BASF Crop Protection Aids Growers in 2015

Cindy Zimmerman November 18, 2015

2015 was a challenging year for growers with low commodity prices, weird weather and heavy disease pressure, but fungicide products from BASF Crop Protection definitely helped farmers get the most from their crops.

“The one thing farmers can do when markets look like they do is increase yield,” said Dr. Megan Andriankaja, BASF Fungicides Technical Marketing Manager, during an interview at NAFB Trade Talk last week. “Making a fungicide application is going to allow a grower to increase his yield, but it’s also about consistency of performance.”

That includes using BASF products such as Headline AMP for corn and Priaxor for soybeans. “They’re going to help that crop increase yield in disease years, like we saw this year, but it’s also going to help crops through drought years and other stressful conditions,” said Andriankaja.

Disease issues in 2015 included Grey Leaf Spot and Northern Corn Leaf Blight in corn and septoria in soybeans. “Protecting crops from those diseases this past year was absolutely critical for maintaining yield potential,” Andriankaja added.

Learn more in this interview – Interview with Dr. Megan Andriankaja, BASF

NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by

Audio, BASF, Crop Protection, Fungicide, NAFB

USDA Looks to Expand Export Markets with MAP

John Davis November 18, 2015

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has handed out the fiscal year 2016 award funds for its program for commerical export markets for U.S. goods. This agency news release says the Market Access Program (MAP) will provide more than $170 million that focuses on consumer promotion, including brand promotion for small companies and cooperatives, and is used extensively by organizations promoting fruits, vegetables, nuts, processed products, and bulk and intermediate commodities.

“USDA continues to expand markets for American goods abroad, work aggressively to break down barriers to trade, and assist U.S. businesses with the resources needed to reach consumers around the world,” said Vilsack. “Together market access and market development activities can help agricultural organizations representing thousands of producers and businesses open and grow markets for American products around the world.”

Under the MAP, FAS will provide $172.8 million for fiscal year 2016 to 62 nonprofit organizations and cooperatives. These organizations use the funds to help U.S. producers with activities to promote their products around the globe. Activities can include market research, technical assistance, and support for participation in trade fairs and exhibits. MAP participants contribute an average 137 percent match for generic marketing and promotion activities and a dollar–for–dollar match for promotion of branded products by small businesses and cooperatives.

Under the [Foreign Market Development Program (FMD)], FAS will allocate $27.5 million for fiscal year 2016 to 23 trade organizations that represent U.S. agricultural producers. The program focuses on generic promotion of U.S. commodities, rather than consumer–oriented promotion of branded products. Preference is given to organizations that represent an entire industry or are nationwide in membership and scope. The organizations, which contribute an average 184 percent cost share, will conduct activities that help maintain or increase demand for U.S. agricultural commodities overseas.

A study from 2010 shows that trade promotion programs like MAP and FMD provide $35 in economic benefits for every one dollar spent by government and industry on market development.

Agribusiness, International, Markets, USDA

Book Review & Contest – Combines with Casey & Friends

Joanna Schroeder November 17, 2015

There is a new strategy this year for “Black Friday” that I’m coining “StayFriday” where one does his/her holiday shopping from home. And today I’m offering up a great gift idea that you can purchase online for the little ones in your life: “Combines” written by Holly DuFek and illustrated by Paul E. Nunn. What better way to review a book then try it out on an adorable four-year old child named Keaton Dicks? Alas, there is none.

Book reviewer Keaton Dicks of Des Moines, IA takes “Combines” for a test drive.

We sat down to read Combines and while he loved the pictures, Keaton soon lost interest in the story. Why? Because I discovered it was a bit too difficult for him at his age. The well-illustrated story kicks off with farm girl Casey who talks about her love of farming. Along with her Case IH friends such as Bailey the Bailer, Kellie the Combine and Cody the Combine (Keaton’s favorite) she tells the story of the fall harvest and the evolution of the equipment used not only to harvest the crops, but grow the crops. Combines has some neat facts and fun games too. While the publisher recommends the book for ages 4-8, my recommendation is to purchase this book for children, both boys and girls, ages 6+.

As a bonus, Keaton and I read, “Casey’s Bright Red Christmas” and he really enjoyed this book. It’s the day before Christmas and Casey comes down with a bad cold. Under the leadership of her friend Tillus the worm, he and her friends put together a great Christmas celebration. In one scene they make cute Christmas tree cookies, which really got Keaton’s interest, and the recipe is included. This book is more suited to younger kids 3+.

Case IH is offering our readers a special contest. For your chance to win, make a comment to my post. 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 one for adults, “Red Combines” a coffee table book that I will be doing a book review of soon.

Can’t wait to win? Then click here to purchase either of the books or another in the series.

Case IH, Equipment

Sorghum Checkoff Selects New Team Members

Kelly Marshall November 17, 2015

The United Sorghum Checkoff Program has recently promoted and hired new team members. The positions have been filled in the communications and high value markets departments.

Faith Jurek has been serving as the communications director and has now been promoted to Consumer Communications Strategist. She will lead consumer communications in regards to human and pet food areas of the sorghum industry. She will begin her new position in January 2016.

Kelli Fulkerson has been promoted Sorghum Checkoff Marketing Coordinator for the high value markets program. She was previously serving as the National Sorghum Producers communications director for the past year.

Michelle Hochstein from Nazareth, Texas is being welcomed as a new team member. She will begin her work as Sorghum Checkoff communications manager. She is a recent graduate of Texas Tech and has completed multiple internships, including time spent with Sorghum Checkoff and the Texas Farm Bureau.

