NRCS Talks Changes at #AgMedia 2016

Kelly Marshall July 29, 2016

The USDA National Resources Conservation Program (NRCS) took the opportunity to get the word out about the latest in the program services at the recent Ag Media Summit in St. Louis, Missouri. Jamie Johansen had the opportunity to speak with Mark Rose, Director of NRCS, about the upcoming changes for fiscal year 2017.

Rose told AgWired the Conservation Stewardship program is getting an overhaul. As the organization’s largest and most popular program the USDA is doing what they can to make it more user-friendly. Listening to commodity groups, employees, and a host of others, they can up with ways to make it better– namely, making a stronger connection between an enhancement and how it will provide benefit on the farm.

It was difficult to explain in the past, Rose related. “Now we’re going to that next step saying “Hey! we’re changing some stuff up!” We’re tying it to the practices so that when those outcomes of those enhancements [happen] they can say “Yes, this is what my benefit is.” We’re making it easier for the producers to understand, easier for our employees to understand.”

While the program does have to be run nationally, changes for 2017 also include more input at the state and local level. Obviously what happens in California may not be affecting folks in Maine, Rose acknowledges. The best way to learn about what’s happening at the local level will be through field offices. Training of employees began in July and is still continuing, but once the sign-up period is announced, the local offices will the best source of information.

Learn more about upcoming changes here: Interview with Mark Rose, NRCS

2016 AMS Photo Album

Coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by

Conservation, USDA

Cover Crop Survey Reflects Enthusiasm

Kelly Marshall July 29, 2016

A new report from 2,020 farmers nationwide shows growers find a boost in corn and soybean yields when they use cover crops. This is the fourth survey conducted by the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program and the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) with help from the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and Purdue University. Multi-year data highlights the benefits of year after year use of cover crops.

The survey also reveals growth in the use of cover crops. In 2015 the average acres per farm was 298, while 2016 is expected to grow to 339. That number is more than double the acreage planted in 2011.

Corn yields rose an average 3.4 bushels per acre, or 1.9 percent, after cover crops, and soybean yields increased 1.5 bushels per acre, or 2.8 percent. Analysis of the survey data revealed that yield increases rose to 8.3 bushels per acre of corn after cover crops had been used for more than four years on a field. In soybeans, the average yield gain increased from 0.1 bushel per acre after a single year in cover crops to 2.4 bushels after four years of cover crops.

“Cover crops really shine in challenging years, when the improvements they influence on soil moisture holding capacity and water infiltration can minimize cash crop yield losses to stress,” notes Rob Myers, Regional Director of the Extension Programs for SARE at the University of Missouri. “In a favorable growing season, we expect to see less of a yield impact. However, the link between the length of time in cover crops and yield improvements points to the long-term benefits of building soil health.

The survey also revealed a high number of farmers who saw profit increase as a result of cover crops. Thirty-three percent saw profit benefits, while only 5.7 percent said it decreased. Other growers reported no change in profit, or not enough data to evaluate profit impact.

“The vast majority of cover crop users report the most important benefits of cover crops to be improved overall soil health, reduced erosion and increased soil organic matter,” says Chad Watts, executive director of CTIC. “Though the yield benefits, profitability and resilience provided by cover crops are widely recognized by the farmers in the survey, the benefits they highlight most are long-term soil health impacts.”

The report also covered species of cover crops and asked growers what would motivate others to adopt the practice. You can read more in the full online report.

Ag Groups, cover crops

3rive 3D Leading Growers to Success

Lizzy Schultz July 29, 2016

FMC Agricultural Solutions recently introduced 3rive 3D insecticide technology, and the product is already leading growers across the country to increases in planting speed, in-furrow protection, and early-season success.

Bob Hooten, Midwest Technical Support Manager for FMC, was on hand during the 2016 Ag Media Summit to highlight the product’s exciting technology and the variety of benefits it is offering growers.

“We’ve been testing this product since 2014, with 32 research units out with all the universities and 35 commercial units out, and the growers are really liking it so far,” he said in an interview during Ag Media Summit. “Corn rootworm is starting to break through the Bt technology, and applying product in furrow is becoming necessary to control these pests, and this is so much easier than the granular applicators that have been used in the past.”

The technology’s unique formulation is extremely low volume and covers up to 480 acres without refilling, saving growers significant water, fuel, labor, and time. A mixture of 120 gallons of water and 30 gallons of product will treat 480 acres, allowing 15 gallons of coverage while only using 40 ounces of total carrier.

“This is really great for the larger grower who is covering a lot of land in one day, since spring weather conditions can leave a pretty narrow planting window, and they’ve got to make the most out of that,” said Hooten. “This is allowing them to do that. This technology is the greatest I’ve seen in 27 years.”

Listen to Chuck’s full interview with Bob here:
Interview with Bob Hooten, FMC

2016 AMS Photo Album

Coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by

Ag Groups, Ag Media Summit, Audio, Corn, Crop Protection, FMC, Insecticides

Questioning Support in Ag, Biofuels from Trump-Pence

Jamie Johansen July 29, 2016

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Is the Trump-Pence Republican ticket good for agriculture, energy?”

