World Pork Kicks Off with Positive Forecast

Joanna Schroeder

World Pork Expo kicked off this morning in rainy conditions but the weather is not hampering the estimated 20,000 attendees coming through the gates this week for the largest international trade show dedicated to all things pigs. With more than 400 exhibitors plus dozens of educational events, this year is sure to be a winner.

Dr. Ron Prestage, NPPC President, vet and pork producer from Camden, South Carolina kicks off World Pork Expo 2015

Dr. Ron Prestage, NPPC President, vet and pork producer from Camden, South Carolina kicks off World Pork Expo 2015

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), who sponsors the Des Moines, Iowa-based event, gave media industry updates during a press conference this morning. NPPC President Ron Prestage, who is a pork producer and vet from Camden, South Carolina, noted the success they have had during the past year as the voice for pork producers in Washington, D.C. He stressed that their goal is to protect the livelihoods of producers and one way NPPC is doing that is with Prestage’s participation yesterday in Washington, D.C. He joined over 150 experts in human and animal health to address the issue of antibiotic resistance.

Listen to the Dr. Ron Prestage’s remarks: Ron Prestage Remarks

Dr. Paul Sunberg

Dr. Paul Sunberg has been named Director of the Swine Health Information Center and will take the reigns July 1, 2015.

Prestage was followed by Dr. Howard Hill, NPPC past president who gave an update on trade. Three key issues they have been addressing include the strike at western ports that delayed and impeded exporting pork first quarter of this year. In addition, he updated the group on TPA that was passed by the Senate 11 days ago. He said they are now working closely with the House on their version of the bill. Finally, he gave an update on TTIP – the free trade initiative between U.S. and the European Union.

Listen to the Dr. Howard Hill and Dr. Paul Sunberg remarks: Dr's Howard Hill & Paul Sunberg Remarks

Steve Meyer, vice president, pork analysis, Express Markets Inc. Analytics, gave the economic outlook and said that the port issues gave the industry a hit but expects the market to pick up, and is seeing prices rally to low $80s already. However, a virtually PEDv-free season has increased baby pig survival. This will lead to an estimated 2.5-2.6 million head expected for 4th quarter that could have lower price impacts in 2016.

Listen to the Steve Meyer remarks: Steve Meyer Remarks

Of special note was the announcement that Dr. Paul Sundberg, currently the vice president of science and technology at the National Pork Board, will be taking the reigns as Director of the national Swine Health Information Center (SHIC). The Center is funded, in part, with $15 million over five years from NPPC. The goal of the SHIC is to improve preparedness to handle a disaster such as PEDv.

Find photos from the event here: 2015 World Pork Expo Photo Album

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Agribusiness, Audio, NPPC, Pork, Swine, Trade, World Pork Expo

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • Swanson Russell announces the promotion of Melissa Dohmen in its Lincoln office and John Vogel in its Omaha office.
  • The National AgrAbility Project at Purdue University is offering an interactive webinar to help operators of small farms make informed decisions when buying equipment.
  • The American Soybean Association (ASA) and DuPont are seeking applicants for the 2016 ASA DuPont Young Leader Program.
  • Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association are hosting
    “Our Town Our Food” on July 20th in Kansas City, MO.
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Meat Labeling & Grilling

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What should Congress do about COOL?”

Those who chimed in for our recent poll on Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) seem to be leaning towards the creation of a generic North American label. Followed closely by a voluntary program or a repeal for meat products. What will Congress do?…time will tell. Listen to comments from Sec. Vilsack, Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and the House Ag Committee press conference here.

Here are the poll results:

  • Repeal for meat products – 15%
  • Make program voluntary – 21%
  • Create generic North American label – 36%
  • Delay action as long as possible – 0%
  • Ignore it – 14%
  • Other – 14%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What fuels your grill?

Many parts of the country are still experiencing mild temps or overly wet conditions. But that doesn’t stop many from pulling out their grills to kick off the summer months. What’s your go to grilling method?

ZimmPoll

Apple Watch Has Arrived

Chuck Zimmerman

Apple WatchI know there are AgWired community members just waiting to see the Apple Watch in the wild. Well, here’s what it looks like when you take it out of the UPS delivery box.

This is as far as I’ve gotten. More unboxing to follow and then setup time. But right now I’ve got other work pressing so I thought I’d just tease the moment when this shows up on the AgriBlogger’s wrist.

More AgNerdishness to come.

Uncategorized

Agvocating for a Thirsty Land

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 477Conrad Weaver just announced a collaboration with the AgChat Foundation on his latest documentary project, Thirsty Land. The AgChat Foundation is the in-kind “Fiscal Sponsor” and fundraising partner of “Thirsty Land” film. The Foundation will provide fundraising support as a 501c3 non-profit organization, enabling Weaver to receive grants, and other tax-deductible donations for the film project.

Weaver is launching a “Crowdfunding” campaign for “Thirsty Land” on June 1 through
IndieGoGo.com with a goal of raising $25,000 to help with the production of the film. Visit https://conjostudios.leadpages.net/thirstyland-trailer/ to view the film trailer, and sign up for more information.

I talked with both Conrad and Jenny by phone this morning. In this week’s program you can get an update on the documentary project and why the AgChat Foundation decided to get involved. By the way, AgWired is the media sponsor for Conrad’s film.

For interview requests and more information on the making of the film, contact Conrad Weaver at
301-606-7794 or email conrad@conjostudios.com today.

