Two Essay Contest Winners Awarded on Ag Day

Lizzy Schultz March 18, 2016

Another agricultural award recipient present in Washington, D.C. on National Ag Day was Emily Dougherty, one winner of the Annual Ag Day Essay Contest.

The Annual Ag Day Essay Contest encourages students in 9th-12th grade to submit a written or video essay. This year’s contest theme was “Agriculture: Stewards of a Healthy Planet.” The winner of the video essay content was Ayodeji Ogunlana, South Texas High School for Health Professions, Mission, TX, and the winner of the written essay contest was Emily Dougherty, Whiteland Community High School, Greenwood, IN. More than 500 written essays were submitted by agriculture students across the country, and Emily was on hand during National Ag Day to read her essay, where she was also presented with a $1000 check.

“The same soil has continually been plowed and planted by my family for over 160 years. Every time I smell the sweet aroma of fresh tilled soil, I quickly think of the history behind the humble soil. My Great-Great-Great Grandpa cleared the forested land and hand dug a ditch so that he could have fertile farm ground. This land has provided for every generation since 1853. Now, my brothers and I have the honor to become the next generation of our family to farm the land. Generations before us have been phenomenal stewards of the land and now it is our turn to embrace technology to leave the land better than we received it,” reads one excerpt of the essay, entitled Stewardship for Generations.

Listen to the full winning written essay here:
2016 Ag Day Written Essay Contest Winner, Emily Dougherty

Watch the full winning video essay here:

View and Download Photos here: National Ag Day Activities Photo Album

Ag Day, Ag Groups, Audio, FFA, University

Meet the 2016 Charles Eastin Award Winner

Lizzy Schultz March 18, 2016

Christina O’Brien, Norz Hill Farm, Bridgewater, NJ, was awarded the 2016 Charles Eastin Award for encouraging communications between rural and urban audiences. The award was presented at the Celebration of Agriculture Dinner held at USDA in Washington, D.C. on National Ag Day, March 15, 2016.

O’Brien is involved with many organizations, keeping her focus on spreading the message of agriculture through education. She has served as a 4-H leader, running a workshop for “Science-sational day.” She also has brought in baby livestock to educating kids in grades 1-3, and ran a workshop in 2014 on making healthy dog biscuits using ingredients straight from the farm. Through her farm, Norz Hill, she has planned field days teaching kids how to care for livestock.

She serves as junior advisor to the New Jersey Holstein Association, and works with other advisors to plan youth competitions including quiz bowl, speeches, and trifolds/research. She has initiated a lease program for the Garden State Sheep Breeders and currently leases out her Oxford sheep to four inner city girls, ages 8-13. She was the 2010 County Dairy Princess, using her title to help plan and coordinate an event at the local YMCA that featured agriculture questions, prizes, milk and cheese, as well as healthy recipes for a well-balanced diet.

“It’s heartbreaking when I see kids from the city come on school trips who don’t know what a pig is or have never seen a horse before,” said O’Brien during her acceptance speech. “Our main goal is just to educate them, and I can’t stress how important agriculture and livestock both are.”

Listen to Christina’s full speech here:
Christina O'Brien Accepting Charles Eastin Award

View and Download Photos here:
National Ag Day Activities Photo Album

Ag Day, Ag Groups, Audio

Ag Day Address from John Deere Economist

Jamie Johansen March 17, 2016

The annual National Ag Day Celebration of Agriculture Dinner took place at the USDA building this year and Orion Samuelson graced goers with his unforgettable voice and career-long commitment to agriculture. JB Penn, Chief Economist, John Deere was honored to serve as the evenings keynote speaker, but even more humbled to be introduced by an icon in American agriculture.

“We are hear today to celebrate the role our industry plays in our national life, in our society and in our economy. Agriculture is one of the great success stories in the development of our country,” said Penn. “We also have great challenges to overcome if we are to continue making the same contributions in the future as in the past.”

The above served as theme throughout Penn’s address. He hit on some high-level accomplishments throughout history and key challenges set before us. He said our careers in agriculture are a higher calling because we are blessed to be able to feed the world’s growing population. Yet, might be the challenge of all time.

Listen to Penn’s complete speech to learn about other elements of success and future issues we have yet to overcome. One of the greatest might be the consumers perception of agriculture. Keynote Address from JB Penn, John Deere

View and download photos here: National Ag Day Activities Photo Album

Ag Day, Ag Groups, Audio, John Deere

Research Confirms Yield Advantage for LibertyLink

Kelly Marshall March 17, 2016

For the second year in a row, field tests show LibertyLink soybeans yield better than Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans.

