ACT Students Learn at #NAFB18

Chuck Zimmerman

During the 2018 NAFB Convention Cindy and I had the opportunity to talk to the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) who were also in Kansas City for their Professional Development Conference. Our mission was to talk to the group (about 80 ag communications students from more than 10 different universities) about agricultural journalism, where it has been, and where it is headed.

I’m sure we brought up some things that these students would not recognize or understand in today’s world of smart phones and the internet, like the technology we used at the beginning of our careers. Think about using a razor blade to cut reel-to-reel audio tape to edit or a typewriter for copy.

During the Q&A they had great questions which included ones about doing freelance work and how to find it. Part of the purpose of their trip to the NAFB Convention was to network with professionals and perhaps make those connections that would lead to a job after college.

After we were finished with the session I spoke with the college advisor/organizer Dr. Katherine Burke, K-State and senior student at K-State, Leah Geiss. Leah says the group had time to do some networking with farm broadcasters and others at the NAFB convention during Trade Talk and other sessions. She was surprised at the diversity of company types at the convention that included many agribusiness marketing and communication representatives besides the farm broadcasters themselves.

By the way, ACT had sponsors for their PDC trip like the Pork Checkoff but could still use more support for their activities. If you would like to help them out here’s where to go to get more information.

Listen to our interview here: Interview with Dr. Katie Burke and Leah Geiss, K-State

Special thanks to Wyatt Minihan, one of the ACT student members, who took our photo and others for us during Trade Talk!

2018 National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC
Audio, Education, NAFB, University

USDA and FDA to Jointly Regulate Cell-Cultured Meat

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have announced plans to jointly oversee the production of cell-cultured food products derived from livestock and poultry, better known by meat producers as “fake meat.”

The joint regulatory framework would include FDA overseeing cell collection, cell banks, and cell growth and differentiation. A transition from FDA to USDA oversight will occur during the cell harvest stage. USDA will then oversee the production and labeling of food products derived from the cells of livestock and poultry. The public comment period will be extended and will remain open through December 26, 2018.

The National Cattlmen’s Beef Association says the announcement is a step in the right direction, but there is still a lot of work to do on the issue.

At the recent NAFB Trade Talk, NCBA president-elect Jennifer Houston talked about fake meat and her recent testimony at a joint hearing on the topic. “Where NCBA comes down is that USDA food safety inspection service should have the inspection (for fake meat),” said Houston. “If these new companies are going to be in our space of meat, then they should have the same inspection.”

Listen here: NAFB18 Interview with Jennifer Houston, NCBA

2018 National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention Photo Album

AgWired Animal, Audio, Beef, Meat, NCBA

Animal Ag Bites 11/19

Carrie Muehling

  • The annual Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit will once again be held at the 2019 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta. The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, and is offered free of charge to all registered IPPE attendees.
  • The lawsuit filed by the Organization for Competitive Markets in 2014 over USDA’s refusal to release public audit and financial documents related to Beef Checkoff Program spending has begun its summary judgment phase with a court decision expected in early Spring 2019 as to whether the audit and financial records must be released to the public.
  • Steve Murty was recently named a Vita Plus forage products specialist. Based in central Iowa, Murty will provide on-farm forage support for staff and dairy producers in Wisconsin, northern Illinois, northern Iowa, Minnesota and eastern South Dakota.
  • Lotito Foods introduces Cheese Folios™. The Cheese Folios line includes lightly baked pliable sheets of cheese made from Parmesan, Cheddar or Jarlsberg® cheese. These quick and easy baked recipes have only 1 gram of carbs and provide 12 grams of protein per serving.
  • Afimilk, a leading provider of advanced software solutions for dairy and herd management, announced the commercial availability of AfiFarm 5.3, the latest in the company’s market-leading product line of dairy management software, and Afi2Go Pro, a new mobile app designed to provide management teams with the ultimate in flexibility.
  • The USPOULTRY Foundation recently received a $100,000 check from Pilgrim’s. The check is the final contribution of Pilgrim’s commitment to the USPOULTRY Foundation’s Ensuring the Future campaign to enhance the stability and prosperity of the poultry and egg industries.
AgWired Animal, Animal Bites

Poncho/VOTiVO 2.0 Boosts Yields Again

Carrie Muehling

BASF looks to bring even more yield to growers with Poncho® /VOTiVO® 2.0, adding a third mode of action to a trusted family of products.

