Corn Yield Contest Winner Keeps Pushing

Cindy Zimmerman March 12, 2015

It got a little repetitive at the Commodity Classic corn banquet announcing the national winners of the Corn Yield Contest when Randy Dowdy of Valdosta, Georgia won six of the 18 categories.

But Dowdy did make history last year with nearly 504 bushels per acre in his irrigated plot using DEKALB DKC 62-08, and he thinks he can do even more than that. “One of the cool things we saw after analyzing SMS yield monitor data, we saw areas in the field that were much higher than that,” he said. “There’s this theoretical promise that there’s 600-800 bushel corn available through genetics, obviously we can’t control weather, but there are a lot of things we can do.”

Dowdy is a first generation farmer and his advice to other corn growers is “learn the science behind it and just push, keep pushing and keep testing things.”

Listen to my interview with Randy here: Interview with NCYC winner Randy Dowdy

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by Propane Education and Research Council

Audio, Commodity Classic, Corn, NCGA

What Presidential Hopeful Will Be Best for Ag?

Jamie Johansen March 12, 2015

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Should Congress grant TPA?”

As Congress still considers granting Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to our President, we asked what you thought on the issue. It looks like an easy majority believe it should be granted, however there are still a few in agricultural circles that question it. Hopefully, we will soon have a decision from Congress.

Here are the poll results:

Yes – 75%
No – 19%
Don’t care – 6%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, Which potential presidential candidate would be best for ag?

Earlier this week we gave you highlights from the first Iowa Ag Summit. The event featured nine possible GOP presidential candidates as they shared their opinion on agricultural issues to the national media. Of the presidential hopefuls, who do you think will be best for agriculture?

ZimmPoll

New Holland Country Store is Now Open

Jamie Johansen March 11, 2015

The new, New Holland Country Store website is now online and open for business, says Rich Wiley, Event & Merchandising Manager, New Holland Agriculture and New Holland Construction. The New Holland Country Store exclusively sells officially licensed New Holland merchandise, including apparel, toys, home décor and auto accessories.

According to Wiley, the website was recently redesigned to reflect the New Holland Country brand and provide shoppers with the digital experience of visiting a general store.

“The new store was created with New Holland enthusiasts in mind. It sells hundreds of products that help ‘true blue’ New Holland owners express their affinity with the New Holland brand,” Wiley explains.

Just as important, he says, is that the new website provides a convenient “one-stop shop” for the many New Holland products being offered by the company’s officially licensed partners.

“Before the new site was launched, our customers had to visit several sites operated by our partners and suppliers to shop for and buy New Holland merchandise. Now one site, managed by New Holland, sells the complete collection of New Holland merchandise while delivering the total New Holland Country experience,” Wiley says.

Wiley says the online store also offers monthly specials, gift certificates and free shipping on orders of $250 or more.

Agribusiness, Equipment, New Holland

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes March 11, 2015

NCBiotech’s AgBiotech Initiative is expanding the 2015 Ag Biotech Entrepreneurial Showcase to include presentations from crop biotech and animal health companies from across the greater Eastern United States.
NewLeaf Symbiotics announced the appointment of Mike McFatrich as Vice President for Business Strategy and Development.
NRGene and researchers from universities in Israel, Turkey, and Germany, are working to map the emmer wheat genome, delivering a data set larger than four human genomes.
A new statewide business incubator designed to spur agricultural innovation has received financial support from Consumers Energy.

Zimfo Bytes

Annual Commodity Outlook w/ Richard Brock

Taylor Truckey March 11, 2015

While at the 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show, Richard Brock, of Brock Associates, gave his annual Commodity Outlook update to conference attendees.

Brock’s session was packed with attendees hoping to gain insight into commodity markets. When asked about key takeaways for producers, Brock encouraged growers to shift acres to cotton if they’re in a cotton producing area as he sees the downside risk being minimal and upside potential being greater than most are anticipating. Brock mentioned soybeans having considerable downside risk in the market, and although there is temptation to plant more soybean acres due to lower costs, Brock says that by year’s end, they will wish they’d planted cotton.

