One of the first official duties of the 2018 National FFA Officer Team is a trip to Washington, D.C. and Agri-Pulse is proud to sponsor that event this year. The team will be meeting with a number of leading industry organizations including CropLife America, CoBank, Glover Park Group, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, and the Farm Credit Council.- Next week, more than 653,000 FFA members will celebrate the role agriculture plays in our lives while sharing the message of agricultural education as part of National FFA Week. National FFA Week always runs Saturday to Saturday and encompasses Feb. 22, George Washington’s birthday. This year, the week kicks off on Feb. 17 and culminates on Feb. 24.
- The Agriculture Council of America has announced the winners of the 2018 National Ag Day video and written essay contest winners. The winners were chosen based on the theme: How Will Agriculture Feed the World. Both entries can be viewed online at https://www.agday.org/2018-contest-winners.
- Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has announced the appointment of 13 members, 13 alternate members and one advisor to serve on the Cotton Board. More information is available on the AMS Cotton Board website.
- This year’s ASTA Management Academy is scheduled for March 5–9, on the university’s West Lafayette, IN, campus. The program is a partnership of the American Seed Trade Association and Purdue’s Center for Food and Agricultural Business.
- Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) and Representative Darren Soto (D-FL) have introduced bipartisan legislation, the Nutrient Management Technical Service Provider Certification Act, to expand options for agriculture producers to access nutrient management technical assistance. This bill would allow qualified individuals, including Certified Crop Advisors or Certified Agronomists, to act as Technical Service Providers for nutrient management.
Kentucky Ag Commissioner Talks Rural Infrastructure
Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles was at the 2018 National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville this week. But just a few days prior, he was among those meeting with President Trump for the unveiling of a rural infrastructure plan.
“This President and his Administration have an emphasis on investing in Rural America. And farmers, as we know, are caretakers of Rural America,” said Quarles. “So I was excited to see $50 billion proposed for earmarks specifically for rural infrastructure. This means broadband internet, improving our roadways, and improving our waterways, which is so important for agriculture as we export more now than we ever have before.”
Quarles said a strong majority of Americans agree with investing in the country’s infrastructure. He said he understands many decisions about how that money is spent will happen at the state level, which is something he supports.
Listen to Chuck’s interview with Ryan Quarles: Interview Ryan Quarles, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner
2018 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album
Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by
Maintenance Products Keep Machines Running Smoothly
Farmers visiting the National Farm Machinery Show at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville have much more to look at than just equipment. The show is also an opportunity to consider maintenance products that help those machines to run smoothly, like oil and filters.
“Farmers, like everybody, are looking for a way to save some money,” said Phil Lauer, product line marketing manager for John Deere. “What we want to show them is that a lot of times our filters and oil are maybe a few more dollars per filter or a few more dollars per gallon, but when you see the performance or the capability of those components, both in how long they last or how well they do their job, there’s really no question why you would risk a few dollars for a multi-million dollar engine or a multi-million dollar machine.”
Lauer said this time of year farmers are often looking to stock up on these types of products to avoid an extra trip to town during the upcoming busy planting season.
Listen to Chuck’s interview with Phil Lauer: Interview with Phil Lauer, John Deere
2018 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album
Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by
A Preview of 2018 National Pork Forum
The 2018 National Pork Forum will take place February 28 – March 2, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event serves as the annual business meeting for the National Pork Board and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC).
“The purpose of both organization’s delegate sessions is to really look at the key issues. Producers have the opportunity to discuss those issues and determine the direction for the industry,” said Cindy Cunningham, Assistant VP of Communications for National Pork Board.
NPPC will likely be discussing the 2018 farm bill and trade renegotiations. On the checkoff side, Cindy said they will be discussing new technologies impacting the industry, how the checkoff has changed the way it delivers information and pork exports.
“Each year about a third of the producers who are attending and representing their state are new to Pork Forum. Producer delegates are selected at the county level to attend their state Pork Congress. From there they are selected to attend the National Pork Forum as delegates,” Cindy said.
She added the discussion which takes place between delegates is truly fascinating and their passion for the pork community shines.
