Soybean Growers Welcome West Coast Port Labor Deal

John Davis February 23, 2015

The American Soybean Association (ASA) is welcoming news of a possible deal worked out to end a labor strike that was wreaking havoc on soybean exports from the U.S. west coast. The group says the reported deal worked out between the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) will resume operations at ports along the west coast.

“As business owners, soybean farmers count on a smoothly-operating supply chain to stay competitive. The work stoppage on the west coast is something that continues to have ripple effects not only on soybean farms, but within the processing industry, and especially in the livestock industry that represents the top consumer of soybean meal,” said [ASA President Wade] Cowan.

In the 2014/2015 crop marketing year, U.S. farmers exported 1.77 billion bushels of soybeans, making soy the country’s leading farm export. Soybean meal is also a key feedstock for the livestock and meat export industry, which was disproportionately affected by the stoppage.

“Soybean farmers are proud of the role we play in the nation’s agricultural trade, and proud to be a leader on these issues,” added Cowan. “Disruptions like the one we saw out west have the potential to throw the country’s farm economy into disarray. A devastating impact like that isn’t a bargaining chip. It goes without saying that we are relieved to see a resolution to the dispute, and we encourage both parties to ratify this new contract and get back to work as quickly as possible.”

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, ASA, Soybean

Bold New Look for the Case IH Maxxum Tractors

Jamie Johansen February 20, 2015

Case IH has added a few new products to their lineup this year and Chuck caught up with David Bogan, Case IH, during the 2015 National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS) to learn more about their Maxxum tractors.

“As we have moved into the 2015 calendar year we have had to meet those new EPA standards for this horsepower range tractor. This tractor is equipped with the Tier 4 B technology and the Final SCR-only technology that is exclusive to our brand. This means we only treat the emissions after combustion within the exhaust.”

“As you look at this tractor you can see that the styling has changed. It has a very bold, aggressive new look. A new roof cap as well that has LED lightings that are now standard. You can light up the night just like the day.”

The Maxxum tractors were publicly launched during the Cattlemen’s Industry Conference earlier in February, but if you missed them there and at NFMS I am sure you will see at next week’s Commodity Classic.

David suggests farmers and ranchers dig a little bit deeper into the specifications on these tractors to see if it will fit their operations needs. Listen to Chuck’s complete interview with David here: Interview with David Bogan, Case IH

Find photos from the event here: 2015 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Case IH, NFMS, Tractor

Pennington Named Charles Eastin Award Recipient

Jamie Johansen February 20, 2015

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) has named Dennis Pennington, Michigan State University Extension, the Charles Eastin Award Recipient for 2015. The Eastin Award honors an individual who stands out as an advocate for accurate communications between rural and urban audiences. The award will be presented at the Celebration of Agriculture Dinner held at USDA in Washington, DC on National Ag Day, March 18, 2015.

Pennington assists with initiatives throughout the year with several organizations including Michigan State University, Barry County Farm Bureau, Hill N Dale 4-H club and Hastings FFA Alumni. His involvement and advocacy also extends even beyond these organizations as he has a passion for spreading agriculture awareness. He has helped the general public learn about agriculture through educational efforts at the Fair, Ag Awareness Day and online informative videos.

During National Ag Week in 2015, Pennington worked with Hastings FFA students to create local agriculture fact videos that went viral on Facebook and YouTube with thousands of views.

The Charles Eastin Award was previously awarded by the National Farm City Council. In 2013, the Agriculture Council of America assumed the assets and selected programs of the National Farm-City Council.

Ag Day, Ag Groups

Raven’s Hawkeye Nozzle Control System

Jamie Johansen February 20, 2015

One of the products our friends at Raven were featuring at the National Farm Machinery Show was their Hawkeye Nozzle Control System. Chuck spoke with Raven’s Gary Esselink about what sets this sprayer apart from others on the market.

“The Raven Hawkeye is a sprayer system where we maintain constant pressure through application. One of the things that is becoming a big issue with farmers and applicators these days is the ability to maintain a consistent spray pattern throughout the field. The best way to do that is to maintain your pressure.”

Gary said another nice thing about this product is the ISO product controller that controls all functions of the Raven system. The Hawkeye Nozzel Control is compatible with AGCO, Case, Miller and Apache sprayers.

Learn more about Raven’s sprayer system in Chuck’s complete interview with Gary at NFMS here: Interview with Gary Esselink, Raven

Find photos from the event here: 2015 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Agribusiness, NFMS

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes February 20, 2015

Lessing-Flynn has created new professional opportunities for members of the team, including Jordan Beynon and Chris Hanson who recently assumed new roles within the agency.
Land O’Lakes, Inc., Arden Hills, MN, is acquiring the assets of FLM+, a leading marketing communications and strategic consulting company with expertise in the agribusiness and rural community sector.
ABS® Global, Inc., the world leader in bovine genetics, reproduction services, and artificial insemination technologies, announces that it has signed an agreement for the acquisition of 51% of In Vitro Brasil S.A.
Ceres, Inc. announced that its seed product offerings in the U.S. will include three new forage sorghum hybrids, following positive results from commercial evaluations last season as well as new university results released last week that highlighted a number of performance advantages, including the highest milk yield per acre, which is a key metric for dairy operations.

Zimfo Bytes

Former USTR Talks Trade at Ethanol Conference

Cindy Zimmerman February 20, 2015

Former U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk was the keynote speaker at the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) National Ethanol Conference this week where the theme was “Going Global” with an emphasis on exports.

