Senators Call for Revised WOTUS

Cindy Zimmerman

A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators today introduced a bill that would repeal EPA’s “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) proposal.

EPA Ditch the RuleThe senators, including John Barrasso (R-WY), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), jointly introduced the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, directing EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to issue a revised WOTUS rule that “does not include things such as isolated ponds, ditches, agriculture water, storm water, groundwater, floodwater, municipal water supply systems, wastewater management systems, and streams without enough flow to carry pollutants to navigable waters.”

“After working together for months, we’ve introduced a strong bipartisan bill that will protect America’s waterways – and America’s farmers, ranchers and landowners. Our legislation gives the EPA the direction it needs to write a reasonable rule that will truly protect our ‘navigable’ waterways,” said Barrasso. “Our next step is to work together to ensure this bill moves quickly through Congress.”

“No one wants cleaner water or better land conditions than the families who live on American farms,” said Donnelly. “That is why it is incredibly important that the EPA rewrite the Waters of the United States rule with input from the people who live and work on the land and alongside these waters every day.”

Agriculture groups are already responding positively to the move urging Congress to act swiftly, before the rule is final, so agencies can re-craft the rule to ensure it is practical and addresses the concerns of farmers, ranchers and business owners across the country.

Audio of press conference: Senators introduce bill to revise WOTUS

Audio, EPA, Water

Mixed Signals on Biotech from EU

Cindy Zimmerman

euMixed signals regarding biotech crops coming from the European Union last week have left representatives of the agriculture community shaking their heads.

First the EU announced it would allow member nations to ban the import of food and feed containing biotech ingredients, and then a few days later announced the approval of 17 biotech traits for import.

“I’m just characterizing it as flat goofy,” said American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman. “Doing business that way is going to make it very difficult for us to do a transatlantic trade agreement with them.”

National Corn Growers Association public policy director Zach Kinne says the opt out policy for EU nations creates a lot of uncertainty going forward. “It would really just be a nightmare when you look at the supply chain and importing of the crops that we produce,” he said, adding that other major exporting countries like Argentina and Brazil are also expressing concerns. “Hopefully we’ll see them withdraw that.”

American Soybean Association first vice president Richard Wilkins of Delaware says the opt out policy would definitely have a negative impact on US soy trade with the EU, but the trait approval news is very positive. “The deregulation of the four soybean biotech events that we’ve been waiting for means that we can now move towards full commercialization of high oleic soybeans.”

During NAFB Washington Watch this week, Spencer Chase with Agri-Pulse interviewed all three of these representatives. Interview with Bob Stallman, AFBF Interview with Zach Kinne, NCGA Interview with Richard Wilkins, ASA

AFBF, ASA, Audio, Biotech, Exports, International, NCGA

Two Peas…

Melissa Sandfort

20150429_201617Last week, Aunt Jeanette wrote about a bird’s nest perched atop of her old wagon wheel. The story made me chuckle because it only reminded me of how many things we have in common:

1. We both love to read (although I must admit I don’t have as much time to do so anymore).
2. We both enjoy writing (and I’m glad I finally convinced her to write for AgWalk with me!).
3. We both routinely “walk” – both physically and on this blog.
4. We both enjoy finding antique items that inspire us because they are a part of history and a part of our family.
5. We both have old wagon wheels leaning up against either the shed or the house.
6. Our passion for being out in the country and connected to agriculture is very much a shared interest.
7. The dentist back home recently mistook Aunt Jeanette for my mom. I take that as a compliment.

The list could go on, but the underlying theme is that we think alike in so many ways it’s almost eerie.

I’m sure many of you out there reading these posts have a family member or friend with whom you have a connection unlike any other. The great thing about my work is that it is ALSO my passion. I get to connect family, work and love all in one. A simple story about a wagon wheel becomes so much more – it’s a way of bridging the 2-hour gap between my aunt and I.

So as we continue to “walk”, I hope our stories about flowers and antiques and gravel roads encourage you to reflect on those in your life that make you feel at “home”, even when you find yourself so far away from it at times.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

U.S., Honduras Trade Deal to Promote Ag Development

John Davis

USDAA new trade deal between the U.S. and Honduras is expected to promote agricultural development. This U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) news release says Deputy Agriculture Secretary Krysta Harden and Honduras Secretary of Agriculture and Livestock Jacobo Paz inked the agreement.

Through the Food for Progress Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service will provide the government of Honduras with 30,000 metric tons of U.S. yellow corn and 18,000 tons of U.S. soybean meal, valued at approximately $17 million. The Honduran government will use proceeds from the sale of the commodities to implement projects aimed at improving agricultural productivity, enhancing farmers’ access to information and market skills, building government capacity, and strengthening local, regional and international trade in agricultural products.

“The Food for Progress Program is a cornerstone in USDA’s efforts to support sustainable agricultural production in developing nations and promote agricultural trade,” Harden said. “The Obama administration remains committed to investing in the creation of economic stability and opportunity in Central America. Today’s agreement continues USDA’s successful partnership with the Honduran government and the private sector under Food for Progress and the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program. I am proud that our cooperative efforts are building a stronger agricultural sector, creating new opportunities and better lives for the people of Honduras.”

Projects supported by this new agreement will focus on the creation of jobs and income opportunities for some of Honduras’ most vulnerable citizens. The beneficiaries will include small farmers, as well as small businesses and producer organizations, particularly those that support rural women and youth.

