AgWired | Page 717 | News and information from the world of AgriBusiness

Play Real Yield Game – Bayer Contributes to Local FFA

Chuck Zimmerman October 15, 2015

Did you know that for every Real Yield Game you play Bayer will make a donation to your local FFA on your behalf? Yep.

Here’s how you play:

Visit www.realyieldgame.com and click on the promotion link.
1. Complete all fields in the registration or log-in process.
2. Select five fields in the game area to spray Liberty® to reveal incremental bushels of soybeans.
3. Look at the total number of incremental bushels of soybeans for all five fields in the silo and determine the prize won.

Limit three game plays per person – one game play for complete registration, one game play for completion of LibertyLink® Ratings/Reviews/Attributes, one game play for social sharing through the promotion website.

In the real world, missed weeds compromise real yield. The LibertyLink® system is simply a better solution that ensures you don’t lose yield from missed weeds. Choose LibertyLink® and Liberty® to maximize real yields with high-performing genetics and better weed control.

Jerry Roberts, Missouri, has had good results using the Liberty Link system:

New Zealand’s Minister of Primary Industries

Cindy Zimmerman October 15, 2015

The Honorable Nathan Guy, Minister of Primary Industries for New Zealand, is basically the counterpart of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in this country and he was delighted to welcome the 2015 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Congress to “little old New Zealand.”

“This is a significant event for New Zealand,” said Guy of the 33 countries represented at the IFAJ event this week. “I’m hopeful that you will all go back having learned something about our country, about our people, about our culture and about our primary industries.”

Since “little old” New Zealand played a major role in the recently concluded Trans Pacific Partnership agreement, that was a major topic of Guy’s address to the IFAJ Congress. “This is a very significant trade deal,” he said. “The value of the TPP for New Zealand is estimated to be about $2.7 billion by 2030…We see this as a starting point for industries in New Zealand to take this opportunity and run with it.”

In a short group interview after his address to the IFAJ, Guy also talked about the significance of the trade deal to New Zealand’s dairy industry, and the vital importance of the island nation to protect its native plants and animals from invasive pests and diseases. Interview with New Zealand Minister of Primary Industries Nathan Guy

2015 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, IFAJ, International

Chelsea Clinton On Women in Ag at #FoodPrize15

Joanna Schroeder October 15, 2015

The official Borlaug 101 sessions kicked off yesterday afternoon in Des Moines, Iowa with remarks from Ambassador Kenneth M Quinn who is the president of the The World Food Prize Foundation. He acknowledged the famous founder, Norman Borlaug and that this year would have been his 101 birthday, while next year will be the 30th anniversary of World Food Prize. The international event brings advocates from around the world to Des Moines to discuss key food issues including how to raise people from poverty, how to grow a safe and nutritious food supply, how to increase productivity and this year’s special emphasis is on how to engage and support more women in agriculture and science.

The keynote speaker was Chelsea Clinton, vice president of the Clinton Foundation, and author of “It’s Your World, Get Informed, Get Inspired and Get Going,” who delivered inspiring remarks about how to encourage and support global women in agriculture as well as how to encourage young women to seek careers in STEM industries. She stressed that women are the key to alleviating hunger around the world, especially in countries like Africa where 70 percent of the farmers are women, even though the majority of the land is owned by men.

“Women are a crucial, vital and necessary part of solving the challenge of alleviating hunger,” said Clinton.

Clinton’s presentation was followed by a panel discussion that focused on women entitled, “Empowering Women and Girls Through STEM Education”. The discussion was moderated by Catherine Bertini, 2003 World Food Prize Laureate and included: Michiel Bakker, Director of Global Food Services, Google; Robert T. Fraley, 2013 World Food Prize Laureate and Monsanto CEO; The Honorable Kim Reynolds, Iowa Lt. Governor, State of Iowa; and Mary Wagner, Global Senior Vice President R&D/Quality, Food Safety & Regulatory, Starbucks.

Listen to the panel discussion here: Empowering Women and Girls Through STEM Education

There were several key takaways including reaching out to girls at a younger age to get them introduced, interested and involved in science and the need for more programs to continue to foster girls’ interest and education including mentors. But maybe most important, said Clinton, is to not let people tell you that you can’t be a scientist or mathematician. She noted that young girls are bombarded with messages about how they look at such young and formative ages and the message is that, “You’re largely valued for how you look and not what’s in your brain.” But when this happens, she stressed, don’t listen. Continue to follow your passion and show naysayers what is possible.

