USDA Undersecretary Updates NCBA on Grasslands Management

Cindy Zimmerman

James Hubbard, USDA Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment, attended the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) summer meeting this week to provide an update on Forest Service management of grasslands.

The Forest Service manages 3.8 million acres of National Grasslands across 12 Western States. They are managed sustainably with the help of some 6200 permitted ranching families, who pride themselves as conservationists, ensuring that these lands will remain productive for generations to come.

“The Secretary’s expectation is that we provide the best customer service,” said Hubbard in an interview from the meeting. “So that means listening to our permittees and how we might address their concerns.”

Hubbard says the Memorandum signed in June directs the Forest Service to increase the productivity of forests and grasslands, including a focus on grazing as an important management tool.

Listen to an interview with Hubbard here:
Interview with Jim Hubbard, USDA Undersecretary (9:13)

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Environment, NCBA

Precision Ag News 7/29

Carrie Muehling

  • GROWMARK, Inc. announced Lora Wright will be joining the Board of Directors in a new at large position. Wright brings more than 20 years of animal agricultural industry and technology experience to her new role.
  • The Soil Health Institute is virtually offering Soil Health: The Foundation for Regenerative Agriculture, July 30 and July 31, 2020. If you haven’t registered and would like to join, please register here. Registration is required to participate.
  • The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center announced that the AgTech NEXT Summit will be held virtually, replacing the event previously scheduled to be held November 10 – 12. Recognizing the robust agenda, and not wanting to create “conference fatigue” with a two-day program, event organizers have shifted the conference to a series of seven – 60 minute live, online sessions. Virtual AgTech NEXT conference sessions will be held from 12 – 1 PM CDT on Tuesdays, beginning September 22 with a keynote by Dr. Pat Brown, founder and CEO of Impossible Foods through November 10, with a break on November 3, election day. Click here to register.
  • The July issue of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers – Iowa Chapter newsletter includes an article titled “Precision Ag Tech Boosts Land Values for Users” submitted by Dan Manternach, President — Perfect Fit Presentations LLC.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

NCBA Campaign Highlights #BenefitsofBeef

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) last week launched a nationwide grassroots campaign to highlight the #BenefitsofBeef, calling on cattle producers to submit public comments in support of beef’s role in federal dietary guidelines.

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) newly released Scientific Report lays the groundwork for five years of federal nutrition guidance and comments are being accepted until August 13 as USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) work to finalize the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs).

At the Summer Business Meeting this week, NCBA Executive Director for Government Affairs Danielle Beck said they have engaged for the past two years to ensure the Dietary Guidelines are focused on nutrition and based on sound science and they are pleased overall with the results but it could always be better. “We really think this is an excellent opportunity for us to make some incremental, small improvements but in order to do that we need our producers to engage,” said Beck. She says anti-meat advocates are already working against the important role meat plays in these guidelines in organized comments and beef producers need to make their voices heard.

Listen to an interview with Beck here:
Interview with Danielle Beck, NCBA (5:03)

AgWired Animal, Animal Activists, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, NCBA

NCBA Summer Business Meeting is Happening

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) Annual Summer Business Meeting is underway this week in Denver, with more than 500 cattle producers, industry partners, and stakeholders gathered, both in-person and virtually, for policy development, education, and long-range planning.

“It’s really important that we did do this in-person meeting,” said Marvin Kokes, NCBA Senior VP for corporate relations and events. “Cattlemen like to get together and really look each other in the eye and have a good face to face discussion.”

NCBA unveiled the Beef Industry’s Long Range Plan (LRP) during General Session, which includes industry priorities and the vision for promoting Beef, America’s premiere protein, over the next five years. Idaho rancher Kim Brackett and chair of the LRP Task Force, presented the new plan and NCBA’s Board of Directors will vote on the proposed plan at the Wednesday board meeting.

Summer Business Meeting will also feature important policy committee meetings like the Live Cattle Marketing Committee, which will consider several policies of importance to the industry.

Listen to an interview with Kokes about the summer meeting.
Interview with Marvin Kokes, NCBA (6:02)

Since so many reporters are unable to attend the conference in person, AgNewsWire is featuring interviews and photos from the event.

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, NCBA

International Trade Issues at #BeefMeet Summer Meeting

Chuck Zimmerman

2020 Cattle Industry Summer Business MeetingThe 2020 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting is taking place in Denver, CO. Committees will be meeting to provide direction for the organizations that participate which include the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board, American National CattleWomen, Inc. and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation. We have created a virtual ag newsroom on AgNewsWire to provide a resource for all media that includes interviews and more during the event.

