Cooperatives Working Together has accepted nine requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Michigan Milk Producers Association, Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) and United Dairymen of Arizona. These cooperatives have contracts to sell 1.04 million pounds of cheddar cheese, 262,350 pounds of butter and 923,737 pounds of whole milk powder to customers in Asia and North Africa.- New research from the University of Colorado published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests meat, such as pork, can be an important source of much-needed protein in an infant’s diet during the transition to solid foods. The first six to 12 months of life is a period of rapid growth when nutrition plays a pivotal role and, for many moms, meat may not be the first choice for an infant’s complementary feeding. Yet this new research suggests meat-fed infants (complementary to formula or breastfeeding) could have an advantage when it comes to early length growth.
- Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness President Dan Vradenburg has announced his decision to take on a new position in the company as board chair of Cavallo Ventures, after 16 years as president of the Agribusiness division. The transition is expected to take place later this year; Wilbur-Ellis expects to name Vradenburg’s successor by the end of 2018.
- The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) has opened a 60-day public comment period on the group’s Sustainability Framework. The USRSB Sustainability Framework is a set of resources developed to assist ranchers, cattle auction markets, feedyards, packers, processors, and retail and food service organizations in their efforts to continuously improve the sustainability of U.S. beef.
- The American Hereford Association is proud to introduce the Maternal Advantage program — a genetically verified program that will be used to identify premium replacement females. This new female-focused program is designed to take advantage of hybrid vigor by capitalizing on Hereford genetics.
- The Beef Improvement Federation is celebrating 50 years in 2018. Themed “Elevating the Industry,” the Annual Meeting and Research Symposium is poised not only to celebrate the last 50 years but launch into the next 50.
Zimfo Bytes 5/4
Illinois and other Midwestern students will have help paying for college tuition during the 2018-2019 school year, courtesy of scholarships awarded today by the IAA Foundation. The IAA Foundation, the charitable arm of the Illinois Farm Bureau, awarded $123,600 to 69 students pursuing degrees in agriculture-related fields, based on their academic ability, leadership involvement, professional career goals and financial need.- Iowa Corn announced the 16 student recipients of the Iowa Corn Future of Agriculture Scholarship program for the 2018-2019 school year. Iowa Corn awarded 16 $1,000 one-year scholarships to deserving, qualified students enrolled at an accredited U.S. 2-year or 4-year college or university, or graduate school, in a program of study to equip them to contribute to Iowa’s agriculture industry. The program is sponsored by the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.
- MGEX announced an impressive 272,068 contracts recorded for April of 2018. This number topples over the previous reigning April by 24 percent while also breaking into the top five overall monthly volume charts coming in at fifth-best in MGEX history.
- The Farm Foundation Forum on May 22 will be A Conversation with the Ambassadors: Trade War or Rhetoric? There is no charge to participate in the Forum via webcast or in person, but registration is requested.
- The American Feed Industry Association announced Bridget Rinker has joined as the new development assistant effective April 30. Rinker will support AFIA President and CEO Joel G. Newman with managing programs and communications, as well as support of the AFIA Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
USFRA Unveils New Sustainability Officers Program
The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance created the Sustainability Officers Council to provide food companies with access to the farmer and rancher perspective about sustainability in food and agriculture. (PRNewsfoto/U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance)
Six farmers and ranchers selected by the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance will help to provide food companies with the farmer and rancher perspective when it comes to sustainability in food and agriculture. The new Sustainability Officers Council allows companies to speak with a farmer or rancher before shifting sourcing decisions that could result in fundamental changes in farmers structures.
USFRA is pleased to announce six new Sustainability Officers:
Kyle Bridgeforth – Alabama crop farmer
Tom Crave – Wisconsin dairy farmer
Cassidy Johnston – New Mexico cattle rancher
Nancy Kavazanjian – Wisconsin crop farmer
Hilary Maricle – Nebraska cattle, pig, corn and soybean farmer
Leon Sheets – Iowa pig, corn and soybean farmer
“As former chairwoman of the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, I look forward to serving voluntarily as one of the Sustainability Officers and highlighting how all farmers make environmental sustainability a priority,” said Nancy Kavazanjian, Wisconsin crop farmer. “These farmers and ranchers serve as a great representation of today’s agriculture — making continuous improvement a priority by utilizing technology to enhance animal welfare and conserve our natural resources.”
As part of the Sustainability Officers Council, these six farmers and ranchers will participate in conversations with food companies and retailers, offering data, research and knowledge about modern agricultural practices on today’s farms and ranches. In addition, the Officers will participate in USFRA’s Food Dialogues panel discussions at The Sustainable Consortium (May 1-3 in Chicago, Ill.), National Restaurant Association Conference (May 19-22 in Chicago, Ill.) and Sustainable Brands (June 4-7 in Vancouver, B.C.).
An Audio Magazine as Podcast?
When I see a creative idea it is worth sharing. I have lots of people ask about how to come up with ideas for regular podcast episodes. I don’t think it’s difficult but I understand that concern. So here’s an idea that I think worked really well.
Matt Wetterson, GROWMARK (AgWired sponsor), produces a regular podcast, The GROWMARK Podcast, and his latest episode uses the organization’s quarterly magazine for content. Listen to the program to hear the stories from the current issue. They are read to you and are very interesting. I think it makes you want to subscribe to the publication! It definitely makes it easier for people to consume who don’t have time to sit down and read it.
Listen to the podcast here: GROWMARK Podcast - SOURCE Magazine
I really like this idea. How about you? Would you listen to a magazine on your mobile device?
