Farm Families Coalition Receives National Recognition

Jamie Johansen March 10, 2015

Marla Behrends, left, and Linda Olson were presented with the Meritorious Service in Communications award from the American Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers for the Illinois Farm Families Chicago Moms Program by Jerry Hicks, regional Council member for ASFMRA during the annual meeting of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Manager and Rural Appraisers in East Peoria.

Behrends, who is industry relations manager with the Midwest Dairy Association, and Olson, manager of communications for the Illinois Farm Bureau, accepted the award on behalf of the Chicago Moms Program. The program, which was launched in 2012, involves hosting Chicago-area mothers visiting Illinois farm families for on-farm experiences and inside looks at how food is grown, processed and delivered to grocery stores. During the tours they meet farmers and can ask questions related to growing food and about animal care, antibiotics, hormones, biotechnology and any other topics that interest them. Those ‘mom’s who make the visits then post blogs on their experiences at www.WatchUsGrow.org.

The program is underwritten by Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Soybean Association and Illinois Beef Association. The award from ASFMRA acknowledges an individual, company, or association involved in the area of communications that has promoted understanding and goodwill between producers and consumers of agricultural products. The Illinois Society is largest of the 28 ASFMRA chapters around the country.

Ag Groups

“Rev It Up” My ROI Checkoff Challenge

Jamie Johansen March 10, 2015

The Beef Checkoff Program has a unique opportunity to encourage checkoff investors to share how they personally benefit from checkoff efforts, thanks to a generous donation from Yamaha of a three-passenger VikingT EPS 4×4 with specialized accessories and a total value of $21,728.07?

Starting March 16, beef and dairy producers can enter the “Rev It Up” My ROI Checkoff Challenge by visiting the MyBeefCheckoff Facebook page to share how the beef checkoff has impacted their operations. The Rev It Up contest will have two rounds: The first stretches eight weeks with responses to questions about how the Beef Checkoff Program has impacted their individual operations. Each week during Round 1, the checkoff will post a new question on the MyBeefCheckoff Facebook page. Participants are asked to simply answer the checkoff question in 250 words or less for a chance to be selected as one of eight finalists and win a weekly prize.

After all finalists have been chosen, Round 2 involves each of the winners from Round 1 producing a two- to three-minute video testimonial about a topic provided to them on May 13. All finalists will have the same amount of time — about a week — to create their video. Visitors to the Facebook page then will vote to select the grand prize winner.

The grand-prize winner will be announced Monday, June 8.

Ag Groups, Beef, Beef Checkoff

Bayer Issues Forum Shows Evolution of Innovation

John Davis March 10, 2015

Agribusinesses are reaching more and more into the innovation realm to help farmers stay at the top of production and meet the needs of a growing world population. Some have even characterized the process as an “evolution of innovation.”

“The ag companies, and in particular, Bayer, have been very good at innovation in the past, and we’re very good at product development,” Jeff Kneen, R&D New Ventures Manager for Bayer CropScience, told Chuck during an interview at the company’s 10th annual Ag Issues Forum in Phoenix. “But the breadth and scope of innovation taking place today is beyond some of our core competencies. And we need to be know what’s going on out there, invest in them and have access to them in due course.”

Part of that process includes the indirect venture capital investments Bayer is making in the future of food production. Jeff said there are gaps in what Bayer knows that could be filled by some of these innovations, as well as some innovations adding to what the company knows. And Bayer is leaving no stone, including those in the digital realm, unturned, to make sure safe and affordable food is available.

“We don’t know everything that’s going on in agricultural innovation right now. We want to have a better understanding of that, because it will influence what we do in the future.”

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Jeff here: Jeff Kneen, R&D New Ventures Manager for, Bayer CropScience

2015 Ag Issues Forum Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Research

Smart Sensors & Cheap Connectivity Future of Ag

John Davis March 10, 2015

A combination of more, cheaper smart sensors and more connectivity could make the future of agriculture and food production pretty bright in this country. During the recent Bayer CropScience 10th annual Ag Issues Forum in Phoenix, Michael Rogers, who is an author, journalist and futurist, spoke to those gathered at the event about some of these global trends driving food innovation. He told Chuck that he’s a big believer in the potential of combining a technology, such as Google Glass, with smart sensors that would be cheap and able to be scattered about a farm field.

“I’m a great believer in wearables,” he said. “[Those sensors] could be giving you literally a foot-by-foot presentation on exactly the soil conditions, which could be visualized through smart glasses, overlayed with the data.”

Going hand-in-hand with this wearable data gathering device is the idea of better connectivity in rural areas. Michael said by the year 2020, we’ll be amazed by how low cost and how widely available high-speed connectivity will be, thanks, in part, to the Federal Communications Commission’s ruling on net neutrality. He compared it to the projects in the 1930s that finally brought electricity to rural America.

“The federal government has decided broadband needs to be everywhere,” he said, adding that when you combine that with regulatory powers wanted by the FCC, we’ll see more competitors and, in turn, lower prices for quality, high-speed internet throughout farm country.

In the food sector, Michael said there are a lot of efficiencies that can be wrung out of the food distribution system that will give all those in the supply chain better information to reduce problems, such as spoilage. And he said that don’t be surprised when those parts of the world that might not be as technologically advanced now end up leap-frogging some of the more developed world in what he calls the “Biblical law of technology” where the last shall become first.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Michael here: Michael Rogers, author, journalist and futurist

2015 Ag Issues Forum Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Internet

CTIC Announces New Board of Directors

Jamie Johansen March 9, 2015

The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) announced its new board of directors. Alan Ayers of Bayer CropScience will serve as chair. Lara Moody of The Fertilizer Institute is vice-chair, and Terry Tindall of the J.R. Simplot Company was named treasurer.