Agribusiness, Trade, USDA

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • Lessing-Flynn recently added another enthusiastic, talented member, Abby Miesner, to the team as a Project Manager.
  • Rhiannon Branch of Iuka, Illinois, has been named the Illinois state winner of the 2015 GROWMARK essay contest for FFA members.
  • Georgia peanut farmers reaffirmed the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) by a vote of 92.41 percent during the recent referendum, held March 16 through April 15.
  • McCormick Company, the 12th oldest integrated marketing communications agencies in the U.S., is excited to announce its Indianapolis office’s relocation to a newly renovated space in the historic Old Trails Building located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis.
Zimfo Bytes

New Award for Agricultural Reporting

Chuck Zimmerman

IFAJThe International Federation of Agricultural Journalists in conjunction with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization is introducing a new annual award for excellence in global food security reporting. This is part of the cooperation agreement between the two organizations.

The IFAJ-FAO Award for Excellence in Global Food Security Reporting will be exclusively for IFAJ members. One entry from each national association of agricultural journalists (guild) will be allowed. Guilds will hold their own selection process. All members from guilds in good standing as members of IFAJ will be eligible to compete through their guilds.

It will be an open-language competition, meaning entries can be submitted in the language in which they were published or broadcast. FAO will handle all translation for judges, when required.

Each year a theme for the award will be chosen, under the broad heading of global food security. Anticipated topics for the theme include food production, food safety, food waste, agriculture and land use, under nutrition and malnutrition, and food affordability, among others. The annual theme will reflect the topic of the United Nations’ International Years, when they are related to agriculture and/or the World Food Day theme.Read More

IFAJ, International, Media

2015 NAMA Boot Camp

Chuck Zimmerman

NAMA Boot CampRegistration is now open for the 2015 National Agri-Marketing Association Boot Camp.

The 2015 NAMA Boot Camp is a great way to cap off your summer. Boot Camp will take place on August 18-20; mark your calendars now so you don’t miss it!

The Hotel:

The Sheraton Crown Center in Kansas City, MO. The room rate is $137.00 and the cut-off date is August 3, 2015.

Call the hotel to make a reservation, (816) 841-1000.

NAMA

The Science Behind Food Safety

Jamie Johansen

cms-15-168-editedFood safety is on the hearts and minds of all throughout the agriculture community. So, there is no doubt it was a hot topic during the recent Chicken Media Summit held on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and sponsored by the National Chicken Council and US Poultry & Egg Association. Dr. Ashley Peterson, VP of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs for the National Chicken Council served as moderator for a panel on food safety in the poultry industry.

The entire food safety system was discussed by each panelist and Dr. Peterson reminded us that science is at the forefront of the complete system. “Food safety is the number one priority so every time the consumer has a healthy eating experience.”

“It’s a federal requirement that every single bird get inspected. That is different from an FDA regulated plant where an inspector might come in less frequently. We have someone there 24/7. Inspectors are looking at quality and food safety issues.”

In my interview recalls are further explained and Dr. Peterson said her take home message she wants all to know is every serving of chicken, whether it’s domestic or shipped international is as safe as possible. She said they are always using the technologies they have, but are always looking for new research and science enabling them to do better.

Listen to my complete interview with Dr. Peterson here: Interview with Dr. Ashley Peterson, National Chicken Council

Find photos from the event here: 2015 Chicken Media Summit Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Chicken Media Summit, Food, Poultry

Famous Idaho Potato Tour on the Road

Chuck Zimmerman

Big Idaho Potato TruckThe Big Idaho Potato on wheels and Tater Team is back on the road. Track it’s progress here. This is its fourth cross-country tour with a new mission to help local charities across the U.S. In a five-month period, the truck will visit 60 cities, travel 22,087 miles and help dozens of charities better serve their communities.

“The Truck has always had a charitable component to it,” explained Frank Muir, President & CEO, Idaho Potato Commission (IPC). “However the 2015 tour is going to be a little more personal. We’ll be working with different charities in each market and helping them in ways that are tailored specifically to them. We already know that the truck brings smiles to people wherever it goes but now it’s also helping people and that feels pretty good.”

The Big Idaho® Potato weighs more than 6 tons (the equivalent of 32,346 medium-sized Idaho® potatoes). After being seen by hundreds of millions of Americans, the most frequently asked question is, “Is it real?” We’ll never tell…but if it is, the Big Idaho® Potato:
Would make 30,325 servings of mashed potatoes… pass the gravy!
Could make more than 1.4 million (1,455,570) French fries!

Listen to some soundbites from Frank Muir, President & CEO, Idaho Potato Commission, about this year’s tour: Frank Muir Remarks

Ag Groups, Potato

TekWear in Elite 8 for TAG Business Launch Competition

Chuck Zimmerman

TekWearCongratulations to AgNerd Extraordinaire Bruce Rasa, TekWear. According to his FB feed his company has placed in the elite 8 of a major Georgia-based business launch competition.

Team TekWear has been selected as an ‘Elite 8’ finalist for the TAG Business Launch Competition. The contest began this spring with more than 100+ companies. TAG (Technology Association of Georgia) is a world-class membership organization and an economic engine that supports 2,000+ member companies across the state of Georgia.

The TAG Business Launch Competition Finals are on May 11th In Atlanta. Click here to register if you are interested in attending. The audience members have the opportunity to participate in text voting for your favorite startup. Audience votes will help determine the final four and ultimately the winner, who will receive the $50,000 cash prize, $350,000 in suite of services, and a spot a Venture Atlanta. This year’s eight finalists represent a range of startups in a variety of industries, from agriculture to aerospace.

The annual competition is hosted by the Technology Association of Georgia to help support new companies in Georgia’s strategic high-tech clusters. In the next three to five years, projections show technology companies will invest more than $1 billion in Georgia.

Watch the video to learn more about Bruce’s company.


Agribusiness, Technology