Soil Health Partnership Holds Summit

Cindy Zimmerman January 29, 2015

The Soil Health Partnership (SHP) was officially launched at last year’s Commodity Classic so it will just be one year old in another month. But Nick Goeser with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says the concept had a relatively long gestation period.

“The idea for the Soil Health Partnership started in 2011, so within three years we came to the point where we could launch it and it’s been great,” Goeser said during the first Soil Health Summit in St. Louis on Thursday which included farmers, agronomists, and organizations involved in the effort.

The farmers at the summit are among the 20 in six states that have made a five year commitment to the project. “The farmers are early adopters and innovators in the area of conservation management,” Goeser explained. “They agree to enroll a 20 to 80 acre field on their farm and allow us to collect soil samples to update our recommendations to farmers.” In addition, the demonstration farmers agree to host field days as part of the project.

NCGA is the administrating organization in the SHP, which was set up with funding from Monsanto and The Walton Foundation, but in the last year the partnership received a Conservation Innovation Grant from USDA-NRCS that has provided additional funds.

Listen to Nick explain more about the SHP in this interview: Interview with Nick Goeser, NCGA Soil Health and Sustainability Manager

2015 Soil Health Summit Photo Album

Audio, Conservation, NCGA, Soil

Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Rep. Mike Conaway

Leah Guffey January 29, 2015

Agri-Pulse interviewed the new chairman of the House Agriculture Committee on Open Mic this week:

As Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee in the 114th Congress, Mike Conaway has revised the subcommittee structure to allow for closer policy oversight and careful attention to reauthorization of nutrition programs and futures trading. In his first audio interview on ag issues this year, Conaway covers a wide variety of topics. He expects congressional action on immigration policy but isn’t sure tax reform will be a part of the early congressional agenda. The Texas Republican says the budget process will dominate the early days of the new congress and expects budget reconciliation to play a major role in policy reform and debate. Conaway says the government must respect industry investments made within the Renewable Fuels Standard but questions overall volumes.

Click here to listen to Agri-Pulse Open Mic with House Ag Chairman Mike Conaway.

Agri-Pulse

Poultry Industry Urges Congress to Grant TPA

Cindy Zimmerman January 29, 2015

As U-S trade representative Michael Froman appeared before congressional committees this week to stress the need for the president to be granted Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), poultry producers were talking trade issues in Atlanta at the IPPE.

USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) President Jim Sumner says TPA is critical to getting major trade agreements with Asia and Europe approved. “Actually I think we got the cart before the house on this,” said Sumner. “We should have had TPA before we went out and started the negotiations with these countries so that they have the assurance that they can give us the best deal and Congress is going to accept it…We need to have these trade agreements and we need Congress to get on board.”

Sumner says big trade issue for the poultry industry right now is the banning of U-S poultry imports by China and two other countries due to the discovery of high pathogen avian influenza in wild birds on the West Coast and now in a California commercial turkey flock. “To think that you have to ban all poultry imports from the entire United States is really overreaction,” he said, especially since China is even banning imports of breeding stock from the U.S. “The United States supplies 95% of the primary breeding stock for China,” said Sumner. “How is China going to continue to grow and develop their industry without the necessary breeding stock.”

Sumner says a regionalized approach, such as banning imports from affected states or even counties, makes more sense and is what the World Organization for Animal Health recommends.

Listen to Jamie’s interview with Jim Sumner here: Interview with Jim Sumner, USAPEEC

Photos from the event can be found here:
2015 International Production and Processing Expo Photos

Coverage of the International Production and Processing Expo is sponsored by

Audio, IPPE, Poultry, Trade

Into the Icebox

Melissa Sandfort January 29, 2015

I’ve written before about ice hooks: In the early 1900s, folks would use this tool to “harvest” blocks of ice from ponds, wrap them in straw or sawdust to keep the ice as long as possible, and store them in an insulated building. They’d later pop one of those blocks in the icebox to keep food from spoiling … this was done long before refrigerators/freezers came about. The horse-drawn ice wagon and the daily occupation of the iceman, who made regular door-to-door deliveries of block ice, was as much a social institution as the milk man.

This is a picture of an old icebox. We are used to having the luxury of butchering a steer and hog and storing the entire thing in a deep freeze, not having to worry about it thawing unless the electricity goes out for a long while. I’m glad I don’t have to grab blocks of ice to fill the icebox to keep our food frozen!

It’s missing the door latches and needs a fresh coat of paint, but that’s part of its uniqueness. Since it’s a front porch decoration now, I just imagine that this summer it will be filled with sidewalk chalk, sticks, bubbles and cat food. Not quite the intended use, but with a 2-year-old in tow, anything is possible!

