Drive to Feed Kids Combats Childhood Food Insecurity

Jamie Johansen

The Missouri Farmers Care (MFC) launched the Drive to Feed Kids on the opening day of the Missouri State Fair in an effort to combat childhood food insecurity and showcase Missouri agriculture. Funds from the Drive will leverage food bank distribution networks to deliver kid-friendly meals to hungry children across Missouri. The Drive is led by Missouri Farmers Care, Feeding Missouri, Brownfield Ag News, the Missouri State Fair and Missouri FFA.

“Hunger isn’t an issue that only happens somewhere else,” said Alan Wessler D.V.M, chairman of MFC, “it is a pervasive concern across Missouri’s rural communities. All of us in agriculture are focused on doing our best to produce food. We’re also focused on making our communities the best they can be. When children face hunger, it presents challenges in coming to school able to learn and thrive. It is time to consider what we can do to help. The good news is that regional food banks, affiliated through Feeding Missouri, have a proven and efficient way to deliver food to those who need it most.”

On opening day a screening of “Where the Fast Lane Ends”, a film showing the responsible use of agricultural science and technology, also took place. The screening was followed by a concert featuring Sawyer Brown with Royal Wade Kimes. Sawyer Brown lead singer, Mark Miller, wrote and produced “Where the Fast Lane Ends.” A check for $165,284 was presented to Feeding Missouri during the concert, but it’s not over. More is in the works and you can do your part.

To continue the efforts, the Missouri FFA Association hosted a food packing event and food drive as part of the Drive and in partnership with Monsanto and Brownfield Ag News.

Tim Steever, Brownfield Ag News, was on the ground for opening day and shared some conversations he had with key leaders of the event.

Interview with Dr. Alan Wessler, Chairman of MFC
Interview with Monica Palmer, Feeding Missouri
Interview with Mark Miller, Lead Singer, Sawyer Brown

Ag Groups, Audio, Food

Miss South Dakota Pumps Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Probably no other contestant at the 2017 Miss America pageant September 10 can say that they have pumped 10 percent ethanol fuel for bikers at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. But Miss South Dakota can.

Miranda Mack is from Redfield, home to Redfield Energy and the South Dakota Ethanol Producers Association, (SDEPA) which is a big sponsor of Miss South Dakota. “They sponsor my fuel costs as I travel all over the state this year,” she said, as she helped pump fuel and hand out t-shirts, looking only slightly out of place in her heels and tiara!

SDEPA president and Redfield Chief Administrative Officer Dana Siefkes-Lewis arranged for Miranda’s appearance at the Free Fuel Happy Hours sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Campground.

Audio file: Interview with Miss South Dakota Miranda Mack

2017 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally photo album

Audio, Ethanol, RFA

SMART Farmer Phil Borgic

Cindy Zimmerman

Meet the Illinois hog farmer whose family farm is the star of the 360 video the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance has been sharing around the country this year. You can watch the video without effects below – and if you have a VR viewer or headset take a look in 360.

Phil Borgic has a family farm in Nokomis, Illinois where he raises hogs, corn, soybeans and wheat. He also serves on the board of directors for the National Pork Producers Council and the USFRA. In this podcast, he talks about how today’s production methods are both humane and sustainable, in addition to being smart.

Learn more about Phil in this episode – SMART Farmer Podcast with Illinois hog farmer Phil Borgic

Subscribe to the SMART Farmer podcast

Learn more about USFRA and SMART Farm


AgWired Animal, Audio, USFRA

Iowa Farmer is 1st Woman to Chair USGC

Cindy Zimmerman

Iowa farmer Deb Keller was elected as U.S. Grains Council (USGC) chairman at the organization’s 57th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in Vancouver, Washington earlier this month. She is the first female selected for the role in the organization’s nearly 60 year history.

Keller’s experience as a strong advocate for trade will amplify the Council’s mission of developing markets, enabling trade and improving lives. “Thinking ahead, I see so many areas for growth, but I also see challenges that will take much time and patience to see through,” Keller said in her incoming chairman’s remarks. “After working with our delegates, the board and our staff both internationally and domestically, I know we can be successful together.”

Keller has a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Purdue University and has farmed in Wright County, Iowa, for more than 25 years with her husband, Gary, whom she met while working in a corn field.

Learn more about the new chair in this interview from Tony St. James – All Ag, All Day. Thanks Tony!

Interview with USGC chair Deb Keller
AgWired Precision, Audio, Corn, Ethanol, USGC

Animal Ag Bites 8/14

Kelly Marshall

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

International Buyers of U.S. Soy Convene in Omaha

Jamie Johansen

Next week, U.S. soybean farmers will have the opportunity to meet the international buyers responsible for purchasing the 60% of soybeans exported from the U.S. each year. The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) will host its 5th annual U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange Aug. 15-17 at Omaha’s CenturyLink Center. It will be our second year to cover the event and we thought we would get a preview of the conference from Jim Miller, USSEC chairman of the board.

