ZimmComm, Nufarm and Zebras invade NAMA Conference

Chuck Zimmerman April 5, 2016

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away lived a very happy little zebra.

That’s the start of the story that will unfold as we get closer to the 2016 Agri-Marketing Conference. As you can see, ZimmComm New Media has teamed up with Nufarm for some NAMA fun. Yes, zebras are involved.

If you’re following me on Twitter or the NAMA Conference hashtag, #NAMA16, I’m sharing some #ZebraFact material just so you get to know more about these interesting animals. Since you can probably guess that there will be a zebra in our Connection Point booth it’s good to know these things for when you stop by and visit.

This is a teaser of more information to come. So keep your eye on the AgWired network.

Uncategorized

Vilsack Traveling to Germany and France

Kelly Marshall April 5, 2016

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will be traveling to Berlin and Paris next week.

April 4-5 he will be in Berlin, discussing rural economic development opportunities related to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with German officials and farmers. Christian Schmidt, the German Mister of Food and Agriculture, as well as other government officials will also meet about the benefits to each country’s agriculture industry through stimulating rural economies, streamlining import procedures, providing more food choices for consumers, addressing climate change and increasing food security.

Following that he will co-chair the U.S. delegation to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Meeting of Agriculture Ministers in Paris on April 7-8. The purpose of that meeting will explore how he and other agriculture ministers from OECD countries can work together to feed the world’s growing population and simultaneously manage natural resources and handling climate change.

Trade, USDA

Hot Dogs for the MLB Win

Kelly Marshall April 5, 2016

While apple pie and baseball might be quintessentially American, hot dogs and major league baseball go together much better. And even though some have suggested it might be possible to attend a game and not eat a hot dog, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) is predicting the consumption of more than 19.4 million hot dogs and 4.3 million sausages during the 2016 baseball season. Combined, that meat could reach from Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay to Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

“There are challengers galore, but hot dogs remain king of the concession stand,” said NHDSC President Eric Mittenthal. “From childhood through old age there are two things guaranteed to put a smile on your face: baseball and hot dogs. It’s the perfect combination.”

Move over Royals because, even though it isn’t a World Series title, the Los Angeles Dodgers are number one in hot dog consumption, with an estimated 2.6 million dogs anticipated at Dodger Stadium. The New York Yankees have the honor of taking second place, with an expected intake of more than 1.55 million dogs. The Cleveland Indians and the Texas Rangers will battle it out for third place, each with a little more than 1.2 million in anticipated sales. And the Chicago Cubs are looking to improve in 2016 with an increase of 17 percent over last year, bringing them in at 1 million hot dogs.

In sausage consumption the San Francisco Giants have upset the defending champions, the Milwaukee Brewers, and the St. Louis Cardinals are expected to rise into second place. The Boston Red Sox are batting third and the Brewers fall into a disappointing fourth place.

The line-up looks a little different this year as well. Check out this year’s rookie flavors, like the Cracker Jack & Mac Dog Pirates fans will be able to partake in this season, or stop by Wrigley Field for a chance at a local “doug.”

For more stats on your favorite meat visit www.hot-dog.org.

Agribusiness, Food

IFAJ 2016 Young Leaders Chosen

Kelly Marshall April 5, 2016

The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) has selected ten participants for this year’s IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism Award. Judges selected candidates based on leadership potential, proven abilities and a narrative explaining their interest in the program. The ten selected journalists will have the opportunity to attend an IFAJ congress and a boot camp style workshop in Bonn, Germany.

The successful applicants for 2016 are:

Dorien Colman, journalist, Belgium
Richmond Fringpong, journalist, Ghana
Danielle Grindlay, journalist, Australia
Sarah Hill, editor, USA
Julienne Isaacs, freelance print journalist, Canada
Inoussa Maiga, multimedia communicator, Burkina Faso
Cheyenne Stein, New Zealand
Caroline Stocks, freelance journalism and communications consultant, Great Britain
Anjete Tjomsland, communication advisor, Norway
Lukas Weninger, journalist, Austria

The judges for the 2016 competition were IFAJ executive members Jana Janku from Slovakia, Adrian Krebs from Switzerland and Niels Damsgaard Hansen from Denmark. The competition coordinator is Riitta Mustonen, IFAJ Secretary General.

