Groups Welcome Plant Breeding Policy from USDA

Kelly Marshall

The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) has been actively engaged with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in developing a rule regarding plant breeding innovation. The rule-making notice was officially released yesterday, and ASTA, along with other organizations like the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), are pleased with the recognition of plant breeder’s history of safety and quality.

“The farm and food value chain is committed to innovating in a responsible and sustainable way,” said ASTA President & CEO Andy LaVigne. “We look forward to continuing these conversations with the Trump Administration to ensure sound policy that fosters continued innovation and promotes the movement of seed and other agricultural products around world.”

“Corn farmers have a strong interest in the availability of new technologies to enhance the sustainability, productivity and competitiveness of U.S. agriculture,” writes the NCGA. “Agriculture biotechnology and next generation breeding techniques allow growers to increase yields while decreasing inputs. Meeting demand, improving processes and minimizing environmental impacts are what make modern corn production a dynamic industry. The documents published indicate that, in large part, federal agencies agree with the basis of our stance and strive to create a more efficient regulatory process allowing growers greater access to new products.”Read More

ASTA, NCGA, Plant Breeding

USDA Seeks Comments on Organic Check-Off

Kelly Marshall

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is moving forward with a proposal for a nationwide check-off program for the organic industry. The USDA announced a public comment period for what is referred to as GRO Organic (Generic Research and Promotion Order for Organic) earlier this week. Commenters have until March 20 to weigh in on the topic. As it currently stands, all certified organic stakeholder paying into the program would be eligible to vote on the final implementation.

The proposed check-off estimates it could raise over $30 million a year to spend on research, technical services, consumer education and promotion of the organic brand.  Read More

Organic, USDA

Trump Ag Secretary Pick Comes at Last Minute

Cindy Zimmerman

President-elect Donald Trump will officially round out his cabinet by nominating former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as Secretary of Agriculture just a little more than 24 hours before the inauguration.

As word about the choice spread Wednesday evening, most agricultural groups were waiting until the official announcement to respond, but one of the first was American Farm Bureau president Zippy Duvall who strongly supports his fellow Georgian. “I have known Gov. Perdue for years,” Duvall said. “I’ve seen firsthand his commitment to the business of agriculture as we worked together on issues facing farmers and ranchers in our home state of Georgia.”

George Ervin “Sonny” Perdue III is 70 years old and served as governor of Georgia from 2003 to 2011 and was the first Republican governor elected in 130 years. He grew up on a farm, was a veterinarian and operates grain and fertilizer businesses. And even though Georgia is a top poultry producing state – no, he is not related to the Perdue poultry business.

AFBF

Sage is a 25 Under 25

Chuck Zimmerman

Those wise, as a result of experience, people at Sage, a creative marketing agency, are now a Kansas City 25 Under 25 company.

The awards are presented to 25 local businesses with fewer than 25 employees. An independent panel of judges consisting of area business leaders chooses the winning companies. Nearly 1,500 nominations were submitted.

The Sage staff have 120 years of collective marketing communications experience, founded by Leigh Ann Cleaver and Kelly Schwalbe (Formerly BCS Communications).

Leigh Ann Cleaver, managing partner at Sage, says it’s a tremendous honor for the 13-year-old marketing communications firm and its employees to be recognized for this small business award. “We are very proud of the many clients we serve, the innovative work we do and the role we play in the community. Of the hundreds of well-deserving small businesses in the greater Kansas City area, being selected for this award is a tribute to our employees and their hard work.”

This is the 16th year for 25 Under 25®. This year’s honorees will be recognized during the annual 25 Under 25® Gala on Saturday, March 4, at the Downtown Marriott Hotel. Bob Regnier, president and CEO of Bank of Blue Valley, will receive the Entrepreneurial Legacy Award, which pays tribute to a leader who has made a lasting impact on KC’s business community.

Tickets for the gala will go on sale Jan. 1 at www.25under25.com.

Agencies

HSUS = PETA Parody

Chuck Zimmerman

At least parody can be funnier than truth. Sometimes. And in the case of this video from HumaneWatch it’s worth a chuckle. If it only wasn’t so true.

Read more about the rationale behind the parody here.


Animal Activists, Video, Wackos

CFI Provides Insights for Food & Ag to Earn Trust

Kelly Marshall

The Center for Food Integrity (CFI) conducts an annual consumer study to better understand how to earn consumer trust. Their latest research approach has identified influential consumer groups and made an effort to understand how they not only dictate food trends, but drive conversations that impact the decisions of others.

