Zimfo Bytes 11/9

Carrie Muehling

  • Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer. The state winner will be announced at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019. Applications are due by Dec. 15, 2018. The award application is available online at www.gapeanuts.com.
  • MGEX reports that the total exchange volume for October came in at 160,100 contracts, which is an increase of 33% compared to October 2017.
  • HELM Agro US, Inc. announced the hiring of Adam Hensley as the company’s new Marketing and Business Development Leader.
  • Commodity Classic and Successful Farming® are partnering to bring Commodity Classic attendees a dynamic list of educational and entertaining Main Stage presentations. The Main Stage line-up for 2019 includes: Brian and Darren Hefty of Ag PhD presenting on weed control and micronutrients; nationally-renowned speaker Jolene Brown talking about farm transition and succession planning; Marji Guyler-Alanz, president and founder of FarmHer; Rob Sharkey, known for his podcast The Shark Farmer; Al Kluis, marketing columnist for Successful Farming®; a cooking demonstration by Chef Denise Flores Ordoñez; and panel discussions and presentations featuring top ag experts and industry leaders.
  • The National Corn Growers Association announced the launch of the second Consider Corn Challenge contest.
  • The outcome of the midterm election and what it means for the food and agriculture sector will be the focus of the Farm Foundation Forum on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. For the free live audiocast, register HERE.
  • The National FFA Foundation has announced appointments to its sponsors’ board and individual giving council. For a complete listing of all current sponsors’ board and individual giving council members, visit FFA.org/our-leadership/.
Zimfo Bytes

Pork, Soy and Corn Groups Unite for Sustainability Research

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Pork Board (NPB), United Soybean Board (USB) and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) are joining together on a sustainability research platform that will benefit all three organizations and their producers.

The CEOs and farmer leaders of all three organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the 2018 NAFB Convention Wednesday in Kansas City, MO. The research program will include the sharing of completed research, coordination on current and planned research and define ways to share and communicate results with each organization’s members.

Pictured at the signing are NPB communications Cindy Cunningham; NPB CEO Bill Even; NPB President Steve Rommereim, South Dakota; USB CEO Polly Ruhland; USB chairman Lewis Bainbridge, South Dakota; NCGA CEO Jon Doggett, and NCGA president Lynn Chrisp of Nebraska.

A task force of farmer representatives from NPB, USB and NCGA will be formed and, with support from each organization, will be responsible for managing and evaluating the activities outlined in the MOU. Additionally, the task force will track progress and evaluate the value and impact of the MOU upon completion of all activities.

Listen to the group announcement here – Pork, Soy and Corn sustainability agreement

2018 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC
AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Corn, NAFB, NCGA, Pork, Pork Checkoff, Soybean, Sustainability

2018 NAFB Foundation Going Strong

Cindy Zimmerman

The NAFB Foundation presented $25,000 in college scholarships to five outstanding students during the foundation luncheon on Wednesday at the 75th annual convention.

The scholarship recipients, pictured here with NAFB Foundation president Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse, are:

Matthew Winterholler, Texas Tech University
National Wheat Foundation/U.S. Wheat Associates Scholarship

Jacqueline Janorschke, University of Missouri
George Logan Scholarship

Corryn La Rue, Utah State University
Glenn Kummerow Memorial Scholarship

Alexandra Voichoskie-Hansen, University of Lincoln
BASF Grow Smart Scholarship

Christy Allen, University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign
Orion Samuelson Scholarship, sponsored by CME Group

The big and fun NAFB Foundation live auction is at the Thursday evening reception at the end of a very long Trade Talk day, so for the first time one special item will be up for auction tonight at the opening reception sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association – which is a kayak tour on the Potomac guided by NCGA CEO Jon Doggett.

There are also TONS of great silent auction items pn display for bidding and, of course, you can always contribute on-line and become a member of the Booster Club.

Chuck talked to Sara Wyant about the foundation and its widespread industry support. Interview with NAFB Foundation president Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse

2018 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, NAFB, NCGA

2018 NAFB Social Media Corps

Cindy Zimmerman

College students passionate about social media and digital storytelling are busy sharing 2018 NAFB Convention updates throughout the event on various social platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Farm Credit and Zoetis are sponsoring this year’s Social Media Corps, which consists of (pictured left to right) Jackie Leeuw, Purdue University; Hannah Borg, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and Michaela Simcoe, South Dakota State University.

Follow the convention updates with the hash tag #NAFB18 and listen to an interview here with Hannah Borg about the mission of the Social Media Corps. NAFB18 Social Media Corps interview with Hannah Borg, Univ of Neb.

2018 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC
Audio, Farm Credit, Media, NAFB

NAFB is 75 Years Strong

Cindy Zimmerman

The 2018 National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention is marking the diamond anniversary of the meeting, which has been held in Kansas City for about 45 of those 75 years.

NAFB president Tom Cassidy, Ag Radio Network, says this year’s convention is the largest ever in the organization’s history, with many retired members who have been away from the business for years coming in for the celebration.

In this interview, Cassidy talks about this year’s meeting and the state of farm broadcasting.Interview with NAFB president Tom Cassidy, Ag Radio Network

PHOTOS

2018 NAFB Convention Photo Album

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, NAFB

Nuelle to Join Agri-Pulse

Cindy Zimmerman

Ben Nuelle interviews Bill Northey at 2017 FPS

After a year away from the microphone, Ben Nuelle is joining the Agri-Pulse editorial team in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 1, where he will write and broadcast for the company’s subscription-only newsletter and website.

Agri-Pulse Editor Sara Wyant says Nuelle was a freelancer for them while he worked at the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network “and we’ve continued to be impressed by his interest in the intersection of policy and politics.” Most recently, Nuelle served as an agriculture specialist for Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst.

