AgFuse Wants to Connect Farmers

Chuck Zimmerman

AgFuseIt has been a while since I’ve seen an announcement of a social network designed to connect farmers and the whole agricultural community. But I just found out about AgFuse. Take a look and let me know what you think. Learn more below.

AgFuse is a free social media tool created specifically to connect farmers and the agricultural community with one another. Never before has there been a platform that enables farmers, experts, suppliers and farm organizations to communicate with one another with such effectiveness and ease.

The farming community now has a way to connect, tell their stories, promote useful products, share and network. Farmers and ag professionals can use AgFuse to not just connect with one another, but also to quickly learn the latest farming information, new developments, research, tips and much more.
User profiles include basic information, areas of interest, such as organic farming or livestock. Users can form or join Groups allowing for the discussion of specific topics, such as cover crops and precision technology. The diverse toolset provided by AgFuse allows farmers to increase knowledge in the field, update members and provide instant news through groups.
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Social Networking

Agricultural Retailers Gather in California

Chuck Zimmerman

ARA ConventionThe 2015 ARA Conference & Expo is underway in Palm Desert, CA. Opening the general session this morning is Steve Peterson, Retired Director of Sourcing & Sustainability, General Mills. I’ll share an interview with him later.

We have a big crowd attending again this year. The theme is Performance. Precision. Passion. and the conference programs reflect those concepts. After a morning general session we’ll have afternoon breakouts on topics like millennials, using data, banking and finance.

This evening we’ll have an auction to raise money for ARAPAC, ARA’s political action committee.

I’ve got an online album of photos for your viewing and sharing pleasure here: 2015 Agricultural Retailers Conference & Expo Photo Album

Here’s more on the theme:


Ag Groups, ARA

Farm Journal Purchases Assets of Vance Publishing

Kelly Marshall

farm journalFarm Journal Media, along with Bobit Business Media and CCI Media, have announced they are each acquiring assets from Vance Publishing Corporation.  The agreement states that Farm Journal will receive the agricultural properties of the company while Bobit purchases the beauty market portion and CCI obtains Woodworking Network and related assets.

Farm Journal will obtain a portfolio that includes 21 leading websites, online databases, publications and trade shows in produce, livestock, ag retailer and row crop markets.

Andy Weber, CEO of Farm Journal, explained: “Vance is a perfect fit to add market-leading brands in important ag sectors that are new to us. By acquiring these top brands, we become market leaders in the important Produce sector, combine to become the leader in the Livestock sector and now have the leading voice to Ag Retailers, an area in which we have already heavily invested.”

Weber went on to state, “The Vance portfolio complements our existing No. 1 media position in the large row crop market, and we’re honored to bring the Vance brands into the Farm Journal family.”

William C. Vance, Chairman and CEO of Vance Publishing Corporation, added: “I have known the Farm Journal Media, Bobit Business Media and CCI Media organizations for years. I am gratified the products and services we have worked so hard to build here at Vance have found new homes with companies that share our values and commitment to quality. Our employees and customers are in good hands.”

Agribusiness, Journalism

Potato Expo Hosts First Food Truck Chef Competition

Kelly Marshall

food_truckThe largest conference and trade show for the potato industry will be hosting a food truck chef competition a their 2016 Potato Expo.  The Spud Nation Throwdown will be held January 12.  Three food truck chefs have been selected from a national competition to bring their most creative and flavorful potato dishes.  Judges will chose one “Top Spud” and award a prize of $5,000.

Almost half the population will purchase a meal from one of the nations 4,500 food trucks this year.  This growing segment has challenged chefs to create new offerings. “The growing number of adventurous diners combined with the universal appeal of potatoes, both as center of the plate and side dish recipes, is the perfect storm,” said Phil Lempert, Supermarket Guru. “We predict big things for these food trucks.”

Watch Lempert introduce the competition in a video here. You don’t have to miss the energy these chefs bring! Live coverage will be streamed via Periscope on January 12.

The chef finalists are:
· Heather Banter from Circle City Spuds – Indianapolis, IN
· Daniel McCarthy from Tato Heads – Columbus, OH
· Bridgett Blough from The Organic Gypsy – Kalamazoo, MI

Watch their video for more information and be sure to follow on Periscope to see the results!


