Farmers’ Almanac Releases 200th Collector’s Edition

Kelly Marshall

Farmers-Almanac Somethings never go out of style, which is why Farmers’ Alamanac is publishing a special edition of its 2017 anniverstay edition. The 200th edition is a throwback, featuring a mix of weather, astronomy, humor, and life-hacks, along with the greatly anticipated winter forecast.

The special collector’s edition takes a look back at 200 editions worth of clever, forward-thinking, and occasionally crazy “Almanackey” tips and advice, including Advice to Girls (1876) about playing hard to get; The Power of Sunshine (1869), which is relevant today; and How to Quiet a Fussy Child (1878) that involves molasses and feathers (really!).

“What’s really fascinating is a look into how the world has changed, yet how it’s stayed the same,” says Managing Editor Sandi Duncan, Philom., “Some of the healthy tips are eerily appropriate – from warning off tobacco habits (1834), to limiting intake of sugary, greasy foods (1873). The 2017 Farmers’ Almanac truly rewards the curious reader.”

The famous long-rage weather prediction is based on an almost 200 century-old formula, and the upcoming season is described as the “Return of the Ice Cold Winter.” The Almanac predicts colder-than-normal temperatures for two-thirds of the nation, especially in the Northern Palins, Great Lakes, Midwest, Ohio Valley, Middle Atlantic, Northeast and New England states. The Western U.S., however, can expect milder than normal conditions.

“February is the month to really be ready for cold conditions,” warns Editor Peter Geiger, Philom., “according to our long-range outlook, many places will see downright frigid temperatures this month, some as low as 40 degrees below zero!”

Anyone else thinking “snow bird?”

The Almanac also contains all the traditional favorites, including details about the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse.

“Accurate long-range weather is what people associate with the Farmers’ Almanac, says Geiger. “Yet, from the start, it has grown into a manual of sorts that can help people live healthier lives. It has been a guide to good living no matter what is going in the outside world.”

Uncategorized

Looking Ahead to 2017 IFAJ Congress

Chuck Zimmerman

2017 IFAJ CongressPre-promotion for the 2017 Congress of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists is moving quicker than normal. That’s because the Congress will be in South Africa April 2-7 next year. The Congress website will be live soon

The congress will start just north of Pretoria at Kievit’s Kroon on 2 April 2017 in Gauteng with newsworthy and informative discussions and presentations that should spark debate and enlighten journalists on pressing issues in the South African agricultural sector.This will be followed by tours in the northern summer rainfall area where the focus will be on game farming,crop production and cattle ranching. South Africa has 9 600 private game ranches on 20,5 million ha.Maize, soya beans and sunflower is produced in higher rainfall areas, whilst stock farming can be found in the more arid bushveld region as well as in mixed operations across the region.The second part of the congress will be organised in the Western Cape’s winter rainfall area where the focus will be on wine,citrus and deciduous fruit production.The congress will conclude on the Friday evening with a formal dinner.

I still have some stories to share from this year’s Congress in Germany but look forward to this opportunity to expand my horizons and knowledge next year. I hope you’ll consider coming along.

IFAJ, International, Media

Record #Corn and #Soybean Crop Forecast

Cindy Zimmerman

USDAUSDA’s first crop production forecast based on actual field data is predicting some bin-busting crops this year.

Corn production is forecast at 15.2 billion bushels, up 11 percent from last year. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average 175.1 bushels per acre, up 6.7 bushels from 2015. If realized, this will be the highest yield and production on record for the United States. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 86.6 million acres, unchanged from the June forecast, but up 7 percent from 2015.

Soybean production is forecast at a record 4.06 billion bushels, up 3 percent from last year. Based on August 1 conditions, yields are expected to average a record 48.9 bushels per acre, up 0.9 bushel from last year. Area for harvest in the United States is forecast at a record 83.0 million acres, unchanged from the June forecast but up 1 percent from 2015. Planted area for the nation is estimated at a record 83.7 million acres, also unchanged from June.

Cotton and wheat production, while not records, are also forecast to be higher than last year by 23% and 13% respectively.