Listen to our complete chat here to learn more about the upcoming event. Interview with Cindy Cunningham, National Pork Board
100 Years of John Deere History on Display at #NFMS18
John Deere is celebrating 100 years this year of getting into the tractor business. Here at the National Farm Machinery Show you can walk through a little bit of that history in the John Deere booth. So that’s what I did with my host, Tiffany Turner, John Deere Product Marketing Manager.
The walkway through the exhibit winds up at a vintage John Deere Waterloo Boy Tractor which I believe belongs to a farmer here in Kentucky. There is also a wide screen with a video showing lots of vintage photos which has captured the attention of attendees visiting the booth.
Walk along with Tiffany and me in the video below:
2018 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album
Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by
Alltech’s Bio-Mos for Gut Health
When it comes to gut health in cattle, a tried and true product from Alltech is Bio-Mos. The 2018 Cattle Industry Convention was a great spot for us to get a refresher on how this product is performing in the field and at the bunk.
“You will see an increase in immune response, a reduction of those bad bugs, you will see an increase in feed efficiency, health of the animal and immunoglobulin levels in colostrum. Overall, it is just a great product to add to your operation,” said Zach Postin, Alltech Sales Representative.
Bio-Mos comes in a concentrated form which is mixed into fields, in a mineral or in a crumble to serve as a top-dressing or mixed on the farm.
Postin said stressed situations are seen at all stages of the growing process. Cow/calf operations can feed it right before and after calving. It should also be fed right before and after weaning to keep gut regulated. At the stocker level, Postin said it’s also great for ensuring smooth transitions.
Listen to my complete interview with Zach here: Interview with Zach Postin, Alltech
Fungicide Factors for Corn and Soybeans
Disease pressure continues to be a challenge for corn and soybean producers, with the pathogens varying based on the crop and the geography of the farm. Corn growers often fight northern corn leaf blight, gray leaf spot, southern corn rust and common rust. Soybean growers may battle white mold in the north and frog eye leaf spot further south. Regardless, the timing of a fungicide application is key.
“Unfortunately, in the case of pathogens, what has occurred as far as infesting that pathogen on the leaf, we can’t reverse that. We can’t go backwards. We can’t go back and erase what’s there,” said Matt Wiggins, technical service manager with FMC. “So, it’s key in being preventative and being proactive when using fungicides and staying out in front of it more so than just being reactive and trying to fix the problem once we have. So, it can make all the difference in the world.”
Wiggins said a fungicide should be applied as soon as the disease is discovered. For corn, that time is usually at tassel or shortly thereafter. For soybeans, it’s more likely around the R3 stage or when the crop is nearing pod fill. FMC offers a number of products including Preemptor and Topguard EQ to fight disease. Wiggins said new products are coming in 2019.
Listen to Chuck’s interview with Matt Wiggins: Interview with Matt Wiggins, FMC
RFA Honors Farmer Ron Alverson with Industry Award
During the 23rd Annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC), Ron Alverson, a farmer, founding member of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association, and board member of Dakota Ethanol LLC, was presented the Renewable Fuels Association’s (RFA) 2018 Industry Award. The award is given annually to individuals that demonstrate great dedication and innovation within the industry.
For more than 40 years, Alverson has grown corn and soybeans near Chester, S.D. He is a founding member and past president of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association, helped establish the corn checkoff program to create new markets and uses for corn and helped pass South Dakota’s first ethanol productive incentive. Alverson founded Dakota Ethanol LLC, which operates a 48 million gallon per year ethanol plant in Wentworth, S.D., and is a past chairman of the American Coalition for Ethanol.
“Ron has done more than anyone to help decision makers understand carbon sinks and made it his life’s mission to educate and inform anyone willing to listen on the astounding gains in efficiency that farmers have experienced in recent decades, including yield increases, improvements in tillage practices, and reduced fertilizer use,” said RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “While some have dismissed the environmental and economic impact of carbon, Ron realizes accurate carbon accounting will be the key to future success for both farmers and ethanol. His vision is why this recognition is so deserving.”
