Bayer Bee #AgVocates in NOLA

Cindy Zimmerman March 2, 2016

Benjamin Franklin Elementary students with new pollinator patch

Benjamin Franklin Elementary students with new Feed a Bee garden

Bayer Bee Care teamed up with the Orleans Parish 4-H chapter Tuesday to break ground on a pollinator patch in the teaching garden at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, planting pollinator-friendly plants to increase forage and educate the next generation of bee advocates about the importance of pollinators.

“We’re thrilled to work with Bayer to inspire a new generation of bee advocates, while ultimately enhancing our communities and teaching the students lessons about the importance of gardening and agriculture,” said Kevin Gordon, board president of the Orleans Parish 4-H Foundation.

Bayer North American Bee Care Program manager Dr. Becky Langer says the Feed a Bee initiative planted more than 65 million flowers last year, and this year the program is kicking off with a $10,000 donation to the local 4-H chapter to establish pollinator-friendly habitats in several of the urban gardens operated by the organization throughout New Orleans.

“Providing pollinators with abundant, diverse food sources is one of the most important things we can all do to promote bee health,” said Langer. “We created Feed a Bee to make it easy for people to be involved in bee advocacy and are delighted to get the kids and community of New Orleans involved in our initiative.”

We caught up with Becky at the Bayer AgVocacy forum here in New Orleans to get an update on the initiative: Interview with Dr. Becky Langer, Bayer Bee Care

Bayer AgVocacy Forum Photos

Audio, Bayer, Bees, pollinators

BIVI Awards at #AASV2016

Cindy Zimmerman March 2, 2016

Dr. Mike Murtaugh

At the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Reid Phillips, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, presented several awards.

The Respiratory Disease Research Board, with support from BIVI, selected three research proposals to fund as part of its 2016 Awards for Advancing Research in Respiratory Disease program. These research proposals are funded at $35,000 each.

Dr. Daniel Linhares

The Research Award recipients are selected from a board of eight independent swine veterinarians and researchers. BIVI congratulates the 2016 Awards for Advancing Research in Respiratory Disease recipients for the following projects:

• Dr. Mike Murtaugh, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN – “Pen-Side Respiratory Pathogen Identification.” Learn more about Murtaugh’s research in this interview: Interview with Dr. Mike Murtaugh, U of Minn

• Dr. Daniel Linhares, DVM, MBA, Ph.D., Iowa State University, Ames, IA – “Herd sensitivity of PRRSv-monitoring schemes on sow herds undergoing
virus elimination”

• Dr. Luis Ochoa, MS, Ph.D., Carthage Innovative Swine Solutions, Carthage,
Illinois – “Determining the effects of PCV2 viremia qPCR status of piglets at birth on the response to PCV2 vaccine (CircoFLEX®) and subsequent viremia
levels and overall growth rate, mortality and culls”

Bill Hollis accepting on behalf of Luis Ochea

“PRRS and other swine respiratory diseases are high-risk, potentially very costly challenges that swine producers must be able to manage,” says Dr. Reid Philips, technical manager, BIVI. “We are proud to support field-applicable research that gives back to the industry.”

Applications for the 2017 Research Awards will be open in late 2016. For more information on the Respiratory Disease Research Board and the Awards for Advancing Research in Respiratory Disease program, visit www.SwineResearchAwards

BIVI 2016 AASV Meeting Photo Album

Coverage of American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting sponsored by

Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Research, Swine, Veterinary

Ethos XB Offers Convenience and Protection

Lizzy Schultz March 2, 2016

While FMC has always been close to Southern growers, offering exceptional base brands like Mustang Maxx, Hero, and Command 3ME, the company’s portfolio has recently evolved to even better suit Southern corn and soybean growers. One of the company’s latest additions is Ethos XB, a fertilizer-ready insecticide and fungicide that aims to protect young seedlings in a complete crop protection package. Matt Hancock, Southern Regional Business Manager for FMC, was on hand during the 2016 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show to discuss this new product, and what Southern growers truly mean to FMC.

Ethos XB is a combination of the insecticidal active ingredient found in Capture LFR, with a new bio-fungicide in it as well, making the product one of the most convenient ways to bring broad spectrum protection to corn seedlings. The product is fertilizer ready, with liquid fertilizer application, and defends against corn rootworms, wireworms, grubs, seed corn maggots, cutworms, common stalk borers, as well as Fusarium, Pythium, Rhizoctonia and Phytophthora.

