AFBF Offers Survey to Improve USDA Programs

Kelly Marshall

afbfThe American Farm Bureau Federation has launched an online survey to collect feedback from farmers and ranchers about 10 programs being offered from the Agriculture Department.  AFBF plans to use the results to create recommendations for the USDA to make its programs better serve growers.

Any farmer or rancher is encouraged to take the survey.  The process requires about 10 minutes.

“Farmers and ranchers sometimes find it confusing and complex to participate in USDA programs,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “At the same time, USDA staff are concerned that farmers and ranchers who could benefit from a number of different programs frequently do not apply.”

Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rural Development are the focus of the survey, with programs being:

• Environmental Quality Incentives Program;
• Conservation Stewardship Program;
• Conservation Reserve Program;
• Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program;
• Value-Added Agricultural Producer Grants;
• Rural Energy for America Program;
• Farmers’ Marketing and Local Food Promotion Program;
• Direct Farm Ownership Loans;
• Direct Farm Operating Loans; and
• Guaranteed Farm Loans (farm operating and farm ownership).

The survey will be open through March 15.  AFBF will make the results available to the USDA for future improvement.

AFBF, Ag Groups, USDA

Precision Impact Award Presented to Leading Retailers

Kelly Marshall

Precision Impact AwardsAgProfessional Magazine, MapShots AgStudio, and the Agricultural Retailers Association sponsored an award presented to three retailers leading the way in precision agriculture.  Accepting the Precision Impact Award on behalf of their companies were: Elliott Marsh, East Georgia Agronomy Services, Southern States Cooperative; Glen Franzluebbers, Central Valley Ag Cooperative, and Luke Lightfoot, Co-Alliance, LLC.

The award was presented on December 3 at the ARA conference.  Companies were selected for their input efficiency, grower engagement, environmental stewardship, innovation and profitability.

Nomination for the 2016 Precision Impact Awards are being accepted now.

Ag Groups, ARA

ARA Honors Rising Stars Class of 2015

Kelly Marshall

Rising StarsTwelve of the top performers in ag retail have been awarded the honor of being selected for the Agricultural Retailers Association Rising Stars Class of 2015.

The Rising Stars program began in 2013 to recognize high achievers and develop future leaders in the agriculture retail industry.  Member companies have the opportunity to introduce new leaders to the ARA and the annual conference.

The Rising Stars Class of 2015 includes:

Joe Bridges, J.R. Simplot Company
Ryan Brooks, MFA Inc.
Wes Carmony, Yargus Manufacturing
Tom Curtiss, International Raw Materials Ltd.
Mike Griffel, J.R. Simplot Company
Josh Hilbrands, South Dakota Wheat Growers
Kelly Kliner, J.R. Simplot Company
Nathan Locken, South Dakota Wheat Growers
John McCool, DuPont Crop Protection
Ashlee Rankin, Precision Laboratories, LLC
Seth Shaw, J.R. Simplot Company
Kathy Westcott, Crop Production Services, Inc.

A special reception was held by Yargus Manufacturing during the ARA Conference and Expo to honor their achievements.

Agribusiness, ARA

Growth Energy, New Holland Name Sweepstakes Winner

Kelly Marshall

New HollandGrowth Energy and New Holland Agriculture are pleased to announce that the 2015 Growth Energy Individual Member Sweepstakes winner is Mr. Bill Howell.  He has won a Boomer 47 tractor with Growth Energy racing decals.  The tractor will be presented by Haley Equipment in Carroll, Iowa.

“We are proud to support farmers and those who choose to work the land and who work so hard every day to grow crops to help feed the world and fuel our nation,” said Growth Energy Co-Chair, Tom Buis. “Our members are working hard to revitalize our rural economies, create new jobs and ensure our nation will have a sustainable and secure energy future. This sweepstakes was part of a larger effort to continue to build grassroots support for biofuels across the country. Our growing grassroots advocates, such as Mr. Howell, help promote our industry and ensure that lawmakers in Washington understand the important role biofuels play in America’s heartland.”

New Holland and Growth Energy will present the custom Boomer 47 to Mr. Howell at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, December 21 at Haley Equipment Inc. located at 19504 Highway 30 West in Carroll, Iowa. Clay Haley will represent Haley Equipment during the event, with Scott Wangsgard and George Rigdon representing New Holland Agriculture.

“New Holland is proud to support Growth Energy in their individual membership growth initiatives and we look forward to continuing the partnership in 2016,” said Ron Shaffer, Director of Commercial Sales Regions and Network Development for New Holland North America. “We are also pleased to have the opportunity to provide Mr. Howell with the Boomer 47 and we hope he will find it to be a valuable asset to his operation.”