2015 World Food Prize photo album.

Coverage of the World Food Prize Global Harvest Initiative is sponsored by

Audio, Education, Food, John Deere, World Food Prize

Vision Event to Focus on Food Security

Joanna Schroeder October 15, 2015

An upcoming Vision Event will be focusing on the importance of the food safety as well as dive into critical issues ranging from social concerns to economics to marketing. The event, sponsored by the Livestock Publications Council, will take place in Kansas City, Missouri Wednesday, November 10, 2015 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Westin Crown Center. The special panel is part of events taking place during the NAFB Convention.

Featured speakers include Ryan Goodman, Agriculture Advocate; Karen Hanson, Registered Dietitian with Hy-Vee; and Margaret Zeigler, executive directory of the Global Harvest Initiative. The panel will be moderated by Mike Adams, host of the syndicated radio show AgriTalk.

Following the educational seminar, there will be a social hour and Auction & ‘Fun-Raising’ Action beginning at 5:30 pm. The evening will conclude with the Dinner with Recognition of the 2015 Hall of Honor award winners beginning at 6:30 pm. The event is free; however, tickets for the dinner are $50 per person. Reservations should be made by November 1, 2015 by contacting diane@livestockpublications.com.

Agribusiness, Food, NAFB

The Hibbity-Jibbities

Melissa Sandfort October 15, 2015

My bedroom when I was a child had two windows and in the fall (despite my horrible allergies to weeds, grass, pollen, mold, dust, you name it) I would keep my windows open as I fell asleep. I’d lie awake listening to the sounds of crickets and cicadas in the weeping willow tree. Below each window was a large evergreen bush. And usually attached from the evergreen bush to the screen on my window was a large spider web, home to many a garden spider.

These innocent, yet very large, spiders were just enough to keep a 14-year-old from sneaking out of the house through the window. To this day, I believe mom and dad chose that room for me because they knew I’d never escape if I had to go around a spider!

I have said many times how many similarities there are between my daughter and I. I know what she’s going to do, when she’s going to do it, and WHY she does it. There’s no pulling the wool over this mom’s face! (Poor girl.)

A few weeks ago, I took this picture of the garden spider and guess where he was. Right outside of my daughter’s bedroom window.

Life has a funny way about it, doesn’t it?

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Cabs Now Available on New Holland Compact Tractor

Kelly Marshall October 15, 2015

The Boomer 37/41/47 compact tractors from New Holland now come with a factory-installed cab. The new cab is spacious and climate-controlled for year-round comfort. Side and rear-opening windows also allow natural ventilation for those beautiful weather work days.

“Whether you load mulch, mow the lawn, move snow, or do farm chores, New Holland’s Boomer tractors have set the standard for efficiency, convenience, and ease of operation. Now, operators can work even more productively with the year-round comfort and protection of a cab,” says Todd DeBock, Pro Work Tools Market Segment Leader.

Boomer compact tractors are designed with New Holland’s signature sloped hood and without a muffler in the operator’s line of sight. The cab features ample window space for excellent forward visibility as well as to the rear drawbar and linkage. The view is enhanced with a lighting package that illuminates both front and sides for greater productivity and safety when operating in the early or late hours of the day.

Convenience continues inside the cab, with an adjustable cloth seat with easy fore/aft movement and adjustable arm rests. Controls are conveniently located on the right fender for easy access.

The tractors are run by Tier 4B fuel efficient engines. The engines decrease greenhouse gases and hydrocarbon pollution while using fuel with more efficiency and require no extra fluids or operator input. The New Holland system is completely automatic.

Agribusiness, New Holland, Tractor

Monsanto Co. Top 2015 World’s Best Workplaces

Jamie Johansen October 15, 2015

Great Place to Work® has named Monsanto Company to the list of the World’s Best Multinational Workplaces for the fourth consecutive year. This year, Monsanto ranked No. 9 in the world’s largest annual study of workplace excellence that identifies the top 25 best multinational companies in terms of workplace culture and is the top ranking agricultural company.

“At Monsanto, we pride ourselves on the diverse, inclusive culture we’ve created that allows us to achieve great results for our customers and others who depend on us,” said Hugh Grant, Monsanto Chairman and CEO. “Teamwork is the foundation of our culture and helps us build the strong partnerships needed to pursue solutions to the big challenges we all share.”

