Agri-Pulse Promotes Spencer Chase

Cindy Zimmerman

Agri-Pulse is promoting Spencer Chase to Managing Editor, effective December 1, 2018.

“Spencer continues to do great work for us, producing quality broadcasts and writing,” said Agri-Pulse editor Sara Wyant. “We look forward to having him assume a key managerial role within our growing company.”

Chase joined Agri-Pulse in 2014 as an Associate Editor, covering a wide range of farm policy issues. Since then, he has contributed to the company’s website and weekly newsletter as well as increased the quality and quantity of Agri-Pulse’s audio and video product offerings. He was promoted to Deputy Managing Editor in 2017 and began assisting in management functions for the company’s editorial staff.

Chase replaces Managing Editor Daniel Enoch, who will retire from his full-time role at the end of the year.

Agri-Pulse

Pedigree is the Animal Breeding Board Game

Chuck Zimmerman

Looking for a unique Christmas gift? See what you think of Pedigree: The Animal Breeding Board Game.

Experience the thrill of animal breeding and raising show ring champions in a fun and fast-paced board game called, “The Game of PEDIGREE,” created by Duane Wulf, former South Dakota State University animal science professor and missionary businessman based in Mexico.

“The Game of PEDIGREE” will be officially be available for sale via a Kickstarter campaign launching on Nov. 1. through Nov. 30. Individual backers can purchase the game for $49 plus $10 shipping, and the first 100 to purchase will have the opportunity to name an individual animal in the game.
With a $950 pledge, backers have the opportunity to customize the game to represent their ranch, specific cattle breed or change the game to reflect another species such as sheep, horses or dogs.

Here’s where you can back the project and get your game on and read reviews from people who have played the game.

Animal Agriculture

GROWMARK Energy Offering Pre-Blended E15

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association is pleased that farmer-owned cooperative GROWMARK Energy has started offering pre-blended E15 at its company-owned terminals in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri.

RFA Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White says the move will help expand the market for the higher ethanol blend. “GROWMARK Energy’s announcement provides new opportunities for retailers and a greater choice for consumers,” said White. “We thank GROWMARK Energy for its leadership and look forward to further growth expansion of higher octane, lower carbon E15.”

RFA has been working with GROWMARK on a number of issues related to offering E15 at the terminals, including regulatory compliance, participation in the EPA’s required fuel survey, and adoption of RFA’s Misfueling Mitigation Plan (MMP). RFA will continue to work with interested retailers serviced by the GROWMARK-owned terminals to help them offer E15 for consumers.

Scott Long, GROWMARK Marketing and Business Development Manager for Fuels, says an increasing number of retailers in their service area are starting to offer E15. “Some of them have blender pumps that can already provide E15,” said Long. “This gives them the opportunity to purchase the product without having to blend it themselves.”

Listen to an interview with Scott here: Scott Long, GROWMARK manager marketing and business development, fuels

Audio, Ethanol, GROWMARK, RFA

Latest Agri-Pulse Poll Shows Strong Support for Trump

Cindy Zimmerman

It’s probably safe to say that no president in recent history has talked about agriculture as much as President Donald J. Trump, who has managed to mention farmers in nearly every campaign stop he has made in the past week. That “I love farmers” strategy continues to pay off, despite trade policy strategies that have impacted agricultural exports.

A new Agri-Pulse poll finds farmers and ranchers overwhelmingly approve of the job President Trump is doing, but they would like the administration to focus more on exports and ending the trade war with China.

The poll of 600 commercial farmers and ranchers, conducted over the phone by Aimpoint Research last month, found 79 percent either approve or strongly approve of President Trump, compared to 19 percent who disapprove. Broken down by party lines, 92 percent of the GOP farmers approved of the way Trump is handling the nation’s top job, compared to 33 percent of the Democrats and 65 percent of the independents.

Even though conditions on the farm might not be perceived as favorable right now, farmers seem optimistic that things will get better under President Trump. Our respondents gave fairly high marks to the administration’s efforts to renegotiate and rename the North American Free Trade Agreement, to renegotiate trade terms with China and to repeal federal regulations on their farms.

And when it comes to passing a new farm bill, they see the need to get it done before the end of 2018. On a scale of 0-10, with 10 being extremely important, 79 percent rated the importance of farm bill passage with a six or above.

