Bayer CropScience Teams with Flagship Ventures

Cindy Zimmerman

bayer-200Bayer CropScience today announced a new partnership with venture capital firm Flagship Ventures to invest in leading-edge agriculture companies and technologies. The partnership also includes an investment in Flagship Ventures Fund V, a $537 million venture capital fund that closed in March 2015.

“Emerging challenges in agriculture are leading the industry in new and exciting directions,” said Liam Condon, chief executive officer of Bayer CropScience. “With growing pest pressures, weather volatility and changes in consumer tastes, growers need and are counting on new solutions to increase yields on the farm. Bayer is committed to providing them with new innovations. We look forward to working with Flagship Ventures to bring exciting, breakthrough companies to market.”

flagship“Partnering with Bayer CropScience will help us realize the emerging opportunity we see for the development of game-changing technologies in agriculture,” said Dr. Noubar Afeyan, senior managing partner and chief executive officer of Flagship Ventures. “Collectively we are dedicated to making sustainable, positive impacts on global farm operations and the global food supply.”

Bayer CropScience joins AstraZeneca and Nestlé Health Science as strategic innovation partners in Flagship Ventures Fund V. The fund will focus on innovations in healthcare and sustainability in the energy, water, agriculture and nutrition sectors.

Agribusiness, Bayer

Avian Flu Epidemic Grows

Cindy Zimmerman

branstad-hpaiIowa Governor Terry Branstad declared a state of emergency Friday as new confirmed and probable cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been announced on an almost daily basis in the last two weeks. Yet another four probable cases were announced Monday, bringing the total now to over 20 million birds at 25 sites in 11 counties.Iowa Gov declares state of emergency due to HPAI

Iowa is the largest egg producing state in the country and as of last week the number of laying hens infected was about a quarter of the total in the state and “probably five or six percent of the layers in the United States,” according to Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey. Now that number is more like a third of the state’s total laying population, fueling expectations that there will likely be an impact on supply and prices before very long.

With millions of birds having to be destroyed, the livelihoods of poultry producers are at stake and Northey says indemnity payments from the federal government only makes up for part of the loss. “They are to pay for part of the cost for putting those birds down, but not for any lost income,” said Northey. “Our hearts go out to the folks that are going through this.” Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey comments on indemnity payments

Minnesota, which is the top turkey producing state in the nation, has had the largest number of HPAI cases so far at 67 as of May 1.

We have been keeping up with the latest from the affected states on Animal.AgWired.com where you can check for the latest updates.

Audio, Poultry

Farm Foundation Forum on Animal Antibiotics

John Davis

farmfoundationlogo3The next Farm Foundation Forum will discuss the issue of antibiotics in food animal production. The May 14th discussion will bring together industry experts from production agriculture, the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory agencies to explore the challenges of phasing out the use of antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals.

Farm Foundation President Neil Conklin will moderate the panel of experts in the field, including:

Dr. John Clifford, USDA APHIS
Cheri DeJong, a Texas dairy farmer
Grady Bishop, Elanco Animal Health
Dr. William Flynn, FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine

Since December 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued two Guidance for Industry (GFIs)–209 and 213–addressing “voluntary adopt of practices to ensure the appropriate or judicious use of medically important antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals.” Increased veterinary oversight of the use of antimicrobials is also addressed. Most recently, FDA has also amended its Veterinary Feed Directive to require producers to have veterinary approval for the use of medically-important antibiotics in feed.

The free forum will be held in-person on May 14th from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C. But if you’re unable to attend, a live audiocast is available free of charge. More information is available here.

Ag Groups, Animal Agriculture, Farm Foundation

Netflix to Stream FARMLAND

Cindy Zimmerman

farmlandlogo4The movie FARMLAND is now available for streaming to 57 million subscribers worldwide on Netflix.com.

“I’m thrilled that FARMLAND has found a new home at Netflix,” said Academy Award®-winning director James Moll. “There’s a lot of interest out there in the next generation of farmers and ranchers, and Netflix is a great venue to meet and be inspired by these six hard-working Americans.”

FARMLAND provides viewers with a firsthand glimpse inside the world of farming and ranching by depicting the lives of six young farmers and ranchers. In addition to streaming on Netflix, the film is currently screening on major college and university campuses across the nation. Additional campuses interested in holding a screening can submit requests at FARMLANDfilm.com.

The film continues to be available for rent and purchase at Walmart retail locations nationwide, Walmart.com, and via digital download on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Blockbuster On-Demand, Sony PlayStation, Vudu.com, Xbox and YouTube.

USFRA

Win Autographed New Holland/Tyler Hubbard Poster

Chuck Zimmerman

Tyler Hubbard and MeHello Florida Georgia Line fans. This past weekend I had the opportunity to meet Tyler Hubbard, the Georgia part of the band, during a pre-concert Meet and Greet. I’ll be sharing an interview with Tyler as part of my mini-series of the New Holland Voice of the Next Gen Contest party weekend. Thanks to Tyler’s photographer for the photo.

New Holland Tyler Hubbard PosterNew Holland brought the five contest finalists and a friend to Hershey, PA, to meet Tyler and see the concert. Each contestant sang a short piece of the band’s hit, Dirt. Additionally, local New Holland dealers brought in some customers to hang out with us and enjoy the show. Which was great btw.