Monsanto was named a Great Place to Work® in 12 national lists, up from nine in 2014. Monsanto is the only St. Louis-based company and the only agriculture company recognized again this year.

To be eligible for the Top 25 World’s Best Multinational Workplaces list, qualifying companies must have appeared on at least five national Great Place to Work® lists, have at least 5,000 employees worldwide, and have a global workforce where at least 40 percent of their employees work outside the company’s home country.

Agribusiness

More Growers Needed to Meet Specialty Food Demand

Joanna Schroeder October 15, 2015

According to a new report, “Beyond Organic: The Revolution in Consumer Food Expectations,” specialty foods are here to stay. The report looked at consumer preferences and purchase habits of specialty foods including gluten free and ethically produced (non-GMO, antibiotic, hormone free, etc.). According to co-author Peter Walter, consumers are particularly committed to certain types of specialty, or organic foods. For example, 70 percent of respondents who purchase either occasionally or frequently prefer all natural products while 68 percent prefer locally produced food. However, many Big Food companies are struggling to keep up but those who address health, sustainability and ethical concerns of consumers are positioned to benefit.

This major shift in consumer preference will require overhauling or rebuilding supply chains, launching or acquiring new brands, and identifying how to manage input costs while still turning a profit. But important for Big Food, Walter says consumers are willing, and pay more, for specialty products and this trend is here to stay.

Significant commitments have been made by CPGS, grocery and food service to consumers and the supply chain is evolving to cope with this. A critical part of the supply chain? Growers.

USDA’s Organic Survey (2014) found organic product sales by farms in the U.S. increased 83 percent between 2007 and 2012. USDA’s report is a third in a series of ongoing surveys to assist not only producers but suppliers to the organic industry who use the data to plan production and marketing of new products.

Organic vegetables at a Kroger store in Smyrna, Georgina. Photo Credit: Joanna Schroeder

The USDA Organics Survey looks at how many acres are currently “organic” approved, exempted or in the transition phase to become organic. The survey finds there are 14,093 current certified or exempted organic farms in the U.S. with 3,670, 560 total organic acres in production with California leading in organic farms and organic acres in production.

One way the financial risk is being offset by food chains such as Walmart, is contracting directly with growers. Walter says companies that offer farmers the same price or a premium will help growers on the fence begin the three year process of organic conversion. He notes so far the dairy industry output has been adequate whereas fruits and vegetables are still being imported. In addition, Walter says, there is not adequate supply of non-GMO corn in the U.S. a trend that is still high-profile, and food companies are importing the ingredient.

Other production areas that are seeing widespread change is in the poultry industry where retail chains such as McDonalds have committed to moving to 100 percent cage free eggs by 2025. Walter says the U.S. market is not big enough to meet current demand, let alone growing demand as more restaurants follow suit.

Walter is confident that the food industry will catch up and that growers, with continued growth of the specialty food industry along with contract commitments, will continue to make the transition of at least a portion of their acres to natural and organic ingredients.

Agribusiness, Food, Organic, Research

#GAPReport2015: Productivity, Sustainability Must Be Priority

Joanna Schroeder October 14, 2015

The global productivity of agriculture has stagnated for the second year in a row and productive, sustainable agriculture must be a priority. This was one of the main findings of the 6th annual Global Agricultural Productivity Report: Building Sustainable Breadbaskets (#GAPReport2015) released by the Global Harvest Initiative (GHI) today during the World Food Prize taking place this week in Des Moines, Iowa. The authors of the report caution that unless this trend is reversed the world may not succeed in sustainably providing food, feed, fiber and biofuels needed for growing worldwide population.

To meet food production goals over the next few decades, global agricultural productivity must increase by 1.75 percent per year. It is estimated there will be 9.7 billion people in 2050 with 40 percent of the growth taking place in Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to GHI’s annual assessment of productivity growth – the GAP Index™ – the current rate of growth is only 1.72 percent. The rate of annual productivity growth in low-income countries is much lower, at an average of 1.5 percent. At this rate, 15 years from now (2030) sub-Saharan Africa will only be able to meet 14 percent of its food demand, driving up food prices for poor households and requiring significant imports, food assistance, and opening up environmentally sensitive land for agricultural production. Productivity growth is also slowing down in the U.S.- a key U.S. economy driver providing $2 trillion in annual revenue.

