Novozymes Organization Restructuring

Cindy Zimmerman February 9, 2016

Novozymes has announced changes in the company’s organizational structure and executive leadership team with the formation of three distinct divisions – Household Care & Technical Industries, Agriculture & Bioenergy and Food & Beverages. The aim of the organizational change is to “enhance Novozymes’ ability to deliver more innovation to customers.”

To lead the three divisions, Novozymes has appointed former Vice President of Sales Tina Sejersgård Fanø as Executive Vice President, and former Vice President of Sales Anders Lund to head the Agriculture and Bioenergy division.

The three divisions will be supported by one central Research, Innovation & Supply organization headed by COO & EVP Thomas Videbæk and Corporate Functions headed by CFO & EVP Benny D. Loft. Peder Holk Nielsen will continue as CEO & President.

Biofuels

Wheat Awards

Cindy Zimmerman February 9, 2016

Members of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) were in Washington DC last week for their annual winter conference and during that time presented awards to friends in Congress.

Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) was presented with the 2015 Wheat Leader of the Year by the NAWG board of directors, including Washington farmer and NAWG president Brett Blankenship.

“Senator Cantwell has been one of wheat’s strongest allies during the last year. We sincerely appreciate all the work she has done on behalf of wheat growers, both in the state of Washington, and all across the nation,” said Blankenship. “We are grateful for her efforts in progressing tax and trade legislation, especially supporting Trade Promotion Authority and in defending crop insurance.”

“America is producing some of the best wheat in the world thanks to our growers and their families – many of whom are in Washington State. I’ve been proud to fight for continued federal investments in cutting edge research and will continue to ensure our growers have the support they need to compete and win in the global economy. I’m very honored to receive this award,” said Senator Cantwell.

Also honored by NAWG were Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Pat Roberts (R-KS) and key members of his staff. Chairman Roberts received the “Wheat Advocate” award given annually to members of Congress who have demonstrated support for the wheat industry above and beyond the norm. Members of his staff received the “Friend of Wheat” award given annually to congressional staff who demonstrated support for the wheat industry above and beyond the norm. Those staffers included Wayne Stoskopf, Will Stafford, James Glueck and Andrew Vlasaty.

“I am honored to be recognized for our efforts on behalf of wheat growers,” said Roberts. “I look forward to another year with our sleeves rolled up, putting the farmer and rancher first.”

NAWG, Wheat

Who Will FarmNext and How

Chuck Zimmerman February 8, 2016

Who will be farming next? What are their thoughts and concerns? These questions and more are dealt with in a new white paper published by YI Advisors. The paper was presented during last week’s FarmNext Summit in Washington, DC.

I spoke with Tom Allison, Associate Director of Research for YI Advisors to learn more about the FarmNext Initiative and the white paper.

To obtain the information for the white paper YI Advisors gathered Millennials entering farming and agribusiness for a series of conversations around the country to discuss trends shaping the future of their industry. They did this because of concerns about aging primary operators and other reasons like polarizing conversations about the origins of food. Key findings came in four main topics: Technology & Innovation; Economics; Workforce & Education and Public Perception. Here are just a few of the findings. As you might expect young farmers are driving technological change. Access to capital was consistently cited as a major barrier to successfully entering the industry. Colleges need to reform curriculums to be more interdisciplinary, reflecting the reality of modern farming. And finally, the media and industry need to do a better job of telling young farmers’ stories.

You can download the FarmNext Report here (pdf).

Tom talks about the whole process and where to go from here because the findings of their work shows a lot more needs to be done.

Listen to this week’s ZimmCast here: ZimmCast about FarmNext

The ZimmCast

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Ag Groups, Audio, Education, ZimmCast

CTIC Looking for New Executive Director

Kelly Marshall February 8, 2016

Karen Scanlon, former executive director of the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) is moving to a position at Dairy Management, Inc. to help support sustainability and social responsibility for the U.S. dairy industry. While members of the board are excited for Scanlon’s new opportunity, they are now searching for someone to fill her role as executive director.

“We’re sad to see her leave CTIC, but are delighted that Karen has found an exciting new role in the agricultural sustainability space,” said Alan Ayers of Bayer CropScience, CTIC board chair. “Karen has done a great job and has been very successful in moving this organization to new heights, which will ease the transition into new leadership.”

