The American Farm Bureau Federation has released the results of a survey that shows America’s farmers and ranchers want to control their data. The survey also showed that farmers believe a cooperative-style central repository for their information would be the best way to control security and ensure its value.
“We asked our members what they thought about data, and it is clear that boosting farmer confidence in security and data management will be critical to unlocking the potential this technology holds,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “This survey also shows that we are on the right track with various ag group initiatives designed to improve data integration and promote transparency about how the data is collected and used.”
AFBF is one of the founding member of an organization designed to help farmers better store and manage their information in a central location. The Ag Data Coalition is already working to establish a co-op-style repository for data, with farmers having a governing role over the group.
Duvall said that is consistent with survey findings that 71 percent of respondents said they are interested in having access to the kind of data bank that ADC is developing, while 82 percent say it is important that farmers have a voice in the ag data co-op.
Survey respondents also ranked vendor transparency high among their priorities. Farm Bureau and other groups recently introduced a tool, the Ag Data Transparency Evaluator, to explain in plain English the convoluted details often found in data contracts with agricultural hardware and software providers.
Further results of the study show a high level of misunderstanding regarding the details of a grower’s contracts. 55 percent reported that they did not know if they owned or controlled their own data. 12 precent indicated their contracts didn’t cover that information, and only 33 percent reported that their contracts specifically gave them ownership or control over the data they create.
Additionally, 54 percent of survey participants were unsure if data sharing with a third party, business partner or affiliate required approval from the grower. 32 percent reported their contracts did require approval and 14 percent said approval was not required for data sharing.
“This indicates a higher level of clarity and transparency is needed to secure grower confidence,” Duvall said. “One of the topics I hear most about from farmers on the data issue is having a clear understanding about the details of ‘Terms and Conditions’ and ‘Privacy Policy’ documents we all sign when buying new electronics. You should not have to hire an attorney before you are comfortable signing a contract with an ag technology provider. Farmers have real questions and the Transparency Evaluator goes a long way in helping farmers better understand the contracts before they sign on the dotted line.”
The survey covered a number of other issues as well, all of which can be viewed here.
#Plant16 is moving ahead and the National Corn Growers Association is getting their yearly National Corn Yield Contest underway as well. Participants in this year’s contest can register now through June 30th to save on entry fees. The early-bird fee is only $75, promising to save growers money for taking the time to register sooner rather than later.
“We are excited to announce that yield contest entry is now open. While it may still seem a ways out, we all know how quickly the time passes once planting season starts,” said Production and Stewardship Action Team Chair Brent Hostetler. “Every year, we gain valuable data from the contest that help develop the production practices of tomorrow. I urge those who haven’t entered before to become NCGA members and try their hand at high-yield techniques as contest entrants in 2016.”
Register now online, even from your mobile devices. Registration will remain open through July 29 at the cost of $110. Harvest forms will be due by November 21. Winners will be announced on December 16.
The 2016 rules state than an entry form must be submitted two week prior to the date harvested. You can see a full list of the entry and harvest rules here.
Winners will be honored at the 2017 Commodity Class in San Antonio, Texas and will be recognized in publications like the NCYC Corn Yield Guide. Winners will also receive trips and other awards from sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies. Contact ncyc@ncga.com with any questions.
CNH Industrial is inviting anyone to experience the power of what their machines can accomplish in a day, regardless of where you might be in the world. Thanks to the innovation of the smartphone, users of “The World of CNH Industrial” can witness a machine saving lives in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, or harvesting enough grapes to fill 20,000 bottles with wine in one day. The app looks at each of the 12 brands the company manufactures and proves that CNH never sleeps.
The app uses virtual reality and gyroscope technology to offer a full or partial 360-degree experience. You can navigate the entire globe with the flick of an eye or the tap of a finger.
The app is designed to be paired with a Virtual Reality Cardboard Viewer, available for order from developers such as Google. In this mode, users will be able to move from location to location by focusing their stare and exploring each setting, physically turning their heads as if they were actually on the very street, crop field or quarry where a CNH Industrial brand machine is at work. Alternatively, the app can be viewed in Full Screen mode and perused via touch screen.
Curious facts on each machine will pop up to give users a new spin on a traditional concept. For example, an excavator from Case Construction Equipment can lift the weight of four elephants and a hybrid bus from Heuliez Bus saves 25 more tons of emitted CO2 per year compared to a conventional bus.
