Bayer #AgVocate Panel Tackles Food Biz Trends

Joanna Schroeder March 11, 2016

Frank Sesno talks with Ardent Mills CEO Dan Dye, Christine Daugherty of Tyson Foods, and Kelly Shea with WhiteWave Foods

Three food company executives took to the stage at the Bayer AgVocacy Forum in New Orleans last week to discuss global food business trends. Each gave prepared remarks before sitting down for a conversations with event emcee Frank Sesno.

Ardent Mills CEO Dan Dye said that his company is less than two years old and unique in that it is a joint venture between Cargill, CHS and ConAgra Foods. Their brand promise is to really focus on nourishing what’s next. He tells people that when they created Ardent Mills they didn’t just create a large flour milling company. “We actually created Ardent Mills to help change the way people think about food. What they eat; how they eat; and how we can be a part of that and a solution to that,” he said.

To learn more about Ardent Mills’ consumer mission, listen to Dan Dye: Dan Dye, Ardent Mills

Tyson Foods VP of Sustainable food production Dr. Christine Daugherty talked about how both women and men today feel guilty about the food they are preparing for themselves or their family. She asked the audience how the industry should address the issue and answered, “We need to make sure consumers understand what they’re eating and feel good about it. It’s safe, it’s affordable, it’s sustainable,” said Daugherty. She added that consumers expect food companies to give that assurance and to discuss things like how the animal was raised.

To learn more about how Tyson Foods is communicating to consumers about food, listen to Dr. Christine Daughtery’s remarks: Dr. Christine Daygherty, Tyson Foods

WhiteWave Foods Company VP, Government & Industry Relations Kelly Shea shared some information about her company including they have been America’s fastest growing food company four years in a row. She noted that Millennials will have the most spending power of all the charted demographics by 2017 and are estimated to account for 75 percent of food growth over the next 10 years. She added that today most consumers skew towards wanting a higher level of food safety; they want more transparency; ethical sourcing; and lower environmental impacts from their food. Seventy-five percent of Whitewave’s portfolio is organic or non GMO. “So Whitewave is in a pretty sweet spot when you think where shoppers are going.”

To learn more about Whitewave Food’s brand strategy listen to Kelly Shea’s remarks: Kelly Shea, Whitewave Foods

Bayer AgVocacy Forum Photos

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer

#Classic16 Corn and Wheat Scholarship Winners

Joanna Schroeder March 10, 2016

The number of scholarships presented by BASF Crop Protection and the various commodity organizations at Commodity Classic increases every year. Yea. It’s great to see so many young men and women take an interest in agriculture. We were able to interview some but not all of this year’s winners – but they are all outstanding.

The $1000 National Corn Growers (NCGA) William C. Berg Academic Excellence in Agriculture scholarships were awarded to five students including: Katie Peterson of Grove City, Minnesota, a sophomore studying political science at Gustavus Adolphus College; and Leah Schwinn of New London, Ohio, a junior studying agricultural communications and human animal interactions at Ohio State University.

Andrew Lauver of Rockwell City, Iowa, a graduate student studying agribusiness at Kansas State University, was another award winner. He grew up on a grain and livestock farm and received his undergraduate degree from Iowa State. Andrew said he has a great interest in agriculture and after he is done at Kansas State he’d like to study law and serve a rural community. In addition, he’d like to continue as a next generation farmer. Learn more about Andrew Lauver here: Interview with Andrew Lauver

Bethany Mordhorst of Ute, Iowa is a graduate student studying animal science at the University of Missouri. Her love of agriculture was kindled while growing up by being actively involved in 4-H and FFA and then got her undergrad at Iowa State. With her passion for research she headed to North Dakota State University where she studied the effects of dried distillers grains (DDGs) supplementation on gestating beef cattle. From there she landed at University of Missouri where she is working on her PhD. Learn more about Bethany and her research here: Interview with Bethany Mordhorst

Breanne Brammer of Gallatin, Missouri is a graduate student studying agriculture education at the University of Missouri. She grew up on a livestock farm, and growing up she showed cattle, hogs and horses. Her goal is to teach ag in the classroom and she said she really became inspired after spending time in Africa. While traveling she said she learned how education and international ag really tie together in order to feed the world and educate our growing population. Learn more about Breanne’s future here: Interview with Breanne Brammer

Moving on, the National Wheat Foundation awarded $1000 and $1500 Jerry Minore Memorial scholarships. Four students were selected, one of whom has now won all three of the commodity group scholarships, the first person to do so – Caleb Brannon. Two of the winners included Clay Schemm of Sharon Springs, Kansas, a sophomore studying biological and agricultural engineering at Kansas State University; and Samantha Wander of Bellville, Ohio, a freshman studying agriscience education at Ohio State University.

