USDA to Honor Bob Stallman

Cindy Zimmerman

stallman-vilsackThe U.S. Department of Agriculture is planning a special day of recognition for outgoing American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) president Bob Stallman next month.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden will proclaim January 6 as Bob Stallman Appreciation Day and present an official proclamation in recognition of Stallman’s commitment to strengthening rural American families and communities.

Stallman has served as president of the American Farm Bureau Federation for 16 years, supporting U.S. farmers and ranchers as they help feed the world, protect and preserve the environment, provide jobs, and contribute to the nation’s economy. He announced in July that he will be stepping down as president at the annual convention next month in Orlando where a new president for the organization will be elected.

AFBF, USDA

Take Advantage of Year End Tax Savings

Cindy Zimmerman

With the approval by Congress extending the $500,000 Section 179 capital assets depreciation limit and enhanced bonus depreciation, now is the time to take advantage of year end tax savings on farm equipment. The Section 179 tax deduction, which allows farmers and small businesses to immediately write off the full price of up to $500,000 in capital assets purchases instead of depreciating it over time, is good on new and used equipment and is combined with bonus depreciation for even bigger tax savings on new equipment. To take advantage of this tax break in the 2015 tax year, equipment must be purchased, financed, or leased and put in service by midnight on December 31, 2015.

cnh-year-endNew Holland Agriculture is offering a Year-End Celebration savings event that allows qualified buyers to take advantage of cash back plus low rate financing on current-year New Holland tractors and equipment.

“We’re excited that Section 179 has been passed into law,” says Bret Lieberman, Vice President of New Holland, North America. “This gives our customers a welcomed tax break, and will help them invest in much-needed equipment that will enhance their productivity.” But Lieberman says the Section 179 tax break is just one reason customers should consider upgrading their equipment by year-end. “December 31 also signifies the end of New Holland’s 120th Anniversary celebration and our Year-End Celebration savings event plus a special no-interest finance program—a perfect opportunity for our customers to save even more on new equipment in preparation for the coming season,” he added.

New Holland agricultural equipment is also eligible for a special “No Interest, No Payments Until 2017” program that expires December 31. Details of the Year-End Celebration and financing offer are available online and customers can also visit their participating New Holland dealership for details and eligibility requirements.

Equipment, New Holland

Last Days to Play LibertyLink Real Yield Game

Chuck Zimmerman

Real Yield GameFarmers are already winning by playing the Bayer CropScience LibertyLink Real Yield Game. But the game ends 12/31/15 so get your game on!

I spoke with winner Karl Fictum, Wisconsin, and asked him how he learned about the LibertyLink Real Yield Game. He was searching around the Bayer CropScience website and it “popped up” at him so he played the game and is very surprised he won something.

Karl has won a year’s supply of LibertyLink Soybeans and Liberty Herbicide. He says he’s one of those guys who is set in his ways but this will give him a chance to try something new and that is the LibertyLink system. In fact, he says he’ll be planting all LibertyLink this year.

He recommends playing the game. Just keep in mind you only have a couple days left to do so.

Listen to Wisconsin farmer Karl Fictum here: Interview with LibertyLink winner Karl Fictum of Wisconsin

Audio, Bayer, Herbicide, Soybean

Cotton Growers Pleased with WTO Negotiations

John Davis

cottonCotton growers were happy to see the latest results from World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations. This news release from the National Cotton Council (NCC) said U.S. trade negotiators were able to resist pressure for further concessions on cotton during the recent 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.

“U.S. negotiators held firm with respect to any cotton specific outcomes, ensuring that the United States would not face any new restrictions on cotton domestic support,” [National Cotton Council (NCC) Chairman Sledge Taylor, a Mississippi producer and ginner,] said.

To continue to highlight the shortcomings in WTO notifications by major producing countries, the decision was made to continue the cotton dedicated discussions within the WTO for purposes of providing greater transparency and complete notifications of subsidies by all countries.

The Nairobi ministerial declaration also reaffirms that developed countries shall provide duty free/quota free access for cotton and cotton-related products to least developed countries (LDCs). The United States already has provided this access for LDCs.

Across agriculture, the declaration calls for the immediate elimination of agricultural export subsidies by developed countries and within three years for developing countries, while there are limited exceptions until 2023 for transportation and marketing subsidies by developing countries, subject to conditions. The agreement also will align the use of export credits by all countries to the same terms as those currently utilized by the United States, creating a more level playing field.