With the IFAJ constitutional changes adopted last October, 2016 is the first year the young leaders program has included participants from new member countries Burkino Faso and Ghana. IFAJ recognizes the vision of Alltech, and company founder and president Dr. Pearse Lyons, for supporting IFAJ’s broadened mandate and for the commitment to up-and- coming leaders in agricultural journalism.

“This award has existed for 11 years now thanks to the vision, generosity and constant support of Alltech, particularly with its emphasis on youth development,” says Mustonen.

“We are pleased to once again help facilitate this extraordinary opportunity for young journalists to further develop their communication skills, learn about the latest agricultural developments from the German agribusiness sector and network with some of best agricultural journalists in the world,” said Lyons. “At Alltech, we believe in supporting and nurturing young minds, as these journalists will indeed be the lead communicators of the future, connecting farm to fork.”

The program has now hosted nearly 100 young journalists.

Agribusiness, Alltech, IFAJ, Journalism

EPA Proposes Dicamba Registration for GE Crops

Cindy Zimmerman April 5, 2016

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially proposed the registration of dicamba to control weeds in cotton and soybean genetically engineered (GE) to tolerate the herbicide.

The proposal outlines a Herbicide Resistance Management Plan which includes monitoring and reporting any suspected resistance, grower education and remediation. Additionally, EPA is proposing to limit the registration to 5 years, which would further provide protections if resistance to dicamba develops.

The dicamba-tolerant crops include Monsanto’s Bollgard II® XtendFlex™ cotton, which had limited commercial introduction last year with commercial launch expected in 2016. Monsanto announced its commercialization plans for dicamba-tolerant Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans in February 2016. Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans are broadly licensed to more than 100 seed brands.

EPA is soliciting public comment for 30 days and Monsanto is urging farmers to make their voices heard. “Stakeholder comments will really make a difference,” said Monsanto Director of Industry Affairs Kim Magin. “Supportive letters are important for regulators to understand the various perspectives from farmers and agricultural stakeholders.”

Comments on the EPA’s proposed regulatory decision must be submitted no later than April 30, 2016. Comments may be submitted to the EPA docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0187 at www.regulations.gov. After the comment period closes, EPA will review all of the comments and reach a final decision, which the Agency expects to issue in late summer or early fall 2016.

Crop Protection, EPA

Ethanol Trade Mission to Peru

Cindy Zimmerman April 4, 2016

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) took part in a recent trade mission to Peru led by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack which included discussions about increasing cooperation with that country when it comes to ethanol production and exports.

USDA photo of Secy Vilsack taking part in biofuels roundtable in Peru

In this edition of the ZimmCast, RFA General Counsel Ed Hubbard talks about the March 13-15 trade mission which visited Lima and the Piura region, where cane-based ethanol is produced. The trade mission also included other ethanol industry representatives, as well as members of the agricultural community.

Hubbard discusses Peru’s interesting supply/demand situation for ethanol, which involves exporting ethanol to the European Union and buying ethanol to meet domestic needs from the United States, creating a unique cooperative relationship with special opportunities for both countries. He also talks about some of the results of the trade mission, which include future visits to this country by Peruvian ethanol interests and a visit to Peru by EPA officials.

Learn more about the Peru trade mission in this week’s ZimmCast: ZimmCast on Peru ethanol trade mission

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

The ZimmCast

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Locally owned, globally strong.

