Pork Producers Facing $5 Billion in Losses

Cindy Zimmerman

With an estimated two million hogs still backed-up on farms, the nation’s pork producers are facing $5 billion in losses and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is urging Congress to act swiftly to preserve their livelihoods.

“Many U.S. hog farmers will not survive this crisis,” said NPPC President Howard “AV” Roth, a hog farmer from Wauzeka, Wisconsin, during a press call on Monday. “As the Senate begins work on the next COVID relief package, we urge lawmakers to provide a critical lifeline to hog farmers across the nation to minimize what has already been significant damage to our producers.”

According to an analysis by Dr. Steve Meyer, an economist with Kerns & Associates, based on lean hog futures prices on March 1 and July 10 and actual hog prices in the interim, potential 2020 revenue from hog sales has been reduced by roughly $4.7 billion. Other losses associated with euthanasia, disposal and donation of pigs with no market outlet and insufficient space to hold them mean U.S. pork producers have lost nearly $5 billion in actual and potential profits for 2020 and those losses are expected to continue into 2021.

Earlier this month, Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) introduced the RELIEF for Producers Act of 2020, providing compensation for farmers who are forced to euthanize or donate animals that can’t be processed into the food supply as a result of COVID-19, among other provisions. NPPC strongly supports this legislation, as well as additional federal assistance championed by Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), and urges Congress to quickly address this unprecedented crisis plaguing pork producers.

Roth and Meyer participated in a press conference on Monday, with additional comments from NPPC CEO Neil Dierks and Nick Giordano, NPPC Vice President and Counsel, Global Government Affairs.

Listen to the call:
NPPC press call 7-20-20

Audio, NPPC, Pork

Animal Ag News 7/20

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Cattlemen’s Foundation announced its partnership with Cargill to provide funding to North American cattle producers to provide practical tools to help manage market shifts, reduce costs, manage finite natural resource availability and withstand extreme weather events. The four-year strategic partnership, which was funded by a $3 million contribution from Cargill’s protein business, establishes a professional development scholarship program, and provides educational resources through the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and experiential learning in partnership with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).
  • The NCBA and the Public Lands Council celebrate landmark improvements to environmental policy through finalization of the Trump Administration’s rulemaking on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The NEPA updates make the process more efficient and timely, while also laying the groundwork for healthy and resilient open spaces and pastureland.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association released a statement in response to the federal Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee final scientific report.
  • Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services, has acquired a U.S. patent application for a method to control African Swine Fever virus in feed and feed ingredients using Sal CURB® Liquid Antimicrobial – a global pathogen control product manufactured by Kemin.
  • The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced the launch of the Animal Ag Allies program to empower farmers, ranchers and practicing veterinarians to be outspoken advocates for agriculture online and within their communities. The Alliance is currently seeking participants to enroll by August 7.
  • Thanks to dairy checkoff support, Taco Bell recently unveiled the Grilled Cheese Burrito, its cheesiest new offering of the year, and a Pineapple Whip Freeze beverage that contains real dairy.
  • Vytelle and GrowSafe Systems, Ltd. announced the combining of their companies with the aim of accelerating genetic advances in bovine biotechnology.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Industry Ag News 7/17

