While wandering around this year’s Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Anna Leigh Peek found me. Anna worked with Cindy and me on-location at the 2014 National Farm Machinery Show to gain experience as an agriblogger. It’s always great to see her. She graduated from Auburn and is now working for Monsanto as a consumer engagement specialist working with our good friend Janice Persons. Anna is also doing graduate school work in St. Louis.
You can listen to my interview with Anna here: Interview with Anna Leigh Peek
Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album
Robert Moorehead, Director of Geosystems Research Institute and Northern Gulf Institutes at Mississippi State University, was at the 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show to showcase the research being done on harnessing UAV technology on farm.. Moorehead had a chance to chat with Chuck Zimmerman about their use of UAVs and drones.
Geosystems Research focuses on agriculture; they utilize UAV technology to determine plant development, particularly in early-plant corn. Using one of the drones that they had on display, they “can view down to 1/8″ resolution to determine growth problems” or animal impacts, especially from feral hogs.
The number of producers using UAV technologies has steadily grown over the last 2-3 years; it has increased the demand for research that shows cost benefit information in addition to ways to utilize UAV usage on farm.
Listen to Chuck’s interview with Robert here: Interview with Robert Moorehead, Mississippi State University
Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album
The USA Rice Federation is the commodity association that represents all industry aspects (growers, millers, merchants) of the rice industry; they have members in all 6 major rice producing states. While at the 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show, Randy Jemison, Director of Louisiana Field Operations for USA Rice Federation, spoke with Chuck Zimmerman about their role in supporting rice production.
When asked about current priorities for USA Rice Federation, Jemison said, “Our #1 priority is to make all of our industry aspects viable, and profitable. On our production side, it’s important to maintain markets and improve marketing via trade.”
When Trade Promotion Authority came up in conversation, Jemison stressed the importance of trade for rice growers in the USA: “Anything dealing with trade that will allow our government to make sure we are dealing on a level playing field is always part of our focus.”
Jemison mentioned price slide being a major concern due to rice overstock around the world. “Our growers are growing the best rice in the world but they’re fighting a tough battle right now with low prices so we’re doing our best to protect and expand our markets.”
Listen to Chuck’s interview with Randy here: Interview with Randy Jemison, USA Rice Federation
Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album
Members of the National Farmers Union will hear from both Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and EPA administrator Gina McCarthy on Monday at their convention in Wichita.
NFU’s Chandler Goule says registration is open to anyone for the organization’s 113th annual meeting. “We’d love to have more people come, listen to our grassroots debate,” said Goule.
In an interview at Commodity Classic, Goule talked about the important issues NFU members will be addressing at the annual meeting, including immigration, trade, Waters of the US, the Renewable Fuel Standard, and Country of Origin Labeling. Classic15 Interview with Chandler Goule, NFU
Agri-Pulse will be getting a head start on Ag Day activities in the nation’s capitol next week on St. Patrick’s Day with a discussion on “Farm to Fork Politics: Unleashing Innovation in Agriculture.”
“This is a terrific opportunity to learn from the people who are on the leading edge of agricultural innovation – improving crop, livestock and egg production and even growing new pharmaceuticals in crops,” notes Agri-Pulse editor Sara Wyant. “At the same time, we will explore all of the challenges they face in trying to bring new products and techniques to market.”
Sara will moderate a panel discussion featuring:
Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture’s Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research Subcommittee
Bill Horan, Farmer and Chairman, Truth About Trade & Technology
Paul Sauder, CEO, Sauder’s Eggs
David Fischhoff, Chief Scientist, Climate Corporation
Ronnie Green, Vice President, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska
The event, which will be held from 3:30 – 5 p.m. in Room 902 of the Hart Office Building, will also include a special video tribute for Ambassador and former Agriculture Secretary Clayton Yeutter.
The agriculture industry is included in the 2013 United States Census Bureau Information and Communication Technology Survey. No release or summary has been posted but you can find more information if you’re interested on their website.
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Survey provides data on both noncapitalized and capitalized spending for information and communication technology equipment and computer software by U.S. nonfarm businesses with employees. Data have been collected annually beginning with data for 2003. United States Code, Title 13, authorizes this survey and makes responding mandatory; it also protects the confidentiality of respondents and the data they provide.