“While the overall outcome of the Ministerial is generally positive, there continues to be unwarranted pressure and focus on U.S. cotton policy by some WTO members,” Taylor stated. “The NCC will continue to utilize the WTO forum to advance the recognition that the global cotton market has evolved significantly since 2003, when cotton was initially singled out as a separate agenda item at the Cancun WTO ministerial. Over the past decade, U.S. cotton farmers have experienced a decline in their safety net, while the surge in Asian polyester production has reshaped global fiber markets.”

Cotton

NCGA: Boosting Corn Utilization Key Success Strategy

John Davis

NCGA-LogoNational Corn Growers Association leaders say the corn industry needs a better plan than hoping bad weather fixes weak prices, as some market analysts have suggested. This news release from the group says it has recommitted to boosting corn utilization as a key strategy in achieving a healthy and viable corn industry long term.

“To successfully address farmer’s income you have two paths, either decreasing input costs or growing demand,” said NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team Chairman Larry Hoffmann, a farmer from Wheatland, North Dakota. “We will continue to work on both, but with a renewed focus on new uses for corn as a means of raising the price per bushel.”

NCGA’s Corn Board, action teams and committees convened in St. Louis earlier this month to delve into the issues and opportunities that will impact corn farmers across the country during the coming year.

The Research and Business Development Action Team explored possible changes to team policies and activities that could help their respective programs improve efforts to create and maintain opportunities for growers.

“If it grinds another bushel of corn we are going to evaluate its potential,” Hoffmann said. “If it uses 25 million bushels or 100 million bushels it will put us one-step closer to our goal.”

Ag Groups, Corn, NCGA

Merry Christmas from AgWired!

Joanna Schroeder

ZimmComm Christmas Card

The AgWired team is thankful to all of you for tuning in through a busy 2015 as we worked to provide the latest agriculture news. We’ll be bringing you some new stories throughout the end of the year and resume full coverage on January 2, 2016. We’ll be onsite all over the country next year and look forward to seeing some of you during our travels.

We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Media

Happy Holidays from NAMA

Kelly Marshall

National Agri-Marketing Association is wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday.

NAMA

The NAMA staff wishes you a safe and happy holiday season!  The national NAMA office will close December 24 and re-open on January 2, 2016.  As another year draws to an end, we would like to take  a moment to express our sincere gratitude to you for being a part of NAMA.  We will continue to connect you to the people, tools and programs you need to help position yourself and your organization for continued success.

Please accept our wishes for health, happiness an prosperity as we approach 2016  Stay warm and have a wonderful holiday season!

Uncategorized

Eco Agro Names Chuck Barber President, Global Sales

Taylor Truckey

ecoagroChuck Barber has been selected to lead the global sales efforts for US-based Eco Agro Resources in a newly created position. Barber was previously VP with the specialty fertilizer group within the company.

“I am excited to be part of a fast-growing company like Eco Agro,” remarks Barber. He observes, “We have a great team of experienced people, a proprietary line of patent-pending products including N YIELD™ and N-BOUND™ nitrogen stabilizers, and a number of products in the pipeline powered by PENXCEL™ technology.” Barber previously held positions with Koch Agronomic Services, Agrotain International and The Scotts Company.

Andrew Semple, CEO of Eco Agro Resources congratulated Barber on his new appointment, “I’ve known Chuck for years. His experience, his leadership ability and his work here with our company demonstrate the value he brings. We are pleased that Chuck can move up to serve our customers around the globe.”

Barber is located at the Eco Agro headquarters in Sarasota, FL.

Uncategorized

Pollers Feel Climate Accord Adds To Regulations

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What do you think climate accord will mean for ag?”

It looks like the majority feel that climate accord will add to the already over-abundant regulations or is simply bad for everyone. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said the COP21 deal will support a “better-nourished, stable, secure future” and the benchmarks “build on the ambitious climate smart strategy being implemented by U.S. farmers, ranchers and foresters.” No matter how you feel, the climate discussion isn’t going anywhere as we enter 2016.

Here are the poll results:

  • Meaningless – 10%
  • Good for farmers- 5%
  • More regulations – 35%
  • Good for everyone – 20%
  • Bad for everyone – 30%
  • Other – 0%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What’s your favorite food/drink gift?

‘Tis the season for yummy gifts of goodies to eat and drink – which is probably why we always end up gaining a few pounds over the holidays! So, what is your favorite food or drink to get or give as a gift during the holidays?

ZimmPoll