Global Crop Insurers Meet in KC

Cindy Zimmerman

aiagAgricultural leaders from more than 30 nations have been meeting in Kansas City this week to discuss the challenge of feeding a growing world population and how crop insurance can help farmers accomplish this goal.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack welcomed the International Association of Agricultural Production Insurers (AIAG) and provided his perspective on the importance of crop insurance for both farmers and the non-farm population they feed. “In the wake of a devastating disaster, crop insurance offers a lifeline,” he said. “It is one of the most important, reliable, and cost-effective parts of the safety net here in the United States.”

The secretary talked about recent policy changes that have been made to the U.S. crop insurance system in recent years to improve its availability and affordability. “Crop insurance has expanded because it works for farmers and it works for our taxpayers,” said Vilsack.

The success of the U.S. system is one reason AIAG chose to meet in the United States this year, the first time in 33 years that the group has met outside of Europe. “We are here because the U.S. crop and revenue insurance program is the most developed and the most efficient system for farmers in the world,” AIAG President Kurt Weinberger said during his opening remarks.

Weinberger also noted that participants in this week’s summit are discussing how farmers can use new technologies, new insurance products, new government policies, and new farming practices to deal with climate change and market volatility.

Also at the event, the National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS) released an updated version of “Crop Insurance: Just the Facts” which uses government data, academic research, and information from other trusted sources to answer common questions about the U.S. crop insurance system.

NCIS President Tom Zacharias said the web-based tool should be valuable to his international colleagues and explained that it was important to ensure the site contained the most up-to-date information in time for the conference. “Regardless of your level of knowledge of crop insurance, ‘Just the Facts’ will help you better understand the inner workings of the primary risk management tool for America’s farmers and ranchers,” he said.

The updates not only drill down on the new 2014 Farm Bill, but also cover other issues, including the economics of the crop insurance industry, how crop insurance benefits consumers and producers alike, and rebuttals to farm policy critics.

Insurance, International

Poll Shows Support for Change to Endangered Species Act

John Davis

farmbureauA new poll shows that Americans are in favor of some updates to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Farm Bureau cites a Morning Consult poll that shows most people in the U.S. believe the law is outdated and needs to be revised.

The survey shows:

· 63 percent of Americans support modernizing the ESA;

· 62 of Americans believe the act should help with species recovery, as opposed to merely cataloguing changes in their populations;

· 69 percent of Americans want the federal government to offer resources to third parties to help species recovery; and

· 49 percent of Americans believe that state or local authorities, rather than the federal government, lead in recovery of endangered and threatened species. Only 31 percent of Americans favor the federal government taking the lead.

“The intent of the Endangered Species Act is inspiring, but results have been less so,” American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman said. “Farmers, ranchers and environmentalists agree that we must save wildlife facing preventable extinction, but the current recovery rate of less than 2 percent shows the law is a failure.

“Today, many landowners hesitate to establish habitat that would help endangered species. That’s so because the law itself makes it impractical for them to use their land once they have made the effort to help in the first place. The ESA can and must be modernized to protect endangered species and respect private property rights. Neither agriculture nor the endangered species have time to wait.”

AFBF, Environment, EPA

NAMA Professional Development Awards

Cindy Zimmerman

NAMA announced the winners of this year’s Professional Development Awards at the recent Fall Conference in Denver. Each year, NAMA recognizes industry leaders in the areas of marketing communications, sales and public relations.

nama-christineThe 2015 Marketing Communications award recipient is Christine Hart-Nieland, Senior Account Manager at Brighton Agency. An agri-marketing veteran of nearly 25 years, today Chris is on the Brighton Ag Leadership team and directs several key brands for Monsanto. She’s also a devoted parent and spends much of her time mentoring young people. Christine is active in NAMA and recently served as chairman of NAMA’s annual conference. She currently serves as vice chair on the Best of NAMA Committee.

nama-gordonThe Professional Development Award for Public Relations goes to Mary Gordon, Managing Supervisor, G&S Business Communications. She has successfully led the public relations campaigns for several strategic brands on behalf of her client, Syngenta, throughout her 13-year career at G&S Business Communications, but, most notably, within the past 18 months. Mary’s hard work and strategic recommendations for a three-pronged registration program to launch a new Syngenta corn herbicide were a great success. A longtime member of the Carolinas/Virginia NAMA chapter, Mary has served on her local Best of NAMA committee and serves as an exemplary agri-marketing role model to fellow NAMA members.

nama-seamanEloise Seaman is awarded the Professional Development Award for Sales. As Senior National Account Manager for Vance Publishing — Protein Group, she leverages her vast knowledge of livestock markets to benefit her accounts. Eloise also champions industry audience research that leads to new business and new product offerings for Vance. She’s served as president of Mo-Kan NAMA and currently serves as president of Florida NAMA.

