Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • The National Corn Growers Association welcomes Sarah Doese, who joins the organization as the legislative assistant for the Washington office.
  • The National Pork Board announced that Kincannon & Reed will conduct a national search for the organization’s open position of chief executive officer.
  • Bayer is pleased to announce Gaylon Morgan, Ph.D., Extension cotton specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, as the 2016 Extension Cotton Specialist of the Year.
  • Registration is open for United Fresh 2016, the leading convention and expo for the fresh produce industry.
Zimfo Bytes

China Opens DDGS Anti-Dumping Investigation

Joanna Schroeder

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has initiated, again, an anti-dumping countervailing duty investigations into U.S. produced distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) exported to the country. This is not the first time that China has been down this road. Back in 2011 China began an investigation into DDGs but then in 2012, they dropped it. Now, in 2015, they have re-begun the process.

Dried Distillers GrainsPresident and Chief Executive Officer Thomas N. Sleight with the U.S. Grains Council responded by saying, “We are disappointed to see today the initiation of anti-dumping and countervailing duties investigations of U.S. DDGS exports to China. We believe the allegations by the Chinese petitioners are unwarranted and unhelpful. They could have negative effects on U.S. ethanol and DDGS producers, as well as on Chinese consumers, potentially over a period of many years. We are also confident that our trading practices for DDGS, ethanol and all coarse grains and related products are fair throughout the world. We stand ready to cooperate fully with these investigations and will be working closely with our members to coordinate the U.S. industry response.

“The U.S. Grains Council has worked in China since 1981 to find solutions to the challenges of food security through development and trade. There have been measureable positive effects of this work for the Chinese feed and livestock industries and Chinese consumers. We and our members will work vigorously in the coming months to demonstrate that the allegations being investigated by MOFCOM are false, even while we continue to stand ready to expand our cooperation with China on agricultural issues of mutual benefit.”

Tom Buis, co-chair of Growth Energy, weighed in with a statement noting his dissatisfaction with the allegations. “We are disappointed to see the initiation of anti-dumping and countervailing duties cases against U.S. DDGS exports to China. The false allegations by the Chinese petitioners have the potential to seriously threaten our largest overseas market for DDGS and could have a significant impact on the supply, demand and price for DDGS in the U.S. and other foreign markets. We are working closely with our members and the U.S. Grains Council as it coordinates an industry response.”

Exports, Grains, USGC

Presidential Election Might be Top Ag Issue in 2016

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What do you expect to be the top ag issue of 2016?”

We have been discussing the 2016 presidential elections for nearly a year already and it will only increase. When it comes to agriculture it should be one of the most talked about issues. So, I am not surprised to see it top our poll. We also had many chime in with milk prices, climate change and immigration. All important agricultural issues impacting our ag community.

Here are the poll results:

  • Trade – 13%
  • WOTUS- 0%
  • GMO labeling – 27%
  • Presidential election – 40%
  • Biofuel expansion – 0%
  • Other – 20%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What do you think of new dietary guidelines?

Earlier this month the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The guidelines are to encourage Americans to adopt a series of science-based recommendations to improve how they eat. What do you think of them? How will they impact how we grow/raise food?

ZimmPoll

USDA Outlook Forum Panel Announced

Cindy Zimmerman

usda-outlookUSDA has announced the members of the 92nd annual Agricultural Outlook Forum Plenary Panel on “Providing Leadership for Present and Future Generations in the Transformation of Agriculture.”

This year’s panelists include Elizabeth Garrett, President of Cornell University; Ilene Gordon, CEO of Ingredion; Pamela Hess, Executive Director of the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture; and Pam Johnson, an Iowa farmer and former president of National Corn Growers Association.

The opening plenary will feature remarks from Secretary Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden and “The 2016 Economic Outlook for Agriculture” presented by USDA Chief Economist Robert Johansson. The Forum’s keynote speaker is Howard Buffett, and Mitch Daniels, President of Purdue University and former Governor of Indiana will be the dinner speaker.

USDA has hosted the Agricultural Outlook Forum since 1923 and is the department’s largest annual meeting, attracting 1,600 attendees. The two-day meeting will be held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, Feb. 25–26, 2016.

USDA

NAFB Emeritus Rankin Passes Away

Cindy Zimmerman

nafb-rankinThe National Association of Farm Broadcasting announced this week that Emeritus NAFB member Charlie Rankin has passed away. Charlie was an NAFB member for 61 years.

Rankin “retired” from broadcasting in 1990, but remained on the air for several years. In addition to broadcasting, Charlie was passionate about Texas A&M and rodeo and was a founding president of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA).

Charlie was proceeded in death by his first wife, Sue Evelyn and is survived by his wife, Billie Marie; son, Davis; daughter, Susan and three grandchildren. Services will be held Saturday, January 16 at the Kreidler Funeral Home followed by a reception at Grace Presbyterian Church in McAllen.

NAFB

Spud Nation Food Truck Unveiled

Chuck Zimmerman

Spud Nation Food TruckThe United States Potato Board unveiled a new program today that’s taking after the finalists of the Spud Nation Throwdown Recipe Cook-off. They all operate food trucks. Now the Potato Board does too and it’s called Spud Nation.

I will get more information about the vehicle when I talk with USPB CEO Blair Richardson this afternoon. In the meantime you can see the unveiling in the video below.