Carrie Muehling

  • The Agricultural Retailers Association supports reforms made to the National Environmental Policy Act announced in the final rule. ARA was part of the Unlock American Investment Coalition composed of 50 organizations in total.
  • National Corn Growers Association President Kevin Ross recognized Iowa Senator Joni Ernst with NCGA’s 2020 President’s Award. The President’s Award is given annually at NCGA’s Corn Congress meeting in Washington, D.C., to a leader who has worked to advance issues important to corn growers and agriculture.
  • Delegates attending the National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Congress, which was held virtually, elected five farmers to serve on the organization’s Corn Board. Taking office on Oct. 1, the start of NCGA’s 2021 fiscal year, are new board members Jed Bower of Ohio and Brian Thalmann of Minnesota. Current board members Ken Hartman of Illinois, Brandon Hunnicutt of Nebraska, and Gary Porter of Missouri were re-elected. Four were elected to three-year terms with Thalmann elected to the two-year term left open by FY21 First Vice President-Elect Chris Edgington.
  • The National Association of Farm Broadcasting Board of Directors cordially invites you to join the 2020 Summer Agribusiness Virtual Event, slated for 1 p.m. Central, Tuesday, July 21, to be held via Zoom meeting. Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Colleen Callahan will offer live remarks, and we will share a recorded message from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. To register, click here.
  • The American Agri-Women “Champion of Agriculture” award was initiated in 2010 to recognize members of Congress who have displayed exemplary courage in presenting and supporting legislation that promotes American agriculture, rural American lifestyles, and the United States Constitution. This year’s winners include Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa and Congressman Jodey C. Arrington of Texas.
  • On the one-year anniversary of committing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations Global Compact and the Science Based Targets initiative, Alltech has released its 2020 Sustainability Report. In addition to reflecting Alltech’s vision for a Planet of PlentyTM, the submission reaffirms the company’s alignment with a growing global network of organizations around the world that are united by their mission to build a more sustainable future.
  • The coronavirus pandemic continues to overwhelm rural hospitals, upend the agricultural economy, and interrupt daily life as we know it, making it clear that family farmers and rural communities require additional support to withstand these trying times. In a letter sent to Senate leadership, National Farmers Union President Rob Larew highlighted the many difficulties the organization’s members have been enduring over the last several months and recommended policies that would help ensure both their immediate wellbeing as well as their long-term recovery.
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ZimmCast 649 – Looking Ahead to the Ag Media Summit

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast, featuring weekly interviews with agribusiness industry leaders and all about what’s new, with a focus on agricultural marketing. In this week’s episode I talk with Chris Clayton, Ag Policy Editor, DTN/The Progressive Farmer, who is the Steering Committee Chair for Ag Media Summit. The event was postponed to November 14-18 in Kansas City. The conference hotel is the Loews Kansas City Hotel which is brand new and looks fabulous.

Chris says the program is coming together and companies that would like to be a sponsor and have a booth in the InfoExpo trade show can find more details on that on the website. He’s encouraging people to register. In fact, here’s an excerpt from a column he just wrote about that.

2020 Ag Media SummitOn Friday, though, I placed a bet for four months out. I registered for the Ag Media Summit, now slated for Nov. 14-18 in Kansas City. I’m making a bet that we’re going to get this thing figured out, much like the businesses that have reopened, the colleges bringing in students, like my son, and the schools that are reopening, like the one my daughter attends and the one where my wife is a librarian.



I am looking forward to having a drink with Chuck or Mike. I am looking forward to recharging my writing neutral network through a tip or insight from a writing coach. I’m going to make it a point to meet and thank everyone who sponsors AMS. And I’m looking forward to congratulating and thanking the professionals who are working with us to make AMS a success regardless of any challenges we face.

You can register now right here.

So, that’s the ZimmCast for this week. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

Listen to the ZimmCast here: Looking Ahead to the Ag Media Summit

Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

Ag Media Summit, Audio, Media, ZimmCast

Remembering Seed Industry Legend Owen Newlin

Cindy Zimmerman

Dr. Newlin with ASTA CEO Andy LaVigne in 2018

The agriculture industry is mourning the passing of Dr. Owen Newlin, who spent 44 years helping to guide the development and production of new corn hybrids at Pioneer. Newlin, who was actively involved in both the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) over the years, was 92.

Dr. Newlin contributed to tremendous growth in the Council and ASTA during his more than 50 years of involvement, playing an instrumental role in raising funds to support ballot initiatives to create state corn checkoff programs; initiating Pioneer’s overseas missions to educate future farmer leaders; and sustaining efforts to defend the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Market Development (USDA’s FMD) program through more than two decades’ worth of farm bill negotiations.

“The leadership and forward thinking that was the basis of Owen’s participation in ASTA’s Board and grain industry activities was truly monumental,” said Andy LaVigne, ASTA President & CEO. “The leadership of ASTA cannot put into words the impact Owen had on the association and our position on the U.S. and global levels. Our thoughts and prayers are with D.J. and the Newlin family. Owen will truly be missed.”