Caleb Brannon of Puryear, Tennessee is a senior studying agribusiness economics at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. He’s on a role winning his third scholarship. He grew up on the family farm that grows corn, soybeans and wheat, a unique situation for Brannon and one that allowed him to apply, and ultimately win a scholarship from each commodity group. Last summer he had a sales internship with Beck’s Hybrids and he said he loved it. When he graduates, he is hoping to go into some type of sales. Learn more about Caleb here: Interview with Caleb Brannon

Logan Simon of Columbia, Missouri is a junior studying plant sciences at the University of Missouri with an emphasis on breeding, biology and biotechnology. He works with the wheat breeding genetics lab at the University and they are breeding soft red winter wheat with an emphasis on breeding for scab resistance. His intentions are to stay at the University of Missouri and attend graduate school with the ultimate goal of becoming a wheat breeder. Learn more about Logan and his research here: Interview with Logan Simon

2016 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, Corn, Wheat

U.S. Ag Journalists – Register for IFAJ Congress in Germany

Chuck Zimmerman March 10, 2016

Registration is now open for the IFAJ 2016 Congress which will take place in Bonn, Germany. There are pre and post tours in addition to the main Congress. Find the program and registration information on the Congress website.

If you have never attended an IFAJ Congress then you really should consider it. Cindy and I have attended many of these fantastic events and now have friends and contacts all over the world. The IFAJ Congress is very different than our own “local” ag journalist meetings. The primary focus of the IFAJ Congress is on the culture and agriculture of the host country. This includes plenty of time on farms and plenty of time to talk with farmers and policy makers. Every country we’ve been to has welcomed us with open arms and some of the best food and beverage you can find. You come away more knowledgeable about this global agricultural business while creating good programming and editorial content when you return. One of the best parts for me is the mix of agricultural journalists of all types, print, web, tv, radio. IFAJ doesn’t make distinctions.

Another element of the Congress for me is seeing and working with young ag journalists from a variety of countries. They have some opportunities to attend with financial help and have a program of their own. There is some great talent out there if you want to look outside the border!

This year the host organization is the Association of German Agricultural Journalists (VDAJ). It was established in 1951 to promote agricultural journalism on the principles of freedom of the press and journalistic responsibility. It is a voluntary association with some 700 journalists, publicists and PR professionals who work in agriculture, forestry, food industry, horticulture and related fields. The Federal Association is made up of seven country groups. The office of the VDAJ is located in Friedrichsdorf.

IFAJ, International, Media, Video

New Holland Announces New IntelliSteer Technology

Lizzy Schultz March 10, 2016

New Holland announced a new addition to the PLM IntelliSteer integrated guidance system at the 2016 Commodity Classic. Andy Strickland, Western Region Sales Manager for New Holland’s precision products, was on hand during the event to talk more about PLM Intellisteer Light, and the benefits it offers growers across the nation.

PLM IntelliSteer Light was designed and developed to add assisted steering to tractors that do not come hydraulically equipped. The economical, easy to use guidance system can benefit growers with operations of all sizes, from its ability to function on smaller tractors that do not have hydraulics to the benefits it offers growers looking to add assisted steering to large tractors and combines.

“This is a great way to add assisted steering without the expense of hydraulics, and to add to a combine to make it operate efficiently and stay on the road,” said Strickland.

IntelliSteer Light is expecting a May 2016 Launch, and growers are encouraged to contact their dealers for more information.

Listen to Jamie’s full interview with Andy here:
Interview with Andy Strickland, New Holland

2016 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Ag Groups, Audio, Commodity Classic, Equipment, New Holland, Technology

AEM Talks Issues at #Classic16

Lizzy Schultz March 10, 2016

The Association of Equipment Managers (AEM) gave a press conference on several issues facing the industry during their inaugural year as an official affiliate of the 2016 Commodity Classic

A major concern highlighted in the press conference was infrastructure deterioration occurring across the nation, which impacts the transportation of commodities and food to market. Senior Vice President Charlie O’Brien called on the industry to support AEM’s Infrastructure 2050 Challenge, an initiative with a goal to inspire and craft a long-term vision for U.S. infrastructure by providing a platform for high-level thought leaders to contribute to and advocate for its development. The three-phased, crowdsourced competition will award $150,000 in prizes for innovative ideas.

