See the Future of Plant Breeding from #ASTACSS

Cindy Zimmerman

Gene editing could be as revolutionary for plant breeders as cut and paste editing has been for the print industry. The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) held a press conference at the recent CSS & Seed Expo in Chicago to talk about new innovations in the industry that have great potential. We already posted the audio from that press conference but a couple of presenters used slides to help explain the new techniques that are very helpful. Watch it here:


ASTA CSS 2016 Photo Album

Coverage of ASTA CSS and Seed Expo brought to you by
Coverage of ASTA CSS and Seed Expo brought to you by the American Seed Trade Association and Coverage of ASTA CSS and Seed Expo brought to you by BASF Ag Products
ASTA, Video

Why #Farmers Grow #GMOs

Cindy Zimmerman

Maryland farmer Chip Bowling agrees with a new survey that finds the main reason farmers have increased their use of genetically modified (GM) crops is sustainability.

“We’re better at what we do because of technology, whether it’s seeds and traits or through the equipment that we use,” says Bowling, who farms on the Chesapeake Bay. He is also chairman of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and vice chairman of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) which recently released a survey of farmers on their attitudes towards GM technology.

The survey found that farmers like Bowling believe biotechnology helps them raise crops more efficiently, and that the environment and sustainability practices will suffer if GMO technology utilization is reduced in crop production in the future. Moreover, when asked about farmers’ ability to lessen their environmental footprint, GMO seeds ranked top of the list (98%).

“With GMOs and advances in agricultural technology, we’re utilizing our resources much more precisely today and have pinpoint accuracy when applying fertilizer, nitrogen and chemical applications. This is especially important on my farm in the Chesapeake Bay watershed,” said Bowling. “The farmers’ perspective in the survey findings are a direct indication of how important genetic engineering technology is for the environment and our food supply, and how it benefits farmers and consumers alike.”

Bowling says they are hoping to help consumers understand the beneficial link between GMO technology and sustainability. “Only 11 percent of consumers see GMOs as being favorable,” he said. “But if you talk to them about increased yields and efficiency, then 50 percent believe GMOs are on the right path.”

Learn more about Chip believes GMOs are sustainable in this interview: Interview with Chip Bowling, USFRA vice chair

Audio, Biotech, Corn, GMO, NCGA, USFRA

Alltech Acquires Spanish Ag & Hort Crop Company

Jamie Johansen

Joaquín Martínez, managing director at Solbiosur, is pictured alongside Jomi Bernad Blanch, Iberian regional director for Alltech, at the acquisition signing.

Alltech has acquired Solbiosur, a specialised agricultural and horticultural crop solutions company in Spain. Solbiosur is a provider of innovative agricultural and horticultural solutions dedicated to improving yield and efficiency for the producer. Solbiosur manufactures and distributes solutions that are respectful to the environment and are cost-beneficial for the producer.

“Solbiosur has worked in collaboration with Alltech for the past five years,” said Jomi Bernad Blanch, Iberian regional director for Alltech. “Our coming together will mean an ability to deliver greater value to our agricultural and horticultural farming customers. Between Alltech’s primacy in science and Solbiosur’s distribution strength and reach, we have a winning combination for delivering greater crop efficiency and profitability directly to our customers.”

“This is an exciting opportunity for the growth of our business, not just in Europe, but around the world,” said Steve Borst, general manager of Alltech Crop Science. “We are excited to have Solbiosur join with the Alltech Crop Science team and we look forward to the customer support this will enable us to provide in the region. Both companies have a very progressive mindset on the future of agriculture and the technologies needed to improve the health of crops while maintaining a high standard of environmental stewardship. This is a thrilling time for both of our businesses, and we look forward to the growth opportunities it will provide.”

“Joining the Alltech family creates an exciting future for Solbiosur,” said Pedro Navarro, commercial director at Solbiosur. “Alltech is a well-respected agricultural leader providing nutritional solutions across animal and crop production. Solbiosur’s new journey with Alltech will further strengthen our ability to deliver crop and horticultural nutrition solutions to a wider market given Alltech’s reach in more than 120 countries worldwide.”

