American Ag Law Association Elects Leaders

Jamie Johansen October 11, 2016

The American Agricultural Law Association (AALA) held their 37th Annual Agricultural Law Symposium last week in Oklahoma City. More than 250 agriculture and food attorneys from across the country attended the AALA Symposium which featured national and regional legal policy experts addressing cutting edge issues in agriculture, natural resources, water, food, environmental and agribusiness law.

Justin Schneider of Indianapolis, Indiana assumed the role of President. Schneider serves as the Director of State Government Relations for Indiana Farm Bureau. Jennifer Zwagerman, Associate Director of the Drake Agricultural Law Center and Director of Career Development at Drake University Law School, was elected to the role of President Elect.

Both Zwagerman and Schneider said they intend to work on improving communications with AALA members and strengthening membership in the association. Schneider said, “As President I want to make sure we focus on providing value to our members. There are some great things happening within AALA and I am excited to be a part of growing and strengthening our organization.”

Members joining the Board during the annual meeting include:
· Tyler Buswell; a real-estate attorney and shareholder at Kirton/McConkie from Salt Lake City, Utah (term ending 2019),
· Tiffany Dowell-Lashmet; Agricultural Law Specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service from Amarillo, Texas (term ending 2019)
· Elizabeth Rumley; a senior staff attorney at the National Agricultural Law Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas (term ending 2017)

Ag Groups

Zimfo Bytes

Lizzy Schultz October 10, 2016

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded 29 grants totaling $5.8 million to help with job creation and business expansion in rural cooperatives through the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program.
AgCareers.com is hosting a webinar on October 28th for business managers and human resources professionals on the benefits of an effective performance review and ways to make sure HR professionals are utilizing them to maximize employee performance. Registration info is available here.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the creation of a new jobs program that intends to use the national apprenticeship system to hire new employees as agricultural commodity graders, and hopes to serve as a way to increase jobs for U.S. veterans.
MGEX has announced the results of its annual Board of Directors election, including the re-election of Martin F. Farrell, Christopher T. Matzdorf and Michael O. Miller, and the announcement of newly elected Kerry L. Melius.

Zimfo Bytes

Forage Harvesting with New Holland Ag

Jamie Johansen October 10, 2016

New Holland Agriculture had a FR 780 Forage Harvester on display at the 2016 World Dairy Expo, which is part of a five model line up of forage harvesters ranging from 480 to 825 horsepower. Each model is equipped with the widest cutter-head in the business providing a fine crop mat and consistent length of cut and in turn, a high quality feed.

Doug Otto leads the specialty products division which includes the self-propelled forage harvesters, sprayers and air seeding business and said, “The dairy customer is concerned about feed quality because that is what equates to healthy cows. Our forage harvesters provide a really consistent length of cut and high-capacity kernel processing,” said Doug. New Holland had on display their heavy duty kernel processor which contributes to the high quality feed product needed by dairy farmers.

“When you are looking to by forage harvester you need to look at all things. What’s your relationship with your dealer, your nutritionist? What advice are they giving on feed and set up needed? Then we ask you to come back and look at our machine because we believe we’ve got the best on the market to supply those needs,” he added.

Listen to my complete interview with Doug to learn more about cab comfort, fuel economy and more here: Interview with Doug Otto, New Holland

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 World Dairy Expo Photo Album

Coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, Dairy, Equipment, Forage, New Holland, World Dairy Expo

John Morris Offers Senators’ Report at #CFWF16

Kelly Marshall October 10, 2016

Once again John Morris, Associate Publisher of Farm Business Communications, gave a report on the activities of the Senators at the recent Canadian Farm Writers Federation conference. The Senators are past presidents of the CFWF. John’s picture was created by the lights for the GMOs band that played after award presentations.

His presentation was sprinkled with laughter as he relayed highlights of farm tours and experiences of the group. He quips that younger members of the group were amazed at a museum’s display of a phone booth, jokes about the five year plan of an 84-year-old dairy farmer, and expresses amazement at learning where Easy Wrap comes from.

