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

Mahindra Sponsors Urban Ag in Detroit

Kelly Marshall

MahindraDetroit, MI will be the recipient of $100,000 to grow urban farming initiatives in the city.  The benefactors of the gift are Mahindra USA, the world’s number one-selling tractor brand based on volume, and Mahindra North American Technical Center based in Troy, MI.  The money is expanding on the current Urban Ag Scholarship Initiative and will be split between five non-profit organizations that are already involved in urban ag.  In addition to this gift, one of the farms will recieve a new Mahindra tractor and the city itself will be gifted an mPACT XTV utility vehicle.

“Mahindra is a global enterprise with affiliates in more than 100 countries,” said Richard Haas, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Mahindra North American Technical Center. “At the crux of Mahindra’s core values is a pledge to innovatively drive positive change in the lives of our stakeholders and communities, wherever we are in the world. Supporting urban agriculture in Detroit is a natural fit for Mahindra, given our position as the world leader in tractor production.”

Detroit is one of the nation’s pre-eminent urban agriculture sites. Increased demand for locally grown food, and efforts to improve the quality, availability and affordability of produce sold to residents—coupled with thousands of plots of vacant, arable land—make Detroit an excellent incubator for the farms and gardens that have sprouted in all areas of town. Urban farms also encourage entrepreneurialism, help workforce development by teaching employable skills, and boost the city and region’s economy.

Rick Haas adds, “Detroit is very much a city on the rise. Mahindra is looking forward to playing a part in its growth and return to prosperity.”

Mahindra also invests in several agriculture-focused scholarship programs, including: five Urban Ag scholarships, four Women In Ag scholarships in partnership with the Future Farmers of America, and 12 Mahindra Texas Pride scholarships that are offered jointly with the Career and Technology Association of Texas, Inc.

Agribusiness, Tractor

ZimmComm Galaxy Tab S AgNerd Giveaway

Jamie Johansen

Contest-Banner-2Are you in need of some new tech for your farm or business? ZimmComm New Media just might have the answer. Enter our latest AgNerd Giveaway for a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy S Tab.

Samsung Galaxy S Tab Specs:

  • Super AMOLED® display (1600 x 2560)
  • Our thinnest (0.26″) and lightest (1.02 lbs.) yet
  • Unique innovations like Fingerprint Scanner, Multi-window™, and more
  • Get up to 9 hours of battery life, and even more with Ultra Power Saving Mode

Checkout the AgNerd Giveaway Rules to learn more about your chance to win.

Uncategorized

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • The Rice Foundation is accepting applications for the 2016 Rice Leadership Development Program.
  • BioSTL, the St. Louis organization advancing regional prosperity by cultivating the bioscience and innovation ecosystem, announced that Israeli agtech company Forrest Innovations has selected St. Louis as the location of its U.S. headquarters.
  • American Agri-Women (AAW) is celebrating 40 years advocating for agriculture with its “Drive Across America” and is pleased to collaborate with Bayer CropScience as a sponsor.
  • West Central Cooperative announced its plan for a $27 million, multi-year project to increase soybean processing capacity by 50 percent and build additional grain storage at its Ralston, Iowa complex.
Zimfo Bytes

Our Barn Door is Open

Joanna Schroeder

“If we don’t tell our farmer story then someone else will,” said Erin Brennemen, Iowa pork producer during the panel discussion “Our Barn Door is Open,” that took place during the 2015 World Pork Expo (#WPX15). The #RealPigFarming panel was hosted by the National Pork Board (NPB) and moderated NPB Our Barn Door is Open panelby outgoing vice president Brad Greenway, a South Dakota pork producer. Other panelists include Thomas Titus, an Illinois pork producer, and Iowa farmer and The Bachelor, Chris Soules, who was also a recent Dancing with the Stars alum.

The lively discussion focused on the panelists’ experiences in speaking with consumers via social media about what really happens on their farm and how best to tell your story. These Agvocates all agreed that they must share their experiences and open “their barn doors” or others will inaccurately tell their story. They also agreed that for the most part, consumers who reach out to them really want to better understand what happens on the farm and are appreciative of the honest answers they give. The panelists and Greenway all invite consumers to visit their farms so if you’re looking to take a farmtour, farmstay or farmcation this summer then be sure to reach out to them.

You can follow the discussion on Twitter using #RealPigFarming and engage with the panelists on Twitter as well: Thomas Titus (@1thomas_titus), Erin Brenneman (@sowmamma) Chris Soules (@souleschris) and Brad Greenway (@GreenwayPork).

Watch Our Barn Door is Open.


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

wpx-bivi-tag

Agribusiness, Pork, Swine, Video, World Pork Expo