Listen to Cindy’s interview with Ron here: Interview with Ron Alverson
Listen to complete award presentation here: Remarks from Bob Dinneen & Ron Alverson
Download and/or view photos from the event here: 2018 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album
Bill Exempts Farms From Reporting Emissions
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and poultry groups including National Turkey Federation, National Chicken Council, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, and United Egg Producers applaud introduction of bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate that would prevent farms, ranches, and other agricultural operations from having to report livestock manure data under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).
The law governs toxic Superfund sites which are used primarily to clean hazardous waste sites but also includes a mandatory federal reporting component. Lead sponsors include Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Joe Donnelly (D-IN), along with 18 other Republican and Democratic senators, including Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) and Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-DE).
“There’s not a lot of truly bipartisan legislation in Washington these days, but one thing that pretty much everybody can agree on is that a responsibly-run cattle ranch isn’t a toxic Superfund site,” said fifth-generation California rancher and NCBA President Kevin Kester. “On behalf of cattle producers across America, I want to sincerely thank the Senators from both parties who worked together to introduce this bipartisan bill. I also want to encourage other Senators to join the effort and pass this bill as quickly as possible.”
“Routine emissions from hog manure do not constitute a ‘hazardous’ emergency that requires the Coast Guard to activate a national cleanup response,” said NPPC President Ken Maschhoff, a pork producer from Carlyle, Ill., “We’re extremely grateful to the 19 cosponsors of the FARM Act for their leadership and common sense on this issue. EPA exempted farms from CERCLA reporting because it knew responses would be unnecessary and impractical. Frankly, the court created a problem where none existed.”
“CERCLA was never intended to be applied in this way to dairy farms,” said NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern. “Congress needs to stipulate that this burdensome regulatory overreach serves no legitimate health or safety purpose, and needs to stop.”
“This is significant breakthrough legislation restoring CERCLA reporting to its intended purpose, a united legislative effort that has been nearly 15 years in the making, and we appreciate their swift action on behalf of America’s turkey, chicken and egg farmers,” said the poultry groups in a joint statement. “Marking a bi-partisan level of cooperation, the bill demonstrates strong support from both Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to clarify Congress’ intent.”
Precision Ag Bytes 2/14
- Vegalab, Inc. has announced the successful trials of its Pollen Boost product and initial first orders of Pollen Boost for delivery in early February from Stanislaus Farm Supply, Buttonwillow Warehouse Company, and Mid Valley Agricultural Services, Inc.
- Apache Sprayers will launch the Apache AS630 Sprayer at the 2018 National Farm Machinery Show. The Apache AS630 was built to meet the needs of farmers who want to upgrade to a self-propelled and spray on their own or the larger producer that needs an extra sprayer for their operation.
- The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has released the following statement regarding President Donald Trump’s budget for conservation programs in the 2019 fiscal year. “Once again, this administration is calling on American producers to do more with less,” NACD President Brent Van Dyke said. “The President’s budget proposes cuts to almost every area of USDA’s discretionary and mandatory budgets, including nearly $15 billion in cuts to farm bill conservation programs and over a 20 percent reduction to Conservation Operations.”
- Salford Group is releasing a row crop air boom for the new 8700 Pull-Type Air Boom Applicator. Both the new 6700 and 8700, and the newly released Ferti-GO 4S, will be on display at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville.
- A cloud-based, micro-irrigation system tested on a farm in India has cut water use by up to 80 percent and doubled the crop yield, and could relieve the environmental stress that agriculture places on India’s natural resources. The system, which was developed by scientists at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, combines a highly localized weather forecast with local know-how on irrigation needs and soil conditions and has been trialled as part of the Innovate UK-funded Smart Control of Rural Renewable Energy and Storage (SCORRES) project.
- Members of the North American Plant Phenotyping Network (NAPPN), an association representing major plant phenotyping centers across the continent, have elected Iowa Corn Technology Commercialization Manager David Ertl to the Executive Board. The goal of the NAPPN is to increase the visibility and impact of plant phenotyping and facilitate communication and cooperation within the plant phenotyping and related communities.