A collaboration between multiple university researchers and cooperators planted side-by-side field trials across various soil types. The trials were designed to measure a yield comparison of both herbicide systems.

“We wanted growers to be able to look at the two systems and know how they compare,” said Pablo Ogallar, Bayer soybean product manager. “This was an apples-to-apples comparison, and this is the second consecutive year that LibertyLink soybeans varieties out-yielded Roundup Ready 2 Yield varieties.”

Growers like Douglas Huggenberger have had similar results in their own fields. “I’ve been using the LibertyLink system and I’ve been very happy with it,” Huggenberger says. “I have yet to find a weed that it can’t knock down, unlike when I was using a different system. I was having a few escapee weeds so I wanted to change up my weed management, so that’s why I went to the Liberty® system and it’s working great.”

Huggenberger continued, “Last year I had the best beans I’ve ever harvested. As for seeing any yield drag – I’ve never seen a yield drag on the Liberty beans at all. It’s an excellent system.”

LibertyLink is one of the ways Bayer is committed to bringing growers new technology and new solutions. For more information contact a local Bayer representative, or visit Crop Science, a division of Bayer, online at www.CropScience.Bayer.us.

Agribusiness, Bayer, Soybean

Register for ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference

Jamie Johansen March 17, 2016

Within the next 34 years, the world will add an extra 3 billion mouths to feed. What will that mean for humanity, or, perhaps even more importantly, the agriculture and food sectors responsible for nourishing them?

At ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference, held May 22-25 in Lexington, Ky., USA, attendees will explore this question with experts from around the world. A future of plenty is ours if individuals, the private sector, agriculture and governments make meaningful choices today that harness the power of technology, conserve resources and encourage innovation. The AgWired has covered every single Alltech conference and they don’t disappoint. I am looking forward to bringing this information back to you once again this year.

The agriculture industry is the linchpin in this equation, and ONE will feature a variety of relevant talks and breakout sessions on feed efficiency, farm management and profitability, crop innovation, algae and DHA, nutrition and genetic expression, immunity and gut health, alternative protein sources, international agribusiness opportunities and much more. With its topical blend of science, agriculture, entrepreneurship, business and marketing information, ONE will show attendees how they can make a real difference in our changing world.

The list of confirmed agriculture talks and breakout sessions at ONE grows by the day. Registration is open for the annual international conference that draws nearly 5,000 attendees from more than 60 countries. Conference registration is $1,095; save $200 if you register before the end of March. Don’t forget to join the conversation online with #ONEBigIdea.

Watch an invitation here.

Agribusiness, Alltech

Top Issues for @Better_Seed Annual Meeting

Cindy Zimmerman March 17, 2016

Registration is now open for the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) 133rd annual convention, to be held June 18-22 in Portland, Oregon. At the recent Commodity Classic, we got a preview of some issues that will be top of mind for seed trade executives at the meeting from ASTA CEO Andy LaVigne. For one, ASTA is currently working with the USDA on a revision of the biotechnology regulations, known as Part 340.

“One of the key concerns that we have is USDA in this process is looking at part 340 regulations, which are the coordinated framework on approvals for biotechnology products.” LaVigne said. “We want to make sure that we support what they are trying to do; they’re trying to improve the regulatory efficiency of predictability in the system….ensure that the definition on the scope of that stays with the biotechnology processes and doesn’t bring in the breeding processes.”

LaVigne says they are also keeping an eye on seed treatments reviews at the federal level, as well as what Congress might do about food labeling for genetically modified ingredients. “This has got to be a legislative fix, we can’t have a patchwork,” said LaVigne. “There’s got to be a way that has flexibility in it.”

Listen to my interview with Andy here: Interview with Andy LaVigne, ASTA

2016 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

ASTA, Audio, Biotech, Seed

AEM Report Shows Increase in Small Tractor Sales

Kelly Marshall March 17, 2016

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers says 2016 is continuing last year’s trend of growth in tractors under 40HP. The report shows sales were up in February of this year 26.2 percent, compared to 2015. The year-to-date growth is 19.7 percent.

2WD tractors between 40 and 100 HP are also up this year over last, with a growth of 5.8 percent in February and a year-to-date growth of minus .9 percent. This segment is still showing a lot of volatility and expected declines in farm income, specifically the 4.3 percent decrease in livestock receipts, will be a challenge for this market category.

“Small farm tractors under 40HP continue to shine in the current environment and the Ag Tractor and Combine Reports are hinting that 2016 is gearing up to look a lot like 2015,” said Charlie O’Brien, AEM senior vice president.

