EPA Officials See Spray Drift Equipment in Action

Joanna Schroeder July 11, 2016

Around three dozen U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff recently visited a working research farm in Queenstown, Maryland to see first-hand demonstrations of the latest sprayers and pieces of equipment. Organized by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA), the goal of the event was to demonstrate the voluntary steps and emerging technologies that the equipment manufacturing industry has developed to reduce spray drift both for the benefit of growers but also to reduce environmental impact.

Several major manufacturers participated in the event and showcased their equipment including John Deere, AGCO, Case IH, GVM and TeeJet.

The EPA drafts the rules governing manufacturers and spray drift and many of those responsible were onsite for the demonstrations. AEM is reporting that the event was not only unique, but very successful in showcasing spray drift reduction technology – multiple EPA employees commented to AEM team members about how useful the event was in learning about the steps the industry has already taken to address the issue.

“This demonstration offered AEM members a terrific opportunity to demonstrate the many steps manufacturers voluntarily take to reduce spray drift, both for the sake of their customers and the environment,” said Nick Tindall, AEM senior director for government and industry relations. “We believe this demo day will help AEM members establish a foundation for a better working relationship with the EPA on matters of importance for equipment manufacturers.”

AEM, ARA, Equipment, Precision Agriculture, Video

Your Thoughts on Senate GMO Disclosure Bill?

Chuck Zimmerman July 8, 2016

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What cookout cuisine do you bring to the table?”

We’re well into grilling season and hot off an Independence Day weekend. Burgers and pasta salad were high on the list. In the Other category we got answers like my favorite – steak!

Here are the poll results:

Pasta Salad – 25%
Cheese Burgers – 25%
Other – 18.75%
Baked Beans – 12.5%
Hot dogs – 6.25%
Pork spare ribs – 6.25%
Potato salad – 6.25%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What do you think about Senate’s GMO Disclosure Bill?”

The Senate has passed on a bipartisan National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard that would preempt individual state laws to require labeling of foods containing genetically engineered ingredients. Now it goes to the House. What do you think about it?

Food, GMO, ZimmPoll

Register for #AgChat Foundation Conference

Chuck Zimmerman July 8, 2016

Registration is now open for the 2016 AgChat Foundation Cultivate & Connect conference. This year it will be held December 8-9 in Kansas City, Missouri. Who better to talk to about it than one of the Bayer, 6 AgVocates to Follow, Jenny Schweigert, Executive Director, AgChat Foundation?

According to Jenny it has been a pivotal year for the AgChat Foundation. Some of the signs of growth include a partnership with Conrad Weaver and his documentary, A Thirsty Land (which is sponsored by AgWired). Another is the acquisition of the Ask the Farmers, an initiative where over 60 farmers and ranchers from all walks of agriculture share their stories. Additionally, a new website will be revealed soon.

When it comes to the Cultivate & Connect Conference Jenny says attendees will find more advanced training in social media and agricultural outreach strategies. She says there is more interest this year from nutritionists and dietitians. You can find the program here. Register here.

Learn more about the AgChat Foundation and the conference in this week’s program: ZimmCast with Jenny Schweigert, AgChat Foundation

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

The ZimmCast

sponsored by

Locally owned, globally strong.

ZimmCast

Ag Groups Praise Senate Vote on #GMO Labeling

Cindy Zimmerman July 8, 2016

The Coalition for Safe Affordable Food (CFSAF), which has been actively campaigning on behalf of food and agriculture groups for a sensible national labeling standard for genetically modified foods, was one of the first organizations to praise Senate passage of the Roberts-Stabenow compromise legislation.

“The Senate has provided all Americans a transparent and consistent system of disclosure that will give consumers access to more product information than ever before, and we urge the House to consider this legislation next week” said CFSAF co-chair Pamela Bailey of the Grocery Manufacturers Association. “Nearly 1,100 organizations in the food-producing community are united behind this bill to set a uniform, national standard that protects American family farmers and small businesses.”

“We will now turn our full attention to working with the House and explaining why this is the right solution for farmers, food companies and consumers,” added CFSAF co-chair Chuck Conner with the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. “This bill is simply too important to let sit until after the summer recess.”

American Farm Bureau Federation president Zippy Duvall also urged the House to move quickly on the bill. “The Senate has voted to move us one step closer to a uniform, national plan that will provide consumers easy access to information about genetically modified food,” said Duvall. “Now that the Senate has done its job, we ask the House to move swiftly so this needed legislation can be delivered to the President for his signature.”

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard passed the Senate late Thursday night by a vote of 63-30, well beyond the simple majority needed. The legislation preempts individual state laws to require labeling of foods containing genetically engineered ingredients.

AFBF, Biotech, Food, GMO

#Biobased2016 Helps Build Demand for #Soybeans

Cindy Zimmerman July 8, 2016

Lewis Bainbridge is a farmer from South Dakota who serves on the United Soybean Board and is one of the stars of a new video touting the benefits of biobased products for the nation – Red, White and Biobased.

