PR Webinar with CommonGround’s Missy Morgan

Kelly Marshall

If you’re looking for solutions in the PR department, perhaps this is your answer. Missy Morgan of Osborn & Barr is presenting a webinar on the success of the 7-year PR Evolution of the GommonGround organization, brought to you by the Agricultural Relations Council.

“Have you ever scratched your head in wonder when a PR program thrives despite overwhelming obstacles?” asks Morgan “Often shifting strategies, leadership and budgets can render an otherwise relevant program dead in the water. CommonGround is thriving at year seven, and I’m excited to share with you how it keeps on growing.”

The webinar will be held on February 2, 2017 from 12:30-1:30 EST.  Tickets for the event are available via Eventbright.

Uncategorized

ZimmCast with CNH Industrial

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 534This week I get to talk precision ag with the new Industry Relations Manager, Precision Solutions and Telematics for CNH Industrial, Dan Danford. Dan already has travel scheduled for the new job that will take him to South America and Europe as well as around the USA.

In his role with CNH Industrial Dan will be getting involved with organizations like the Agricultural Data Coalition and AgGateway. Part of his job is to work with groups like these that are trying to create commonality of data and develop an industry approach that makes thing clearer for all customers. He will also be working with third party developers and others what want to work with CNH through their equipment and systems.

Learn more about Dan in his new role and what CNH is doing in this space in this week’s program: ZimmCast with Dan Danford, CNH Industrial

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

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Agribusiness, Audio, Case IH, New Holland, Precision Agriculture, ZimmCast

Ag Reacts to Trump Withdrawal from TPP

Cindy Zimmerman

The detailed description touting the benefits of the Trans Pacific Partnership is now gone from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) website as President Trump signed an executive order today withdrawing from the trade deal.

“With this decision, it is critical that the new administration begin work immediately to do all it can to develop new markets for U.S. agricultural goods and to protect and advance U.S. agricultural interests in the critical Asia-Pacific region,” said American Farm Bureau president Zippy Duvall, who also stressed the need to protect the North American Free Trade Agreement. “Any renegotiation of NAFTA must recognize the gains achieved by American agriculture and assure that U.S. ag trade with Canada and Mexico remains strong.”

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president Tracy Brunner expressed concerns about how this might impact U.S. producers. “We’re especially concerned that the Administration is taking these actions without any meaningful alternatives in place that would compensate for the tremendous loss that cattle producers will face without TPP or NAFTA,” said Brunner. “Sparking a trade war with Canada, Mexico, and Asia will only lead to higher prices for American-produced beef in those markets and put our American producers at a much steeper competitive disadvantage.”

The National Farmers Union (NFU), which has staunchly opposed TPP, applauded the action. “The Trans-Pacific Partnership was a continuance of our nation’s deeply flawed trade agenda, and we’re pleased that the Trump Administration has decided to formally withdraw the U.S. from the pact to prioritize a fair trade agenda,” said NFU president Roger Johnson.

President Trump signed the executive order as one of his first official actions in the Oval Office.

AFBF, NCBA, Trade

MO Lt. Gov Praises Perdue as U.S. Sec of Ag

Jamie Johansen

Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Parson has commended President Trump on his selection of former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In a statement, Lieutenant Governor Parson praised Governor Perdue’s accomplishments in both the governmental and private sectors. “Governor Perdue and I share a common past being raised on family farms, serving our country in the military, and running our own small businesses. We believe in doing what’s right for the people even when it isn’t easy, and I know he will do an excellent job leading the Department of Agriculture and standing up for his fellow farmers,” said Lieutenant Governor Parson.

The Lieutenant Governor also expressed his enthusiasm for the future of agriculture nationwide. “Being a third generation active farmer, agriculture is near and dear to my heart,” said Parson. “I’m excited for the new direction in Washington, D.C., and look forward to working hand in hand with Governor Perdue and agriculture leaders to eliminate burdensome regulations and drive agriculture forward not only in Missouri, but our entire nation,” said Parson.

politics, USDA

Strategic Communications Director Retires from FFA

Kelly Marshall

Members of the FFA community will miss Bill Stagg, 40 year director of strategic communications of the National FFA Organization. Stage has announced that he will retire at the end of this month. He has been with the National FFA Organization since November of 1978, dedicating his life to the motto “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.”

“Working for FFA has been such a joy,” said Stagg. “From the moment I set foot in a local high school agricultural education program, I saw caring teachers working with students in extraordinary ways. I understood the power of that close teacher-student relationship to transform the lives of young people and accelerate their personal, academic and career development. I’ve loved working on behalf of FFA members, their teachers/advisors and the dedicated professionals who support them. The story of FFA is a uniquely American one, and it’s been immensely satisfying to share it with others and see it evolve.”

Ag Groups, FFA

New Biodiesel Board Chairman from ADM

Cindy Zimmerman

Kent Engelbrecht of ADM was elected chairman of the National Biodiesel Board in November, marking the first time that company has moved into the leadership position for the organization.

“We’ve been involved in biodiesel since 2006,” said Engelbrecht. “We’ve got four plants in North America producing a lot of biodiesel, and that uses a lot of soybean oil, and that comes from a lot of soybeans.”

