Celebrate National FFA Week

Kelly Marshall February 19, 2016

Next week, February 20-27, more than half a million students will celebrate the role of agriculture in our daily lives. National FFA Week encourages students to raise awareness and share the message of agriculture throughout the country. The week, chosen to encompass George Washington’s birthday, runs Saturday to Saturday.

The weeklong tradition, which began in 1948, was designated by the National FFA Board of Directors in recognition of Washington’s legacy as an agriculturalist and farmer. FFA was founded by a group of young farmers back in 1928. Its mission is to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population. Founding members of the organization taught generations that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting — it involves science, business and more.

Today, FFA continues to help the next generation rise up to meet new agricultural challenges by helping members develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of career pathways. Members progress to enjoy careers as biologists, chemists, veterinarians, engineers and entrepreneurs.

Across the national FFA chapters will be sharing the message of ag with students and with their communities, as well as recruiting new members. The six national officers will visit chapters across the country, and alumni and sponsors will also advocate for ag education.

Tuesday, February 23 is “Give FFA Day,” a day to encourage the public to support causes that will impact FFA members. Donations can be made at FFA.org/giveFFAday.

Use the hashtag #FFAweek on social media, and follow along with Tractor Supply Company, the official sponsor of FFA week.

Ag Groups, Education, FFA

More Bayer LibertyLink Real Yield Game Winners

Chuck Zimmerman February 19, 2016

Thanks to social media we can share a picture of one of the second round of winners in the Bayer CropScience LibertyLink Real Yield Game. Here’s Bill Graff who won a year’s supply of LibertyLink Soybeans and Liberty herbicide. He’s also going to Commodity Classic!

So here’s the list of final winners:

Winner #4
William Graff, Illinois
Year’s supply

Winner #5
Janson Patterson, Alabama
Year’s supply

Tractor Winner
Rick Juchems, Iowa

I believe the big winner will be announced at Commodity Classic and we’ll let you know who it is. Congrats to all winners.

Agribusiness, Bayer, Soybean

Vilsack Makes 7th Appearance at Commodity Classic

Kelly Marshall February 19, 2016

The 2016 Commodity Classic will play host to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack. In his seventh visit to the nation’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and trade show the secretary will give the keynote address during the General Session on Friday, March 4th.

“Secretary Vilsack continues to be a strong voice for farmers and ranchers, and we are jazzed to welcome him back to Commodity Classic,” said National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling. “Secretary Vilsack brings a thoughtful perspective on the top policy issues affecting the ag industry. We are especially eager to hear from him about the new Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement and how that will impact farmers, ranchers, and the rural economy.”

“Commodity Classic is a wonderful opportunity for Secretary Vilsack to get his message out directly to thousands of farmers, but also to hear from them directly during the convention and trade show,” said American Soybean Association President Richard Wilkins. “We are grateful for his leadership and advocacy, and the audience always looks forward to his insights.”

Secretary Vilsack was appointed by President Barack Obama as the 30th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and took office in January 2009. He is the fourth-longest serving Secretary of Agriculture in U.S. history. Previously, Vilsack served two terms as governor of Iowa.

Commodity Classic is produced by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. For more information visit www.CommodityClassic.com.

Commodity Classic, Events, USDA

Nancy DeLong Named Interim Director of CTIC

Kelly Marshall February 19, 2016

Nancy DeLong will be serving as interim executive director of the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) Board of Directors. She will begin her new post on February 22, when Karen Scanlon leaves to join Dairy Management, Inc.

“Nancy is the perfect choice for CTIC’s interim executive director,” said Alan Ayers of Bayer CropScience, CTIC board chair. “She knows the organization, its staff and board well, she’s been active in ag sustainability issues for many years and she brings vast experience and knowledge about ag conservation as well as. We are delighted to bring her leadership to CTIC to guide us through this transition.”

Nancy most recently served as the DuPont Pioneer Global Director of Sustainable Agriculture Systems directing efforts in conservation-based agriculture to help farmers and ranchers protect their freedom to operate and improve their livelihoods while being the best stewards of natural resources. While in that role, Nancy served on CTIC’s Board of Directors until leaving DuPont Pioneer in January 2016.

Prior to joining Pioneer in 1990, Nancy worked in the financial and insurance services industries in human resources and has worked as a college career counselor. Nancy has a Bachelor of Science, with honors, in Psychology from the University of Iowa, and a Master of Science in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She serves on the Sand County Foundation Board, Iowa Soybean Association Research Advisory Council and Dallas County Conservation Board in Iowa.

“Nancy’s years of experience working with agriculture industry, public agencies and a vast network of agriculture and conservation stakeholders will serve us well as she helps to advance CTIC’s many coordinated projects and watershed activities,” said Lara Moody of The Fertilizer Institute, CTIC board vice chair.

The search for a full-time executive director is underway. For more information, visit http://www.ctic.org/CTIC HOME/Careers/.

CTIC

USDA Secretary at #Ethanol Conference

Cindy Zimmerman February 19, 2016

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited the National Ethanol Conference this week for the last time in the position he has held under President Obama for both terms.

During his appearance, Vilsack announced some good news for the ethanol industry – new research showing significant improvement in ethanol production efficiency.

According to the study, between 1991 and 2010, direct energy use in corn production has dropped by 46 percent per bushel of corn produced and total energy use per bushel of corn by 35 percent. Moreover, between 2005 and 2010, direct energy use fell by 25 percent and the total energy use by 8.2 percent per bushel—meaning that between 2005 and 2010, the energy required per bushel of corn produced dropped by about 5 percent.

