Farm Bureau Donates to Hungry Americans

Kelly Marshall February 25, 2016

Farm Bureau‘s “Harvest for All” program raised more than $1.1 million and a record of 48 million pounds of food this year. Both monetary and food donations combined mean a grand total of 49 million meals will be served to hungry Americans.

The program, run by the Young Farmers & Ranchers program, is now in its 14th year. Along with AFBF, 19 state Farm Bureaus worked together to raise the food and funds and logged almost 16,000 volunteer hours.

“We’re pleased to continue Farm Bureau’s long tradition of helping nourish those who need help the most,” said Cole Coxbill, a rancher and crop farmer from Wyoming who chairs the AFBF YF&R committee. “More than 50 percent of Americans that struggle with hunger live in rural areas and farming communities. Through the coordinated efforts of America’s farmers and ranchers and Harvest for All, we’re helping to lower that statistic.”

The California Farm Bureau took top honors for donating the most food in 2015, 17.5 million pounds. Illinois Farm Bureau raised the most money, $998,000. Illinois Farm Bureau also tallied the most volunteer hours, 5,675. Thanks to the generosity of Chevrolet, each of those state organizations received a $1,250 grant to donate to a local food bank of their choice or for another Harvest for All project.

Second-place winners were the Florida Farm Bureau for food donated at 16 million pounds; Michigan Farm Bureau for donated funds at $32,600; and Florida Farm Bureau for volunteer time at 4,975. Each of the second-place winners received a $750 grant from Chevrolet to donate to the local food bank of their choice.

In addition, three state YF&R committees received $500 grants from Chevrolet for “most innovative” programs. Those winners were California, Illinois and North Carolina.

Farm Bureau considers the program to be one of their most important. Many Americans are still struggling to feed their families, despite the improvement in the economy.

AFBF, Ag Groups, Food

Almost Time to Pack Bags for Commodity Classic 2016

Jamie Johansen February 25, 2016

The 2016 Commodity Classic is right around the corner, held March 3-5 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event promises to be the biggest ever, with the largest trade show in event history and record attendance. The AgWired Team will be their in full-force to cover it all thanks to our sponsors BASF and New Holland Agriculture.

“Commodity Classic is all about helping farmers become even better at what they do. The quality, relevance and diversity of these Learning Center Sessions is a direct result of the farmer-focused, farmer-driven focus at Commodity Classic,” said Commodity Classic Co-Chair Wesley Spurlock, a Texas corn farmer. “Farmers review the proposals for Learning Center Sessions and select those that will have the greatest value and bottom-line impact for their colleagues who attend the event. We want farmers to leave Commodity Classic feeling better informed, inspired and energized.”

If you are planning on attending, I suggest downloading the Commodity Classic mobile app to build your own schedule, receive alerts and keep up on event details. If you can’t attend, don’t worry. We will be posting daily on our sites as well as live tweeting. Be sure to give @AgWired and @PrecisionAgNews a follow on Twitter.

Agribusiness, BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

GMO Labeling Bill Mark Up Delayed

Cindy Zimmerman February 25, 2016

A meeting by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to consider the Chairman’s Mark on Biotechnology Labeling Solutions has been postponed until next week. The committee meeting was scheduled for today but is being delayed due to “changes on the Senate floor.”

The chairman’s proposed legislation has been endorsed by the Coalition for Safe, Affordable Food, which has sent a letter of support including signatures from more than 650 farmers, cooperatives, agribusinesses, processors, seed makers, handlers, food and feed manufacturers, lenders, and retailers. The letter urges the U.S. Senate to take quick action “to avoid the economic costs of a patchwork of state laws that will directly impact consumers, farmers, and the entire food value chain.”

“Our draft has the overwhelming support of virtually every agricultural industry from field to fork and beyond,” Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) said. “This demonstrates the widespread concerns of significant and critical sectors of our economy regarding the urgent need to address biotech labeling before the patchwork of state laws harms producers and consumers.”

A new date for the committee meeting to consider the Chairman’s Mark has yet to be announced.

Biotech, GMO

NFU Contests TPP Benefits for Ag

Cindy Zimmerman February 25, 2016

The National Farmers Union was unimpressed with the economic analysis on the benefits of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) for agriculture released by Farm Bureau this week and promoted by USDA.

