Coordinator Zach Andrews is a junior at the University of Arkansas, and Communications Coordinator Callie McClay is a junior at the University of Illinois.
  • After an extensive nationwide search, the United Sorghum Checkoff Program has selected Norma Ritz Johnson as the organization’s third executive director.
  • MGEX, a Designated Contract Market and Derivatives Clearing Organization, reports 2020 concluded as the second-best calendar year in history with a total of 2,766,442 contracts traded. Alongside this achievement, it was also the best calendar year for electronic volume with a total of 2,476,313 contracts. Additionally, MGEX recorded that 2020 had the most total futures contracts traded in a year for the Exchange.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation will be presenting its highest honors, the Distinguished Service Award and the Farm Bureau Founders Award, to former Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas) and former Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson, respectively, during the 2021 American Farm Bureau Virtual Convention, Jan. 10-13.
  • Record potato retail sales continued from October to December 2020, the second quarter of Potatoes USA’s marketing year 2021. All three months saw an increase in both dollar and volume sales, with the largest growth in December.
  • ASTA is offering a series of sessions this month as a “bridge” between the CSS & Seed Expo Virtual event in December and the upcoming Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference in February. These sessions are included with a registration to either conference. Register now for ASTA’s upcoming bridge sessions, held between January 12-28.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency announced details for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program. Producer signup for the program will begin today, January 6 and run through March 5, 2021. QLA is intended to help growers who suffered crop quality losses due to weather-related disasters in 2018 and 2019. Corn growers in several states were impacted by these events. For more information, growers can visit farmers.gov/quality-loss, or contact your local USDA Service Center. Producers can also obtain one-on-one support with applications by calling 877-508-8364.
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