Time to Talk Crop Insurance

Chuck Zimmerman February 10, 2016

The Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau kicks off its annual meeting today in Indian Wells, CA. I am going to guess that the President’s budget will once again be a topic of discussion. During the next couple days I’ll be meeting members and speakers to learn the potential impact of proposed changes to the budget affecting crop insurance and what the organization is planning for this year.

While Cindy and Jamie are enjoying snow and cold at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville I’ll somehow put up with the very warm temperatures of the desert in California. It’s just the way the dice rolls sometimes. I’m in the air right now and encourage you to follow the CIRB hashtag, #CIRB2016. See you from there.

Ag Groups, CIRB

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes February 10, 2016

Vivid Life Sciences announces the EPA registration of Agri-Fos® Systemic Fungicide Plus, a highly concentrated active ingredient phosphite fungicide, for use in agriculture crops, and for residential and commercial uses.
Novozymes announces the formation of three divisions: Household Care & Technical Industries, Agriculture & Bioenergy and Food & Beverages.
Balchem Corporation announced that it acquired Albion International, Inc., a privately held manufacturer of mineral amino acid chelates, specialized mineral salts and mineral complexes, headquartered in Clearfield, Utah for a purchase price of $111.5 million in cash.
Zinpro Corporation announces promotions for Brent Wilson and Gina Palomo and the addition of Amber Schramm and Katie Seppelt to new positions within its global marketing team.

Zimfo Bytes

#NFMS16 is Underway in Louisville

Jamie Johansen February 10, 2016

Snow has covered the ground and from what I hear, that is a normal sight for our next stop on the agriblogging highway. The National Farm Machinery Show has returned for it’s 51st year with even more exhibit space. 880 exhibitors will cover 1.2 million square feet of floor space during the largest indoor farm show in America.

Cindy and I are here to collect photos and audio on the latest farm equipment and precision technology. We need to send out a special thank you to our sponsors FMC and New Holland for making this coverage possible.

The free four-day event brings nearly 300,000 farmers from across the Midwest to explore the trade show and attend seminars on renewable energy, marketing and farm technology.

View and download photos here: 2016 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by

and

Agribusiness, FMC, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland

New Website for Swanson Russell

Kelly Marshall February 10, 2016

When your company needs to connect with an audience there isn’t time to waste. Swanson Russell has simplified their website to better serve those seeking to build their brand. The new website, www.swansonrussell.com has an overhauled design and simplified approach to showcase their work, markets of focus, and the people and company who get it done.

The website features a new “Approach” section that explains how Swanson Russell works to create a connection between brands and their audiences. The agency focuses on Agribusiness, Construction, Green Industry, Health Care, Outdoor Recreation and Regional Brands.

The “Work” section of the site features a display of more than 50 campaigns and projects, with more to come. You can check out the work they’ve done for Cabela’s and FMC. “Culture” introduces users to the faces behind the scenes and focuses on the hard work, authenticity and fun that make Swanson Russell a great work environment. The space also includes a list of openings within the agency.

Advertising, Agribusiness

Caucus Results Don’t Seem to Reflect Ag Views

Jamie Johansen February 10, 2016

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Do Iowa Caucus results reflect ag views?”

The early caucuses may influence some voters, however not the majority of those that took our latest poll. 63% said the Iowa Caucus results don’t reflect their ag views. Ag issues are continually at the forefront of our minds, but few leading candidates have taken to addressing many of those key issues. Let’s hope we hear their take soon.

Here are the poll results:

Yes – 13%
Not mine – 63%
Too early to tell – 16%
Don’t know – 4%
Other – 4%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, How many farm shows/conferences do you attend?

Farm show and conference season is in full swing and the AgWired team has been out on the agriblogging in full force. Many are located in warmer temps and not only do they provide little mini vacations for farmers and ranchers, but also provide optimal education opportunities and ample time for networking. So, how many do you attend each year?

ZimmPoll

U.S. Wheat Associates Directors Elected

Kelly Marshall February 10, 2016

The U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) Board of Directors will be under new leadership for the 2016-2017 fiscal year. The board elected officers at their recent meeting in Washington D.C. New officers will begin their duties at the board meeting in July in Fargo, North Dakota.

