2020 Agri-Marketing Conference Postponed

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) is charting a different course for the 2020 Agri-Marketing Conference.

In light of the rapidly changing situation with COVID-19, NAMA leadership has made the very difficult decision to postpone the annual Agri-Marketing Conference scheduled for April 15-17 in San Diego.

​While the conference is postponed, it is not canceled! The NAMA board is actively looking at dates and locations for a rescheduled conference later this summer. We will announce more as soon as details are confirmed.

NAMA will automatically transfer registrations already made to the rescheduled conference date, unless a refund is requested through the NAMA office. Hotel reservations at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina may be cancelled without penalty and all major airlines are currently offering waivers for travel previously scheduled in March and April.

NAMA

ZimmCast 639 – Conversation with BigIron Realty

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

In this crazy pandemic panicked world I think we need a dose of normalcy. Don’t you? Well, listening to a good podcast fits the bill IMO.

First though, I just want to say that ZimmComm is committed to be ready, willing and able to find creative solutions for your agricultural marketing and communications needs. 

It’s a challenging time to make marketing decisions due to the uncertainties with the global virus situation. Cindy and I are working with clients on “virtual” content projects like podcasts, releases and more. These are channels that don’t require travel! And these are services and skills we’ve honed since starting this company 16 years ago and an additional over 20 years of experience working in agricultural communications, mostly farm radio.

BigIron RealtyWe know how tight budgets are, so these services are priced to work within yours. I’m available at your convenience to discuss how we can help you maximize your marketing dollars. Feel free to call or email.

So, back to this week’s program feature. I’m sharing a conversation I just had with Mark Stock, co-founder of BigIron Realty. He’s a farmer, auctioneer and investor and has a keen awareness of the farmer’s perspective. Mark discusses the best strategies for buying, selling or using farmland to raise capital and what buyers need to know when purchasing farmland and property tax rules to explore and other ways farmers can use their land to generate revenue. These can include selling hunting rights, leasing land to other farmers and strategies for retiring farmers who want to profit from their land.

I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 639 - BigIron Realty

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Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, Farming, ZimmCast

NAFB Postpones Washington Watch

Cindy Zimmerman

In line with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations due to COVID-19, the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) has postponed its 2020 Leadership NAFB and 2020 Washington Watch events scheduled for next month in Washington, D.C. NAFB is in the process of rescheduling both events, slated for April 24-26 and April 27-29 respectively.

From NAFB:

For those attendees registered for 2020 Washington Watch: At this time, all paid registration fees for 2020 Washington Watch will be held by NAFB for the to-be-determined rescheduled event date.

Upon request, your 2020 registration fees paid to NAFB may be refunded to you; please contact Susan Tally via email to start the refund process.

Additionally, please contact the Holiday Inn Washington Capitol (host hotel for Washington Watch) as soon as possible to cancel your April sleeping-room reservation without penalty – phone 202/479-4000.

NAFB

Animal Ag News 3/16

Carrie Muehling

  • America is in danger of losing its leadership standing due to significant flaws in its current approach to regulating emerging animal breeding technologies, Iowa Pork Producers President Dr. Michael Paustian testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee. According to his testimony, oversight should be under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, not the Food and Drug Administration.
  • U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is accepting applications for the 2020 Clean Water Awards. The awards recognize outstanding performance of wastewater treatment plants that operate at poultry or egg processing facilities. Winners will be announced at USPOULTRY’s 2020 Environmental Management Seminar to be held Sept. 17 – 18, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Florida. The deadline for submitting applications is June 26.
  • A rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture would undermine the intent of the Packers and Stockyards Act, according to comments submitted by National Farmers Union President Rob Larew.
  • Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, released a statement on COVID-19 and the availability of dairy products across the nation.
  • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall released a statement on the impact of Coronavirus on the U.S. beef supply chain.
  • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is cancelling its Spring Legislative Conference, scheduled for March 31-April 2, 2020.
  • Due to the Covid-19 virus outbreak, Evonik’s contract manufacturer had to shut-down its production facilities. Both production and shipping of the amino acid ThreAMINO® are affected. Evonik is keeping its customers regularly informed as the situation develops.
  • Wisconsin lived up to its long standing reputation by winning more awards than any other state or country at the recent World Championship Cheese Contest. 2020 marked the 33rd biennial edition, showcasing premier technical and quality cheese, butter, yogurt, and dry dairy ingredients to compete for global recognition.
AgWired Animal, Animal Bites

New Peterson Bros Video Will Rock You

Cindy Zimmerman

The newest Peterson Farm Bros video takes Queen’s “We Will Rock You” to the dairy farm for “We Will Milk Cows.” A little break from the coronavirus news and a reminder that farmers will still be working no matter what to make sure everyone has milk to drink and food to eat on lock down!


Dairy, Video

Syngenta News from Commodity Classic

Cindy Zimmerman

Syngenta had a couple of big announcements at the 2020 Commodity Classic, including a collaboration with Truterra (formerly Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN) to offer a “step-change in stewardship and conservation best practices for U.S. growers while helping them focus on maximizing acre-by-acre productivity and profitability.”

This technology-based alliance will make use of data analytics from both the Truterra™ Insights Engine and the Syngenta AgriEdge® platform. The combined power of insights and expertise will help assess and improve soil health, carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions, livestock lifecycle assessment and water management on American farms.