Read more from Agri-Pulse

Agri-Pulse, AgWired Precision, politics

Animal Ag Bites 11/5

Carrie Muehling

  • This Thanksgiving, more consumers will be able to trace their Honeysuckle White turkeys to the family farm where they were raised, thanks to a blockchain solution that brings transparency to consumer’s food purchases. Through a simple text or by entering an on-package code at HoneysuckleWhite.com, consumers can trace their turkey back to the family farm, access the farm’s location by state and county, view the family farm story, see photos from the farm and read a message from the farmer.
  • More than 1,600 National FFA Organization chapters across the country are receiving funds from veterinarians and animal health dealers and distributors through this year’s Zoetis Industry Support Program.
  • Farmweld is committed to providing U.S. pork producers with the highest quality equipment and services. To expand that effort, the company has hired Brent Jackson to provide field sales support in the vital pig production states of Iowa and Minnesota.
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler signed a proposed rule to amend the emergency release notification regulations under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) to make clear that reporting of air emission from animal waste at farms is not required under EPCRA.
  • Advanced Animal Diagnostics (AAD) announced that it has entered into a license and commercialization agreement with Zoetis to bring AAD’s innovative mastitis detection technology to dairy producers and veterinarians outside of the United States.
AgWired Animal, Animal Bites

2019 Soil Health Summit Open to Public

Cindy Zimmerman

For the first time, the Soil Health Partnership (SHP) is opening up the annual Soil Health Summit in 2019 and encouraging all growers and agronomists to attend. The event will be held January 15-16, 2019 in St. Louis.

The farmer-led soil management project has been involved in a long-term data collection effort to measure the on-farm economic and environmental impact of practices known to improve soil health and sustainability, such as reducing tillage, growing cover crops and practicing advanced nutrient management.

“This is the first year where we have a statistically significant number of farms, more than 80, with year-over-year data to compare,” said Shefali Mehta, SHP executive director. “This Summit will mark the first time we can truly share insights on how the fields are changing over time. We are eager to share this with our partners and attendees.”

In its 5th year, the 2019 event will take place at the Hyatt Regency—St. Louis at the Arch. Registration is open from the Soil Health Summit website with a fee for the two-day event of only $100 for farmers and educators. The cost for other attendees is $250. This registration fee includes the event meals, all sessions, and a reception. A few select exhibitors will also have educational booths.

AgWired Precision, Soil, Soil Health Partnership

ZimmCast 602 – A Farm Broadcasting Icon and More

Chuck Zimmerman

Cindy and I are getting ready to go to the annual NAFB Convention next week in KC, MO. Farm broadcasters are exactly the kind of agricultural media our AgNewsWire service is targeted to, providing them with fresh content they can use in their broadcasts, rights and cost free!

In this week’s program I share a conversation with farm broadcasting legend Everett Griner who just announced his retirement after 70 years in the broadcast business. Ev was also a mentor for both me and Gary Cooper when we first got in the business many years ago. Ev continued working for Gary and Southeast AgNet until this week. After 70 years in broadcasting, most of it in farm radio, it sounds like he’s a perfect candidate for the NAFB Hall of Fame!

Next in the program I have an interview with Kelly Davis, Renewable Fuels Association, about their co-partnership with the Export Exchange conference that brings together international grain buyers with U.S. grain trade representatives to help increase markets for the ethanol co-product and animal feed called DDGs.

Finally, I have an interview conducted by Jamie Johansen with Pat Crowley of Alltech who talks about mycotoxin myths during the recent World Dairy Expo.

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 602 - Ev Griner, Export Exchange and Alltech

The ZimmCast

sponsored by
The ZimmCast podcast is sponsored by GROWMARK
Locally owned, globally strong.
Alltech, Animal Health, Audio, Ethanol, Media, NAFB, RFA, ZimmCast

FMH Offers New Cyber Risk Protection for Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman

Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa (FMH) has announced the new FMH Cyber Risk Protection suite, which includes two new cyber risk products to provide protection and services in the event an individual, family, or farm is the victim of a computer attack, cyber extortion, online fraud, or a breach of personal information.