I snagged an extra autographed poster of Tyler Hubbard that was made for the occasion and am giving it away this week. All you have to do is put your name in comments to be entered or message me on Twitter or Facebook. Entries will be taken through 5pm, central on Friday. I’ll mail you this poster to put into the frame of your choice.

I took a lot of photos of the fun on Saturday which you are encouraged to view, share and enjoy: New Holland Tyler Hubbard Next Gen Photo Album

Agribusiness, New Holland

Former FFA Member Donates to Ag Ed

John Davis

ffa_logoA former FFA member from Texas is donating money to support agricultural education teachers. This news release from FFA says Herman Wilson of Houston was inspired by his ag ed teacher in east Texas more than 62 years ago. Now he’s giving back in the form of $250,000 to establish an endowment to kick start a multi-level initiative.

“We want other investors to put their money where their thoughts are,” Wilson said. Wilson and his family believe that teachers who can motivate students are the heart of FFA. .He believes teachers must be recognized and rewarded for their work, so they’ll want to continue in the profession. In addition, he believes FFA needs to find ways to attract college students to agricultural education.

Currently, there is a critical shortage of agricultural education teachers who serve as FFA advisors. It was because of this need, that the Wilsons donated the funds. The funds are earmarked solely for developing a plan to attract and retain FFA advisors and agriculture teachers. This endowment is the first of its kind.

“The Wilson’s generosity will make it possible for FFA to continue the good work of furthering agricultural education,” said National FFA Organization CEO Dr. Dwight Armstrong. “FFA advisors and agricultural educators make a huge impact on our students, and thanks to the Wilson’s generosity and passion for agricultural education, the organization can continue to recruit and retain strong teachers. We are extremely appreciative of the Wilson’s efforts in helping FFA continue the mission of premier leadership, personal growth and career success for our students.”

Ag Groups, Education, FFA

BASF Starts 150th Year With Higher Sales

Cindy Zimmerman

basf-150BASF’s 150th anniversary year is off to a great start, due in a large part to the chemical company’s innovative crop protection business. Compared with the first quarter of 2014, sales grew by 3% to €20.1 billion ($22.5 billion USD) in the first quarter of this year. Sales in the Agricultural Solutions segment rose by 15% to €1.9 billion ($2.1 billion), as a result of increased contributions from Europe and North America.

“Our chemicals and our crop protection businesses performed very successfully; earnings in these segments increased significantly,” said Dr. Kurt Bock, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, at the company’s recent shareholders meeting.

2015 is a special year because BASF turned 150 on April 6. “It is a special accomplishment for a company to reach its 150th anniversary. This would not have been possible without the many employees who worked for BASF in the past and work for BASF today,” said Bock.

Based on the number of registered patents, BASF is one of the 10 most innovative companies in the world. More than 10,000 researchers work at BASF worldwide.

In addition, BASF has announced Wayne T. Smith is the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey. He succeeds Hans Engel, who as Chief Financial Officer for BASF SE, will relocate to the company’s global headquarters in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and assume additional responsibilities on BASF’s Board of Executive Directors.

Agribusiness, BASF, Crop Protection

Pakistani Companies Tour US Cotton Belt

John Davis

cottonRepresentatives from Pakistani companies are touring the U.S. cotton belt. The tour is going on now through May 9. It’s put on by Cotton Council International (CCI), the National Cotton Council’s export promotions arm, and shows the key textile executives from 11 Pakistani companies the ins and outs of American cotton production, processing and marketing.

At this point in the 2014-15 marketing year (which ends on July 31, 2015), Pakistan ranks as the eighth largest U.S. cotton importer with current U.S. export commitments to Pakistan of 335,000 bales — up from 169,000 bales in the 2013-14 marketing year.

This trade mission’s 11 participating Pakistani companies collectively are expected to consume about 1.8 million bales in this marketing year of which 184,000 bales, or 10 percent, will be U.S. cotton.

CCI President Dahlen K. Hancock, a Ropesville, Texas, cotton producer, said, “We believe there is potential for even greater sales of U.S. cotton to this growing market. This event will enable CCI to provide some high level Pakistani textile manufacturing executives a better understanding of U.S. raw cotton’s merits including our fiber’s superior quality and our industry’s outstanding reputation for timely delivery.”

Stops on the tour include New York , cotton research in North Carolina, and meeting with exporters in the cotton belt’s four major regions.

Cotton, International, Trade

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

Zimfo Bytes

2nd Annual Fields-of-Corn Photo Contest

Chuck Zimmerman

NCGA Fields of CornThe National Corn Growers Association has just kicked off its second Field-of-Corn Photo Contest. The entry period is May 1-November 30, 2015.

The National Corn Growers Association is calling on photographers to help tell the story of farming field corn in America. The goal is to capture high-resolution photos of growing corn from seed to harvest, the women and men who grow it and their families.

For many, May 1st is early in the corn season, but perhaps you’ll see a beautiful rainbow or other aesthically pleasing photo-op to capture.

NCGA is a strong proponent of safety on the farm. Please make sure no one is in harm’s way for your contest photo, or endanger yourself taking the photo. To learn more about farm safety click here.

Ag Groups, Corn, NCGA, Photography