Borlaug-Ruan Internship Sends 24 Students Abroad

Lizzy Schultz

the_world_food_prize The World Food Prize Foundation announced that record 24 high school students will be sent abroad for internships at renowned international research centers and NGOs this summer. The students hail from Iowa and 12 other states, and will focus their studies on issues relating to hunger and poverty during eight-week, all-expenses-paid internships in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The program was created by Dr. Norman Borlaug and John Ruan, Sr. in 1998, and seeks to inspire the next generation of agricultural scientists, as well as exposing them to the wide array of fields related to global food security. Over the years, 250 young people have participated in the internship with significant impact on their educational and career choices.

“It was our founder, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Norman E. Borlaug’s most ardent hope that by engaging young people in actual hunger-fighting research, they will be inspired to pursue academic and career paths in science, food, agricultural and natural resource disciplines, and thus be prepared to become tomorrow’s innovative scientific and humanitarian leaders,” said World Food Prize President, Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn. “Nearly 1 billion people go hungry every day. As the world faces a growing population, climate volatility and other global challenges, the next generation will be charged with continuing the battle against hunger and finding new solutions to feed the world.”

The Borlaug-Ruan Internship allows student interns to participate in projects with distinguished researchers at leading agricultural research centers around the world. Students receive a firsthand view of real and pressing food security issues and nutrition problems in poverty-stricken areas, and participate as an integral part of a project. Participants spend time in the lab as well as days or weeks at a time in the field conducting research and interviews, and gathering data.

The interns are involved in a variety of projects focused on reducing poverty and hunger, such as: fisheries and aquaculture studies; plant biotechnology research; micro-credit and the women’s self-help concept; the influence of education on household food security; livestock value chains; and the calculation of Vitamin C concentration in numerous potato varieties.

A list of the 24 Borlaug-Ruan International Interns, including photos, can be found online here

Ag Groups, International, Research, World Food Prize

Celebrating 60 Years of Warren Kester Journalism

Kelly Marshall

KesterThe National Association of Farm Broadcasters is saddened to share the news that charter-signing member Warren Kester has passed away.  Kester was a life-long member of the agriculture community and worked as a journalist in print and on air for almost 60 years.

Kester was 95 years old at the time of his passing in March.  He was born on June 18, 1920 on a farm in Iowa.  He graduated Iowa State University with a degree in agronomy and married Ruth Lucile Yount.  In 1949 he became the manager of the Sioux City Market News Foundation.  He later worked as a journalist and editor for Farm Journal magazine and BEEF magazine.  During his 58 years in the industry Kester photographed and interviewed many key leaders in the cattle industry.

Services will be held on June 18, 2016 at Cass Church & Cemetery in Anamosa, Iowa.

Agribusiness, Journalism, NAFB

BASF & Balchem Collaborate on New Product

Jamie Johansen

basf_edited-1BASF and Balchem Corporation are working together to bring next generation feed efficiency and health products to the North American swine industry. This relationship will open the door to a portfolio of products and technologies that improve feed hygiene, safety and overall animal performance. Look for offerings at World Pork Expo, June 8-10 in Des Moines, Iowa.

“Our alliance with Balchem helps meet the changing needs of the US swine market,” said Christian Nitschke, BASF Regional Head, Animal Nutrition North America. “As we combine strong market expertise and close customer relationships with superior technologies and production capacities, we are confident that the result will improve animal health and efficiency, leading to increased profitability for the pork producer.”

Screen Shot 2016-05-09 at 11.42.56 AM“BASF has helped the European swine industry by developing innovative feed solutions for more efficient and consumer-responsive pork production,” notes Jonathan Griffin, Vice President, Balchem Animal Nutrition & Health. “As we look to 2017, and the changes the US industry faces, we are proud to work closely with BASF to bring new feed management options to pork producers. As the industry continues to work hard to provide a safe and affordable food supply, while also meeting consumer demands, collaboration such as this will be imperative to developing the tools that will help us get there.”

Agribusiness, Animal Health, BASF, Feed, Nutrition, Swine

FFA Scholarship Program Exceeds 2.6 Million

Lizzy Schultz

ffa_logo This year marks the 32nd year for the National FFA Organization and Foundation scholarship program, and this year’s awards totaled more than $2.6 million in scholarships to 1,791 recipients. The generosity of the program’s 116 sponsors were instrumental in making this year’s program so successful.

More than 8,300 students applied online for the scholarships, and many applicants were considered for multiple awards. Approximately one in every five students who applied was awarded a scholarship. Students pursuing two-year and four-year degrees, as well as vocational programs were qualified to apply for scholarships, and the average recipient had a GPA of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale. The selection process takes into account the whole student, including FFA involvement, work experience, supervised agricultural experience, community service, leadership skills and academics.