“The bottom line is, today, more energy is being produced from ethanol than is used to produce it, by factors of 2 to 1 nationally and by factors of 4 to 1 in the Midwest. There are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of the bio-economy and the role biofuels and advanced biofuels will play in that future, and I am confident this administration has acted aggressively to expand the groundwork to support that brighter future,” Vilsack said.

Listen to Vilsack’s address to the NEC here: USDA Secretary Vilsack at NEC16

Vilsack answers press questions on Cuba, FFVs, ethanol efficiency and more – Sec'y Vilsack NEC press avail

2016 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, Corn, Ethanol, RFA, USDA

FMC Highlights Ethos XB at #NFMS16

Cindy Zimmerman February 19, 2016

All farmers want to protect and nurture every seed from the moment they place it in the ground, and that is exactly what FMC’s Ethos XB is designed to do.

With planting season just around the corner, FMC portfolio manager Rick Ekins was telling growers at the National Farm Machinery Show last week about this insecticide/fungicide in-furrow solution that offers broad spectrum control against soil pests and diseases throughout the critical growth stage when most yield potential for corn is set.

“If we can provide an environment for that seedling to really grow and thrive and survive the pest pressures in the ground … that’s the concept behind Ethos XB,” said Ekins.

Ethos XB combines the proven Liquid Fertilizer Ready (LFR®) formulation with a biofungicide component that forms a protective biofilm over roots and root hairs to defends against pathogens. “It’s a broad spectrum protection product for Pythium and Rhizoctonia – diseases that are of utmost importance to growers early in the season,” Ekins added.

Learn more in this interview” Interview with Rick Ekins, FMC on Ethos XB

2016 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by

and

Audio, Crop Protection, FMC, NFMS

Pollinators Part of @GROWMARK Endure Program

Cindy Zimmerman February 19, 2016

Protecting pollinators is part of the GROWMARK sustainability initiative called ENDURE.

“Sustainability is a very hot topic in the world today,” said GROWMARK Director of Strategic Agronomy Marketing Lance Ruppert. “As a company we’re trying to look at our internal actions to be sustainable as a system and get that message out.”

Because pollinator health is so critical, Ruppert says GROWMARK started a pollinator program as part of ENDURE. “We have access through our seed division of pollinator mixes of flowers people can grow to promote bee health,” said Ruppert. “So all of our members across Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ontario are participating in the program to plant pollinator gardens to promote bee health.”

Ruppert says all members are given enough seeds to plant up to ten acres of pollinator friendly flowers. “So our members are going to divide that up in 2-5 locations…so you could potentially see 100-125 pollinator gardens from our members,” he said.

Learn more in this interview: Interview with Lance Ruppert, GROWMARK Agronomy

Audio, Bees, GROWMARK, pollinators, Sustainability

Don’t Let Sauce Slip From Your Chili Dog

Chuck Zimmerman February 18, 2016

Have you ever eaten a chili dog with a fork and knife? I hope not. It’s just not proper etiquette or necessary. But then how do you eat one without dripping the sauce all over the place. With the help of the Queen of Wein, National Hot Dog and Sausage Council and Washington D.C. landmark Ben’s Chili Bowl we learn that there is a way. George Washington University professor and Ben’s historian Bernard Demczuk explains his finely honed method to the Queen of Wien in the video below.

It’s all about the grip, the raise, the bite and the repeat. Watch and learn then go enjoy that chili dog.

Food, Meat, Video

USB Educates Growers on Global Markets

Jamie Johansen February 18, 2016

The United Soybean Board (USB) invites soybean farmers with a desire to take a look at their customers beyond the elevator and to learn more about the soy checkoff’s role in marketing U.S. soy, to take part in their See for Yourself program. Tina Holst, Chilston, Wisconsin soybean farmer, took advantage of this opportunity last year and I caught up with her during the 2016 Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference in Kansas City, MO to learn more about program.

“They take ten soybeans farmers from the United States every year to experience markets abroad. This past August we went to China where we were able to see how that market is established and growing. We also visited Vietnam and that market is in the process of establishing,” Holst said.

No destination has been announced for the 2016 See for Yourself trip set for August 8-13, but applications are being accepted through April 1. USB will cover all related rooming, meals and travel expenses. “For a week of your time, it gives you a phenomenal experience to see not only what we are doing here to promote our soybeans but also what is happening when they hit the end customer,” she added.

Listen to my complete interview with Tina here: Interview with Tina Holst, US Soybean Farmer

Ag Groups, Audio, Exports, Farming, Markets, Soybean, USB

CIRB Hears from Senate Agriculture Committee

Kelly Marshall February 18, 2016

Joel Leftwich of the Senate Agriculture Committee spoke at the recent Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau’s annual meeting. Leftwich imparted two main messages in his talk, the first and most important was his thanks to the many people who work together to grow the food we enjoy in this country. As a small-town boy from Kansas, Leftwich knows first hand the team that includes not just the farmers, but those who support growers, like the crop insurance agencies that create certainty in the marketplace for all of us who like to eat.

His second message was about the work of the committee over the last year and what they hope to accomplish in the future. The work in passing a bill that helps schools with lunch programs has already begun. Forestry and forest fire programs are on the list, but most notable among the upcoming bills will be to address bio tech labeling.

“It’s a very hot topic. The individual states are taking action and that is going to create some confusion in the marketplace. We want to provide some clarity for the marketplace so I think you’ll see us turn to that issue shortly,” Leftwich notes.

To hear the rest of Chuck’s interview listen here: Joel Leftwich, Senate Agriculture Committee

2016 CIRB Annual Meeting Photos

CIRB, Insurance

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