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  • The CNH Industrial N.V. plant in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, has been awarded silver status for implementing World Class Manufacturing (WCM), one of the highest standards in the world for the integrated management of manufacturing plants and processes.
  • Kubota Tractor Corporation (KTC) and Kubota Manufacturing of America Corporation (KMA) officially announced plans to increase production capacity for Kubota equipment in the U.S. by building a new manufacturing plant and expanding its existing operations in Gainesville, Ga.
  • Beck’s, the largest family-owned, retail seed company in the United States, is pleased to announce building plans on a site purchased in Colfax, Iowa.
  • Precision Tank, a specialized tank and equipment manufacturer with headquarters at Virginia, Ill., announced the acquisition of A&B Welding of Thompson, Iowa, a manufacturer of field-erected tanks and general contracting services.
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Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Rep. Adrian Smith

John Davis

Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith.

open-micThe Republican representing Nebraska’s 3rd District outlines a challenging agenda for House members following the Memorial Day break. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Smith expects a great deal of debate over Trade Promotion Authority, tax reform, and identifying financial resources for the Highway Trust Fund. In this week’s feature, Smith shares his support for renewable fuels and his concern over attempts to further define food labeling laws.

Click here to listen to Agri-Pulse Open Mic with U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith.

Agri-Pulse, Audio

NAFB Farm Radio Connects Research & Videos

Chuck Zimmerman

NAFB LogoThe National Association of Farm Broadcasting has new research available.

Farm radio connects with farmers and ranchers throughout the United States. Recent research conducted by Millennium Research, Inc. during the month of March proves farm radio listenership is strong in rural America. This is the first data release of a year-long, nationwide research project surveying farmers and ranchers on their radio listening habits. A few key findings from the Winter Wave 1 Study are:

  • 83 percent of farmers and ranchers listen to farm radio
  • Age doesn’t impact listening habits
  • 83 percent of farmers and ranchers listen to the radio multiple days per week
  • Local farm broadcasters are highly rated on providing accurate information, 8.2 on 10-point scale


Click here for additional research from the Winter Wave 1 study.

In addition to new research, NAFB visited with several farmers to discuss their radio listening habits, and importance of information provided to them by their local farm broadcaster. You can watch one of these videos below.


Media, NAFB

BASF Sponsors Student Space Research

Kelly Marshall

basf-150Three twelfth-grade students will have the scientific and financial sponsorship of BASF as they launch their research project to the International Space Station (ISS).  The students from the ag program at Edith Stein School in Ravensburg, Germany have created an experiment to test the growth of plants in microgravity conditions.

Up to this point research being done on crop growth in space has focused on seedling roots and how they respond to the lack of gravity.  The students’ experiment focuses on plant cuttings, and if roots and leaves can develop to produce food.  If it turns out that cuttings can be used, it would be a huge step in supplying long-term space flights with food from space farming.

“We are excited about this project and about working with forward-thinking young people who strive for groundbreaking ideas and innovation. With our 100 years of experience in agriculture, it has been a thrilling challenge to investigate what could come next and how to achieve the ultimate goal of growing and reproducing plants on a space station,” said Dr. Harald Rang, Senior Vice President Research & Development, BASF Crop Protection.

To ensure the success of the experiment, the student research team is currently developing an appropriate experimental design for the ISS. BASF is providing knowledge on how to keep the plants healthy and free from fungal disease during the foreseen 30 days in the ISS environment. The students will do an internship with experts at the BASF Agricultural Center in Limburgerhof, Germany, before conducting trials at Kennedy Space Center laboratories in Florida.

Agribusiness, BASF, Research

Lamp Public Relations & Marketing Announces Expansion

Chuck Zimmerman

Lamp Public Relations & MarketingJody Lamp just let me know that her firm, Lamp Public Relations & Marketing, is expanding its current business, while maintaining its current clients and office from Billings, MT. Additionally, the public relations and marketing firm will open offices in both western and eastern Nebraska to become even more centrally located and aligned to service its agriculture-based clientele and industry.

Lamp Public Relations & Marketing presents a team approach that includes interpersonal communication skills; leadership education and training; brand development and management; creation for team growth and collaboration opportunities; direction, development and distribution of national legacy strategic plans, projects and funding programs.

Agencies

IFAJ Moves Office to Canada

Chuck Zimmerman

IFAJ CanadaThe International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) just announced that the organization has contracted Qu’anglo Communications & Consulting of Ormstown, Quebec, to manage the IFAJ Global Office.