The scholarship program began in 1984 with 16 scholarships offered, and since then, more than $44 million has been awarded in scholarship funds through the National FFA Organization. A list of recipients is available online at the FFA scholarship results page. Recipients are listed first by the state in which their high school is located then alphabetically by student last name.

Ag Groups, FFA, University

Apply Today for NAFB Scholarships

Lizzy Schultz

nafb-scholarships-15 The NAFB Foundation has announced that applications are now open for five $5,000 scholarship available to students studying careers in agriculture communications. Since 1975, the NAFB Foundation has been investing in the future of farm broadcasting by providing college scholarships to more than 100 college students. This year, the foundation is offering a total of $25,000 in scholarships to be awarded to the future of agriculture communications.

Several current NAFB members have previously been awarded NAFB scholarships, with past recipients including Pam Jahnke, Michelle Rook, Joe Gangwish, DeLoss Jahnke, Russell Nemetz, Jason Vance, Clinton Griffiths, Tyne Morgan, Carah Hart, Spencer Chase and Shannon Yokley.

Students who will be college juniors, seniors or graduate students Fall 2016, and are enrolled in a college or university agriculture communications program pursuing a career in agriculture communications are all eligible to apply.

Scholarship recipients will receive an expense-paid trip to the NAFB Convention, held in Kansas City, MO, November 9-11, 2016. Online applications will be accepted through June 6, 2016. Click here to start the application process today.

Ag Groups, NAFB, University

CNH Releases 2015 Sustainability Report

Kelly Marshall

CNH Industrial 2015 Sustainability Report - Top Results CNH Industrial has proven time and again that they are a sustainable company.  For the fifth year in a row they have been named an Industry Leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability (DJSI) World and Europe Inducies.  They were the 2015 DJSI Capital Goods Industry Group Leader and were included on the CDP Climate A List.  Now the company is releasing its 2015 Sustainability Report.

The report is divided into three sections.  The first details how the company operates in a global environment, identifying important aspects and reporting achievements for the year.  The second section illustrates how they care for their employees and the community.  The third sections details the product value chain, taking products from conception to the end of their life cycle.

Highlights from the results include a 2 percent decrees in the amount of energy used per hour compared to 2014, an elimination of 18,000 tons of CO2 emissions, a total of 48 percent of total energy now coming from renewable sources, and 27 percent of water being recycled.

You can view the full report on the CNH Website; scroll to the bottom for the 2015 Sustainability Report.

Agribusiness, Case IH, Conservation, New Holland

Cullman Named CEO of Farm Foundation

Kelly Marshall

ConstanceConstance Cullman will be stepping into the position of President and CEO of Farm Foundation, NFP.

“We are excited to have Constance step into the day-to-day leadership role at Farm Foundation,” says Farm Foundation Board Chairman Mark Scholl. “She brings to the table a unique set of skills that have been fine-tuned through experiences in education, farm organizations, government service and private business.”

Cullman is currently the U.S. Government Affairs Leader for Dow AgroSciences.  Before that she worked at the Corn Refiners Association, the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, and the Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics and a master’s in agricultural economics from Ohio State.

“Cullman’s diverse background will serve Farm Foundation well as it continues its mission to help public- and private-sector leaders address the critical issues that are shaping the future of agriculture and food systems today,” said Scholl.

Cullman is the seventh person to serve as president since the founding of the organization in 1933.  She follows in the footsteps of Neilson Conklin, who has been President since 2008.  She begins her new duties on June 6.

Ag Groups, Farm Foundation

Simple Solutions from LibertyLink

Kelly Marshall

LibertyLinkSoybeans are no longer a simple crop to grow and market.  With new traits still pending approval for export to other countries, and some elevators announcing they won’t accept specific traits, choosing the right soybean for your operation may be down right complicated.

LibertyLink soybeans, however, offer a simple solution.  These soybean traits have all been approved for domestic and international use and are being accepted at elevators this fall.

“LibertyLink soybeans come with the best genetics, yielding up to 2.1 bu/A more than Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybeans,” said Malin Westfall, soybean marketing manager for Bayer. “You also get excellent weed control when you complete the system by applying Liberty® herbicide.“

LibertyLink is low risk, since all grain elevators may accept them, and it’s a non-volatile and neighbor-friendly herbicide.  Growers choose it for weed management, as well as great yields, as Andy Sekel from Allen County Indiana reports.

“Last year and this year, we planted all LibertyLink soybeans and that’s what we seem to like. We think their varieties are stronger. We had good success with weed control, but the yields were just unbelievable. On a 73 acre piece we yielded 90.5 bu/A and our overall farm average was 69.5 bu/A,” shared Sekel. “I would say I’m very satisfied planting Liberty Link soybeans. I think I can make anywhere from $10 to $75/A more, depending on the circumstances. And I think [LibertyLink soybeans] are possibly a stronger bean and healthier bean plant. So I think we’re going to continue to stick with this.”

