Farmers Saving Money with Propane

Joanna Schroeder March 8, 2016

Farmers are saving money with propane according to research conducted by the Propane Research and Education Council (PERC) on its Propane Farm Incentive Program. To learn more about the program and how farmers can get involved and save money, Chuck Zimmerman spoke with PERC’s Director of Agriculture Business Development Cinch Munson during Commodity Classic 2016 in New Orleans.

The results for 2015 are in, said Munson, and they follow the trends for the past five years. “Folks who switched to a propane irrigation engine from a diesel engine saw their energy costs go down 58 percent in 2015. So by making that switch they’re ending up with a lot of money in their pocket. Grain dryers a similar story. By upgrading their equipment from an old generation propane grain dryer to a new propane grain dryer people saved 42 percent on energy.”

Technology is changing; technology is getting better and equipment is so much more efficient, said Munson. He noted that when you combine that with the fact that propane supplies are up and propane prices are down, people who make the switch are seeing more money in their pockets.

To learn more about the Propane Farm Incentive Program, listen to Chuck’s interview with Cinch Munson: Interview with Cinch Munson, PERC

2016 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, PERC, Propane

Farm Shows Impact Farmers’ Buying Decisions

Jamie Johansen March 8, 2016

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How important are farm shows to farmers’ buying decisions?”

Farm equipment and technology are big investments for farmers and ranchers. Buying on the fly isn’t an option. Our latest poll confirms the need for farms shows that display the latest opportunities in the agriculture world.

Here are the poll results:

Very – 25%
Somewhat – 54%
Not at all – 13%
Depends – 8%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What do you look forward to most in spring?

Spring is knocking at our door and I will assume we are all beginning to get Spring Fever. What are you looking forward to most this spring? Is it simply warmer weather or are you dying to dive into spring cleaning?

ZimmPoll

NFU Convention Includes Address from Vilsack

Kelly Marshall March 8, 2016

National Farmers Union (NFU) member, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, addressed the 114th Anniversary Convention this week. He spoke about the uniqueness of American agriculture, asked Congress to act on the food labeling bill and encouraged increased trade with Cuba.

“It is important to focus, not just solely on large-scale production agriculture, but it is important to continue to focus on diversifying opportunities for all sizes of operations,” he said, receiving thunderous applause from NFU’s diverse membership.

With falling commodity prices Vilsack believes in the investments that have been made by the USDA to fortify rural America for occasions just like this. Investments include renewable fuels initiatives, new and beginning farers education programs, crop insurance, rural development grants and conservation programs.

His address also included a call to Congress to pass the food labeling bill. Vilsack explained the chaos of a state-by-state labeling environment. The confusion over genetically modified crops could lead to higher food prices, and also access issues. “Congress needs to address this, and they need to address it now,” he told the NFU.

The secretary encouraged the use of a “smart label” to give transparency to consumers while avoiding giving the wrong idea about food safety. “If Congress is unwilling to make these tough decisions…then delegate the responsibility to the Department of Agriculture,” Vilsack said. “We’ll be happy to make the tough decision.”

Another tough issue Vilasck says Congress needs to address is the Cuba trade embargo. The U.S. should “absolutely own that market,” was his quote.

Vilsack’s message was well received by the National Farmers Union. His priorities echo the organization’s, says President Roger Johnson.

Events, USDA

StollerUSA and NSP Announce Sorghum Shootout

Lizzy Schultz March 8, 2016

The National Sorghum Producers (NSP) announced the installment of Sorghum Shootout, a new grower program, during the 2016 Commodity Classic. The announcement was made with the support of StollerUSA, NSP’s newest gold partner and Sorghum Shootout sponsor.

The Shootout, set to begin in May, is the latest installment of a yield contest held by NSP over the past three years, which intends to help sorghum producers reach a yield goal of 250 bushels per acre. The campaign chronicles the intense management styles of award-winning growers on their journey to hit milestone records while using ROI-driven techniques and inputs. Followers will get a sneak peek into the unique, intense management styles utilized by each grower throughout the year as they identify their goals, face real-time challenges, develop strategies to overcome those challenges and make in-season adjustments to maximize yield potential.

“We really want to push for those yields and try to have growers see the yield potential that we feel sorghum has,” said Jennifer Blackburn, NSP External Affairs Director. “We want to see the genetic potential of sorghum realized, and we’re really excited to have industry support from Stoller to help us meet this goal.”