Agribusiness, Alltech, Crop Protection, Nutrition

#Ethanol Reaction to Trump Team Mixed

Cindy Zimmerman

Some ethanol interests are getting a little nervous about the oil industry ties of several Trump administration cabinet selections. Those include former Texas Governor Rick Perry for energy secretary, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt for EPA administrator and ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State.

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) issued a call-to-action to its grassroots membership last week, urging them to ask their senators to work during the confirmation process to get some reassurance that Pruitt will support ethanol. “We are asking ethanol supporters from all walks of life to contact their senators and vet Scott Pruitt properly, and make sure they are comfortable on where he stands on ethanol issues before casting a vote to confirm him to lead EPA,” says ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings in this interview: Interview with Brian Jennings, ACE

Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen says in his opinion all that really matters is who is in charge. “While these people may not be strong ethanol advocates themselves…it’s the Donald J. Trump presidency and he has made it perfectly clear that he supports American energy and wants to see ethanol being used,” said Dinneen. “It’s going to be Scott Pruitt’s responsibility to implement Donald Trump’s agenda.” Interview with RFA CEO Dinneen

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who has accepted the position as Trump’s ambassador to China, says he has gotten assurances about Pruitt from the president-elect himself. During his weekly press conference last week, Branstad said he talked to Trump during his recent “Thank You” tour in Des Moines. “First thing Trump told me is ‘don’t worry about him, he’s going to be for ethanol.'” Gov. Branstad on Trump and RFS

Meanwhile, agriculture secretary is one of the very last cabinet level positions for the president-elect yet to announce a choice. The latest name in the news is Idaho Governor Butch Otter, after much speculation revolving around on Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and South Dakota Republican Kristi Noem, and earlier talk of Texas ag commissioner Sid Miller.

Audio, Ethanol, politics

Happy Holidays from Water for Food

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmComm loves holiday greetings, including Merry Christmas messages.

At this time of year we like to share random examples of the ones we receive.

Let’s start with the Water for Food Daugherty Global Institute at the University of Nebraska.

Wishing you a warm holiday season and a New Year filled with joy, peace and prosperity.

Uncategorized

Raven Showcases New Products At #ARA2016

Lizzy Schultz

Raven Industries was at this year’s Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) Conference & Expo to showcase three main products during this year’s event.

“We have a long history with ARA, they’re a great customer of ours and we’ve been providing a lot of technology to make their businesses more efficient for many years, and this year we’re just bringing them the next evolution of tools to help them better serve the farmer,” said Tim Heins, Director of Product Management, during an interview with Chuck at the 2016 conference.

Raven’s Hawkeye Nozzle Control System has been on the market for two years, providing a pressure based product control system that allows for precise sprayer application and a reduction in spray drift, allowing farmers to get the most out of every nozzle. Individual pulsing valves control each nozzle, giving a consistent spray pattern as speed and conditions change.

Also on display was the AgEagle RX60 UAV, the drone distributed through Raven that offers growers the ability to greatly improve field insights.

“You can fly your field, get an NDVI image and start to see crop stresses before you would normally,” said Heins. “It’s a great tool that provides information that may help you make some timely decisions on your operation.”

An exciting new product on display was the Raven Rate Control Module (RCM), which offers the next generation in precision application rate control. It uses Raven’s innovative control algorithms, making it the most precise application controller on the market today.

Learn more in Chuck’s full interview with Tim here:
Interview with Tim Heins, Raven Industries

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 ARA Conference Photo Album

Coverage of the ARA Conference and Expo is sponsored by Coverage of the ARA Conference and Expo is sponsored by FMCCoverage of the ARA Conference and Expo is sponsored by Ag Retailers Association
Agribusiness, ARA, data, Equipment, Precision Agriculture

Sorghum Checkoff Board Directors Sworn in

Cindy Zimmerman

The Sorghum Checkoff Board swore in one new and three returning directors this week at the annual board meeting in Lubbock, Texas.

