Former USTR Talks Trade at Ethanol Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

nec15-kirk-2Former 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

usda-logoThe 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.”

hhsA 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

nfms-15-millerA 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
Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by New Holland
Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, New Holland, NFMS

Land O’Lakes Acquires Assets of FLM+

Jamie Johansen

land o'lakesLand 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

nfms-15-ag-bagIf 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
Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by New Holland
Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, New Holland, NFMS

USFRA Adds Nine New Affiliates

Jamie Johansen

USFRAThe U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance® (USFRA), a consumer-facing organization dedicated to leading the national conversation about how food is grown and raised, has grown to more than 80 organizations with the addition of nine new affiliates. The mission of USFRA is for all of agriculture to work together to enhance consumer confidence and trust in today’s food production system.

With the commitment of its affiliates and industry partners, USFRA is leading the way in bringing experts throughout the industry to the table for candid dialogue around some of the most contentious issues in agriculture. These conversations take place through several of USFRA’s most notable programs including The Food Dialogues and the Faces of Farming and Ranching, programs that amplify farmers’ and ranchers’ voices. The documentary FARMLAND, produced by award-winning filmmaker James Moll, is also a unique and creative medium in which non-ag consumers are emotionally connected with real farmers and real ranchers.

Additionally insights learned from USFRA’s proprietary consumer research helps guide the development of programs and outreach efforts, and is a tool exclusively available for affiliate and industry partners.

USFRA is excited about welcoming the following new affiliates this past year:
· Dairy Business Milk Marketing Cooperative
· Delaware Soybean Board
· Illinois Corn Marketing Board
· International Dairy Foods Association
· Iowa Pork Producers Association
· Maryland Soybean Board
· Oregon Farm Bureau
· Wisconsin Corn Growers Association
· Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board

For a complete list of USFRA’s affiliates and industry partners, click here.

Ag Groups, USFRA

AWARD Fellowships go to 70 African Women Ag Scientists

Jamie Johansen

Screen Shot 2015-02-19 at 8.46.13 AMOlivia Narciso Pedro, a lecturer and researcher at the Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo, Mozambique is one of 70 outstanding African women agricultural scientists to have been awarded a 2015 fellowship from African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD). The winners have been publicly announced this week in Nairobi, Kenya, where they have convened for an orientation workshop.

“Agricultural research and development in Mozambique is an important tool for increasing production, and consequently reducing household malnutrition and poverty, particularly in children and women,” said Pedro. “My vision for agriculture-led growth in Mozambique is to design alternatives to mitigate loss of genetic diversity, and ensure conservation of species, while improving household food security.”

This years’ laureates were selected from among an impressive cadre of 1,109 applicants from 11 African countries. These scientists and researchers, will benefit from AWARD’s two-year career-development program that is focused on accelerating agricultural gains by strengthening their research and leadership skills. AWARD Fellowships are granted on the basis of each scientist’s intellectual merit, leadership capacity, and the potential of her work to improve the livelihoods of African smallholder farmers, most of whom are women.

AWARD Fellows share a common vision: they want to translate their research and knowledge into tangible action, tangible action that will benefit smallholder farmers—especially laudable in 2015, the African Union’s Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063.

“We have a long journey ahead with women still underrepresented in agricultural research and higher education in Africa. AWARD is at the forefront, working to increase the numbers of professional women at the decision making table in Agricultural Research and Development (ARD) across Africa. We are committed to Africa’s prosperity with this year’s cohort of AWARD fellows joining our vibrant Pan- African community that is building the capacity of Africa’s women researchers to contribute to the continent’s food security,” says AWARD Director, Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg. “We congratulate the 2015 winners of the AWARD Fellowship. In this special year, where empowerment of women in all areas of development is being highlighted by the African Union, we are proud of the impact these women are making in their different areas, and the contribution that the fellowship will make in fast-tracking their innovation,” continues Dr. Kamau-Rutenberg.

Read More

Ag Groups, International, Research

Bob Dinneen Live Stream of State of Ethanol Industry

Chuck Zimmerman

This morning at 8am central we will live stream the session from the National Ethanol Conference featuring Renewable Fuels Association CEO Bob Dinneen. Bob will deliver this annual state of the industry address a few minutes after 8am and we’ll be recording it so that you can watch and listen later if you miss the broadcast or want to review it. All you’ll have to do is click on the player button in the video embed below when we’re live.

Post Update: Below is the recording of the presentation.


Live stream videos at Ustream

2015 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Biofuels, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA, Video

20th National Ethanol Conference Kicks Off

Cindy Zimmerman

nec15-bob-kennyFootball Hall of Fame member Kenny Houston helped Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen get the early activities for the 20th annual National Ethanol Conference underway on Ash Wednesday in Dallas.

Houston is a former American football defensive back who played for the Houston Oilers and then the Washington Redskins between 1967 and 1980, but today he was on the golf course instead of the football field for the annual NEC golf tournament. While he was greeting golfers, two bus loads of conference attendees headed to downtown Dallas to step back in history and learn more about that fateful day in November 1963 when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

Dinneen is excited to be celebrating 20 years of ethanol this year and happy to see so many from the industry making the trip to Dallas this week. “We’re coming off the single most profitable year in the industry’s history, but at the same time we’re looking at another tough year – it’s a commodity market,” said Dinneen. “But this is an industry that has been seasoned, that has seen tough times, that has seen good times, and is prepared for either.”

The theme of this year’s conference is “Going Global” and Dinneen says the program will focus on the future of the ethanol industry in the export market, which Dinneen says is already booming. “It was critical to the industry’s profitability last year,” said Dinneen, noting exports of 836 million gallons, or about six percent of production, to over 50 countries worldwide.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Bob here and tune in at 8:10 am Central time to hear his state of the industry speech live: Interview with Bob Dinneen, RFA

2015 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, RFA

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