Nebraska Governor Praises Grain Trade with Mexico

Cindy Zimmerman

Neb. Gov. Pete Ricketts, USGC CEO Tom Sleight, and NCGA’s Tom Doggett

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts asked grain industry officials from Mexico and the United States join him Tuesday for a press conference to highlight the importance of Mexico to U.S. agriculture and how the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has benefited both countries.

“Bilateral trade with Mexico has helped grow agriculture in our state over the years,” said Governor Ricketts. “Mexico is Nebraska’s largest export market for corn, dairy, sugar, and sweeteners, and second largest market for soybeans, wheat, sorghum, and distillers grains. All of this combined accounts for thousands of Nebraska jobs. I’m encouraged by local and national discussions to expand trade, and am committed to helping grow our trade relationship with Mexico so we can continue to grow Nebraska.”

The Nebraska Corn Board, the U.S. Grains Council, and the National Corn Growers Association are hosting a team of Mexican grain and industry officials in Nebraska for a town hall and industry meetings. Later this week, the Mexican delegation will travel to Washington, D.C., where they will join U.S. corn farmers for meetings with Congressional leaders to discuss the U.S.-Mexico trade relationship.

“Having these industry leaders here in the United States this week to share how NAFTA has impacted their companies and their country is invaluable to helping us communicate how important strong trade policy with our nearest neighbors is to the continued success of U.S. grain producers and exporters,” said USGC CEO Tom Sleight.

Jon Doggett, NCGA executive vice president and head of public policy, says NAFTA has been a major catalyst for economic growth in the corn industry and Mexico is the largest market for U.S. corn. “We will work closely with the Trump Administration and Congress to build on the successful trade relationship we have with our neighbors in Mexico, and make sure a modernized NAFTA is a win-win for both our countries,” said Doggett, who stresses calling changes in NAFTA “updating” or “modernizing” rather than “renegotiating.”

Listen to the press conference here: Nebraska presser on trade with Mexico

Agribusiness, Audio, Corn, Grains, NCGA, Trade, USGC

NAMA Reflections From Lynn Henderson

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) is celebrating 60 years as a professional organization dedicated to the business of agricultural marketing. Lynn Henderson with AgriMarketing Magazine has been involved with NAMA for the last 41 of those 60 years so we sat down with him at the recent annual conference to hear some of the history of the organization and how it has grown.

ZimmCast 544AgriMarketing is the official publication of NAMA and the magazine has been publishing the Best of NAMA winners since not long after it was started in 1962. In this ZimmCast, Lynn shares how NAMA helped him early in his career and he encourages young people to get involved.

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast with Lynn Henderson, AgriMarketing Magazine

2017 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

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Agribusiness, Audio, Marketing, NAMA, ZimmCast

DairyBusiness Moves to Digital Only Magazine

Jamie Johansen

Beginning June 2017, the DairyBusiness magazine will exclusively be published digitally. This change will expand circulation to at least 50,000 and frequency increased to two issues each month, says Editor and Publisher Joel Hastings.

“Dairy producers and their suppliers have moved to the web. With their mobile devices online, producers monitor herd performance, operate farm equipment, check markets and of course shop for products and services. And they share their experiences there too with peers, friends and families using web sites and social media. We think this is the future of dairy and we are joining them,” Hastings said.

DairyBusiness will be published on the first and third Monday each month. Production deadlines are just 10 days prior. Advertisers can order online, upload ad files, make payment and then track their advertising results through web automation.
DairyBusiness is confident this move will provide these benefits to their readers and advertisers and are inviting their readers and advertisers to go to the updated website. View the first issue, carrying a May 15 cover date.


Agribusiness, AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Dairy, Media

Undeniably Dairy Campaign Launched

Cindy Zimmerman

The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, in partnership with Dairy Management Inc., have launched Undeniably Dairy, the first industry-wide campaign of its kind to grow consumer confidence in dairy products.

