Farm Bureau Releases WOTUS Analysis

Cindy Zimmerman

afbf-logoThe American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) today released its analysis of the EPA’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) final rule and concluded that it is worse than the proposed rule, according to AFBF president Bob Stallman.

“Our analysis shows yet again how unwise, extreme and unlawful this rule is,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said. “Our public affairs specialists and legal team have assembled the best analysis available anywhere, and their conclusions are sobering: Despite months of comments and innumerable complaints, the Waters of the U.S. proposal is even worse than before.”

The Farm Bureau analysis, now available online, is headlined “No, No, No! No Clarity, No Certainty, No Limits on Agency Power.” Among the main concerns Farm Bureau has with the final rule is the definition of tributaries and how ditches “in many instances can meet the definition of tributary.”

Stallman was joined by AFBF Senior Director for Regulatory Relations Don Parrish and general counsel Ellen Steen in announcing the analysis this morning on a conference call.

AFBF WOTUS analysis conference call AFBF WOTUS call reporter questions
AFBF, Audio, Water

A Bird In The…Bathroom Window?

Melissa Sandfort

20150610_174846Today, Aunt Jeanette writes:

Remember the bird’s nest on my antique wagon wheel I wrote about in April? Well, it has a sad ending. There was just too much activity by the shop and the mother robin deserted the nest, leaving three eggs behind. The eggs disappeared one by one and then someone finally took the nest down.

I was at Mom and Dad’s house several days ago and was telling them about what had happened. They got kind of excited (yes, our whole family gets a thrill from “the little things”!) and told me to go look in their bathroom window. I stood in their bathtub, looked out the window, and there, tucked in the corner on the window ledge was a bird’s nest! Mom and Dad said there were three eggs in the nest, but when I looked, there were five small off-white eggs with a few brown specks. My brother has since determined this is the home of a warbling vireo.

We thought the same thing would probably happen that happened to the nest on my wheel because every time the light was turned on in the bathroom, the mother flew away and scolded from a nearby tree.

Yesterday I was at Mom and Dad’s house again. Before I left for home, I thought I would go and check on the nest – just out of curiosity. Was I surprised! I saw three wiggling baby birds and two eggs that were yet to hatch!

Even though they aren’t on my wagon wheel, Mom, Dad and I all got the thrill of seeing these newly hatched babies. And that is probably even better!

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Corn Farmers Coalition Seeks New Opportunities

Kelly Marshall

cfc-adRiders on D.C.’s Metro have been looking at the faces of farmers for seven summers.  This summer they will likely view fragrance ads and real estate commercials, as the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority rejected the Corn Farmers Coalition‘s annual campaign.  Ads already in place were recently removed following the decision of the board to disallow all “issues and advocacy” campaigns throughout the system.  The decision is the result of a controversial political group that sought to place ads featuring a cartoon of Muhamad, an image that has been linked to a death in Texas.

“This is a disappointing development to say the least,” said Dan Nerud, a farmer from Dorchester, Nebraska and director on the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. “We think it is important to educate legislators and other thought leaders in our nation’s capital about the men and women who grow corn. The Corn Farmers Coalition simply highlights the constantly improving practices and technology that have allowed us to become the most productive farmers in the world, and to do so while making major environmental improvements.”

While the diverse ad campaign is moving forward, with digital and traditional print ads in publications like the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Politico, The Hill and Roll Call, putting the large-scale ads in heavily trafficked Metro stations around Capitol Hill has become the most recognized element of the campaign. Corn Farmers Coalition is investigating several advertising options to address the gap left by the Metro decision including placing television ads during the Sunday morning talk shows in Washington.

“This direct outreach puts a face on today’s family farmers and raises overall awareness with legislators, leaders of governmental agencies, think tanks, lobbyists and environmental groups,” said Dennis Maple, president of Indiana Corn Marketing Council and farmer from Greentown, Ind. “Awareness of the innovation, technology, and generations of accumulated knowledge represented by family farmers should be a part of our national dialogue about agriculture and food.”

Advertising, Ag Groups, Corn

Alltech REBELation Brings Together World on Food Issues

John Davis

alltech-rebelation-15-mark-lyonsThis year’s Alltech REBELation Symposium brought together a diverse audience of more than 3,000 people (10,000 if you also count the half marathon before the event}. But while there was diversity, there was a lot of similarity reflecting how the world’s consumers present that two-sided coin.

“Consumers are more diverse and more similar at the same time,” explained Alltech’s Dr. Mark Lyons. “They want safe, nutritious food, and they want to know where it comes from; they want that traceability aspect, everywhere, for different reasons. There’s also a lot of diversity in what they are looking for.”

Living and working in China for the past three years, Lyons has seen a switch in higher-end food tastes as the Chinese gain wealth and are able to see what’s available through social media channels. He said China is shifting to a consumption model, and that is opening trading opportunities for U.S. food producers to make inroads into that huge market, despite the differences from the U.S. free market model. “Manufacturing Americans selling in China is absolutely a reality today. And as their population changes, there is more of an open dialogue taking place.”

Listen to all of Chuck’s interview with Dr. Lyons here: Interview with Dr. Mark Lyons, Alltech

Don’t forget to check out photos from the event here: 2015 Alltech REBELation Photo Album

Agribusiness, Alltech, Audio, International

House Passes COOL Repeal for Meat

Cindy Zimmerman

By a vote of 300 to 131, the House of Representatives passed legislation late Wednesday to repeal Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) for beef, pork and chicken.

conaway-cool“I am thankful for the support of my colleagues today in passing this common-sense, bipartisan bill that is a necessary targeted response to avoid retaliation from Canada and Mexico,” said House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) who introduced the bill.

