ISPA Update at #13ICPA

Cindy Zimmerman

Dr. Ken SudduthAt the 13th International Conference on Precision Agriculture (ICPA) in St. Louis this week, Dr. Ken Sudduth, USDA-ARS Research Agricultural Engineer and president of the International Society of Precision Agriculture (ISPA) welcomed the opening plenary session.

During Dr. Sudduth’s remarks he gives a report on the ISPA and encouraged attendees from 28 countries to help start affiliated groups in their countries and introduced the incoming officers for ISPA. There are over 380 people attending the ICPA this year which is being held in conjunction with the 2016 InfoAg Conference.

You can listen to Dr. Sudduth here: Dr. Ken Sudduth, ISPA Report

2016 ICPA/InfoAg Photo Album</a>

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Audio, Info Ag, Precision Agriculture

AEM and Agri-Pulse Team Up for Summit

Cindy Zimmerman

AEMThe Association of Equipment Manufacturers, in conjunction with Agri-Pulse Communications, is sponsoring a Rural Infrastructure Summit prior to the start of Farm Progress Show on Monday, August 29 in Ames, IA.

The Summit will address how we develop new, innovative ideas to solve the infrastructure challenges that rural America faces today and in the future; both in the day-to-day operations of the agriculture economy and in simply getting products moving around the world.

agripulseA cross-section of leading companies and organizations will be participating in the program that is structured for maximum discussion and input by the speakers and attendees. Leif Magnusson, AEM Chairman and President, CLAAS Global Sales – Americas will kick off the event.

The program will consist of two panels moderated by Sara Wyant, Editor of Agri-Pulse – “Rural Infrastructure and the Ag Economy: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and “Disruptive Innovation: Not Just for Silicon Valley.” The summit will be held at the Iowa State Center’s Scheman Building, in Ames from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm and followed by a networking reception.

AEM, Agri-Pulse, Equipment

Zimfo Bytes

Lizzy Schultz

Zimfo Bytes

Zimfo Bytes

#IFAJ2016 Bayer Tour – Part 4 – Bayer Bee Care

Chuck Zimmerman

Dr. Christian MausIn this part 4 of my series from Bayer CropScience tour stops during the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress in Germany this presentation at the Bee Care Center is done by Dr. Christian Maus, Global Pollinator Safety Manager.

Dr. Maus expands upon some of the topics brought up in episode 3 by Coralie van Breukelen-Groeneveld, Head of the Bayer Bee Care Center. He starts out with Feed A Bee. Next up is the Healthy Hives 2020 initiative which looks to find solutions to improve the health of honey bees. Then he turns to Sustainable Agriculture which is how Bayer looks at the research, development and stewardship of bringing a crop protection product to market while keeping pollinators in mind.

You can listen to the presentation here or watch below: Dr. Christian Maus Presentation


2016 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

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Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Bees, IFAJ, Sustainability, Video

The #13ICPA Keynote is Dr. Margaret Zeigler

Chuck Zimmerman

Dr. Margaret ZeiglerThe 13th International Conference on Precision Agriculture (ICPA) conducted by the International Society of Precision Agriculture (ISPA) is underway in St. Louis, MO. This year it is overlapping the InfoAg Conference which I believe is the 14th one. ICPA starts first with a plenary session that features an update on ISPA, a look ahead to other precision ag conferences and a keynote speaker.

Dr. Margaret Zeigler, Executive Director, Global Harvest Initiative, spoke on the topic of “Building Sustainable Breadbaskets, Fostering Inclusive Growth.” In her presentation she includes a lot of statistics regarding hunger around the world and makes suggestions for what can be done to alleviate it in light of challenges from the environment and public policy. I thought you might enjoy her message.

You can listen to Dr. Zeigler’s speech here: Dr. Margaret Zeigler, Global Harvest Initiative

I will be here for the ICPA and InfoAg until Wednesday morning but I am tag teaming with our Kelly Marshall who will complete our coverage until the end of the joint conferences on Thursday. Most of our coverage can be found on our Precision Ag News website – Precision.AgWired.com.

