FMC Launches New Topguard® EQ Fungicide Premix

Cindy Zimmerman November 23, 2016

FMC Corporation has launched a new fungicide premix called Topguard® EQ that provides long-lasting disease control and plant health benefits in over two dozen crops.

Topguard®EQ fungicide with FMC’s patented flutriafol is rapidly taken up by the plant and distributed throughout the leaf to control the spread of disease. The leaf icons on the left indicate the point of application, as shown by the lighter green color

FMC Technical Manager Tom Quade explains that Topguard EQ fungicide is the only premix of azoxystrobin, a strobilurin fungicide, and flutriafol, a triazole fungicide patented by FMC. “It is the most systemic of the triazole fungicide family,” he said. “It gives growers excellent control of a wide range of foliar diseases in corn, soybeans, wheat, pecans, and more than 20 other crops.”

Quade says this unique combination broadens the spectrum of diseases that can be controlled and offers multiple modes of action to combat disease resistance. “The flutriafol component moves quickly through the plant, protecting plant leaves from stem to leaf tip,” said Quade.

Topguard EQ fungicide controls a broad range of diseases including gray leaf spot, Southern rust and Northern corn leaf blight in corn; frogeye leaf spot, brown spot and cercospora blight in soybeans; leaf rust, stripe rust and powdery mildew in wheat; and pecan scab in pecans.

Learn more in this interview: Interview with Tom Quade, FMC - Topguard EQ

Audio, FMC, Fungicide

NCBA Talks Trade at #NAFB16 Trade Talk

Cindy Zimmerman November 23, 2016

Like most agricultural organizations at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Trade Talk this year, trade is one of the big issues the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) wanted to talk about.

Colin Woodall, Vice President of Governmental Affairs, NCBA, said “I think when we are looking at the issue of tax reform, when we are looking at trying to minimize the overburdensome regulations we have seen over the years, a Trump Administration brings a lot to the table for us. We are excited about working with them.”

“Right now it’s about trying to figure out who will be where throughout the agencies and departments. We have a lot of new people to meet. More importantly, we are going to have to go in and tell the story about what cattle producers do and what their issues are,” Woodall added.

Listen to my complete interview with Colin as he shares more opinions towards recent election and end of the priorities as we wrap up 2016 including the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). Interview with Colin Woodall, NCBA

NCBA’s President-Elect Craig Uden further discussed TPP and his hopes for moving it forward in lame-duck session and our current market volatility. “One thing the U.S. producer can do is produce. We have a lot of high quality beef out there,” he said. “Domestic consumption is continuing to rise. As we stabilize these production models, increase herds and maintain prices we have to look outside our borders. TPP is one of the best ways to do so.”

Listen here as Craig shares more about trade and how beef it working with other commodity groups and coalitions to get TPP passed knowing it will have a significant impact on the cattle market. Interview with Craig Uden, NCBA

View and download photos from the event here: NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by

Audio, Beef, NAFB, NCBA

I AM @USFRA – Kansas Corn

Cindy Zimmerman November 22, 2016

The Kansas Corn Commission is one of 16 state corn grower groups that are members of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), along with the National Corn Growers Association, and communications director Sue Schulte says it is very beneficial for them.

“USFRA is really working on a multi-level campaign to advocate for agriculture, not only with consumers but with food companies and others,” said Schulte during the recent USFRA board meeting. “On a state level, we don’t necessarily have the resources that a group like USFRA has at their disposal so it’s very beneficial to have those USFRA resources.”

Schulte says it is critical for all agricultural organizations from the local to the national level to work together to educate the public. “We need to tell the entire story of agriculture, not just the corn story,” she added.

Schulte believes that USFRA is “moving the needle” when it comes to helping people understand how their food is produced and hopes the SMART Farm platform will bring home the benefits of technology to consumers. “Farmers are really techies in a good way to produce more sustainable crops,” she said.

Listen to my interview with Sue here: Interview with Sue Schulte, Kansas Corn

USFRA 2016 Fall Board Meeting photos

Audio, Corn, USFRA

BASF Provides Zidua® PRO Details at #NAFB16

Cindy Zimmerman November 22, 2016

BASF just announced new Zidua® PRO pre-emergent herbicide for soybean farmers earlier this month so Technical Marketing Manager Daniel Waldstein was able to provide the latest details at the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) annual Trade Talk.

“It’s got three unique chemistries combined together that gives us three different sites of action,” said Waldstein. “That gives us broad spectrum weed control for grasses and broadleaves and it also gives us built-in resistance management for growers.”

Waldstein says the pre-emergent residual component of Zidua PRO herbicide provides a good starting point for season-long control of weeds like Palmer amaranth, waterhemp and marestail. “At BASF we have the motto ‘start clean and stay clean’ and there’s really never a good time to have weeds in your soybean fields,” he said.

