Bayer Commits Funding to 4-H and FFA

Carrie Muehling

At the 2019 Farm Progress Show, Bayer announced a $6 million gift over the next five years to support 4-H and FFA youth programs.

“It’s no secret that U.S. agriculture is facing a lot of challenges right now, but there is no better time to invest in the future than now,” said Lisa Safarian, Head of Crop Science, North America. “A landscape of completely new opportunities are developing right now in agriculture, and its youth is going to guide this landscape. Tomorrow’s farmers and leaders are going to be instrumental in advancements in digital technologies and data science that will unlock greater value and enable farmers to continue their efforts to sustainably produce food to feed the world.”

Safarian said these groups cultivate the desire and knowledge to advance agriculture through hands-on activities that strengthen STEM skills, engage with communities and develop strong leadership skills.

“Having this kind of a long-term partnership really does give us the chance at 4-H to plan, and to look ahead as we invest in the future of the agriculture and science workforce of our country to help build our economy,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, President and CEO of the National 4-H Council. “We know that our youth are going to play a critical role in the future of agriculture innovation, and 4-H is uniquely prepared to respond to these needs, not only because of our roots in agriculture, but because of our reach and the diversity of the young people we serve today.”

Echoing the thanks to Bayer for this investment in young people was Mark Poeschl, CEO of the National FFA Organization.

“We recognize that in order for us to grow the 8,600 FFA chapters around the country, we have to continue to invest in teachers – both recruitment of teachers as well as retention of those teachers that are already in the classroom. These funds help us do that,” said Poeschl. “We also believe we have to be the voice of agriculture. We have to teach our young people how to be advocates for agriculture. So advocacy and ag literacy – a second pillar of FFA’s strategic plan – will also be a critical part of the investment that we continue to make in our members around the country.”

Listen to the entire news conference here: Bayer Commits to 4-H and FFA News Conference

2019 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

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NCGA Tackles Waivers, Trade

Carrie Muehling

While celebrating announcements about E-15, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) 1st Vice President Kevin Ross had the opportunity to share a pointed message with President Trump last spring regarding small refinery exemptions. But recent news out of Washington, D.C. about Renewable Fuels Standard waivers has Ross declaring there is still work to do.

“There’s time for them to do things and get them fixed, but there’s not a lot of time,” said Ross, who farms in southeastern Iowa. “We’ve got a lot of plants that have shuttered. We’ve got a lot of plants that are closing down at a time when we’re coming into harvest and guys need places to go with their products.”

Ross said the administration needs to understand how important the ethanol market is and how hurtful these exemptions are to the renewable fuels industry as a whole, noting that some plants have been operating on a negative margin for nearly a year.

He also acknowledged the difficult trade situation farmers face right now. While encouraged by recent announcements involving Japan, Ross said the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) needs to come before Congress. He also applauded the administration for taking on intellectual property issues within China, but said that country’s retaliation hurts farmers and hurts agriculture.

Listen to Cindy’s interview with Kevin here: Interview with Kevin Ross, NCGA

2019 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, Farm Progress Show, NCGA

USDA RMA Responding to Weather Challenges

Carrie Muehling

It’s been a busy year for the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) as the weather has thrown plenty of challenges at farmers across the country. Widespread flooding in the spring slowed things down for growers, and RMA responded with the decision to extend the acreage reporting deadline by one week in 14 states. But that wasn’t the only action they took, according to RMA Administrator Martin Barbre.

“Not only do we have a lot of prevent plant, but we have a lot of late planting. Well, obviously with late planting comes late harvest,” said Barbre, who is from Carmi, Ill.

RMA worked with Secretary Perdue’s office to defer interest due on premiums from Oct. 1 to Dec. 1 on spring planted crops to further assist farmers who were forced to plant later than usual this year.

Barbre said visitors to the 2019 Farm Progress Show are asking questions about insurance on hemp production, high risk rated areas, and double crop acreages.

Listen to Cindy’s interview with Martin here: Interview with Martin Barbre, USDA RMA
2019 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

Audio, Farm Progress Show, USDA

BASF Sponsors Media Tent at FPS19

Carrie Muehling

Media covering the 2019 Farm Progress Show have a place to escape the outside elements, thanks again this year to a BASF-sponsored media tent. In addition to providing wifi connectivity and meals for working media, BASF works hard to line up helpful content, as well.