I’ve just started a photo album for your viewing and sharing pleasure – 2016 ICPA/InfoAg Photo Album

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Audio, Info Ag, Precision Agriculture, Sustainability

AAEA Fellows Announced at #AgMedia

Lizzy Schultz

ams-16-fellows Seventeen longtime members of the American Agricultural Editors Association (AAEA) were announced as the inaugural class of Fellows Of The AAEA during an awards banquet at the 2016 Ag Media Summit, held last week in St. Louis Missouri.

The newly developed Fellows Program recognizes AAEA members for excellent service to the organization, and the inaugural class has an estimated 400 years of combined membership to the association. Twelve of the Fellows are AAEA past presidents, many have held multiple leadership positions in the past, and all have received awards and recognition for their talents.

“These 17 members represent about a small percentage of the total of more than 470 members of the association,” said Elaine Shein, AAEA president and deputy managing editor of DTN/The Progressive Farmer. “However, our entire membership has benefitted from their dedication and long-term contributions to make our organization the best it can be. They are among the best in the business on many levels, and they have spent years taking time from their busy schedules to serve our professional organization.”

The Inaugural class of Fellows to the AAEA:

JoAnn Alumbaugh, FAAE, editor of PorkNetwork, Farm Journal Media, Linden, Iowa.
Jim Dickrell, FAAE, editor, Dairy Herd Management, Farm Journal Media, Monticello, Minn.
Larry Dreiling, FAAE, senior field editor, High Plains Journal, Hays, Kan.
Betsy Freese, FAAE, executive editor, Living the Country Life, Meredith Agrimedia, Des Moines, Iowa.
Gregg Hillyer, FAAE, editor in chief, DTN/The Progressive Farmer, Lake St. Louis, Mo.
Greg Horstmeier, FAAE, DTN editor-in-chief, DTN/The Progressive Farmer, Omaha, Neb.
Greg Lamp, FAAE, editor in chief, CHS, Inc., St. Paul, Minn.
Holly Martin, FAAE, editor, High Plains Journal, Dodge City, Kan.
Christine McClintic, FAAE, freelance writer/photographer, Hollister, Mo.
Amy McDonald, FAAE, McDonald Marketing Communications, Dublin, Texas.
Karen McMahon, FAAE, freelance reporter, Lakeville, Minn.
Lyle Orwig, FAAE, chairman, Charleston Orwig, Inc., Hartland, Wis.
R. Kelly Schwalbe, FAAE, partner, Sage Communications, Kansas City, Mo.
Karen Simon, FAAE, president, Karen Simon Communications, Ames, Iowa.
Willie Vogt, FAAE, executive director, Content and User Engagement, Penton Farm Progress, Eagan, Minn.
Mike Wilson, FAAE, executive editor, Penton Farm Progress, Decatur, Ill.
Sara Wyant, FAAE, president, Agri-Pulse Communications Inc., Camdenton, Mo.

2016 AMS Photo Album

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ACN, Ag Groups, Ag Media Summit, Journalism

#GMO Disclosure Bill Signed Into Law

Cindy Zimmerman

usda-amsUSDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is now in charge of developing a national mandatory system for disclosing the presence of bioengineered material under the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Law, which was signed without fanfare on Friday by President Obama. USDA has formed a working group to develop a timeline for rulemaking and to “ensure an open and transparent process for effectively establishing this new program.”

The historic legislation passed by Congress last month is designed to provide consumers with more information about the foods they buy, and avoid uncertainty for food companies and farmers by setting in place a uniform, national disclosure system. The bill had the support of over 1,000 food and agricultural organizations.

“We are grateful to President Obama for swiftly signing into law a bill that is crucial for American farmers and consumers,” said National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling. “His signature brings consistency to the marketplace and prevents the negative ramifications of conflicting state and national food labeling standards.”

“For decades, biotechnology has made it possible for farmers to grow safe and healthful crops while reducing their environmental impact,” said American Farm Bureau Federation president Zippy Duvall. “We are pleased that Congress and the administration have moved swiftly to prevent consumer confusion and protect agricultural innovation.”

