NCBA CEO Forrest Roberts Moving On

Cindy Zimmerman

ncba-forrestAfter six years of serving as the Chief Executive Officer for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Forrest Roberts has announced his resignation, effective July 31. Roberts is leaving NCBA to “pursue other opportunities in the cattle industry and agribusiness” but will remain with the organization until the end of July to help with the transition of staff leadership and his roles in several industry related organizations such as the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA).

“For the past 6 years it has been a privilege to serve as CEO of NCBA,” Roberts said. “While I have decided to turn a new chapter in my career, I leave NCBA with many great memories of the time I spent working with the NCBA staff, state partners, members, producer leadership and stakeholders across the global beef industry.”

“Under Forrest Roberts’ leadership NCBA membership has increased significantly, NCBA is in a solid financial position, convention attendance is at record levels and the NCBA-managed programs to build consumer demand for beef as a contractor to the beef checkoff are achieving significant results,” said NCBA President Phillip Ellis. “In addition, Roberts has strengthened industry partnerships domestically and internationally.”

NCBA Chief Operating Officer Kendal Frazier has been named interim CEO to manage the day-to-day operations, including NCBA staff, until a new CEO is identified.

Beef, NCBA

U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef Assembly

Chuck Zimmerman

U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable BeefThe U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, started in March of this year, announced today the first general assembly meeting.

When: July 14 and 15, 2015

Where: Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center
650 15th St., Denver, CO 80202

Program here. Registration here.

USRSB’s mission is to advance, support and communicate continuous improvement in U.S. beef sustainability through leadership, innovation, multi-stakeholder engagement and collaboration. Utilizing the definition for sustainable beef recently released by the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB), the USRSB will develop sustainability indicators relevant to the various beef systems in the United States, as well as a means to verify sustainable progress in a transparent manner that can be shared. Similar to GRSB, the USRSB will not mandate standards or verify the performance of individual beef value chain participants.

Ag Groups, Beef, Sustainability

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • On June 16, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially announced its long anticipated regulation to revoke the “Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS)” status of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) – a source of artificial trans fatty acids (TFAs) – for use in food.
  • Thousands of FFA members from throughout the country are converging on Washington, D.C., this summer to analyze their personal skills and interests, develop leadership skills and create a meaningful community-service plan that will make a difference in their home communities.
  • Valent U.S.A. Corporation announced that Zeal® SC Miticide has been registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a new liquid formulation that allows for quick mixing and easy loading.
  • Evelyn Nguleka has been elected President of the World Farmers’ Organisation, during the General Assembly in Milan, and these are her words “Farmers ensure the nutrition of the world”.
Zimfo Bytes

2015 Golden ARC Winners Announced

Kelly Marshall

2015 GoldenARC_Winner releaseThe Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) has announced its Golden ARC Awards 2015 Winners. This elite awards program added 23 Golden ARC Awards members and 18 Merit Awards recipients. For the fourth consecutive year a Golden ARC de Excellence Awards was given.

“The quality of this year’s entries again surpassed previous years’ submissions, and judges provided valuable comments and critiques for each submission to enable entrants to continue to improve their craft,” said Amy Keith McDonald, contest co-manager. “The presence of most Golden ARC Award winners at the annual meeting banquet indicates the respect ARC members hold for the competition.”

“The Golden ARC Awards Contest is unique in that it is the only award competition directed to agricultural marketing communications professionals that is not judged by our peers in agriculture,” she continued. “The competition is judged by public relations professionals who are not directly or indirectly linked to the entries.”

This year’s competition was judged by members of the Sunshine District Public Relations Society of America. “The judges focused on a number of objectives including audience analysis, creativity, execution and campaign results, especially measurability,” said Adelita Tyson, contest co-manager.

Originated in 1990, the Golden ARC Awards Contest recognizes the best and brightest in agricultural public relations, and is open to both ARC and non-ARC members. The 46 categories reflect the broad scope of contemporary public relations activities.

Osborn Barr took home the most awards, followed by Broadhead, with FLM+ taking third.