Newlin joined Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. (now part of Corteva Agriscience) in 1955 as a research assistant, becoming production manager and then division president before serving as senior vice president with responsibility for the finance, information management, human resources and seed production operations of Pioneer’s North American operations.

Dr. Newlin served as president of ASTA in 1985-86 and was the longest-running past president who remained an active participant on the ASTA Board of Directors as a lifetime honorary member and chair of the Subcommittee for Strategic and Allied Partnerships. In 2016, ASTA honored Newlin with the inaugural Lifetime Industry Achievement Award, now named after him, which recognizes professionals whose career contributions to the seed industry span more than 50 years.

He remained a delegate on the Grains Council right up until his death, serving on various committees throughout his tenure including on the USGC Board of Directors from 1976-1980 and as the Council’s chairman from 1978-1979. In 2005, USGC honored Newlin with a special tribute award for a lifetime of distinguished achievement and service.

Here is an interview with Dr. Newlin from 2016 where he talks about some of the industry changes he saw in his lifetime: Interview with ASTA award winner Dr. Owen Newlin 4:25

ASTA, Audio, Corn, Seed, USGC

Precision Ag News 7/15

Carrie Muehling

  • American Farmland Trust, a national leader in protecting agricultural land, promoting environmentally sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land, will join forces with Sand County Foundation to present the Leopold Conservation Award® Program.
  • AgLaunch and Farm Journal are pleased to open applications for the 2nd Row Crop Challenge to select leading startup companies addressing the biggest problems in production agriculture. This year’s Row Crop Challenge will focus on technologies that accelerate the adoption of sustainable production practices toward the farm-of-the-future, specifically outlined in the Cotton Trust Protocol. Applications are being accepted through August 30. Start-up companies who are interested in the AgLaunch365 accelerator can apply here.
  • HELM Agro US, Inc., a global manufacturer of high quality crop protection and fertilizer products, announces Reviton™ as the name of its new herbicide, which is currently under EPA regulatory review.
  • Nutrien announced the launch of Smart Nutrition™ MAP+MST® fertilizer Powered by MST™, the latest, most efficient system for delivering sulfur and phosphate to meet crop needs and maximize production just in time for the fall application season. The first of its kind in the marketplace, this product combines micronized sulfur with phosphate to give crops consistent nutrition all season long.
  • The American Society of Agronomy will host the 3-day Sustainable Agronomy Conference virtually, August 18-20. As an early incentive, Nutrien Premium Fertilizer Technologies is providing a $50 discount for the first 200 3-day registrations. To learn more about the Sustainable Agronomy Conference or to register, visit www.agronomy.org/meetings/sustainable-agronomy.
  • Rob-See-Co, an independent seed company located in Elkhorn, Neb. is launching the Innotech brand for Enlist E3TM soybeans.
  • UPL announces key leadership changes for the North American region as the company continues to focus on its mission to make every single food product more sustainable. Craig Brekkas, formerly Head of Canada, has been promoted to Head of North America for UPL. He replaces Vicente Gongora, who takes on a new role as Global Head, Differentiated and Sustainable Solutions. Trent McCrea moves into the Head of Canada position. These changes take effect August 1, 2020.
  • Overall unit sales of agricultural tractors and self-propelled combines in June 2020 rose in the U.S., and for the first time this year, grew in Canada as well according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
  • Topcon Agriculture announces a series of podcasts with industry professionals and thought leaders discussing the technology and latest trends that are transforming the agriculture industry — Topcon Talks Agriculture. The series offers tips and insights on how to stay ahead of the curve, to help increase productivity and profits.
  • AgriThority®, a global agricultural product development company, recently launched a new website at AgriThority.com.
  • As part of its commitment to helping growers sustainably meet increasing global needs through digital solutions, Bayer has entered a strategic partnership with Prospera Technologies Inc., a leading AI data analytics company, specializing in machine learning. With a focus on agriculture, Prospera provides a transformative, digital farming system to vegetable greenhouse growers worldwide that generates insights and optimizes the growing process.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Peanut Industry Forms United States Peanut Federation

Cindy Zimmerman

Peanut industry growers, shellers, and buying points have announced the formation of the United States Peanut Federation (USPF) to serve as a unified voice in Washington D.C. for all sectors of the peanut industry. USPF’s mission is to protect, promote, and improve business conditions for the peanut industry.