“One of the questions we’re going to start asking a lot is what the future holds for U.S. infrastructure,” said O’Brien. “We’ll be asking this question this coming year through many different channels, and we’re looking for partners interested in working for us to promote the compelling stories that illustrate how important it is to address the issue of the crumbling U.S. infrastructure.”

More information on the Infrastructure Vision 2050 Challenge can be found here

Nick Tindall, Director of Government Affairs, also spoke on some of the issues AEM is working on in Washington, DC.

“I feel that one of the most important things that AEM brings to the agriculture advocacy group in Washington, D.C. is how we expand the scope of the impact of agricultural issues,” he said. “When a lot of law makers and policy makers in Congress think of something like crop insurance, they just think of farmers, but AEM is able to bring a different aspect to the conversation by highlighting how much these issues matter to industrial America.”

Listen to the full press conference here:
AEM Press Conference at Commodity Classic

2016 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

AEM, Audio, Commodity Classic

Former USDA Deputy Joins DuPont

Cindy Zimmerman March 10, 2016

The mystery about why Krysta Harden resigned as USDA Deputy Secretary was revealed last week as Commodity Classic was getting underway in New Orleans. Harden has joined DuPont as vice president of Public Policy & Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), succeeding Linda Fisher who elected to retire last month.

Harden will have responsibility for leading the company’s public policy and government affairs strategies, as well as its sustainability, philanthropy, product stewardship and global regulatory activities and will be based in Washington, D.C.

“Krysta comes to DuPont as a widely respected leader with exceptional experience in natural resource conservation, agriculture policy and sustainability,” said James Collins, DuPont executive vice president. “She brings an unmatched understanding of the emerging challenges and opportunities that DuPont is addressing to improve everyday lives for people and communities around the world as we create value for our customers and the marketplace. We are very pleased to welcome her to the company.”

As to when Harden might be replaced at USDA, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was uncertain when asked about it during a press conference at Classic. “We’re going through the process … It’s just a matter of time,” he said. “Hopefully, that person, if they are designated gets approved and confirmed, but recently the Senate has shown a reluctance to even have a hearing on some people.”

Agribusiness, Sustainability, USDA

Farmers Honored at Bayer #AgVocacy Forum

Kelly Marshall March 10, 2016

Last week Bayer recognized their 2016 winners at the AgVocacy Forum in New Orleans. Tyler Wegmeyer of Wegmeyer Farms in Virginia was honored with the Young Famer Sustainability Award. The Produce Innovation Award was given to Amy Machamer and Hurd Orchards from New York.

“We are proud to recognize two farmers who are committed to modern, sustainable agriculture and focused on strengthening the public’s connection with agriculture,” said Jim Blome, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience LP. “It’s an honor to work alongside people who are so passionate about their profession and dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others.”

Wegmeyer Farms, owned and operated by Tyler and Harriet Wegmeyer, grows traditional foods like strawberries, pumpkins and approximately 30 other specialty crops in addition to corn, soybeans and wheat, but the path to making this a successful operation is anything but traditional. His story begins on a dairy farm in Michigan and takes a turn into Washington D.C. where he worked for both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, as well as the American Farm Bureau Federation. His background has proven to him how important “AgVocacy” can be in creating public policy.

“I don’t take for granted how fortunate I am to be able to engage people,” Wegmeyer said in his speech in New Orleans. “People come to our farm and have that exposure to agriculture once, maybe twice a year. I’m able to engage with them, we’re able to engage with them, on a personal level. I don’t have a lot of land, but my foot print to expose people to agriculture I think is quite large, and the same goes for the other 7 percent that are involved in [direct market] agriculture. I think its that type of agriculture we need to put more resources in and get an understanding of ‘that’s how we tell our story.’ Its through these types of farms.”

You can hear more about Tyler in his acceptance speech: Tyler Wegmeyer, Young Farmer Sustainability Winner

Amy Machamer and her mother, Susan Hurd Machamer are sixth and seventh generation farmers on their fruit orchard in Holley, New York. You can find apples, sweet and sour cherries, peaches, nectarines, pears and other fruit on this 200-year-old farm. The demand for fresh fruit has risen as consumers become more health conscious, giving them access to a large number of people and making Hunt Orchards the kind of farm worthy of the Produce Innovation Award.