ZimmCast on the how you can agvocate for a Thirsty Land: Agvocating for Thirsty Land

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

The ZimmCast

sponsored by
The ZimmCast podcast is sponsored by GROWMARK
Locally owned, globally strong.
Ag Groups, Audio, Water, ZimmCast

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

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  • Charleston|Orwig announces the addition of two marketing communications professionals to its expanding team.
  • AgView.net and AgView Radio have recently added several new affiliates to its network of entities utilizing the various AgView products.
  • Crystal Kasper of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., is receiving $25,000 to use for a landscape makeover for her yard, plus a John Deere Gator™ 625i, for being the grand prize winner of the 2015 John Deere Green Fever Sweepstakes.
  • The National AgrAbility Project at Purdue University is offering an interactive webinar to help operators of small farms make informed decisions when buying equipment.
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Congressman Ryan tours CNH Plant

Kelly Marshall

ryan-caseU.S. Congressman Paul Ryan toured CNH Industrial‘s plant in Racine, WI last week.  He met with management, toured the plant, and attended a town hall forum.

Congressman Ryan chairs the Ways and Means Committee in the US House.  He met with chief officers and members of CNH Industrial’s North American management team to discuss manufacturing and trade issues.

“Our employees around the world are tied together by a common purpose, to be a leading provider of products and services to professional industrial equipment and commercial vehicle customers,” said Richard Tobin, Chief Executive Officer of CNH Industrial. “Congressman Ryan is attuned to the needs of our company and has been a supporter of trade policies that will continue to allow our products to compete in both our domestic and export markets.”

“There is robust demand for Wisconsin-made goods across the globe and we need to make sure our businesses and workers successfully reach the 96 percent of consumers that live outside the U.S.,” said First District Congressman Paul Ryan. “There is no doubt that Wisconsin’s manufacturers, including CNH Industrial, will benefit from expanded trade policies.”

The Racine plant manufactures equipment for CNH Industrial’s agriculture brands, including Case IH and New Holland Agriculture.  They employ approximately 2,400 workers, who were able to voice opinions and ask the congressman questions during a town hall meeting that followed the plant tour.  Participants discussed manufacturing, trade issues, and economic issues.  The congressman was also treated to a ride and drive in a new Case IH Magnum Rowtrac.

Agribusiness, Case IH, New Holland

New BASF Research Station in India

Kelly Marshall

basf-150A new BASF research station in Pune, India will focus on the areas of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and other solutions beyond crop protection products.  Experts in biology, farm managements, and workers have been hired for the new facitlity.

The center will research ares of global interest for the agriculture community, but it will also investigate issues specific to India, such as specific weeks, pests, and climate stresses.  The hope is to aid farmers in making decisions and improve production of the entire cultivation cycle.

“Raising agriculture productivity to meet the increasing demand for quality and quantity of food, is one of the most important challenges facing our country. By setting up a new R&D center in India, BASF aims to actively look into both local and global topics and develop sustainable solutions to help farmers to solve their challenges and improve food output to feed the growing population in India,” said Raman Ramachandran, Chairman and Managing Director, BASF India Ltd. and Head of BASF South Asia.

The center will contribute to tailor-made solutions for India’s agriculture while moving towards BASF’s strategic goal to innovate from Asia Pacific, for Asia Pacific and the world. “Our role is to partner with farmers and to work with them to protect the land they hold in trust for future generations and to meet the evolving expectations of society. The team in India will contribute to these goals by driving the development of new active ingredients, new formulations, and technologies,” said Markus Heldt, President of BASF’s Crop Protection Division.

With agricultural research stations in different parts of the world, BASF can conduct trials all year around, under different climate and agricultural conditions in order to get a better understanding of how its products perform in the field. Pune will become BASF’s fifth Agricultural Research Station, in addition to those already in Brazil, Spain, Germany, and the Philippines. In total, BASF spends more than €500 million annually on global agricultural R&D showing its commitment to bring sustainable solutions to the agricultural market.

Agribusiness, BASF, Fungicide, Herbicide, pesticides, Research

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • In a recent election at the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST), Dr. Richard Cavaletto was chosen as the President-Elect for 2015-2016.
  • New Holland is pleased to announce Super Guard, a new, more powerful warranty program to match the power of its light construction equipment.
  • Farm Journal Broadcast reports downloads of My Farm Radio, agriculture’s first 24/7 digital radio app, have already topped 5,000.
  • Mathews Company, a global manufacturer of grain dryers, recently announced that Jeff Cruzen will assume the role of Business Development Manager.
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Pork Board Crashes Grills

Chuck Zimmerman

New York PorkThe National Pork Board wants you to fork more pork this summer and has launched a multi-platform summer grilling promotion – Grill Crashers.

“We know that Americans love to grill, but our research showed that many people aren’t sharing and talking about flavor as much as they could be,” said Randy Brown, chair of the Pork Checkoff Domestic Marketing Committee and a pig farmer from Nevada, Ohio. “We’re going to tackle Americans’ ‘flavor shyness’ this summer and show them that getting bold flavor is as simple as choosing juicy, tender pork.”

The Checkoff officially launched its flavor mission May 19, with an unexpected cookout “crash” in one of the country’s top 10 states most in need of a flavor infusion.
As part of the Checkoff’s multicultural outreach, the promotion includes a targeted program to African Americans. The Checkoff is teaming with four celebrity chefs for “DJ Grill Crashers.” The campaign aims to inspire African-American consumers by encouraging them to cook and enjoy pork in creative, healthier ways.

The campaign includes a series of “crashes” across the country, with pork taking center stage at grilling celebrations. New pork-inspired recipes and tips will be shared. Comedic actor and avid griller Donald Faison will share how to enjoy and create bold flavors on the grill with juicy, tender pork chops. He is known for the TV shows “Scrubs” and “Clueless” and the “Remember The Titans” movie.


Ag Groups, Food, Pork, Video