“Through the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, the dairy community has worked together to establish common ground on our top priorities and values, from responsible production and sustainable nutrition to economic value,” says Barbara O’Brien, president of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. “We feel that now is the absolute right time to come together with one voice to share the community’s story – to celebrate the delicious, nutritious foods in the dairy aisle and the people who bring them to your table.”

The multimedia campaign will feature a new logo and media campaign, including advertising with Food Network and Cooking Channel in June to celebrate National Dairy Month and national on-farm events where farmers will invite the community in to learn more about modern farming practices. Original content will be shared across Facebook, YouTube and other social platforms. A preview of the campaign video along with other content can be found at undeniablydairy.org.

An Undeniably Dairy kickoff press conference Monday featured O’Brien, as well as National Dairy Promotion and Research Board chair Amber Horn-Leiterman of Wisconsin, and Beth Engelmann, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Dairy Management Inc. Download and listen here:
Undeniably Dairy Media Conference

Audio, Dairy

Nothing Official on Northey

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey last week in Iowa

Lots of buzz over the weekend about Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey being nominated to a post with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to the point that he had to put a post on Facebook that nothing is official – yet.

I appreciate the kind comments and support from so many friends here in Iowa and across the country as news has circulated recently about a possible role for me at USDA. The appointment process can take time to unfold and it is important not to be overly presumptive. I hope you will all understand that I cannot confirm anything or make any formal comment about the rumored appointment at USDA. I look forward to communicating about that more openly at the appropriate time. As I have said many times, I love my job as Iowa Secretary of Agriculture and I am anxious to support the President, Sec. Perdue and USDA’s mission in whatever role I am in – either within USDA or outside.

Northey is a farmer from Spirit Lake, Iowa who has served as Iowa ag secretary for three terms and is a former president of the National Corn Growers Association. Speculation has it that he will be nominated by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to be undersecretary for the newly created Farm Production and Conservation mission area to oversee FSA, RMA, and NRCS.

USDA

America’s Farm Mom of 2017

Cindy Zimmerman

Mother’s Day was extra special this year for Susan Brocksmith of Vincennes, Indiana who was named the 2017 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year. The program, sponsored by Monsanto, honors the significant contributions farm moms make in their communities and beyond. Susan, a farmer, agribusiness professor, mother and active agriculture advocate, received the most online votes to be awarded the national title.

Susan was one of five women who were recognized at the end of April as regional winners in the program. All of them, including Becca Ferry (Brigham City, Utah), Shari Sell-Bakker (Dike, Iowa), Cala Tabb (Eupora, Miss.), Nancy Kirkholm (Homer, Neb.), and Susan were selected by a panel of American Agri-Women and Monsanto judges for their dedication and commitment to their families, farms, communities and the agriculture industry.

All five women won $2,000 to direct to an eligible nonprofit organization of her choice in her community, as well as $3,000 for her personal use. Susan will receive another $2,000 to donate and she has chosen to support Helping His Hands, a local disaster relief organization and food pantry, and both the North Knox and South Knox FFA chapters.

Uncategorized

U.S. Beef Regaining Access to China

Cindy Zimmerman

Following one more round of technical consultations, China is to allow imports of U.S. beef on “conditions consistent with international food safety and animal health standards and consistent with the 1999 Agricultural Cooperation Agreement, beginning as soon as possible but no later than July 16, 2017.”

The announcement was welcome news for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Craig Uden said, “After being locked out of the world’s largest market for 13 years, we strongly welcome the announcement that an agreement has been made to restore U.S. beef exports to China. It’s impossible to overstate how beneficial this will be for America’s cattle producers, and the Trump Administration deserves a lot of credit for getting this achieved.”

“We’re very excited about this development, it’s another step closer to restoring access to China,” said Kent Bacus, NCBA Director of International Trade and Market Access. “This announcement is a culmination of the recent meeting between President Trump and President Xi at Mar-A-Lago, and we’re excited that beef was the number one point that was included in this 100 day plan.”

Listen to a press conference with NCBA here: NCBA on Beef Access to China

Audio, Beef, Exports, International

Agri-Pulse Poll: Farmers See New Trade Top Need

Jamie Johansen

A recent survey conducted by Agri-Pulse and the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) in April falls in line with announcements from Washington D.C. this week on the importance of trade to American agriculture.

