Enter the Great Green Getaway Sweepstakes

Jamie Johansen

If you are at the 2017 World Dairy Expo and raise at least 50 head of dairy cattle you will want to stop by the Alltech and KEENAN booth #3201.

Ireland is known as “the land of a thousand welcomes,” and staying true to its roots, Alltech is upholding the tradition of Irish hospitality by launching The Great Green Getaway. In partnership with KEENAN, an Alltech company, maker of the “Green Machine” mixer wagon, the sweepstakes invites American dairy farmers to enter for the opportunity to win one of three travel-expense-paid trips for two to Ireland in March 2018, coinciding with St. Patrick’s Day.

The tour destinations include a “how it’s made” tour of the KEENAN production facility in Borris, County Carlow, Ireland, a guided VIP experience at the new Pearse Lyons Distillery, visits to a host of high-performance Irish dairy farms and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Dublin City Centre.

“We are proud to work with dairy farmers around the world and provide technology to increase on-farm productivity and maximize feed efficiency,” said Robert Walker, chief executive officer of KEENAN. “We are looking forward to welcoming the contest winners to Ireland to show them our innovations while also celebrating Irish traditions.”

The drawing will take place Oct. 7th at 4:30 p.m. at the booth. Winners will be notified.

Listen to all the details of the contest here: Interview with Jenn Norrie, Alltech

View and download photos from the event here: 2017 World Dairy Expo Photo Album

Coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Alltech  Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Hubbard Feeds
Agribusiness, AgWired Animal, Alltech, Audio, Dairy, World Dairy Expo

Building Trust Key For U.S. Dairy Industry

Carrie Muehling

Industry representatives at the 2017 World Dairy Expo are focused on building trust with both domestic consumers and those in potential export markets.

Twenty years of farmer funded nutrition research showing that milk fat does not have a negative health impact has resulted in domestic cheese sales hitting an all-time high when it comes to per capita consumption. Consumption of butter is at highest point since 1967. The dairy industry continues to build trust with consumers through its “Undeniably Dairy” campaign.

“Today, trust with the consumer is king. They really want to know more about how their food is produced than ever before,” says Tom Gallagher, CEO of Dairy Management, Inc. of the campaign, which is a collaboration with the entire industry, including processors, manufacturers, dairy cooperatives, and dairy producers. “It’s to talk to consumers about how we treat our animals, sustainability, the good things the industry does in the community, and other things about nutrition.”

As U.S. dairy producers continue to produce more milk, the U.S. Dairy Export Council will continue to focus on domestic markets, but also recognizes the need to increase the dairy export market. That also requires trust.

“In order for you to try a product, you have to initially have some level of trust that it’s safe, that it’s nutritious, that it’s delicious,” says Tom Vilsack, CEO and president of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC). “We have that opportunity to create that sense of trust in countries around the world because we have a safe product, we have one that’s stably produced, we have one that’s sustainably produced, we have one that’s delicious and nutritious. So it’s an opportunity for us to market U.S. dairy.”

Vilsack says emerging markets in places like Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and the Caribbean will be very important. USDEC also hopes to open up the Canadian market for U.S. dairy products in the near future.

Listen here to Jamie’s interview with Tom Gallagher: Tom Gallagher, DMI

Listen here to Jamie’s interview with Tom Vilsack: Tom Vilsack, U.S. Dairy Export Council

Listen here to a panel discussion featuring Tom Gallagher and Tom Vilsack at the 2017 World Dairy Expo: DMI-USDEC Panel Discussion

2017 World Dairy Expo Photo Album

Coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Alltech  Coverage of the Farm Progress Show is sponsored by Hubbard Feeds
Agribusiness, AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Dairy, World Dairy Expo

Nebraska Farmer Named America’s Pig Farmer of the Year

Jamie Johansen

Leslie McCuiston, a pig farmer from Columbus, Nebraska, has been named the 2017 America’s Pig Farmer of the Year. According to the National Pork Board, the award recognizes a pig farmer who excels at raising pigs using the We Care ethical principles and who connects with today’s consumers about how pork is produced. McCuiston received the highest combined score from a third-party judging panel and online voting

“We are pleased to have Leslie represent America’s pig farmers. She embodies the very best in pig farming,” said Terry O’Neel, National Pork Board president and a pig farmer from Friend, Nebraska. “It’s important that we share with today’s consumers how we raise their food in an ethical and transparent way. Leslie’s interest in sharing her farm’s story, as well as putting a face on today’s pig farming, will help us reach this goal.”