Find results from the 2013 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Survey, including data at the national level on both noncapitalized and capitalized spending for information and communication technology equipment and computer software by U.S. nonfarm businesses with employees. Data are published for North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 3-digit and selected 4-digit industries.
Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features National Farmers Union President, Roger Johnson.
As the group prepares for their 2015 convention, Johnson shares his support for current farm bill and opposes any attempt to return to open policy debate. NFU members oppose Trade Promotion Authority for the Obama Administration, but support liberalizing trade with Cuba. Johnson and the NFU are strong supporters of Country of Origin Labeling policy and don’t believe Canadian trade retaliation is imminent. The NFU stepped away from the Beef Checkoff Enhancement Working Group and Johnson says he’s certain the NFU won’t support the current memorandum of understanding being circulated by the group.
Click here to listen to Agri-Pulse Open Mic with National Farmers Union President, Roger Johnson.
The inventor of Schmacon, Howard Bender, accepted a challenge to do better than the turkey bacon he and a friend were eating one day. So he invented “Beef’s Answer to Bacon – Schmacon.” If you attended this year’s American Farm Bureau Federation convention you might remember being able to sample it. You can read his full story here (pdf).
Smokey, sweet and outrageously good. Crispy, meaty — no, beefy to be precise — and satisfying. Schmacon™’s flavor is bold and unexpected. Maybe because it was invented in a deli. By a chef who is passionate about flavor and quality. Schmacon demands a starring role on any plate. It’s not along for the ride, it is the ride.Yet it plays nicely with burgers, bread, lettuce, sauces, turkey… you get the idea. No matter how it is enjoyed it spreads happiness, and a strong urge to eat more.
It took Howard six months to find the perfect customized cut of beef to turn into Schmacony goodness. From there he has worked to perfect the product and is currently selling it to food service clients in 10lb boxes. You can actually order those online if you want.
After many taste testings and finding his suppliers and processors Howard is now ready to make the next step to get Schmacon into our local grocery stores. He has a Kickstarter campaign going to raise money and awareness of his product. If you support him by making a donation you will receive a card among other items that you can take into your local grocery store to spread the word.
For all my friends who like to describe things with song and movie lyrics this is the real life, it’s not just fantasy.
Learn more about Schmacon in this week’s program: Schmacon the Un-Bacon
Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.
Michelin has earned multiple prestigious recognitions from Deere & Company, the U.S. heavy-equipment manufacturer based in Moline, Ill., for its products and support that the tire maker’s operating units have delivered globally across various John Deere equipment segments.
The Michelin Group’s Agricultural and Earthmover operating units were named “Supplier of the Year” as well as a Partner-level supplier for 2014. Partner-level supplier is Deere’s highest rating for suppliers under its ongoing “Achieving Excellence” initiative.
Under Deere’s Achieving Excellence program, participating suppliers are evaluated annually in key performance categories such as quality, cost management, delivery, technical support and “wavelength,” which measures responsiveness. Deere created the program in 1991 to provide suppliers with evaluations and feedback that promote continuous improvement.
Additionally, Michelin Tweel Technologies received the John Deere “Innovation of the Year Award” for the MICHELIN® X® TWEEL® TURF™. The award is presented to a select group of suppliers that have demonstrated innovation in a product or service they provide to John Deere. Award selections are based on four factors: creativity, feasibility, collaboration and bottom-line impact. John Deere created the supplier innovation awards in 2010 to promote innovation in the company’s supply base and recognize suppliers that think creatively. In 2014, Michelin announced an exclusive partnership with John Deere to equip its ZTRAKTM 900 Series line-up of zero-turn commercial mowers with the ground-breaking MICHELIN® X® TWEEL® TURFTM as original equipment to replace a standard 24x12x12 tire.
Emmanuel Ladent, group director of Michelin’s agriculture tire division, accepted the Supplier of the Year Award on Michelin Group’s behalf during a ceremony hosted by Deere in Bettendorf, Iowa. Michelin also was represented by members from its teams in Agriculture, Earthmover and Tweel Technologies divisions. “Our business teams have worked very hard indeed to establish a spirit of mutual partnership with our associates at John Deere, which has resulted in a strong and growing relationship between our companies,” said Emmanuel Ladent.
“We are pleased to accept this honor and looking forward to the journey ahead with John Deere,” said Pete Selleck, chairman and president of Michelin North America, based in Greenville, S.C.