ZimmCast 582 – More Members of the #GoldenMic Club
In this week’s program I’m featuring some new members of the #GoldenMic Club. These folks got their first opportunity to be interviewed with one of our Golden ZimmComm Microphones during the Agri-Marketing Conference.
Featured are Curt Dennison, Curt Dennison Photography; Daniel Lamoureux, LaTerre and Jeffrey Ross, Ross Creative Works. I visited with Curt while Jamie did with Daniel and Jeffrey.
If you would like to join the club or schedule the Golden ZimmComm Microphone at your event please contact me. I’ll offer ideas for how we can amplify your marketing campaigns.
Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 582 - More #GoldenMic Club Members
I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.
Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here. Use this url in iTunes or your favorite news reader program/app.
The ZimmCast
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Growth Energy Ads Urge E15 Action
Growth Energy has launched a new radio and digital ad campaign telling listeners in the Midwest that it’s “make or break time” for the rural economy.
The ads encourage farmers and ethanol stakeholders to call on President Trump to lift federal restrictions on the sale of E15 fuel blends, a move that would boost farm income amid the sharpest agricultural downturn since the 1980s.
“Outdated regulations kick back in on June 1st, cutting consumers off from a lower-cost product that supports farmers and rural manufacturing,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “President Trump promised Midwest lawmakers that he would fast-track a long-overdue fix, but oil lobbyists have held E15 hostage for years, and the White House needs to hear from rural communities. Too many American farmers are struggling to make ends meet, but we can deliver immediate relief by simply letting consumers make their own choices about American-made biofuel.”
Each year from June 1 to September 15, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules governing Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) limit the sale of E15 in many markets around the country, under guidelines that were drafted before E15 hit the market. The result is lower demand for biofuels and the crops that are used to make them during the summer months of vacation travel tim
Listen to the ad here: Growth Energy E15 radio ad
New USDA Program for Producers Hit by Hurricanes
Flooded citrus groves in Florida after Hurricane Irma
The WHIP program will help producers in at least nine states with recovery of their agricultural operations due to hurricane and wildfire damage with $2.36 billion that Congress appropriated through the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. “While USDA has a suite of disaster programs as well as crop insurance available to help producers manage their risk, Congress felt it was important to provide extra assistance to our nation’s farms and ranches that were the hardest hit last year,” Secretary Perdue said. “At President Trump’s direction, our team is working as quickly as possible to make this new program available to farmers in need.”
In the video below, Perdue comments on the Florida citrus aid, along with Florida Governor Rick Scott and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. In addition, AgNet Media’s Abbey Taylor interviewed Perdue about the details. AgNet interview with Perdue on hurricane loss program
New Executive Committee for NAMA
The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) announced the new Executive Committee for 2018-2019. Pictured is new President, Sheri Seger (right), being handed the gavel from now past President Amy Bradford, GROWMARK. Here’s the full list of members:
PRESIDENT
Sheri Seger, Chicago Chapter
DTN/The Progressive Farmer
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Scott McClure, Gateway Chapter
Brighton Agency
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Sara Steever, Northern Prairie Chapter
Paulsen
VICE PRESIDENT
Laura Svec, Midsouth Chapter
Corteva
The following are continuing on as Vice Presidents of the Executive Committee for the 2018-2019 year: Sue Lee, Fastline Media Group; Deron Johnson, FLM Harvest; Sharon Larson, CHS, Inc.; and John Rozum, Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
BVLOS Will Open the Skies
In case you didn’t know, BVLOS stands for Beyond Visual Line Of Sight. It’s something you can’t do commercially flying a drone right now. However, PrecisionHawk, working with the Federal Aviation Administration, has conducted research on conducting BVLOS and summarized it in a new report. Image from the PrecisionHawk website.
PrecisionHawk Inc., a leading provider of drone technology for the enterprise, today announced the release of its final Pathfinder Report – a blueprint for enterprises to conduct Beyond the Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations. The fieldwork was performed in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and MITRE under the Pathfinder Program. The report outlines a comprehensive safety case and standards to fly drones BVLOS and has yielded critical information to the FAA regarding drone operations.
“The final report determined that there are three necessary components for BVLOS flight operations: detection, safety, and drone operator training,” stated Dr. Allison Ferguson, director airspace research at PrecisionHawk. “Technology must be integrated to identify cooperative and non-cooperative aircraft, pilots must be aware of existing airspace classes, temporary flight restrictions, and no-fly zones, and pilots must receive BVLOS-specific training to ensure a safety ecosystem around BVLOS drone flight.”
I do not use my drone commercially and right now I’m mostly confident when I can see it but the more I get used to flying, I can see the value in being able to do so with commercial products for agricultural operations that would not be possible without BVLOS. PrecisionHawk is offering consulting, training and has also announced a multi-rotor BVLOS drone platform. You can find out more about these services here.
ASTA Policy and Leadership Conference Next Month
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) will be in Washington, D.C. June 9-13 for the new ASTA Policy & Leadership Development Conference.
This new event combines ASTA’s annual convention, which has been held each June in different locations for the past 134 years, and the organization’s annual Storm the Hill lobbying day on Capitol Hill.
Educational session tracks will cover: Innovation; Trade/International; Sustainability; and Leadership Development. Featured speakers will include representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, World Wildlife Fund, U.S. Grains Council, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, Field-to-Market Sustainability Initiative, and much more. In addition to in-depth educational sessions, the conference will showcase all-new “Lightning Talks” – fast-paced, 15-minute segments featuring the latest inside news from political leaders, industry innovators, and more. The week will conclude with ASTA members visiting Congressional offices to discuss seed industry legislative priorities.
Registration is now open to “Make Your Voice Heard” in Washington, D.C.