Corn Growers Educational Campaign Joins the Smithsonian

John Davis

NCGAsmithsonianThe story of innovation and accomplishment of America’s corn growers now has a place in the Smithsonian. The National Corn Growers Association says its seven-year-old Corn Farmers Coalition advertising campaign has a new exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

“Having this campaign on display in an institution like the Smithsonian validates the investment of farmer’s corn checkoff dollars to tell their story to this key audience of Washington decision makers,” said Chip Bowling, president of NCGA and a farmer from Newburg, Maryland. “It also amplifies our message and will be a constant reminder to the 2.3 million people expected to visit the exhibit annually for the next 20 years.”

One of the coalition ads will be displayed in the Mars Hall of American Business alongside such pieces of advertising iconography as the Marlboro Man, images from the Morton’s Salt “When It Rains It Pours” campaign, and the first Breck Shampoo ad to feature an African-American “Breck girl.”

“When we started this educational program, our research showed most of our Washington audience didn’t think family farmers even existed anymore, even though they grow 90 percent of the nation’s corn,” Bowling said. “When they learned the facts it opened their eyes to who owns and farms the land and how these multi-generational farmers are embracing change to become the most productive and efficient in the world.”

Smithsonian curator Peter Liebhold said the ad was a natural choice for the 8,000-square-foot exhibit, a comprehensive look at American History as seen through business.

“This corn growers’ campaign is visually really striking and tells a great story,” Liebhold said. “It’s really a representation of modern advertising.”

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Corn, NCGA

Grow Smart with @BASFAgProducts

Cindy Zimmerman

basf-IL-bobGrowers have more decisions than ever before to make on the farm and that is why BASF is going beyond crop protection with a new approach to working with farmers and improving their business and it’s called Grow Smart.

“Growers want more than just a product on their farm,” said Bob Yaklich, Grow Smart Marketing Lead for BASF, during an ag media tour of the company’s Midwest Research Farm in Illinois this week. “They really want information and knowledge to make better business decisions to help them get the most out of every acre.”

Yaklich says the Grow Smart approach is based on four Ps – people, portfolio, personalized, and protection. “First and foremost, getting the people together in the right manner that creates that feeling of a good solid relationship,” said Yaklich. “BASF having a good portfolio is the basis of that conversation. Next is the personalization, a recommendations that’s meaningful for that grower in his operation.” The final piece, protection, has to do with how BASF can help growers by sharing some of the risk they take on every growing season. Interview with Bob Yaklich, BASF

basf-IL-carenThe lovely and talented Caren Schmidt, BASF Technical Marketing Manager for fungicides, says the Grow Smart approach also entails research trials across the country to study how the BASF portfolio can work together with the best agronomic practices and latest technology to help growers. “Here on the research farm, we have small plot research where we combine the BASF portfolio of products – herbicides, fungicide, inoculants, nitrogen protection – and put it together with agronomic practices like populations, planting dates, hybrid and variety selection to try and see incremental benefits and find better recommendations to give to our growers,” Schmidt explained. Interview with Caren Schmidt, BASF

BASF Midwest Research Farm photo album

Agribusiness, Audio, BASF, Farming

Aug. 11 Food Dialogues to Focus on ‘Farm to Consumer’

John Davis

FD_Minneapolis1Consumer concerns about the impact food production practices might have on their long-term health or the health of the planet will be the topic of the next Food Dialogues. The Aug. 11 event will be held in Minneapolis and will bring together a panel of leaders in the food space, including food and retail executives and farmers for a conversation about what more can be done to bridge the information gap between food production practices, consumer concerns on health and the environment, and the choices that are being made when sourcing food products.

“Farmers, ranchers and food executives have the ability to be even more connected to consumers than ever before,” said Gene Stoel, Soybean Grower and MN Soybean Research and Promotion Council Board Member. “Yet, more must and can be done. This Food Dialogue panel discussion will tackle tough questions related to food production – from GMO safety to animal welfare. Agriculturalists are seeking opportunities to speak directly with food companies, key decision makers and ultimately the consumer. Every time food production practices are discussed, we would like to be in the conversation.”

