Innovation Feeds the World

Jamie Johansen February 2, 2016

Monsanto‘s GMO crop technology is arguably one of the most influential innovations of the past century; while it remains incredibly controversial among members of the public, the science has led to unprecedented advancements throughout the realm of biotechnology, and has held a key role in the process of creating a food secure world. This year marks the 20th anniversary of GMO crop technology, and I sat down with Dr. Robert Fraley, Monsanto’s Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, during the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention to talk about the innovations behind the brand, as well as what they hold for the future.

“It’s been an absolutely, incredibly exciting 20 years, and I’m so proud of the fact that Monsanto made huge risky investments in this science,” said Dr. Fraley, “It’s exciting to work for a company that’s really one of the few companies around the world that is completely focused on agriculture. We’ve got 20,000 employees who wake up every morning thinking about how they help farmers produce better seeds and better crops.”

Food security and sustainability are two incredibly important topics of discussion throughout the entire agriculture sector, as producers face increasing pressures to feed the growing world population, which is projected to surpass 9 billion people by 2050, as well as pressures to meet the volatile demands of the most disconnected consumer base in history.

“We need to ensure that we bring the public along with us, that we communicate with them, so that the public understands the importance of innovation in agriculture and food production the same way they appreciate the innovations in healthcare or the innovations in computers and communication devices,” he said. “Agriculture and farming and food production need to advance in the same way if we’re going to achieve a food secure world.”

Dr. Fraley also discusses the future of Monsanto’s innovations, what new innovations the company is beginning to focusing on, and the potential he believes agriculture holds.

“I believe that we have such an exciting future because of some of the innovations that are becoming a part of agriculture.”

Listen to Jamie’s full interview with Dr. Fraley here:
Interview with Dr. Robert Fraley, Monsanto

View and download photos from the event here: Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show

Coverage of the Cattle Industry Convention is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA, Technology

Ag Retailers Storm the Hill

Chuck Zimmerman February 2, 2016

It’s a beautiful sunny day in Washington, DC. Perfect timing for members of the board of the Agricultural Retailers Association to take their priorities to Senate and House offices.

All day these members will be visiting with their elected leaders to distribute information and talk with the Representative, Senator and/or their aides. They have been briefed. They are on a mission and I’m along to take photos and obtain a few interviews when I can.

In the photo some members from Texas posed for a quick photo before heading off to their first visit.

Ag Groups, ARA

Palm Beach to Host International Agricultural Summit

Kelly Marshall February 2, 2016

The Florida Chamber Foundation and the Economic Council of Palm Beach County will be hosting an event to showcase one of Florida’s most important industries – agriculture. The Palm Beach International Agricultural Summit will take place on Wednesday, May 4 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Business and community leaders from across the state will gather to discuss modern agriculture.

Guest speakers will include industry experts and agricultural leaders, including the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, Adam H. Putnam.

“In 2014, Florida’s agricultural exports reached an all-time high of more than $4.2 billion, and our more than $120 billion agriculture industry supports more than two million jobs,” said Commissioner Putnam. “This forum provides a great opportunity to address emerging challenges and solutions to support Florida’s agriculture industry.”

The event is the brainchild of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County and headed up by Chairwoman Wendy Link and President and CEO, Daniel Martell.

“Our key objectives are to educate the public about the local, national and global economic impact of agriculture; address the benefits of Florida’s agriculture industry; foster a network of agricultural and non-agricultural businesses to advance the economy; and ultimately help solve the issues of local and global food supply, distribution and nutrition,” said Link.

Industry experts will lead workshops on modern agricultural technology; The Blue Revolution, a discussion on the management of water resources for drinking water and crop irrigation security; finance and investment in agriculture; food distribution; careers and education; global initiatives and challenges. A highlight of the program will be an overview of a new economic impact study conducted by Alan W. Hodges, Ph.D., an extension scientist at University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, in cooperation with Scott Barnhart, Ph.D., associate professor at Florida Atlantic University – College of Business. Onsite exhibits will range from farm-to-fork cooking demonstrations to school displays on agriculture.

Ticket are $45. You can register and learn more about the event at www.PBIAS.org. Net proceeds will be donated to feed the hungry campaigns.