The Federation is comprised of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, the American Peanut Shellers Association, and the National Peanut Buying Points Association. The organizations that make up the newly founded national federation have a rich history of serving its members and communities to support the peanut industry. Formed in 1998, the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation (SPFF) is a producer organization comprised of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, the Florida Peanut Producers Association, the Georgia Peanut Commission, and the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association. The American Peanut Shellers Association’s (APSA) was formed in 1919 and represents the peanut shelling industry. The APSA is made up of both active (commercial peanut shellers and crushers) and associate members (affiliated businesses). Finally, the National Peanut Buying Points Association represents America’s more than two hundred and fifty peanut buying locations that contract, receive, weigh, clean, dry, inspect, grade, and prepare peanuts for storage and later shelling. All U.S. produced peanuts must be inspected for quality by the Federal-State Inspection Service at a registered peanut buying point.

Karl Zimmer, President and CEO of Premium Peanut, will serve as the first Chairman of the USPF. “Now, more than ever, we are faced with many challenges. By working together in a coordinated fashion, I believe we can solve those challenges to the benefit of every segment of this industry,” said Zimmer.

Learn more about the new organization, as well as some of those challenges being faced right now by peanut growers, listen to this interview with Bob Redding, president of The Redding Firm, which has worked on behalf of the peanut industry in Washington for many years.

Interview with Bob Redding, The Redding Firm, US Peanut Federation (9:05)

Audio, Peanuts

NAFB Membership Directory Cover Photo Contest

Chuck Zimmerman

NAFB Membership Directory Cover Photo ContestOkay broadcast photographers. Get your best photos out.

The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) is accepting entries for its 2021 NAFB Membership Directory cover photo contest. The winning entry will receive $100, and the photo will be featured on the cover of the 2021 NAFB Membership Directory.

Contest Guidelines
Contest is open to all NAFB members.
Multiple entries will be accepted.
Entries will be accepted from June 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2020.
Prize for selected photo: $100 and cover of 2021 NAFB Membership Directory.
All photos must be original work, taken by the entrant. Photos must be in original state and should not be altered by adding, removing, reversing, or distorting subjects within the frame.
Photos must be portrait orientation, 6” wide x 9” high, and high resolution (300 dpi suggested). Acceptable formats are JPG, PNG, PSD, EPS, or TIFF.
The winning photo will be announced by October 15, 2021.

To review contest information or to enter your photo(s), please click here.

Media, NAFB, Photography

Animal Ag News 7/13

Carrie Muehling

  • The Wisconsin Cheese community comprised of cheese lovers from across the nation, called Cheeselandia, won the Grand Champion Award at the American Marketing Association’s Brand Smart Awards in Chicago. In addition to taking home the competition’s largest award, Wisconsin Cheese/Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin also claimed the Gold Award for the Influencer Marketing category.
  • Reps. Cindy Axne (IA-03), Abby Finkenauer (IA-01), and Dave Loebsack (IA-02) have introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to increase transparency in U.S. cattle markets and spur added price discovery and competition for Iowa producers using cash markets.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association announced that 28 future leaders of the dairy industry have been accepted into the second class of the NextGen Leadership Program, a signature program of IDFA’s People Strategy. The group of emerging leaders represent the diversity of people and business types across the dairy industry, and they have been identified by their companies as tomorrow’s industry leaders.
  • Wanderlusts and adventurers have been shedding typical motel stays for more immersive experiences, renting secluded cabins in natural, peaceful settings or high-rise apartments in the center of a bustling city to get a real taste of the local culture. Travelers seeking a one-of-a-kind experience won’t be disappointed to visit Clarksville, Iowa, where they can “sleep with the cows” at New Day Dairy Guest Barn whose creative and unheard-of lodging design has earned them Iowa Farm Bureau’s Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur Award.
  • The U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards, which honor dairy farms, businesses and partnerships whose practices improve the well-being of people, animals and the planet, have recognized six winners for 2020. The program is managed by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, which was established under the leadership of dairy farmers (through their checkoff) and dairy companies.
  • Members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association now have access to an exclusive new benefit to help upgrade and improve technology on their farms and ranches. This new user-friendly program will give members discounts of 5-10% on purchases of Dell products. What’s more, the new discounts for members are stackable with additional Dell promotions, which could allow NCBA members to save even more on their technology upgrades.
  • Phibro Animal Health designed the OmniGen™ family of nutritional specialty products to help dairy cows maintain a healthy immune system for improved health during all phases of lactation. To show the effectiveness of OmniGen in helping to maintain a healthy immune system in dry, pre-fresh and lactating dairy cattle, Phibro conducted on-farm demonstrations over 11 years with more than 650,000 dairy cows. The data were compiled from dairies in the OmniGen Immunity Challenge field studies between 2007 and 2018.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Industry Ag News 7/10