Focusing on people is McCuiston’s main goal as a senior production manager for The Maschhoffs, LLC. McCuiston believes in equipping employees with the right tools to provide the best animal care every day. She oversees 70 employees who care for more than 18,000 sows in central Nebraska and surrounding states.

“For me, pig farming isn’t just a job, it’s a career that I am passionate about,” McCuiston said. “I want to find new, innovative ways to show others what we do in pig farming, explain how much we care and help people understand where their food comes from.”


Ag Groups, AgWired Animal, Farming, Pork, Swine

Precision Ag Bytes 10/4

Kelly Marshall

  • The Seam, a leading provider of agribusiness software and trading solutions, is launching new business intelligence tools for peanut farmers and handlers with real-time, actionable insights. The tools are part of The Seam’s Peanut Commodity Management Platform, which was released a year ago.
  • Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council (NREC) has released “Considerations for First Time Cover Crop Adopters.”  This guidebook for Illinois farmers contains the most recent research and information on the best management practices for effectively incorporating a cover crop ahead of soybeans.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes

Help Finally on the Way for USDA

Cindy Zimmerman

Secy Perdue greets McKinney and Censky before Senate hearing (USDA Photo)

Over five months after he took office, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue finally has some help on the way.

Yesterday, the Senate voted to formally approved the nominations of Stephen Censky as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, and Ted McKinney as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.

“I am pleased that the U.S. Senate was able to work in a bipartisan and swift manner to confirm Stephen Censky and Ted McKinney,” said Senate Agriculture Committee chair Pat Roberts (R-KS). “Secretary Perdue, help is on the way.”

“I commend the Senate for confirming these two experienced, prepared, and capable nominees, who will provide the steady leadership we need at USDA,” said Secretary Perdue in a statement. “We eagerly await their arrival at USDA, and urge the Senate to continue to act on other nominees who are awaiting confirmation.”

The Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing with both nominees on September 19. Tomorrow, the committee will hold a hearing on the nominations of Greg Ibach of Nebraska to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, and Bill Northey of Iowa to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. No hearing has been scheduled yet for Sam Clovis of Iowa, President Trump’s controversial pick for Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics.

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, USDA

A Bayer Phytobac Helps Farms Become More Sustainable

Chuck Zimmerman

I first learned about the Bayer Phytobac system last year while on a tour in Germany. My second look at this unique innovation to make farms for sustainable came in Germany again this year during the Future of Farming Dialog last month.

With my group of journalists from North America, David Lembrich, Product Stewardship Manager at Bayer, showed us a demonstration unit and talked about how it works and then answered questions. So what is a Phytobac? It’s a system a farmer uses to clean the water used to wash out sprayers by directing it into a special tank.

Phytobac™ – a biological system for the sustainable disposal of crop protection effluent. In the tank, millions of microorganisms immediately take action and start cleaning the water voluntarily.

You can see more details and learn how one German farmer is using it here.

You can listen to David’s presentation here or watch it below: David Lembrich, Phytobac Presentation


Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Farming, pesticides, Sustainability, Video

Groups Urge Trump to Stop EPA Changes to RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

Biofuels stakeholder organizations have sent a letter to President Donald Trump, urging him to “act quickly to prevent actions” at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that threaten to undermine future growth of the biofuels industry under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

“If the proposed changes are finalized, EPA’s actions would cause severe harm to our industry, undermining your efforts to drive economic growth and secure America’s status as the global leader in biofuel production,” wrote the 11 organizations, which include the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), National Biodiesel Board (NBB), and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).

The letter is a response to rumors of EPA considering “drastic, unprecedented changes” designed to benefit petroleum refiners in which U.S. biofuel export volumes would count towards compliance with the RFS, on top of EPA’s reduction in the total 2018 RFS renewable fuel blending requirements below the levels required in 2017 and consideration of further reductions to the 2018 RFS volumes.