Agribusiness, Events

Ag Retailers Hold Winter Board Meeting

Chuck Zimmerman February 1, 2016

The agriblogger is on the highway again this week, moving to Washington, DC for a few days to work with the Agricultural Retailers Association at their Winter Board Meeting. ARA planned this right since the snow was a week ago and has been pretty well cleared up on the streets.

I talked with Daren Coppock, President/CEO, ARA, to have him tell us what the board and other members do when they come to Washington, DC just a few weeks after their annual meeting. One of the main reasons they schedule this meeting now is because it is a time when members are available. They will be conducting the business of the association through committee meetings leading up to a final board meeting mid week. Additionally, ARA members will hear from regulators and interact with legislators while they are here, addressing their priorities on the legislative front.

You can listen to my interview with Daren here: Daren Coppock, Agricultural Retailers Association

Ag Groups, ARA, Audio

Beck Ag Acquires Adayana Agribusiness Group

Chuck Zimmerman February 1, 2016

Beck Ag has just announced the acquisition of Adayana Agribusiness Group and I spoke with Stephanie Liska, President/CEO of Beck Ag to learn more about it.

The acquisition of Adayana brings its focus on strategy and management consulting, and learning solutions delivery to strengthen the total customer offering from Beck Ag according to Stephanie. It also diversifies the customer base and broadens capabilities as the company helps clients achieve measurable results by changing behaviors in the marketplace and ultimately accelerating the buying cycle.

Beck Ag President and CEO, Stephanie Liska: “This acquisition enhances our ability to bring more comprehensive solutions to our clients, to measurably impact their business results.”

The purchase adds depth in strategic consulting and learning management solutions, as well as bringing dozens of seasoned professionals to Beck Ag’s already strong bench of Ag experts.

You can listen to my interview with Stephanie here: Stephanie Liska, Beck Ag

Agribusiness, Audio

Farmers Love #LibertyLink #RealYield

Cindy Zimmerman February 1, 2016

It’s the first of February, which means planting season is getting closer. Farmers who might still be thinking about what varieties to plant this year should take a listen to what growers who use Bayer’s LibertyLink system have to say about their real yields last season.

I talked with Ross Aigner of Wilkin County, Minnesota about his 2015 season with LibertyLink soybeans. “I had a very good season with soybeans as far as weed control and as far as yield – I was very pleased,” Ross told me. “The LibertyLink beans were cleaner, were stronger, and healthier and such that I had a better yield.”

Last year was the sixth year that Ross planted LibertyLink beans and he will definitely be using them again this year. “Without a question I will be using Liberty soybeans for many years to come,” he said.

Listen to my interview with Ross here: Ross Aigner, LibertyLink grower from Minnesota

Audio, Bayer, Soybean

Trump Tops @AgriPulse Poll of Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman February 1, 2016

As Iowa voters gather to caucus today, a new Agri-Pulse poll shows most farmers support Donald Trump for president.

In the most extensive poll of how U.S. farmers and ranchers plan to vote for president, respondents overwhelmingly say they’ll support a Republican, and 40 percent of those are Trump supporters. That compares to 15 percent for Sen. Ted Cruz, 11 percent for Sen. Marco Rubio and 10 percent for Ben Carson. The rest of the candidates in the field polled in single digits.

“It’s clear that GOP-leaning voters are very dissatisfied with the direction of the country, the way President Obama is doing his job and the way that Congress is doing its job. And there was not much variance by age or farm size, although a higher percentage of younger voters expressed dissatisfaction with how Congress is functioning,” said Agri-Pulse Editor and founder Sara Wyant. “They want to elect someone who can make major changes.”

Among farm country Democrats, almost 49 percent of voters are giving Hillary Clinton an edge, compared to 41 percent for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, with 10 percent undecided. Democrats or those leaning Democrat made up 19 percent of the 750 farmers and ranchers surveyed. About 70 percent identified as Republican or leaning Republican, and 12 percent as independent.

When asked to identify the one most important issue facing this country heading into the 2016 presidential election, “national security/terrorism” was the top choice for both Republicans and Democrats in the poll, with 19 percent nationally, followed by “moral values” at 14 percent, “immigration/ag labor” at almost 14 percent and “deficit reduction” at 13.5 percent.

