Cattlemen Launch Campaign to Pass USMCA

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has launched a media campaign urging Congress to pass the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The campaign features personal stories from cattle and beef producers across the country who want Congress to ratify the USMCA as quickly as possible.

“The USMCA keeps the highly successful framework for U.S. beef trade in place and preserves access to two of our largest export markets,” said NCBA President Jennifer Houston. “Cattle producers need certainty with Canada and Mexico so that we can continue to build on 25 years of duty-free, unrestricted trade in North America.”

The campaign will centers around a new USMCA website where visitors can click on a dynamic map to pull up state data, producer profiles, and news articles related to USMCA. The map will be updated weekly with new content and profiles.

AgWired Animal, Beef, Exports, Livestock, NCBA, Trade

Zimfo Bytes 6/28

Carrie Muehling

  • Commodity Classic returns to San Antonio February 27-29, with the theme of “See Your Future Clearly.” Click here for the tentative schedule.
  • Pioneer announced three FFA chapters have been chosen as finalists in the Pioneer® brand A-Series Soybeans Big A Challenge. Each winning chapter will receive a cash prize and will have their decorated statues prominently displayed at the 2019 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois. Judges selected the Mount Ayr FFA (Mount Ayr, Iowa), North Tama FFA (Traer, Iowa) and Wayne FFA (Corydon, Iowa) chapters as the top three finalists from 15 participating FFA chapters in Iowa and Illinois.
  • West Central Distribution debuts the all new Leaders in Farming Technology (LIFT) initiative, a partnership with Corteva Agriscience, Nufarm, Valent U.S.A. and Vive Crop Protection. This initiative aims to increase crop yields by incorporating the newest farming technology, including adjuvants, seed treatments, crop nutrition programs and crop protection.
  • Top-notch speaker insights and networking opportunities will again be part of the Invitational Golf Tournament at the 2019 ARA Conference & Expo in New Orleans on Dec. 3-5. Register before the early bird rate expires Oct. 15 and join the leaders in ag retail in “The Big Easy.”
  • The Agricultural Retailers Association hired Andrea Mowers to the role of manager of communications and member engagement. Mowers comes to ARA from the Lean Construction Institute.
  • The American Soybean Association wants to recognize exceptional soy volunteers and leaders. During ASA’s annual awards banquet, individuals will be recognized and honored for state association volunteerism, distinguished leadership achievements and long-term, significant contributions to the soybean industry. The nomination period is open through Oct. 14, 2019.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation recognized 15 farm and ranch women leaders as graduates of the organization’s Women’s Communications Boot Camp summer session. The intensive four-day course completed by the agricultural leaders comprised hands-on sessions related to public speaking, working with the media and messaging.
  • Communications veteran Terri Moore will join the American Farm Bureau Federation July 8 as vice president to lead all aspects of the organization’s communications efforts.
  • Swanson Russell recently promoted seven people in its Lincoln and Omaha offices: Jaylyn Armstrong, Brooke Behrendt, Liz Dorland, Meghann Kennedy, Kimberly Merk, Morgan Nebbia and Ryan Stoner.
  • Marrone Bio Innovations Inc. has received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for key claims covering the composition and method of manufacturing for Grandevo WDG, an MBI developed microbial-based bioinsecticide.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association is pleased to announce that Mole•Master Services Corp. has recently joined the organization. Based in Marietta, Ohio, Mole•Master Services Corp. is a worldwide leader in industrial vessel cleaning services and equipment sales and rental. It specializes in silo/bin/bunker cleaning, pipe cleaning, CO2 blasting, fire suppression, hydro blasting, vacuum services, media/ice blasting, and structural inspections, offering turnkey services using highly-qualified OSHA/MSHA trained technicians.
  • The World Food Prize Foundation seeks well-qualified candidates for the position of President. Earlier this year, Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn announced that he will retire as President of the World Food Prize Foundation in January 2020.
  • Cotton consultants spend long hours in the field in an effort to make their farmer clients more profitable. If you would like your consultant to be recognized, nominate him or her for the prestigious 2019 Cotton Consultant of the Year award. Click here to access the 2019 nomination form. The deadline for nominations is July 31. This annual award is co-sponsored by Syngenta and Cotton Farming magazine and offers an opportunity to recognize a consultant who has made great contributions to the cotton industry through outstanding customer relations, leadership and innovation.
  • Nicholas Carrico of Butte Valley, California, won a Polaris Ranger® 570 in the Bayer Velum® One Nematode Ranger Sweepstakes. Growers, pest control advisors and consultants could enter the Velum One Sweepstakes between December 2018 and February 2019.
  • FLM Harvest has awarded its Seed to Succeed partnership to Project EverGreen and Grow North Minnesota. The recipients will receive a total of up to $75,000 in pro bono services from the agency.
  • This year, Rhea + Kaiser (R+K) and Marketing to Farmers are delighted to be participants in AgTech Nexus USA. On Tuesday, July 23, R+K’s President and Chief Integration Officer Jeff Walter will be moderating the Innovation Spotlight: Fostering the Next Generation of AgTech Entrepreneurs.
Zimfo Bytes