“CTIC has grown significantly in size and scope under Karen’s tenure, becoming a key source of insight on conservation systems, cover crops, nutrient management and economic sustainability for farmers,” Ayers added. “CTIC’s Conservation in Action Tours have set the bar for connecting conservation-oriented people with each other and with the innovative farming systems on the ground. Additionally, the organization has dramatically increased its collaborative projects to become even more effective in building local capacity and championing conservation farming.”

The board has appointed a search committee to find a leader up to the challenge of managing their dedicated staff, diverse projects and programs and vibrant organization. Prospective candidates can find more information at www.ctic.org or email the search committee at CITC@CTIC.org.

Ag Groups, CTIC

48th Annual Championship Tractor Pulls At NFMS

Taylor Truckey February 8, 2016

The 48th Annual Championship Tractor Pull will once again be held at Freedom Hall during the National Farm Machinery Show next week. The top pullers in the country will return to Louisville to compete for the title of Grand Champion and a share of nearly $250,000 in prize money.

Each year more than 500 teams apply to pull in the prestigious event and approximately 180 are chosen. This year’s list includes numerous reigning Grand Champions, former Grand Champions, and a record-number of women drivers.

Champion Tractor Pull Tickets are $40 for the Wednesday night, Thursday night, and Saturday afternoon pulls. Tickets are $45 for the Friday night pull and Saturday evening finals. Tickets are available at the Kentucky Exposition Center and Kentucky International Convention Center Ticket Offices, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

For additional information, visit the Champion Pull website.

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by

and

Farm Shows, National Farm Machinery Show, NFMS, Tractor

CropLife Hires Director of Communications & Marketing

Kelly Marshall February 8, 2016

Genevieve O’Sullivan is now the director of communications and marketing for CropLife America. It will be her responsibility to develop and promote communications, branding and marketing efforts for the organization. She will also be responsible for publications and reports, as well as media contact.

“We are excited to have Genevieve join our communications team,” stated Vroom. “Her strong communications background, combined with an emphasis in local and state government policy work, will enhance the ability of CLA to communicate with government officials in a concise and effective manner.”

As the director of communications at the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), O’Sullivan coordinated efforts with state agencies across the country to create cohesive messages at the local and national levels. She also established branding for the association that included launching a new website, creating printed materials with a consistent identity and messaging, and traveling to industry conferences to promote the association’s work. Prior to NASF, O’Sullivan was the communications director for the Washington State Redistricting Commission, leading outreach for the commission as it engaged citizens across Washington state in the legislative and congressional redistricting process.

“Mrs. O’Sullivan’s experience with communications in both the private and public sectors will benefit CLA,” says William Kuckuck, vice president and COO at CropLifeAmeria. “With prior projects that include marketing complex messages and programs to government officials and the public, she brings energy and skills that will assist us in reaching out to existing and new audiences.”.

O’Sullivan earned her bachelor of arts in political science from Western Washington University. She and her husband own the Sona Creamery and Wine Bar in Washington D.C.

Ag Groups

2016 Expected to be Challenging for U.S. Cotton

Cindy Zimmerman February 8, 2016

2016 is expected to be another challenging year for the U.S. cotton industry according to the National Cotton Council (NCC).

NCC Vice President for Economics & Policy Analysis Dr. Jody Campiche told delegates at the NCC’s 78th Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas that the challenges will include low cotton prices, high global stocks and uncertainties regarding global mill cotton use.

“While world mill use is expected to exceed world production in 2016, global cotton stocks remain at high levels,” said Campiche.

Regarding domestic cotton mill use, USDA estimates U.S. mill use at 3.6 million bales, up 25,000 bales from 2014 and marking the fourth consecutive year of increased consumption. However, exports will continue a downward trend, with NCC estimating 2015 U.S. exports at 9.5 million bales, down 15.5 percent from 2014 and below the most recent USDA estimate. Campiche says, China’s imports are expected to fall further in 2016 to 4.75 million bales, down from 5.5 million in 2015. India is projected to continue as the world’s largest cotton producer and the second largest exporter in 2016.

Campiche projects an increase in ending stocks of 193,000 bales and notes that although world cotton stocks are projected to decline by 6.3 million bales in 2016, the reduction is not large enough to significantly reduce global inventories that begin the year at 103 million bales.