You can download The World of CNH Industrial for Android and Apple.
Alltech is adding to its line-up of expert speakers and engaging discussions in preparation for ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, from May 22–25.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak, former CEO of Ford, Alan Mulally, former Global Marketing Officer of Procter & Gamble, Jim Stengel, renowned author and water expert Seth M. Siegel, Singularity University co-chair of energy and environment Ramez Naam, as well as several newly added speakers for the plenary sessions.
One Plenary session, titled “Apollo 13: A Successful Failure” will feature Captain Jim Lovell, former NASA astronaut and retired U.S. naval captain, is also scheduled.
Several other keynote speakers include Dr. Marc Larousse, vice president of business development, Alltech, Christopher W. Nolan, Sr., managing director, PricewaterhouseCoopers Corporate Finance LLC, David Byrne, former European commissioner for health and consumer protection, Dr. Stephen Collett, clinical associate professor at the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center, University of Georgia, Dr. Mark Lyons, global vice president & head of Greater China, Alltech, and Aidan Connolly, chief innovation officer & vice president, corporate accounts, Alltech.
The full list of topics for the conference’s sessions is available here. ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference has been approved by the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists for six continuing education units (CEUs).
In addition to the intellectual inspiration, ONE attendees will experience opportunities for fun, entertainment and networking, such as ONE Vision, a 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art interactive and immersive digital experience that explores the future of food and our planet, the International Welcome Dinner, Alltech’s Fun Run, a 3K mini-marathon, various brewery and distillery, sightseeing and farm tours, and the presentation of the Alltech Young Scientist Award, the world’s most prestigious agriscience competition for undergraduate and graduate students.
Alltech’s international symposium has been held for 32 years in Lexington, and has a substantial economic impact on Kentucky. In 2015, Alltech’s REBELation symposium was estimated to have an impact of more than $7.2 million.
The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) is hosting a webinar on Thursday, May 19 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern.
The seminar is entitled “Precision Content – Applying the Lessons of Modern Farming to Optimize Communications Efforts” will help communication professional navigate the process of creating content just as growers move through the growing cycle. Speakers Keith Negrin and Bill Brozak will discuss how to plant seeds of content, nurture it while it’s in the field, and harvest results to begin planning the next campaign. Cost for the webinar is $50.00. Register now to learn how a data-driven approach can help you get the most back for your buck.
The first Fisher House in Wisconsin was officially dedicated on Saturday, April 23 by Ken Fisher, Chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation, Andrew Roberts, President of Fisher House Wisconsin, and James McLain, Acting Director of Milwaukee VA Medical Center. Rebecca Gunderson, Community Relations Manager for New Holland North America, was on site representing New Holland during the dedication ceremony.
The home was built with funding support from New Holland Agriculture, among other sponsors. New Holland’s contribution of $57,800 was presented at the groundbreaking ceremony in June 2014, bringing the total amount contributed to Fisher House Foundation to over $153 thousand. These funds were raised through the New Holland True Blue Salute program, which provides a discount for military, Veterans, and first responders.
“Fisher House Foundation is proud to have partnered with New Holland to support our military, Veterans, and their families receiving care at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center,” said Ken Fisher, Chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation. “Not all battles are fought on the battlefield. A medical crisis, the most personal battle of all, can attack a loved one unexpectedly at any time. That’s where Fisher Houses have an impact—a home away from home, free of charge, near their loved one’s bedside. New Holland’s generous support helps us achieve that mission.”
The new Fisher House is located at Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, and will provide lodging for up to 16 families of Veterans and military at no cost, allowing them to be close to their loved ones during treatment. It is one just one of Fisher House Foundation’s network of 70 comfort homes where military and Veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. According to Fisher House Foundation, the program has saved military and Veterans’ families an estimated $320 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.
“New Holland is humbled by the tireless efforts of Fisher House Foundation to provide comfort for the families of our military and Veterans when they need it most,” said Bret Lieberman, Vice President of New Holland for North America. “We are honored for the opportunity to help Ken and the rest of his staff accomplish their goal. Congratulations on your first home in Wisconsin.”
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
The 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.
BASF 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.”
“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.”