“We put some time and effort into having great content and great topics and great spokespeople that the media can come and talk to, and we’ve got them prepped and ready to go,” said Casey Allen, External Communications Manager, BASF Agricultural Solutions. “We always value the chances that we have to work closely with our media and want to provide good content, good opportunities to provide to their listeners and their readers and their viewers, as well.”

The media tent also offers a venue for press conferences and panel discussions on relevant topics like weed control.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Casey here: Interview with Casey Allen, BASF

2019 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

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Rep. Davis Visits Farm Progress Show

Carrie Muehling

Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) spent time Tuesday in his own 13th District, visiting the Farm Progress Show in Decatur.

Davis said the event is a great place to see farmers and agricultural companies alike, and recognized a level of displeasure in the agriculture industry when it comes to trade. He said a vote on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is critical and would help farmers to get what they’re looking for, and that’s a market for their products.

“It’s crucial for Illinois because 40 percent of our Illinois ag products are exported to Canada and Mexico, and it has given China leverage to walk away from the table,” said Davis. “It could be the lynchpin. It gives America leverage over countries like China who have been trading unfairly, and it gives us a starting point to be able to get a deal on the floor of the House. I think it opens the floodgates.”

Davis also realizes the ethanol industry is unhappy with recent refinery waivers and said those need to be limited to small refiners in the future.

Listen to Cindy’s interview with Rep. Davis here: Interview with Rep. Rodney Davis, R-IL 13th District

2019 Farm Progress Show photo album

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Farm Progress Show 2019

Chuck Zimmerman

2019 Farm Progress ShowIt’s that time again. Farm Progress Show 2019. Cindy and I are on our way to Decatur, IL for this year’s show.

We want to thank BASF for sponsoring the media tent once again this year. It’s looking like temperatures will be a little cooler but I’ll take air conditioning any day!

We’ll be on site this afternoon to get set up for an early start tomorrow when Carrie Muehling will be join us as we work with companies like GROWMARK, Syngenta, Can-Am and Bayer among others. It’s going to be a busy show. I’ve never had so many invitations to come to exhibits for their media event or to just meet and interview various representatives. I wish we could do them all!

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is scheduled to attend the show on Wednesday afternoon, which should be interesting considering the current dissatisfaction among farmers in the Midwest – crop forecasts, refinery waivers, trade wars…etc. Wonder what Secretary Sonny will have to say this week. We know there will be farmers there with plenty to say!

See you at the Show!

Photos

2019 Farm Progress Show photo album

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Animal Ag Bites 8/26

Carrie Muehling

  • Seven food writers recently participated in a food and farm excursion to see first-hand how veal calves are raised. The North American Meat Institute, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, hosted the tour which included visiting multiple veal farms in Pennsylvania and Indiana. The writers visited with farmers, animal nutritionists, veterinarians, feed representatives and chefs to learn more about the transformation that has occurred in how veal is raised today.
  • A new book, “What Would Jesus Really Eat? The Biblical Case for Eating Meat,” is now available to help arm farmers, ranchers and others in the animal agriculture industry with the information they need to have informed conversations about the complex subject of religion and eating meat. Copies of the book can be purchased exclusively from the Animal Agriculture Alliance at a discounted rate for a limited time. Additional discounts are available for bulk orders. Click here to order your copy today.
  • September 28 and 29, alpaca business owners throughout North America will celebrate the 12th annual National Alpaca Farm Days. Alpaca Owners Association, Inc. invites you to visit participating member farms and ranches during this fun-filled family event. For a complete list of participating farms and ranches, visit www.AlpacaFarmDays.com.
  • University of Florida scientists believe they can develop new antimicrobials that will benefit dairy cattle and, eventually, humans by treating bacteria that normally resist antiobiotics. KC Jeong, an associate professor of animal sciences at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, plans to use a nearly $460,000 grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to make cattle bacteria less resistant to antibiotics; therefore, more treatable. Humans also may benefit from Jeong’s research because many bacteria in our bodies also resist antibiotic treatments.
  • On July 12-13, 2019, the 8th International Poultry Forum China was held at Hilton Hotel Yantai, Shandong, China. More than 400 industry professionals, entrepreneurs and executives attended the forum representing all areas of the poultry meat and egg industry chain. The International Poultry Forum China was organized by Poultry International China and LyJa Media, in cooperation with WATT Global Media and supported by World’s Poultry Science Association, National Poultry Industry Branch CAAA and Shandong Poultry Industry Association.
  • Marek’s disease—a highly contagious viral disease caused by a herpesvirus—is a constant threat to poultry worldwide. To help improve the control of Marek’s disease, veterinary medical officer John Dunn and his team at the Agricultural Research Service Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory in East Lansing, Michigan, analyzed Marek’s disease genomes to find out which genes are mostly associated with virulence. The study was published recently in the Journal of General Virology.
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US and Japan Shake on Trade Deal