In this interview, Engelbrecht talks about last week’s 14th National Biodiesel Conference in San Diego and his excitement for the future of the biodiesel industry. Interview with Kent Engelbrecht, NBB chairman

2017 National Biodiesel Conference photo album

Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, National Biodiesel Conference, Soybean

Most Ag Groups Pleased with Ag Secretary Choice

Cindy Zimmerman

The agriculture industry had to wait until right up to the end to learn Trump’s choice for Secretary of Agriculture, but now that he’s nominated former Georgia Governor, Sonny Perdue, the agriculture groups seem generally pleased.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association calls him “an excellent pick” to head USDA. “As a lifelong agri-businessman and veterinarian, as well as the two-term governor of a state where agriculture’s the largest industry, Gov. Perdue has a unique and expert understanding of both the business and scientific sides of agriculture,” said NCBA president Tracy Brunner of Kansas.Interview with Tracy Brunner, NCBA

“America’s dairy farmers are looking forward to working with Secretary of Agriculture-designate Sonny Perdue, whose role as the chief advocate for farmers and rural America is absolutely crucial in the new Trump Administration, especially when milk prices have been in a prolonged slump,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). Interview with Jim Mulhern, NMPF

The National Farmers Union is cautiously optimistic. “Given the challenging state of the farm economy, more than ever, family farmers and ranchers need a champion in Washington,” says President Roger Johnson.  “I am hopeful we will find that champion in Sonny Perdue.”

Congratulations came from the National Corn Growers Association President Wesley Spurlock. “Agriculture is the backbone of rural America, and we need strong leadership within USDA to keep moving the industry forward through difficult economic times.[…] We stand ready to work with President-Elect Trump and the new USDA leadership to move agriculture and our country forward.”

The National Cotton Council is ready to work with Perdue as well. “It is encouraging to see a Secretary of Agriculture nominee with a strong production agriculture and agribusiness background and with experience, who comes from the second largest cotton-producing state,” NCC Chairman Shane Stephens said.

Ron Moore, President of the American Soybean Association, welcomes Perdue as the nomination. “From working to implement a viable risk management framework to helping expand our markets overseas, to investing in agricultural research here at home, these are critical elements of the farm economy, and we look forward to working alongside USDA under Secretary Perdue to ensure that the department continues to serve American soybean farmers in the most effective manner possible.”

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry also weighed in, giving this endorsement: “I appreciated my conversation with Governor Perdue before his announcement and look forward to meeting with him again as the Committee completes a thorough confirmation process. Together, we must get to work addressing these immediate and future challenges.”

Ag Groups, Audio, USDA

Presidential Inaugural Parade to Highlight Agriculture

Kelly Marshall

RFD-TV has invited every tractor manufacturer in the nation to participate in the Rural Tractor Brigade that will be participating in the 2017 Presidential Inaugural Parade. Case IH, Challenger, John Deere, Kioti, Kubota, Mahindra, Massey-Ferguson and New Holland have all confirmed that they will be showcasing modern tractors when the parade broadcasts live on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC at 3 p.m. EST today.

The purpose of the Rural Tractor Brigade is to “reconnect city with country.” The theme is “We The People: Our American Journey,” and will feature members of the National FFA carrying the banner. RFD-TV and Rural Radio, channel 147 on SiriusXM, will provide updates throughout the day, beginning at 9 a.m. EST.

Several leaders of agriculture associations will be representing their members by driving a tractor in the parade. Those leaders include Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation and their 5.9 million members; Ron Moore, president of the American Soybean Association and his wife Deb; Randy Krotz, CEO of the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance; John Weber, president of the National Pork Producers Council; and Jim Odle, co-founder of Superior Livestock Auction. Also driving to represent rural media include National Association of Farm Broadcasting past and current presidents Mark Oppold and Max Armstrong, Duncan Smith of Sinclair Broadcasting, and Patrick Gottsch, founder and president of RFD-TV and RURAL RADIO on SiriusXM.

Tractor

John Deere Showing Biodiesel Support

Chuck Zimmerman

There was some John Deere green during the National Biodiesel Conference Vehicle Showcase this year.

Chuck Studer, Director of Industry Relations, highlighted John Deere’s vast diesel equipment product line and long-standing involvement with biodiesel. John Deere was one of the first original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to get involved with biodiesel, approving B5 biodiesel blends for use in its engines in 2001. It was also one of the first off-highway equipment manufacturers to factory fill biodiesel blends in North America. Since then, John Deere has continued to conduct biodiesel research and perform lab and field tests using biodiesel fuel, and now supports up to B20 or higher biodiesel blends in its equipment.

Studer featured the best-selling garden tractor in the San Diego area, John Deere’s 5045E, approved for use with B20 biodiesel blends.


Biodiesel, John Deere, National Biodiesel Conference, Video

Trump EPA Nominee Questioned on Ag Issues

Cindy Zimmerman

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt answered questions about regulatory overreach and his support of renewable fuels during his Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday to serve as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President-elect Donald Trump.

Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, first asked Pruitt about making sure the agency is “open, transparent, and answerable for its actions”{ and what he would do “to provide relief from an onslaught of EPA rules.”

Pruitt, who as Oklahoma AG has participated in a lawsuits against EPA over WOTUS, expressed his concerns about “regulation through litigation where groups initiate litigation against the EPA, the United States government, and set environmental policy through something called a sue and settle process.”

“Balancing the environmental objectives we have, but also the economic harm that results and the Supreme Court has spoken about that rather consistently of late. I would seek to lead the EPA in such a way to ensure that openness and transparency,” he added.

Pruitt also expressed his commitment to uphold the congressional intent of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “To honor the intent and the expression of the renewable fuel standards statute is very, very important,” Pruitt said. “It’s not the job of the administrator or the EPA to do anything other than administer the program according to the intent of Congress. And I commit to you to do so.”

Listen to Fischer’s questioning of Pruitt here: Pruitt confirmation hearing with Sen. Fischer

Audio, EPA