Agribusiness, New Holland, Tractor

Missouri State Fair Receives High Honors

Jamie Johansen

mostatefairThe Missouri State Fair has been recognized as one of the best in the world by the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE).

“The Missouri State Fair is the premier agriculture showcase in the state,” Fair Director Mark Wolfe said. “It is outstanding to see the efforts of our Fair Commission and Staff recognized on an international scale.”

During the recent 125th Annual IAFE Convention’s Agricultural Awards ceremony sponsored by John Deere, the Missouri State Fair was recognized for excellence as the winner of the Overall Judges Creative Award for its special agricultural educational event titled “Let’s Talk Livestock,” a project implemented with the support of Missouri 4-H and Missouri FFA. The Fair also received first place honors for its overall program for agricultural exhibitors.

The Missouri State Fair received other first place wins for the Fair’s overall program for commercial agricultural vendors, participatory and unique contests, and sponsorship continuity. Among the more than 30 honors received, the Fair also earned recognitions for its communications and sponsorship efforts.

The IAFE, based in Springfield, Mo., is a voluntary, nonprofit corporation with a membership of over 1,200 from around the globe, serving state, provincial, regional, and county agricultural fairs, shows, exhibitions and expositions. Its associate members include state and provincial associations of fairs, non-agricultural expositions and festivals, associations, corporations, and individuals engaged in providing products and services to its members, all of whom are interested in the improvement of fairs, shows, expositions and allied fields.

Ag Groups

New Cooperative Formed in Merger

Kelly Marshall

west-central-logoThe merger between Farmers Cooperative Company (FC) and West Central Cooperative has been officially approved by a vote of the members.  The merger will become effective on April 1, 2016.

“In this merger vote, our members were presented with a rare opportunity to combine two strong, financially-stable cooperatives in a merger of equals to maintain local ownership for generations to come,” explained West Central Board Chair and Paton, Iowa-area farmer Sue Tronchetti.

“We are pleased the memberships approved the boards’ recommendation,” said FC Chief Executive Officer Jim Chism. “We are confident that together, we will become an even stronger cooperative and be better positioned to help improve the economic well-being of our member-owners.”

“On behalf of our boards, management and nearly 700 employees, we appreciate each and every member who cast a ballot in this historic cooperative merger,” said FC Board President and Odebolt, Iowa-area farmer John Scott.

Farmers CooperativeEach membership met Iowa’s state voting requirement for a successful cooperative merger as certified by independent auditing firm of Gardiner Thomsen. To approve a merger, Iowa law requires at least 50 percent of each membership (plus one) to vote, with two-thirds of those casting ballots voting in favor of the merger.

“Our members’ voices were heard in this merger process. Not only in the results of the vote, but in each and every member meeting and coffee shop conversation,” explained West Central President and CEO Milan Kucerak, who will become the CEO of the newly formed cooperative. “This merger showcases our members’ request for their cooperative to do more together for their operations than either business could do separately. We take our members’ confidence in a combined cooperative seriously as we prepare for integration and execution.”

The new cooperative will be named Landus Cooperative.  Current West Central President and CEO Milan Kucerak will lead the new organization and the board of directors will be made up of nine directors from each cooperative for equal representation.

Agribusiness, Cooperatives

Special Edition Gator Unveiled by Deere

Kelly Marshall

John Deere GatorA special edition of the Gator utility vehicle is being offered by John Deere.  The XUV825i  was designed with livestock and crop producers in mind and offers extra storage, making tools organized and easily accessible.  It also features two cargo tool boxes and LED roof lights for greater visibility.

“The Special Edition Gator was designed for those customers who require additional storage to complete the task at hand, day or night,” said Mark Davey, John Deere marketing manager, Gator utility vehicles. “This model will continue to provide customers the durability and productivity they come to expect from a Gator with added amenities like integrated tool boxes and LED lights. The added storage capability makes this a distinct offering in the market, and a first for John Deere.”

The two cargo boxes are situated on the driver and passenger side of the 50 hp., 812 cc XUV 825i Special Edition vehicle. The driver’s side box opens from the top and has two divided compartments with a removable tray. The passenger side box opens from the side and features one open compartment. Both tool boxes boast 75 lb. capacity.

The special edition Gator also features two integrated LED roof lights designed for producers who are out early in the morning or late at night. The new LED lights produce 74 percent more lumens than equivalent halogen work lights and last 250 times longer.