Mike Krueger of The Money Farm gave his insights into the new report during the MGEX crop conference call on Friday. Listen to it here: MGEX 8-12 Crop Report Call

Audio, Corn, Soybean, USDA

Bayer’s Showcase Plot Tour Offers Real-Life Education

Kelly Marshall

bayer-showcase-illinois-28-edited Daren Bohannan is a Technical Development Representative for Bayer and he took some time to talk with AgWired’s Jamie Johansen about Bayer’s first annual Showcase Plot Tours in central Illinois. The tours allow growers and retailers to get out in the field and see Bayer’s products in action. They’ve got everything from seed treatments and herbicides, to the Liberty Link system and the whole line up of Credenz on display.

“It’s an educational process, not just a sales pitch for our products,” Bohannan explains. “And actually how to use them right and incorporation with other companies products, because we don’t have a portfolio that covers everything that a grower might need, so we’re always trying to work together on that type of situation.”

Bohannan also spoke with Jamie about Sudden Death Syndrome and Bayer’s ground-breaking treatment designed to suppress and control the pathogen that causes SDS. “We’ve seen tremendous benefit to growers in the last two years,” he says.

Learn more about the Showcase Plot Tours in Jamie’s interview: Interview with Daren Bohannan, Bayer

Bayer Showcase Days Photo Album

Agribusiness, Bayer, Events

NCGA Leaders Learn New Skills

Kelly Marshall

NCGA LeadershipThis week marked the inaugural meeting of NCGA’s 2016 Leadership Academy.  Eighteen aspiring leaders met in Greensboro, North Carolina for a session sponsored by Syngenta.  They are part of more than 500 participants of this program over the last 30 years.

The meeting included a talk from NCGA First Vice President Wesley Spurlock, a Leadership Academy alumnus.  He offered the group some insights on the issues facing corn growers today.  Participants also had the opportunity for media training, public speaking exercises and management skill building.  Futurist Bob Treadway presented a look at the economic forecast and possible future impact of the industry.  Members also received training in personalities and their impact on interaction and tools for working together effectively.

“As a Leadership Academy graduate, I have a deep appreciation for the confidence and skills attendees develop in such a short time,” Spurlock said. “The Syngenta speakers, as well as the many outside experts brought in, have an incredible ability to hone in on precisely what will be most beneficial for our participants.

“As NCGA’s First Vice President, I am excited to see new leaders who want to take on an active role in the association. When these volunteers come together, you can feel their commitment to the industry. It is heartening to know that such strong farmer leaders will carry on our mission well into the future.”

This year’s Leadership at Its Best Class includes: Duane Aistrope (Iowa); Jayne Dalton (Wis.); Sarah Delbecq (Ind.); Deb Gangwish (Neb.); Patricia Geerdes (Minn.); Jeff Gormong (Ind.); Brent Hoerr (Mo.); Mike Lefever (Colo.); William Leigh (Ill.); Stacy Mayo (Kan.); Lawrence Onweller (Ohio); Mark Recker (Iowa.); Betty Skunes (N.D); Randall Small (Kan.); Clint Stephens (Mo.); Roger Sy (Ill.); Scott Winslow (Minn.); and Josh Yoder (Ohio).

Open to all NCGA membership, Leadership at Its Best provides training to interested volunteers of all skill levels. The second session, which will be held this March in Washington, addresses public policy issues, working with the Hill and parliamentary procedure. Through this program, participants build the skill set needed to become a more confident public speaker with a solid background in the procedures and processes used by NCGA and many state organizations.

NCGA and Syngenta have been helping train leaders since 1986.  All participants are registered members of NCGA.

Ag Groups, NCGA

Farm Bureau Seeks Emergency Dairy Aid from USDA

Jamie Johansen

farm bureauThe American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has asked the USDA to provide emergency assistance for the nation’s dairy farmers. In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, AFBF President Zippy Duvall said AFBF supported a recent request from 61 members of Congress asking USDA to provide emergency assistance.

Duvall noted the U.S. all-milk price fell to $14.50 per hundredweight in May, the lowest level since 2009. In addition, he told the USDA, dairy farm cash receipts from milk sales have fallen $16 billion since the record highs of 2014.