Nuelle grew up on a hay and cattle farm near Higginsville, Mo., and studied multimedia journalism at Northwest Missouri State University, where he worked for KXCV/KRNW radio as a news anchor and reporter. He also studied economics at George Mason University in Arlington, Va., and interned for Radio America. He is a recipient of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Doan Award and the Institute on Political Journalism Director’s Award. Nuelle is also an accomplished pianist, often showcasing his talent in church, at weddings, and in front of two National FFA audiences.

Congrats Ben – we knew you couldn’t stay away from the microphone for long!

Agri-Pulse

Grains Council Officers Meet in Mexico

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. Grains Council (USGC) officers headed south of the border last week to talk about the new trade agreement and meet with new government officials in the country that accounts for a big chunk of U.S. feed grains exports.

Leaders from the U.S. feed grains value chain traveled to Mexico on the heels of the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) negotiations, and the new presidential administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, known as AMLO, prepares to take office on Dec. 1.

While in the country, the joint leadership team visited with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) post in Mexico City; met with key customer organizations including the Mexican feed manufacturers’ council, known as CONAFAB; and made a stop at the Mexican grain trade association, known as APPAMEX. They also met with officials already appointed by the new president-elect, including Victor Villalobos, the incoming head of the agriculture department.

Mexico is the top export destination for U.S. corn, distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and barley and a significant buyer of U.S. sorghum. The country also holds near-term potential for increased use of U.S. ethanol following energy policy changes in recent years.

Corn, Ethanol, Exports, Grains, USGC

Precision Ag Bytes 11/7

Carrie Muehling

  • CNH Industrial N.V. and Farmers Edge announced that they have entered into a strategic digital agriculture agreement that will make available a portfolio of connectivity and agronomic solutions to Case IH and New Holland customers. Through this agreement, Case IH and New Holland Agriculture, the global agricultural brands of CNH Industrial, will provide their customers with access to FarmCommand.
  • Four new agtech startups entered AgLaunch365 Phase I programming in Memphis. AgLaunch365 integrates startups with farmers in the AgLaunch Farmer Network to create and implement sophisticated field trial protocols and prepare for funding by aligned capital sources. This 6-week program, delivered through remote programming and in-person sessions held in Memphis, will culminate at the Farm Journal AgTech Expo in Indianapolis December 3-5, 2018.
  • Ag Leader unveiled new guidance and steering solutions including a dual-antenna automated steering system and the latest in GNSS technology to be added to its already high-end precision agriculture guidance and steering line.
  • S&W Seed Company announced that it has acquired certain assets and assigned contracts of Chromatin, a U.S.-based sorghum operator which entered into receivership earlier this year. The purchase price was $26.5 million.
  • Agrellus has added aerial and ground custom application services to its mobile and online ag input marketplace. Grower members can customize requests by crop; choose targets like insect, weed, seeding or defoliation; select rate per acre or get advice on correct rates or best product for their needs.
  • Almost 200 scientists and organization leaders engaged with 41 researchers and subject matter experts during a two-day Conference on Connections Between Soil Health and Human Health offered by the Soil Health Institute on October 16–17, 2018.
  • Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach will discuss the future of plant breeding innovation, including federal policies around gene editing, at ASTA’s CSS 2018 & Seed Expo, Dec. 3-6 in Chicago. Ibach will take part in a panel discussion during the Plant Breeding Innovation session on Thursday, Dec. 6.
  • HELM Agro US, Inc. announced the hiring of Adam Hensley as the company’s new Marketing and Business Development Leader.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes

Kansas City Here We Come

Cindy Zimmerman

ZimmComm is headed out today to the 75th annual NAFB convention at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri. We first started attending NAFB in the mid-1980s and have been there every year since 1987. But there are lots of NAFB members who have been faithfully attending the annual meeting since before it started being held in Kansas City. This year will be different for us since we’re bringing our fur baby with us because the Westin is so dog friendly and we will be seeing the grandbabies later this week!

The NAFB was founded in 1944 as the National Association of Radio Farm Directors (NARFD). Television was added to the name in 1955 to become NATRFD. The next name change came in 1964 to the more inclusive National Association of Farm Broadcasters and NAFB. In 2005, the name was changed from Broadcasters to Broadcasting.

There is a lot of history in the NAFB and we’ll be sharing some of it this week, thanks to the support of FMC – which has been a proud sponsor of Trade Talk for many years. Stay tuned for lots of photos and interviews!

Meanwhile, take a walk down memory lane from the past decade or so of NAFB meetings in the ZimmComm Flickr collection. See you in Kansas City to make new memories this week!

POST UPDATE
This year’s photo album is started!
2018 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC
AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, NAFB

AMVAC® Enhances Customer Website

Cindy Zimmerman

AMVAC Chemical Corporation has launched a newly enhanced customer website amvac-chemical.com. The website design includes a search function for agricultural and environmental protection products, retailers and field representatives, as well as marketing and sales campaigns and product promotions.

“With more than 50 percent of traffic coming from mobile devices, we wanted a better user experience for our retailers, farmers and other professionals who rely on our products,” said Neil DeStefano, Director, Portfolio and Marketing/eCommunication Management at AMVAC. “The design ensures an equally user-friendly experience on laptops, tablets and mobile devices, while featuring our expanding portfolio of products, delivery systems and services.”

Market pages for agriculture, pest and vector control, turf and application technology provide product information, how to purchase products, news and promotions. Product search functions are specifically tailored to each market, which allows users to find products by region and category or by crop and insect. Product pages also feature access to labels, photos, videos and other instructional materials.

We’ll find out more about the new website and what all else is new from AMVAC this week at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual convention where AMVAC will be participating in Trade Talk.

AgWired Precision, AMVAC, NAFB