The Food Dialogues: Minneapolis is co-sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Nebraska Soybean Board and the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance and will be held at the Mill City Museum, with check-in and a networking reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. CT. The panel discussion will begin at 7 p.m. CT. For more details, click here.

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Food

Priority Issues for GROWMARK

Cindy Zimmerman

growmark-spencerThere is never any shortage of legislative and regulatory issues that could impact agricultural producers, which is why GROWMARK Executive Director for Corporate and Government Relations Chuck Spencer is a busy guy.

I just happened to catch him in the office when I stopped by GROWMARK headquarters in Bloomington, Illinois this week and was able to chat with him about some of the issues he is watching on both the state and federal level. Not surprisingly, WOTUS is up at the top of the list. “We provided comments and helped work through with our national associations providing input into the process,” said Spencer. Their major concern is the process the agency used to push through the regulation. “It was very quickly done … the question becomes what are going to do from this point foward,” he said, noting that they are supporting efforts in Congress that would put EPA’s rulemaking process “back into a more regular order.”

In another area of interest, Spencer says GROWMARK is supporting the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act in the House that would create a uniform national food labeling standard for products made with genetically modified organisms. “We understand that consumers want to know more about their food and we need to be increasingly transparent,” explains Spencer. “The National Organic Standard administered by the USDA is a wonderful example of a voluntary program that is nationally consistent and recognized. We feel it could be put to use in that same framework, that USDA could have a non-GMO standard, and it would be a voluntary framework just like the organic standard.”

In this interview, Spencer also comments on EPA’s proposed volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard and what they are watching in the House appropriations process. Interview with Chuck Spencer, GROWMARK

We also talked about some state level issues in Illinois, particularly with the budget and nutrient management strategies. Chuck Spencer, GROWMARK, discusses Illinois issues

Audio, Cooperatives, GROWMARK

Meet New Holland’s Bret Lieberman

Chuck Zimmerman

Bret Lieberman_headshotLet’s meet and get to know Bret Lieberman, newly appointed Vice President of North America, New Holland. I just got off the phone with Bret and look forward to meeting him in person next week in New Holland, PA. We started our conversation talking about his background which is extensive and diversified. In fact, today he’s celebrating being with the company for 25 years.

Bret joined the company in 1990 with a position in service parts. Bret continued to expand his experience with various roles in purchasing, human resources, quality management and haytools production. Most recently, Bret has held the position of head of North America Manufacturing, where he has been responsible for all agricultural and construction manufacturing plants since 2009. He’s seen a lot of changes in the brand over the years and he says they’ve all been positive.

Bret is so new on the job (one week) that he’s still waiting on business cards! However, he has moved his office to be closer to his team and is ready to tackle this new chapter in his career. Bret is very optimistic about New Holland’s future and will be getting to meet with many New Holland dealers and the media almost right away.

Listen in to my exclusive interview with Bret to get to know him: Bret Lieberman, New Holland

Agribusiness, Audio

Hot Dogs/Hamburgers Rule

Chuck Zimmerman

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What’s on your grill this July 4th?”

Hot dogs and hamburgers came out on top and the other category included ribs and brats. We hope everyone had a safe and tasty Independence Day!

Here are the poll results:

  • Hot dogs – 22%
  • Hamburgers – 22%
  • Steak – 17%
  • Chicken – 17%
  • Other – 17%
  • Fish – 5%
  • Pork chops – 0%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, How are the crops in your area looking?

Lots of areas in the United States are suffering from either too much moisture or not enough this growing season. Whether it’s the drought in California causing farmers to fallow land, too much rain in Texas delaying the planting of cotton, or so many areas in the Midwest getting so much rain that fields are being flooded, Mother Nature is throwing lots of curve balls. How do the crops look in your part of the country? And please feel free to leave some comments.