Larger production agriculture farm equipment such as the 2WD 100HP continued its double-digit declines. Moving into 2016, the 4WD farm tractor segment declined by single digits in January; however, the February report revealed a 43.6 percent decline year over year. Both categories are seeing the result of the lower commodity prices and still suffer from the large amounts of used inventories in the marketplace.

“While the 2016 farm income reports released last month by the USDA still shows a slight decline in expected income, it does look more like a stabilization of the industry,” continued O’Brien. “Looking at the Farm Business (NCFI) income, aside from regional differences, it appears that the income was up for most crop farms and down for most livestock farms, providing new opportunities.”

AEM, Agribusiness, Markets, Tractor

What should Congress do about GMO labeling?

Jamie Johansen March 17, 2016

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What do you look forward to most in spring?”

I don’t think it really matters who won this week’s poll. What really matters is Spring is right around the corner and Spring means new beginnings. Farmers are busy preparing their fields and livestock babies of all shapes and sizes are being born each day. I am looking forward to many things and warmer weather tops my list.

Here are the poll results:

Warmer weather – 38%
Green grass & flowers – 28%
Planting – 10%
Spring showers – 5%
Other -19%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What should Congress do about GMO labeling?

Despite the best efforts of Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS), the Senate failed to invoke cloture on the Biotechnology Labeling Solutions Bill in a 48-49 vote, blocking advancement of the legislation that would create a voluntary federal standard for labeling foods with genetically modified ingredients. Hundreds of agricultural organizations supported the Roberts bill and are disappointed in the outcome. What should be done now? Let us know how you feel.

ZimmPoll

Thirsty Land Needs Support for Debut

Kelly Marshall March 16, 2016

These days you can find Conrad Weaver hunkered down in his editing room, frantically putting the final touches on a project a long time in the making. His documentary, Thirsty Land, is scheduled to debut at the Water for Food global conference on April 24th. Its impact is sure to reach across the nation.

The project tells the story of the importance of water to agriculture and food production– or really the lack of water. While the film covers much of the American west, the focus is on the nation’s most severe drought. A drought that continues even though filming is complete.

“Kind of the heart of the film is in the Central Valley in California. And the impacts taking place there are still very significant. So we’re going to tell that story,” Weaver tells AgWired.

Weaver thanks his sponsors for their support in sharing this story with the world. Donors include individuals, associations, companies and corporations like Peter Irrigation, American Society of Agronomy, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Valley Irrigation and the Irrigation Association. And while the film will be ready for viewing in about a month the project is a long way from over.

“We are continuing to raise funds– what I’m calling finishing funds. Basically enough to put the final touches on this film and then for distribution, for marketing. And that’s really an urgent need right now, to get the funds to get the word out and to promote this project around the country. And so we are looking for people to come on board to do that,” Weaver explains.

To make a donation go to thirstylandmovie.com and click on the sponsorship tab. Donations go through the AgChat Foundation and are tax deductible.

The story of water affects us all, Weaver says. First is affects farmers and their employees, then the communities where they live, but eventually the drought will be felt as far away as his home state of Maryland.

AgWired will continue to sponsor this film with news coverage, so check back to hear more. Learn more about the movie and how you can be part of this story listen to the full interview here: Interview with Conrad Weaver, Thirsty Land

Audio, Water

National Ag Day Meet & Mingle

Jamie Johansen March 16, 2016

The National Ag Day Meet & Mingle Lunch took place in Washington D.C. drawing attendees to the Dirksen Senate Building for lunch and to once again hear from the legendary Orion Samuelson, WGN, who served as the events emcee.

Chad Garone took to the mic representing the Outstanding Farmers of America (OFA) and the 2015 class of Outstanding Young Farmers. OFA strives to foster better urban-rural relations, develop appreciation for their contributions and achievements and inform the agribusiness community of the growing urban awareness of farmers’ importance and impact on America’s economy.

Garone farms almonds, alfalfa, corn, wheat, potatoes, carrots, onions, watermelons and Angus cattle in California and addressed key challenges farmers and ranchers across the country are facing. Listen to his complete remarks here: Remarks from Chad Garone

Senator Cory Gardner, Colorado also spoke to those in attendance and was honored to be a part of celebrating agriculture. He has a strong legacy in agriculture growing up in a rural agricultural community learning the family business selling farm implements.

“I encourage each one of you to interact with policy makers, leaders, elected officials and share a story of who we are and what we do. What made this country great was the ability to produce our own food and fiber to feed and clothe, not only those in the United States, but the world. Agriculture is the backbone of our country. We can never give that up.”

Listen to all of Senator Gardner’s comments here: Remarks from Senator Cory Gardner, Colorado

View and download photos here: National Ag Day Activities Photo Album

Ag Day, Ag Groups, Audio, politics

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