The IFAJ Global Office provides support for member associations of agricultural journalists worldwide as well as development activities in non-member countries. It also provides management and administration services for IFAJ events and programs, including the meetings of the executive committee and presidium.

Hugh Maynard, President, and Christina Franc, Director of Communications, will assume responsibilities on behalf of Qu’anglo starting June 1, 2015 as the IFAJ Global Manager and Global Assistant respectively. They take over these functions from the Dutch farmer-led development organisation, Agriterra, which has restructured its business. Agriterra has very competently developed the global office services to IFAJ since the beginning of 2014, with Josephine van Gelder as Global Manager and Anne Kluivers as Global Assistant.

IFAJ

To Be A REBEL…Think Future

Jamie Johansen

rebelation15-38-editedWhat does it mean to be a REBEL? Aidan Connolly, Alltech’s Chief Innovation Officer said to him a rebel stood for R – Revolutionize, E – Evaluate, B – Business, E – Environment and L – Legacy.

All key elements of Alltech REBELation were focused on the future. Aidan said we all need to future-proof our businesses. “The marketplace is changing dramatically. You have to be aware of how things will change.” He added that the population isn’t driving the increase demand for food, it is income.

“Look at your businesses, see what you can do differently, presume that doing it the same way isn’t going to be good enough. People have come away with a tremendous number of new ideas and I feel implementing one, two or three of them would make them a huge success.”

Aidan also spoke to beef and dairy producers on current market trends, what the future might hold for each and the importance of embracing technology. Listen to more on that in my complete interview and learn about how you too can be a REBEL here: Interview with Aidan Connolly, Alltech

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

Agribusiness, Alltech, Audio

Coach Cal Receives 2015 Alltech Humanitarian Award

Jamie Johansen

rebelation15-309-editedJohn Calipari, head men’s basketball coach for the University of Kentucky, received Alltech’s prestigious 2015 Humanitarian Award for his extensive work in Haiti. Dr. Pearse Lyons presented it to him on his home court at Rupp Arena while addressing the congregation of attendees at REBELation.

Known as a “dream maker,” Calipari has guided six college basketball teams to the Final Four, led one to a national championship and helped dozens of players make it to play professionally for the NBA during his 23-year college coaching career.

“The state’s mission for me is to win titles; my mission is greater,” he said. “My mission is to be a vehicle to help others reach their dreams, to be the stone that creates the ripple in their lives that goes on and on.”

“What is your why? Why are you doing this? What do you want your life to be? At the end of the day, why are you living your life?” It doesn’t matter what team you root for, Coach Cal had us all motivated once he walked off the stage. He reminded us that “leaders are not born. Leadership is more about serving everyone beneath you.”

Listen to Coach Calipari’s complete remarks and Q & A with Dr. Lyons here: Remarks from Coach John Caplipari, UK Basketball

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

Agribusiness, Alltech, Audio

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  • Prosperity Ag is excited to announce two new webinars, Value-Added Grant Program & Rural Energy for America Program, designed to educate the agriculture and rural communities on available grant funding!
  • The Responsible Nutrient Management Foundation is pleased to offer scholarships in the amount of $2,500; available to students attending an agriculture-related program at a post-secondary educational institution in the United States during the 2015-2016 school year.
  • The Global Soil Security Symposium will be held May 19-21 on the Texas A&M University campus as a part of the declaration of 2015 as the International Year of Soils by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Global Soil Partnership.
  • MGEX and Wells Fargo & Company are pleased to announce that Wells Fargo Securities, LLC has joined as MGEX’s newest clearing member.
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NAFB Taking Applications for College Scholarships

John Davis

NAFB LogoThe National Association of Farm Broadcasting Foundation is accepting applications for three $5,000 scholarships for college students studying agriculture communications. Application deadline is June 6, 2015, and the scholarships are named after farm broadcasting pioneers:

Glenn Kummerow Memorial Scholarship. Glenn dedicated himself to the farm broadcasting industry, and was a respected authority in ag radio. He was a true friend and loyal supporter of the Association.

George Logan Scholarship. George was the first NAFB Executive Director, a long time farm broadcaster and television manager. He was a mentor to many broadcasters during their careers.

Orion Samuelson Scholarship. Orion is the most recognized radio and television farm broadcaster in history. Orion along with George Logan started the NAFB Foundation in 1975.

Eligible applicants are in-coming college juniors, seniors or graduate students currently enrolled in a college or university agriculture communications program and pursuing careers in agriculture communications.

Awardees will also receive an expense-paid trip to the NAFB Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, November 11-13, 2015.

Ag Groups, NAFB