Georgia Peanut Hosts Trick or Peanut Event

Jamie Johansen

gpclogo300dpirgbThe Georgia Peanut Commission will be hosting a Trick or Peanut event at the GPC office on Wednesday, Oct. 26. The event is open to the public and citizens are encouraged to attend.

The GPC staff will be taking part by dressing up and providing peanuts and peanut butter- themed candies and treats to all visitors who stop by during the event.

According to My Candy Favorites, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are the most sought-after Halloween candy. Introduced in 1928, this candy is a delicious combination of milk chocolate and smooth and creamy peanut butter, so it’s no wonder kids everywhere love them. Reese’s come in various forms, from mini to pumpkin-shaped, making them the perfect treat to hand out to all of your eager trick-or-treaters this year. According to the site, Snickers and peanut M&Ms are also top favorites among trick-or treaters.

In coordination with the event, GPC is hosting a Paint-A-Pumpkin contest for children 13 years and younger. Participants are encouraged to paint a pumpkin with a peanut theme and email a photo of their painted pumpkin to whitney@gapeanuts.com by midnight on Oct. 23. All entered photos will be added to a Facebook album on the Georgia Peanuts Facebook page for voting on Oct. 24. Each like or share will count as one vote. The winner will be announced Nov. 1 to kick off National Peanut Butter Lovers Month celebrated annually in November.

Ag Groups, Peanuts

Need More Corn Exports on Heels of USDA Crop Report

Joanna Schroeder

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released its new corn forecast report and predicts that this year’s corn harvest will reach 15.057 bushels. Although this is down around 36 million bushels from last month’s estimates, it is still predicted to be another record crop. The World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates Report also lowered corn supplies for 2016/2017 from the previous month with a new forecast of a record 16.845 billion bushels.

NCGA-LogoNew National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Wesley Spurlock said another record crop puts a spotlight on the need to find markets for the continually growing corn crops. “We must pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership this year. The farm economy continues to struggle so anything we can do to encourage and grow exports is critical. That’s why NCGA continues to encourage our elected officials to build trade access starting with TPP.”

USDA reduced the average U.S. corn yield by 1 bushel per acre to 173.4. Should these estimates prove true, these figures would still represent record yield and production numbers. The average price was increased by 5 cents to $3.25 per bushel.

“Although the production report remained largely unchanged, the export numbers offer some good news in a growing season so far characterized by a large crop and corn prices below the cost of production,” continued Spurlock who has made trade a priority for his association presidency. “U.S. corn exports are doing well, largely due to South American weather problems that are hurting crops in Brazil and Argentina. Asian countries like Japan and Korea are shifting to the U.S. to meet their needs so that’s good news for the nation’s family corn farmers.”

Feed and residual usage, ethanol and other FSI, were unchanged. Carry-in was increased by 22 million bushels.

Agribusiness, Corn, NCGA, Trade, USDA

Celebrate #NationalFarmersDay

Joanna Schroeder

Today is National Farmers Day. Just in time to celebrate our American farmers, country star Blake Shelton teaches Late Night Host Jimmy Fallon to milk a cow. I don’t know about you, but I definitely have more appreciation for farmers after watching this!


As Twitter blows up today in honor of our growers, several quotes stand out. In the words of Thomas Jefferson, “Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals and happiness.”

And in the words of George Washington, “Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, most and most noble employment of man.”

Photo Credit: Twitter

Photo Credit: Twitter

With perfect timing, USDA issued the latest statistics on the corn harvest this morning and once again, American corn farmers are set to post another record with corn production estimated to be 15.1 billion bushels for the 2016/2017 harvest. This feat is more than double the production only 25 years ago. For example, in 1991, corn production was 7.48 billion bushels. Also this year the USDA is forecasting another record yield of 173.4 bushels per acre, surpassing the 171 bushels per acre recorded in 2014.

The ethanol industry has played a significant role in providing an outlet for corn. Lat year, the the U.S. ethanol industry used 5.25 billion bushels of corn last year valued at $19 billion. This was used to produce nearly 15 billion gallons of ethanol and 40 million metric tons of dried distillers grains, or DDGS, an animal feed. In all, the ethanol coupled with DDGs production was valued at more than $31 billion.