“I want to thank you for your very strong and vocal support for a very smart trade policy for our country over the years,” said Kirk, who served under President Obama in his first term. “You understand the importance of going global.”

Kirk lamented that too many Americans have “gone sour” on international trade, citing a poll that found twice as many Americans said they believe in the existence of UFOs than believed international trade was good for America. “We have got to go out and tell the story of the real benefits of trade,” he said.

Listen to Kirk’s remarks here: Former USTR Ron Kirk at NEC 15

After his remarks, I had the chance to interview Amb. Kirk about agricultural trade issues, such as Japan’s desire to exempt products in the TPP negotiations. Interview with former USTR Ron Kirk

2015 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, Exports, Trade

Ag Groups Comment on Proposed Dietary Guidelines

Jamie Johansen February 20, 2015

The 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee submitted their recommendations to the Health and Human Services Secretary Burwell and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack. The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and USDA will consider this report, along with input from other federal agencies and comments from the public as they develop the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2015, to be released later this year.

“For decades, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans have been at the core of our efforts to promote the health and well-being of American families,” said Secretaries Burwell and Vilsack in a joint statement. “Now that the advisory committee has completed its recommendations, HHS and USDA will review this advisory report, along with comments from the public-including other experts-and input from other federal agencies as we begin the process of updating the guidelines.”

A number of agricultural organizations have released their comments on the recent release of the dietary guidelines.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) said the “recommendation that a healthy dietary pattern should be lower in red meat is not consistent with scientific evidence and would be unsound dietary advice.” Their comments continued that same toned as they stressed the importance of lean meat in a healthy diet.

“Lean meat is red meat. Today’s beef supply is leaner than ever before with more than 30 cuts of beef recognized as lean by government standards,” said Shalene McNeill, Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Scientist for NCBA. “The protein foods category, which includes meat, is the only category currently consumed within the current guidelines, and it is misleading to conclude that a healthy dietary pattern should be lower in red meat.”

The presidents and CEO’s of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) also released comments. “The essential role of dairy foods, as part of dietary patterns that foster good health outcomes, is supported by the totality of the science — low-fat and fat-free milk and dairy products are a core component of the healthy dietary patterns identified by the Committee.”

“We will provide science-based comments on the advisory report during the current public comment period and look forward to the release of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans policy document later this year.”

Ag Groups, NCBA, Nutrition, USDA

Learn More About Miller’s Line of Sprayers

Jamie Johansen February 20, 2015

A big announcement came at the end of 2014 when New Holland announced their purchase of Miller. Brands have remained separate, but the duo shared booth space at the recent National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS). Miller had a number of equipment on display and Chuck spoke with Brett Reis to learn more about their product offerings.

“We’ve got a Miller 5000 series 5250, which is our new tier 4 final machine and we also have our Miller Condor GC75. That is our largest model in the mechanical drive machine.”

If you missed Miller at NFMS, you can catch them next week at the 2015 Commodity Classic in Phoenix, AZ.

Learn more about Miller’s line of sprayers in Chuck’s complete interview with Brett here: Interview with Brett Reis, Miller

2015 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by

and

Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, New Holland, NFMS

Land O’Lakes Acquires Assets of FLM+

Jamie Johansen February 20, 2015

Land O’Lakes, Inc. is acquiring the assets of FLM+, a leading marketing communications and strategic consulting company with expertise in the agribusiness and rural community sector. The acquisition aligns the growth strategies of both companies in serving the agricultural industry.

“Land O’Lakes, together with its member cooperatives, is working to build the talent and provide the necessary resources to fully participate in this great growth industry of food and agriculture,” said Chris Policinski, president and CEO of Land O’Lakes, Inc. “This partnership with FLM+ will provide valuable resources within our federated co-op system to drive the growth of our member-owners.”

FLM+ will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Land O’Lakes, Inc. The company will retain its employee base after closing, which is scheduled for the second quarter of the year.

FLM+ combines the best practices of consulting firms, communications agencies and learning services companies to help clients realize their growth goals. The marketing communications and consulting services FLM+ delivers to their extensive roster of commercial and producer-funded clients will also be available to Land O’Lakes, Inc. member co-ops to help them better meet their own growth goals and respond to emerging market opportunities.

“Five years ago Phillip Farmer, John Lumpe and I set out to create a new kind of marketing and communications company focused on meeting the needs of agribusiness and rural communities,” said Rob McClelland FLM+ president and CEO. “This new partnership will only accelerate our commitment to positively impact our valued clients. We’re honored and excited to become part of the Land O’Lakes family.”

Agribusiness

Miller’s Ag Bag Silage Bagger

Jamie Johansen February 19, 2015

If you haven’t heard of the Ag Bag, now is the time to learn. While at the National Farm Machinery Show, Chuck spoke with Stashia Bittner with Miller who owns Ag Bag, to learn more about the equipment and what they can offer farmers across the country.

“Ag Bag machines are used to bag silage. The concept started in 1970 in Germany. When the United States’ market needed a faster bagger, Ag Bag Corporation was developed. Since then we have built 6 foot baggers, 7 foot baggers, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and now we are up to 14 foot baggers.”

Stashia said she believes New Holland can bring something they may not have been able to bring to the table and is excited to see what the future holds.

Learn more about Ag Bag products in Chuck’s complete interview with Stashia here: Interview with Stashia Bittner, Ag Bag

2015 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by

and

Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, New Holland, NFMS

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