“For the growers out there that are using an in furrow starter fertilizer, this will mix really well just like Capture LFR always has, but now you’re also going to have fungicidal protection from a number of diseases that attack found seedlings,” said Hancock.

Ethos XB is launching this season, and growers can expect for the product to be in their hands for the 2016 growing season.

“We want to provide the freedom, regardless of what seed a grower has bought, they can choose to utilize our tools and get really cost-effective solutions to make more yield,” said Hancock.

Listen to my full interview with Matt here:
Interview with Matt Hancock, FMC

2016 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album

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

Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Crop Protection, FMC, Herbicide, Insecticides

What’s On America’s Plate? Bayer #AgVocate

Chuck Zimmerman March 1, 2016

This year Bayer CropScience has tweaked their annual pre-Commodity Classic forum. It is now the Bayer AgVocacy Forum. Just keep your eye on #AgVocate on Twitter.

Cindy and I will be participating and hearing from numerous speakers on topics like challenges to food, agriculture and consumers needs. Our moderator once again is Frank Sesno.

First up on the program is Carolyn O’Neil, MS, RDN, food and nutrition journalist, cookbook author, former CNN correspondent. She’s talking about consumer trends and how they impact food consumption and production. We’ve got her comments to share with you. Listen to her tell you what’s naughty and what’s nice.

You can listen in here: Carolyn O'Neil, Bayer AgVocacy Forum

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

Audio, Bayer, Food

Ceva Launches U.S. Swine Division

Chuck Zimmerman March 1, 2016

Agrimarketing entrepreneurs, you might be interested to learn about how Ceva has come to the launch point for their new U.S. swine division. Instead of just starting a new company and assuming they know what their customers want they’ve taken a couple of years to “listen” as the U.S. CEO, Craig Wallace says.

I had a great conversation with Craig at their launch reception which was held at Destrehan Plantation on Friday evening. Off the subject for the moment, they served the best fresh shucked oysters I’ve eaten! Hey, it’s food. That’s important to a foodie.

Back to Ceva U.S. Swine. Craig says it is one of Ceva’s missions to provide high quality, low cost protein to the world. Launching the U.S. Swine Division is a dream of the organization since this is the largest swine market in the world.

When it comes to where Ceva is in terms of establishing their new unit Craig says, “We’re at the very beginning. We are starting from zero.” He says they began by having conversations with people in the industry several years ago now. He says that besides bringing innovative products to the market Ceva wants to just listen to the producer and to the veterinarian to find out what the want and need. He’s also putting together a team for the U.S. market and looking for the best of the best.

Listen to this week’s ZimmCast here and learn more: Ceva U.S. Swine Division Launch

The ZimmCast

sponsored by

Locally owned, globally strong.

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, ZimmCast

Senate Ag Approves GMO Labeling Bill

Cindy Zimmerman March 1, 2016

The Senate Agriculture Committee today held a business meeting where the Chairman’s Mark on Biotechnology Labeling Solutions was favorably reported with a bipartisan vote of 14-6.

The legislation, which creates a voluntary national labeling law for genetically modified products, now heads to the full Senate for consideration. “This is really a conversation about a few states dictating to every state the way food moves from farmers to consumers in the value chain. We have a responsibility to ensure that the national market can work for everyone, including farmers, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers,” said Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS). “The Chairman’s Mark puts forward policies that will help consumers not only find information, but also demand information from manufacturers. However, it is important, as with any federal legislation on this topic, for Congress to consider scientific fact and unintended consequences.”

Link to legislation and archived video of the hearing.

Biotech, GMO

#Classic16 Teams with New Orleans Charities

Joanna Schroeder March 1, 2016

New Orleans has been a hot spot for the agricultural industry the past two weeks and will continue to be so as Commodity Classic (CC) 2016 kicks off this week March 3-5, 2016. Heading in to the show, CC organizers have announced a partnership with two New Orleans-based charities – Second Harvest and The Roots of Music.

Attendees of the show (and even those who are unable to be onsite) can donate online by visiting no-hunger.org/commodityclassic. Not sure how to choose between food or music? Here is some additional information on each charity:

Second Harvest is working to end hunger in South Louisiana by providing food access, advocacy, education and disaster response. The nonprofit provides 24 million meals to 210,000 people each year across South Louisiana. Every one dollar donated to Second Harvest provides three meals to a hungry family.
The Roots of Music believes music has the power to transform lives. The program empowers the youth of New Orleans through music education, academic support, and mentorship while preserving and promoting the unique musical and cultural heritage of the city. The organization’s goal is to provide young people with the resources they need to lead positive, productive, self-reliant lives.