During his campaigning Trump has been supporter of biofuels and has repeatedly said he could “be a farmer.” Indiana Governor Mike Pence has vocally supported the ag industry understanding and supporting small farms and large agribusinesses. However, this week’s pollers seem to think differently with a majority believing the pair will be bad news for both agriculture and biofuels.

Here are the poll results:

Good for ag & biofuels – 30%
Good for ag but not for biofuels – 5%
Good for biofuels but not for ag – 0%
Not good for ag & biofuels – 55%
Could go either way – 10%
Other – 0%

Our new ZimmPoll is live and asks the question, Is the Clinton-Kaine Democratic ticket good for agriculture and/or energy?

During her campaigning, Clinton said she is for biotech, the Farm Bill, animal welfare, climate and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). What about Senator Kaine? He is from a state, Virginia, where ag is the largest industry but he seems wishy-washy on the Farm Bill, but in 2013 he was a vocal supporter of the legislation. He has come out in support of renewable energy and in 2015 he visited his state’s only ethanol plant, Hopewell, to learn about ethanol production as the future of the RFS was then, and is today, hotly contested. What do you think? Vote now.

ZimmPoll

I AM @USFRA – Mike Geske

Joanna Schroeder July 29, 2016

Mike Geske farms in a unique area in southeast Missouri because it has such a diversity of crops including rice, wheat and corn, a crop Geske grows with pride. For many years, he has served on boards of both the Missouri Corn Growers Association and National Corn Growers Association and today represents Missouri Corn on the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) board. Geske is this week’s I AM USFRA spotlight.

“The corn organizations I represent realize consumers are very concerned about how their food is produced and whether it’s done in a sustainable manner. And they have all kinds of concerns they didn’t use to have even those who make a living discussing food,” says Geske. He notes that they aren’t always well informed yet they influence a lot of people. “So it became obvious to us we were going to have to get involved, not just within the corn industry, but that we were going to have to get involved with others in the ag industry to speak with one voice to these consumers. So that’s what we are doing.”

He adds that they almost have to ask permission to farm because key food influencers not only have a voice among consumers, but also government.

Geske says USFRA has some great programs including their consumer messaging research that helps growers learn how to and how not to talk to consumers. USFRA is taking this knowledge to the street and training those in the ag industry on the most effective ways to discuss ag and food with consumers. He also notes that they have several other great programs including the Faces of Farming and Ranching among others. Geske says that it’s important for the industry to continue speaking to consumers with one voice and encourages organizations to join the 90+ current members.

Learn more about Mike and his commitment to USFRA here: Interview with Mike Geske, Missouri farmer

Audio, Corn, USFRA

AgCareers.com Introduces Virtual Career Fairs

Joanna Schroeder July 29, 2016

For companies and candidates who can’t travel, AgCareers.com has a new option – a Virtual Career Fair. The company says the online technology provides employers with a time-efficient and cost-effective platform to complement a company’s current recruiting strategy. Employers connect with candidates from their office, using their company computer, during the chat times they designate on the events. Employers may connect with specific AgCareers.com communities at two different fairs.

The first is the Resume Database Fair taking place on September 27, 2016. This event will give organizations the opportunity to connect with active job seekers who have their resume in the AgCareers.com database. Employers can use this tool to screen and recruit sought-after job seekers.

The second event is the Two-Year & Technical Colleges Fair on October 6, 2016. This virtual fair will allow organizations to connect with active talent in agriculture who have a two-year/diploma/technical degree or certifications. The event gives employers the opportunity to tap into this uniquely trained candidate pool that often lacks opportunity for the traditional career fair engagement.

“We’re excited to expand our virtual setting for employers and job seekers to connect through these two Virtual Career Fairs,” said Ashley Collins, education and marketing manager for AgCareers.com. “While we operate in the niche industry of agriculture we have various communities within our industry and we’re excited to help employers and job seekers get in touch with each other for a more in-depth conversation about careers that otherwise they wouldn’t have the opportunity to discuss without going through a costly interview.”

Click here for additional information and registration. Interested participants may also view a free recorded webinar explaining how virtual career fairs work.

AgCareers, Events

ZimmCast With #AgMedia Steering Committee Chair

Chuck Zimmerman July 28, 2016

The head of the organizing committee for this year’s Ag Media Summit is Molly Schoen, Editor, Charolais Journal. We got a chance to talk about the process of putting together an AMS which starts in the fall.

One of the first orders of business is to determine location and start working with the hotel and venue. Sponsors are very important and a lot of time is spent talking with them and finding a session or event perfect for their needs. The trade show is called InfoExpo and we’ll be featuring many interviews from participating companies in the next week.

Professional improvement always dominates the session agenda with everything from photography and Adobe software tips and tricks to writing and even a newsmaker session. Awards are big too and full lists of them are being made available on each participating organization’s website.

Learn more about this year’s Ag Media Summit in this week’s program: ZimmCast with Molly Schoen

2016 AMS Photo Album

Coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

The ZimmCast

sponsored by

Locally owned, globally strong.

