Two North America Journalists Earn Global Award

Kelly Marshall

Sarah Hill from Brookings, South Dakota, USA and Julienne Isaacs of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada  have been honored as two of this year’s 2016 IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism Award winners. These representatives from North America competed with some of the best throughout the world and will now participate in the International Federation of Agricultural Jounralists (IFAJ) Congress.  They will also have the opportunity to attend a boot camp-style workshop in July with winners from around the globe.

IFAJ 2Sarah Hill is a freelance journalists who began her own communications company just this year.  She handles projects from Dairy Business and Holstein World magazines, as well as the American Angus Association.  She grew up on a 60-cow dairy in Missouri and received her degree in ag journalism from the University of Missouri.

IFAJJulienne Isaacs is a freelance writer for Top Crop Manager, Grainews, Country Guide, Manitoba Co-operator, CAAR Communicator, Potatoes in Canada and other publications.  Her focus is crop production, especially in the area of research and technology for improving crop sustainability.

“Year after year, we continue to see the best and brightest in agricultural journalism from around the globe receive this award,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech. “Congratulations to these two exceptional candidates from our North America region as they exemplify the skills and dedication needed to communicate and connect farm to fork.”

This is the 11th year for the program, which has assisted nearly 100 journalists strengthen their communication skills in agricultural journalism.

Agribusiness, Alltech, IFAJ, Journalism

Corn Prices Projected to Decrease

Kelly Marshall

NCGA-LogoWhile optimists hoped the increased demand for ethanol would help drive corn prices, the USDA reports say it won’t be enough to off-set other factors.  Demand estimates are lower by 24 million bushels of corn, and ending stocks are higher by 25 million bushels.  Production estimates remain unchanged from March.

“U.S. corn farmers have indicated their intention to grow another bountiful crop in 2016 and, if the weather proves favorable, we may see a large corn supply after harvest,” said National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling, a farmer from Maryland. “At NCGA, we work to apply the same expertise and and dedication shown by our members to our efforts to create and grow demand for our crop. America’s farmers sustainably produce a corn crop that can feed and fuel the world. Working together, we can create the opportunities necessary to maximize the potential of this great resource and build a solid future for our farm families as well.”

Ending stocks are now expected to reach 1.86 billion bushels, their highest level since 2005. The May report will include USDA’s first projection for the 2016-2017 corn crop.

Feed and residual demand estimates were lowered by 50 million bushels reflecting indicated disappearance through the first half of the marketing year. An increase of 25 million bushels to projected demand for ethanol use, which was based upon information from the Energy Information Administration, slightly offset the impact on overall demand.

The 2015-16 season average corn price is projected to be ten cents lower at the top end, with farmers receiving between $3.40 to $3.70 per bushel.  You can read the full report here.

Ag Groups, Corn, Marketing, Markets, NCGA, USDA

McCornick Named Water for Food Executive Director

Kelly Marshall

Water for FoodThe Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute at the University of Nebraska has announced a new executive director. Peter G. McCornick, an expert recognized internationally for his research in water, food, and the environment, will be taking the reins for the institute on September 1.

Currently McCornick is serving as the deputy director general for the International Water Management Institute in Colombo, Sri Lanka.  This institution is renowned for its deviation to improving management of water and land resources for food security.

McCornick has dedicated his career to improving the understanding of sustainable management of water resources. He has led research and development programs on water, agriculture and the environment in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the U.S. His areas of interest include water and food security, the water-food-energy nexus, water reuse, irrigation management, and water and climate adaptation. McCornick earned his doctorate degree in agricultural engineering from Colorado State University, is a licensed professional civil engineer in the State of Colorado, a member of the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers, and a senior fellow at Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions. He has published widely and regularly presents at major international events. McCornick was born in Scotland and grew up on a livestock and dairy farm.

“There is perhaps no more urgent challenge facing the world today than sustainably feeding the growing global population,” said Roberto Lenton, the WFI’s founding executive director. “The University of Nebraska, through our Water for Food Institute, is uniquely positioned to lead the way in developing solutions. We are fortunate to have attracted someone with Peter McCornick’s reputation and expertise to the executive director position. His deep knowledge of water and agricultural development in global contexts and his strong leadership skills will accelerate the impact the institute is making in ensuring water and food security in Nebraska and around the world.”

McCornick said, “Roberto set the stage for the Water for Food Institute’s global reach. I appreciate the tremendous work he has done in developing a strong team and growing the institute from an idea to a fully operational research center that is truly making a difference in improving water and food security for generations to come. I look forward to working with the University of Nebraska leaders, faculty and staff, as well as its many partners in the U.S. and internationally, to advance the institute’s achievements and impact.”