“To broadly categorize agriculture as benefiting from this agreement is not giving due diligence to the serious concerns that are not addressed by TPP,” said NFU president Roger Johnson. “While access to global markets is important for American agriculture, a trade agreement that does little to fix currency manipulation, reign in foreign predatory trade practices, or improve the $531 billion trade imbalance is not the solution.”

NFU stands adamantly opposed to the trade agreement which the majority of agricultural organizations support, claiming that TPP “stands to hurt our rural economies by pitting American jobs against foreign labor that is paid mere pennies per hour.” The Farm Bureau analysis estimates the TPP would boost annual net farm income in the United States by $4.4 billion by dismantling trade barriers and increasing commodity prices.

AFBF, Trade

Senators Cochran & Thune Honored by Ag Retailers

Chuck Zimmerman February 24, 2016

The Agricultural Retailers Association recently recognized two legislators who have lead efforts to defend the industry’s freedom to operate: Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.). Both were named ARA’s 2015 Legislator of the Year.

ARA recognized Sen. Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, for his determined efforts on behalf of the agricultural industry during his years of service in the Senate. Recently, Cochran was instrumental in providing agricultural retailers with urgent regulatory relief from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Process Safety Management Standard in the Fiscal Year 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act. In the photo Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) accepts the 2015 Agricultural Retailers Association Legislator of the Year award from ARA President & CEO Daren Coppock. They are joined by ARA Chairman Harold Cooper, Premier Ag; Andrew Duff, Pinnacle Ag Holdings; and Dave Dufault, J.R. Simplot.

“It was very thoughtful to be recognized in this way‎,” Cochran added. “I’m flattered and appreciate the honor.”

Listen to Senator Cochran’s response here: Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.)

Sen. Thune has been prominent in pressing another vital policy issue for agricultural retailers: transportation. In the photo Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) accepts his award from Steve Briggs, South Dakota Wheat Growers; and Dufault during a visit to the Congressman’s office February 2.

In addition to his steadfast support of the agricultural industry, ARA recognized Sen. Thune, chairman of the Transportation Committee, for his efforts to reform the Surface Transportation Board, address the Positive Train Control deadline, and enact a multi-year surface transportation reauthorization bill.

Thune has also been outspoken about the Environmental Protection Agency’s redefinition of Water of the United States under the Clean Water Act.

“The administration is very intent on regulating ditches, ponds and puddles, which is a tremendous overreach,” Thune said. “[Expansion of WOTUS] causes great economic harm to farmers, ranchers and small business owners. It’s a detriment and a barrier to a prosperous ag economy.”

Listen to Senator Thune’s response in my interview with him here: Interview with Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.)

ARA presents its Legislator of the Year award annually to a member, or members, of Congress who champion legislation important to the agricultural retail industry. The awards were presented as the ARA Board of Directors visited Congressional offices earlier this month.

Ag Groups, ARA, Audio

Facebook & Twitter Top Social Media Outlets in Ag

Jamie Johansen February 24, 2016

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What is your favorite social media outlet for agriculture?”

It’s a tie! The two oldest forms of social media, Facebook and Twitter, rose to the top. When it comes to social media marketing in the agricultural field they ring tried and true. I still encourage people to step out of their comfort zones and see what other platforms have to offer. It is 2016 and social media is here to stay. Embrace it!

Here are the poll results:

Facebook – 44%
Twitter – 44%
Instagram – 5%
YouTube – 4%
Pinterest – 3%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, How important are farm shows to farmers’ buying decisions?

Thousands of farmers and ranchers take in farm shows nationwide. Agribusinesses invest big marketing dollars to share their latest news and info to attendees. We are on the road year-round covering these shows and want to know if they impact buying decisions?

ZimmPoll

Largest Indoor Ag Trade Show Meets Expectations

Jamie Johansen February 24, 2016

The National Farm Machinery Show continues to be one of the largest-attended events at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Held Feb. 10 – 13 this year, attendees, exhibitors and agribusiness professionals totaled 295,258. Our team has brought you audio and photos from the event and want to once again thank our sponsors New Holland Agriculture and FMC. You can find our complete coverage at AgNewsWire.AgWired.com.