Returning to the board are Martin Kerschen of Kansas; Daniel Krienke of Texas; and Clayton Short of Kansas. Newly appointed to the board is Kent Martin of Oklahoma. The newly sworn in board members were appointed by the U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in October and will serve a three-year term.

New leadership was also elected during the December board meeting with David Fremark of St. Lawerence, South Dakota now serving as chairman, Krienke as vice chairman, Short as secretary, and Verity Ullibarri of New Mexico as treasurer.

sorghum

4-H and AFBF Partner for Ag Education

Kelly Marshall

The American Farm Bureau Federation and the National 4-H Council have announce a new partnership to support agricultural education.  The partnership will highlight the impact of agriculture  on our everyday lives, as well as encourage youth to be excited about the industry and empower them with opportunities to improve the world around them.

“For more than a century, 4-H has provided young people with opportunities to spark and grow their interests in agriculture, giving them the courage, confidence and resilience to lead,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4-H Council. “National 4-H Council is proud and excited to join forces with the American Farm Bureau Federation to help empower and develop young people with the workforce skills necessary to pursue careers in the agriculture industry.”

“Farm Bureau has a long history of investing in young people with a demonstrated interest in not only farming and ranching but also agri-business and food-related careers,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We’re pleased to build on our tradition of supporting youth in agriculture through this formal collaboration with National 4-H Council.”

The partnership officially begins in 2017.

AFBF, Ag Groups, Education

Zimfo Bytes

Lizzy Schultz

Zimfo Bytes

  • The 2017 IFAJ Star Prize Contest program has been launched with the sponsorship of John Deere and Rabobank. Deadline for submission of contest entries will be 1 February 2017. Contests are available for print, broadcast, and photography entries.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation has appointed farmer and rancher members to the organization’s Promotion & Education (P&E) and Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee. The P&E Committee is comprised of 10 individuals representing qualifying Farm Bureau Promotion & Education states, and the YF&R Committee is comprised of 16 positions representing all regions of the U.S.
  • Aronnax Public Strategies (APS) and RDL & Associates have announced a joint venture that will provide a unique Federal and State government affairs and strategic communications service for the agriculture sector, and will creates additional opportunities and efficiencies for clients and builds on APS’ successful FedState Network model.
  • The 41st annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia, featuring free admission. All farmers and industry representatives are encouraged to attend.
Zimfo Bytes

Chicago School Growing Future Ag Careers

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Seed Trade Association Future Seed Executives (FuSE) had the opportunity to hear about an agricultural high school right in Chicago that is growing the next generation for the industry.

The Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHSAS) is located just about a half hour south of the Hyatt Regency where the ASTA CSS & Seed Expo is held every year so it was a short trip for the school’s agricultural sciences chair JaMonica Marion and the three students she brought to talk to the ASTA group last week. “We are located on a farm actually in the city of Chicago,” she said of the school that opened in 1985 and includes various ag career pathways. “We are promoting career success and providing our students with outstanding opportunities to get exposure to agricultural education in an urban setting.”

The school is open to any student in the city of Chicago, but they have to apply for the opportunity. “We receive over 3000 applications a year for only 180 spots,” said Marion. The school claims a 93 percent graduation rate and an impressive 75 percent go on to major in agricultural careers. “In fact, out of the nine agricultural teachers on staff (at CHSAS), seven of those are alumni, including myself,” Marion said.

The room full of young and more seasoned agribusiness professionals at ASTA were spellbound by JaMonica’s presentation of what the school does, from the working farm, to giving back to the community and showcasing agriculture in downtown Chicago. Many were interested in how they could help support the school. “With us being a farm, we will always take seeds, we’ll always take farm equipment, if they want to make donations,” Marion said.

Learn more about the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences in this interview: Interview with JaMonica Marion, CHSAS ag teacher

ASTA CSS 2016 Photo Album

Coverage of ASTA CSS and Seed Expo brought to you by
Coverage of ASTA CSS and Seed Expo brought to you by the American Seed Trade Association and Coverage of ASTA CSS and Seed Expo brought to you by BASF Ag Products
ASTA, Audio, Education