Congrats to all.

Agencies, NAMA

CL Ranch – Cattle and Movies

Chuck Zimmerman

Cheri Copithorne-BarnesI went North young man. As in on the North Tour during the Canadian Farm Writers Federation Annual Meeting. Our fist stop was CL Ranch where we met Cheri Copithorne-Barnes.

This ranch has a fascinating story. It was established in 1887 and they raise 2,000 cows at the main ranch on the edge of Calgary, Alberta. Besides raising cattle the ranch has a western town for filming movies. Think Lonesome Dove tv series, Shanghai Noon and right now the next season on AMC of Hell on Wheels.

Here is our opening presentation by Cheri in which she talks about the ranch and answers questions.


2015 CFWF Annual Conference Photo Album

Coverage of the Canadian Farm Writers Federation 2015 Conference is sponsored by
Coverage of the Canadian Farm Writers Federation 2015 Conference is sponsored by Case IH
Video

Staff Changes at NCGA

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has made some staffing realignments to place a renewed emphasis on demand under the newly created Market Development Department.

NCGA's Susan Powers

NCGA’s Susan Powers

The Market Development team adds two new members from current staff as Max Starbuck and Susan Powers join that department. In his new role, Starbuck will serve as Director of Market Development and focus on working with the livestock industry and identifying and promoting new uses of corn. Susan Powers will retain the title of Communications Manager, but will drive new efforts to reach customers and consumers with messages about corn’s sustainability and versatility.

NCGA-LogoThe Production and Sustainability Department will also undergo shifts in responsibilities. Rachel Orf, who will add water quality initiatives to her responsibilities, will now be the Manager of the National Corn Yield Contest and Sustainability. Dr. Richard Vierling, who will relinquish new uses programs to Starbuck, will now lead AMCOE in addition to existing duties as the Director of Research. As Nathan Fields will add responsibility for issues such as crop inputs and pollinators, his title will become Director of Biotechnology and Crop Inputs.

As the work of our Soil Health Partnership has grown, Dr. Nick Goeser will be promoted to director to reflect his increased responsibilities. Goeser will continue to be involved with Field to Market. As such, he will become the Director of Soil Health and Sustainability.

All staff changes effective October 1, 2015.

Ag Leader, Corn, NCGA

National FFA Sets Membership Record

Kelly Marshall

ffaMore than ever agriculture needs a passionate, skilled and educated generation ready to fight global hunger and expand sustainability.  The National FFA Organization is ready and expanding.

Today, FFA membership stands at 629,367 students, up from 610,240 in 2014, an increase of 3 percent. The number of chapters grew from 7,665 in 2014 to 7,757 in 2015. The top five membership states are Texas, California, Georgia, Oklahoma and Missouri. Interest in FFA and agricultural education continues to grow, as membership has increased more than 20 percent since 2009-10.

“FFA, through agricultural education, is preparing our youth to ensure the security of our country’s food, fiber and natural resources for years to come,” said National FFA Organization CEO Dwight Armstrong, Ph.D. “Through real-world experiences, the nation’s agricultural educators are helping students develop the technical knowledge, skills and problem-solving capabilities to be the industry’s leaders of tomorrow. FFA continues to grow leaders, build communities and strengthen agriculture.”

Alumni member ship is also up, with 62,705 members in 2015 from 57,832 last year.  Alumni are an integral part of the organization, providing financial support and volunteers to local teachers.

Ag Groups, FFA

Bayer Luke Bryan Farm Tour Kicks Off

Cindy Zimmerman

bayer-bryanThe 7th annual Luke Bryan Farm Tour, sponsored by Bayer, kicks off this week with his first concert in Ft. Wayne, Indiana at M&J Farms tomorrow.

Bryan, the son of a peanut farmer from Georgia, launched the tour in 2009 as a way to highlight and celebrate the contribution farmers make to improving lives.

“Farmers enrich our bodies and lives and musicians like Luke Bryan enrich our souls,” said Ray Kerins, head of communications, government relations and policy for Bayer. “For eight nights this harvest season, we’ll join Luke to kick up a little dust in farming communities across the U.S. to give our thanks to those in agriculture who dedicate their lives to making everyone’s better. Farming is a 24/7 job so we’re excited to help give them a few hours of fun with one of today’s top stars.”

Here’s the rest of Luke’s schedule:
October 1 Lexington, KY Talon Farm and Winery
October 2 Knoxville, TN Maple Lane Farms
October 3 Columbia, SC Culler Farms
October 7 Starkville, MS Holtzcamp Farms
October 8 Tuscaloosa, AL Twin Creeks Farm
October 9 Macon, GA Midway at Central City Park
October 10 Valdosta, GA MJ Taylor Farms

The tour and will highlight Bayer’s annual #Thankful4Ag campaign which activates consumers to provide meals to those in need while thanking farmers for their contribution to feeding the planet. Show stops will also feature exciting opportunities for attendees to learn more about Bayer products like K9 Advantix®, and crop science brands like Bayer Advanced™, Credenz®, Stoneville® and Fibermax® that embody the Bayer mission of “Science for a Better Life.”