In a first-of-its-kind method, the 2016 survey used digital ethnography that can provide insights like unspoken motivations, values, top-of-mind issues, emotional triggers, preferred social channels and sources, behaviors and trusted brands. This kind of research provides a greater understanding of how to connect to consumers because the information provided goes beyond what people say and pinpoints what they actually do.Read More

Uncategorized

Trump Team Announces Bayer Merger Promises

Cindy Zimmerman

President-elect Trump’s transition team updated reporters yesterday on the outcome of meetings last week regarding Bayer’s acquisition of Monsanto.

Trump press secretary Sean Spicer says the president-elect received commitments from Bayer CEO Werner Baumann that they would keep Monsanto in St. Louis and “retain 100 percent of Monsanto’s 9,000-plus U.S. workforce and create at least 3,000 new U.S. high-tech jobs.” Additionally, Spicer said Bayer committed to $8 billion in new U.S. research and development. “The reason for this commitment and expansion is because of the president-elect’s focus on creating better business climate here in the United States, which is already increased consumer and small business confidence since the election,” said Spicer.

A joint statement from Monsanto and Bayer said Baumann and Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant had “a very productive meeting” last week with Trump, and that they would be investing $16 billion in R&D over the next six years, with “at least half” of that being in the United States – “an investment in innovation and people that will create several thousand new high-tech, well-paying jobs after integration is complete.”

Agribusiness, Bayer

12 Years of Blogging for Biodiesel

Cindy Zimmerman

AgWired is on location this week in San Diego for the 14th National Biodiesel Conference, which marks our 12th year blogging for the biodiesel industry.

The Biodiesel Conference Blog is a perfect example of what we do best as a company – gathering photos and audio from an event and making it available online quickly for anyone who might want to use it – attendees, sponsors, media, or just your average Google searcher.

The very first biodiesel conference we attended was also in San Diego back in 2006 and it’s really interesting to go back and look through the years – which you can do on the blog because everything is archived there. And there is some great content, like photos and interviews with celebrities like Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard, Daryl Hannah and Larry Hagman, Chuck Leavell and Melissa Etheridge.

Thanks to the National Biodiesel Board for allowing us to bring their conference to you once again this year and you are encouraged to use any content in broadcasts, articles, blogs, Facebook posts, tweets..wherever content is needed!

Here’s a sample:

New NBB CEO and Chairman Kick Off #NBB17 –
Rehagen and Engelbrecht, general session NBB CEO Donnell Rehagen meets the press

GM Announces 20 for B20 in Diesel Vehicle Lineup – GM announcement at #NBB17

2017 National Biodiesel Conference photo album

Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, National Biodiesel Conference

Vilsack’s New Job is Official

Cindy Zimmerman

With the inauguration of President Trump just days away, the Cabinet position of Agriculture Secretary remains vacant but former Secretary Tom Vilsack has already moved on and will be taking a new job as president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council on February 1.

“Growing the global market for U.S. dairy products is essential to the future of the dairy industry and America’s dairy farmers. I’ve spent my career in public service as a tireless advocate for farmers and American agriculture and can think of no better way to continue this service than by leading the U.S. Dairy Export Council,” said Vilsack. “I look forward to partnering with the dynamic team at USDEC as well as agriculture, food industry and key stakeholders at home and abroad to advance the council’s mission and strengthen trust in American dairy.”

As president and CEO, Vilsack will provide strategic leadership and oversight of USDEC’s global promotional and research activities, regulatory affairs and trade policy initiatives. This includes working with industry leaders to develop a long-term vision for building sales and consumer trust in U.S. dairy. Together with the USDEC board, he will create strategies to successfully achieve the shared vision. He will serve as the organization’s primary spokesperson and ambassador to a host of global and domestic stakeholders.

Vilsack succeeds Tom Suber, who served as president of USDEC since its founding in 1995, and retired at the end of 2016. USDEC is a non-profit, independent organization that seeks to enhance the global demand for U.S. dairy products and ingredients.

Agribusiness, Dairy

CNH Industrial Names Danford to New Position

Cindy Zimmerman

CNH Industrial has named Dan Danford to the new position of Industry Relations Manager, Precision Solutions and Telematics (PS&T). CNH Industrial is the parent company of Case IH and New Holland Agriculture and Construction brands.

Danford will represent the interests and global strategic direction of CNH Industrial with key precision-facing organizations and partners, with an emphasis in North America and South America.

“Dan’s experience and connections throughout the industry will help us be a stronger voice in, and a more agile contributor to the precision industry,” said Joe Michaels, Director of Global Precision Product Management with CNH Industrial. “Greater agility means we can deliver ever more integrated data solutions to our customers in a shorter time frame.”

Danford joined CNH Industrial in 2012 as Public Relations and Sponsorship Manager for Case IH Agriculture in North America and has been involved in agribusiness marketing and communications for over 20 years.

Agribusiness, Marketing