BASF Receives EPA Registration for Revysol Fungicide

Cindy Zimmerman

BASF has received Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration for Revysol® fungicide. The new active ingredient (AI) is the first and only isopropanol azole of its kind in the market for a broad range of crops and disease combinations. Revysol, and its related product brands, will be available to growers for the 2020 planting season.

Revysol fungicide has a unique isopropanol link that can flex to control a broad spectrum of fungal diseases and strains resistant to demethylation inhibitors (DMI). In recent BASF trials, it has shown exceptional biological performance against several economically significant diseases, including northern corn leaf blight in corn, cercospora leaf spot in sugarbeets, frogeye leaf spot in soybean, and powdery mildew in grapes. For growers challenged with resistance and seeking to maximize their yields, Revysol fungicide offers unique benefits when compared to DMI fungicides, including:

Application for a wide variety of crops, including corn, soybeans, grapes, potatoes and sugar beets.
Faster fungicide uptake by the plant, leading to immediate and powerful disease-protective action.
Quick absorption leading to excellent rainfastness and low water solubility, allowing the AI to move through the plant for longer residual activity.
Curative activity, or post-infection applications, made prior to symptoms developing, can help stop the disease from progressing and save yield.

“Revysol fungicide will give growers the confidence to manage disease and resistance effectively while reducing their exposure to weather-related risks,” said Paula Halabicki, BASF Technical Marketing Manager. “The treatment offers longer residual properties than its competitors and protects against many weather conditions like drought, hail, frost and heat.”

The AI will be available in several customized products, including Veltyma™ fungicide in corn; Revytek™ fungicide in soybeans; Provysol™ fungicide in potatoes, sugar beets and peanuts; and Cevya® fungicide in grapes, almonds, pome and stone fruit.

Revysol was the big reveal at the 2019 BASF Science Behind media event prior to Commodity Classic. Halabicki and Matt Bradley, BASF Product Marketing Manager, provide more information about the new AI and its product brands in these audio files.

The Fungicide Landscape –
Matt Bradley, BASF - Revysol Announcement

The Future of Fungicides –
Paula Halabicki, BASF, Presentation

Introducing Fungicide Brands –
Matt Bradley, BASF - New Brands

AgWired Precision, Audio, BASF, Fungicide

FMC Announces $50 Million Global R&D Investment

Chuck Zimmerman

Kathy Shelton, FMC, Chief Technology OfficerThis morning I spoke with Kathy Shelton, FMC Chief Technology Officer, about a major R&D announcement from the company. Over the next three years FMC will be investing more than $50 million in capital improvement projects, including a state-of-the-art reconfiguration of a greenhouse and research facility at the company’s Global Research and Development headquarters in Newark, Delaware known as the Stine Research Center.

Kathy says that FMC has not only retained R&D employees after it acquired the facility as part of the acquisition of a portion of DuPont’s crop protection business in 2017 but will be expanding the staff. She also talked about the types of work being done on new modes of action for products like herbicides. Providing a way to address resistant pests is key to this work and new products are already in the pipeline that growers can look forward to.

FMC Delaware R&DFMC plans to reconfigure an existing structure at the facility to enhance its global research and development (R&D) efforts. In support of the project, the company plans to hire 13 employees over the next three years, which would bring its total of full-time R&D employees at the Delaware campus to approximately 375. The new positions include professional scientists and skilled associates, adding approximately $1.3 million to its annual payroll. The site’s total workforce of nearly 600 includes support staff and contractors.

“We will invest nearly $2 billion in research and development through 2023 as a cornerstone of FMC’s long-term growth strategy,” said Mark Douglas, president and chief operating officer. “FMC employees at the Stine Research Center will lead much of this critical discovery and development work to serve our global business and customers. We’re pleased to partner with the State of Delaware to further our investment in the area.”