The survey found that more than a third of 133 soybean farmers (34.5 percent) said passing new trade agreements is the most important national issue affecting the profitability of their farm. Maintaining a Renewable Fuel Standard (27.8 percent) came in second and reducing regulatory burdens (13.5 percent) in third.

Agri-Pulse Editor Sara Wyant, who helped collect and tabulate the results of the quarterly poll said, farmers are closely following the trade agenda of President Trump. “Almost three quarters of respondents said they agree with his plan to renegotiate NAFTA,” Wyant said. “It’s clear that the farm economy depends on trade and that our farm exports to Mexico and to Canada are critical for agriculture.”

Poll participants were somewhat divided over the president’s decision to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which would have joined the U.S. in a trading agreement with 11 other Pacific Rim nations. Forty-five percent disagreed with that move, while almost 38 percent backed his decision.

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Ag Groups, Agri-Pulse, Trade, USDA

Three for FMC

Cindy Zimmerman

FMC Agricultural Solutions has added three team members to its marketing and communications team in Philadelphia. These new team members will support the FMC agricultural crop protection portfolio in the U.S. and Canada.

Christina Coen

Christina Coen, a veteran agricultural marketer, has been named marketing director for the United States and Canada. Coen will have responsibility for the marketing of the FMC full agricultural portfolio including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, plant health and new technology offerings. Previously, Coen held a series of operations, marketing and licensing leadership positions at Dow AgroSciences and its parent company, The Dow Chemical Company. Most recently, Coen was North America crop protection project success leader for Dow AgroSciences, where she was a two-time Innovator Award recipient.

Lisa Homer

Accomplished agricultural communicator Lisa Homer is the new senior communications manager for the United States and Canada. In her new role, Homer will oversee marketing communications activities that support the full FMC agricultural portfolio in the U.S. and Canadian markets. Homer has more than 20 years of marketing and advertising experience serving agricultural, pet and other markets. In addition to owning her own consulting business, Homer has worked with several marketing agencies and, most recently, was account director at Stephens & Associates Advertising Inc. This role marks a return to FMC for Homer, who served as the company’s promotions and interactive communications manager earlier in her career.

Julie Boss

FMC Agricultural Solutions has named accomplished agricultural communicator Lisa Homer as senior communications manager for the United States and Canada. In her new role, Homer will oversee marketing communications activities that support the full FMC agricultural portfolio in the U.S. and Canadian markets. Homer has more than 20 years of marketing and advertising experience serving agricultural, pet and other markets. In addition to owning her own consulting business, Homer has worked with several marketing agencies and, most recently, was account director at Stephens & Associates Advertising Inc. This role marks a return to FMC for Homer, who served as the company’s promotions and interactive communications manager earlier in her career.

FMC

Trump Trade Team to Include New USDA Post

Cindy Zimmerman

President Trump now has a complete cabinet with Senate approval of Ambassador Robert Lighthizer as U.S. Trade Representative, and USDA will soon have an undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs to help with the administration’s international trade goals.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a reorganization of USDA yesterday that includes the creation of the new undersecretary, which was approved in the most recent farm bill.

“Food is a noble thing to trade. This nation has a great story to tell and we’ve got producers here that produce more than we can consume,” said Secretary Perdue. “And that’s good, because I’m a grow-it-and-sell-it kind of guy. Our people in American agriculture have shown they can grow it, and we’re here to sell it in markets all around the world.”

As part of the reorganization, Perdue also announced that the department’s Rural Development agencies would be elevated to report directly to the secretary of agriculture “in recognition of the need to help promote rural prosperity. Additionally, a new undersecretary will be selected for a newly-named Farm Production and Conservation mission area, which is to focus on domestic agricultural issues. FSA, RMA, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service will all fall under this new undersecretary.

Listen to Perdue’s announcement here: Secretary Perdue announces USDA reorganization plans

AgWired Animal, Audio, Trade, USDA