Thirsty Land Documentary in Production

Chuck Zimmerman March 16, 2015

The director of The Great American Wheat Harvest documentary is back in action with a new project called Thirsty Land.

Will there be enough water to survive? “Thirsty Land” is an exciting new documentary that tells the story of drought, its impact on agriculture, communities and the global food supply.

“The story of drought needs to be told! Our global food supply and our very survival of humans depend on clean, abundant fresh water. I want to make the audience think about it every time they take a drink of water, enjoy a shower or water their lawn,” says Weaver.

Conrad is working with the Robert B. Daugherty Water For Food Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska in partnering for the production of “Thirsty Land” film. DWFI, along with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, have provided startup sponsorship funds for the project to move ahead.

“We are very pleased to participate in this important documentary about the challenges of drought and climate change,” said Roberto Lenton, founding executive director of the Water for Food Institute. “It supports our mission by educating people about the threats, as well as the opportunities, to achieving water and food security for generations to come.”

Learn more about Thirsty Land and how you can support the project in this week’s program: Thirsty Land Documentary

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

The ZimmCast

sponsored by

Locally owned, globally strong.

Audio, Education, ZimmCast

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes March 16, 2015

ADAMA, a world leader in customer-focused agricultural solutions, announced that NIMITZ nematicide received state registration in California for use on tomatoes, peppers, okra, eggplant, cucumbers, watermelons, cantaloupe and squash.
Kenneth A. Spearman has been designated by President Barack Obama as Chairman and CEO of the Farm Credit Administration.
World Dairy Expo (WDE) is pleased to announce the addition of Nicole Smith, Communications Specialist, to their staff.
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.

Zimfo Bytes

Letter Calls for USDA, HHS to Reject Dietary Report

Jamie Johansen March 16, 2015

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined 29 of her colleagues in objecting to a report on food guidelines that advises Americans to decrease consumption of red meat. In a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell, the senators condemn the report’s conclusions, which ignore relevant scientific evidence on nutrition. Senator Fischer released the following statement regarding the report this afternoon:

“The recommendations in this report are misguided and if enacted, could have a devastating effect on Nebraska’s livestock industry. Any changes to our nation’s food policies must be based on sound science and outside experts. Our ranchers, and the millions of Americans they feed, could be harmed for generations by inaccurate and unfounded reports like this.”

Every five years, USDA and HHS review the dietary guidelines for American food nutrition policy. Last month, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee – whose members are appointed by HHS and USDA – submitted their report recommending that Americans eat less red meat and consume more fruits and vegetables. Their recommendations were based on environmental impact concerns, not science. HHS and USDA use this report as the foundation to develop standards for national nutrition policy, including the school lunch program.

The senators’ letter, led by Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.), also requests an extension of the 45-day comment period to ensure stakeholders have enough time to review and comment on the report’s questionable findings.

Ag Groups, Food, USDA

Monsanto Offers New Cotton Varieties for 2015 Season

Taylor Truckey March 16, 2015

While at the 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show, our own Chuck Zimmerman had a chance to chat with Monsanto’s Keylon Gholston, Cotton Product Manager with Monsanto, who provided insight into new cotton technologies and products that will be beneficial to growers.

Keylon was excited to further explore the 2015 varieties that Monsanto released in December; “We really want to bring increased yield and fiber quality to the market place.” Deltapine 1555 Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex has extremely high yield potential with fiber quality that is a step above the current line-up. The second variety is Deltapine 1558 Bollguard II Flex NR, a root knot nematode resistant variety that yields well under heavy or moderate nematode pressure.

Five XtendFlex varieties have been announced for 2015 after Monsanto received deregulation of the Xtend technology; DP 1518 B2XF and DP 1522 B2XF for shorter season markets, DP 1538 B2XF & DP 1553 B2XF for mid- to full-season markets, and DP1549 for acres in West Texas and Arizona.

All varieties, five XtendFlex & two Flex, are available for the 2015 growing season. Gholston stressed optimism in the cotton industry due to genetic advancements made within the last ten years that have improved yield and efficiency, thereby increasing profitability for growers.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Keylon here: Interview with Keylon Gholston, Farm and Gin Show

Mid-South Farm & Gin Show Photo Album

Audio, Cotton, Crop Protection

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes March 13, 2015

Advanta announces the launch of its new website, PhoenixCorn.com, dedicated to the sale of Phoenix® brand corn hybrids.
AgriLabs announced it has appointed Sean O’Hare as executive vice president effective March 1.
EPA is registering a new miticide, oxalic acid, to combat the devastating effects of the Varroa mite on honey bee colonies.
The National 4-H Council’s sixth annual 4-H Legacy Awards will be held Thursday, April 23, 2015, at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

Zimfo Bytes

Catching up With Anna Leigh Peek

Chuck Zimmerman March 13, 2015

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

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

Audio, Farm Shows

Mississippi State University Utilizes Drones

Taylor Truckey March 13, 2015

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

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

Audio, Farming, Technology, Uncategorized

USA Rice Federation at 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show

Taylor Truckey March 13, 2015

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

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

Audio, Rice, Trade

EPA and USDA Heads to Keynote NFU Convention

Cindy Zimmerman March 13, 2015

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

Audio

Page 820 of 2,397
←
1
...
819
820
821
...
2397
→