Since Poncho came on the scene in 2004, followed by Poncho/VOTiVO in 2011, the products have been providing secondary insect protection and yield boosts to growers. The newest product brings even more advantages, said Kerry Grossweiler, BASF Seed Solutions Product Manager.

“[It has] an additional biologic bacterial that increases the microbial activity in the soil around the corn roots. It results in additional nutrient availability and uptake by the corn plant,” said Grossweiler.

Trials show that translates to an average yield increase of 3.8 bushels per acre over previous versions as it pushes the plant to work harder. Grossweiler encouraged growers to talk to local seed dealers about the opportunity do a trial with Poncho/VOTiVO 2.0 in 2019. Grossweiler was at the 2018 National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention in Kansas City.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Kerry here: NAFB18 Interview with Kerry Grossweiler, BASF

2018 National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, BASF, NAFB

Zimfo Bytes 11/16

Carrie Muehling

  • Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. is now offering a full range of crop insurance products and services through its affiliate FBN Insurance LLC. Farmers interested in new coverage offerings supported by FBN’s technology and analytical capabilities can get a free personal analysis at https://fbn.com/try-insurance.
  • Plan to attend the 2019 Ag & Food HR Roundtable July 30 – August 1, 2019 in Ames, Iowa presented by AgCareers.com, thanks to co-hosts BASF and Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
  • The Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ October U.S. Ag Tractor and Combine Report shows overall sales remained positive year-to-date, although a few categories recorded October declines.
  • New Holland has formed a year-long strategic relationship with Dave Sparks, also known as ‘Heavy D’, who is an entrepreneur, custom vehicle builder and social media personality. Sparks also stars in the Discovery TV series, Diesel Brothers.
  • At the Cotton Sourcing USA Summit, Cotton Council International President Ted Schneider addressed how the U.S. cotton industry intends to meet its 2025 sustainability goals. Central to his remarks was the introduction of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol.
  • Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of sixteen members to serve on the National Watermelon Promotion Board.
  • In response to an announcement made by the American Medical Association to create front-of-package food warning labels that would mislead consumers, the Sugar Association President and CEO Courtney Gaine PhD, RD, issued the following statement voicing concern over labeling changes.
  • FFA announces a brand-new, student-led national television program to air on RFD-TV and The Cowboy Channel. “FFA Today,” presented by Dish will premiere on Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. ET. The weekly program will feature students living the FFA motto of “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, and Living to Serve.” Each week, FFA Today, hosted by FFA members will showcase their peers’ accomplishments in the classroom, in their community, and in agribusiness.
  • American Farmland Trust announces its partnership with Farmland to save farmland and ranchland. Now through Dec. 31, 2019, Farmland has pledged to protect one square foot of American farmland for every Pure Farmland item purchased, by donating funds from these products to AFT to further its mission.
Zimfo Bytes

NAFB Foundation Silent Auction Microphone Winner

Chuck Zimmerman

To support the NAFB Foundation our AgNewsWire service donated a microphone that the winner could have painted in their own custom colors. Congratulations to Susan Littlefield, Rural Radio Network, for the winning bid in the Foundation Silent Auction during the 75th NAFB Convention. Here’s the description of the microphone (from Colorware):

Customize the color of your next microphone. This is a Sennheiser e935 mic which can be used for all kinds of farm broadcasting applications. You can expect dynamic tunes from a superb quality Sennheiser microphone, but you can expect brilliant style from ColorWare’s elite customization process. Let ColorWare give your Sennheiser mic the vibrant finish it deserves.

Susan went with the Minnesota Gophers color scheme. This is going to look awesome when she’s conducting interviews! Oh, and BTW, feel free to contribute to the NAFB Foundation here.

Media, NAFB

Farm Bureau Thanksgiving Dinner Survey

Cindy Zimmerman

For the 33rd year in a row the American Farm Bureau Federation has released its survey of prices for food items on the traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner table, and the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $48.90, or less than $5.00 per person. That is down 22 cents from last year’s average of $49.12 and the least expensive in eight years.

“Since 2015, the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner has declined steadily and is now at the lowest level since 2010,” said AFBF Chief Economist Dr. John Newton.

