Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • Lessing-Flynn reached new heights at the NOVA Awards, hosted by the Iowa chapter of the American Marketing Association on Thursday, May 7, 2015 taking home six awards, including the coveted People’s Choice Award.
  • The American Pulse Association, announced the APA’s 2014-2015 Competitive Grant Program recipients.
  • The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) board of directors has approved $357,570 in research project funding for the 2015-16 research budget year.
  • The National Association of Wheat Growers announces the addition of Steve Joehl as director of research and technology to the wheat growers’ team.
Zimfo Bytes

Dealer Involvement with New Holland Next Gen Contest

Chuck Zimmerman

New Holland Voice of the Next GenBefore we meet the rest of the New Holland Voice of the Next Gen Contest winners let’s meet one dealer who really got involved with the promotion. His name is Cory Forrester, Forrester Farm Equipment. He’s pictured with Tyler Hubbard, Florida Georgia Line, and his family. Special thanks to Tyler’s photographer for the image.

Cory ForresterCory is what he calls a “pure” New Holland dealer. He only sells New Holland equipment. Cory says that this contest is “the next step for New Holland.” He’s looking for the next generation customer, the 30-somethings who are buying equipment. He says it’s a completely out-of-the-box promotion involving social media. Cory is very enthusiastic about the value of social media in reaching tomorrow’s customer.

Listen to my interview with Cory to hear more of his thoughts on this New Holland promotion here: Interview with Corey Forrester

New Holland Voice of the Next Gen Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Farm Machinery, New Holland

Organic Trade Association Petitions for Checkoff

Chuck Zimmerman

Gro Organic CheckoffThe Organic Trade Association, along with the GRO Organic Core Committee, has formally petitioned the USDA to begin steps to conduct a vote on and implement a research and promotion check-off program for the organic industry. You can read an executive summary of the proposal here (pdf).

OTA’s action reflects three years of dialogue with the entire organic sector and comes 25 years after Congress authorized USDA’s National Organic Program. Marking the first time in the 49-year history of U.S. agricultural check-off programs that organic could be recognized as a distinct commodity class based on production practices, it could have significant and game-changing ramifications for the burgeoning organic sector.

Unlike any other check-off program, the proposed organic check-off has been designed to solve what hasn’t worked in other research and promotion programs, emphasizes what has worked, and creates an innovative program tailor-made for organic.
After USDA completes its review of the application, an official proposal for an organic research and promotion check-off program will be published in the Federal Register, followed by a public comment period. The final step will be a referendum on the proposed check-off, with all certified organic stakeholders eligible to vote. Approval by a majority of the organic stakeholders voting is required for implementation.

Ag Groups, Organic, USDA

Speedy Spud Competition

Chuck Zimmerman

Speedy SpudPotato Lovers Club bloggers are participating in the second Speedy Spud Challenge. This recipe competition has seven competitors. I picked the photo of this entry because it is one of the entries that contains bacon! The competition is being held by the United States Potato Board.

Bloggers were asked to create an original, yum-worthy potato recipe that can be made in 30 minutes or less, and share it on their blog for the chance to win a trip to Chicago to act as potato ambassadors at the annual Eat, Write, Retreat food blogger conference. Bonus points were also offered to bloggers who helped promote the USPB’s #TopTater hashtag campaign and shared their recipes on their respective social media properties.

Seven bloggers opted into the challenge, sharing deliciously creative potato recipes, many of which utilized convenience potato products. From Hash Brown Tostadas to Buffalo Chicken Poutine, here is a peek at entries from “The Speedy Spud Challenge.” After a recipe tasting and judging session, two winners will be crowned in mid-May.

Ag Groups, Food, Potato

Nationwide Efforts of Protect the Harvest

Jamie Johansen

aaa-15-61-editedProtect the Harvest is an advocacy group that started in Missouri five years ago to fight back against animal activists groups. During the Animal Ag Alliance Stakeholders Summit, policies impacting the future of animal agriculture was an important issue discussed. Brian Klippenstein, Executive Director, Protect the Harvest, spoke on how they are helping farmers and ranchers nationwide provide for a growing world.

“We have to double the worlds food supply using fewer resources. Less land, less water, less energy, smaller carbon footprint and it’s going to take lots of work. It’s going to take a lot of technology, modernized practices and unity. Unfortunately, technology is made out as the enemy. Hunger is the enemy, not technology.”

After a narrow farming rights amendment victory in Missouri, Brian said a similar amendment is on the ballot in Oklahoma. Protect the Harvest is also very concerned with what is going on in California. “You essentially have California state government dictating farming practices, not just in California, but all across the country. It’s probably unconstitutional which is the reason (Missouri) Attorney General Koster is leading a bi-partisan group of seven attorney generals suing California.”

We are constantly getting better and Brian reminded us that “tomorrow is going to be better than today.” We are doing more with less and consumers have never had it better. They can find high-end items on one aisle and then lost-cost on the next. “We have a wonderful story that needs to be told. We are serving consumers from top to bottom, world-wide.”

Check out my complete interview with Brian to learn more about Protect the Harvest’s fight for animal agriculture. Interview with Brian Klippenstein, Protect the Harvest

Find photos from the event here: 2015 Animal Ag Alliance Stakeholders Summit Photo Album

Coverage of the Animal Ag Alliance Stakeholders Summit is sponsored by
Coverage of the Animal Ag Alliance Stakeholders Summit is sponsored by Elanco Animal Health
Ag Groups, Animal Activists, Animal Agriculture

Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Collin Peterson

John Davis

Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features the House Ag Committee Ranking Member Rep. Collin Peterson.

open-micThe Minnesota Democrat discusses his position on Trade Promotion Authority for the Obama administration and the dangers of change to the nation’s crop insurance program. He also believes environmentalists have control of the White House and favors congressional action to thwart implementation of the new EPA Clean Water definition.

