USFRA Supporting Food Evolution Movie

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) is supporting a new film that offers an independent investigation into biotechnology that concludes GMOs may well be a force for good to feed the world.

Food Evolution, which is now streaming on Hulu, was commissioned by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), and directed by Academy Award®-nominated director Scott Hamilton Kennedy.

“The GMO story is a metaphor for how important it is to use science to make decisions,” said Kennedy during a conference call with reporters Thursday. He says the audience reaction to the film during screenings has been very gratifying. “From the critics standpoint, we’re 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes (reviews from) the top critics.” Kennedy adds that screenings around the world have helped change minds about the perception of GMO crops.

“We are interested in promoting the film in any way we can,” said USFRA CEO Randy Krotz. That includes college campus screenings, digital media, and educational materials.

Also on the call was USFRA board member and Illinois farmer Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare, who talked about the value of genetically modified crops to farmers and getting accurate information out to the non-farm public. “I think it’s up to us farmers to better educate them on GMO plants and why from a sustainable standpoint going forward in order to feed the world, we really have to depend on GMO crops,” she said.

Audio file: USFRA and Food Evolution film comments

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Biotech, Food, GMO, USFRA

Secretary Sonny Attends First FFA Convention

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue attended his first National FFA Convention this week and held a press conference to take questions about various topics, prior to addressing the group’s opening general session.

Perdue appeared at the press conference with six members of the FFA policy committee. “I’m looking at our House and Senate Congress behind me here,” Perdue joked.

The secretary was asked about the 2018 farm bill. “The ’14 farm bill made a lot of progress in helping to establish an insurance-based mitigation risk, I think you’ll see more of the same,” he said.

On the topic of USDA nominees and when Perdue will have a full complement of undersecretaries. “We’ve been slow in Senate confirmations…we’re getting them on board as we speak,” said Perdue, who noted that he expected a hearing for Sam Clovis as undersecretary of agriculture for research, education and economics “within the next week or so and we expect that to go well.”

Audio file: Perdue press conference at FFA

2017 National FFA Convention Photos

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House Ag Chair Says Farm Bill on Track

Cindy Zimmerman

House Agriculture Committee Chair Mike Conaway (R-TX) says they are moving forward with work on the 2018 Farm Bill.

“Still on track for late for fourth quarter (this year) or early first quarter of next year,” said Conaway during a conference call with reporters Wednesday. “We’re going to be ready on the committee…when floor time opens up.”

Rep. Conaway was asked about trade, crop insurance, CRP, budget, nutrition programs, and more. Listen in here: Cong. Conaway call 10-25-17

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Forever Young Generation Presents Connected Consumers

Carrie Muehling

An aging population in many parts of the world is presenting challenges when it comes to food production. Longer life expectancy in many areas brings with it a rise in chronic health-related diseases, increases in healthcare costs and all of the challenges that come along with feeding the elderly.

Global trends show an increased focus around health and wellness in younger generations, according to Georgie Aley, CEO of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology. She says Millennials expect more, not only of themselves, but of the society around them.

“In 2017, my view is we’ve never had a more connected consumer than we have now,” said Aley. “The opportunity, the challenge that it does present for producers, or for anybody that’s in the business of food, is transparency. It’s trust. It’s consumer trust. And in an environment of political uncertainty, economic uncertainty, consumers want to trust. They want to trust in the people that are serving them in society. And some may say that producers, farmers, or food manufacturers are serving society by providing food. So, the challenge is, in looking at the future, is maintaining that trust and making sure that we are transparent in our supply chain.”

Aley told participants at the 2017 Youth Ag Summit in Brussels those involved in food production will need to engage with consumers and be in tune to their demands.

Listen to Jamie’s interview with Georgie Aley here: Interview with Georgie Aley, Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology

View and download photos from the event here: 2017 Youth Ag Summit Photo Album

Audio, Bayer, Food

Precision Ag Bytes 10/25

Kelly Marshall

  • Monsanto has filed a complaint in Pulaski County Circuit Court in response to the Arkansas Plant Board’s decision to continue Arkansas’s ban of XtendiMax® for the 2018 growing season.  The Plant Board overlooked extensive volatility data provided to it – including data EPA used in its registration decision, says Scott Partridge, Vice President of Global Strategy.
  • The AgGateway Annual Conference in San Diego, California will feature speakers on Inventory Management, “Design Thinking,” and Farm Data Challenges.  The 2017 conference theme is “Efficiency-Opportunity-Profitability” and takes place November 6-9 at the Hilton Resort & Spa.
  • Verdesian Life Sciences is offering growers a money back guarantee on their AVAIL and/or NutriSphere-N products for the coming season.  Growers are guaranteed an increased yield or Verdesian will cover the product costs.
  • Precision Tank, a leader in liquid storage solutions, has unveiled a new brand identity.  The new brand represents the capabilities of two industry leaders, the former Precision Tank & Equipment (PT&E) and A & B Welding companies.
  • Adama, a global crop protection company, has entered into agreements with Syngenta AG to transfer certain crop protection products and distribution rights in exchange for products in the Nufarm Limited line.  These transfers are part of the acquisition of Syngenta by ChemChina.
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National FFA Kicks Off Today

Cindy Zimmerman

Today is the official start of the 90th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, but the blue coats have been seen around the city for the past week, since the national officer team joined state and local officials last Thursday in a welcoming ceremony that included turning the downtown Indy canal blue.