Listen to my full interview with Jennifer here:
Interview with Jennifer Blackburn, National Sorghum Producers

A team of StollerUSA agronomists will be directly involved with participating growers throughout the season, helping them adjust and adapt to the season’s changing weather and input patterns. StollerUSA will also provide growers with products needed throughout the season.

The sorghum industry has recently seen unprecedented gains in both production and sales as international demand continues to develop for the crop and new markets continue to open up. Export demand is extremely strong for the hearty, water efficient crop, and NSP is seeing increased support and investment from industry partners like StollerUSA.

“Sorghum is an enticing market for Stoller. There are a number of sorghum acres that are untapped in other states, and as the sorghum market continues to grow and more acres continue to get planted, I think there’s a lot that we can do to help those growers succeed; it seems like its going to be a great fit,” said Jeff Morgan, Marketing Director for StollerUSA. “I hope our relationship with sorghum producers is a long one.”

Listen to my full interview with Jeff here:
Interview with Jeff Morgan, StollerUSA

2016 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Ag Groups, Audio, Commodity Classic, NSP, sorghum

Bayer #AgVocacy Forum Talks Antibiotic Resistance

Lizzy Schultz March 8, 2016

Bayer Crop Science held a series of panels covering a variety of important topics during an #AgVocacy Forum at the 2016 Commodity Classic last week in New Orleans. Discussion surrounded antibiotic resistance in crops, animals, and humans, and how all three of those industries must share equal responsibility in terms of prioritizing antibiotic stewardship in their fields. The panel included experts in each of the three healthcare industries involved in the discussion.

Dr. Anne Kobecky Vidaver, Professor Emeritus at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has held a number of leadership roles in her field, including the Chair of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Plant Pathology, Chief Scientist for the USDA Research Initiative the Board President of the HAW Institute for Alternative Agriculture, and Chair of the Food and Ag Committee of the American Society for Microbiology’s Public and Scientific Affairs Board.

Dr. Margaret Riley, Professor of Biology at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, received her PhD from Harvard University before receiving a faculty position at Yale University, where she remained for 15 years and developed internationally renowned research program in antimicrobial drug discovery. She co-founded a biopharmaceutical company, Bacteriotix, LLC, and the Institute for Drug Resistance, whose mission is to facilitate novel multi-disciplinary approaches to address the challenge of drug resistance.

Dr. Tim Landers, Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University, has focused his research on epidemiology, preventing antibiotic resistance, and practical, evidence-based strategies to prevent infections. His research on MRSA transmission among pet owners has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and his current lab is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for a project on patient-centered hand hygiene as a means of reducing antibiotic resistance.

Listen to their comments here:
Bayer #AgVocate News Panel

Bayer AgVocacy Forum Photos

Ag Groups, Animal Health, Audio, Bayer, Research, University

GROWMARK is Ready to Celebrate National Ag Day

Kelly Marshall March 8, 2016

National Ag Day will be celebrated next week on March 15. GROWMARK and its FS and grain member companies will be sponsoring the day with local and national activities to recognize the importance of agriculture. Some of the activities in include involvement with the state and federal legislative process, Agriculture in The Classroom, and ag literacy efforts.

“Ag Day is an opportunity to continue to educate consumers of all ages. From the food we eat to the products we use, farmers and American agriculture are feeding, fueling, and clothing a growing world,” said Chuck Spencer, GROWMARK Executive Director of Corporate and Government Relations.

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) hosts National Ag Day on March 15, 2016 which falls during National Ag Week from March 13-19. GROWMARK and its FS and grain member cooperatives are sponsors of ACA Ag Day activities. The ACA is a nonprofit organization that strives to increase the public’s awareness of agriculture and its important role in modern society.

This year marks the 43rd National Ag Day. The theme is “Stewards of a Healthy Planet.”

Ag Day, Events, GROWMARK

#FlexMyChoice Massages at #Classic16

Cindy Zimmerman March 7, 2016

Visitors to the 2016 Commodity Classic had the opportunity to voice their support for Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) and relax their aching muscles at the same time at the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) booth.

It was the first opportunity for RFA to get their recently launched “Flex My Choice” campaign in front of the agriculture industry and Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White says many of the people they spoke to at Classic had no idea that auto makers were cutting their production of FFVs. “It doesn’t matter what part of agriculture you’re coming from, the phasing out or elimination of flex fuel vehicles will be devastating to the advancement and growth of our industry,” said White.