In reference to how to double your money with corn, Brock cheekily stated, “Fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.” Particularly in non-irrigated areas, he says there is greater upside potential by planting acres to cotton versus planting acres to corn as weather risks have a much larger impact on corn on non-irrigated acres. Brock also stressed the importance of knowing how to make decisions in the market versus importance of knowing price direction.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Richard Brock at the recent Mid-South Farm & Gin Show: Interview with Richard Brock, Brock Associates

Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album

Coverage of the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show is sponsored by

Audio, Corn, Cotton, Farm Shows

USFRA Holds Research & Food Industry Workshop

Cindy Zimmerman March 11, 2015

I had the opportunity to catch up with U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) chairwoman Nancy Kavazanjian during the Commodity Classic to find out about their Research & Food Industry Workshop which was held just prior to Classic.

“We’ve been doing research because to talk the talk we need to know what the consumers want to know, the messages that resonate,” said Kavazanjian. “We asked the rest of the industry – the Pepsicos, Frito-Lays, Coscos – to come together so we could share our research and learn from them.”

Kavazanjian says other groups shared their consumer research, such as the Center for Food Integrity, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the dairy industry. “We see this as a great area to continue collaboration,” she said.

Listen to my interview with Nancy here: Interview with Nancy Kavazanjian, USFRA chair

2015 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Audio, Commodity Classic, USFRA

Pig Farmer of the Year Award

Jamie Johansen March 11, 2015

Outstanding pork producers have one thing in common: they cultivate customer trust every step of the way. The Pork Checkoff’s new America’s Pig Farmer of the Year award program will honor the U.S. pork producer who best excels at raising pigs using the We Care ethical principles and wants to share this with consumers.

“The public is the main audience, rather than our own industry, because that’s who has questions about how we raise pigs,” said Brad Greenway, vice president of the National Pork Board and chairman of the Stewards Task Force, which oversaw creation of the new program. “Producers demonstrate the We Care ethical principles on their farms every day, and the new award is a unique way to share that with the public.”

Announced during its 2015 Pork Industry Forum meeting in San Antonio on March 6, America’s Pig Farmer of the Year opens its six-week nomination window on April 1. The program builds on many elements behind the successful 20-year run of the now-retired Environmental Stewards Award program.

The intent is to establish the America’s Pig Farmer of the Year winner as a practical expert in pig handling and pork production.

“Consistent with the National Pork Board’s new strategic plan, we want to build consumer trust through on-farm transparency and accountability,” said Dale Norton, National Pork Board president and producer from Bronson, Mich. “The focus is on environmental sustainability, along with animal welfare, production efficiency, the adoption of best practices and a commitment to continuous improvement.”

To help build awareness and momentum for the new program and the We Care ethical principles at its core, the National Pork Board has teamed up with Iowa farmer and TV celebrity, Chris Soules. He also will serve as a judge to help select the eventual winner of the new award.

“I’m honored to be a part of the America’s Pig Farmer of the Year award program,” Soules said. “As farmers, it’s our responsibility to tell our story to audiences outside of rural America, especially in the big coastal cities so that they can learn how their food is raised by farmers who care about their animals and are committed to improving every day. This award format will help us do that.”

According to Norton, Soules’ participation in the new award provides a unique opportunity. “This partnership will help us encourage producers to apply for the award and will help us reach consumer audiences with the real-life stories of how American pig farmers raise pigs today in an ethically responsible way.”

A panel of third-party judges will help determine the final award recipient, which will be announced during National Pork Month in October. The public will also be engaged during the final judging process via the Pork Checkoff’s social media outlets. Short video clips of the finalists will be displayed at americaspigfarmer.com, where people can vote for their favorite.

All U.S. producers are welcome to apply April 1 to May 15. More details are available at americaspigfarmer.com or via the link on pork.org. Specific details also will be available through state pork associations.

Ag Groups, Animal Health, Pork, Swine

Polaris RANGER Becomes Sponsor of ProRodeo

Jamie Johansen March 11, 2015

Polaris® Industries Inc., the leading manufacturer of off-road vehicles and The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) announced a national partnership recognizing the industry-leading utility vehicle (UTV), Polaris RANGER, as the “Official UTV of the PRCA, the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo and Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.”

