Ethanol Impresses Students at National FFA Convention

Kelly Marshall October 27, 2016

FFA Students already understand the importance of ethanol to rural communities and national security, says Cory Harris of Growth Energy and American Ethanol. That’s why they’ve chosen this special group of agriculture students to focus the message of performance.

“Our message here at National FFA Convention, […] we really wanted to focus this year on engine performance with Ethanol,” Harris told Jamie Johansen.

Many of the students at the event knew ethanol was corn based, and some related it to racing, but the team at Growth Energy wanted to go a little further. They brought in a racing boat and experts to share with the future of agriculture just how proficient this alternative fuel can be. Students can be skeptical about how it will work for them, Harris explains. Their goal is to assure members that the product works great in small engines too, like their car or lawn mower.

The Convention provides a great place for students to talk about the science behind the product, but it will also provide the opportunity for a student to attend a NASCAR race and see ethanol in action with a drawing for free tickets.

Learn more about Growth Energy and their goals for FFA in Jamie’s interview: Interview with Cory Harris, Growth Energy

Be sure to check out even more action by viewing the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo Photo Album.

Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by

Education, Ethanol, FFA

Megatrends Offer Agribusiness Opportunities

Cindy Zimmerman October 27, 2016

A number of global megatrends can mean new opportunities for agribusiness moving forward, according to Chris Nolan with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), who gave the keynote address this week at the 2016 Export Exchange co-sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the U.S. Grains Council.

Nolan identified five global megatrends – demographic shifts, global economic power shifts, accelerating urbanization, resource scarcity, and evolving technology – that provide opportunities for the agricultural industry.

One of the most important megatrends for the audience at Export Exchange is the demographic shifts, which Nolan differentiated from population growth. “The fact is population growth is not a trend but a fact of life,” he said. However, the accelerating growth of the middle class is a trend that means the need for food will increase faster than the overall rate of population growth. “To be in the middle class means you consume more calories and your diet includes protein,” said Nolan. “Feeding the middle class will mean increased protein consumption so investment in the protein value chain will be required.”

And producing more animal protein will mean producing more grains to feed those animals, which means opportunities for increasing exports of U.S. coarse grains and distillers feed from ethanol production.

Listen to Nolan’s presentation here: Chris Nolan, PricewaterhouseCoopers

2016 Export Exchange Photo Album

Coverage of Export Exchange 2016 made possible by

Audio, Ethanol, Feed, Grains, USGC

FFA to Farm Bureau: Life After the Blue Jacket

Lizzy Schultz October 26, 2016

Attendees at the 2016 National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis had a blast visiting the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) booth, which offered FFA members the chance to dress up in wacky accessories and pose for photos with the AFBF photo frame.

“Our hope is that we can bring FFA members into our booth, help them have a really great experience here, and we’re pushing our hashtag #FFA2YFR, as a way to help members remember that, as they transition out of their blue jacket there is still a really cool home for them with either the Collegiate Farm Bureau program or ourYoung Farmers & Ranchers Program (YF&R),” said Marty Tatman, AFBF Director of Program Development, in an interview during the Convention.

Also featured at the booth was a table for attendees sit down and take a moment to write thank-you notes for our nations farmers and veterans. The cards will be distributed to AFBF member farmers and veterans at various events throughout the year.

Learn more about AFBF’s involvement with FFA, as well as several upcoming AFBF events, in Jamie’s full interview with Marty here: Interview with Marty Tatman, AFBF

Be sure to check out even more action by viewing the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo Photo Album.

Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by

Ag Groups, Audio, FFA

#SecureTheFuture of Agriculture with Farm Credit

Jamie Johansen October 26, 2016

Farm Credit gave FFA members who attended the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo the opportunity to take a pledge and share how they will secure the future of agriculture. Farm Credit’s Growing Forward Specialist, Dakota Everts, is tasked with promoting their young beginning small farmer program and shared more about their commitment to the future of agriculture.

“At Farm Credit, our mission is to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture. We are asking FFA members how they can do that because we realize they are the future of agriculture.”

At first, Dakota said they seemed a bit apprehensive and didn’t quite understand the role they can play. “But when we explained to them that it’s through farming, it’s through education and going to school to study agriculture their faces lit up and they get very excited.”

Farm Credit also has scholarship programs for students wanting to go back to the farm or support agriculture in one way or another. Listen to my complete interview with Dakota to learn more: Interview with Dakota Everts, Farm Credit

Be sure to check out even more action by viewing the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo Photo Album.

Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, Farm Credit, FFA

Which Candidate is Better for Agricultural Exports?

Jamie Johansen October 26, 2016

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What is most important to food sustainability?”

Sustainability is no longer simply a word used in agricultural circles. Consumers are also weighing in and therefore food companies are recognizing the importance of sustainability in agriculture, but some aren’t understanding technology and food production work hand-in-hand. Yet, this poll stresses agriculture’s point. All factors need to come into play when we talk sustainability.

Here are the poll results:

Biotechnology – 14%
Precision technology – 0%
Nutrient management – 4%
Water management – 8%
Ag education – 13%
All of the above – 53%
Other – 8%

Our new ZimmPoll is live and asks the question, Which candidate is better for agricultural exports?

Both major party candidates have said they are opposed to the Trans Pacific Partnership which most studies show would help to open up markets and increase agricultural exports. The Obama administration has been strongly in favor of TPP and urging Congress to ratify the trade agreement as soon as possible, but that will not likely be before the end of the year, leaving it in the hands of the next president and a new Congress. So, which candidate would be better to help increase ag exports?

ZimmPoll

SHP Participates in Climate Research in Ag Event

Kelly Marshall October 26, 2016

Several key organizations have gathered in St. Louis, Missouri this week to delve into soil health as a key element in carbon sequestration efforts. “C-Quest: Charting a Course for Climate Research in Agriculture,” featured the Soil Health Partnership (SHP), a farmer-led initiative of the National Corn Growers Association. Together with Monsanto Company, Washington University in St. Louis, Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, Howard G. Buffet Foundation and the United States Department of Agriculture, The ILSI Research Foundation has been hosting this event to share solutions.

The conference focused on developing research targets for agricultural goals that:

Support achievement of USDA’s “building blocks” for climate-smart agriculture

Integrate existing U.S. Midwest field research networks (like SHP) for climate adaptation

Develop a research agenda to achieve a “carbon-neutral” agri-food system in the U.S. through a focus on soil carbon and soil health, including validation of soil carbon protocols.

“It’s exciting to see agricultural improvements that impact soil health recognized as an emerging opportunity to optimize productivity, sequester carbon and improve protection of our natural resources, like water,” said Soil Health Partnership Director, Nick Goeser. “We’re honored to participate in this discussion, and to see farmers recognized whole-heartedly as a part of the solution.”

The SHP is a leader in field-scale testing and measuring of more than 65 farm sites to lean what management practices improve soil health. Growers are learning more about practices like cover crops to prevent erosion and nutrient loss, conservation tillage like no-till or strip till, and using science-based nutrient management techniques to reduce nutrient loss.

NCGA, Soil Health Partnership

Celebrating 25 Years of Case IH Patriot Sprayers

Kelly Marshall October 26, 2016

October 21st marked the 25th year of producing Case IH Patriot sprayers at the Benson, Minnesota manufacturing faculty. Honored guests, executives and employees marked the day with a special ceremony.

“Twenty-five years ago, growers and professional applicators were introduced to Patriot sprayers and shown a better way to optimize their time and accuracy in any conditions,” said Jason Hausauer, Benson plant manager. “Today, we are proud to continue to build sprayers that offer some of the most advanced spray technology on the market.”

The “cab-forward, rear-engine” configuration gives Case IH Patriot sprayers a distinct look, as well as a performance edge. The design puts the static weight of the cab and engine over the front and rear axles. When the tank is full and the booms are extended, the design keeps the weight of the product tank in the center to allow more even weight distribution between the axles.

The occasion is marked with a limited edition 25th Anniversary Patriot 4440 and 3340 for 2017. The commemorative machines will feature eye-catching silver and red paint, anniversary decals, MICHELIN® tires, Raven Industries technology and Wilger COMBO-RATE® nozzle bodies, the new AIM Command FLEX™ advanced spray technology, and boom-size and precision-technology options to match customer needs.

Agribusiness, Case IH

How Will Election Impact Trade?

Cindy Zimmerman October 26, 2016

Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen had the challenge of talking about the U.S. presidential election to an international audience at Export Exchange 2016 this week in Detroit.

“I know half of you are sick to death of the election and just want it over, and half of you are watching in somewhat bemused amazement wondering what is going on with the world’s greatest democracy,” Dinneen said before delving into how the elections might impact global trade. “America remains deeply divided and our political system is as polarized as it has ever been.”