To support its expansion, the Council for Development Finance (CDF) approved a grant for $1,642,500 from the Delaware Strategic Fund, including $142,500 for a performance grant and $1.5 million for a capital expenditure grant. The grant supplements the company’s own investment over a three-year period. Both grants are contingent upon meeting employment benchmarks.

You can listen to my interview with Kathy here to learn more about what the investment means: Interview with Kathy Shelton, FMC

Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, FMC

Livestock Publications Council Hires New Executive Director

Chuck Zimmerman

Lindsay Graber RunftLindsay Graber Runft begins serving as the new Executive Director for the Livestock Publications Council on July 15, 2019. The LPC Board approved the agreement after a 5-month search and selection process that generated 39 letters of interest and 12 applications. The search was facilitated by Steve Drake, president of SCD Group Inc. Runft replaces Diane Johnson who retires August 15.

“The LPC Board is very excited to have someone with the experience and passion for our industry to continue moving the organization forward,” said Carey Brown, LPC President and Publication Coordinator of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association. “Lindsay will be a great asset to the group and we look forward to building our organization with her leadership.”

Runft served as director of marketing and communications of the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) from 2013 to 2018. She has been principal of Prairie Public Relations since 2018.

“I am incredibly excited, and honored, to accept the role of Executive Director for Livestock Publications Council,” Runft said. “It will be a privilege to further LPC’s purpose of serving the livestock communications industry through collaborative work with Board leadership and membership service.”

The LPC office will relocate from Fort Worth, Texas, to Courtland, Kansas, effective August 15, 2019.

I’m looking forward to seeing both Diane and Lindsay at the Ag Media Summit/IFAJ Congress in July.

LPC, Media

NPPC Launches Keep America First in Ag Campaign

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has launched a new campaign to highlight the importance of establishing a proper regulatory framework for gene editing in American livestock. The “Keep America First in Agriculture” campaign was officially kicked off Tuesday with a media teleconference featuring leading researchers, veterinarians, producers and industry experts.

“Gene editing is a huge step forward for America’s farmers, as it offers a powerful new way to combat animal disease,” said Dr. Dan Kovich, NPPC’s director of Science & Technology. “With gene editing, livestock breeders can knock out specific genes that make animals vulnerable to viral infections. Healthier animals benefit both farmers and consumers.”

While countries like Canada, Brazil and Argentina are moving quickly on this advancement to gain competitive advantage in the market, the U.S. is running the risk of falling far behind as a result of a regulatory seize by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Under FDA regulation, gene editing faces an impractical, lengthy and expensive approval process, threatening hundreds of thousands of jobs and nearly six percent of U.S. Gross Domestic Product.

Additionally, the FDA’s regulation inaccurately classifies livestock as drugs and farms as drug-manufacturing facilities, creating significant challenges for the international trade in animals and animal products.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the only agency prepared to effectively regulate this new technology. It already has a review process in place for genetic editing in plants under its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which can easily be adopted for livestock. The USDA also has the understanding and history of working directly with livestock and agriculture, unlike the FDA, which regulates packaged food, drugs and medical devices.

Listen to opening remarks from the press conference with Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam, Animal Biotechnology and Genomics Extension Specialist, University of California, Davis; Dr. Kovich; Andrew Bailey, NPPC Lead Counsel for Science and Technology; and Dr. Bradley Wolter, a leading pork producer and President of The Maschhoffs.

NPPC launches Keep America First in Agriculture
AgWired Animal, Audio, Food, Livestock, NPPC, Pork

Precision Ag Bytes 6/26

Carrie Muehling

  • JCB set a new British speed record for tractors with a modified version of its JCB 8000-series Fastrac. The tractor achieved an average maximum speed of 103.6 mph over two runs at Elvington Airfield in the United Kingdom. Television and motorsports personality Guy Martin was behind the wheel.
  • The ARA Invitational Golf Tournament will again be part of the 2019 ARA Conference & Expo in New Orleans on Dec. 3-5! Register before the early bird rate expires Oct. 15 and join the leaders in ag retail in “The Big Easy.”
  • The Soil Health Institute announced that Dr. C. Wesley (Wes) Wood has joined its Board of Directors.​ Dr. Wood is a Professor and Center Director of the West Florida Research and Education Center with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
  • At this year’s Bio World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and AgTech in Des Moines, Iowa, the Consider Corn Challenge II winners will be announced. The National Corn Growers Association is also a sponsor of the event and will be participating in a number of sessions.
  • Nutrien Ltd. announced it is now a Founding Member of the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium, a collection of private-sector and nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing sustainability throughout the agricultural supply chain.
  • Ceres Imaging announced the release of a new Variable Rate Application Zone Tool. The tool combines the highest accuracy aerial imagery on the market with patented data analytics to automatically generate management zones for variable rate applications of nitrogen and other inputs.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Brownfield Adds Rural Radio to Porfolio

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s a big announcement for Brownfield, a company I used to work for!