Carrie Muehling

  • Internationally recognized experts in consumer insights and the food industry will reveal the latest research on consumer trends, the current environment in food and agriculture and what the future holds during a free fundraiser webcast to help those experiencing hardship. “CFI NOW: COVID-19 Pivot from Panic to Progress,” a three-part webinar, Tues., July 14, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT, is hosted by The Center for Food Integrity (CFI) and will benefit the Feeding America COVID-19 Relief Fund and the National Restaurant Association Employee Relief Fund. Registrants can attend one, two or all three sessions.
  • With major ag fairs cancelled, the “AgTalks” series of Virtual Town Halls will provide a new forum for farmers, ag businesses, and policy leaders to discuss solutions to challenges on trade, supply chains and global competitiveness. The Summer 2020 series will be held in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Visit the AgTalks website for more information.
  • The 2020 Alabama Peanut Referendum vote is set for Thursday, July 23, 2020. All farmers who produced peanuts in 2017, 2018 and 2019 are eligible to vote. Voting hours are 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Polling locations can be found at www.alpeanuts.com or by calling the Alabama Peanut Producers Association office at 334-792-6482.
  • The Anheuser-Busch Foundation announced it is committing $530,000 to support model farms at four land grant universities around the country, with a primary focus on enhancing environmental sustainability. University of Idaho, North Dakota State University, Montana State University and University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will all receive funding for research that focuses on expanding innovative, sustainable agricultural practices.
  • Mod Op, a full service marketing and communications agency with offices across the U.S. and an office in Latin America, has acquired Kansas City-based integrated marketing communications firm Sage Communications.
  • The most recent Ag Census showed a 27% increase in the number of women managing or operating farms and ranches. Coupled with this, more women than ever are involved in other agricultural careers or studying agriculture in post-secondary institutions. As the number of women involved in agriculture increases Annie’s Project is taking a closer look at agricultural women’s involvement with its new survey, the Agriculture Women’s Community & Leadership Survey.
  • The American Soybean Association (ASA) will celebrate a century of soybean advocacy this summer with a return to the site where it all began. On Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., ASA, with special support from the Indiana Soybean Alliance, will host a 100th anniversary celebration and historical marker dedication at its birthplace on Fouts Soyland Farm in Camden, Ind. The event is free of charge; however, attendance is capped at 180, so those interested must register. Click here for registration and hotel information. For those who cannot make it in person, the event will also be livestreamed.
  • The World Food Prize Foundation announced the selection of 17 students for its prestigious George Washington Carver Internship program.
  • The 18th annual AgCareers.com North American Ag & Food HR Roundtable is going virtual on August 5, 2020.
  • The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) is seeking a new executive director to lead the nonprofit, which educates farmers about organic and sustainable production. The current head of the organization, Lauren Langworthy, has accepted another role outside the organization and is leaving at the end of the summer.
  • The board of directors for AgReliant Genetics, an industry-leading agricultural company dedicated to the research, production and sale of corn, soybeans and other seeds across North America, has named Paul Nselel as chief executive officer and president, effective immediately.
  • Agri-Pulse is pleased to announce the promotion of Jason Lutz to sales and marketing manager for the company.
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