Agribusiness, ARC

Roberts Bill to Make Bonus Depreciation Permanent

John Davis

roberts-chairNew legislation could make bonus depreciation on farm equipment permanent. U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) says his bill will encourage investments and economic growth by making permanent a fifty percent depreciation bonus on new equipment and property purchases. This would allow businesses to deduct half the cost of new purchases immediately, freeing up money for reinvestment to help them grow.

“This legislation will provide much needed certainty in the tax code so businesses can better plan investments that create more jobs and growth in our communities.” said Roberts. “Bonus depreciation has been extended and expired many times, and it is time we make this permanent to give businesses more predictability in an already overly complex tax code.”

The legislation amends the U.S. tax code to permanently allow businesses to deduct 50 percent of qualified purchased property immediately. Bonus depreciation was first enacted in 2002 and has been extended and allowed to expire multiple times. A permanent increase in depreciation allowances is critical to encouraging more economic growth. More generous depreciation deductions reduce the after-tax cost of investing, encouraging higher levels of investment spending by businesses.

The measure has several other components purported to encourage business investment. First, it expands the definition of qualifying property under bonus depreciation to include retail and restaurant improvements. Second, the legislation will allow businesses to claim unused Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax credits and use these credits for capital investment.

Agribusiness

Allergen-Free Peanuts Among USDA Innovations in FY 2014

John Davis

USDAAllergen-free peanuts is just one of the many innovations in ag during fiscal year 2014 for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The agency’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) says USDA received 83 patents in FY2014, up from 51 patents in 2013, leading to new patents and inventions with the potential for commercial application and potential economic growth.

“USDA has a proven track record of performing research that has tangible benefits for the American public, and studies have found every dollar invested in agricultural research returns $20 to our economy,” said [Ag Secretary Tom] Vilsack. “USDA is now accelerating the commercialization of federal research, and government researchers are working closely with the private sector to develop new technology and transfer it to the marketplace.”

Highlighted discoveries from USDA’s 2014 Technology Transfer Report include:

Procedures to remove up to 98-percent of the allergens from peanuts without affecting the flavor;
A new process for pasteurizing shelled eggs using radio frequency energy that is 1.5 times faster than the current pasteurization process;
A portable method for identifying harmful bacteria in food that could improve the response to foodborne illness outbreaks;
A new method for mosquito control that specifically silences genes in the mosquito so it does not pose a danger to other insects, including pollinators;
A new soil nitrogen test that rapidly and inexpensively determines the total amount of nitrogen in the soil that is available to a plant, reducing costs for farmers while benefiting the environment;
Improved information on non-honey bee pollinators and methods for trapping bees to assure quality apple production.

Besides the 83 patents received in the last fiscal year, there were 119 patent applications filed and disclosed another 117 new inventions, which may lead to future patents. The USDA has 267 active Cooperative Research and Development Agreements with outside partners, which includes Universities, and other organizations, and more than 100 small businesses.

Research, USDA

Drake Named to Ag Public Relations Hall of Fame

Kelly Marshall

ARCThe Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame will be adding Steve Drake, ag communicator and consultant.  The honor is to recognize those who have contributed to public relations and the Ag Relations Council (ARC).  ARC along with Agri Marketing magazine sponsor the program.

Steven has previously won an ARC Founders Award and has worked in public relations for more than 30 years.  His career began as an Associated Press news reporter, followed by 10 years in college public relations.  He moved in to the ag industry in 1978 with American Soybean Association.  From there he began Drake & Company, focusing on association management, mostly of companies in agriculture.  Some of his accomplishments include:

  • Winning a PRSA Silver Anvil by developing at PR team at ASA
  • Taking Soybean Digest to a commercial magazine
  • Coordinating Monsanto’s flood relief program in 1993, which won him the Silver Anvil.
  • Expanding the National Christmas Tree Association through Trees for Troops and many other programs
  • Working with other leaders to develop the Ag Meida Summit.

Ken Bader, former CEO of ASA and president of Global Agribusiness says, “His imaginative and effective public relations efforts are deserving of this national acclaim and recognition.  I have known Steve for over 40 years when he was responsible for all public relations activities as well as serving as my ‘second in command.’  He is a superb and innovative public relations expert.”