To get things started I spoke with Kent Bacus, NCBA senior director of international trade and market access. His work focuses on leveling the playing field for U.S. beef producers around the world. Kent says that prior to COVID-19 things were looking great for U.S. beef exports. He says that once the cloud of COVID-19 lifts, the industry is in a much better position to recover. Learn more in my interview with Kent.

Interview with Kent Bacus, NCBA, on international trade issues: Kent Bacus, NCBA (9:52)

Audio, Beef, NCBA, Trade

Animal Ag News 7/27

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) launched a nationwide grassroots campaign to highlight the #BenefitsofBeef and is calling on cattle producers to submit public comments in support of federal dietary guidelines that recognize beef’s role in a healthy diet. NCBA will generate public comments by reaching out to cattle producers via e-mail blast, text messages, social media, and earned media between now and Aug. 13. Producers can also file comments by clicking here.
  • Ethan Lane, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs and representative for the Public Lands Council, testified before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to the public lands cattle industry. The testimony highlighted the importance of public lands ranchers during the pandemic, including their role in resurging the American economy. The testimony also addressed the need for future aid from Congress through access to vacant allotments or areas ungrazed during the summer season and flexibility to utilize grazing as a nimble, targeted natural resource management tool.
  • From nutritional specialty products to mineral feed additives, Phibro Animal Health Corporation is constantly evolving its robust portfolio of innovations to help improve dairy cow health and boost producer profitability. Over the past year, the company has partnered with university and dairy industry experts to research the effectiveness of many of these solutions, and multiple findings were presented at the 2020 American Dairy Science Association event, held virtually earlier this summer.
  • The American Veal Association is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its Statement of Principles, a document that established ethical standards and a code of conduct for the veal industry and set the stage for a decade of continuous improvement in an ever-changing animal agriculture landscape.
  • The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) honored two individuals in the animal science field this week at the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS)–Canadian Society of Animal Science–Western Section ASAS virtual annual meeting and tradeshow. Martin Nyachoti, Ph.D., of the University of Manitoba, received the AFIA-ASAS Non-Ruminant Animal Nutrition Research Award, and Terry Engle, Ph.D., of Colorado State University, received the AFIA-ASAS Ruminant Animal Nutrition Research Award.
  • Despite the dire consequences that COVID-19 has created over the past five months for the U.S. pork industry and others, a new report by Rabobank asserts that ASF is still the major influence on global pork markets. It points to ASF’s continued impact on pig herds and pork production in China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and parts of eastern Europe as major examples for this conclusion.
  • In response to COVID-19, the National Pork Board has developed materials outlining social-distancing guidelines and updated biosecurity recommendations for youth shows.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Alltech ONE July Virtual Experience Session – Ag-Tech

Chuck Zimmerman

Alltech Virtual Experience - AgTech SessionThis month the Alltech ONE Virtual Experience focuses on the topic of Ag-Tech. To preview the program I spoke with Robbie Walker, European Growth Officer at Alltech and CEO of KEENAN.

Sessions include: The Ag-Tech Effect: Turning Ideas Into Reality; Tech for Tomorrow: Sustainable Ag-Tech; Farming the Future: The Alltech 2020 Ag-Tech Insights Report; Planet of Plenty Award Presentation; Accelerating Innovation and a closing panel discussion on Ag-Tech’s Impact on the Agri-Food Supply Chain. The Alltech 2020 Ag-Tech Insights Report includes key findings of an in-depth analysis of more than 1,600 ag-tech startups from more than 35 sectors.

Resilience and efficiency within the global food supply chain have never been more crucial. How will technology shape the future of our industry and our ability to feed the world? Join us for a look at the next era of agriculture through the lens of ag-tech.

In you have registered previously then you have access to this fresh batch of presentations. If you have not registered you can still do so on the Alltech ONE website.

You can listen to my conversation with Robbie here: Interview with Robbie Walker, Alltech

Agribusiness, Alltech, Audio, Technology

2020 Sunbelt Ag Expo Cancelled

Chuck Zimmerman

Sunbelt Ag ExpoI was going to the Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day last week but had interview appointments get scheduled that day. Oh well. So now the show itself has been cancelled. Here’s to looking ahead to next year!

North America’s Premier Farm Show, the Sunbelt Ag Expo, has provided a venue for the agricultural industry to conduct business for 42 years. For the first time, since its beginnings in 1978, the gates at Spence Field will not open the third week in October to welcome farmers, their families, and loyal exhibitors as the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition Board of Directors voted to cancel the 43rd Annual show scheduled for October 20-22, 2020.

Plans for the selection of the 2020 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Winner and the Southeastern Hay Contest Award Winners are still being finalized. As these plans are confirmed, information will be released on our web site and social media channels. In addition, the Holiday Arts and Crafts Show, hosted by the Sunbelt Ag Expo, is still scheduled at this time for November 14-15, 2020.