Agribusiness, Bayer

Agri-Pulse Open Mic with ASA president Wade Cowan

John Davis

open-micAgri-Pulse Open Mic this week features Texas farmer Wade Cowan, President of the American Soybean Association.

In this interview you’ll hear a farmers perspective on global trading relationships, the threat of a government shutdown and biotech labeling legislation. Cowan spent time with the Chinese officials last week in New Orleans and is optimistic for more productive discussions between the two countries. Cowan previews his testimony on food aid before the House Agriculture Committee this week. He is intently interested in the ongoing Trans Pacific Partnership talks this week in Atlanta and shares his view on a successful conclusion to the negotiations.

Click here to listen to Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Wade Cowan, President of the ASA.

Agri-Pulse, ASA, Audio

Ag Groups React to EPA Farmworker Standards Update

John Davis

Ag groups are reacting to the Environmental Protection Agency’s final revisions to the Worker Protection Standard. The American Farm Bureau Federation worries the government is getting away from a science-based approach in guarding against risk.

afbf-logo“Farm Bureau shares the agency’s desire to protect workers, but we are concerned that the agency is piling regulatory costs on farmers and ranchers that bear little if any relation to actual safety issues,” said Paul Schlegel, director of environment and energy policy for AFBF.

AFBF filed extensive comments on the proposal more than a year ago. Then, as now, AFBF said EPA itself could not justify the regulation it was proposing.

“We are hopeful the agency’s final rule will reflect our concerns and protect farmers’ and ranchers’ ability to promote a safe, productive environment,” Schlegel said.

ARAThe Agricultural Retailers Association chimed in as well, saying the revision of the regulation is “based on unfounded assumptions and deliberately misleading cost analysis.”

“Agricultural retailers pay a lot of attention to worker safety because they care about their employees, and accidents are costly for both employees and employers,” said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. “The final rule overlooks improvements made in worker safety by the industry over the preceding 22 years, most significantly through development and adoption of precision agriculture and drift reduction technologies. It also discounts the significant efforts of state pesticide regulators.”

ARA has identified several areas of concern with the new rule:

– Opens new doors of potential liability without demonstrating their connection to worker safety – the introduction of an “authorized representative” concept, unclear requirements on who must possess “labeling” and when, and what even constitutes the required “labeling;” and many others.
– EPA substantially – and deliberately – underestimated the cost of the regulation. The rule increases the frequency of required training by five times and increases the amount of material that must be covered, yet EPA estimates a negligible cost to employers. EPA’s new requirement would not align with industry standards for training already in place in several states.

ARA says the EPA ignored industry comments that pointed out the agency’s error, suggesting the government is deliberately disregarding the real-world cost implications of the rule.

AFBF, ARA, EPA, Farming, labor

EPA Updates Farmworker Standards

Cindy Zimmerman

epaThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released updated farmworker standards to provide health protections under the law similar to those already afforded to workers in other industries.

“We depend on farmworkers every day to help put the food we eat on America’s dinner tables—and they deserve fair, equitable working standards with strong health and safety protections,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “With these updates we can protect workers, while at the same time preserve the strong traditions of our family farms and ensure the continued the growth of our agricultural economy.”

“No one should ever have to risk their lives for their livelihoods, but far too many workers, especially those who work in agriculture, face conditions that challenge their health and safety every day,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez. “By promoting workplace safety, these provisions will enhance economic security for people struggling to make ends meet and keep more Americans on the job raising the crops that feed the world, and we are proud to support the EPA in this effort.”

McCarthy and Perez took part in a media conference call today, along with Arturo Rodriguez, President of the United Farm Workers. “We have worked with President Obama, EPA Administrator McCarthy, ‎Secretary Perez and others in the administration to end decades-long discriminatory labor practices against farm workers,” said Rodriguez. “It’s been a long time coming, but it has come today.” The announcement coincides with the 50th anniversary of California farm workers joining together to fight for basic labor protections.

The new EPA pesticide rules include:

Requiring all pesticide applicators be at least 18 years old
Creating whistleblower protections so farm workers can confidentially submit complaints over pesticide abuses
Providing pesticide application records for all farm workers for the past two years
Easy access to all workers or their representatives for records involving exposure to hazardous chemicals
Posting pesticide hazard information in central locations, in both English and Spanish

Listen to the conference call on the new regulations here: New EPA farmworker regulations press call

Audio, Farming, labor