“The decline in dairy farm revenue has led many dairy farm families to exit the industry,” Duvall wrote. “In 2015 we lost 1,225 dairy farms – many of those small dairy farm operations where the average herd size is fewer than 200 milking cows.”

The AFBF President said lower dairy exports, increased production in Europe, expansion of the U.S. dairy herd due to economic signals in 2014 and a record high domestic cheese inventory continued to weigh on domestic markets. USDA is projecting a 2016 average milk price of $15.70 per hundredweight, down 35 percent from 2014 and the second lowest level in the past decade.

U.S. dairy producers, meanwhile, have been slow to adopt USDA-sponsored tools to manage dairy market price risk, due to the program costs and benefits being less attractive to some production segments. In 2015, just 25,000 of the 45,000 U.S. dairy farms signed up for the new Margin Protection Program enacted in the 2014 farm bill. Only 23,000 enrolled this year – a majority of them at catastrophic coverage only.

Duvall said AFBF was “extremely appreciative” of USDA’s deadline extension to sign-up for MPP as well as the expansion of a farm’s production when new family members join the business. He noted AFBF also believes the $11.2 million in MPP assistance announced last week will help, but more can be done.

Duvall asked USDA to buy additional dairy products to be used in USDA’s nutrition programs and for donations to food banks.

“Specifically, we believe cheese could be purchased in a quantity that would help the dairy industry and yet not negatively impact our exports of cheese products,” Duvall said. “If the Department spent $50 million, it could purchase 28 million pounds of cheese for domestic feeding programs. This would not only be beneficial to those in need of food, but also would help reduce the record high inventories and would provide a positive price impact for dairy producers.”

AFBF, Ag Groups, Dairy, USDA

IFAJ Journalists Selected for Trip to China

Kelly Marshall

ChinaThe International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) has announced the twelve agriculture journalists and communicators selected to take part in the 5th Expoxure-4-Development tour this fall in China.  The media tour is sponsored by AGCO.  The trip includes stops in Beijing, Changzhou and Shanghai to view the nation’s farming and mechanization.

The participants are:

Nate Birt, USA
Melanie Epp, Belgium
Markus Habisch, Austria
Mohamed Hassan, Kenya
Oystein Heggdal, Norway
Elisabeth Hell, Austria
Liza Karlsson, Sweden
Satu Lehtonen, Finland
Jesus Lopez, Spain
Kristy O’Brien, Australia
Lilian Schaer, Canada
Johann Tasker, United Kingdom

“This partnership between IFAJ and AGCO provides a great opportunity for agricultural journalists to explore one of the most influential and exciting markets in the world,” says Owen Roberts, IFAJ president. “The perspective and insight these journalists will gain promises to benefit their readers, listeners and viewers now and for years to come.”

The Exposure-4-Development program is one of several outreach initiatives that are part of IFAJ’s 2020 Global Vision strategy, which aims to promote professional development, networking and freedom of the press through a global platform for agricultural journalists and communicators.

“AGCO sees China as one of its most strategically important markets in the world. As the biggest single manufacturing investment of AGCO, the Changzhou factory, a state-of-the-art manufacturing and R&D base, will serve both domestic as well as international markets with top professional agricultural machinery, and will further offer better service and support for mechanization of the Chinese agricultural markets. Our Changzhou site is also the major hub of AGCO’s newly developed “Global Series” tractor range for Massey Ferguson, which will serve as an important part of AGCO’s product line-up, and realize AGCO’s commitment to a full range of high-tech solutions for our global customers. We are looking forward to showing the IFAJ group our achievement in China and elaborating our strategy,” says Gary Collar, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Asia Pacific AGCO.

In the past the IFAJ-AGCO tours have experienced a first-hand look at agriculture in Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

Ag Groups, IFAJ

IL Congressman Visits @CNHIndustrial Facility

Cindy Zimmerman

cnh-lahoodCNH Industrial’s Goodfield, Illinois facility welcomed Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) for a visit this week.

The congressman took part in a roundtable discussion Tuesday with employees and took a tour of the facility, seeing firsthand what goes into making agricultural implements such as disk harrows and crumblers that are used for soil management operations such as field tillage and cultivation. “Agriculture has been a priority for me since taking office so it means a great deal to be able to visit sites such as Goodfield to learn how my office can do more to promote the continued growth of this sector right here at home,” said LaHood.