New members include; Chris Kolstad as Secretary-Treasurer, Jason Scott moving from Vice Chair to Chair, and Mike Miller, current Secretary-Treasurer becoming Vice Chairman. The full board is picture to the right.

“Wheat has paid the bills on my family’s farm for 100 years and I want to thank the board for giving me the opportunity to give something back to this country’s wheat industry,” newly elected member Chris Kolstad said. “I look forward to working with USW’s directors and staff, as well as with the National Association of Wheat Growers, to make sure U.S. wheat remains the world’s top choice for quality and value.”

Kolstad is the fourth generation of his family to farm in Montana’s “Golden Triangle” region. He and his wife Vicki have four children, including their son Cary who is a partner in their operation. They grow hard red winter (HRW) wheat, dark northern spring wheat and durum, plus barley and dry peas.

Jason Scott is a sixth generation wheat farmer from Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where he manages his family’s soft red winter (SRW) wheat, row crop and vegetable operation. He also owns and operates a Pioneer Hi-Bred® seed dealership with his father.

Mike Miller is a fourth generation farmer who operates a dryland wheat farm and grows multiple crops on a separate, irrigated farm in east central Washington. He has served on many local, state and national boards, and is in his third term on the Washington Grain Commission and his fifth year as a USW director representing Washington.

The USW is active in 100 counties managed by 18 state wheat commissions and the USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service cost-share programs.

Ag Groups, Wheat

2016 Award Winners Honored by WSSA

Kelly Marshall February 10, 2016

Thirty members of the Weed Science Society of America have been honored for their contributions to weed science. The awards program was held in San Juan, Puerto Rico during the organization’s annual meeting.

“Our annual awards program recognizes the many outstanding scientists who are spearheading innovations and advancing the weed science profession through their research, teaching, publishing and outreach,” said Dallas Peterson, Ph.D., president of WSSA.

This year’s winners include:

Fellow Awards (WSSA’s Highest Recognition): Donn Shilling, Ph.D., University of Georgia, and William K. Vencill, Ph.D., University of Georgia
Outstanding Extension Award: Shawn Askew, Ph.D., Virginia Tech
Outstanding Teacher Award: Anil Shrestha, Ph.D., California State University, Fresno
Outstanding Research Award: Carol Mallory-Smith, Ph.D., Oregon State University
Outstanding Graduate Student Award: Rodrigo Werle, Ph.D. candidate, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Outstanding Paper Award, Weed Science: Seedbank and Field Emergence of Weeds in Glyphosate Resistant Cropping Systems in the United States Bryan Young, Ph.D., Purdue University, Corresponding Author.
Outstanding Paper Award, Weed Technology: Mesotrione Activity on Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) as Influenced by Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate, Source, and Timing (login required), Leslie Beck, Ph.D., New Mexico State University, corresponding author.
Outstanding Early Career Weed Scientist: Jacob Barney, Ph.D., Virginia Tech
Outstanding Industry Award: Roger Gast, Ph.D., Dow AgroSciences
Outstanding Reviewer Awards: Thomas Mueller, Ph.D., University of Tennessee; Karen Renner, Ph.D., Michigan State University
Public Service Award: Jill Schroeder, Ph.D., USDA/ARS Office of Pest Management Policy
Honorary Member Award: Jose Luis Gonzalez-Anjujar, Ph.D., Institute of Sustainable Agriculture, Spain

To learn more about the winners and their work see the 2016 annual meeting awards program.

Ag Groups, weed management

Crop Insurance Takes Hit in Budget Proposal

Cindy Zimmerman February 10, 2016

The Obama administration’s 2017 budget proposal includes reforms to the crop insurance program that would end up costing farmers more.