In addition, Syngenta is releasing 11 new NK® corn hybrids and 21 new NK soybean varieties for the 2021 growing season.­­ And the company announced it will assist growers with corn rootworm beetle tracking during the 2020 growing season to help them plan for 2021.

Syngenta representatives discussed these announcements and other topics such as atrazine during a press conference at Commodity Classic.
Syngenta press conference 19:36

2020 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, Corn, Soybean, Sustainability, Syngenta

CommoditAg Launches App for Simplified Product Purchasing

Chuck Zimmerman

CommoditAg AppCommoditAg has just launched a new app for iOS and Android mobile devices. The app provides the opportunity for agricultural producers and farmers to research and order products anytime, anywhere with their mobile devices.

“As the farm community’s leading online agriculture retailer, we know that introducing a user-friendly, easy-to-navigate app is essential to assure that our customers can make purchasing decisions effortlessly and quickly,” said John Demerly, CEO, CommoditAg. “We want our customers to have direct access to the products they need from the palm of their hand, whether they’re in their tractor, barn, home or office. The launch of this app further streamlines our buying process, making it a convenient and accessible experience for CommoditAg customers.”

CommoditAg offers a broad range of crop protection, lubricants and plant nutrition products, with delivery or same-day pick-up options available at one of more than 40 local retail fulfillment centers. The app features easy navigation, a simplified ordering process and a warehouse locator for customers to find the location closest to them.

To download the app, go to the Apple App Store for iOS devices and the Google Play Store for Android devices. To learn more about CommoditAg, visit commoditag.com.

Full release here.

Agribusiness, Apps

Industry Ag News 3/13

Carrie Muehling

  • The American Soybean Association recognized outstanding volunteers and leaders at its annual awards banquet in San Antonio on Feb. 28, honoring individuals for state association volunteerism, distinguished leadership achievements and long-term, significant contributions to the soybean industry. The Pinnacle Award Winner was Kenlon Johannes from Kansas. Recognized with the Distinguished Leadership Award was Steve Wellman of Nebraska, and the Outstanding State Volunteer Award Winner was Neal Bredehoeft of Missouri.
  • Emma Kuhns of Mason City, Illinois, is the recipient of the 2020-21 Soy Scholarship award, sponsored by BASF and the American Soybean Association.
  • Nominations are now open for the biggest accolade in agriculture. Called the “Nobel Prize for food and agriculture,” the World Food Prize is presented to an individual who has made an exceptional achievement in making hunger history. Nominate an inspiring individual making a measurable impact on reducing world hunger, and they could be the 2021 recipient of this USD $250,000 award. To learn more about awardee qualifications, visit www.worldfoodprize.org/nominate.
  • As part of the organization’s broader initiative to address a growing farm stress crisis, National Farmers Union last week hosted a two-day, in-person session to train community mental health advocates across the country. More than 30 Farmers Union members from 19 states completed the training, which was held in conjunction with NFU’s 118th Anniversary Convention in Savannah, Georgia.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand announced USDA has extended the deadline for ReConnect Pilot Program applications to March 31.
Zimfo Bytes

Agri-Pulse Postpones Ag & Food Policy Summit

Cindy Zimmerman

Agri-Pulse has announced its annual Ag & Food Policy Summit at the National Press Club has been postponed from March 23 to June 22 due to the evolving situation in the nation’s Capitol regarding coronavirus.

“We have been looking forward to seeing you at our Ag & Food Policy Summit on March 23 while actively monitoring events related to the coronavirus (Covid-19) unfold. We have listened carefully to advice about the need to practice social distancing, along with taking other preventative measures,” said Agri-Pulse Editor and Publisher Sara Wyant. “However, the virus continues to spread, increasing the risk of face-to-face meetings that make events like ours so valuable. This morning, the Sergeant at Arms announced that access will be limited to the Capitol Complex until April 1 and some offices are already starting to shut down in light of the discovery that a Senate staff member tested positive for the coronavirus.”

Those already registered for the March 23 event will have their reservation maintained but those who are unable to make the June 22 date should contact Agri-Pulse.

Agri-Pulse

Liberty Brings Back Women’s Bibs

Cindy Zimmerman

Liberty bibs for women are back!

Liberty, an iconic American brand and manufacturer of bib overalls since 1912, has reintroduced its line of women’s bibs after discontinuing the female-focused products 18 years ago. The new line includes both denim and duck bib overalls that offer the unwavering quality and craftsmanship Liberty is known for, while featuring female-specific fits and all-new flexible fabric technology.

“Bringing back our women’s line has been a top priority for Liberty,” said Brad Bromstead, Vice President of Marketing, Merchandising and Design for Liberty. “Hard-working women have worn our men’s products for years. We believe they deserve workwear that is not only durable and dependable, but also fits comfortably. Our new women’s bibs are designed to fill that void.”

The new flexible fabric technology in the denim bibs incorporates a cotton, polyester and spandex blend for increased mobility and comfort. The duck bibs utilize a cotton/spandex blend to offer added durability while maintaining fabric flexibility.

Both styles are constructed with triple-stitched seams, adjustable straps, reinforced front and back pockets, and a washed-for-comfort finish to create durable pieces of workwear perfect for tackling outdoor tasks and labor.

The bibs are available now at selected retailers and online at LibertyBibs.com.

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