SMART Dairy Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman November 20, 2017

This episode of the SMART farmer podcast comes from the 2017 World Dairy Expo where Jamie Johansen sat down with Chris Galen of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) to have him explain some of the many ways dairy producers are SMART farmers when it comes to efficiency and sustainability.

NMPF was one of the founding members of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance with the goal of helping to educate the non-farming public about issues such as animal welfare and food labeling. Galen talks about the successful National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program created in 2009 that has helped the dairy industry make continuous sustainability progress.

Listen to the podcast here or click to subscribe – SMART Farmer Podcast with Chris Galen, National Milk Producers Federation

Subscribe to the SMART Farmer podcast here

Learn more about USFRA and SMART Farm

AgWired Animal, Audio, Dairy, USFRA

Top Priorities for Cattle Producers

Jamie Johansen November 20, 2017

Each year the NAFB Trade Talk allows us to get updates from each segment of the agricultural community. As a beef producer, I am always eager to step into the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) booth to hear the latest on policy issues impacting my family. Colin Woodall, senior vice president government affairs, is no stranger to the Golden Mic and this time we talked about top priorities for cattlemen in the 2018 farm bill.

“Our top priority is to establish a vaccine bank to help protect us from foot and mouth disease. The current vaccine bank is obsolete and not prepared in the event of the reintroduction of foot and mouth disease in this country. It is going to take about $150 million a year to make this happen. The only way we can get this done is in a farm bill,” Woodall said.

Repeal of the Death Tax is another key issue NCBA is pushing. Woodall said they are optimistic that a full tax package will be wrapped up by Christmas. Good news for us all!

Listen to my complete interview with Colin as he takes us further into the above issues and also comments on the slow approval of USDA leadership and the recent World Health Organization guidelines on antibiotics. Interview with Colin Woodall, NCBA

2017 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by

Ag Groups, AgWired Animal, Audio, Beef, NCBA

Animal Ag Bites 11/20

Carrie Muehling November 20, 2017

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is applauding U.S. House of Representatives passage of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. NCBA President Craig Uden said the approval is a “step in the right direction,” but promised to continue to fight the provision in the bill that would limit the ability of some businesses from deducting interest expenses.
The Leavenworth Livestock Research Center, located near Sleepy Eye, Minn., is a 2,500-head wean-to-finish facility expected to make big advancements in the research sector of the swine industry. The facility offers the opportunity to do research in a realistic commercial production setting. The endeavor is a partnership between Hubbard Feeds and parent company, Alltech.
The National Pork Board is recognizing U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week and World Antibiotic Awareness Week with organizations such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Pork Board has approved a Checkoff investment of more than $6 million for antibiotic-related studies since 2000.
The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) has announced the release of USRSB Sustainability Metrics, the latest tool helping those who raise, buy, and sell beef understand ways to balance and improve their environmental impact, social responsibility, and financial bottom line.
A recent study finds standing Magnetic Resonance Imaging may have an important role in identifying racehorses at risk of condylar fracture. The study imaged 26 cases with catastrophic condylar fracture (CCF) and 88 control cases without CCF. The study was presented at the British Equine Veterinary Association Congress in the United Kingdom and was selected as the winner of the Sam Hignett Award for Clinical Research.

AgWired Animal, Animal Bites

ASTA Spotlights Seed at NAFB

Cindy Zimmerman November 17, 2017

ASTA team at NAFB – Chair Tracy Tally, past chair Risa DeMasi, staff Bethany Shively and Andy LaVigne

The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) is excited about the role of seed in soil conservation and new plant breeding technology that could revolutionize the industry. Those were two of the topics ASTA officers addressed at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) annual trade talk last week.

ASTA chair Tracy Tally with Justin Seed Company in Texas says they were pleased that USDA recently announced the withdrawal of a proposed rule to revise biotechnology regulations through public comment that would impact the new field of gene editing. “We really need to make sure for the future that our regulatory and policies are set up where this technology can grow,” said Tally. “It needs to be a science-based approach.”

ASTA supports key aspects of the proposed rule, especially the recognition that some applications of gene editing result in plant varieties that are essentially equivalent to varieties developed through more traditional breeding methods, and should be treated as such from a policy perspective. Interview with ASTA Chair Tracy Tally of Justin Seed

ASTA’s annual Farm and Lawn Seed Conference is held in conjunction with the Western Seed Association’s Annual Meeting in Kansas City every year just prior to the NAFB convention. Risa DeMasi of Grassland Oregon says cover crops continues to grow as a topic of interest as more farmers are starting to use them in soil conservation efforts. “We’re really excited about just being able to talk about the good things that we’re doing to help farmers do the good things that they’re doing on the farm,” said DeMasi.

