New NCGA President Starts New Year

Cindy Zimmerman

It’s a new year for the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) with new president John Linder of Edison, Ohio who took over the post on October 1.

Linder, along with his brother, Mike, and wife, Cheryl, run a fifth-generation farm raising corn, soybeans, soft red winter wheat and soybeans for seed in central Ohio. In addition to traditional row crop farming, he also has livestock experience. Previously, Linder served as the Corn Board liaison to the Market Access Action Team, on the Resolutions Committee and chaired the Finance and Engaging Members Committees. Additionally, he represented NCGA at the National Coalition for Food and Agriculture Research and the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center.

Linder took questions from the ag media during a virtual press conference last week.
NCGA president John Linder press conference


Corn, NCGA, Video

Industry Ag News 10/2

Carrie Muehling

  • This week, the National FFA Organization shared with colleagues and stakeholders the new Agricultural Education for All roadmap, which outlines the strategies the organization is taking to support inclusion, diversity and equity. FFA is taking steps to ensure the organization is a bully-free zone that reflects society’s demographics in membership, leadership and staff, and celebrates individuality.
  • The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative formally requested that the U.S. International Trade Commission initiate a Section 201 global safeguard investigation regarding imports of blueberries into the United States. The American Blueberry Growers Alliance applauds USTR’s request and expects that the investigation will result in a remedy that allows the domestic industry to recover from the harmful effects of surging blueberry imports.
  • Barn Media and J.L. Farmakis, Inc. have entered into a partnership for J.L. Farmakis, Inc. to become Barn Media’s national sales partner.
  • The next Farm Foundation Forum on Tuesday, Oct. 13 will examine the farm policies and positions from the campaigns of President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, including agricultural trade, environmental policy, land management and other issues. Register here.
  • The National Cotton Council will conduct the 2021 Beltwide Cotton Conferences virtually on January 5-7 (Tuesday-Thursday) due to continued concerns regarding COVID-19’s spread.
  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that more than 100 million food boxes have been distributed in support of American farmers and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program. Earlier this month, the Department announced it had entered into contracts with 50 entities for the third round of food box deliveries, which include contracts to purchase up to $1 billion authorized by President Donald J. Trump.
  • Register your company today for the first Ag Media Summit Virtual Career Fair on October 16, hosted by LPC and AAEA. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with current ag communications students, grad students, and young professionals and find your next intern or full-time employee.
  • The combination of crops, livestock and aquaculture products lost as a result of Hurricane Sally will likely be valued between $55 million and $100 million, University of Florida economists predict. The estimate was released as part of a new document, “Preliminary Assessment of Agricultural Losses and Damages resulting from Hurricane Sally,” from the UF/IFAS Economic Impact Analysis Program.
  • The Best of NAMA Call for Entries is live on the web now. View all the rules online and print out a PDF of the Call for Entries. The deadline is October 23. You must be a NAMA member to enter.
  • MGEX announced the results of its annual Board of Directors election, held on October 1, 2020. Re-elected to the Board were Christopher T. Matzdorf and Kerry L. Melius. Both were elected to serve two-year terms.
  • The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City looks forward to welcoming Ryan LeGrand, President & CEO, U.S. Grains Council to the Council’s October webinar meeting. As corn exports are off to a strong start, Ryan will share the latest with regards to China as well as exports to Mexico, and what he sees as the challenges and opportunities looking ahead.
Zimfo Bytes

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast Episode Two

Cindy Zimmerman

Daugherty Water for Food PodcastThe second episode of the Daugherty Water for Food Podcast is now live.

This episode spotlights another amazing woman making waves in the food and water space. Lizz Ellis, CEO of International Development Enterprises (iDE), recently participated in the recent Women Leaders in Water for Food webinar focused on empowering women in ag and water management. She is interviewed by Naisargi (Naisi) Dave, who is Program Coordinator at the Daugherty Water For Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska.

You can listen to episode two here: Daugherty Water for Food Podcast Episode 2

How to subscribe:

Audio, Food, Podcasts, Water, Water for Food

Precision Ag News 9/30

Carrie Muehling

  • AgBiome® and Tropical Melhoramento e Genética (TMG), a Brazilian breeding company with state of the art breeding technologies for developing soy and cotton cultivars with high productive potential, announced a new global R&D collaboration. The goal is to discover and develop traits with novel modes of action to combat the cotton boll weevil.
  • Case IH announces the launch of Case IH VX — a virtual platform and immersive brand experience for producers to see and learn about the latest equipment solutions and technology at any time, from anywhere.
  • Bayer announced that the European Commission has authorized XtendFlex soybean technology for food, feed, import and processing in the European Union. This milestone represents the final key authorization for XtendFlex soybeans. With this approval in hand, Bayer can now look forward to a full launch in the United States and Canada in 2021 and expects to be in a strong position to supply 20 million U.S. soy acres when the selling season arrives.
  • The 2,4-D Research Task Force is launching two new websites with all of the latest information on 2,4-D. 24d.org is a revamped website with accessible infographics which summarize the research and benefits of the product. 24d.info is a technical website that catalogues the regulatory decisions and scientific studies supporting the continued use of the molecule.
  • Pro Farmer, a division of Farm Journal, announced that it has entered into a multi-year relationship with Farmobile and the two companies will jointly release the Pro Farmer Harvest ReportTM powered by the Farmobile IndexTM. The weekly updated report is announced following the recent Pro Farmer Crop Tour with attention shifting to how crops finish through harvest.
  • American Farmland Trust announces it has received a $2.6-million grant through the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials, a component of the Conservation Innovation Grants program to fund its “Conquering Cover Crop Challenges Coast to Coast” project. Through 20 on-farm demonstration trials across the nation and a comprehensive soil, economic, and social evaluation system, AFT will test innovative solutions and generate five years of results that will help overcome regional and crop-specific barriers to cover crop adoption.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Secretary Perdue Tours Hurricane Sally Damage

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue took a tour of crop damage from Hurricane Sally in Alabama and Florida on Monday. He visited the Jenkins Farm in Jay, Florida and heard from farmers in the panhandle of the state who suffered damage to cotton and peanut crops.

“What I’ve seen is crops that have probably been cut in half,” said Sec. Perdue. “Cotton that was virtually ready to be harvested, peanuts that were ready to be harvested down to half a crop. And there’s not that kind of margin in agriculture.”

Sec. Perdue acknowledged that all of the ad hoc disaster aid lately for farmers and ranchers could be detrimental to farm policy going forward. “We would love to move away from any kind of ad hoc disaster (aid) but also building a robust program within USDA through crop insurance and other means,” said Perdue.

Talking about the latest round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2), the secretary confirmed that he believes Congress has to approve any aid for ethanol producers or meat processors because USDA does not have the authority to allocate payments through the Commodity Credit Corporation. “Collin Peterson is chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and it’s up to him,” said Perdue. “Congress through a majority vote could change it at any time.”

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who represents the 1st district of Florida, joined Secretary Perdue at the farm.

Secretary Perdue visits Florida panhandle photo album

Press availability with Secretary Perdue – comments on storm damage, disaster aid, CFAP2 and more
Secretary Perdue press avail (5:34)

Rep. Gaetz and Secretary Perdue hear from farmers and answer questions during roundtable discussion.
Secretary Perdue visits Florida panhandle (46:21)

Florida Peanut Producers Executive Director Ken Barton
Interview with Ken Barton, Florida Peanut Producers (2:40)

WUWF reporter Jennie McKeon interviews farm owner Ryan Jenkins about crop damage
Interview with Florida farmer Ryan Jenkins (5:48)

Audio, Cotton, Ethanol, Peanuts, Pork, USDA

Register Now for ASTA CSS & Seed Expo Discount

Cindy Zimmerman

Wednesday, September 30 is the final day to take advantage of an 80% “First Access” discount for the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Virtual CSS & Seed Expo Virtual, December 7-9.

ASTA is looking forward to the opportunity in 2020 to bring our membership and seed industry community together for a time-honored tradition this December. Come together with seed professionals from around the world for four days of networking and education – with the biggest audience we have convened in the show’s 70+ year history.

This year’s virtual conference offers the opportunity to:
• Network with match-made attendees and exhibitors through easy-to-schedule video business appointments;
• Visit and see the latest innovations from over 70 virtual exhibitors; and
• Keep current on the latest economic, policy and industry developments that will affect you and your business in 2021 and beyond

Find out more in this video


ASTA, Seed, Video

Ambassador Doud Proud of Trade Accomplishments

Cindy Zimmerman

The chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative gave an update on the phase one agreement with China, and talked about what he believes are the major trade accomplishments of the Trump administration for the nation’s farmers and ranchers during an appearance at the 2020 Agribusiness Council of Kansas City Ag Outlook Forum on Monday.

“How many of you have ever read the agricultural section of the China Phase One agreement?” Ambassador Gregg Doud asked the live and virtual audience for the event. “What you will see if you ever do read it is that there are some 57 different structural changes that (both countries) agreed to make…I’m here to report to you today – 50 of those are done.”

