2016 Politics and Agriculture at CIRB

Kelly Marshall February 18, 2016

With Presidential Elections on the horizon, it isn’t surprising many are wondering how a new administration will affect the agriculture industry. Jim Wiesemeyer, Senior Vice President of Informa Economics delivered a message to the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau Annual Meeting entitled Policy Forecast for 2016 and Beyond. AgWired had the chance to talk to him about the candidates and what they might mean to the future of agriculture.

In a nutshell: Clinton, according to Wiesemeyer, will continue with the status quo, agriculturally speaking. Sanders, while quite energetic, faces poor odds, Wiesemeyer says. Trump is unknown in all areas of policy, but is likely to pick good people. Cruz gets negative readings from the ag community, while Rubio scored well among farmers and ranchers. Bush will likely be fair to agriculture, and Kasich knows industry.

But agriculture policy will depend on more than the Presidency. Control of the Senate will be important too, with Wiesemeyer predicting Republicans in the majority for the near future. Depending on the new administration, the honeymoon period could become important as well.

To hear the full interview about 2016 politics, listen to Chuck Zimmerman’s interview here: Interview with Jim Wiesemeyer, Informa Economics

2016 CIRB Annual Meeting Photos

CIRB, politics

FMC Herbicides Part of #LibertyLink Rebate Program

Cindy Zimmerman February 18, 2016

Soybean growers looking to extend their weed control this season can be eligible for rebates when they link up LibertyLink® soybeans with FMC Authority® and Anthem® herbicides as part of the Soybean Residual program with FMC.

At the National Farm Machinery Show last week, I talked with Mark Howard, FMC retail market manager for central Illinois, about the rebate program and why it’s important that growers use different types of weed control to fight resistance. “There’s a huge need for mixing up our modes of action,” said Howard. “The best way to prevent resistance is to never let the weeds come up and that’s the role that an Authority or Anthem brand plays in this system.”

Under the rebate program, Howard says growers can earn two to three dollars per acre back for using appropriate rates of Authority brands. “Weed control is critical, so the need for a quality residual product is a bigger deal than it’s ever been,” he said. “Farmers are trying to figure out how to do more with less so we’re giving them different options to help shave a dollar here or there.”

Learn more in this interview: Interview with Mark Howard, FMC

2016 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by

and

Audio, Bayer, FMC, National Farm Machinery Show, Soybean, weed management

Ag America Wants Candidates to Support Agriculture

Cindy Zimmerman February 18, 2016

A coalition of agricultural leaders is calling on the presidential candidates to commit to publicly support U.S. agriculture. Ag America has developed a set of “Principles for Our Ag Future” that “outline the path forward to ensure that American agriculture continues to be the envy and leader throughout the world.”

“Ag America is calling on all of the fine men and women running for president to publicly commit to supporting American agriculture,” said Ag America Advisory Board Member and former Member of Congress Richard Pombo. “America’s elected leaders and policy makers must commit to protecting our ag future. When 4 out of 4 people in the world have to eat every single day, you can’t overstate the importance of sticking to these principles.”

“U.S. agriculture helps drive the economy and feeds the world. The core principles outlined by Ag America will help ensure that the policies coming from Washington, D.C. support our farmers by creating new trade opportunities, limit regulatory overreach and support the next generation in agriculture,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

“Too many people, and this includes policy makers in our nation’s capital, take the food on their tables for granted,” said Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain. “If we as a nation don’t take the steps now to responsibly, and proactively act on our ag future, future generations the world over will be faced with decisions that were 100% avoidable had the leaders of today simply stood on principle.”

The principals include enhancing economic development opportunities to improve access to agriculture markets around the world, advancing the science of agriculture by supporting common sense regulations to protect environmental and energy resources, and supporting the education of the next generation of America’s farmers through emphasis on science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and math.

Ag America is a Super PAC active in local, state, and federal elections dedicated to electing candidates who support American agriculture. It was formed in response to the lack of a unified national strategy supporting candidates and officeholders with proven records of supporting agriculture.

politics

ACA Names Christina O’Brien as Award Recipient

Kelly Marshall February 18, 2016

Christina O’Brien has been an outstanding advocate for agriculture and now she is being recognized for her efforts. The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) is awarding her the Charles Eastin Award for 2016. This award is for an individual who works to accurately communicate between rural and urban audiences. She will be honored at a Celebration of Agriculture Dinner at the USDA on National Ag Day, March 15, 2016.

