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

Presidential Possibles Take on Ag Issues

Cindy Zimmerman March 9, 2015

Nine potential Republican presidential candidates were asked their opinions on various agricultural issues at the Iowa Ag Summit in Des Moines on Saturday.

Each taking a seat on a stage with agribusiness entrepreneur Bruce Rastetter for 20-30 minutes were 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. Topics included immigration reform, trade promotion authority and GMO labeling, but the main focus of the event was to get the potential candidates to take a stand on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

Six of the nine expressed at least conditional support, including Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker who recently had been criticized by biofuel producers in his state for not taking a stand on the law. Three of the candidates – Cruz, Pataki, and Perry – came out firmly against the RFS, while at the same time saying they supported ethanol and other renewable fuels.

The summit was organized with the support of America’s Renewable Future, a quasi-political campaign for the RFS introduced earlier this year. Co-chair Bill Couser, pictured here with Sen. Cruz, says their goal is to educate potential presidential candidates.

“Show them why we do this, how we do this, and say what do you think?” said Couser, an Iowa cattle producer and ethanol advocate. “I can say, let’s go look at a corn field, let’s go look at a feedlot, let’s go look at some windmills, let’s go look at Lincolnway Energy, and then let’s go to the DuPont plant right next door and I’ll show you what we’re doing with the whole plant and being sustainable.”

Couser says they plan to approach all potential presidential candidates individually and invite them to visit and learn more about agriculture and renewable energy, including Hillary Clinton. “Wouldn’t that be something if she showed up?” he said.

Listen to my interview with Bill at the recent National Ethanol Conference here: Interview with Bill Couser, America's Renewable Future Co-Chair

Audio, Biofuels, Ethanol, politics

Corn Growers Offer Risk Coverage Advice Webinar

John Davis March 9, 2015

Farmers trying to pick the right risk coverage under the new Farm Bill can be a daunting task. But the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is offering some help. The group is co-sponsoring a free webinar on March 12 from 10-11 am CDT that will help producers pick which coverage package is right for them.

Farmers and ranchers will have to decide soon which risk coverage package is right for them of three options: Price Loss Coverage (PLC), or one of two Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) packages (county or farm level). It is important for growers to be educated on this topic because the one-time choice they make will have an impact on their operations for years to come.

DTN’s webinar, titled “ARC or PLC: Which Safety Net Fits You?”, hosted by DTN Executive Editor Marcia Taylor, will include presentations from University of Illinois Economist Gary Schnitkey; University of Illinois Assistant Professor of Law and Policy and former FSA administrator Jonathan Coppess; and Mississippi State Economist and former advisor to the U.S. Senate Agricultural Committee Keith Coble.

“This is the first time farmers have a choice on risk management programs, and it’s a big decision that will affect their operations for years to come,” said Jim Reed, an Illinois corn grower and chairman of NCGA’s Public Policy Action Team. “The webinar is a great opportunity to hear from a few of the most knowledgeable ag economists on the programs. The ARC program especially is a smart, market-based approach to managing risk, and NCGA is proud of the role we can play in educating growers about their choices through programs like this.”

More information and registration is available here.

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Corn, NCGA

Bayer Ag Issues Forum: Transparency is Accountability

John Davis March 9, 2015

With consumers more and more concerned about what’s in the food they eat and drink and how the animals that produce much of that food are treated, agribusinesses are finding they need to be more transparent with the public. During the the recent Bayer CropScience 10th annual Ag Issues Forum in Phoenix, Dr. Jennifer Walker, DVM, Director, Dairy Stewardship, Dean Foods, spoke about how transparency equals accountability on a panel titled, “The Transparency Effect: How Consumer Demands Affect the Ag Supply Chain.”

“The struggle is to figure out what accountability looks like – how do we measure that on the farm,” she told Chuck during an interview after the panel. “From an animal welfare perspective, it’s not necessarily how you house something, not the size of the pen, but really focusing on the cow. Transparency is being accountable and then being able to verify – what can I share with you and prove to you that we are doing what we say we are doing.”

Walker said Dean Foods deals with both sides of the equation – the farmers and co-ops on one end and the consumers on the other – to make sure they are doing what is necessary to meet those customer demands while allowing producers to do what they do best. She pointed to a successful example of that in Dean Foods’ TruMoo Chocolate Milk that meets stricter school lunch standards and keeps healthy milk that children want to drink in front of them.

Another point during the panel session was the possible conflict between large producers and the niche market producers. Walker said the niche markets are not the enemy of the mainstream producers; there’s room for everyone. And no one benefits when one sector of agriculture bashes another.