“The United States is a top supplier of the world’s soy, thanks to the sustainable, consistent supply and exceptional composition that U.S. soybean farmers provide. To maintain this leadership position, it’s imperative that we meet and exceed our customers’ demands. This event opens an important dialog that spans the soy value chain, from the U.S. soybean farmer to the end user,” said Miller.

They are expecting over 250 international buyers representing 50 countries and about 350 U.S. soybean farmers to attend the conference focused on relationship building and education. Jim said there are many myths and unknowns about U.S. soybean production and this event serves as the perfect location to tell the story and paint the picture of U.S. production.

“Anytime we can have the international customers come to the U.S. and visit directly with farmers and hear the farmers story firsthand, it’s a great opportunity to dispell those myths,” said Miller.

Following the event in Omaha, groups of international attendees will visit U.S. farms for a firsthand glimpse of sustainable U.S. soybean farming practices. Listen to my complete conversation with Jim here: Interview with Jim Miller, USSEC Chairman

Ag Groups, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Exports, Soybean, USSEC

Zimfo Bytes 8/11

Kelly Marshall

Zimfo Bytes

USDA Forecast Optimistic Despite Conditions

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. farmers are expected to produce a record-high soybean crop this year, according to USDA’s August Crop Production report released Thursday. Soybean production is forecast at 4.38 billion bushels, up two percent from last year, while corn growers are expected to decrease their production by seven percent from last year, forecast at 14.2 billion bushels.

Soybean yields are expected to average 49.4 bushels per acre, down 2.7 bushels from last year, while the average corn yield is forecast at 169.5 bushels per acre, down 5.1 bushels from last year. Yields for both crops are expected to be lower or the same in the major producing areas, but record high in non-traditional states like Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.

But with corn condition ratings the lowest they have been since the 2012 drought, some analysts believe the yields will be lower than USDA is saying now. “It seems like they’re being very conservative with this,” said Doug Werling of Bower Trading during the MGEX crop call following release of the report. “You can’t have a crop condition rating that continues to fall and a yield that improves or only falls marginally two months in a row. It just doesn’t really add up.”

Werling also comments on the wheat production forecast, which is down 25 percent overall.

Audio file: Crop commentary from Doug Werling of Bower Trading

The August report also includes the first production forecast for U.S. cotton, at 20.5 million 480-pound bales, up 20 percent from last year.

AgWired Precision, Audio, Corn, Soybean, USDA, Wheat

Adam McClung Recognized as Transformational Leader

Jamie Johansen

It is still hard to believe our friend and fellow ag communicator is no longer with us. We wanted to share the latest information from the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association remembering Adam’s life and spirit. We send continued prayers to his family and close friends.

– Adam McClung Recognized as Transformational Leader –

Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Executive Vice President Adam McClung passed away August 6, 2017, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. McClung succumbed to a brief, but severe illness. The unexpected passing sent shockwaves through the cattle industry in Arkansas and throughout the country.

McClung was known as a transformational leader, according to ACA President Jerry Christie. “Adam was one of a kind. His larger than life personality and unwavering dedication to the farm and ranch families of Arkansas was unparalleled,” said Christie. “Adam took this association to a whole new level. Under his leadership, we dramatically increased membership, effectiveness in the state legislature and created Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Class. Most importantly, Adam cared about cattle producers and made sure this association was member driven and member run. His passion was contagious.”

Adam first served ACA as director of membership before eventually becoming the executive vice president in 2009 after serving one year with the Oklahoma Beef Council as director of industry relations. His success was noticed throughout the country. McClung’s policy savvy and ability to draft innovative legislation that would truly advance the state’s cattle industry was evident by other state cattle organizations following his lead and pushing McClung’s ideas in their respective states. McClung honored tradition but pushed change when it was necessary to improve the cattle industry. His relentless efforts to bring positive change to the beef cattle industry spurred the White House and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to recognize him in 2014 as just one of 15 “Champions of Change” leaders from across the country.Read More

Ag Groups, AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Beef

Panther Pro Herbicide from Nufarm

Chuck Zimmerman

Nufarm’s Panther® Pro herbicide for soybeans was on display during the Info Expo at the 2017 Ag Media Summit in Snowbird, Utah. Nufarm Communications Specialist, Emilia Villacis, said the product fights broad spectrum weed control in burndown, pre-plant and pre-emergent applications; and residual control of weeds in crop-fallow and non-crop bare ground uses.

Panther Pro will hit the market this fall in time for growers to start planning for the 2018 growing season providing residual control of more than 60 weeds.

Learn more about Nufarm and why they attended Ag Media Summit in Chuck’s complete interview with Emilia here: Interview with Emilia Villacis, Nufarm

View and download photos here: 2017 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

Coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by
Coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by FMC
Ag Media Summit, AgWired Precision, Audio, Crop Protection, Herbicide, Nufarm