But the understanding of food and where it comes from in Canada was greatly appreciated by the six men and seven women Senators who took part in the program. Morris thanked the many people involved in creating the experience that was so educational, even dubbing an honorary Senator for efforts on behalf of the hospitality room.

To hear John Morris’s full remarks, listen here: John Morris, Senators' Report

2016 Canadian Farm Writers Federation Conference Photo Album

Coverage of the Canadian Farm Writers Federation 2016 Conference is sponsored by

Audio

649,355 – Record Membership in FFA

Jamie Johansen October 10, 2016

The National FFA Organization announced a record-high student membership of 649,355, up from 629,367 in 2015 and an increase of 3 percent. The number of FFA chapters grew from 7,757 to 7,859. The top six student membership states are Texas, California, Georgia, Oklahoma, Ohio and Missouri. Interest in FFA and agricultural education continues to grow, as membership continues to increase.

“FFA continues to grow leaders, build communities and strengthen agriculture, and our membership growth reflects continued enthusiasm for agriculture,” National FFA Organization CEO Mark Poeschl said. “Through agricultural education, FFA is preparing our members for careers in agriculture and is working to ensure the security of our country’s food, fiber and natural resources systems for years to come. Through real-world experiences, agriculture educators are helping students develop the technical knowledge, skills and problem-solving capabilities to be the industry’s leaders of tomorrow.”

Student membership was not the organization’s only growth opportunity in 2016. National FFA Alumni membership exploded with 225,891 members, growing from 62,705 in 2015. This year, graduating high school seniors automatically received alumni membership, which the growth numbers reflect. FFA Alumni play an important role in keeping agricultural education and FFA programs in local schools by providing both volunteers and financial support to local teachers.

Ag Groups, Education, FFA

Techies – Have You Got the 7 Yet?

Jamie Johansen October 7, 2016

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How should U.S. normalize relations with Cuba?”

The U.S. Ag Coalition for Cuba represents about 120 national groups each working collectively on individual interests with the common goal of improving trade relations with Cuba. Cubans seek to normalize relations with the U.S. which would include the U.S. lifting the embargo, extending credit to Cuba ensuring future trade deals and opening borders allowing U.S. citizens to travel as tourists to Cuba. A strong majority agree both trade and tourism with Cuba are win, wins for our country.

Here are the poll results:

End trade embargo – 12%
Allow U.S. tourism in Cuba – 6%
Both – 76%
Neither – 6%

Our new ZimmPoll is live and asks the question, Will you be getting the new iPhone 7?

The new models of the iPhone are out, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Chuck already has his 7 Plus and will be writing a review of it soon. We’d like to know if you have plans to own the newest thing from Apple. It has some exciting new features and some controversial ones like no ear bud connector. If you haven’t made up your mind then Google probably made the choice a little more difficult this week when they announced their phone, Pixel. But you can only get it on Verizon. So, please let us know your plans.

ZimmPoll

GROWMARK System Recognized for Ag Data Transparency

Cindy Zimmerman October 7, 2016

GROWMARK has become the first agricultural cooperative system to earn the “Ag Data Transparent” seal for ag technology providers, which recognizes GROWMARK for its transparency working with farmers and the standards of privacy and security of data.

The Ag Data Transparency seal recognizes the GROWMARK System’s commitment to growers on how farm data is collected, where and how it’s stored and more. “When we work with our growers on collecting data, we want them to feel very confident that we’re going to protect their data,” said Lance Ruppert, GROWMARK director of agronomy marketing. The GROWMARK System’s MiField Applied Research initiative and FS AIS (Advanced Information Services) enterprise decision tool aid in the collection of field data that is then used to show successful management trends and assist with the development of agronomic recommendations.

Ruppert says GROWMARK and its retail FS member companies are dedicated to being open and honest with growers about the collection process and storage of their data. “We are a cooperative, so GROWMARK is owned by the FS member companies and those companies in turn are owned by growers,” said Ruppert. “So we do everything to help them.”