“As an industry, we all need to try our best to work with each other and promote our strengths. Trying to talk poorly about any part of ag never serves agriculture well, ever. It eventually hurts yourself,” she said.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Dr. Walker here: Dr. Jennifer Walker, DVM, Director, Dairy Stewardship, Dean Foods

2015 Ag Issues Forum Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer

Bayer Talks Investing in Innovations at Ag Issues Forum

John Davis March 8, 2015

Bayer CropScience is making major invests in innovations in agricultural research to make sure the world has the food, fiber and fuel it needs for a growing population. During the the recent Bayer CropScience 10th annual Ag Issues Forum in Phoenix, Chuck talked with Bayer’s Davide Hollinrake, Vice President of ACO Marketing, about Bayer’s $1.1 billion in research and development every year.

“The fruits of the labor really are showing great promise in 2015, as we are launching several new products. Some of these are really game-changing, allowing farmers to do even more,” he said, pointing to new products such as ILeVO, a soybean seed treatment that’s the only solution for Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) that has activity against nematodes. “It’s showing great promise.”

Davide said Bayer identifies what are the farmers’ pressing needs and recognizes that the expected world population of 9.6 billion by the year 2050 offers challenges of its own, including a 70 percent yield goal. But even with the $1.1 billion annual investment, he said Bayer can’t do this by itself. “It’s going to take the entire industry plowing the same direction.”

Another area of innovation David wants to see is how the message of modern farming is delivered to the public.

“We need to be agvocates. We need to describe the benefits of modern production agriculture and be on the forefront of taking on some of the challenges that are in our way and open a dialogue with people that maybe aren’t filled with the understanding farmers are. Farmers are well-trusted. We just need to give them the courage to speak up about this great industry.”

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Davide here: Davide Hollinrake, Vice President of ACO Marketing, Bayer CropScience

2015 Ag Issues Forum Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Research

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes March 6, 2015

AAEA scholarship applications are due April 3. In 2015, four scholarships will be awarded: The James Evans Scholarship is the top scholarship offered, in the amount of $2,000.
Bayer CropScience and California Citrus Mutual announced #CitrusMatters, a year-long campaign geared at raising consumer awareness of the Huanglongbing disease and the devastating impact it could pose to California’s $2.4 billion citrus industry.
Ag Growth International Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba, has announced the appointment of Tim Close to the position of President, effective immediately.
The American Feed Industry Association will host a Safe Feed/Safe Food webinar April 7, at 2 p.m. EST, to discuss its recent certification program updates.

Zimfo Bytes

Deere Smaller Self-Propelled Sprayer at #Classic15

Taylor Truckey March 6, 2015

Doug Felter, with John Deere, was excited to chat about John Deere’s newer sprayer series, especially the newest model; the JD R4023. The R4023 was first released at National Farm Machinery Show. In the past two years, Deere’s entire sprayer line has been updated to the 4 series which offers expanded storage capacity along with a complete redesign on sprayer booms and nozzles. It seemed the most enticing aspects of the newly released R4023 were the smaller size that allows for producers to work in tighter fields with irregular boundaries, and the updated “creature comforts”. For Commodity Classic attendees who spend hours in a sprayer at a time, the updates in the cab are welcome!

“The premium cab package on the R4023 offers conveniences like an updated stereo system, bluetooth capabilities, and a heated, ventilated leather seat, which for those guys spraying 14-16 hours, they can do it in a lot more comfort,” says Felter.

Another value-added aspect of the the new sprayers, when paired with the MyJohnDeere portal, is that it will only enhance grower relations with their trusted advisors. “Producers who don’t do their own spraying can get their retailers connected to the MyJohnDeere portal, so producers can share harvest or other data with them for prescription purposes,” Felter added. For more information, contact your local John Deere dealership.

Interview with Doug Felter, John Deere

2015 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, Equipment, John Deere

New Holland’s Certified Pre-Owned Program

Jamie Johansen March 6, 2015

Another announcement from New Holland Agriculture includes their new Certified Pre-Owned program. Chuck learned more about the program as he spoke with New Holland’s Dan Valen.

“The Certified Pre-Owned program for New Holland high horse powered tractors and combines will allow customers to own and operate machines which are late model years, 2010 and newer, that have gone through an extensive and comprehensive inspection process by New Holland dealers.”

Beyond the comprehensive equipment inspection, the program will include an extended powertrain warranty with $0 deductible, a $100 Reward Card for the purchase of genuine New Holland parts along with service and parts support from New Holland dealers.

The program has been piloted at New Holland dealers throughout North America to make sure the check lists were comprehensive enough and to identify the amount of time needed for these inspections. The pilot program also allowed leadership to make sure the right level of incentive programs were in place for the end customers.

Learn more about New Holland’s Certified Pre-Owned program in Chuck’s complete interview with Dan here: Interview with New Holland's Dan Valen

Photos from the event can be found here: 2015 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, New Holland

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