There are lots of photos of the truck in my photo album.

Potato Expo 2016 Photo Album

Coverage of the Potato Expo is sponsored by Coverage of Potato Expo is sponsored by Nufarm
Ag Groups, Food, Potato, Video

Apple Co-Founder to Keynote Alltech Ideas Conference

Jamie Johansen

Screen Shot 2016-01-13 at 1.15.27 PMExperts and industry leaders from around the world will convene in Lexington, Ky., USA from May 22-25 for ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference. Alltech will welcome Steve Wozniak, Apple co-founder, to its main stage on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference, an event dedicated to inspiring innovation. The annual international conference, now in its 32nd year, traditionally draws nearly 3,000 attendees from more than 60 countries to network with peers and discuss world-changing ideas.

“When you think about the power of innovation, you think of Apple. Few companies have had a more profound effect, and so it is a real treat for me personally, as an entrepreneur who also started my business in a garage, to announce that Steve Wozniak, Apple’s co-founder, will be joining us for ONE,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder and president of Alltech.

Also hitting the main plenary stage will be the former president and CEO of Ford Motor Company, Alan Mulally. Mulally will join author and businessman Seth M. Siegel and title-winning University of Kentucky Men’s Basketball Coach John Calipari as the opening keynote speakers on Monday, May 23, at ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference.

Closing ONE will be Riverdance in a special live performance on the morning of Wednesday, May 25. Drawing on Irish traditions, the combined talents of the performers propel Irish dancing and music into the present day, capturing the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures in an innovative and exciting blend of dance, music and song.

Agribusiness, Alltech, Events

2015 Issues for National Potato Council

Chuck Zimmerman

Dan LakeThe outgoing President of the National Potato Council is Dan Lake, Ronan, Montana. I visited with him during Potato Expo to learn what the big issues were in 2015 for the organization.

Dan says there were four main issues. One is pollinator health and he says farmers are using technology now that is designed to keep bee health in mind. Another is truck weight reform, allowing trucks to haul larger loads. Funding for research is also a big effort. Getting country of origin labeling repealed was another. Listen to my interview with Dan to hear more about each of these issues.

Listen to my interview with Dan here: Dan Lake, NPC President

Potato Expo 2016 Photo Album

Coverage of the Potato Expo is sponsored by Coverage of Potato Expo is sponsored by Nufarm
Ag Groups, Audio, Farm Policy, Potato

Farm Foundation Forum Set for Jan. 20

Jamie Johansen

Screen Shot 2016-01-13 at 10.07.38 AMThe Farm Foundation Forum will take place January 20, 2016 and focus on the issue of antibiotic use in both humans and animals. If you have an interest in agricultural, food and rural policy, including members of Congress, congressional staff, executive branch officials, industry representatives, NGO representatives, academics and members of the media, the Farm Foundation encourages you to attend.

Panel members will examine issues and actions in animal health, human health, the retail/market sector and the public policy arena, including what those actions mean domestically and globally. Moderating the panel will be Farm Foundation Trustee Joe Swedberg, who chairs the Foundation’s Antimicrobial Education Project Advisory Committee.

Featured on the panel will be:
– Terry Coffey, DVM, Smithfield Foods
– Steve Solomon, MD, Global Public Health Consulting
– Jerome Lyman, McDonald’s Corporation, retired
– Kathy Talkington, Pew Charitable Trusts

The Forum will be 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. EST at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C. After discussion by the panelists, the floor will be opened for questions. For those unable to attend in person, a live audiocast is available free of charge. The Forum is also free, but registration is required.

Ag Groups, Animal Health, Farm Foundation

Family Farmers Support Climate Focus in SOTU Address

Joanna Schroeder

Last night marked President Obama’s last State of the Union (SOTU) address, and as expected one area of focus was the fight against climate change. National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson said after the speech that the administration’s focus on the climate change is an issue that farmers and ranchers across the U.S. have been dealing with for many years.

“We are greatly appreciative of the Administration’s focus on climate change,” said Johnson. “Their efforts to help mitigate climate change will give family farmers and ranchers a better shot at ensuring global food security. Family farmers and ranchers can employ numerous practices that reduce or sequester carbon when given the correct incentives.”

nfu_logo2However, on trade issues, Johnson said Obama is not on target and the president’s signature trade deal will fail to deliver promised jobs, markets and economic growth for family farmers and ranchers unless there are enforceable rules against currency manipulation. Johnson noted that at least four member countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) are known currency manipulators. By manipulating their currencies, countries can make their goods less expensive on the world market, easily eliminating U.S. gains from trade deals. The practice has greatly contributed to this nation’s massive $508 billion trade deficit.

“Unfortunately, not everyone plays fair,” said Johnson. “Like many of the trade deals that proceeded it, the TPP fails to provide effective enforcement tools to prevent competitors from manipulating their currencies and thereby bypassing trade rules. Despite the president’s promises, the U.S. will be on the losing side of the trade ledger once again if we don’t tackle currency manipulation.”

Johnson also applauded the president for his efforts to end the embargo with Cuba. “NFU appreciates president’s actions to end 50 years of a failed, self-imposed trade embargo on an island nation of 11 million people just 90 miles from American shores. Now it is time for Congress to step up and end this embargo for good.”

Trade