“Raising global agricultural productivity requires long-term investments in the research and development of science-based agricultural technologies, agricultural extension services and education for farmers around the world, efficient transportation and telecommunications infrastructures, and support for the next generation of farmers,” said Dr. Margaret Zeigler, Executive Director of GHI during her introduction remarks during the report launch. “We also need agreements for better facilitation of global and regional trade and we must prioritize agriculture technologies and practices that help mitigate climate change and conserve natural resources.”

This year’s GAP Report highlights the legacy of U.S. agriculture and conservation system and also shines a spotlight on Zambia, a country leading the way in diversifying its agricultural production systems in a sustainable way. Zambia is working to become a regional breadbasket in southern Africa. The report also stresses that significantly more investments must be made globally, especially among small farmers and women farmers to enable growers to grow more with less.

Listen to Dr. Margaret Zeigler’s introductory remarks here: Dr. Margaret Zeigler's GAP Report Remarks

From left to right: Dr. Margaret Zeigler, Executive Director, Global Harvest Initiative; Dr. Keith Fuglie, Economist, USDA Economic Research Service; Cory Reed, Vice President of the Intelligent Solutions Group, John Deere; Dr. Phyllis Muturi, Makerere University, Uganda and Embu University College, Kenya (AWARD Scholar, Iowa State); Colin Bletsky, Vice President of BioAg, Novozymes; and Ruth Ann Myers, National Vice President, Future Farmers of America (FFA).

Cory Reed, vice president of John Deere’s Intelligent Solutions Group expanded on the need to produce more with less. “By combining precision agriculture with advances in seed, fertilizer and bioagriculture technologies, we are able to “farm smart”, meaning farmers can produce more while also conserving and protecting soils, water, and the natural resource base.” Reed is also the Chair of the GHI Board of Directors.

During the event, a panel took place where participants discussed how to cultivate resilient food and agriculture systems in the U.S. and Zambia, and how the right policies and public-private partnerships advance resilience and help manage risk. Dr. Margaret Zeigler moderated and was joined by Colin Bletsky, Vice President of BioAg, Novozymes; Cory Reed, Vice President of the Intelligent Solutions Group, John Deere; Dr. Keith Fuglie, Economist, USDA Economic Research Service; Ruth Ann Myers, National Vice President, Future Farmers of America (FFA); and Dr. Phyllis Muturi, Makerere University, Uganda and Embu University College, Kenya (AWARD Scholar, Iowa State).

Listen to Kelly Winquist, John Deere, GAP Report 2015 remarks here: Kelly Winquist's GAP Report Remarks

Listen to Ann Steensland, Senior Associate with Global Harvest Initiative remarks here: Ann Steensland's GAP Report Remarks

Listen to Dr. Catherine Woteki, Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics and Chief Scientist, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) closing remarks here: Dr. Catherine Woteki's GAP Report Closing Remarks

Listen to the panel discussion here: GAP Report Panel Discussion

2015 World Food Prize photo album.

Coverage of the World Food Prize Global Harvest Initiative is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, Conservation, Food, John Deere, Precision Agriculture, Sustainability, World Food Prize

Greetings from IFAJ in New Zealand

Cindy Zimmerman October 14, 2015

We have seen the future and it is in New Zealand – 18 hours ahead of central time in the United States!

The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) 2015 Congress is being held in Hamilton, New Zealand where we are learning a lot about this small, two island, South Pacific nation that is home to 30 million sheep, seven million dairy cows, and Richard O’Brien (aka Riff Raff of Rocky Horror Picture Show fame).

The congress began yesterday October 14 in New Zealand time, with the delegates session that included an important change in the organization’s constitution, according to IFAJ president Markus Rediger of Switzerland.

“We decided three years ago to open up our organization to be more global, to be more relevant to our members, especially agricultural journalists in countries that are less developed because communication is important for the development of agriculture,” said Rediger, who adds that the constitution has now been changed to accept into the federation countries where the media is controlled by the government. “We changed and we say now that if the guild of journalists are in favor of freedom of the press, we accept them…it’s an encouragement for them because they already suffer under their government.”

IFAJ is pleased to welcome some new country members at this year’s Congress including Turkey, Croatia, Iran, Congo, and Somalia, just to name a few.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Markus here: Interview with Markus Rediger, IFAJ president

2015 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Audio, IFAJ, International

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