Steve is currently president and owner of SCD Group, Inc. and editor of the SCDdaily blog.  His firm provides advice to associations and nonprofits regarding marketing and strategic visioning and he works with associations and for-profit companies on generational issues.  

Agribusiness, ARC

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • The Pork Checkoff has selected 12 college students to be a part of the #RealPigFarming Student Social Forces team this year.
  • Valent U.S.A. Corporation announced it has been named a 5-star member of the National FFA Foundation.
  • DuPont Pioneer announced a technology license and research collaboration agreement with Vilnius University to further the technical and commercial utility of guided Cas9 genome editing technology.
  • The National Association of Farm Broadcasting Hall of Fame committee is asking for nominations for present, past or deceased NAFB Broadcast Council members that have made significant contributions to farm broadcasting and the association.
Zimfo Bytes

Corn Growers Tell EPA the #RFSWorks

Cindy Zimmerman

Corn growers from across the nation were in Kansas City, Kansas yesterday to testify and rally in support of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

rfs-hearing-ncgaLeaders of the National Corn Growers Association were among over 200 stakeholders to provide comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to reduce the volume of ethanol required to be used in the nation’s fuel supply under the RFS.

NCGA President Chip Bowling of Maryland, NCGA Ethanol Committee chairman Jeff Sandbourn, and NCGA Chairman Martin Barbre of Illinois testified that EPA’s proposal would cut nearly 4 billion gallons of ethanol from the RFS through 2016, representing nearly a billion and a half bushels in lost corn demand.

rfs-rally-chip“We simply cannot afford – and will not tolerate – efforts to cut the demand for corn, and that’s exactly what your proposal will do,” Bowling told the EPA. “We cannot let this stand. We’ve done our part, and our allies in the ethanol industry have done their part. It’s time the EPA sided with those of us supporting a domestic, renewable fuel that’s better for the environment.”

Corn growers also led a rally near the hearing in support of the RFS. “We have never before seen so much grassroots interest in a particular issue,” said Bowling. “The many who came here today had to set aside important work back home, with delayed planting or other important field work. They are here because they know what’s at stake.”

Listen to the corn growers testimony here:
NCGA testimony at RFS hearing

Listen to the rally speakers here:
RFS Works Rally

EPA RFS Public Hearing photo album

Coverage of EPA RFS Hearing is sponsored by
Coverage of EPA RFS Hearing sponsored by RFA
Audio, Corn, Ethanol, Farming, NCGA

Dancing Bachelor Farmer Supports Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

syngenta-enogen-nascar-15-soules2He’s been a guy handing out roses to the ladies on “The Bachelor” and wowing everyone with his fancy footwork on “Dancing with the Stars.” Now, Chris Soules says he just a “normal famous guy” back home in Iowa supporting agriculture and getting back to what he loves: farming. He recently served as the grand marshal for the American Ethanol 200 and talked to Chuck at the race about the importance of ethanol and how Syngenta’s Enogen corn seed, bred especially for ethanol production, is an key part of the food and fuel products coming from American farms.

“This is an exciting event for me,” he said. “We’re promoting Enogen corn that’s helping build the ethanol industry and adding value back to the farmers. It’s exciting to have a platform that helps farmers connect with the consumer and tell the story of ethanol and how important it is to Iowa’s and the entire U.S.’s economy.”

Soules knows firsthand how much value ethanol has added to corn. He remembers the days when we had $1.30 a bushel corn, and while the prices are down a bit now, they’re still better with the ethanol market. He also pointed out how farmers are making feed and fuel for America and the world. “Having that diversity in our energy is really important. Keeping that market is something we need to work hard to do.”

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Chris Soules here: Chris Soules at American Ethanol 200

2015 American Ethanol 200 Presented by Enogen Photo Album

Coverage of the American Ethanol 200 sponsored by Enogen
Coverage of the American Ethanol 200 is sponsored by Enogen
Audio, Corn, Ethanol, Syngenta