“We have a saying on our farm, that there are many versions of beautiful. And I would add, there are many versions of wonderful in agriculture. It is our privilege on our farm to continue to try to inspire people by sharing our version of agriculture in all its many colors and textures and rich fabric as authentically, as genuinely, as profoundly as we can,” Machamer says of her operation.

You can listen to Amy’s acceptance remarks here: Amy Machamer, Production Innovation Winner

Bayer AgVocacy Forum Photos

Agribusiness, Bayer

#Classic16 Shatters Records

Cindy Zimmerman March 10, 2016

The 2016 Commodity Classic in the Big Easy was a big record setter.

Total attendance was 9,770, compared to 7,936 in 2015. Another record set was in the number of growers attending, at 4,596. Additionally, the trade show featured an all-time high of 433 participating companies, including 128 first-time exhibitors. These exhibitors filled a record 253,300 net square feet of booth space, 49 percent more space 2015’s trade show in Phoenix.

“We had a great show in New Orleans, with terrific weather and a fantastic location,” said Commodity Classic Co-Chair Wesley Spurlock. “As it was the first time in that venue, and with a new affiliate – the Association of Equipment Manufacturers – we were expecting a great event and got what we expected. A lot of smiling faces and growers who left town more informed, engaged and energized as we head into planting season.”

The 22nd annual Commodity Classic will take place March 2-4, 2017, in San Antonio, Texas. Established in 1996, Commodity Classic is America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and trade show, produced by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

Your AgWired team gathered a ton of photos and interviews at the Classic, most of which have already been posted.
Find links to all of the posts that have been done on AgNewsWire:
2016 Commodity Classic

Also, check out the BASF Commodity Classic posts, which feature butterflies and milkweed, Maglis and scholarships, and more:
2016 @BASFAgproducts Science Behind

BASF Science Behind Living Acres Photo Album
2016 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Ag Groups, BASF, Commodity Classic, Corn

#LibertyLink #RealYield Grand Prize Winner

Cindy Zimmerman March 10, 2016

The grand prize winner in the Bayer LibertyLink Real Yield Game was revealed last week at the Commodity Classic to be Rick Juchems of Iowa, who received a year’s lease on a John Deere 8320R tractor.

Juchems is a corn and soybean farmer who also custom feeds hogs. He learned about the game from the Iowa FFA Alumni Association and played it because that meant the Iowa FFA would receive a $1 donation each time he played. In fact, so many Iowa farmers played the RealYield game that the Iowa FFA received a check for $7,480 from Bayer.

Juchems says he’ll be using the tractor to field cultivate where he’s hauled on hog manure. “I’ll put it on the no-till drill and I guess this fall we’ll haul loads with it,” he added.

Listen to an interview with the Real Yield game winner here: Interview with Rick Juchems, LibertyLink contest winner

2016 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Bayer, John Deere, Soybean

AFBF Urges Congress Not to Reduce Farm Programs

Kelly Marshall March 10, 2016

During the last farm bill the House and Senate Agriculture committees did their part to reduce government spending by drastically cutting funding for agriculture. Now the American Farm Bureau Federation and 254 other ag groups are calling for Congress to reject further cuts to farm programs. A recent letter to the Budget and Appropriations leaders opposes further reducing spending for conservation, nutrition assistance and the farm safety net.

Only two years ago the farm bill contributed a reduction of $16 billion over ten years to help meet the nation’s reform goals. Budget cuts involve difficult decisions and difficult actions. Some of those cuts are still being implemented today.

In addition to asking Budget and Appropriations leaders to oppose any additional cuts for the Agriculture Committees in the FY 2017 appropriations process, the groups also asked to oppose any proposals to re-open any title of the farm bill during the consideration of the 2017 Budget Resolution. The groups also requested that neither the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry nor the House Committee on Agriculture be subject to reconciliation instructions.

“The Congressional Budget Office projects that mandatory farm bill spending will decline over the next five years, while mandatory‎ federal spending outside the Agriculture committees’ jurisdiction will rise over the same time period,” the letter stated. “These committees have already done the hard work to make the difficult choices necessary to deliver bipartisan cuts, which the farm and food community have accepted in securing agriculture’s contribution to the goal of federal deficit reduction.”

You can read the letter here.

AFBF, Ag Groups

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