The featured food on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey – costs slightly less than last year, coming in at $21.71 for a 16-pound bird. That’s roughly $1.36 per pound, down 3 percent from last year. The survey results show that retail turkey prices are the lowest since 2014.

“Thanks to an ample supply, turkey remains affordable for consumers, which helps keep the overall cost of the dinner reasonably priced as well,” Newton said.

The shopping list for Farm Bureau’s informal survey includes turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10 with plenty for leftovers.

Foods showing the largest decreases this year in addition to turkey were a gallon of milk, $2.92; a 3-pound bag of sweet potatoes, $3.39; a 1-pound bag of green peas, $1.47; and a dozen rolls, $2.25.

Read more from AFBF.

AFBF, AgWired Animal, Food

FMC Introduces Ethos 3D

Carrie Muehling

Participants at the 2018 National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk event learned more about Ethos® 3D insecticide/fungicide from FMC.

The product is formulated specifically for the 3RIVE 3D® in-furrow application system that converts traditional high-volume applications to low-volume applications through patented technologies. FMC’s Bob Hooten said farmers are beginning to view crop protection products as a program and not just an application, and that’s important. Fighting waterhemp is just one example.

“Waterhemp is an incredible plant in the fact that it has wiped out a lot of our chemistries and we just don’t have options anymore. So we ave to really make sure that we manage. And don’t slack up on the rates at planting time. If you do that, you’re going to develop resistance again, so keep your full rates out there,” said Hooten.

Hooten said Ethos 3D offers rootworm, wireworm and grub control, and includes a biological component that grows along the root system to protect against pythium, rhizoctonia, fusarium and phytopthora. He said the equipment is free right now when growers commit to buying FMC products over a one-year or three-year period.

Ethos 3D insecticide/fungicide and the 3RIVE 3D application system are part of FMC Freedom Pass, which includes application innovations, agronomic rewards, product financing and product assurances.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Bob here: NAFB18 Interview with Bob Hooten, FMC - Ethos® 3D


2018 National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, FMC, Fungicide, Insecticides, NAFB

Corn Growers Partner With Environmental Defense Fund

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is joining forces with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to address one of the most pressing challenges for farmers, rural communities and natural resources – how to improve environmental outcomes while optimizing productivity and profitability.

The partnership will work on gathering data for tracking of water quality, soil health and greenhouse gas emissions, and developing user-friendly technology solutions for data reporting and analysis. It will also include on-farm engagement to increase knowledge about innovative conservation tools and practices, policy advocacy to support voluntary conservation programs with measurable outcomes, and finding ways for farmers to benefit economically from conservation practices such as cover crops and conservation tillage.

The Soil Health Partnership, an NCGA initiative, has been working on making agriculture more productive and sustainable through improved soil health since it was started in 2015. Iowa farmer and NCGA First Vice President Kevin Ross was among the first to enroll in the program, which has been gathering data from more than 100 working farms enrolled in 12 states on progressive farm management practices such as cover crop usage to determine both economic and environmental sustainability.

In this interview from NAFB Trade Talk last week, Ross talks about the Soil Health Partnership 4th annual summit, January 15 – 16 in St. Louis, which is open to all growers and agronomists for the first time. He also talks about the new agreement between NCGA, United Soybean Board, and National Pork Board for sustainability research. NAFB18 Interview with Iowa farmer Kevin Ross, NCGA 1st VP

2018 NAFB Convention Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, Conservation, Corn, Environment, NAFB, NCGA

Growth Energy Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Cindy Zimmerman

Growth Energy was first announced this month in 2008 so they are now officially 10 years old. At the NAFB Convention Trade Talk last week, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor shared some of the many accomplishments the organization has made over the last decade, from promoting the performance value of ethanol through NASCAR, to growing international and domestic markets and advocating for sound biofuels policy.

We are creating a three-part Driving Ethanol podcast series on the 10th anniversary of Growth Energy, including some archived interviewed with the founders of the organization and early advocacy efforts, but want to share the entire interview with Emily from NAFB where she talks about the progress they have made in the past decade.

Listen here: NAFB18 Interview with Emily Skor, Growth Energy

2018 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by FMC
Audio, Ethanol, NAFB