Brownfield welcomes Rural Radio satellite channel 147 to the suite of agriculture networks it represents for national sales. This partnership increases Brownfield’s current marketing reach and expands listening opportunities for unique Brownfield programs featured along with Rural Radio programs.

Rural Radio“This is a great partnership bringing two of the industry leaders in audio for the agriculture and rural lifestyle together to provide greater opportunity for our partnered brands,” explains John Baker, Senior Vice President of Brownfield. “This allows Brownfield the opportunity to provide our clients with a platform that gives national coverage and unique customized programs that are client driven and compliment their media strategies.”

The addition of Rural Radio on SiriusXM to Brownfield’s portfolio is significant to advertisers. Brownfield in combination with its rep partners now offers more radio coverage of U.S. agriculture than any other radio group in the country, reaching listeners in 86% of the U.S. corn acres and 69% of U.S. soybean acres. In addition to increasing farmer reach nationally, the Brownfield/SirusXM combination offers up to 50% or more reach of growers in key Midwest states.

Brownfield will represent Rural Radio and all commercial inventory on the channel from 6am-1pm central time offering sales support, research, and unique program opportunities that are both strategic and client driven. Advertising can be targeted by commodity to zero in on desired audience by placing fixed position messages.

Media

Congrats to 2019 Golden ARC Awards Winners

Cindy Zimmerman

The Ag Relations Council (ARC) had a great annual meeting last week in Kansas City where they announced the winners for the 2019 Golden ARC Awards contest.

The Golden ARC de Excellence award is given to the best all-around entry in the campaigns division and this year that honor was 2019 Golden ARC Award Winners bestowed upon a campaign produced by Minneapolis-based agency, Padilla. “Seeding Support for Farm and Food Interests – A Greater Minnesota with Padilla” was entered into the Public Affairs division. Padilla credits John Himle for his work on the campaign.

Padilla took home seven Golden ARC awards this year, in addition to the Golden ARC de Excellence award.

Organizations receiving Golden ARC awards and merits are American Farm Bureau Federation, American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, Archer Malmo, Bader Rutter, Charleston|Orwig, Cogent Consulting and Communications, Inc., Evans, Hardy + Young, Farm Credit East, Filament, G & S Business Communications, Kansas Farm Bureau, Ketchum, Midwest Dairy, MorganMyers, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Board, New Boston Creative, O+B|P, Padilla, Porter Novelli, Rabo AgriFinance, Seaboard Foods, and Two Rivers Marketing.

Click here for a complete winners’ listing of the 2019 Golden ARC Awards Contest.

Congrats to all!

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, ARC, Public Relations

USDA Feral Swine Eradication Program is Good News

Chuck Zimmerman

The meat of feral hogs is pretty good but we would rather have more deer, thanks very much.

Since 2013 I have hunted on a piece of land we affectionately call the Crystal Pig Hunt Club in central Georgia with my brother Paul and Gary Cooper of AgNet Media. The hogs started moving in about 2016 and have since made a dent in the deer population because they don’t get along well. Pictured here is godson and nephew Luke with his lovely wife Hope and a couple of hogs they got at the camp.

So, we were happy to hear about USDA’s new Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP) in a joint effort between USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Applications are being accepted through Aug. 19, 2019, for partners to carry out activities as part of these pilot projects in select areas of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas.

Where brother Paul lives near Madison, Georgia the feral hog population has been a problem since at least 2014. The 2018 Farm Bill included this new pilot program to finally help address the threat that feral swine pose to agriculture, ecosystems and human and animal health.

Feral swine have been reported in at least 35 states and their population is estimated at over 6 million and is rapidly expanding. According to APHIS, feral swine were first brought to the United States in the 1500s by early explorers and settlers as a source of food. In the 1900s, the Eurasian or Russian wild boar was introduced into parts of the United States for the purpose of sport hunting. Today, feral swine are a combination of escaped domestic pigs, Eurasian wild boars, and hybrids of the two. Texas is the number one state for feral swine by far, estimated to have about half the U.S. population.

Bottom line, these beasts are nasty and destructive and probably even PETA would agree they should be eradicated.

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Hunting, USDA