Restoration of Crop Insurance Cuts Gets Bipartisan Praise

John Davis

capitol-nightPrevious cuts to the federal government’s crop insurance program look to be reversed. The action in the transportation conference report that would restore $3 billion in cuts to crop insurance garnered bipartisan praise from U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.

“I appreciate the dedication to America’s farmers shown by our leadership today in ensuring crop insurance remains the number one tool in our producers’ risk management tool box,” Chairman Pat Roberts said. “I thank Leader McConnell, Senator Cornyn, Senator Thune, Senator Inhofe, House leadership and Agriculture Committee Chairman Conaway. I have worked my entire career to build crop insurance as a public-private partnership that best protects producers and taxpayers. My goal was to nip crop insurance cuts in the bud before cuts took effect to harm farmers, and I’m proud to say we’re one big step closer.”

“I am pleased that the House and Senate were able to find a solution that reverse the cuts to agriculture,” Ranking Member Stabenow said. “Crop insurance is a critical tool used by our farmers and ranchers. The Farm Bill already made significant reforms and our farmers and ranchers need the certainty that these programs offer. That’s why Senator Roberts and I have been committed to finding a bipartisan solution that keeps the Farm Bill intact and reverses these cuts.”

politics

Globetrotting Ag Secretary

Cindy Zimmerman

vilsack-chinaAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is continuing his world travels this week in Europe after visiting Cuba, Japan and China in the past few weeks.
Vilsack has been in Brussels, Belguim already this week and is heading to Paris now to address international dignitaries and stakeholders on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), climate change, and global food security. While in Brussels, Secretary Vilsack addressed the European Parliament Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) and the EU Agricultural Outlook Conference.

In Paris, he will be attending the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) climate change summit. At the conference, Vilsack will participate in three side events where he will address the impacts of climate change on agricultural production and food security. The secretary is hosting a side event on Climate Change, Global Food Security, and the U.S. Food System, where he will unveil a new report identifying the effects of climate change on global food security through 2100.

“Climatic stresses impact all of us and have real consequences on food production, dramatically affecting the yields of crops and threatening food security,” said Vilsack. “All nations have a role to play in supporting agricultural growth and driving the innovation necessary to survive. Greater access to innovative tools and technologies will allow farmers, ranchers, and producers to curb the effects of climate change, increase access to food, and ultimately, provide ladders of opportunity for people in rural areas around the world.”

Secretary Vilsack will also announce a new report highlighting progress on sustainable land use over the past six years.

USDA

Does EPA Biofuels Rule Measure Up?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Does your agribusiness/operation have a crisis communications plan?”

There is no doubt agribusinesses, farms/ranches and agriculture organizations need to be proactive in communicating our products to our consumers. I was a little shocked that a small majority believe they have no need for a crisis communications plan. In my opinion, you can never be too prepared.

Here are the poll results:

  • Yes – 33%
  • No, but needs one – 28%
  • No, don’t see a need – 39%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What’s your opinion of EPA rule for biofuels volumes?

The EPA has released a final rule for biofuels volumes under the Renewable Fuels Standard for 2014-2016, which increased the obligations for refiners to use ethanol, biodiesel and advanced or cellulosic biofuels. While it is an increase over the proposed rule, some in the agriculture and biofuels industries say it still does not measure up to the intent of Congress, while others are mostly satisfied, and still others believe it goes too far. What do you think?

ZimmPoll

Updates from Case IH at #NAFB15

Jamie Johansen

nafb-15-108-editedThe Case IH team was out in full force for the 2015 NAFB Trade Talk in Kansas City. One highlight for the well-known equipment company is their 20-year anniversary of tracks on their Steiger tractor. Mitch Kaiser, marketing manager for the Steiger tractor line, said the 2016 enhancements set the bar for high performance, operator experience and all around improvements.

“It’s all about improving efficiency and running faster through the field. We have changed the transmission line up using less parasitic horsepower.”

Listen to my complete interview with Mitch to learn more about their track technology and other innovations from Case IH in the coming year. Interview with Mitch Kaiser, Case IH Steiger

nafb-15-114-editedCase IH’s Advanced Farming Systems (AFS), Leo Bose, was also on-hand to share key upgrades to AFS Connect. These include expanded industry-leading coverage to more than 180 carriers and two-way wireless file transfer.