For questions concerning the availability and use of products, contact a local Bayer representative, or visit Crop Science, a division of Bayer, online at www.cropscience.bayer.us.

Agribusiness, Bayer, Soybean

Monsanto Announces Farm Mom of the Year

Kelly Marshall

mary-300x300Monstanto‘s latest announcement is just in time for Mother’s Day.  After two weeks of online voting, Mary Courtney has been named Farm Mom of the Year.

Courtney farms with her husband, Shane and grows corn, soybeans, burley tobacco, mixed vegetables, green bell peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, squash and zucchini, specialty peppers and seedless watermelon, along with cattle.

Mary was one of five women who were recognized at the end of April as a regional finalist in the program. All of them, including Ann Stamp (Cranston, R.I.), Karen Kasper (Owatonna, Minn.), Katie Heger (Underwood, N.D.), Nikki Weathers (Yuma, Colo.) and Mary were selected by both the American Agri-Women and Monsanto for their dedication and commitment to their families, farms, communities and the agriculture industry.

America voted online at www.AmericasFarmers.com from April 22 through May 4 for one of the five regional finalists to be named the national winner. All five women will receive $5,000. Mary will receive an additional $5,000 for securing the most votes to be named the national “Farm Mom of the Year.”

“I had the fortunate opportunity to meet all of these women in person at the end of April, and their energy and passion for their families, communities and agriculture is absolutely inspiring,” says Tracy Mueller, corporate brand manager for Monsanto. “These women are literally helping nurture and grow our world. They love talking about their lives and their farming lifestyle, yet they are so humble about their invaluable role. We can’t wait for everyone to learn more about what they do and how they’re making a positive difference in farming today.”

Courtney’s husband nominated her for the award.  He notes that being a mom is not an easy job, but Mary handles her responsibilities as full-time farmer, director of a multi-state ag lender and mother of four with ease.

“Where she has a will, she finds a way. We began our farming operation from scratch in 2008, the same year we welcomed our first son. It is with tenacity and fortitude, she taught herself payroll taxes, manages a crew of 18 migrant workers, plans, produces, and markets an abundance of local fruits and vegetables, contracts grain, and teaches the oldest children to bottle feed calves, while the youngest is in tow.”

In addition to all this work, Courtney advocates for agriculture.  She organized a “Touch the Dirt Day” and brought consumers to the farm to learn about agriculture.  She also works on ag literacy efforts and offers guidance to the local cooperative extension.  She is also an active member of the Kentucky Farm Bureau.

To learn more about Mary, her fellow 2016 regional Mom of the Year winners visit www.AmericasFarmers.com.

Agribusiness

Syngenta Appoints President and CEO

Kelly Marshall

syngenta-logoJ. Erik Fyrwald has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Syngenta.

Fyrwald is the current President and CEO of Univar.  He will succeed John Ramsay, who has been acting as interim CEO since November of 2015.

“After a rigorous search, the Board concluded that Erik’s leadership and considerable experience in both agriculture and chemicals, along with his strong track record of success as a CEO made him the outstanding candidate for the role, said Michel Demare, Syngenta’s Chairman.  “Erik has demonstrated throughout his career the ability to work successfully in different environments, designing and leading strategies which resulted in impressive value creation. I look forward to working with him to create the next chapter of Syngenta’s story of success.”

Ramsay, who has served as Chief Financial Officer of Syngenta for nine years, will be working closely with Fyrwald to create a smooth transition.  Closing the ChemChina transaction is high on the priority list during this time.

Mr. Fyrwald spent 27 years at DuPont where he held positions in technology, manufacturing, sales and marketing, strategic planning and regional and global business unit leadership, including four years in Asia. In 2003, Mr. Fyrwald was named Group Vice President of DuPont Agriculture and Nutrition. Mr. Fyrwald also served as Chairman of Crop Life International for two years during this period.

In 2008, Mr. Fyrwald was named Chairman, President and CEO of Nalco. In December 2011, Nalco was acquired by EcoLab. Mr. Fyrwald was President of EcoLab until May 2012, when he was appointed CEO of Univar, a leading global distributor of chemical products and provider of related services, including agricultural inputs.

Mr. Fyrwald serves on the boards of Eli Lilly and Company (including their Science and Technology Committee) and the Society of Chemical Industry. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

“I have admired Syngenta from the outside for many years and am delighted, therefore, to have been chosen to lead the company in the next exciting phase of its journey,” Frywald says.   “I greatly look forward to meeting employees, leaders, customers and other stakeholders after I join in June and to working with them to achieve further success in the years to come.”

Agribusiness, Syngenta