The #13ICPA Keynote is Dr. Margaret Zeigler

Chuck Zimmerman August 1, 2016

The 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

Coverage of the InfoAg Conference is sponsored by

Audio, Info Ag, Precision Agriculture, Sustainability

AAEA Fellows Announced at #AgMedia

Lizzy Schultz August 1, 2016

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

Coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by

ACN, Ag Groups, Ag Media Summit, Journalism

#GMO Disclosure Bill Signed Into Law

Cindy Zimmerman August 1, 2016

USDA’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 July 29, 2016

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.

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.

Also 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

Coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by

ACN, Ag Groups, Ag Media Summit

#IFAJ2016 Bayer Tour – Part 3 – Bee Care Center

Chuck Zimmerman July 29, 2016

In 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

Coverage of the IFAJ Congress is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Bees, IFAJ, Video

Reman Equipment Showcased at #AgMedia

Lizzy Schultz July 29, 2016

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

Coverage of the Ag Media Summit is sponsored by

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

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

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