“Our tools we have for our producers reduce overall inputs. We use technology to drive that.” Leo said it’s more than looking at locations. Producers can pull productivity reports on performance, yield and average flow. “This updates every 60 seconds. Allowing me to look at what that machine is doing in the field.” Listen here to learn more: Interview with Leo Bose, Case IH AFS

nafb-15-112-editedKelly Kravig is marketing manager in Case’s combine and header division and we chatted about the updates to the new 140 series axial-flow combines. After taking time to listen to their customers, Kelly said these updated features are exciting. For example, a new two-speed electric shift transmission that makes it easier for operator to shift.

“Many of the producers who get in the machine appreciate how simple it is to shift and how responsive the transmission is for both in-field operation and roading. But the thing that is most impressive is the ability to maintain field speed and productivity.”

Listen to my complete interview with Kelly to learn more about the 140 combine series updates. Interview with Kelly Kravig, Case IH Combines

View and download photos from event here: NAFB Convention Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Case IH, Equipment, NAFB

FFA Joins #GivingTuesday Movement

Kelly Marshall

ffaThe National FFA Organization and the National FFA Foundation are encouraging the use of #GivingTuesday.  Held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, the day is designed to encourage generosity after the shopping events of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  The FFA hopes to inspire others to give back and support causes they in which they believe.

“Donations to the National FFA Foundation go to support nearly 630,000 FFA members in the pursuit of premier leadership, person growth and career success. Giving Tuesday is a unique opportunity for FFA supporters to celebrate the impact of their generosity on a global day of giving,” said National FFA Foundation President Molly Ball.

92Y − a cultural center in New York City that, since 1874, has been bringing people together around its core values of community service and giving back − conceptualized #GivingTuesday as a new way of linking individuals and causes to strengthen communities and encourage giving. In 2014, the third year of the movement, #GivingTuesday brought together 30,000 partners in 68 countries and registered 32.7 million impressions on Twitter, with its eponymous hashtag mentioned 698,600 times. Since 2012, online giving on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving has increased more than four-fold, based on findings by Blackbaud and the Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, produced in partnership with the Case Foundation.

“We have been incredibly inspired by the generosity in time, efforts and ideas that have brought our concept for a worldwide movement into reality,” said Henry Timms, founder of #Giving Tuesday and executive director of 92Y. “As we embark on our fourth year of #GivingTuesday, we are encouraged by the early response from partners eager to continue making an impact in this global conversation.”

To join the FFA’s #GivingTuesday visit www.ffa.org/givingtuesday.

Ag Groups, FFA

Davies Named Associate Editor at Agri-Pulse

John Davis

davies-headshotAgri-Pulse has a new associate editor. This news release from the company says Steve Davies joined the team in the Agri-Pulse’s Washington, D.C. office.

Davies has a great deal of experience dealing with federal and state regulatory issues. Most recently he worked as the editor of Endangered Species & Wetlands Report, a monthly newsletter covering regulations, legislation and litigation, which he launched in 1995. Prior to that, he wrote for Green Markets and Green Markets Dealer Report, newsletters focused on the fertilizer industry.

“I am delighted to add someone with Steve’s knowledge and experience to our editorial team,” says Agri-Pulse Editor Sara Wyant. “As farmers and agribusinesses are faced with more and more regulatory challenges, he will be closely monitoring these issues and also help us continue to expand our Capitol Hill coverage.”

Davies began his professional journalism career as a copy editor and reporter at the Gazette Newspapers in Gaithersburg, Md., before moving on to The Sentinel in Carlisle, Pa., where he covered Cumberland County government.

Growing up primarily in Maryland, he’s also lived in Russia, India and Poland. He’s a 1984 graduate of Brown University with a bachelor’s degree in Russian Studies.

Agri-Pulse

#Ag Industry Reacts to @EPA #RFS Final Rules

Joanna Schroeder

epaThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the much anticipated final volumetric rules today under the Renewable Fuels Standard for 2014, 2015 and 2016. While the RVOs (renewable volume obligations) were an improvement over the proposed rules released in May of this year, the #Ag industry is calling on the EPA to further strengthen the legislation and further increase all four renewable fuels categories.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack responded to the EPA announcement saying the final rules have moved the RFS a step forward and are one piece of the puzzle for the commitment to biofuels and American-grown renewable energy. He cited several USDA biofuel-based programs as other pieces and highlighted biofuel benefits including saving consumers money at the pump, positive environmental impacts, job creation and stabilizing farm prices.