In the letter, the groups clarified that they oppose any weakening of the 15 billion gallon conventional biofuel requirement, believe the proposed reduction of the 2018 advanced biofuel requirement is unwarranted and the current treatment of imports and exports under the RFS should be maintained.

AEM, Ag Groups, Biodiesel, Corn, Ethanol, NCGA, RFA

Can-Am adds 50-Inch side-by-side to Maverick Family

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s time for fall hunting and lots of preparations are underway. I’ll be spending some work days later this week at the Crystal Pig Hunt Club in fact.

So, what will you be driving into the woods or wherever your hunt leads you? How about a brand new Can-Am Maverick?

Can-Am, unflinching in its sworn efforts to solidify its side-by-side vehicle lineup, introduces the 2018 Maverick Trail family of 50-in. (127 cm) class side-by-side vehicles. The new, two-person Can-Am vehicles present trail enthusiasts with new levels of control, convenience, comfort and versatility by supplying an agile, adventurous and confident platform. The Maverick Trail vehicles target off-road enthusiasts with their strategic proficiencies, dogged capabilities and resourceful customization options, helping owners and their passengers escape into nature. Can-Am Maverick family DNA further enhances the class-changing attributes with an impactful design that provides the Maverick Trail family with unmatched styling, durability and fit-and-finish.

The choices, specifications and overall description of this addition to the Can-Am lineup is too long to share here. But you can find out a lot more here.

Hunting

Percy is Demystifying Science at Bayer

Chuck Zimmerman

My main man Adrian Percy, Bayer CropScience, is definitely a voice to help people understand the highly technical world of science and agriculture today. I’m really happy to see him blogging about it! Here’s an excerpt from his latest in a 3-part series on the subject.

After many years involved in conducting research to evaluate the safety of our products, I’m still surprised that there are many people who not only don’t appreciate the incredible accomplishments of modern agriculture, but who also believe that its products and practices threaten people, wildlife and the environment. Where I see miraculous innovations that will help sustainably feed the world, they see a profit-driven industry with no regard to safety. Why do we view the world through such different lenses?

Why do we? And how do we educate people who are caught up in emotional movements that don’t have any basis in science or fact? I try to with my online channels and I’m glad that Adrian is too.

If you read Adrian’s post you’ll see him mention how so much information is shared “in a world where scientific debates are often framed by 140-character tweets.” I’d add that so many tweets are sent just on the emotion of the moment without careful thought about the message and its impact. Fortunately, companies like Bayer and many farm organizations are working diligently to use our new channels of communication to help with this process of demystifying science.

Bayer

Ag Export Coalition Urges Increased Funding for Export Programs

Cindy Zimmerman

More than 120 members of the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports are urging leaders of the House Committee on Agriculture to increase funding for USDA export promotion programs in the new farm bill.

The coalition ssent a letter to Committee Chairman Michael Conaway (R-TX), and Ranking Minority Member Collin Peterson (D-MN), asking them to increase funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) to $400 million annually and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program to $69 million annually, phasing in the additional funding over the life of the next farm bill. Coalition members include virtually all of the major commodity organizations, as well as state and regional groups, representing everything from apples to wine.

“Over the years we’ve had a decrease in funding based on sequestration, administrative costs, and just overall inflation and depreciation of the U.S. dollar,” said Mark Powers, president of Northwest Horticultural Council and chairman of the coalition. “It’s a very positive public-private partnership, but the real purchasing power of those matching funds provided to MAP and FMD has decreased over the years.”

MAP and FMD are cost-share programs. Overall, producers and other participants contributed matching funds representing 70 percent of total program funds in 2016. Federal MAP funding has been apportioned at an annual level of $200 million since 2006 and FMD at its annual level of $34.5 million since 2002.

In this interview, Powers talks about how successful the programs have been and how important exports are to specialty crop producers, and you can learn more at AgExportsCount.org. Interview with Mark Powers, NW Horticultural Council

Ag Groups, AgWired Precision, Audio, Exports, specialty crops