The evaluation and approval process considers many factors when assessing each company’s contracts with farmer data. The seal is awarded by an independent review organization comprised of industry groups, commodity organizations and ag technology providers known as the Ag Data Transparency Evaluator. This non-profit organization was created to give growers objective and clear insights into what data is being collected, who has access and who maintains ownership. More information is available at fb.org/agdatatransparent.

Learn more in this interview: Interview with Lance Ruppert, GROWMARK

AFBF, Audio, data, GROWMARK, Precision Agriculture

#CFWF16 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

Kelly Marshall October 7, 2016

David Schmidt, Country Life in BC, was this year’s recipient of the Canadian Farm Writers Federation Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is presented to David for his outstanding commitment to the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation and to the agricultural communications or media industries. Presenting the award to David is Tamara Leigh.

David made a point of saying that he doesn’t use one of those new smart phone gizmos but cautioned the attendees about thinking that “old guys” like him are completely clueless when it comes to the web. The reason is because through Google he discovered that people were sending in letters of recommendation for him for this award. He wasn’t supposed to know that!

You can hear David’s acceptance remarks here: David Schmidt, CFWF Lifetime Achievement Award

2016 Canadian Farm Writers Federation Conference Photo Album

Coverage of the Canadian Farm Writers Federation 2016 Conference is sponsored by

Audio

NCGA Continues Scholarships with @BASFAgProducts

Cindy Zimmerman October 7, 2016

NCGA 1st VP Kevin Skunes with 2016 scholarship winners at Commodity Classic

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and BASF Corporation are now accepting applications for the next crop of scholarships to help grow the future for agriculture.

This is the tenth year for the partnership between BASF and NCGA which awards five $1,000 scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in an agriculture-related field during the 2017-18 school year. Applicants for the NCGA William C. Berg Academic Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program must be entering at least their second undergraduate year or any year of graduate study. The scholarships are open to any NCGA members and their children or legal guardians and all submissions must be postmarked on or before December 2, 2016 for consideration.

“Building the leaders of tomorrow is essential to NCGA’s work to a build a productive, sustainable and profitable corn industry,” said Paul Taylor, chair of NCGA’s Engaging Members Committee. “Our partnership with BASF helps ease the financial pressures these students face in pursuing their degree and, in doing so, helps ensure the brightest minds remain engaged in agriculture.”

Scholarship recipients will be selected in early 2017. Recipients and a parent or guardian will enjoy travel and lodging to attend the 2017 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas to be recognized at the NCGA Banquet and have the opportunity to learn more about modern agriculture.

The complete rules and application can be found at http://www.ncga.com/scholarships.

BASF, Commodity Classic, Corn, Education, NCGA

New Holland BigBaler at @WDExpo

Jamie Johansen October 7, 2016

The New Holland Agriculture BigBaler 340 Plus was on the lot at the 2016 World Dairy Expo for dairy farmers to see how the new model builds on the brand’s leadership in the large square baler market. Seth Doman, Hay & Forage Marketing Segment Leader for New Holland North America, said their customers are lining up to see this machine that was launched at the Farm Progress Show just a few months ago.

“The new BigBaler 340 Plus bristles with unique, best-in-class features that deliver the ultimate baling performance in all crops,” said Seth. “Hay and forage operations, straw contractors, large-scale arable farmers and biomass businesses will appreciate the higher, even more consistent bale density and the productivity of the highest capacity New Holland baler ever. High capacity combined with high bale density means fewer bales per acre, less time to collect the bales and fewer bales to transport — all of which translates into lower costs per bale. The new BigBaler 340 Plus is designed and built for reliability and durability, and the easy serviceability means it will spend even more time in the field delivering its top-notch performance.”

Dairy producers are concerned with reducing cost with a volatile market constantly on their mind. Seth said that farmers want to know how the BigBaler 340 Plus will improve their overall business and input costs associated with it. “Increase in density is important. When you have 10% increase in density in each bale that means each baler that comes out is heavier, less balers to manage or store. Reducing those input costs can really impact the bottom line.”

Listen to my complete interview with Seth here: Interview with Seth Doman, New Holland

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 World Dairy Expo Photo Album

Coverage of World Dairy Expo is sponsored by

Audio, New Holland, World Dairy Expo

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