Ag Groups, Research, Water

I AM USFRA – Corn Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman

ncga-novakThe National Corn Growers Association was another one of the original organizations to help form the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) and current CEO Chris Novak was with another founding group at the time, the National Pork Board.

“I made a trip to St. Louis in 2010 and sat down with Rick Tolman who was CEO at NCGA prior to me,” Novak recalls. Also in the meeting were the heads of the American Soybean Association and the United Soybean Board. “The heart of that conversation was that we in agriculture were facing challenges in communicating with consumers…and from those initial meetings, we reached out later that week and had six of our colleagues together, agricultural CEOs representing a variety of commodities, and that was the start of USFRA.”

i-am-usfra-webUSFRA now has nearly 100 agricultural organization and company affiliates and Novak says it is unique because it represents all facets of the industry. “I’m pressed to find an example of this number of farm interests coming together and working together for this long a period of time on a very focused effort to share information with consumers,” he said, noting that issues such as biotechnology and animal welfare are issues that impact the industry as a whole. “These challenges that confront us are far more important than anything that may have divided us in the past.”

Novak is very proud of the many successful initiatives that USFRA has developed in a very short time and pointed to one just recently that took almost 37,000 students on a virtual agricultural field trip. “It also helped them participate in an active dialogue with real farmers about the issues that exist in food production today,” said Novak. “These are the things that are paying dividends…opening up the farm so we can share more information.

Listen Chris talk about what USFRA is doing to unify agriculture: Interview with NCGA CEO Chris Novak

Audio, Corn, NCGA, USFRA

CIRB Graduates Inaugural Emerging Leaders

Kelly Marshall

CIRBThe Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) is celebrating the graduation of their first ever Emerging Leaders Program.  The ceremony was held during the Spring Policy Conference and Fly-In.  The class has spent more than year learning the necessary tools to become effective advocates for the next generation of crop insurance leaders.

“Today, crop insurance is a centerpiece of the farm safety net. As we look ahead to the next farm bill and beyond, we need a new generation of informed advocates who can engage to protect crop insurance during policy debates,” said CIRB Chair Sheri Bane, of COUNTRY Financial. “That’s why CIRB’s Emerging Leaders Program is so critical to the future of crop insurance and, ultimately, the rural economy.”

The six Emerging Leaders Program class members participated in events across the country, receiving advocacy training and networking with industry leaders. Program highlights included interacting with CIRB’s Executive Committee, receiving issue briefings, meeting with Members of Congress and their staffs to serve as crop insurance’s voice on Capitol Hill, and learning from industry leaders at USDA’s Risk Management Agency and National Crop Insurance Services.

Members of the inaugural class are: Eric Swanson (COUNTRY Financial), Beth Bjerke (AFBIS), Aaron Rutledge (FMH), Nikki Harrod (ADM), and Weston Burcham (ADM).

Any current employee of a CIRB member company interested in the 2016-2017 Emerging Leaders Program may now apply online.  More information about the program is online at www.cropinsurance.org/leaders.  Applications are due August 1, 2016.

Agribusiness, CIRB, Insurance

#ZimmieZebra is Zelfie Ready

Jamie Johansen

IMG_3899#ZimmieZebra made it to her temporary home this weekend and jumped at the chance to stretch her legs after her long journey. Tomorrow Zimmie and I will make the trip to Kansas City for the 2016 Agri-Marketing Conference, but wanted to make sure she wasn’t camera shy and ready for the many Zelfies to come. Thankfully, she thoroughly enjoyed getting hugged and kissed by a toddler and is confident she can handle the many Zelfies from all our friends attending #NAMA16.

Want the chance to meet Zimmie? Here’s how it will work. Stop by the ZimmComm booth during the Agri-Marketing Conference Connection Point trade show (booth 417-419). Use a Zelfie stick to take your picture with Zimmie, post on Twitter and/or Facebook using #NAMA16, #ZimmieZebra and tag @AgWired. After the end of the Connection Point all Zelfies will be judged for creativity and quality. One lucky person will take Zimmie home and provide her with a nice environment to live in.

Agribusiness, NAMA, Nufarm, ZimmComm Announcement

Korean Cotton Executives to Visit US

Lizzy Schultz

cotton-usa Textile executives from 10 Korean companies will tour the U.S. Cotton Belt on April 17-22. The executives will observe U.S. cotton production, processing and marketing and will meet with U.S. cotton exporters. This Cotton USA Korean Special Trade Mission is being conducted by Cotton Council International (CCI), the National Cotton Council’s export promotions arm.

Korea currently ranks as the sixth largest U.S. cotton importer, with current U.S. export commitments to Korea at 440,000 bales. The country imported 650,000 U.S. bales in the 2014-15 marketing year.