“It’s exciting to work with such a dedicated board to continue building CTIC as a preferred source of information on technologies that help keep farmers economically and environmentally sustainable,” says Ayers.

“The strength of this board comes from its members’ commitment to advocating for conservation agriculture, as well as their diversity,” he adds. “For more than 30 years, CTIC has brought together people from across the agriculture industry, academic institutions, environmental groups, media and government agencies to share information on productive, profitable conservation systems. This board will continue that proud legacy, building strong partnerships that help farmers and the environment.”

This year’s CTIC board of directors consists of:

Officers
Alan Ayers, Chair, Bayer CropScience
Lara Moody, Vice Chair, The Fertilizer Institute
Terry Tindall, Treasurer, J.R. Simplot Company
Pauley Bradley, Past Chair, John Deere

Ag Groups, Conservation, CTIC

John Deere Adds Sprayers to CPO Equipment Program

Jamie Johansen March 9, 2015

For producers and ag service providers looking to upgrade their sprayer equipment line-up, John Deere announces the Certified Pre-Owned Program (CPO) for self-propelled sprayers.

“Last May, we introduced the Certified Pre-Owned Program for 8 and 9 Series Tractors and late-model combines,” says Bill Weber, manager, used equipment optimization, John Deere. “This has been a very successful program for our customers and allows them to trade up to later model machines with newer technology and extended warranty.”

John Deere Self-Propelled Sprayers, up to two years old with 1000 engine hours or less, are eligible for the CPO Program. These include the following models, 4630, 4730, 4830, 4940, R4030, R4038, and R4045 Self-Propelled Sprayers.
These machines go through an extensive inspection program and fluid scan analysis. Customers will also receive a one year subscription to JDLink™.

“This is a great time for customers to consider purchasing a newer sprayer,” says Weber. “There has never been a better selection of equipment, backed by an industry leading protection plan, fully outfitted with the latest technology.”

Agribusiness, Equipment, John Deere

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes March 9, 2015

Archer Daniels Midland Company has announced several management appointments.
As Lely North America continues to enter new markets and experience rapid growth in the North American market, it is expanding the senior leadership team and the role of one of its tenured employees, Chad Huyser.
NAMA will be hosting a webinar on Email Marketing on Wednesday, March 25, at 1:00 pm central time.
The 133 delegates of the American Soybean Association voted to approve a new set of policy resolutions to guide the organization’s work in Washington and nationwide for the coming year.

Zimfo Bytes

Walker and Cruz at Iowa Ag Summit

Cindy Zimmerman March 9, 2015

Two potential presidential candidates who received a lot of media attention at the Iowa Ag Summit on Saturday were Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Cruz, who has introduced legislation to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), was honest about his views, even though he said the “easy thing to do” would be to tell the people of Iowa that he is “for the RFS, darn it.”

Cruz thinks immigration policy in the U.S. is “a mess” and thinks we need to get serious about securing borders. He “emphatically” supports Trade Promotion Authority and opening up markets, but not in Cuba, which he calls a “matter of national security.”

Listen to Sen. Cruz answer questions from summit organizer Bruce Rastetter. Iowa Ag Summit - Texas Sen. Ted Cruz

In his 20 minutes with Rastetter, Gov. Walker expressed similar attitudes on immigration, TPA and Cuba, but came out in favor of the RFS saying he was “willing to go forward on continuing” the RFS and “pressing EPA to make sure there’s certainty.”

Walker voiced support for crop insurance and said he was against GMO labeling for food because it “gives the false impression that somehow there’s something different.”

Listen to Walker address the issues here: Iowa Ag Summit - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker

Audio, politics

Iowa Summit Generates National Coverage

Cindy Zimmerman March 9, 2015

The first Iowa Ag Summit featuring nine possible GOP presidential candidates put the spotlight on agricultural issues in the national media.

Comments made by at the event by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, former New York Gov. George Pataki, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker have been the talk of Sunday political shows to Monday talk radio.

Over 270 journalists who attended the event, representing most if not all of the major news outlets nationwide, all heard about some of the top issues for agriculture including trade, regulations, conservation, food safety, biotechnology, renewable fuels, and immigration.

Among the potential candidates who hit the high notes for the national media was Christie, who jabbed back at a heckler as he was answering a question about EPA’s proposed Waters of the United States WOTUS rule. “My people follow me everywhere, I’m magnetic,” joked Christie, who called WOTUS a “power grab” by EPA.

Christie favors TPA but has concerns about President Obama as a negotiator, he is opposed to opening up trade with Cuba, says administration should follow the law on the RFS, likes wind, and just says no to GMO food labeling.

Listen to Christie’s answers to questions posed by summit organizer Bruce Rastetter. Iowa Ag Summit - NJ Gov. Chris Christie

Audio, politics

Seed Education Campaign Taking Root

Cindy Zimmerman March 9, 2015

Registration is now open for the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) 132nd Annual Convention which will be in Washington DC this year, June 17-20, where members will be sowing seeds of information inside the Beltway.

“One of the focuses there is going to be on advocacy,” said ASTA CEO Andy LaVigne at Commodity Classic, who adds that it will be part of their recently launched education effort. “Our hope is to increase awareness of the diversity of the seed industry,” he said.

LaVigne talked about the educational effort with both growers and the media at Classic, explaining how their research has shown that people have little interest in seeds until they are provided with information about how seeds impact their lives. “We’re targeting foodies, moms and food bloggers to try and get that message out,” he said.

The three-year information campaign was just unveiled in December and LaVigne says they will have more details at the ASTA annual meeting in June.

Andy LaVigne, ASTA at Commodity Classic

2015 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by Propane Education and Research Council

ASTA, Audio, Commodity Classic, Seed

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