The latest cover crops survey found that acreage planted in cover crops has nearly doubled over the past five years. Interview with past ASTA chair Risa DeMasi, Grassland Oregon

2017 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by

AgWired Precision, ASTA, Audio, cover crops, NAFB, Seed

Zimfo Bytes 11/17

Carrie Muehling November 17, 2017

Registration and housing for the 2018 Commodity Classic, February 27-March 1 in Anaheim, California, is now open. All registration and housing reservations should be made online at www.commodityclassic.com.
A nationwide economic impact study released Thursday found that more than one-fifth of the nation’s economy is linked, either directly or indirectly, to the food and agriculture sectors and that more than one-fourth of all American jobs are similarly connected. Twenty-two food and agriculture organizations commissioned the research, available at www.FeedingTheEconomy.com.
The Missouri Department of Transportation added a new product to their lineup for dealing with ice and snow on the roadways. It includes a corn-based compound, called IceBan M20 or IceBan 300. The natural liquid concentrate residue from the wet milling of corn and production of alcohol is designed to keep roads ice-free longer.
Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) has selected Swanson Russell as its agency of record. BQA is sponsored by the Beef Checkoff Program and administered by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). The group aims to maximize consumer confidence in the acceptance of beef. BQA provides a training program that stresses best practices for cattle care and well-being. Swanson Russell will be providing full earned, owned, paid and shared services for BQA including creative, social media, media relations and digital strategy.
Aerial images of orchards can effectively tell farmers which almond trees aren’t getting enough water, according to the preliminary results of a five-year study by almond researchers at the University of California Cooperative Extension, with funding support from the USDA. Maintaining ideal irrigation levels is a challenge for farmers. Detecting deficient irrigation quickly is one way aerial images offer early warnings to growers.
Several members of the Brownfield Ag News team were honored during the 74th Annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Convention. Anchor/Reporter Tom Steever received the coveted NAFB Farm Broadcaster of the Year Award. Steever also received first place in the NAFB program competition for newscast and feature. Also recognized with awards for newcast, feature and video production were Brownfield farm broadcasters Mark Dorenkamp, Julie Harker, Meghan Grebner and Shannon Yokely.

Zimfo Bytes

Thanksgiving Dinner Will Cost Less Than Last Year

Carrie Muehling November 17, 2017

This year’s Thanksgiving dinner should cost slightly less than last year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation‘s 32nd annual price survey of items traditionally used in the Thanksgiving meal. The cost of the dinner is the lowest since 2013, according to Dr. John Newton, AFBF director of market intelligence. The price decrease is primarily driven by the lower cost of the turkey, which is priced at two cents less per pound than last year.

“This holiday season we have plenty of turkeys available for the consumer,” said Newton. “USDA estimates turkey production is going to be up about one percent from where we saw it last year, and whether you’re consuming a fresh bird for Thanksgiving or a frozen bird, there should be plenty of supplies on hand.”

The shopping list for Farm Bureau’s informal survey includes turkey, bread 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.

Listen to more with Dr. John Newton here: Dr. John Newton, AFBF

AFBF, AgWired Animal, Audio, Food

FMC Freedom Pass for the VIP Farmer

Jamie Johansen November 16, 2017

The FMC-FLM+ team at NAFB trade talk

This year FMC Agricultural Solutions launched Freedom Pass to give growers exclusive agronomic and economic incentives allowing more freedom in the field. We learned more about Freedom Pass at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk last week from Senior Communications Manager at FMC Lisa Homer.

“It is the first time we have been involved in a grower program,” said Homer. “It is for VIP’s…Very Independent Purchasers. When we did interviews with retailers and asked what do you want in a grow brand they said simplicity and a story to tell. What’s the agronomic benefit?”

The program has four distinct pillars: Agronomic Rewards, Product Financing, Performance Assurances and Application Innovations. Lisa said this package gives a great story for retailers to share with their growers and since it is independent of any seed brand, it sets itself apart from other programs out there.

Lisa goes into more detail about the program in our complete interview. Listen or download it here: Interview with Lisa Homer, FMC

2017 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by

Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, FMC, NAFB

Grease is the Word for Biodiesel Documentary

Cindy Zimmerman November 16, 2017

Grease is the word of the day for the National Biodiesel Board, with tonight’s on-air debut of the new Discovery Impact documentary “HOT GREASE”.

NBB Director of Communications Jessica Robinson says HOT GREASE showcases what the biodiesel industry is about and the challenges it faces. “At the end of the film I felt like the audience was really rooting for biodiesel,” said Robinson, who was interviewed for the documentary and attended the premiere at the DOC NYC festival earlier this week. “The documentary crew did a great job of telling the story of an entrepreneur spirit and a blue collar workforce that joined forces to put this industry together.” Interview with Jessica Robinson, NBB

The Discovery Impact documentary HOT GREASE debuts tonight, November 16 at 9pm ET/PT on Discovery and will be available on Discovery Go and Discovery On Demand on tomorrow.

Audio, Biodiesel

Trade, Farm Bill & Taxes…Oh My!

Jamie Johansen November 16, 2017

Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst represented the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) at last week’s NAFB Trade Talk. As you can guess, trade, 2018 farm bill and tax reform were key issues we discussed.

When it comes to NAFTA renegotiations, Hurst said, “U.S. agriculture can see some benefits from this renegotiation. We can see changes to phytosanitary rules. We can see improvements in dairy trade with our Canadian neighbors. So, there is hope.”

Last week we had confirmation that we will not see a vote on the 2018 farm bill this year. No surprise there. State Farm Bureau’s are working on their own resolutions which will be presented at the AFBF Convention in January. Hurst said three key issues he believes will be priorities are county to county differences in ARC payments, dairy and cotton programs.

We wrapped up our chat talking taxes. Listen to my complete interview to hear that and more on infrastructure and the need for wide-spread rural broadband. Interview with Blake Hurst, Missouri Farm Bureau

2017 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of the NAFB Convention is sponsored by

AFBF, Ag Groups, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Farm Bill, NAFB, Trade

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