Dinneen gave a good overview of polling data, battleground states, Senate races and much more, with the caveat that anything can change in this unusual election year. When it comes to trade, Dinneen noted that anti-trade rhetoric has been high this year. “But at the end of the day, trade is just too important to the U.S. economy, particularly the farm economy, so I don’t see (the election) having much of an impact,” Dinneen said in an interview after his address. “Part of what I was trying to do with the international audience was to tell them not to get caught up in the rhetoric of an impassioned and frankly odd campaign.”

Comparing the views of both presidential candidates on trade side-by-side, Dinneen said, “Donald Trump has never met a trade pact that he likes…his rhetoric and policy have all been anti-trade.” Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, “has had a history of being far more favorable to trade,” said Dinneen, but during the campaign has “also moved to be a bit more anti-trade.” He notes that Mrs. Clinton now says she opposes the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) even though she once called it the “Gold Standard.”

Dinneen believes trade is more dependent on people like those attending the Export Exchange, which is co-sponsored by RFA and the U.S. Grains Council every other year to bring together international buyers and domestic suppliers of corn, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), sorghum and barley.

Listen to Dinneen’s address here: RFA CEO Bob Dinneen at Export Exchange 2016

Listen to interview here: Interview with Bob Dinneen, Renewable Fuels Association

2016 Export Exchange Photo Album

Coverage of Export Exchange 2016 made possible by

Audio, Corn, Ethanol, Exports, Feed, politics, RFA

Tyson’s Donates 33,000 lbs. of Protein at #TransformFFA

Jamie Johansen October 25, 2016

During the 89th National FFA Convention, Tyson Foods donated a truck load of protein to Gleaners Food Bank as part of the National FFA Days of Service. The truck carried 1,546 cases of chicken totally over 33,000 pounds of protein and 100 FFA member volunteers took time to unload it all.

I stopped by the Tyson Foods booth during the FFA Expo to learn more about Tyson’s commitment to the FFA from Annetta Tiery, Corporate Social Responsibility Director, Tyson Foods, Inc. “At Tyson Foods, our corporate philanthropic focus is hunger relief. We donate a lot of protein throughout the year to various Feeding America food banks across the country. We are also longtime supporters of the FFA. For over 40 years we have been supporting this great organization.”

Annetta said that protein is very hard to come by at food banks and knows it will really make a difference for families in the Indianapolis area.

Tyson Foods’ #MyAgStory again made an appearance in their booth during the National FFA Convention Expo. “By using #MyAgStory we are asking FFA members to share what they do in agriculture. Whether that is working on the farm, going into ag communications or ag business everybody has a role to play.”

Listen to my complete interview with Annetta to learn more: Interview with Annetta Tiery, Tyson Foods

Be sure to check out even more action by viewing the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo Photo Album.

Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, FFA, Food, Poultry

Meet the 2016-17 National FFA Officer Team

Jamie Johansen October 25, 2016

Students from Delaware, Florida, Minnesota, New York, South Carolina and Texas have been elected by delegates from throughout the United States to serve on the 2016-17 National FFA Officer team.

David Townsend, an agricultural and natural resources and plant science major at the University of Delaware, was elected president. This is the first time the state of Delaware has had a national FFA president. Victoria Harris, a biology major at the University of Florida, will serve as secretary.

DeShawn Blanding, a biological engineering (natural resources engineering) major at North Carolina A&T State University, was elected southern region vice president and Trey Elizondo, a science and agricultural communications major at Texas A&M, will serve as western region vice president.

Ashley Willits, an agricultural education major at Tarleton State University, was elected eastern region vice president and Valerie Earley, an agricultural communications major at the University of Minnesota, will serve as central region vice president.

Each year at the National FFA Convention & Expo, six students are elected by delegates to represent the organization as national officers. Delegates elect a president, secretary, and vice presidents representing the central, southern, eastern and western regions of the country.

National officers commit to a year of service to the National FFA Organization. Each officer travels more than 100,000 national and international miles to interact with business and industry leaders, thousands of FFA members and teachers, corporate sponsors, government and education officials, state FFA leaders, the general public, and more. The team will lead personal growth and leadership training conferences for FFA members throughout the country and help set policies that will guide the future of FFA and promote agricultural literacy.

Be sure to check out even more action by viewing the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo Photo Album.

Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by

Ag Groups, FFA

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