Listen to Ambassador Doud’s remarks:
KC Ag Outlook Forum - USTR Chief Agricultural Negotiator Gregg Doud (35:01)

Agri-Pulse, Audio, Exports, Trade

Animal Ag News 9/28

Carrie Muehling

  • Following a successful virtual annual meeting, the Public Lands Council announced Wyoming rancher Niels Hansen will lead the organization as the new president and Steve Osguthorpe will join the PLC Executive Committee as the organization’s secretary.
  • The Public Lands Council also announced that John Falen was selected as the 2020 PLC President’s Award. PLC leadership also announced they selected Aaron Schlagel as the 2020 Friend Of PLC. Both awards acknowledge individuals who have made significant contributions to the public lands ranching community.
  • Subway sandwich franchises nationwide will generate more money for GENYOUth’s Emergency School Meal Delivery Fund and build awareness about the checkoff’s support for youth wellness through Fuel Up to Play 60. First, the chain launched the “Tackle Hunger” endeavor through its Subway Cares program. Subway Cares allows customers to add to their purchase for local causes. The franchises will use these donations for GENYOUth’s fund to provide school meals and feeding efforts from October through Nov. 30. Second, Subway will unveil “60-cent 6-inch Sundays” to students who display their Fuel Up to Play 60 “Healthy Habits Tracker.”
  • The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) show management is working hard to provide an in-person trade show in January 2021 for attendees and exhibitors and is taking every measure to ensure a safe and successful show experience. Certainly, any significant pandemic changes in the coming weeks, along with attendee and exhibitor survey feedback, will guide the IPPE show management’s decision-making process. A decision regarding the occurrence of the 2021 IPPE will be made by Oct. 22.
  • Brownfield Ag News is celebrating the 4th anniversary of the Weekly Livestock Market Update with a new quarterly webinar series debuting September 30 at 9:30 AM CT.
  • While 2020 may be a year remembered for opportunities lost, Dairy Herd Management is giving the dairy industry an opportunity to celebrate Sept. 28 – Oct. 3, with the launch of Dairy Week — an unprecedented offering of free information and resources dedicated to dairy producers and those that support them.
  • Florida rancher Liesa Priddy testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on behalf of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council, to give her support to S.4589, the Endangered Species Act Amendments of 2020, and highlight why this bill is desperately needed to modernize ESA.
  • The team at Armor Animal Health is excited for the upcoming Virtual Dairy Expo Event. One of their live events being held at 3 p.m. on September 29 will be an Agriculture Opportunities Career Panel featuring five young adults involved in various sectors of the industry. This panel is brought to you by Armor Animal Health and the event sponsor, Zoetis.
  • Join Alltech on September 29–30 to explore pet and equine nutritional advances, sustainability efforts and more during this month’s Alltech ONE Virtual Experience featured sessions: EQUINE and PET.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

All Ag All Day Reports From DC

Cindy Zimmerman

Thanks to COVID, there have been few opportunities for in-person visits on Capitol Hill but farm broadcaster Tony Ricketts spent all last week on the 4th Annual All Ag, All Day DC Capitol Ag Tour. Ricketts met with members of Congress, including the House Ag Committee, and agricultural industry leaders to discuss important topics such as trade, infrastructure, broadband, and CFAP.

Here are links to a few of the reports he sent back and wanted to share. Click to listen, right click to download.
U.S. Grains Council’s Floyd Gaibler
National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Chandler Goule
National Corn Growers Association CEO John Doggett
Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) on rural STEM investment and Rep. GT Thompson (PA) on rural broadband
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) on trade
Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) on infrastructure, the Water Resource Development Act of 2020, and the future of agriculture

Audio, Media, NCGA, Trade, USGC, Wheat

Agri-Pulse and AEM Host Rural America Webinar

Cindy Zimmerman

As in 2016, voters in rural America are poised to have a significant impact on who will be the next president. Yet, many rural counties are still struggling with COVID-19, high unemployment and the environmental impact from natural disasters and wildfires. How will all of these competing and often complex factors affect choices when rural residents vote?

Those are some of the topics Agri-Pulse plans to explore during a webinar discussion Tuesday with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) on “The Intersection of Rural America & Manufacturing: A Preview of Election Issues.” Agri-Pulse Managing Editor Spencer Chase will serve as moderator for the webinar featuring Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, D-N.M, Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D. and AEM’s Kip Eideberg on Sept. 29 from 11 a.m. to noon CDT.

The webinar is part of Agri-Pulse’s in-depth Campaign 2020 coverage, which is sponsored by AEM.

Click here to register and for more information.

AEM, Agri-Pulse, webinar