This year, the theme of the convention and expo is I Can. We Will. More than 64,000 FFA members from across the U.S., representing all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are expected to attend the event.

The convention and expo kicks off with the National FFA Band leading a grand march down Georgia Street in downtown Indianapolis today. The march will end at Bankers Life Fieldhouse and usher in the start of the opening session. The National FFA Convention & Expo is scheduled to be held in Indianapolis through 2024.

Our Jamie Johansen is at the convention, doing some judging today and then heading to the opening session to see USDA secretary Sonny Perdue’s address.

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Next Generation Will Help Solve Food Production Challenges

Carrie Muehling

Bayer understands the importance of engaging the next generation as the company works towards improving society’s understanding of food production and the challenges associated with it. That was part of the message to young people attending the 2017 Youth Ag Summit in Brussels.

“I think in the past, years ago, we probably had the image that we are a highly innovative company as far as products are concerned, solutions for the farmer, but we believe that innovation has to take place also in other areas, particularly sustainability, but also social responsibility, so we want to address all categories,” said Bernd Napf, head of business affairs and communications.

Napf told participants in this year’s conference to continue to stay engaged as Bayer works to build a large community that will help to support food production on this planet.

Listen to Jamie’s interview with Bernd Napf here: Interview with Bernd Napf, Bayer Business Affairs & Communications

View and download photos from the event here: 2017 Youth Ag Summit Photo Album

Audio, Bayer

New John Deere Round Balers and Accumulators

Chuck Zimmerman

John Deere has a new line of Round Balers – the O Series. I talked with Jason Eubanks, Engineering Team Leader, John Deere, about the baler as well as the new Accumulator Attachments.

With the introduction of the 0 Series Round Balers for the 2018 haying season, John Deere is offering its first North American-built round baler precutter and the industry’s first 5-foot precutter baler.

In addition to the new 0 Series Round Balers, John Deere is introducing two models of round bale accumulators to give customers the ability to carry up to two round bales behind the baler while making a third bale in the chamber. The new John Deere A520R and A420R Plus2 Accumulators are fully integrated into the design of the balers and can be used with 6-foot diameter John Deere 7, 8, 9 and 0 Series Round Balers.

Learn more from Jason in our interview – Interview with Jason Eubanks, Round Balers

2017 Sunbelt Ag Expo Photo Album

Stories from Sunbelt Ag Expo sponsored by Stories from Sunbelt Ag Expo sponsored by John Deere
Agribusiness, Hay, John Deere, Sunbelt Ag Expo

Today is Full of Bologna

Cindy Zimmerman

Today is National Bologna Day and the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) has joined with the Beef Checkoff to celebrate by unveiling a new guide to bologna that tells you everything you could ever want to know about this lunch time staple that originated in Bologna, Italy as a variation of mortadella. It can also be spelled baloney, which is more American, and you can also test your knowledge with a bologna quiz and check out a range of bologna recipes.

“Bologna is an American classic that links us back to our childhoods,” said NHDSC President Eric Mittenthal. “No matter how it is served, it is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.”

Bologna is often served differently depending upon where people live. While most Americans have enjoyed traditional sliced bologna that is common on store shelves around the country, regional styles vary. In the Midwest, ring bolognas are often the preferred choice. These are smaller in diameter and sold as a semi-circle or a ring and may be sliced and eaten with crackers or split lengthwise and enjoyed in pastas and other dishes. Lebanon bologna is popular in Pennsylvania. It’s a beef bologna that is heavily smoked, known for its tangy and smoky flavor. In Ohio, traditional bologna is often thick cut and fried before being enjoyed on a sandwich and in Memphis it is smoked and served with BBQ sauce. The Baltimore style hot dog features bologna wrapped around the hot dog for a meaty masterpiece.

So if people tell you that you’re full of baloney today – say Thank You!

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Registration Open for ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference 2018

Cindy Zimmerman

Like the song from “A Chorus Line” says, ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference is a singular sensation, a thrilling combination, and a one of a kind experience, and it’s scheduled to be held May 20–23, 2018 once again in Lexington, Kentucky.

An idea, even in its root meaning, is “to see.” Da Vinci, Einstein, Edison, the Wright brothers, Tesla, Bell, Borlaug and Fleming — they had the ability to see what others could not. Because they opened their eyes to possibilities and thrived in pursuit of them, we have light. We have abundant food. We can even fly. Ideas change everything. The transformative power of ideas will be the focus of ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference 2018. Join us to explore how ideas can germinate into innovations that change the course of our businesses and lives.

The annual Alltech symposium, which draws 5,000 people to Lexington each May, is the brain child of Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder of Alltech. Founded in 1980 with just $10,000 and a dream, Alltech now has more than 100 manufacturing sites globally and is a leading producer and processor of yeast and organic trace minerals. “If I can do, rest assured, you can do it,” say Dr. Lyons. “And that’s the message of ONE.”

Listen to Dr. Lyons explain what ONE is: Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech, explains ONE

Registration for ONE is now open. Register before Nov. 1 to save $600. To view last year’s presentations, visit ideas.alltech.com, where access is free after sign-up.

AgWired Animal, Alltech, Audio