Zidua PRO herbicide pairs with post-emergent herbicides containing additional sites of action, including BASF’s soon-to-be-approved Engenia™ herbicide. Learn more in this interview: Interview with Daniel Waldstein, BASF

NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by

Audio, BASF, Crop Protection, NAFB, weed management

Withdrawal from TPP Tops Trump List of First Actions

Cindy Zimmerman November 22, 2016

In a YouTube video message to the nation Monday, President-elect Donald Trump outlined a list of executive actions he intends to make “on day one” of his administration and number one on that list is to get out of the TPP.

“I am going to issue our notification of intend to withdraw from the Trans Pacific Partnership, a potential disaster for our country,” said Trump. “Instead, we will negotiate fair, bi-lateral trade deals that bring jobs and industry back on to American shores.”

The president-elect also pledged to “cancel job-killing restrictions on the production of American energy,” require that for every new regulation two old regulations must be eliminated, and have the labor department investigate “abuses of visa programs that undercut the American worker.”

Audio from Trump YouTube message: Message from President-Elect Trump

Audio, Trade

GROWMARK’s Post-Election Policy Priorities

Lizzy Schultz November 21, 2016

Most of the discussion during the 2016 National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Convention was focused on the outcome of the Presidential election and what it means for agriculture, highlighting this election’s importance to so many people in our nation. This election was also important for both agriculture industry groups and agribusinesses, and Chuck Spencer, Executive Director for Corporate and Government Relations at GROWMARK, sat down during NAFB Trade Talk to discuss GROWMARK’s reaction to the election and how the outcome is shaping the policy priorities for 2017.

“Rural and urban interests need to come together, that is what I believe is most important, the dialogue between our differences in opinion needs to increase,” he said. “We need to understand our consumer base for finished products and make sure we understand what our responsibilities are on both environmental stewardship platforms and consumer product platforms.”

Spencer explained that the outcome of this year’s Senate and House races did not yield any major changes to the Senate and House Agriculture Committees, but that the new administration will provide a distinct directional change from the standpoint of regulatory oversight. This change has the potential to significantly affect the next Farm Bill and many different areas of farming and production agriculture practices.

“There’s been discussion about whether or not the appointee for EPA administrator will have farm experience or a farming background, but I think what’s most important is that the individuals who take leadership roles in the development of the Farm Bill and the regulation of the administration have the ability to use science as the platform, that they engage all parties: agriculture, urban, and interest groups, and that we have outcomes that are able to be implemented at farm level,” said Spencer.

Spencer also discussed the major policy priorities for 2017, including the need for industry groups and businesses to remain engaged with the USDA in the upcoming implementation of the new GMO labeling law, as well as the need to continue advocating for trade and working with the administration to reach the objective of reducing tariffs and increasing export opportunities for U.S. agriculture.

Learn more in Cindy’s full interview with Chuck here:
Interview with Chuck Spencer, GROWMARK

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 NAFB Convention

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, GROWMARK, NAFB, politics

AEM Inducts Hall of Fame Members

Kelly Marshall November 21, 2016

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is inducting two new member into their AEM Hall of Fame. These individuals are being honored for their contributions to the off-road industry, their legacy of innovation, service and leadership.

Ray Hagie is the founder of Hagie Manufacturing LLC. Although he never intended to bring the world’s first self-propelled sprayer to the market, his life pursuit of solving problems led to just that. In 1944 Ray opened Hagie’s Hybrid seed corn plant, then, during the labor shortages of WWII, he developed a self-propelled “personnel carrier”to detassel corn more efficiently. When Dow released 2,4-D Ray envisioned a device that would allow the product to be applied more easily. That lead to the self-propelled sprayer and Hagie Manufacturing in 1947.

Committed to the community, the environment and the industry, Ray served in numerous leadership roles throughout his career including as an Iowa state representative and senator, chairman of the Iowa Manufacturers Association and on the Iowa State University Board of Governors.

Robert “Bob” Vermeer is the chair emeritus of Vermeer Corporation. He played an integral role in bringing that company to where it is today. Under his leadership, sales grew nearly 13 times- thanks to his program to evaluate and coach dealers. His innovations also led to advancements in finance making equipment more readily available globally. He also began various community service programs, such as Vermeer Chaplain Program, the Vermeer Charitable Foundation Scholarship Program and the Vermeer Spirit of Caring Award.

Bob has served as Chair of both the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and the Iowa Business Council. In addition, Bob has been a member and officer for several boards, including Central College Board of Trustees, Dordt College Board, Calvin Theological Seminary Board of Trustees and the Pella Chamber of Commerce.

“AEM is proud and privileged to honor the pioneering individuals who have invented, managed, built and led the off-road equipment industry,” said AEM President Dennis Slater. “Their vision and dedication have contributed significantly to the growth and strength of our industry and economic progress and quality of life around the world; and their legacy serves as an inspiration for our leaders of tomorrow.”