The Goodfield facility was first established in 1960 and was acquired by CNH Industrial in 1998. It is one of the primary manufacturing sites producing crop production equipment under the Case IH brand and also operates a dedicated Research & Development center at this site. Congressman LaHood represents the 18th district of Illinois, which includes Goodfield.

Case IH, Equipment

Agri-Pulse & CaseIH Host Farm to Fork Politics

Kelly Marshall

agripulseAgri-Pulse and CaseIH are teaming up at Farm Progress Show to bring you everything you need to know for the upcoming election.  A special daily program, called “Farm to Fork Politics: Elections, Economics and the Next Farm Bill” will run on Aug 30, 31, and Sept 1 from 12:00-1:00 pm in the Case IH tent, Lot 102.

“With the November elections less than 13 weeks away, this is a crucial time for farmers to be thinking about the direction of our country and the future of the farm economy,” said Sara Wyant, editor of Agri-Pulse. “We will have several experts on hand each day to share their insights and perspectives on a wide variety of issues.”

case-logoExpect to hear topics like, farm income, crop insurance, regulations, trade policy, biofuels, and Farm Bill each afternoon.  Following is the schedule guest speakers.

 

Tuesday, August 30

  • Agri-Pulse Editor Sara Wyant, serves as Moderator
  • Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
  • Dave Frederickson, Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture
  • Mary Kay Thatcher, Sr. Director, Congressional Relations, American Farm Bureau Federation

Wednesday, August 31

  • Agri-Pulse Associate Editor Spencer Chase, serves as Moderator
  • Chip Bowling, President, National Corn Growers Association
  • Richard Wilkins, President, American Soybean Association
  • John Weber, President, National Pork Producers Council

Thursday, September 1

  • Agri-Pulse Associate Editor Spencer Chase, serves as Moderator
  • Wesley Spurlock, President-Elect, National Corn Growers Association
  • Ron Moore, Vice-President, American Soybean Association
  • John Weber, President, National Pork Producers Council

AgWired will be on the ground, covering Farm Progress Show as well.  See you there!

Agri-Pulse, Agribusiness, Case IH

Bayer in the Land of #Cotton and #Soybeans

Cindy Zimmerman

Driving to the Bayer Showcase Days plot tour in Dawson, Georgia this week I saw acres of cotton setting bolls throughout the countryside from north Florida, through southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia. It really is the Land of Cotton there, but there’s more soybeans in the land as well.

bayer-showcase-ga-cottonBayer southeast agronomist Josh Mayfield says they are really excited about the Liberty Link soybean varieties for this part of the country. “We featured late group 4 maturities all the way to early 7s, which covers the span of soybean varieties and maturity groups that our growers are looking for,” he said.

He adds that they are seeing growth in soybean acreage in the southeast as well as a shift in how growers are managing soybeans “to really planning and carefully selecting and trying to boost their yields of earlier planted soybeans.” Mayfield says they are also seeing a shift in “ultra-late” soybean production, behind field corn.

As a different mode of action, Liberty herbicide is helping growers facing glyphosate resistance, according to Mayfield. “Liberty is a very safe product post-emergent herbicide with broad spectrum weed control,” he said. “It’s really been a tool that irrigated and dryland growers have been able to use to combat resistant pigweeds.”

Learn more in this interview: Interview with Josh Mayfield, Bayer

Bayer Showcase Days Photo Album

realyield-16Growers have the chance to win up to 500 acres of the LibertyLink system for either cotton or soybeans with the 2016 Liberty Link Real Yield Sweepstakes. There will also chances to win 200 acres of the LibertyLink system for cotton and soybeans monthly. Two winners will be drawn each month through December. Once again, state FFA will have the chance to compete for dollars to support their organizations.

Growers can participate in the Sweepstakes by attending one of the Bayer Showcase Plot Tours, or by visiting RealYieldSweepstakes.com and entering their information. Six cotton growers and six soy growers will win 200 acres of LibertyLink, and one lucky winner will win 500 acres of LibertyLink for the crop of their choice.

Audio, Bayer, Cotton, Soybean