Ag Media Summit, Audio, Media, ZimmCast

LPC Elects New Leadership

Jamie Johansen July 28, 2016

Livestock Publications Council (LPC) members gathered for the 2016 Ag Media Summit and one item of business was electing new leadership. Congratulations to new LCP president, Scarlett Hagins, and her new team.

2016-2017 LPC Officers:
President – Scarlett Hagins, Kansas Stockman
1st Vice President – Cindy Cunningham, National Pork Board
2nd Vice President – Carey Brown, Cow Country
Secretary-Treasurer – Jennifer Carrico, High Plains Journal
Immediate Past President – Angie Denton, Kansas State University

LPC Board of Directors
Ben Richey, United State Animal Health Association
Greg Henderson, Beef Today/Cattle Exchange.com
Jennifer Shike, University of Illinois
Katie Maupin, Seedstock EDGE
Kent Jaecke, Focus Marketing Group
Leanne Peters, Cattle Business in Mississippi
Miranda Reiman, Certified Angus Beef, LLC
Molly Schoen, Charolais Journal
Steve Taylor, Appaloosa Journal
Jennifer Scharpe, Limousin World
Eric Tietze, Ozarks Farm & Neighbor

Scarlett has worn many hats throughout her leadership in LPC. She let me pick her brain while at AMS to learn a bit more about the role LPC plays in agriculture communications throughout the country and how she plans to help implement the Council’s three-year strategic plan.

“My year will be spent putting legs under our strategic plan to start accomplishing some of the other goals, like implementing new programs to benefit our members and ways to make their jobs easier with educational programs.”

One of those programs is called Coffee & Collaboration. It is an online type of webinar through Skype for business where members can reach out to each other and never leave their office. We all have busy schedules and this is just one example of how LPC is meeting the needs of its members right where they are.

“We also provide regional workshops throughout the year. Our website is also a great resource where you can find award applications and the code of ethics to use along with your publication if you get questions from customers. We want to be any kind of resource that helps our members do their job better.”

Listen to my complete interview with Scarlett here: Scarlett Hagins, LPC President

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 AMS Photo Album

Coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by

Ag Groups, Ag Media Summit, Livestock, LPC, Media, Publication

Meet New ACT President, Kelsey Litchfield

Jamie Johansen July 28, 2016

Pictured second from the left is Kelsey and her officer team.

It was easy to get excited about the future of agriculture when I saw so many young people attending this year’s Ag Media Summit. Those young agriculturalists are Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) members and took on St. Louis this week with fellow American Agricultural Editors Association (AAEA) and Livestock Publications Council (LPC) members with professional development sessions, networking and fellowship.

ACT also took care of business and elected new leadership for the upcoming year. I sat down with new ACT president, Kelsey Litchfield, a senior at the University of Illinois, to learn more about her future career goals and hear her plans for ACT going forward.

“My job is to oversee the entire organization, chair committees if needed and serve as a mentor and leader to ACT members need. I am really excited for the year ahead. I want to build something, I want to grow it. I really want to connect more with the chapters.”

Kelsey also has a vision to gather the ACT chapter presidents together virtually providing a platform to share and glean ideas. New chapters are popping up across the country and she feels keeping the communication lines open will encourage support and growth.

Listen to my complete interview with Kelsey to learn more about ACT and the future of agricultural communications: Kelsey Litchfield, ACT President

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 AMS Photo Album

Coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by

Ag Groups, Ag Media Summit

Grad Student Talks Community Approach to Sustainability

Lizzy Schultz July 28, 2016

Water sustainability was the topic at the most recent Food Dialogues event from the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), and while much of the discussion focused on the concerns facing our environment and the quality of the nation’s natural water resources, panelist Vanessa Perry had a different conservation to bring to the table.

Perry, a PhD student in the Department of Forest Resources at the University of Minnesota with a research focus on community capacity to respond to natural resource challenges, in particular water management, brought an insightful, unique perspective to the panel, as her sustainability expertise is centered greatly on the social aspects of sustainability, and the cultural, socio-economic, and psychological impact that conservation efforts can have on a society.

“I think there is a lack of awareness on the roles and responsibilities that we all have towards the issue of water quality,” she said in an interview following the discussion. “Farmers are being told that they’re the cause of water pollution, and that may not be the best solution if we’re all really trying to work together towards a common solution. These issues affect us all, we all have responsibilities here, and its really important to bring some more awareness to how we’re using resources and the different ways that all of us are affecting our country’s water quality.”

Her focus in the discussion remained centered on the necessity of community engagement and collaboration in terms of finding solutions to water quality issues.

“If this was an easy problem, we would have fixed it. We’re working on a complex issue, and that requires a complex solutions,” she said during the event. “It isn’t just one person, we are all responsible, and what you do to help solve these issues depends on the role you have in society. It takes a bit of thoughtfulness and reflectiveness on all of our parts to see where we have responsibilities.”

Listen to Lizzy’s full interview with Vanessa here:
Interview with Vanessa Perry, University of Minnesota

View and download photos from the event here:Food Dialogues: Minneapolis Photo Album

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Audio, Conservation, Environment, Sustainability, USFRA, Water

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