Cindy Zimmerman

During the G-7 summit in France Sunday, President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shook hands on a deal “in principle” that involves agricultural products.

“(We) have excess corn in various parts of our country, with our farmers, because China did not do what they said they were going to do,” said President Trump. “And Prime Minister Abe, on behalf of Japan, they’re going to be buying all of that corn. And that’s a very big transaction. They’re going to be buying it from our farmers.”

Prime Minister Abe said there is a demand for some agricultural products right now in Japan because they are experiencing some insect pest issues. “And there is a need for us to buy certain amount of agricultural products. And this will be done by the Japanese private sector. That means that Japanese corporations will need to buy additional agricultural products.”

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer says the deal “will be a major benefit for beef, pork, wheat, dairy products, wine, ethanol, and a variety of other products.”

Listen to remarks by Pres. Trump, PM Abe (translated), and USTR Lighthizer.

US-Japan trade deal announcement
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GROWMARK Foundation to Provide FFA Jackets

Carrie Muehling

After the unexpected passing of GROWMARK vice president and long-time employee Mike Builta in April 2019, the GROWMARK Foundation is helping his family to honor his memory by providing FFA jackets to FFA members in Illinois.

“In the weeks and the days after his passing, his wife approached us and asked if the GROWMARK Foundation could become a place to funnel memorial funds through, and also to come up with some ideas of appropriate ways to honor his memory,” said Karen Jones, GROWMARK Youth and Young Producer Specialist.

More than $12,000 was collected in Builta’s memory. Part of that money will go towards providing 25 Illinois FFA members with FFA jackets for the next four years, for a total of 100 jackets. Interested students will fill out an online application including two short answer questions about what the FFA jacket means to them, and the main goal they wish to accomplish as an FFA member.

The application is available at www.bit.ly/BuiltaJacket and is due September 30.

Builta was raised on a family farm near Bellflower, Illinois. He was an active FFA member and lifelong supporter of agricultural education. He held GROWMARK System management roles at Christian County Farmers Supply Company in Taylorville, Illinois and GRAINCO FS in Ottawa, Illinois, before becoming GROWMARK vice president of Energy and Logistics in 2018.

Listen to Carrie’s interview with Karen here: Interview with Karen Jones, GROWMARK

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John Deere Celebrates 150 Years in Kansas City Area

Cindy Zimmerman

John Deere opened its Kansas City branch office 150 years ago, where it quickly became the largest distribution center and sales hub for the rapidly growing company that was founded in 1837. This week, company employees, retirees, community leaders and guests gathered at the historic John Deere Plow building located in the West Bottoms of Kansas City, Mo., to celebrate the 150-year significant physical and economic milestone in the company’s history.

Once opened, the Kansas City office provided John Deere with a gateway to expanding new markets in the west. “Its proximity to roads, rivers and rail systems helped John Deere grow and keep pace with a rapidly growing country,” said John Lagemann, senior vice president for John Deere. “As our company has continued to grow, Kansas City, and the surrounding area, have played and continue to play a key role.”

Today, the John Deere Ag Marketing Center, in Olathe, Kan., is home to a variety of marketing, accounting and dealer support functions for the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The company’s iconic green and yellow equipment is sold at numerous independent dealerships across Missouri and Kansas where John Deere employs more than 1,500 people and another 1,100 of its retirees also live.

Several dignitaries attended the event on Thursday, including Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas who proclaimed August 22 John Deere Day.

John Deere