“That video is a neat tie-in to show different partnerships,” he told me during the Biobased Stakeholders’ Dialogue this week in Washington DC. “It shows many of us that have served our country and gives our thoughts on how important it is to have biobased products.”

Bainbridge says the growing biobased products industry, with the help of the soybean checkoff, is creating new demand for soybeans. “We have worked with a number of companies in partnership to look at the potential for developing new products and we have a number of success stories,” he said.

In this interview, Bainbridge talks about how events such as the stakeholders’ dialogue have helped create awareness of biobased products and how USDA initiatives are helping increase use of these products: Interview with USB Director Lewis Bainbridge, South Dakota

Watch the Red, White and Biobased video:

USB Biobased Stakeholders’ Dialogue photo album

Audio, Soybean, USB, USDA, Video

Senate Passes #GMO Disclosure Bill

Cindy Zimmerman July 7, 2016

Late Thursday evening, the U.S. Senate voted 63-30 to pass the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard that preempts individual state laws to require labeling of foods containing genetically engineered ingredients.

Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow spent 24 minutes before the vote laying out logical reasons for the legislation, not the least of which was that it requires the labeling of over 25,000 more food products than the law in Vermont that recently went into effect. “In Vermont, meat, eggs, dairy are exempt – some have called it the Vermont meat loophole,” said Stabenow. “You’ve got a vegetable soup labeled, but if it’s beef vegetable, it’s not. If there’s even beef broth in it, it’s not. I don’t see how that makes sense.”

The bill now goes to the House, which passed a voluntary labeling law last year.

Listen to Stabenow’s remarks on the floor here: Sen. Stabenow's floor speech on labeling bill

Audio, Biotech, Food, GMO

Secretary Vilsack Addresses #Biobased2016

Cindy Zimmerman July 7, 2016

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, USB director Lewis Bainbridge, USB contractor Karen Edwards

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was the keynote speaker at the United Soybean Board 2016 Biobased Stakeholders’ Dialogue at USDA headquarters today.

Vilsack was impressed with the wide range of biobased products on display at the event. “You all are helping to transition our entire economy,” he said.

He called the whole biobased products initiative over the past several years a “holistic effort, but we wouldn’t be able to do it without the great farmers in this country and without the promotion and marketing activities that we see here today.”

During his address, Vilsack talked about some of the advancements that USDA has made recently in getting other government agencies to use biobased products. Secretary Vilsack addresses Biobased Stakeholders' Dialogue

See photos from the event here:
USB Biobased Stakeholders’ Dialogue photo album

Audio, Soybean, USB, USDA

Meet the 2016 FFA New Century Farmers

Lizzy Schultz July 7, 2016

The National FFA Organization has selected 33 young people as participants in the 2016 New Century Farmer conference, an exclusive, highly competitive program designed to develop the young men and women committed to pursuing a career in production agriculture.

Participants will attend an intensive seminar this month in Johnstown, Iowa, where they will learn from industry experts during a series of workshops and sessions. Session topics will include the global marketplace, farm financing, demographic trends and risk management.

New Century Farmers will hear from a variety of keynote speakers who will educate them on the risk and rewards involved with production agriculture, and students will also get the chance to experience the latest developments in agricultural technology. Participants will also build a network of colleagues that will benefit them throughout their careers.

The conference is sponsored by DuPont Pioneer, Case IH, CSX Corporation, and Farm Credit with media partner Successful Farming as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

A list of the 2016 New Century Farmers can be found here.

Ag Groups, Events, FFA, University

FB Challenge Moves Into Judging Phase

Lizzy Schultz July 7, 2016

Entry submissions are now closed for the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) third annual Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge, and AFBF is pleased to announce that they have received 355 applications from 39 states.

“We are ecstatic and pleased with the great applications and innovations occurring in rural communities across the country!” said Dr. Lisa Benson, AFBF’s director of rural development. “We exceeded our goal for the number of applicants and doubled submissions compared to last year.”

All applications include a business plan, video pitch and photo, and will be reviewed by judges and provided with feedback. The top 10 teams will be announced in October. The bottom six teams from the final ten will each win $10,000 in startup funds, and the final four teams who will advance as finalists.

“Our judges will be looking for solid business and financial plans,” Benson said. “Innovation is one thing but the numbers are important in a competition like this. Those who can provide statistics that back their business plan will do well.”

The competition is an opportunity to showcase ideas and business innovations that strengthen and build strong, prosperous rural communities. It is the first national rural business competition focused exclusively on entrepreneurs working on food and agriculture businesses.

The final four teams will compete in a live competition at AFBF’s 98th Annual Convention in Phoenix on Jan. 8 to win the Farm Bureau Entrepreneur of the Year award of $30,000 (chosen by judges), the People’s Choice award of $25,000 (chosen by public vote), the first and second runner-up prizes of $15,000.

AFBF, Agribusiness

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