O’Brien has been a 4-H leader where she organized “Science-sational day” to educate kids grades 1-3. In 2014 she held a workshop to make healthy dog biscuits and connected the ingredients to the farm. On her own farm, Norz Hill, she has hosted teaching days to educate children on the care of livestock. She serves as a junior advisor to the New Jersey Holstein Association and works with that organization to plan competitions like quiz bowl, speeches, and trifolds/research.

In addition to working with many oranziations O’Brien has also initiated a lease program through the Garden State Sheep Breeders and leases her own sheep to four inner city girls. She also planned an event at a local YMCA that featured agriculture education and information about a well-balanced diet.

National Ag Day was founded in 1973 by the Agriculture Council of America. Their mission is to increase the public’s awareness of agriculture in modern society.

Ag Day, Ag Groups

Ag Attends 2+ Farm Shows, Conferences A Year

Jamie Johansen February 17, 2016

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How many farm shows/conferences do you attend?”

We have a very wide spectrum in our results this week. It looks like most people attend around 2 to 5 farm shows or conferences each year. As you can guess, those on the AgWired Team would fit into the 5 plus category. I think a future poll should ask the impact farm shows have on making purchases or decisions on the farm.

Here are the poll results:

1-2 – 17%
2-5 – 30%
5+ – 27%
None- 26%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What is your favorite social media outlet for agriculture?

It is rare to find someone who isn’t using social media for personal reasons, but when I find that person I respect their reasons. However, if you aren’t using social media to market yourself, business or social issue you are missing out and getting left behind. Social media is one of the greatest places to promote our agricultural community. Do you have a favorite platform?

ZimmPoll

Break the Rules at #ShowMeYFR

Kelly Marshall February 17, 2016

Lindsay Calvert of the American Farm Bureau Federation told attendees of #ShowMeYFR Annual Leadership Conference to break the rules. Not all the rules, exactly, but the rules of public speaking.

Public speaking is the most commonly requested topic for Calvert, whose job is to train Farm Bureau leaders nationwide. Members want to know, how do you connect with an audience? How do you get your point across? Calvert’s advice– forget what you know. Public speaking isn’t about you, it’s about the people listening. Letting go of the idea of what a perfect public speaker is supposed to do and be yourself is her main take-away. Maybe that means leaving the podium and walking around (even in front of the projector) or drinking coffee while you converse.

With all the emphasis for farmers to “tell you story” the most important point, Calvert explains, is a connection, not a good impression.

“The most important part in telling your story is making it relatable to your audience, so are you talking to fellow farmers or consumers. So make sure your story is very personal to your farm and weed out all the extra, unnecessary facts and statistics and focus on your audience,” she advises.

You can hear the full interview here: Interview with Lindsay Calvert, American Farm Bureau Federation

AFBF, Ag Groups

Remote Irrigation Monitoring Saves Time

Taylor Truckey February 17, 2016

Tanner Oliphant, with AgSense, shared the latest with AgWired while at the National Farm Machinery Show last week. AgSense is a web-based service that gives growers access to their pivot and irrigation information through their smartphone or computer.

AgSense released a new product this year that integrates specifically with Valley digital panels. Remote monitoring allows customers to see where a pivot is at in the field, what it’s doing, program VRA capabilities, send real-time alerts, and offers theft monitoring without power.

As for VRA capabilities, Tanner elaborated, “From an agronomic standpoint, if part of your field is sandier and needs more water, or is heavier and needs less water, you can remotely program the pivot to slow down and speed up over those parts of the fields,” Tanner said. “It really gives growers a lot of flexibility and saves a lot of windshield time.”

In other words, in the time it takes you to make a pot of coffee, you can evaluate all of your irrigation and begin to make necessary adjustments.

Although AgSense is partnered with Valley, and there are a few specific tools developed for Valley products, Tanner explained that AgSense products are not tied to only the Valley brand or Valley hardware. “We are also compatible with non-Valley brand pivots, so if you have Reinke, Zimmatic, or a T-L pivot, we also have telemetry [remote monitoring] options for those as well.”