Two specific changes are proposed – one would reduce subsidies for revenue insurance policies that insure the price at the time of harvest and the second would reform prevented planting coverage, including removing optional buy-up coverage. According to USDA, the two changes would save $18 billion over 10 years.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack saysthe cuts were proposed again this year, after being defeated last year by Congress, in part due to criticism of the prevented planting program in particular. “We also believe, that this is a balanced partnership between taxpayers, farmers and insurance companies,” said Vilsack during a conference call with reporters on the budget. However, he notes that taxpayers are funding around 62% of the premium under some of the programs. “We think it makes more sense in a partnership that it should be closer to 50-50,” he said.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts says the budget proposals “are essentially dead on arrival” in Congress. “The President is hitting rural America where it hurts most, and all of this is occurring at a time when farm income is projected to decline 56 percent in the past three years,” said Roberts.

Agricultural organizations say they will fight the proposed cuts. “ With three consecutive negative farm income forecasts, we simply cannot afford to undercut the farm safety net,” said National Farmers Union president Roger Johnson. “NFU urges Congress to reject these crop insurance cuts, as it has in years past.”

“Our policy has always been that we will strongly and absolutely oppose any attempt to target farm bill programs for additional cuts, and it goes without saying that we will continue to fight proposed cuts to the farm safety net,” said American Soybean Association president Richard Wilkins.

Insurance, USDA

Florida Rep. Gwen Graham with Ag Retailers

Cindy Zimmerman February 10, 2016

One of the members of Congress who met with leaders of the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) last week in Washington DC was Rep. Gwen Graham (D-FL), the daughter of former Florida governor and senator Bob Graham. She is pictured here (left) with Mary Hartney, president of the Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association.

Rep. Graham recently completed her first North Florida Farm Tour to highlight agriculture across the 14 counties of the Second Congressional District. “The intent of the tour was to learn and to listen and talk about ways that we can be helpful in Congress,” she said.

Talking with ARA members, Graham discussed issues such as WOTUS and GMO labeling. “I believe that the science backs up GMOS,” said Graham. “There are multiple reasons why I think we need a national standard for GMO labeling.”

Regarding WOTUS, Graham noted that she has a background in environmental law and has major concerns about the rule. “I think we should go back to the drawing board – I have voted against it every time,” she said.

Listen to her interview with Chuck: Interview with Rep. Gwen Graham (D-FL)

ARA, Audio

USDA Awards $20 Million for Citrus Research

Kelly Marshall February 10, 2016

The citrus greening crisis in Florida and across the U.S. is receiving $20.1 million dollars to bring growers closer to a solution. The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded the grants to university researchers and extension projects working to fight Huanglongbing (HLB) or greening disease.

“Citrus greening has affected more than 75 percent of Florida citrus crops and threatens production all across the United States,” said Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The research and extension projects funded today bring us one step closer to providing growers real tools to fight this disease, from early detection to creating long-term solutions for the industry, producers and workers.”

The Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) program was created to support specialty crop production through research and extension activities. Since it began in 2014 the USDA has put forward $43.6 million into combating citrus greening disease. The disease has affected the majority of Florida’s citrus-producing areas and affected groves in Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas and residential trees in California.

Fiscal year 2015 grants include:

University of California, Riverside, Calif., $3,990,772
University of Central Florida, Orlando, Fla., $1,975,000
University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla., $2,800,000
University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla., $3,999,508
USDA Agricultural Research Service, Ithaca, N.Y., $1,951,763
New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos, N.M., $3,320,000
Washington State University, Pullman, Wash., $2,115,000

Research at the University of Florida and Washington State University will focus on growing the putative pathogenic bacterium in artificial culture, which will greatly facilitate research efforts to manage HLB. Another project at the University of Florida will develop morpholino-based bactericides to reduce pathogen transmission and eliminate infections in existing trees. Research at the University of California will use virulence proteins from the pathogen to detect its presence before symptoms appear and to develop strategies for creating citrus rootstocks that are immune to HLB. Information about all of the projects funded this year can be found online.

The Farm Bill mandates that all projects meets the recommendations of the Citrus Disease Subcommittee, which provides an agenda, budget, and consultation with the NIFA. They will meet February 17-18 in Riverside, California to discuss priorities for 2016.

Research, specialty crops, USDA

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