Click here to listen to Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Rep. Collin Peterson.

Agri-Pulse, Audio

Lots of Jobs in Ag for New Grads

John Davis

USDAMay is graduation month, and a new survey shows that agriculture is a great place for those new college graduates. This article from the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the information from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and Purdue University shows there are nearly 60,000 high-skilled agriculture job openings expected each year in the U.S., there are only about 35,000 graduates available to fill them.

“There is incredible opportunity for highly-skilled jobs in agriculture,” said [Agriculture Secretary Tom] Vilsack. “Those receiving degrees in agricultural fields can expect to have ample career opportunities. Not only will those who study agriculture be likely to get well-paying jobs upon graduation, they will also have the satisfaction of working in a field that addresses some of the world’s most pressing challenges. These jobs will only become more important as we continue to develop solutions to feed more than 9 billion people by 2050.”

The report projects almost half of the job opportunities will be in management and business. Another 27 percent will be in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) areas. Jobs in food and biomaterials production will make up 15 percent, and 12 percent of the openings will be in education, communication, and governmental services. The report also shows that women make up more than half of the food, agriculture, renewable natural resources, and environment higher education graduates in the United States.

The survey also found that good employment opportunities for the next five years are expected, although they could be uneven from area to area in ag.

AgCareers, Agribusiness, University, USDA

Farmers to Decide on CentraGro Cooperative

Kelly Marshall

growingTogetherThe Boards of Directors for North Central Farmers Elevator (NCFE) and Wheat Growers (WG) have reached an agreement to join the two cooperatives.  Now it is in the hands of the members to ratify the decision and become  member-owned, locally governed CentraGro Cooperative.

“The vote on the Unification Agreement taken by our Board members reflects the overall support we’ve heard from our membership over the past several weeks,” said NCFE Board President Richard Osterday. “More and more, people understand that our main objective in moving forward with the proposed unification is to build on our past successes to create an even stronger, more competitive future for our members.”

“With the thorough due diligence that we’ve conducted, we have even more confidence in the benefits that our patrons will experience as a result of a unification,” said WG Board President Hal Clemensen. “These benefits will translate into increased patronage, a stronger balance sheet, and more investment in products, services and facilities to better serve our member-owners.”

For a schedule of upcoming NCFE/WG member meetings, the voting process, and other information regarding the proposed unification, visit www.growingtogether.coop. Questions can be submitted on the website or by calling 1-888-429-4902 (WG) or 1-800-658-3353 (NCFE).

Agribusiness, Cooperatives

Agworld Developing Apple Watch App

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 474AgNerd’s everywhere, rejoice! You will soon have an app to use when you get your new Apple Watch thanks to AgWorld.

Agworld, a leading global information management and cloud collaboration software for growers and consultants, announced that it is developing an app for the Apple Watch in response to the growing demand for a new breed of field-ready, connected apps. I spoke with Zach Sheely, Agworld, about their plans for this new wearable technology in a special ZimmCast edition of the AgNerd Cloud.

Agworld WatchAgworld’s centralized software platform, available as web, iPad and iPhone apps, allows for real-time collaboration and management of critical information, activities and recommendations throughout the crop production cycle – in field, where it matters most.

Agworld’s Apple watch app will be an extension of the platform’s key functionality in order to deliver contextual information at a glance. This includes:

Field data
· Agronomic snapshot and crop history of the current field you’re standing in
· Financial snapshot for users who have permission to view farm financials
Project Management
· Notifications when your agronomist has sent you a new field recommendation or when your applicator has just completed a job
Safety and compliance
· Know whether your field is safe to enter and clear for harvest

Agworld“Since launching the industry’s first iPad ag app in 2011, we’ve been focused on delivering the mobile technology farmers need infield.” said Zachary Sheely, VP Sales and Operations Agworld. “The Apple Watch app, like all of our products, is grounded on an understanding that farming happens in the field, not in the office, where critical data is needed to underpin smarter, infield decisions.”

You can sign up for early access to Agworld’s Apple Watch App here.

Learn more about Agworld and their pending Apple Watch App in this week’s program: Agworld Apple Watch App

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

The ZimmCast

sponsored by
The ZimmCast podcast is sponsored by GROWMARK
Locally owned, globally strong.
Agribusiness, Apps, Audio, Gadgets, Precision Agriculture, ZimmCast

First USDA Crop Estimates

Cindy Zimmerman

USDAUSDA’s May World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate report released today includes the first estimates for crop production this year.

Overall, the report is projecting wheat production to be higher and corn and soybeans lower this season. All wheat production is projected at 2,087 million bushels, up 3 percent. Corn production is projected at 13.6 billion bushels, down 586 million from the record 2014/15 crop with a lower forecast area and yield. Soybean production is projected at 3,850 million bushels, down 119 million from the 2014 crop with record harvested area more than offset by lower
yields.

Total corn supply is forecast to be at a record 15.5 billion bushels, and corn utilization is projected at a record 13.8 billion bushels. “These numbers for 2015 reflect the importance we are placing on building profitable demand for corn,” said National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling. “They are still an early look at supply and demand, but with two record crops back-to-back and current stocks high, we’re committed to increasing the corn market here and abroad.”

USDA is estimating the average price for corn this marketing year at $3.55 to $3.75 per bushel, with the all wheat season-average farm price projected at $4.50 to $5.50 per bushel, and soybean prices for 2015/16 projected to decline to $8.25 to $9.75 per bushel compared with $10.05 in 2014/15.

Corn, NCGA, Soybean, USDA, Wheat