“Given that the majority of our members and fans reside in rural America, this partnership is a perfect fit,” stated PRCA Commissioner Karl Stressman. “Polaris RANGER’s commitment to ProRodeo truly shows the marketing efficacy of this sport and we are proud to have them onboard.”

The newly-formed partnership includes Polaris RANGER joining the PRCA’s family of national sponsors and serving as the Official UTV of the PRCA, the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo will be renamed the “Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER.” PRCA World Champions and all RNCFR champions, effective next month in Kissimmee, Fla., will each receive a Polaris RANGER, as well as both of the Remuda Award winners. The ProRodeo Hall of Fame and the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund will also benefit with fundraising activities for these two entities.

“Polaris RANGER is excited to continue our support of the sport of rodeo,” said Beth Shimanski, marketing manager for Polaris. “ProRodeo participants are some of the most passionate and dedicated individuals, and this partnership lets us celebrate them and their fans. We look forward to an exciting rodeo season.”

Polaris RANGER provides the hardest-working, smoothest riding UTVs for uses ranging from farming and hunting, to recreational and off-road trips. The line-up consists of premium and value offerings with seating from two to six, in electric, gas and diesel power options to cater to a wide variety of consumer needs.

Read full release here.

Agribusiness, Equipment, Rodeo

BASF Invites Stakeholders to Discuss Food Future

Cindy Zimmerman March 10, 2015

As part of activities to mark 150 years, BASF hosted a two-day “Creator Space” jamming event in Washington, D.C. last week to discuss the future of food.

The event brought together more than 30 stakeholders from the entire food value chain including farmers, academics, food manufacturers and logistic companies to discuss long-term challenges and trends that may impact the food value chain in the years to come.

During the jamming session, participants brainstormed ideas on topics such as affordability and access to food, personalized nutrition, transparency for consumers and food waste.

All ideas were condensed into three future scenarios: Brazil without water, personal “food-print”, and meat as a luxury item. This approach opens up a new dimension in understanding the needs related to food. The scenarios will be further discussed and refined to help find lasting contributions to society.

The event was jointly hosted by BASF’s Nutrition and Health division, the Crop Protection division and the Bioscience Research division. As a next step, BASF will host a co-creation workshop in Chicago in June with the aim of turning the experts’ insights into new projects and initiatives to support the future of food.

Find out more about BASF Creator Space in the video below:

BASF, Farming, Food, Video

Schmacon Kickstarter Campaign

Chuck Zimmerman March 10, 2015

You’ve possible heard of Schmacon. After all AgWired brought it to your attention a while ago. This is an award winning product that I’d like to find in my local grocery store. Apparently there is a big fan base that has been started from Schmacon tastings and via social media. Now, Howard Bender, chef and inventor, is ready to get into retail distribution and needs help. So, he has started a Kickstarter campaign. Here’s part of his story:

A friend and I went out to breakfast one morning and passed on the regular bacon and opted for turkey bacon. When it got to our table it was hard and dry and really didn’t give us what we craved – the sizzle, the smoke and the sensation of “real” bacon. “There must be a better way,” we thought.

“Well,” I thought, “I’m a CIA-trained chef. Why can’t I solve the problem?” On that day, we began our three-plus-year quest, not just to create a bacon made of beef, because that already (awfully) existed, but to create great-tasting, whole-muscle, crispy, seasoned, smoky and satisfying strips of beef that could make folks happily pass over pork bacon. What we didn’t know at the time was that this new beef product would turn out to be amazingly delicious, healthier than ordinary bacon and a real game-changer.

Fast forward to now and a growing fan base that wants to find Schmacon in their grocery stores — like, yesterday. Through social media and sampling at a few beef events, bacon festivals, state fairs, and a couple of restaurants who got on board early, word has gotten out and our supporters want to know where they can get it and when they can start eating it.

Currently, we are selling to restaurants in a plain, brown 10-pound box. But when we move into groceries, our retail packaging must be more dynamic, informative and eye-catching packaging. Part of the funds will be used to create packaging that is consistent with the bacon department you see at grocery and club stores, yet stands out as different and as unique as Schmacon.

Make a pledge and help him out!

Beef, Beef Checkoff, Food

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