Farm Shows, Sunbelt Ag Expo

Industry Ag News 7/24

Carrie Muehling

  • UnitedAg is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its founding in 1980. In celebration of its achievements, UnitedAg will host a series of virtual events throughout the year to share with its members the challenges and milestones of the last 40 years.
  • The National Corn Growers Association remains hard at work to help improve the economic situation for corn growers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On the heels of NCGA’s first Virtual Corn Congress, the organization hosted a virtual fly-in to Capitol Hill July 22-23.
  • The U.S. Wheat Associates Board of Directors seated new officers at a virtual annual meeting July 17, 2020. USW is the export market development organization representing U.S. wheat farmers. USW officers for 2020/21 are: Chairman Darren Padget of Grass Valley, Ore.; Vice Chairperson Rhonda Larson of East Grand Forks, Minn.; Secretary-Treasurer Michael Peters of Okarche, Okla.; and Past Chairman Doug Goyings of Paulding, Ohio.
  • United Fresh Produce Association announced the promotion of Dr. Jennifer McEntire to the position of Senior Vice President, Food Safety & Technology. Dr. McEntire joined the association four years ago, bringing her extensive background in food safety, regulatory issues, and association management to the United Fresh Team.
  • Bayer recently launched a high-level podcast, The Tomorrow Farm. The Tomorrow Farm convenes academics, scientists, farmers, NGOs, industry leaders and decision makers from around the globe to explore key issues which are impacting the sector – from the Green Revolution and how efficiencies in agriculture can help farmers feed more people using less energy to what gene editing really is and how it can bring life-changing solutions to the developing world.
  • The American Seed Trade Association‘s PLDC Virtual conference, held between May 19 and July 16, broke new records for the association’s summer conference participation with over 560 registered participants from 15 countries. The recorded series of sessions is available for viewing on the PLDC Virtual website.
  • On Thursday, July 30th, Iowa and national ag commodity leaders will hold a virtual town hall to discuss the future of Iowa agriculture, with a focus on trade and supply chains. With major in-person state agriculture town halls postponed beyond 2020, this conversation will help state farmers learn and share their views with commodity association leaders. The conversation, which is part of the AgTalks town hall series focusing on key U.S. ag states, comes at a time when Iowa’s competitiveness in agriculture is being impacted by the trade war, COVID-19 and the increase in non-US trade agreements with overseas customers that Iowa has traditionally served.
  • Register now for the Agricultural Media Summit Leadership Webinar on dealing with different personalities July 28 at 11:00 EDT. Inspirational speaker and farm boy Matt Rush will give insight into who others are and share tools to build connections with the people you meet every day.
  • Land O’Lakes, Inc. announced Heather Malenshek will join the organization as Chief Marketing Officer effective September 8, 2020. In this capacity, Heather will oversee B2C and B2B branding and marketing strategy and is responsible for building marketing competencies across all businesses and geographies. She also will have oversight for FLM Harvest, a wholly owned subsidiary of Land O’Lakes, Inc.
Zimfo Bytes

2020 Ag Relations Council Golden ARC Awards Announced

Chuck Zimmerman

Golden ARC AwardsZoom provided the platform for this year’s virtual presentation of the Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) Golden ARC Awards. Getting us started was John Blue Truffle Media, ARC President and the awards were announced by Kristy Mach, ARC Executive Director.

Congratulations to all the winners including Padilla for receiving the Golden ARC de Excellence with its “A Recipe for Success: Fruits and Vegetables are Key Ingredients for Healthier, Happier Lives” entry. You can see a full list of winners here (pdf).

You can listen to the presentation of awards here: Golden ARC Awards

Padilla Golden ARC AwardThis year’s Golden ARC Awards program drew a record number of campaign and tactics entries from more than 20 contestants. “2019 was a great year for work in ag PR and the number of entries is proof of that. The deadline for entries hit right when people were transitioning to working from home due to the pandemic, but that didn’t stop our members from wanting to show off their hard work,” said ARC Executive Director Kristy Mach. “The important work communicating agriculture’s story continues and we are seeing the pay off during these times as more people are cooking at home and connecting to the important role agriculture plays in their daily lives.” Golden ARC Award judges selected 24 entries as Golden ARC Award winners and gave Merit Awards to 19 entries.

FLM Harvest took home the most “hardware” by winning four Golden ARC Awards and three Merit Awards. Kansas Farm Bureau won four Golden ARC Awards; Padilla received three Golden ARC Awards and two Merit Awards; and Bader Rutter earned four Golden ARC Awards.

ARC, Public Relations