Events, Potato

Sustainable Farmer Award Applications Sought

Cindy Zimmerman

bayerBayer CropScience is seeking young agricultural producers that demonstrate leadership and excellence in the areas of business and environmental sustainability through the 2016 Young Farmer Sustainability Award. Any farmer or rancher age 40 and under who receives at least half of his or her income from farming and farm-related ventures is eligible to apply. Applications may be accessed and completed online and must be received by January 15, 2016. The winner will be announced at the annual Bayer Ag Issues Forum, March 1-2 in New Orleans, just prior to the 2016 Commodity Classic. 2016 will mark the sixth year of the Young Farmer Sustainability Award.

“The Young Farmer Sustainability Award recognizes the next generation of growers who are applying the latest and greatest innovations on their farms to ensure that their business, their community and the environment will prosper,” said Jim Blome, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience LP. The 2015 Young Farmer Sustainability Award Winner was Andrew Fansler of Indiana.

Award applicants will be judged by a panel of industry experts on the following criteria: their entrepreneurial initiative and adoption of new approaches to farming (50%), their environmental and other on-farm sustainability efforts (30%), and their economic stability and sustainability (20%). The winning entrant will receive a 360 SOILSCAN™ portable soil testing system, an all-expense paid trip to the 2016 Ag Issues Forum and Commodity Classic in New Orleans, and credit towards a Farm Journal learning event.

Bayer, Farming, Sustainability

Agritechnica Awards New Holland Machine of the Year

Jamie Johansen

Screen Shot 2015-12-01 at 9.27.15 AMAt Agritechnica 2015, New Holland Agriculture’s new T7.315 tractor was crowned with the coveted “Machine of the Year” 2016 in the large tractor category.

The title is bestowed by a jury of 19 journalists representing leading European agricultural publications. The machine was rewarded for its technical innovation and the benefits it brings to customers, with selection criteria focusing on innovative features, performance, productivity, cost of operation, ease of use and operator comfort.

“This award represents an important validation that New Holland’s approach to product development that focuses on innovation specifically to meet our customers’ needs,” said Dan Valen, Cash Crop Segment Lead for New Holland North America. “Although this is a European award, we know our customers in North America will also appreciate the T7.315’s versatility, efficiency, comfort, and power. We are particularly proud to receive this award in 2015, when we are celebrating New Holland’s 120th anniversary of innovation in agriculture.”

The T7.315 is one of two new heavy-duty models that extend the T7 Series to meet the needs of farming operations requiring the power of a large-frame tractor with the versatility and agility of a small frame machine. The T7.315 delivers the power to perform a wide range of jobs, from row crop work, baling hay, or mowing, to hauling manure and other chores, and the comfort and efficiency operators are looking for. It also features the revolutionary IntelliCruise™ tractor-baler automation that enables New Holland’s BigBaler to control the tractor’s speed to maximize productivity and bale consistency, making it the ultimate large square baling tractor.

Agribusiness, Equipment, Forage, New Holland, Tractor

Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Sen. Joe Donnelly

John Davis

open-micAgri-Pulse Open Mic this week features Sen. Joe Donnelly.

The Hoosier Democrat is an outspoken critic of the Environmental Protection Agency’s WOTUS rule. In this week’s interview, Donnelly suggests legislative action may still be possible to thwart the agency’s new regulations. Senator Donnelly shares support for the Export Import Bank, has hopes for child nutrition reform and feels an urgency to resolve COOL laws in light of pending trade retaliation from Canada and Mexico. Like others in Washington and across the country, Donnelly is evaluating the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and shares ideas on what is needed to gain his vote on the measure.

Click here to listen to Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Sen. Joe Donnelly.

Agri-Pulse, Audio, Water

Farm Bureau Connects Students with Food Science Fun

John Davis

FoodScienceFunA new resource looks to connect students to the science of food and food production. This news release from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture says its My American Farm educational site offers “Food Science Fun” that was student tested and approved.

“Food Science Fun” is a new guide that contains 10 activities related to food science. The guide is designed to equip volunteers and professional educators with powerful tools for facilitating a food science day camp, or activities at a fair, other special event or in the classroom.

The resources contained in the guide were pilot-tested at several science day camps in California and Indianapolis. Nearly 3,000 students were reached during the testing period.

The “Food Science Fun” guide can be downloaded for free on the Fairs and Events Hands on Activities page on My American Farm.

The site and resources are made possible through the generous support of DuPont Pioneer.

AFBF

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