Audio, Ethanol, International, RFA, Trade, USDA, ZimmCast

Illinois HerbFest Celebrates Earth Day

Lizzy Schultz April 4, 2016

The Illinois Herb Association will celebrate this month’s Earth Day festivities during the 2016 HerbFest. The event will be held April 16 in Chillicothe, Illinois, at Chillicothe Public Library.

“The annual HerbFest was previously held in June and September, but this year will be moving to April in order to celebrate Earth Day and build nature into the program,” said Megan Greenhalgh, president, Illinois Herb Association. “We’re really looking forward to attracting more growers and herbalists with this schedule change.”

The event’s sessions will be hosted by a variety of speakers on several topics, including “Wild and Free – Harvest the Weeds,” “Herbs from the Garden to the Table,” and “An Herb Transplanting Workshop,” and attendees will also travel to Luthy Botanical Gardens for a short program, “Tremendous and Tantalizing Trees,” and a tour of the gardens.

The event is open to the public, with registration fees of $40 for Illinois Herb Association members and $45 for non-members. Pre-registration is due by April 8, and on-site registration will take place from 8:45 to 9:15 the day of the event. Same-day registration does not guarantee lunch.

Those interested in attending can download a registration form here.

Ag Groups, Conservation, Environment, Planting, specialty crops, Sustainability

USDA Offers $90 Million in Competitive Grants

Kelly Marshall April 4, 2016

The USDA will be making $90 million in competitive grants available to strengthen local food systems, develop market opportunities and support growers specialty crops.

The grants will be run through the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program, and the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program.

“Over the past seven years, USDA has strengthened local and regional food systems by investing in projects that recruit and train farmers, expand economic opportunities for small businesses and increase access to healthy foods,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “These grant programs make a real difference to farmers, ranchers, and businesses in communities across the country, revitalizing rural economies while also increasing access to fresh, healthy food.”

$62 million comes through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Applicants can apply through their state departments of agriculture. Applications are due by July 6, 2016. The Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program is offering $26 million in grants, divided equally between Farmers Market Promotion Program and the Local Food Promotion Program. Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program is offering nearly $1 million to state departments of ag, state colleges and universities and other state agencies. Grant applications must be submitted electronically through www.Grants.gov by May 12, 2016.

Help with grant writing is being offered through the Agricultural Marketing Service Technical Assistance Project. You can also get more information from www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants. The website also contains a link “What AMS Grant is Right for Me?” to guide you to the best fit for your project.

specialty crops, USDA

Merger Means Finalization of Landus Cooperatives

Kelly Marshall April 4, 2016

The final merger between Farmers Cooperative Company (FC) and West Central Cooperatives has been completed. Landus Cooperative is officially established.

The new farmer-owned agricultural cooperative is headquartered in Ames, Iowa. They have more than 725 full-time employees in more than 70 locations with approximately 7,000 members.

“While today’s signing ceremony to formalize Landus Cooperativeze is historic for our employees, our communities and the greater cooperative industry, we are focused on what this merger means for our customers and members going forward,” said newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Milan Kucerak who formerly served as President and CEO at West Central.

“Merging two strong cooperatives allows further diversification throughout the supply chain and opens local and global opportunities for added value and growth on behalf of our members,” added Kucerak. “In short, the purpose of this merger is to make two cooperative organizations better than either one could be separately for employees, members and customers.”

The new board members, executive team and information about the company can be found on the interim website, LandusCooperative.com. The full integration of both organization is still a work in progress, although preparation has been going on since the first membership vote was announced. The new logo will begin to appear, but the integration of accounting and operational systems will be unfolding over the next several months.

Kucerak stressed the cooperative’s transition plans for customers. “We plan to make this transition as easy and streamlined for our customers and their operations as possible.”

The new cooperative is n ow one of the largest grain storage companies in North America and has shuttle-loading access on all seven of Iowa’s major rail lines. They offer full precision agronomy services,expert marketing services and have a proprietary brand of soybeans along with their corn and soybean processing facility.

Agribusiness, Cooperatives

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