NAMA Professional Development Awards

Cindy Zimmerman September 30, 2015

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.

The 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.

The 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.

Eloise 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 September 29, 2015

I 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

Video

Staff Changes at NCGA

Cindy Zimmerman September 29, 2015

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

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.

The 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 September 29, 2015

More 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 September 29, 2015

The 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 September 29, 2015

Agri-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 September 29, 2015

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.

“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.

The 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 September 28, 2015

The 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

New Holland Hero from France

Cindy Zimmerman September 28, 2015

Representing France in the New Holland “Seeds of Life Series” at the Expo Milano is Xavier De Rozières from Portel-des-Corbières.

Xavier has 850 hectares (2,100 acres) including 100 hectares of vineyards and 10 hectares of olive groves and produces both red and rosé wines that are among Languedoc’s most renowned. He says he was surprised to be chosen as one of New Holland’s heroes. “I don’t know if I feed the planet,” he said, referring to the theme at Expo. “But I am sure I drink the planet.”

He enjoyed meeting the farmers from other countries and said they seem to face similar environmental challenges. “To keep the environment nice for the children and the new generation,” said Xavier.

Listen to my interview with Xavier here: New Holland Hero Xavier De Rozières from France

2015 New Holland Heroes & Bloggers Days

Audio, Farming, International, New Holland

Fall Market Basket Survey from @FarmBureau

Cindy Zimmerman September 28, 2015

We’re seeing lower food prices at the grocery store than we did a year ago this time, according to a new survey just released from the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Lower retail prices for several foods, including whole milk, cheddar cheese, bacon and apples resulted in a slight decrease in the 2015 Fall Harvest Market Basket Survey.

The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 food items that can be used to prepare one or more meals was $54.14, down $.12 or less than 1 percent compared to a survey conducted a year ago. Of the 16 items surveyed, 10 decreased and six increase

d in average price. Higher milk and pork production this year has contributed to the decrease in prices on some key foods.

“Energy prices, which affect everything in the marketbasket, have been quite a bit lower compared to a year ago. Processing, packaging, transportation and retail operations are all fairly energy-intensive,” said John Anderson, AFBF’s deputy chief economist. Lower energy prices account for much of the modest decrease in the market basket.

According to the survey, milk prices are down 17%, bacon is down 11%, apples are seven percent lower than a year ago, and cheese is down five percent. On the other hand, egg prices are dramatically higher compared to 2014, up 56%. Orange juice and ground chuck are up seven and six percent, respectively.

“As expected we saw higher egg prices because we lost so much production earlier this year due to the avian influenza situation in Iowa, Minnesota and some other Midwestern states,” Anderson said.

Price checks of alternative milk and egg choices not included in the overall marketbasket survey average revealed the following: 1/2 gallon regular milk, $2.21; 1/2 gallon organic milk, $4.79; and one dozen “cage-free” eggs, $4.16.