Food, Meat, ZimmPoll

Venison For Supper

Chuck Zimmerman

Venison SteaksThis is only one of many reasons why I like to hunt deer. Eating them. Freezer meat is where it’s at.

Today’s supper menu includes some small steaks that will be quick grilled on a hot fire. These pieces come from what we call the “football roast” in the ham. I take that roast and trim it, muscle it out and then slice it about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. These are marinating in the fridge with Dale’s Seasoning. You don’t need a lot. In fact, I dilute it a little with water. I’ll add a dry rub right before grilling and any good steak rub will do. With a side salad you just can’t beat this for GOOD.

I have cooked venison like this for lots of people and unless I tell them they don’t know they’re not eating beef. Of course I like and cook beef too! Just thought I’d share with my foodie peeps. What’s your favorite way to cook venison?

Food, Meat

Summer Farm Festival Time

Chuck Zimmerman

Oregon Brewers FestivalSummertime means farm festival time around the country. Just do a web search and you’ll find them. If you have a favorite you would like us to feature, just leave a comment and/or link and we’ll get it done.

Here’s one that caught my eye this morning for some reason. The Oregon Brewers Festival. It’s coming up quick. July 22-26, Waterfront Park in Portland, OR.

Pouring 90 different craft beers from around the country – plus 15 beers from New Zealand and The Netherlands in the International Tent – the Oregon Brewers Festival is the quintessential celebration of craft beer! On a sun soaked July afternoon, there’s no better place to sip suds with friends along the banks of the Willamette River, with the Portland skyline as a backdrop to the west and Mt. Hood towering in the east. Whether you prefer Belgians or Blondes, Pales or Pilsners, Saisons or Wits – come to the Oregon Brewers Festival, and see for yourself why we’re one of the world’s best loved craft beer festivals.

Farm Shows

Illinois Farmers Dealing with Challenging Year

Cindy Zimmerman

basf-IL-panelCentral Illinois has definitely gotten a lot of water this growing season so far and corn and soybean farmers are having to adjust their plans accordingly.

During a panel discussion at the BASF Midwest Research Farm this week, we heard from a farmer and his team of advisers on just how this season is impacting crops in the region. From left to right pictured here are farmer Mark Winship from Canton, Illinois; BASF customer business representative Lance Roskamp; Shannon Chenoweth, Fulton FS crop consultant; and BASF Innovation Specialist Dave Phelps.

basf-IL-markWinship says the season started out good but started going bad in June with record rainfall and all the problems that have come with that. “Flooding, drowned out spots in the field, weed control, getting beans sprayed, all that,” said Winship. “It’s not a good situation right now.” Interview with Illinois farmer Mark Winship

That same situation is being experienced by growers across Illinois and Fulton County where Winship farms is one of the hardest hit areas. “The corn up until about three weeks ago was phenomenal,” said Chenoweth. “Anywhere from 15 to 20 inches of rain in June has definitely taking it’s toll.”

basf-IL-shannonWhile growers work with their consultants to develop a weed control plan for the season, Mother Nature sometimes causes the best laid plans to change. “We had Plan A, everything was working well, we were able to stick to it until about the second week of May,” said Chenoweth. Then the rains came and growers have just not been able to get in the fields to spray so the weeds are getting away from them. “I’ve got the biggest weeds I’ve ever had to spray before,” he said. Interview with Shannon Chenoweth, Fulton FS

During the panel discussion, Roskamp and Phelps talked about their roles in helping growers like Winship adapt their weed control plans in the face of adverse conditions to take advantage of the windows as they become available and take care of disease problems which are also starting to develop.

Listen to the panel discussion, moderated by BASF’s AJ Woodyard, here: BASF Midwest Research Farm panel

Driving from Bloomington to Champaign and back this week I was able to see the problems in the fields and would have liked to have taken some photos to share, but … yeah, it was raining. Not only that, today the temperature dropped to about 58 degrees with steady rainfall – not like July at all!

BASF Midwest Research Farm photo album

Audio, BASF, Crop Protection, Farming, GROWMARK, Weather, weed management

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