“This unprecedented commitment is part of the reason why, even in recent years when there has been some uncertainty with RFS, we have seen continued growth in biofuels production and consumption,” said Vilsack in a statement.

National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling reacted with mixed feelings. “While we are pleased to see the EPA take a step forward and revise its original proposal, the fact remains that any reduction in the statutory amount will have a negative impact on our economy, our energy security, and the environment,” said Bowling.

NCGA and other organizations are evaluating their options to protect farmers and consumers and hold the EPA accountable to meet statutory requirements. National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson sharply criticized the EPA for issuing final volume targets well below their statutory level. “The administration’s decision to issue RFS volume obligations below their statutory requirements exacerbates the serious damage already done to the renewable fuels industry and America’s family farmers,” said Johnson. “Clearly the administration has accepted Big Oil’s talking points and paved the way for a weaker RFS to the detriment of economic prosperity in rural America and the administration’s own climate change goals.”

That sentiment was shared by American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. “We need more biofuels, not less, and Farm Bureau called on EPA earlier this year to protect the RFS,” said Stallman. “We are disappointed to see the agency move forward with a decision that will stall growth and progress in renewable fuels as well as the broader agricultural economy.”

American Soybean Association President Wade Cowan is pleased with the increase for biodiesel in the rule but noted that the industry still has the capacity to do more. “As an industry we have always advocated for RFS volumes that are modest and achievable and the biodiesel industry has met or exceeded the targets each and every year that the program has been in place,” said Cowan. 

AFBF, Agribusiness, ASA, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Ethanol, NCGA, USDA

ARA Performance. Precision. Passion. Preview.

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 493It’s time to get back on the agriblogging highway with a trip to the 2015 Agricultural Retailers Association Conference & Expo. The theme is Performance. Precision. Passion.

We’re going to discover how performance, precision and passion shapes success through presentations, networking and exhibits at this event for ag retailers and suppliers. You can still attend if you would like and just register on-site.

ARA Conference LogoOur Jamie Johansen spoke with ARA Chairman, Dave DuFault, Simplot, to provide a preview of this year’s conference.

Presentations and discussions at the ARA Conference & Expo will feature topics such as sustainability within the food-chain, water issues, fertilizer trends, financial movements in the ag sector and personal health and wellness.

The conference will feature keynote presentations by Steve Peterson, General Mills; Paul Wenger, California Farm Bureau; and Jim Prokopanko, The Mosaic Company. Ed Skelton with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Dr. Robert Orford with The Mayo Clinic, Michael Turley of OsbornBarr and other noted speakers will lead workshops during the conference.

Learn more about this week’s convention in this week’s program: Dave DuFault, ARA Chairman

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

The ZimmCast

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Ag Groups, ARA, Audio, ZimmCast

Book Review: Red Combines

Joanna Schroeder

redcombinesIt’s Cyber Monday, and so here is another gift idea for agriculture lovers: Red Combines. Authored by Lee Klancher, the beautiful tome visually and artistically details the history of the entire line of International Harvester and Case IH red combines from 1915-2015.

Other elements of the book include how the red combine has impacted both agriculture and society throughout the years. Red Combines tells the story of the development of the Axial-Flow combine in 1977 that was created in a garage so secret very few people even knew of its existence. After its release, Klancher writes about how this combine gave agriculture a technological leap and assisted in transforming the agriculture industry and how farmers farmed. The Axial-Flow combine was not the only piece of equipment built in secret. Klancher also tells the story of the CBX, a mega-combine built in the 1990s behind closed doors.

Red Combines is a great book for all the fans of farm history and farm equipment. You don’t have to bleed red to enjoy this coffee table book.

Case IH is offering our readers a special contest. For your chance to win, make a comment to this post or to my post reviewing “Combines with Casey & Friends”. You can share your experience of harvesting, tell a funny story on the farm, or just give us your name, but have some fun, and you’ll be registered to win both of these children’s books along with “Red Combines”.

Can’t wait to win? Then click here to purchase Red Combines.

Case IH, Equipment, Tractor

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • On behalf of Bayer CropScience, product manager, Steve Olson, will present a $25,000 contribution to California Citrus Mutual (CCM) to support research to help combat against Huanglongbing, or HLB.
  • Tom Colyer, Gwendolyn Kitzan, Martin Auza, and Jeffrey Oatman have been appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, to serve on the American Lamb Board.
  • CRV, a leading global cattle improvement organization, announced that Amy VanderMark was appointed as new Managing Director for North America on November 2, 2015.
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