Beginning this year, the fuel economy credits given to auto makers for building flex fuel vehicles were phased out. “Ironically, now we have incentives for natural gas vehicles, so we’re encouraging fossil fuel usage over an alternative like E85,” White said.

Classic attendees who visited the RFA booth were able to fill out post cards to be sent to the main three automobile manufacturers, as well as EPA. While doing that, they were also able to get a nice chair massage, which was welcome relief for many who spent the day walking through the huge trade show catering to corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum farmers.

Visit FlexMyChoice.org to add your voice for choice and learn more in this interview: Interview with Robert White, RFA, at Commodity Classic

2016 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Audio, Commodity Classic, Corn, Ethanol, RFA

#AgVocate Panel Talks About Food News

Joanna Schroeder March 7, 2016

When it comes to food, what makes the news? This was a topic that was discussed by a panel at the Bayer AgVocate Forum last week in New Orleans. On the panel were Agri-Pulse president Sara Wyant; Forbes contributor and author Kavin Senapathy; and freelancer Lorie Farrell.

When asked what is news to you, Lorie said she and her colleagues have been debating that, what is news? But she said news to her was anything people are talking about that relates to food and crop agriculture. Every morning Kavin looks at what’s trending on Facebook and Twitter and if it affects families their health or their wallets then it’s news. While Sara said you do have to see what’s happening each day but she tries to believe in the Wayne Gretzky theory of journalism and she wants to be thinking about where the puck is going and not where’s it’s been. So she and her team try to think a little beyond the news cycle but what’s going to be in the news as much as what’s hitting day to day.

So where is it going? The coverage of food in mainstream media? Sara said one big topic is the GMO labeling debate and the fact that the Senate Ag Committee has moved the ball and obviously the presidential campaign. Whereas Lorie said for her it’s pesticides. She lives in Hawaii and said pesticides, or crop protection, is a big concern on the big island. She also noted that consumers use pesticides while the industry uses crop protection and there is a huge fear among consumers around pesticides being driven by organizations such as Center for Food Safety, and the ag industry needs to address these concerns head on.

Kavin said when covering health and disease she usually finds a connection somewhere to agriculture. For example, she said when the Zika outbreak started hitting the news she had a feeling some sort of ag-related conspiracy was going to pop up and it did.

Learn more about food and the news by listening to the full panel discussion: Food News #AgVocate Panel

Here’s where you can find lots of photos: Bayer AgVocacy Forum Photos

Audio, Bayer, Food

Young Charity Founder is #AgVocate

Cindy Zimmerman March 7, 2016

At 12 years of age, Braeden Mannering has accomplished more for the less fortunate than the majority of adults in this country combined.

With the face of an angel, combined with wisdom and compassion beyond his years, the founder of Brae’s Brown Bags, has become a crusader for the hungry and an AgVocate in his own right.

Speaking at the Bayer AgVocacy Forum in New Orleans last week, Braeden said his mission and agriculture are connected because both have the goal of feeding people. “I am an AgVocate because I believe that all of us can help end hunger, we can work together, we can make a difference,” he said. “We all have the power to be part of the solution – whether you are nine years old, 12 years old, or even 85 years old.”

Listen to this inspiring young AgVocate here: Braeden Mannering, presentation

I also had the chance to interview Brae: Interview with Braeden Mannering, Brae's Brown Bags

Bayer AgVocacy Forum Photos

Audio, Bayer, Food

Puppy Giveaway Draws Community to #MSFGS2016

Lizzy Schultz March 7, 2016

The Mid-South Farm & Gin Show is famous for its tradition of hosting a daily puppy giveaway, and the giveaway brought an incredible crowd of attendees from throughout the surrounding communities, regardless of their involvement in the agriculture sector.

Sur-Shot Retrievers has been involved with the event for the last fourteen years, giving out puppies each year as a way to show support for the local community and agriculture sector. Two black lab puppies were picked as this year’s special prizes, and have stayed close with many of the giveaway winners throughout the years.

“We keep in touch with the winners and get to see a lot of the previous winners each year,” said Josh Smith, of Sure Shot Retrievers, at an interview during the event. “We even had a lady here today who had drawn a puppy here nine years ago.”

Listen to Josh’s full interview here:
Interview with Josh Smith, Sur-Shot Retrievers

2016 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album

Coverage of the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show is sponsored by

Ag Groups, Audio, Events

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