AEM, Equipment

Alltech Helping to Future-Proof Food

Cindy Zimmerman November 21, 2016

A human nutritionist by trade, Nikki Putnam, is a registered dietitian nutritionist for Alltech. Her focus is to help bridge the gap between producers and consumers. We are seeing a ‘consumer-push’ for natural or traceable production and antibiotic-free functional foods. So, what does the future look like for food companies? Nikki shared some insight into what Alltech is doing to help future-proof food while attending the recent NAFB’s Trade Talk.

“What we are looking to do is help those farmers and ranchers stay relevant for the next 10, 20, 30, 40 years. By doing that, we are listening to the consumers, asking them what they want and then going back to the producers and providing them innovative solutions to then provide that to the consumer through their food products.”

Producers must still meet that bottom-line, understand the return on investment while still being innovative on farm. Nikki said one thing they have most recently seen success with is creation of functional foods. Listen to my complete interview to hear examples of programs they have created to not only bridge the gap, but also build consumer trust. Interview with Nikki Putnam, Alltech

From the beginning, Alltech’s approach to animal health has been to look for solutions that are natural and not to simply jump to antibiotics. The Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) has been a key talking point for the last year and Alltech’s Dr. Amanda Gehman shares more about a lifetime approach to antibiotic-free production.

“We are able to show a lifetime approach in multiple species in multiple ways without the need to depend on the use of antibiotics.”

Listen to my complete interview as Amanda takes us through their work in beef, poultry, dairy and how they are helping their producers adopt the new guidelines from VFD. Interview with Dr. Amanda Gehman, Alltech

View and download photos from the event here: NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by

Alltech, Audio, Feed, Food, NAFB

Propane Performs on the Farm

Joanna Schroeder November 21, 2016

A lot of growers are making the switch to propane and saving money, according to Cinch Munson with the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) who attended the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Trade Talk. Munson said there is a lot happening in the world of propane and much of it is in the engine markets including irrigation. Speaking of farms, there have been good efficiency improvements across a lot of equipment including some new grain dryers.

Another topic that PERC was discussing with media was incentives available for farm equipment. “The Propane Council is offering incentives towards the purchase of qualifying equipment,” said Munch. “The program in 2017 is going to change a little bit…If you are interested in buying a generator for prime power or a new building heat system for a greenhouse or swine building or poultry building or buying a new propane irrigation engine, we’re encouraging people to use the incentive in 2016 while it’s there.”

Munson said in 2017 growers will need to work through their local dealer to get their incentives. Today the Propane Farm Incentive Program is an open enrollment program so Munson is encouraging people to go to propane.com to see what incentives are available and to learn more about the advantages of propane on the farm.

The farm incentive program has just celebrated its fifth anniversary and Munson said the program has helped the industry.

“The Propane Farm Incentive Program is ultimately a research program for the propane industry,” Munson explained. He said PERC works with equipment manufacturers to develop propane powered equipment. They then use the farm incentive program to see how the equipment is performing on the field. “Over five years we’ve seen that people are very happy about how propane equipment is operating today. Manufacturers are committed to making equipment that is efficient, clean and reliable and in the field performance is being proven that propane is all those things,” added Munson.

To learn more about propane on the farm and propane incentives, listen to Cindy’s interview with Cinch Munson here: Interview with Cinch Munson, PERC

View and download photos from the event here: NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by

Audio, NAFB, PERC, Propane

I AM @USFRA New Board Member

Cindy Zimmerman November 18, 2016

As one of the new board members for the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), Katie Brenny representing the Federation of State Beef Councils got the gold mic treatment at last week’s meeting in Kansas City.

Katie and her husband Ted live on a beef farm outside of Mazeppa, Minnesota where they raise Charolais and Angus cattle, and she says USFRA is helping beef producers like her reach consumers in more ways than ever before. “I truly think it’s what the research shows and how can we tweak things to just constantly improve,” she said.

Her favorite USFRA projects so far have been the FARMLAND movie and Faces of Farming and Ranching. “As a millennial, I think it’s awesome to see friends of mine become Faces or people I know in FARMLAND to become movie stars, to really promote agriculture,” said Brenny.

Over the past six years of USFRA’s existence the organization has grown to include 100 agricultural organizations and companies, both small and large, and Brenny hopes to see that growth continue. “If you’re selling tires or plastic to a food company, the opportunities for companies to be involved is endless,” she said. “What we’re doing is really sharing good information and research and creating brand strategies to continue these stories and have a face to face conversation.”

Katie replaces Dawn Caldwell on the newly appointed USFRA board. Get to know Katie better in this interview: Interview with Katie Brenny, USFRA board member

USFRA 2016 Fall Board Meeting photos

Audio, Beef, Beef Checkoff, USFRA

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