Today, Bob Dinneen, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO s,ent out a great thank you to America’s farmers on behalf of the ethanol industry. “Ethanol continues to be the most important value-added market for America’s farmers, helping to drive investment in rural America while allowing Congress to reduce federal farm program costs. At the same time, ethanol is helping to clean the air, address global climate change, enhance U.S. energy security and lower consumer gasoline costs. Given all that farmers do to help feed and fuel the world, every day should be National Farmer’s Day.“

Agribusiness, Corn, Ethanol, RFA, USDA, Video

Russell Named to Lead @SageBrandKC Account Team

Jamie Johansen

stephanie-russell-headshot-copySage Communications has named Stephanie Russell as account lead on the senior leadership team and will oversee, facilitate the execution of marketing communications plans for clients, including John Deere and NovaSource.

“As a seasoned account manager and public relations professional, Stephanie has a successful proven track-record delivering results,” said Kelly Schwalbe, co-founder and partner of Sage. “Her passion for agriculture, deep-rooted industry knowledge and strategic thinking will add exceptional value to the work we produce on behalf of our clients.”

Previously, Russell was an account director at AdFarm, where she planned, developed and implemented communications strategies and tactics for the Compass Minerals account.

Prior to joining AdFarm, Russell held roles as marketing communications manager and the director of public relations at Verdesian Life Sciences (formerly SFP). In her tenure at the company, she traveled extensively to operations and events to interview growers, retailers and distributors, and experienced the diverse agricultural landscape across North America. Russell became an accomplished writer and video producer, and led content-driven integrated communications campaigns to support earned, paid and owned media efforts.

Her career began in public relations at Nashville-based RFD-TV, where she contributed to television and magazine content, collaborated with cable marketing managers to promote the network and assisted with live show production.

Russell has held a leadership role with the National Agri-Marketing Association and been honored by the organization. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication.

Agribusiness, Marketing

NAFB Board of Directors Appoints Steever to VP

Jamie Johansen

NAFB LogoThe National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Board of Directors has appointed Tom Steever to fill the term of National Vice President. He will fill this role through December 31, 2016. Steever previously served the association as President in 2011 and 2012, and was National Vice President in 2010.

“Tom’s past leadership experience with NAFB was the key reason for appointing him to the fill the position prior to convention,” said Brian Winnekins, 2016 NAFB President. “We look forward to Tom’s experience as we map out 2017 during the November board meeting.”

Tom Steever is a farm broadcaster with Brownfield Ag News in Jefferson City, MO. Steever has been with Brownfield since 2003. He has also been an active NAFB member since 1976 when he joined KSOO Radio in Sioux Falls, SD.

Elections for the 2017 Board of Directors will be held November 10 during the 73rd NAFB Convention.

Ag Groups, NAFB

Domino’s® Commitment to National FFA Organization

Jamie Johansen

ffaDomino’s Pizza knows that there would not be pizza if we didn’t have farmers. Now the recognized world leader in pizza delivery is supporting students interested in a future in agriculture by making a commitment to donate $1 million over five years to the National FFA Organization.

“There is no Domino’s without the dairy, tomato, wheat and other farmers across the United States working hard every day to produce the food we serve. We want to do something other than say we support the farming community, we want to make a commitment to an organization that is making a difference,” said Tim McIntyre, Domino’s executive vice president of communication and investor relations. “A commitment to FFA is a commitment to supporting the future of agriculture.”

The five-year commitment will begin in 2017. Each year, the gift will help fund collegiate scholarships to students aspiring to further their education after high school, as well as grants for supervised agriculture experiences. Supervised agriculture experiences are for students in grades 7-11, who demonstrate financial need, and are planning activities outside of class to gain hands-on experience and develop skills in agriculturally-related areas. The gift will also assist agriculture literacy and advocacy programs, and FFA’s Living to Serve platform that supports hunger and environmental initiatives in local communities and states.