Known as the largest indoor agriculture trade show in the U.S., the event brings an economic impact of $20 million annually and fills hotels and restaurants throughout Louisville. Attendees come from across the nation and include delegations from Argentina, Italy, Germany, England and China.

“This is a show for the record books,” said Kentucky State Fair Board President and CEO Rip Rippetoe. “We expanded the number of exhibitors to 880 and introduced the expertise and advocacy arm of the American Equipment Manufacturers to increase our position as one of the most important agricultural trade shows in the nation.”

View and download our photos from the event here: 2016 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by

and

Agribusiness, Audio, Farm Shows, FMC, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland, NFMS

AFBF and USDA Team to Unveil TPP Benefits Report

Cindy Zimmerman February 24, 2016

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall got together to discuss the benefit of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) for agriculture as AFBF released an economic analysis of the pending trade agreement. “Until today, we didn’t have a specific documented review or study of that benefit,” said Vilsack, said in thanking Farm Bureau for doing the analysis.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack with AFBF president Zippy Duvall in 2013 when Duvall was president of Georgia FB.

According to the analysis, TPP will help level the playing field for U.S. agricultural exports to 11 nations across the Pacific Rim and boost annual net farm income in the United States by $4.4 billion, compared to not approving the pact. Vilsack notes that the agreement reduces “18,000 tariffs and taxes … many of those are in or for agricultural products” which increases demand for American exports such as meat, dairy, fruits, and grains.

“TPP will mean a boat-load of expanded exports and increased demand for America’s agricultural products,” Duvall said. “Clearly, America’s farmers and ranchers have much to gain from approval of TPP and we support its ratification. American agriculture is a growth industry, and to continue that trend, we must expand our market opportunities.”

AFBF’s analysis forecasts farm-price increases for corn (5 cents per bushel), soybeans (12 cents per bushel), wheat (2 cents per bushel) and rice (16 cents per hundredweight). While cotton prices are not projected to change, cash receipts are projected to increase by $21 million. AFBF also predicts price increases for beef ($2.66 per hundredweight), pork ($2.45 per hundredweight) and poultry ($1.40 per hundredweight). In the dairy sector, prices will increase for butter ($2.81 per hundredweight), cheese ($1.68 per hundredweight), nonfat dry milk ($1.29 per hundredweight) and all milk (21 cents per hundredweight).

While procedural steps along the way will take time, Duvall said “the sooner TPP is ratified, the better it will be for American agriculture.”

Listen to the press call here: USDA-AFBF on TPP Benefits to Ag

AFBF, Audio, Trade

Passing of Jack Farmakis

Chuck Zimmerman February 23, 2016

We just learned that Jack Farmakis has passed away and are saddened to hear it. Once upon a time his company represented the first company that Cindy, Gary Cooper and I started in Florida. And his company now represents Gary’s Southeast AgNet and AgNet West.

Jack was an active member of NAFB since 1974 and left his mark on the industry. On his NAFB membership application, Jack wrote: “As a firm that is 100% active in agriculture, I want to be active in NAFB!!” Jack was involved with ag selling since the 1950s and eventually founded his national sales firm, J.L. Farmakis, Inc. in the 1970s. The NAFB family extends our sympathy to the Farmakis family and the J.L. Farmakis team.

You can find more information from the announcement from NAFB here.

Media, NAFB

New Holland Launches Marketing Technology Platform

Chuck Zimmerman February 23, 2016

The AgNerd in me was very interested in the announcement by New Holland about launching a new dealer marketing services platform created by SproutLoud.

The cutting-edge new platform features a highly-advanced tool loaded with preapproved messaging and images to ensure brand consistency—which equips its US and Canada dealers with expanded options for advertising and marketing and increases the agility and seamlessness of their individualized and customizable marketing efforts.

To learn more I spoke with Tony Resh, Regional Marketing Manager, New Holland. Tony says the new tool is called AMP Control Center – Activate, Market, Promote. He says it allows dealers to enhance their presence in the digital marketplace with features a user interface that is very simple to operate (think 1 click), customizable print or digital ads, dealer search engine optimization and marketing, automated and customizable social network posts and more.

You can listen to my interview with Tony to learn more: Interview with Tony Resh, New Holland

Agribusiness, Audio, New Holland

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