Ag Groups, sorghum

They’re Back – Peterson Farm Bros New Video

Chuck Zimmerman November 17, 2015

It’s titled, “Farmers Feed the World (Watch Me, Hit the Quan, Uptown Funk Parody).” And it is very well done. You will recognize some of the video contributors to the music video, including our own Joanna Schroeder! Here’s their message to go along with the video on YouTube. Enjoy it below.

Thanks to Syngenta!
“Through The Good Growth Plan, Syngenta is committed to six specific targets related to improving resource efficiency, rejuvenating ecosystems, and revitalizing rural communities. Find out more about Syngenta’s commitment to sustainable agriculture at www.goodgrowthplan.com”

A parody music video of the songs, “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” “Hit the Quan,” and “Uptown Funk” done by the Peterson Farm Bros (Greg, Nathan, and Kendal)! If you like it, feel free to share it with your friends!

Farming, Video

Crisis Communications – Are You Prepared?

Jamie Johansen November 17, 2015

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What’s mass media’s impact on consumer food opinion?”

This poll made it clear that mass media does impact the opinions consumers have on food. Is this a good thing or bad? It seems good news doesn’t make front page. How do we get consumers to look at the science behind the food they eat? Maybe that should be an upcoming ZimmPoll.

Here are the poll results:

Big – 71%
Small – 19%
None – 0%
Doesn’t matter – 10%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, Does your agribusiness/operation have a crisis communications plan?

Consumers are more interested than ever about our diverse food supply. We as an agriculture community have a great challenge when it comes to communicating in an ever-changing world where information is just a click away. Agribusinesses and farming/ranching operations need to be proactive in communicating with the consumer. Do you have a crisis communications plan set in place? Have you had to use it?

ZimmPoll

#NAFB15 Foundation Auction Raises $18,500

Cindy Zimmerman November 17, 2015

Another successful NAFB Foundation auction was held last week at the annual convention in Kansas City raising some $18,500 for scholarships and internships to support future farm broadcasters.

As always, the “Legendary” Lake Weekend at Agri-Pulse world headquarters in Camdenton, Missouri was the big money maker – generating about a third of the total raised, thanks to the Lost Boys who just insist upon winning! Both the boys and the girls are looking forward to yet another great weekend in 2016 where what happens at the Lake, stays at the Lake!

New on the block this year was a weekend on Pensacola Beach, donated by us, which was first up for bid and didn’t generate a lot of activity but we are absolutely thrilled that our Agri-Pulse friends Al Johnson and Sara Wyant were the winners and they will come down to see us for a change!

NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by

Agri-Pulse, NAFB

EPA Official at #NAFB15

Cindy Zimmerman November 17, 2015

EPA agricultural counselor Ron Carleton was at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk last week to discuss ways the agency is working to partner with farmers and ranchers for the benefit of all.

“I understand that the relationship between EPA and agriculture over the years has not been necessarily been warm and fuzzy,” said Carleton, who was appointed to the EPA post earlier this year after serving as a Colorado state agriculture official and congressional aide. “I do know that Administrator McCarthy has been very adamant about trying to find ways to enter into more collaborations and partnerships with agricultural stakeholders to address some of the challenges that we have.”

One of those new partnerships, announced at NAFB last week, is the Nutrient Recycling challenge, designed to address the challenge livestock producers have to manage over a billion tons of manure every year. “We think it can be managed in a way that is more economically viable and beneficial for producers, as well as for the environment,” said Carleton.

He admits that the challenges to EPA’s Clean Water Rule, or WOTUS, remain. “I do think there was a little misunderstanding about its impact on agriculture overall,” Carleton said. “A lot of folks would disagree with me on that and I understand that and that’s one of the reasons we’ll end up sorting this out in court.”

Listen to my interview with Carleton here: Interview with Ron Carleton, EPA

NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by

Audio, Environment, EPA, NAFB

Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Sen. Debbie Stabenow

John Davis November 17, 2015

Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features Sen. Debbie Stabenow.

In this week’s interview the ranking member on the Senate Agriculture Committee discusses a challenging agricultural agenda. With time running out on the congressional calendar, Stabenow feels an urgency to find compromise on GMO labeling and COOL trade laws. Stabenow discusses a potential compromise child nutrition reform and defines the TPP trade deal as a complicated proposal with benefits for agriculture but challenges for industry. Stabenow also lists legislation that could be included in an omnibus appropriations bill next month.

Click here to listen to Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Sen. Debbie Stabenow.

Agri-Pulse, Audio, GMO, Trade

Farm Bureau Creates ‘The Buzz’ Over Educational Game

John Davis November 17, 2015

A new educational game offered for free by Farm Bureau is creating quite the buzz about pollinators. This news release from the group says “The Buzz,” a new interactive and educational game, recently released by the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, educates users on the power of pollinators and reinforces science learning expectations by having learners explore pollinator habitats and correctly label the parts of the bee and butterfly.

The Buzz players will travel to “Pollinatorville” and discover the important role bees and butterflies play in food production through a series of educational and fun challenges. Players sort items to identify which pollinators live, work and eat in various areas.

The Buzz can be played both in the classroom and at home. A supporting lesson plan, “My Butterfly Book,” will help young readers explore the pollination process as they develop their own book. An activity sheet, “Build a Pollinator” is also available.

The game was developed for Kindergarten through second-grade students.

AFBF, Bees, pollinators

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