“Building a relationship with Domino’s is very important to FFA, and we sincerely appreciate their generous financial support,” said Mark Poeschl, CEO of the National FFA Organization and Foundation. “When such a prominent and widely recognized national consumer brand recognizes the producers and suppliers of their food ingredients, agricultural educators and FFA members are inspired to initiate a dialogue with consumers about where their food is produced. In that way, Domino’s contributions help FFA achieve our vision of growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture.”

Ag Groups, Education, FFA

New Food Ordering Formula for Less Food Waste

Jamie Johansen

mcgarvey-ronaldIn a 2013 study conducted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), researchers estimated one third of all food produced for human consumption in the world is lost or wasted. Although waste occurs in all stages of food production, some of the largest losses occur at all-you-care-to-eat (AYCTE), buffet-style facilities. University of Missouri researchers have calculated the economic and environmental production costs associated with meats and vegetables—such as fuel, transportation and fertilizers—and developed a formula that managers may use to reduce food waste at AYCTE facilities.

“Most research on food waste at the consumption phase has focused on institutions such as schools and hospitals rather than on individual households,” said Ronald G. McGarvey, assistant professor of industrial and manufacturing systems engineering and of public affairs in the MU College of Engineering and Truman School of Public Affairs. “With this new research, we have developed a formula that food-service managers can use when deciding how to store, prepare and serve food. We anticipate that using this new formula could considerably reduce food waste on college campuses and in other AYCTE facilities.”

To develop the formula, the researchers investigated the environmental impact of food waste caused by overproduction in the University of Missouri Campus Dining Services (CDS). The setting, which includes AYCTE facilities, is of particular interest to planners as increased chances of discarded leftovers exist.

Working with Esma Birisci, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, McGarvey and his team analyzed the carbon emissions of three common food items, French fries, chicken sandwiches and beef ravioli. They found that the environmental and monetary costs of throwing away beef ravioli was up to 39 times more than throwing away French fries.

Based on their estimates, the team developed a production planning formula taking into account the resources used to produce the food. He recommends that food-service managers estimate how much food to cook with an emphasis on producing more vegetables than meat. These calculations will help keep food waste at a minimum while lessening the environmental impact.

The complete findings can be found at the International Journal of Production Economics.


Food, Research

Farm Foundation Hosts Presidential Ag Debate

Kelly Marshall

farm-foundation-forumThe food and agricultural platforms of Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will be the subject of the Farm Foundation® Forum on Wednesday Oct. 19, 2016. Farm Foundation, NFP is partnering the Farm Journal’s AgDay Television in presenting this Forum. If you can’t catch it in person, a free, live audiocast will also be available.

For the last two presidential election cycles, Farm Foundation has provided this opportunity for the candidates, or their representatives, to focus discussions specifically on issues important to agriculture and rural communities. As a non-partisan organization, Farm Foundation has an important role in providing this opportunity for voters to learn more about the specific elements of the respective candidates’ food and agricultural platforms.

Farm Foundation President Constance Cullman will moderate the discussion with representatives of the two campaigns. Former Sen. Mark Pryor will represent the Clinton campaign. Representing the Trump campaign will be Ag Advisor Charles Herbster and
Campaign Co-Chair Sam Clovis. Each campaign will give opening comments, followed by questions and discussion with the audience.
The Forum will be 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. EDT at the Holeman Lounge in the National Press Club.

Events, Farm Foundation

#AsktheFarmer with ASA Wednesday on Twitter

Jamie Johansen

screen-shot-2016-10-11-at-10-42-18-amThree farmers are teaming up to answer questions about modern agriculture this week, as the American Soybean Association (ASA) presents #AsktheFarmer on Wednesday, Oct. 12, live on Twitter.

You can tweet questions to ASA (@ASA_Soybeans) beginning at 8 a.m. CT and Kyle Bridgeforth (@Kylebridge), Brad Kremer (@kremer_brad) and Jenny Rohrich (@PrairieCA) will chime in with answers throughout the day.

Please spread the word, invite your friends and feel free to join in the conversation!