“Farmers Mutual Hail has been protecting the livelihoods of America’s farmers for over 125 years,” said Pat Faga, FMH CMO and Executive Vice President of P&C. “We can attribute that longevity to innovation. FMH is continuously creating and offering new products and solutions to meet the ever-changing needs of farmers as technology and farming practices develop. These products reflect that innovation.”

FMH is among the first farm insurance companies to offer protection designed specifically for precision ag equipment and software. The FMH Cyber Risk Protection suite includes two products, both of which can be added to an existing FMH Property & Casualty policy:

– FMH Cyber Risk Protection Home is bundled coverage that protects families from losses such as compromised data on personal computers, mobile devices and other connected home technology, as well as damage to software and operating systems.
– FMH Cyber Risk Protection Farm is comprehensive coverage that protects farm operations from losses such as compromised data on business computers, mobile devices and other connected farm technology, as well as damage to software and operating systems including precision ag technology.

Find out more from Farmers Mutual Hail

AgWired Precision, Insurance, Precision Agriculture

Zimfo Bytes 11/2

Carrie Muehling

  • On November 2 at noon EDT, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will release selected tables prepared for the upcoming USDA Agricultural Projections to 2028 report. The early-release tables will be posted to the USDA Office of the Chief Economist’s website.
  • Students from California, Louisiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, Alabama and Oregon have been elected by delegates throughout the United States to serve on the 2018-19 National FFA Officer team. Luke O’Leary, an agricultural leadership and development major at Texas A&M University, was elected national president. Layni LeBlanc, an animal science – science and technology major at Louisiana State University, was elected national secretary. Adrian Schunk, a communications major at Michigan State University, was elected eastern region vice president. Ridge Hughbanks, an agribusiness major at Oklahoma State University, was elected central region vice president. Jordan Stowe, an agriscience education major at Auburn University, was elected southern region vice president. Shea Booster, an agricultural business management major at Oregon State University, was elected western region vice president.
  • Rhea + Kaiser welcomes the addition of Associate Creative Director Paul MacNerland and Media Assistant Melissa Sears.
  • Early bird registration is now open for the 95th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, the largest annual meeting of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This two-day event will take place on Feb. 21-22, 2019, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va.
  • The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture and the National Auctioneers Association, with generous funding from the National Auctioneers Foundation, have launched a new My American Farm game along with supporting resources for two separate age groups, third through fifth graders and fifth through eighth graders. The new online game gives students a close look at how auctions work and the many different opportunities within the auctioneering industry.
  • The National Corn Growers Association announces Sarah McKay, manager of market development, has been promoted to the role of director.
  • Global animal health and nutrition company Alltech has strengthened its presence in Asia with the official opening of its Nepal sales and support office in the city of Kathmandu on Oct. 25, 2018.
  • CNH Industrial N.V. and Farmers Edge announced 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 will provide their customers with access to FarmCommand.
Zimfo Bytes

Presidion Ag Announces Patent Allowance

Cindy Zimmerman

Florida-based Presidion Ag is pleased to announce the technology behind their Nitrogen Efficiency product Neon Laser(TM) for Anhydrous Ammonia has received “Notice of Allowance” from the United States Patents and Trademark office.

Presidion Ag is the exclusive licensed seller of these technologies in the USA for Eco World Research and Development Group, led by President and CEO, David McKnight.

“Presidion is the right license partner for us in taking these innovations to market in the United States and we are pleased to be able to enter the market quickly after many years of hard work and research on this project,” said McKnight.

“Based on the improved results, this chemistry platform of preserving Cyano groups is key to optimizing Cyanoguanidine performance and is without a doubt the next wave of nitrogen protection and a significant breakthrough to help prevent nitrogen loss,” added Presidion Ag president Ray Perkins. “Other new Anhydrous Ammonia efficiency technologies have high load rates and do not significantly preserve the Cyano group bond, and the traditional technologies have significant challenges such as corrosion and restrictions in handling, and this chemistry does not have those operational issues” said Perkins.

Neon Laser is a non-corrosive, easy to use, highly concentrated Cyanoguanidine product for Anhydrous Ammonia applications. Test results show outstanding results versus both traditional technologies and other recently introduced products.

AgWired Precision, Nutrient Management, Precision Agriculture