“We are very pleased that President Obama has signed this vitally important legislation into law, creating a sensible disclosure standard that is transparent and consistent across all 50 states,” said Coalition for Safe Affordable Food (CFSAF) co-chair Pam Bailey of the Grocery Manufacturers Association. “As this law enters the rule-making process at USDA, the same farm to fork coalition that helped get this bill enacted into law will work to ensure that implementation is squarely in line with Congressional intent and in a manner that best serves consumers, farmers and food companies.” added Chuck Conner, CFSAF co-chair and President and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.

The USDA AMS webpage will be the source for public notification and collaboration on the development of the new program.

AFBF, Biotech, Food, GMO, NCGA, USDA

AAEA Honors Members at #AgMedia

Lizzy Schultz

ams-16-laa-odle The American Agricultural Editors Association (AAEA) recognized several outstanding AAEA members for their achievements, involvement, and leadership skills during an awards banquet at the 2016 Ag Media Summit.

Jack Odle and Harlen Persinger were presented with the 2016 AAEA Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor designed to honor AAEA members for outstanding professional and personal achievements and leadership, and recognizes the contributions they have made towards the improvement and sustained success of AAEA.

ams-16-laa-persinger

The 2016 Andy Markwart Horizon Award was presented to Ryan Ebert. The annual award is presented by the AAEA Professional Improvement Foundation and John Deere in a matching grant partnership in honor of Andy Markwart, editor of The Furrow, who died in 2006 from heart problems.

The award recognizes an AAEA member who embodies Andy’s youthful vigor, energy, passion, dedication and creativity.

 

ams-16-markwartAlso recognized at the banquet were Martha Mintz, 2016 AAEA Writer of the Year, Jamie Cole, 2016 AAEA Photographer of the Year, and Amy Gohman, 2016 AAEA Designer of the Year. A full list of all winners will be posted onto the AAEA website.

 

2016 AMS Photo Album

 

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#IFAJ2016 Bayer Tour – Part 3 – Bee Care Center

Chuck Zimmerman

Bayer Bee Care CenterIn 2011 Bayer created a Bee Care Program to coordinate and unite all company activities in the area of pollinator health and safety. With this program Bayer reaches out to various stakeholder groups like industry partners, scientists, farmers, beekeepers and organizations involved in the food value chain.

During my tour with Bayer during the IFAJ Congress in Germany one stop included a presentation by Coralie van Breukelen-Groeneveld, Head of the Bayer Bee Care Center. She spoke about the program that includes the themes, ‘Feed a Bee’, ‘Healthy Hives’ and ‘Sustainable Agriculture’.

You can listen to the presentation here or watch below: Coralie van Breukelen-Groeneveld Presentation


2016 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

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Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Bees, IFAJ, Video

Reman Equipment Showcased at #AgMedia

Lizzy Schultz

ams-16-7 The remanufactured equipment market has been increasingly popular with farmers across America, and CNH Industrial Reman, a Joint Venture between CNH Industrial and SRC Holdings Corporation is truly bringing farmers a new standard of quality in remanufactured equipment.

Jamie Sullivan, Marketing Manager for CNH Industrial Reman, was on hand at the 2016 Ag Media Summit to discuss the benefits of remanufactured equipment, and the ways that this partnership has brought together the expertise of CNHI Parts & Services with the comprehensive dealer networks of SRC Holdings.

“SRC has been around for over 25 years, so they’re absolute experts in the manufacturing process, and when you combine that with CNH Industrial and their relationships with the dealerships and the distribution center and everything that they offer, it’s a really fantastic relationship,” she said in an interview during Ag Media Summit.

CNH Reman takes existing equipment, breaks it down to its core components, thoroughly cleans and tests all parts to ensure compliance with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) specs, and re-assembles a new product. The company works with all CNH Brands, and services a global equipment market.

“When a farmer buys a machine, they’re not just looking at it for that period of time, they’re looking at the cost of ownership over the life of that machine, and whether or not the parts will be available 10 or 15 years down the road, so remanufactured equipment is a great solution for that and for the farmer.”

Listen to Chuck’s full interview with Jamie here:
Interview with Jamie Sullivan, CNH Industrial Reman

2016 AMS Photo Album

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Ag Groups, Ag Media Summit, Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, New Holland, Tractor