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

Wettersten Joins GROWMARK Corporate Relations Team

Talia Goes

Wettersten_Matt 15Matt Wettersten is the new Publications and Media Relations Specialist at GROWMARK. He takes over for Cassie Becker who accepted a position outside the GROWMARK System. Wettersten comes to GROWMARK from WCIA-TV, the CBS affiliate based in Champaign, Illinois. He spent over five years there serving most recently as Sports Director. “It’s an honor to join such an outstanding team at GROWMARK. I love the company’s mission and vision and dedication to its members and local communities,” said Wettersten. “Television has afforded me the opportunity to tell the stories of some amazing people and I look forward to sharing the stories and expertise within the GROWMARK system,” he added.

Wettersten will handle media relations responsibilities, working with outlets to cover newsworthy topics at GROWMARK and in the field of agriculture. He will also work on various GROWMARK publications and internal content creation. He is a graduate of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois and has also spent time working at WLFI-TV in West Lafayette, Indiana and WMBD-TV in Peoria, Illinois.

Read full release here.

Agribusiness, GROWMARK

GROWMARK Announces 2016 Essay Contest Theme

Talia Goes

growmarklogoThe theme for the 2016 GROWMARK Essay Contest is: “What can young people do to ensure the sustainability of agriculture?” The contest is open to all high school FFA members in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

This is the 23rd year for the program, sponsored by the GROWMARK System and FS member cooperatives, in conjunction with state FFA leaders, to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues affecting agriculture, and understand the unique role of cooperatives.

This year, students will create a working definition of sustainability, and offer suggestions for ways their generation can ensure agriculture remains strong well into the future.

Essays should be approximately 500 words, typed and double-spaced. The postmarked entry deadline for all essays is March 1, 2016. Additional program details have been sent to agriculture teachers and are online at www.growmark.com/company/youth-young-farmers/pages/essay-contest.aspx

“Sustainability is an important topic, and there are many definitions out there,” said Karen Jones, GROWMARK youth and cooperative education specialist. “I look forward to reading about the ideas students have for keeping our industry viable and growing.”

Each state’s winner earns a $500 award and the winner’s FFA chapter receives a $300 award. Four runners-up per state each win $125 awards.

The program is offered each year and many agriculture teachers use it as part of their class curriculum. Past topics have included renewable fuels, biotechnology, and the cooperative principles.

Read full release here.

Agribusiness, GROWMARK