U.S. market share with the 10 participating Korean companies is estimated at 54 percent, and these mills are expected to consume about 1.1 million bales in 2015-16, representing 85 percent of Korea’s total cotton consumption. Many Korean textile mills also have textile investments outside of Korea, primarily in Vietnam, and those spinning mills consume some 390,000 bales, of which about 182,000 bales are from the United States.

“We hope this tour will provide these Korean executives with a better appreciation for U.S. cotton’s superior quality and our industry’s outstanding reputation for timely delivery so that their desire for using more U.S. cotton will increase,” said CCI President Keith Lucas.
The Korean delegation will begin its tour in New York with a CCI briefing. They will also see cotton research in North Carolina, tour the USDA cotton classing office in Bartlett, Tenn., and visit a farm in California’s San Joaquin Valley.

Ag Groups, Cotton, Events, International, Research

Farm Foundation Forum Discusses Poverty in Rural America

Lizzy Schultz

farmfoundationlogo3 U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and two rural community experts are joining together to discuss the cost of poverty in rural America at the Farm Foundation Forum on Monday, April 18, 2016.

The Forum will be held at 9 am in the Holeman Lounge of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. A free, live audiocast will also be available.

“Poverty is a seed that breeds many cancers in individuals, families and communities–both urban and rural,” says Neil Conklin, President of Farm Foundation, NFP. “It is a complex, multi-dimensional problem for which there are no simple answers. It is critical, however, that we bring these issues to the forefront to be better understood so that work can begin on finding solutions.”

The Carsey Institute of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire recently completed a study that recognized how poverty, specifically childhood poverty, is spreading in intensity across the country and disproportionately so in rural America. Additional work done at Purdue University has highlighted the effects of childhood poverty on long-term health. The costs of poverty are seen in academic performance, underused human capacity, health costs, addictions, criminal activities and community infrastructure.

“Secretary Vilsack is providing leadership to address these issues through his role as chair of the White House Rural Council. We are excited to have him join us for this discussion,” Conklin added.

Jason Henderson, Director of Extension at Purdue University, will moderate the discussion. Also featured on the panel will be William Bynum, CEO of Hope Enterprise Corporation and Hope Credit Union, a regional community development financial institution and policy center based in Jackson, MS. After discussion by the panelists, the floor will be opened for questions.

Register here to attend the forum in person.

Register here to participate in the live audio cast.
Both events are free of charge.

Ag Groups, Events, Farm Foundation

GROWMARK Announces Essay Contest Winners

Kelly Marshall

growmarklogoGROWMARK is pleased to announce the Illinois and Wisconsin state winners of the 2016 essay contest for FFA members.  Austin Schorfheide of Hoyleton, Illinois and Jessica Jurcek from Jefferson, Wisconsin won in their respective states by answering “What can young people do to ensure the sustainability of agriculture?”

Schorfheide wrote in his response: “Sustainability in agriculture ultimately comes down to maintaining and preserving our resources to allow our children to use the same assets that have been passed on to us. To do so we as young agriculturalists must conserve our resources, produce even more food than currently possible, and inform the public about agriculture.”

Jurcek answered: “In so many ways, young people are the key to the future. Joining local cooperatives, purchasing sustainably raised food and goods, implementing sustainable techniques on their own farms, and simply spreading the word of sustainability for all to hear are excellent ways for young people to begin their role in the furtherance of agriculture.”

Schorfheide is a student at Nashville Community High School and a member of the Nashville FFA chapter. His FFA advisor is Julie Bond-Ledford.  Jurcek is a student at Jefferson High School and a member of the Jefferson FFA chapter. Her FFA advisor is Nick Brattlie.  Both winners will receive a $500 award from GROWMARK at their state FFA conventions and their chapters will receive $300 to help future students.

2016 marks the 23rd year for this program.

FFA, GROWMARK, Sustainability

Seeking Future Giant of the Seed Industry

Kelly Marshall

fut-giant-360Seed World and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Future Seed Executives are looking for those poised to make an impact on the seed industry.  The Future Giant is an award given to an early-career individual who is passionate about the seed industry.  The award will be given at ASTA’s Annual Convention, June 18-22 in Portland, Oregon.  The winner will also be featured in Seed World magazine this September.

If you have someone relatively new in your company, organization or program who shows leadership potential, download this application and help them move forward in their career.  Candidates must be in graduate or undergraduate programs in post-secondary education with the intent of finding a career within the seed industry upon graduation OR someone currently employed by a seed company, laboratory or university who is viewed as a rising leader.

Nominations must be returned to jeering@issuesink.com by April 29.  Submissions will be judged by industry experts on Seed World’s Advisory Board.

Ag Groups, ASTA, Seed