In her analysis of the NCC Annual Planting Intentions survey results, Campiche said the NCC projects 2016 U.S. cotton acreage to be 9.1 million acres, about 6.2 percent more than 2015. With abandonment set at 11 percent for the United States, Cotton Belt harvested area totals 8.1 million acres. Using an average U.S. yield per harvested acre of 831 pounds generates a cotton crop of 14.0 million bales, with 13.4 million upland bales and 595,000 extra-long staple bales.

World Food Championships Move to Alabama

Chuck Zimmerman February 5, 2016

World Food Championships! Learning about this got my blood pumping and my mouth salivating. Best of all, it’s moving right next door to ZimmComm World Headquarters. It’s on my calendar. I want to go and blog about food competition as the fruits of our farmers provides the base for what’s cooking. It sounds like a #FoodPorn Festival doesn’t it? Here are some details.

The World Food Championships announced today that it is going coastal for the first time and moving the 2016 Ultimate Food Fight to Orange Beach, Alabama.

Now celebrating its 5th Anniversary, WFC will be held Nov. 8-15 at The Wharf, a resort destination with a full-service marina, retail, dining and entertainment options anchored by a multi-use event center and a 10,000-seat amphitheater.

The relocation to Orange Beach is a major milestone, according to World Food Championships’ CEO Mike McCloud.

“Our biggest goal was to bring all nine of our championships, which require about 300,000 square feet of open space, into one arena,” McCloud said. “We finally found an ideal place to do that at The Wharf, with a host of logistical benefits that include better facility access, infrastructure, parking capacity and consumer/tourism appeal. This is going to be a huge benefit to our competitors, our sponsors, our judges and our staff as we continue to build out the best Food Sport event in the world.”

Registration is open for competitors. Special note: there are openings for 50 pro bbq teams!

Food

National Collegiate Congress Offered for Ag Students

Kelly Marshall February 5, 2016

On April 2, 2016 college students will participate in the AgChat Foundation’s 2016 Collegiate Congress. Sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, and held at Dow’s headquarters in Indianapolis, the event offers students the opportunity to network with members of the industry while learning how to communicate with consumers to share their stories.

“The inaugural Collegiate Congress provided a solid framework as I strive to advocate for agriculture to my highest ability,” said Lexi Marek, 2015 Collegiate Congress alumna and 2016 Collegiate Congress planning committee member. “This event provides excellent networking with speakers and peers leading to future opportunities.”

Sessions will focus on strategic communication techniques, time prioritization and agricultural advocacy while expanding networks to incorporate consumer-facing messaging. Additionally, participants will learn about organizing on-campus events, digital content calendars and interacting with consumers.

“Our fast-paced society applauds short attention spans and convenience, which is vastly altering the way consumers receive information. This often leads to consumers’ fear-driven, perceived wants overriding scientific facts in regards to many aspects of the agricultural and food industries,” said Jenny Schweigert, AgChat Foundation executive director. “Collegiate Congress was established to equip young, agricultural leaders with the appropriate tools so they are not only able, but also prepared to connect beyond their typical networks.”

Early-bird registration and the discount rate apply until March 1, 2016. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities by contacting Jenny Schweigert at execdir@agchat.org.

Ag Groups, Education

Enter the AFBF #iAdvocate Photo Contest

Kelly Marshall February 5, 2016

The American Farm Bureau Federation is inviting farmer and a ranchers to advocate for agriculture with the newly launched #iAdvocate campaign. To participate, message a picture of yourself holding a white board or sign with the hashtag to the Farm Bureau Promotion & Education Facebook page, along with a brief description of what you’re doing. The ten winning submissions will receive a $100 Farm Bureau Bank gift card.

Submissions will be uploaded to the “2016 #iAdvocate Campaign” album on the Farm Bureau Promotion & Education Facebook page. Once you have been notified that your photo has been posted, ask others to “Like” and “Share” it on Facebook. Contest winners will be determined based on the highest number of “Likes” received for pictures within the album.

“Advocating for agriculture is one of our key areas of focus,” said Chris Hoffman, a Pennsylvania hog and poultry farmer and chair of AFBF’s national Promotion & Education Committee. “We look forward to seeing creative #iAdvocate photo submissions from around the country.”

See rules and details at https://www.facebook.com/FarmBureauPandE. The contest ends March 25.

AFBF, Ag Groups

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