The survey was conducted by Aimpoint Research and is part of the Agri-Pulse “Rural Route to the White House” series designed to help educate farmers and ranchers about how presidential candidates view national issues which are important to their livelihoods. The series is sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation. The nationwide telephone survey was conducted from January 22-26, with 750 producers who own at least 200 acres of farmland. The average U.S. farm size is 434 acres, according to the most recent U.S. Census of Agriculture, conducted in 2012. There is a margin of error of 3.6 percent with 95 percent confidence.

Survey results are available here.

Agri-Pulse, politics

Key Issues Top Farm Bureau’s 2016 Strategic Plan

John Davis February 1, 2016

Farm Bureau’s strategic action plan for 2016 includes several key issues for agriculture, including the government’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) action, protecting farmers’ rights to use biotechnology and trade issue. This news release from the group says the policy issues are a result of deliberations by delegates to the AFBF’s 97th Annual Convention in Orlando.

“We will continue to work hard to protect the business of American agriculture on all fronts. This plan is an important roadmap to key issue areas that AFBF and our grassroots members will address in 2016,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s new Waters of the U.S. rule remains among the most pressing issues in agriculture. Although presented as a water issue, the measure in fact would unlawfully regulate land in violation of the Clean Water Act itself. The rule takes over local and state authority while threatening private property rights and normal farming activity nationwide.

“EPA’s blatant overreach is nothing short of a federal land grab,” Duvall said. “The administration has refused to listen to business owners, local governments and lawmakers. The courts have ordered this rule temporarily stopped. The Government Accountability Office found EPA’s actions illegal, and Congress–which originally gave EPA its authority under the Clean Water Act–called for an end to this rule. We won’t give up until it’s gone and farmers are free to care for their own land.”

AFBF’s action plan also supports agricultural biotechnology that promises great benefits for agriculture, consumers and the environment.

“Farmers and ranchers need better tools to be more productive and efficient. We will continue to defend farmers’ and ranchers’ access to biotechnology and protect their right to use other promising new technologies, from data services to drones,” Duvall said.

The AFBF board reaffirmed its commitment to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.

“TPP promises to open up markets around the Pacific Rim. These are some of the fastest-growing markets in the world, and America’s farmers and ranchers are ready to expand business there,” Duvall said. “We’re ready to work with Congress to move this agreement forward for the overall good of U.S. agriculture.”

AFBF, Ag Groups, Trade, Water

Ag Tech Accelerator Program Chooses AgVoice

Kelly Marshall February 1, 2016

AgVoice has been selected to participate in a nine-month program created by The Yield Lab, to support up and coming agriculture technology companies. AgVoice is a voice interaction service, created by TekWear LLC, which provides hands-free workflow management services which allows growers to capture insights when they’re on the go.

The platform gives ag professionals the ability to record and process raw data files about what is happening in the field that can be time stamped and location tracked.

“We’re honored to be selected by The Yield Lab to participate in the program as one of its portfolio companies, and we’re ready to take full advantage of the tremendous business development resources they offer,” says Bruce Rasa, CEO at TekWear LLC. “It was important for our team to find a partner with ag tech as their top priority, and we feel that we’ve found an excellent match to further enhance AgVoice, which is projected to launch later this year.”

The insights and data that AgVoice provides to producers helps them meet an increasing array of government reporting mandates and answers food retailer questions on food traceability, as well as consumer questions regarding where and how their food was safely grown. The service is perfect for agriculture professionals in a wide variety of roles, including agronomists, plant scientists, veterinarians and machinery repair specialists, among others.

“AgVoice is a service that we see contributing a great deal to the agriculture industry, making it a perfect fit as one of our seven portfolio selections in 2016,” says Matt Plummer, principal at The Yield Lab. “The hands-free, voice-interactive technology that the platform offers has the potential to fundamentally shift the way food and agriculture professionals capture usable insights and data.”

The program has just begun at the Helix Center in St. Louise. Learn more at http://www.agvoiceglobal.com/.

Agribusiness, Precision Agriculture, Technology

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