Listen to Tanner’s full interview to learn more about AgSense remote monitoring:
Interview with Tanner Oliphant, AgSense

2016 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by

and

Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, Farm Machinery, Irrigation, National Farm Machinery Show, NFMS, Water

Our Important Voice

Jamie Johansen February 17, 2016

From the time Roger Rickard was 13 years old he was driven by causes and has been politically minded ever since. His experiences along the way lead him to start Voices in Advocacy and write a book, “7 Actions of Highly Effective Advocates.” He brought his expertise to the stage addressing attendees of the 2016 National Young Farmers & Ranchers conference in Kansas City, Mo.

“I worked to give them very tangible ways in which they can use seven actions to be more effective as an advocate. My book reaches out to that with simple steps,” said Roger Rickard, following his talk with young farmers and ranchers. Those seven simple step include: believe, be informed, discuss the issues, get on the record, be a resource, volunteer and contribute.

He titled his talk, “Elephants Don’t Bite, Donkeys Don’t Kick,” and of course he is referencing the two political parties. His meaning behind it was simple. They won’t hurt you. Go talk to those influencers who represent your local communities, your state and our country. “They need to know. They want to know. They want you to participate in the process because they want to know how to make the right decision. The only way they can do that is by you going out and telling them about the issues that impact you.”

Roger also talked about the power of a vote. If everyone in agriculture gets out and votes. Then we have a powerful voice. In fact, he said if we could all go home with just one thing he wanted us to remember our voices. “They have the ability to impact anything they want if they are willing to step up and speak out.”

I sit through a lot of speakers on the agriblogging highway, but Roger will stand out. I am again encouraged to continue to use my voice to talk ag and beyond. Listen to my complete interview with the Roger here: Interview with Roger Rickard, Voices of Advocacy

Ag Groups, Audio, politics

TractorPal App Simplifies Equipment Records

Taylor Truckey February 16, 2016

While at the National Farm Machinery Show last week, AgWired spoke with the creators of TractorPal, Keith King and Erik Schlimmer. TractorPal is a mobile app that serves as an inventory record keeper for equipment on your farm. It takes that old notebook you have laying around the shop to track maintenance in and puts it in the palm of your hand.

“The app allows you to put in all of your inventory from your agriculture machinery down to your four-wheeler, golf cart, truck, car, and even your lawn mower. You put all of the inventory into the app; when you bought it, how much you bought it for, where you bought it at, and the hours you bought it at. When you service the machine, you put in the part numbers you used, the amount of oil you used, some notes along with it, and how many miles or hours were on the machine.” Keith said.

To see the app on your own device, you can download for Android or in the App Store for iphones.

TractorPal allows you to email reports as well which can be useful when contacting your local dealership or equipment mechanic. Interest in the app has been great so far with users all over the country and internationally finding ways to personalize the tool for their operations.

“We’re moving forward on making the app as universal as possible. Another feature that is coming out will make the app able to sync between devices.” explained Erik. With multiple employees, this feature will be useful in notifying what equipment was worked on when, and what was repaired.

TractorPal will also be partnering with dealers soon to offer a personalized TractorPal app that the dealers will then be able to provide to their customers.

Listen to the full interview with the TractorPal creators here:
Interview with Tractor Pal Creators

2016 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by

and

Agribusiness, Apps, Audio, Equipment, National Farm Machinery Show, NFMS, Tractor

Ethanol Industry Strong at #RFANEC

Chuck Zimmerman February 16, 2016

This morning at the National Ethanol Conference, Bob Dinneen, Renewable Fuels Association, gave his annual State of the Ethanol Industry Speech in front of over 1,000 attendees. He said that the domestic ethanol industry remains strong and touted its ability to successfully navigate the vagaries of the markets and overcome the perils of policy uncertainty.

“The strength of the U.S. ethanol industry is seen in its record production – 14.7 billion gallons, its record blending demand – 13.75 billion gallons, record feed production – 40 million metric tons, and record greenhouse gas reductions – 41.2 metric tons,” said Dinneen. “Those aren’t the stats of an industry in retreat, that’s an industry confident, defiant, and prepared to weather any storm.”

Dinneen called the U.S. ethanol industry the “cornerstone” of the rural economy, noting that it added $44 billion to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product and paid $10 billion in taxes last year. He drew a sharp contrast with what he characterized as the “boom and bust cycles” of oil extraction which, he said, can wreak havoc on economically-vulnerable communities.

You can read his full speech here.

You can listen to Bob’s speech here:

Speech on State of Ethanol Industry - Bob Dinneen, RFA

2016 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

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