The new model also comes with with power steering, a deluxe cargo box with polyurea liner, integrated brake and tail lights, and an Operator Protective Structure (OPS) with nets.  The Maxxis Bighorn tires are shown off with John Deere’s yellow alloy rims.  Also avaliable in the power and front protection package are a power lift, heavy-duty front brush guard and fender guard, as well as floor mats.  The cab is also equipped with a yellow bench seat.

List price for the 2016 XUV 825i Special Edition Gator is $16,799.  Quantities are limited.

Agribusiness, John Deere

12 Decades of New Holland

Kelly Marshall

New Holland has taken wishing you a Happy Holiday to a whole new level.

Click the picture to experience their interactive card.

New Holland

Wishing you a joyous Holiday Season and a New Year filled with growth and prosperity from your friends at New Holland.

Uncategorized

OSHA Overreach Halted By Congress

Kelly Marshall

aralogoIn July the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sent a memorandum to end the exemption of retail stores to the Process Safety Management (PSM).  PSM is a set of procedural, operational and organizational standards to intended to prevent the release of hazardous chemicals at manufacturing facilities.  The rescinding of this exemption would force virtually all ag retailers that store and sell anhydrous ammonia to comply with PSM.

Congress has halted this process as the memo was released without opportunity for public comment and avoided the formal rule making process.

“OSHA is misguided in trying to apply PSM to ag retailers,” said Harold Cooper, ARA Chairman and CEO of Premier Ag Cooperative in Columbus, Ind. “OSHA intentionally exempted ag retailers from PSM since the rule’s inception in 1992. Forcing us to comply with regulations aimed at manufacturers would cost my business at least $60,000, and not provide any improvement in worker safety – just more bureaucratic red tape.”

Congress included the override actions in the recently passed appropriations bill, prohibiting OSHA from enforcing the memo in 2016 until a new North American Industry Classification System code for Farm Supply Retailers can be established.  It also stipulates that OSHA must conduct a formal rule making process to guide any changes.

“This bill puts a stop sign in front of a runaway agency,” said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. “Congress blocked OSHA’s imprudent attempt to require ag retailers to comply with a regulation that doesn’t fit our industry. We are willing to work with the Administration to develop targeted, common-sense regulations to improve safety and security at agricultural retail facilities and surrounding communities.”

Agriculture Retailers Association (ARA) spearheaded a grassroots effort – involving several national and state agribusiness associations and ARA members – to reverse OSHA’s rule change. ARA appreciates the bipartisan, bicameral support from House and Senate Appropriators and leadership, who were instrumental in including the language in the bill.

Agribusiness, ARA

Requesting Submissions for Ag Day Essay Contest

Kelly Marshall

National Ag DayThe Agriculture Council of America (ACA) is inviting ninth- to 12th-grade students to take part in an essay contest about the importance of agriculture.  Students may choose to write a 450 word essay or create a 2 minute video that showcases the theme: “Agriculture: Stewards of a Healthy Planet.”  The deadline for submission is January 29, 2016.

The contest provides an opportunity for students to grow in understanding of the ways the ag industry strives to protect the planet and its people through what they produce.  The focus of the essays is to share how growers overcome the challenges of providing safe, affordable food for a growing population.

“CHS is proud to support rural youth and showcase their ideas,” says Annette Degnan, marketing communications director, CHS Inc., one of this year’s essay contest sponsors. “The essay and video contests are engaging ways to share the perspectives and career goals of these young people with a larger audience.”

The national written essay winner receives a $1,000 prize and round-trip ticket to Washington, D.C., for recognition during the Celebration of Ag Dinner held March 15, 2016. During dinner, the winner will have the opportunity to read the winning essay and join with industry representatives, members of Congress, federal agency representatives, media and other friends in a festive ag celebration. The video essay winner wins a $1,000 prize, and the winning video will play during the Celebration of Ag Dinner.

This is the 43rd anniversary of National Ag Day. The goal of the ACA is to provide a spotlight on agriculture and the food and fiber industry. The ACA not only helps consumers understand how food and fiber products are produced, but also brings people together to celebrate accomplishments in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.

Sponsors for the Ag Day Essay Contests are: CHS Inc., National Association of Farm Broadcasting, National Agri-Marketing Association and Penton Agriculture.

Entries should be sent to: 2016 Ag Day Essay Contest, Agriculture Council of America, 11020 King Street, Suite 205, Overland Park, KS 66210, or submitted by email to essay@agday.org. Upload video essays at http://agday.leapfile.net or students may mail video entries on a CD to the address above. Visit www.agday.org to read official contest rules.

Ag Day, Sustainability