– Kyle Bridgeforth, Bridgeforth Farms, Tanner, Ala. — Kyle Bridgeforth is a fifth generation farmer from Tanner, Ala. He farms with his dad, uncle, brother and cousin on Bridgeforth Farms, where they grow double-crop wheat and soybeans, but also corn, canola, cotton and grain sorghum. Kyle graduated from Morehouse College with a degree in international studies: business and economics. He’s participated in the ASA DuPont Young Leaders Program and the United Soybean Board (USB) See For Yourself Program. With ASA, he’s lobbied on behalf on the soybean industry and in 2014 gave a speech on his experience during the USB See For Yourself Program. Every other year, his operation hosts a Field Day, in conjunction with the National Black Growers Council, where they invite members of the community to learn about the latest agricultural programs and technology. Kyle is most passionate about minority and underrepresented farmers, global food security, young farmers and community awareness.

– Brad Kremer, Hillcrest Family Farms, Pittsville, Wis. — Brad and his wife Nicole operate a family farm consisting of 1,200 acres of soybeans and 1,800 acres of corn, wheat and alfalfa. They also own a 400 animal dairy and a facility where they dry and store grain. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin River Falls, Brad was recently elected president of the Wisconsin Soybean Association. Brad actively looks for opportunities to tell the story of agriculture, whether on a plane or Facebook. He’s also especially fond of youth outreach.

– Jenny Rohrich, Rohrich Farms & Prairie Californian, Ashley, N.D. — Jenny Rohrich’s family farm consists of 1,000 acres of soybeans and 3,000 acres of other crops including corn, sunflowers and wheat. The Rohrichs farm with Jenny’s father-in-law, brother- in-law and occasionally their 88 year old grandfather. Jenny holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and was a speaker at the AgChat Foundation. She is extremely active on social media, operating both her farm page, Rohrich Farms, and a personal page, Prairie Californian. Her primary method of advocating for agriculture is through her blog Prairie Californian, which has 12K average monthly page views. Jenny is passionate about connecting with people outside of agriculture, helping them to feel comfortable and confident about what farmers do.

Ag Groups, ASA, Social Media, Soybean

Watch 2016 GAP Report Release at World Food Prize Online

Jamie Johansen

screen-shot-2016-10-11-at-8-44-35-amJoin the Global Harvest Initiative tomorrow for the 2016 Global Agricultural Productivity (GAP) Report on Sustainability in an Uncertain Season. The event will take place Oct. 12 from 11am to 1pm at the World Food Prize in Des Moines, Iowa. You can still register for the event, but more importantly, you can watch the live webcast.

Global demand for food and agriculture products is growing rapidly, yet for many farmers around the world, this is an uncertain season. U.S. farmers are tightening their belts in response to low crop prices and high land rents. Millions of farmers in Africa will struggle to harvest a crop due to historic droughts. Political instability and economic uncertainty are stifling agricultural trade and investment.

Dr. Margaret Zeigler, Executive Director of GHI, will be joined by a panel of experts to discuss the importance of agricultural productivity and five public policy priorities that can help farmers remain competitive and improve their sustainability, while transforming agriculture into force for mitigating climate change.

Panelists will provide examples from around the world, including U.S. farmers who are expanding their operations through partnerships with institutional investors, a public-private partnership transforming Nigeria’s tomato value chain by improving infrastructure and reducing post-harvest losses, nutrient stewardship programs that are protecting water quality while increasing productivity, and Ethiopia’s success in building resilience to droughts and preventing widespread famine.

Panelists include:
– Ambassador Patricia Haslach, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, U.S. Department of State and former Ambassador to Ethiopia (2013-2016)
– Mr. Luca Fabbri, Chief Financial Officer, Farmland Partners Inc.
– Dr. Keith Fuglie, Economist, Resource and Rural Economics Division, USDA Economic Research Service
– Ms. Bonnie McClafferty, Director of Agriculture for Nutrition Global Program, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)
– Mr. Ben Pratt, Vice President, Corporate Public Affairs, The Mosaic Company & GHI Board Chair

Ag Groups, Events, Food, Sustainability