While the vote was bi-partisan, the bill pitted the House Agriculture Committee chairman against ranking member Collin Peterson (D-MN) who is an ardent supporter of COOL. “This is a rush to judgement that’s not necessary because this retaliation process is going to take a while,” said Peterson during the floor debate on the bill. “My biggest problem is that this bill is premature.”

Reps. Conaway and Peterson floor comments

COOL repeal faces uncertainty in the Senate but Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) says he will do what he can to take action before any retaliatory steps are taken. “I am continuing to take suggestions from my colleagues in the Senate for alternatives that meet our trade obligations,” said Roberts. “However, almost a month has passed since the WTO ruling was announced, and repeal remains the surest way to protect the American economy from retaliatory tariffs.”

Beef, Livestock, Pork

How Will Antibiotic Ban Impact Livestock Operations?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What fuels your grill?”

My family was a little late pulling out our grill this summer, but it’s now out and we have been enjoying it thoroughly. I honestly don’t have a preference, but my husband is pretty adamant about what fuels his grill. So, it’s charcoal all the way in my household. But apparently we are the minority. Our pollers clearly like a gas grill and I was a little surprised we had no electric grillers out there.

Here are the poll results:

  • Charcoal/wood – 44%
  • Gas – 56%
  • Electric – 0%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, How will a ban on antibiotics impact your livestock operation?

This change in federal guidelines will require many regulation modifications and a lot of label changes. The livestock industry is currently working with producers to help with his transition. We want to know how you think this ban on antibiotics will impact your operations.

ZimmPoll

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • The National Corn Growers Association welcomes Steve Uram, who joins the organization as Marketing Manager in the St. Louis office.
  • Nealta miticide from BASF has received registration for use in California.
  • Advanta Seeds, a leading international supplier of proprietary agricultural crop genetics, announces Brad Holzworth has joined the company as Director of Marketing – North America.
  • Lessing-Flynn continues to grow its team by adding another member, Minnesota native and recent Drake graduate Laura Plumb.
Zimfo Bytes

Carlo Lambro Addresses New Holland Press Conf.

Chuck Zimmerman

Carlo LambroEarly for our American audience is today’s press conference at CNH Industrial Village in Turin, Italy. Kicking things off on the program is Carlo Lambro, New Holland Agriculture Brand President.

Carlo talked about New Hollands commitment to sustainability which has four pillars, Growing Energy, Efficient Productivity, Sustainable Farming, Committed Company. The New Holland pavilion at Expo Milano 2015 is all about this subject of the sustainable farm. Tomorrow the group of journalists attending this event will tour the pavilion. This afternoon we will be able to ride and drive New Holland equipment at a nearby farm.


You can listen to the conference here: New Holland Expo Milano press conference

I’ve started a photo album from my trip here: New Holland Expo Milano 2015 Photos

Agribusiness, Audio, New Holland, Sustainability

Visit to Holy Shroud of Turin

Chuck Zimmerman

Shroud of TurinSometimes a business trip turns into the opportunity of a lifetime. That has been the case so far as my trip to Turin, Italy with New Holland allowed me time to attend the rare public viewing of the Holy Shroud of Turin. Many, many people believe this to be the burial cloth of Jesus. Regardless what you may believe it is a fascinating story and for Christians a holy relic worthy of respect and offering a way to feel closer to Jesus. Pilgrims making a visit to the Shroud can spend time in silent prayer.

Here’s where you can find some interesting information on the Shroud.

The Shroud is normally kept in a case behind a glass wall in a room of the Cathedral of Turin. This public exposition is being held from April 19 – June 24. My trip here was a fortunate coincidence.

If anyone has any questions about the Shroud I would be happy to try and answer the best I can. My visit is a highlight of my little life on this Earth and one I’ll never forget. Thank you New Holland!

Uncategorized

GROWMARK Staffers Score Communications Awards

Cindy Zimmerman

GROWMARK Corporate and Government Relations and Marketing Communications team members took home several awards from the Cooperative Communicators Association (CCA) during a ceremony held last week in Indianapolis, Indiana. Professional communicators representing cooperatives from across the United States and Canada submitted 703 entries in the (CCA) Excellence in Communications Awards recognizing the best in writing, photography, programs and projects, and publications.

Cassie BeckerPublications and Media Relations Specialist Cassie Becker and Cooperative Affairs and Communications Specialist Karen Jones both received several awards in multiple categories.

Becker won first place in the Photography category for the portrait, “When the calf stands tall.” With Julie Fontana, senior graphic designer, Becker also received second place honors in the Employee Publication category for the SOURCE Magazine and in the Improved Publication category for the SOURCE Magazine.

growmark-karen-jonesJones received first place in the One-time Publication category for the “Pocket Guide to the GROWMARK System.” She also took home second place in the Documentary Video category for “Properties of Anhydrous Ammonia” and in the Cooperative Education category for the “Pocket Guide to the GROWMARK System.”

GROWMARK corporate strategic development manager Cliff Dolbeare placed third in the Social Media category for “FS: A “Trusted Advisor” … even on Social Media” and the GROWMARK Marketing Communications team received an honorable mention in the Cooperative Education category for the “FS Interactive Coloring Book.”

Let’s give them a big round of applause! Well done, GROWMARK peeps!

GROWMARK