“You can make an online contribution once you arrive in New Orleans or do it even before you leave home,” said Commodity Classic Co-Chair Sam Butler, an Alabama soybean farmer. “This is a great opportunity for America’s farmers to make a positive impact in our host city and show the people of New Orleans that our nation’s agricultural producers are genuinely interested in helping others.”

Donations should be made by 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 5, as results will be announced during the Evening of Entertainment Saturday night.

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Commodity Classic, Food

Solutions for Southern Growers from FMC

Lizzy Schultz March 1, 2016

The FMC team was on hand at the 2016 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show, using the event as an opportunity to meet with Southern growers and discuss the multitude of crop protection solutions offered to them through the FMC portfolio.

Rusty Mitchell, Technical Support Specialist for FMC, sat down for an interview on the latest additions to the company’s diverse portfolio, and how those products offer solutions to the current crop protection problems facing the South, specifically the rise herbicide-resistant pigweeds like Palmer Amaranth.

“A big program that we’re concentrating on right now is utilizing pre-emergence as well as overlapping residual products to manage that pigweed problem,” said Mitchell. “Palmer Amaranth is a very aggressive weed, especially in soybeans and corn, and we cannot allow for it to emerge and try to control it post-emergence.”

Mitchell discussed several FMC product lines that Southern growers are turning to in order to take control of their crops before the pigweeds get that opportunity, including the Authority brand of herbicides for soybeans, and the new Ethos XB line of insecticides for corn. Several different products are available for growers, allowing for multiple modes of action to keep the weeds at bay.

“It’s all about plant health, it’s all about establishing a plant in such a way that it will allow it to maximize its yield potential, whether its an insecticide, whether its a herbicide, whether its a fungicide, or growth enhancing material,” said Mitchell.

Listen to my full interview with Rusty here:
Interview with Rusty Mitchell, FMC

2016 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album

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

Ag Groups, Audio, Crop Protection, FMC, Herbicide, Insecticides

Golden Plow Awarded to Rep Mike Conaway

Joanna Schroeder March 1, 2016

The Golden Plow award was given to Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas) during the Farm Bureau Advocacy Conference that took place last week. AFBF President Zippy Duvall presented the award to the Chairman of the House Ag Committee- the highest honor given to members of Congress.

AFBF President Zippy Duvall (right) presents Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas) with the Golden Plow award, the highest recognition the organization grants members of Congress.

Conaway was nominated by the Texas Farm Bureau who noted his dedication to the ag industry in his role of chairman. He was also closely involved with the passage of the 2014 Farm Bill and according to Duvall, remains involved in defending its programs and overseeing its implementation by the Agriculture Department.

Duvall also highlighted Conaway’s support for crop insurance. When a $3 billion cut was included in the bipartisan budget agreement, he led the fight to ensure funding would be restored in the final bill. More recently, his early involvement with the redrafting of federal dietary guidelines resulted in recommendations that were true to their intended purpose. And finally, Conaway was thanked for his leadership on the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, GMO legislation, that Duvall said would not have passed the House without his efforts.

“We are tremendously pleased to be able to recognize Chairman Conaway for all the great things he has done for America’s farmers and ranchers,” said Duvall. “Thank you for your dedicated service to agriculture and rural America.”

AFBF, politics

Overview of 2016 AASV Meeting

Chuck Zimmerman February 29, 2016

Tom Burkgren, DVM, Exec. Dir., American Association of Swine Veterinarians, sure seems to love his job. In the middle of an annual meeting with about 1,200 people attending and over 160 speakers you’d think the stress would be showing. But nooo. He’s smiling and tonight he’ll be one of the auctioneers at the AASV Foundation live fundraiser.

So even with the Nola distractions this is a serious educational meeting. Besides all the seminars there is a huge room with 85 company “technical tables” at which attending veterinarians can visit with representatives to discuss their products and services.

There are 150 students attending this year of which 55 submitted posters of their research abstracts into a competition. They have their own schedule of presentations and I’ll have more on them in an upcoming interview.

You can listen to my interview with Tom here: Interview with Tom Burkgren, DVM, AASV

BIVI 2016 AASV Meeting Photo Album

Watch for further coverage of the AASV meeting, sponsored by BIVI, here and on Animal.AgWired.com.

Coverage of American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting sponsored by

Ag Groups, Animal Health, Audio

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