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Ag Committees Make Assignments

Cindy Zimmerman January 28, 2015

Both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees are under new management and Chairmen Mike Conaway (R-TX) and Pat Roberts (R-KS) announced their new subcommittee assignments this week.

“I look forward to working with this very talented team of proven leaders,” Conaway said. “Their diverse backgrounds will be of great value to the Committee as we work to promote a strong production agriculture system and vibrant rural America.”

House agriculture committee subcommittee assignments

On the Senate side, a brief organizational session of the new Agriculture Committee was held on Wednesday afternoon.

“We are lucky to have a wealth of experience in former and current chairs of not only our committee, but others in the Senate, as well as a hearty dose of new blood,” Roberts said. “We have a lot of work to do, not only with legislation but in our robust oversight responsibilities.This posse is saddled up and ready to ride.”

Senate agriculture committee subcommittee assignments

Uncategorized

Novus Strives for Solutions, Service & Sustainability

Jamie Johansen January 28, 2015

Novus International’s CEO, Francois Fraudeau, has been in the drivers seat about a year now and I caught up with him in their booth at the 2015 International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta, GA.

Looking into the future, Francois hit on some very important strategic goals for the company. “The strategy for Novus will be to keep investing in our two pillars of methionine production and specialty business of minerals and enzymes. We will develop new technologies in house and look outside to use technologies that will help our customers become more profitable and sustainable in the future.”

The vision of Novus is to help feed the world affordable, wholesome food which enables consumers to achieve a higher quality of life. Francois shared a few of their products that do just that. One is MINTREX and Novus is proud to be celebrating it’s 10 year anniversary.

“We believe we are the number one supplier in the industry for protease and this is a great achievement. This technology did not exist five or six years ago and now we are working with customers, developing sustainable solutions and enhancing the protein value.”

Learn more about Novus International’s presence at IPPE and their sustainability efforts in my complete interview with Francois. Interview with Francois Fraudeau, CEO Novus International

Photos from the event can be found here:
2015 International Production and Processing Expo Photos

Coverage of the International Production and Processing Expo is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Animal Agriculture, IPPE, Novus International, Nutrition, Poultry

USFRA Food Dialogues – Dairy Forum Live

Chuck Zimmerman January 28, 2015

The first Food Dialogues event of 2015 in live right now. The focus is on “Animal Care and Consumers’ Emerging Expectations.” It is being held in Florida in conjunction with the International Dairy Foods Association meeting taking place there. The event is also sponsored by the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance.

The Food Dialogues panel of food industry and animal care experts will discuss the various tools and strategies that farmers, ranchers and veterinarians use to promote animal health and a safe food supply. These animal care techniques and practices – from housing to the use of antibiotics – are increasingly more important to food manufacturers and consumers as they’re making sourcing and purchasing decisions. Join the discussion to learn if what is happening on farms and ranches across the nation is meeting the consumers’ expectations.

The panel includes:

Moderator: Elisabeth Leamy, journalist, author and Dr. OZ consumer and investigative correspondent

Bruce Feinberg, global animal health and welfare officer, McDonald’s
Robin R. Ganzert, Ph.D. , president and CEO of the American Humane Association
Jim Mulhern, president and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation
Dr. Marcia Endres, D.V.M., Ph.D., professor of dairy science, University of Minnesota
Mike Reidy , senior vice president of corporate affairs, Leprino Foods
Chuck Ahlem, dairy farmer, Hilmar Jerseys, Hilmar, California

The event live stream will be recorded so that you can watch it later.

Ag Groups, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, Food, USFRA

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort January 28, 2015

Mahindra USA announces the opening of its new Midwest Authorized Distribution Center in mid-February 2015 that will serve a six state area to meet the increasing demand for Mahindra products.
FMC Agricultural Solutions has promoted Bob West to strategic accounts manager.
NEW short-term findings from a study by Dr. David Katz and his colleagues at the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center provide suggestive evidence that individuals with heart disease can safely include eggs in their diet.
The Dairy Calf and Heifer Association is now accepting applications for its annual scholarship program.

Zimfo Bytes

Culver’s Gives Back to Farmers

Jamie Johansen January 28, 2015

Culver’s restaurants across the nation continue to build support for America’s farm families as part of the chain’s Thank You Farmers initiative. After the second year of the program, Culver’s has connected with people all over the United States, spreading the Thank You Farmers message through efforts such as:

– A larger-than-life Thank You Farmers corn maze in Tracy, Minn.
– Three blue barns sharing a giant thank you to America’s farmers
– A nationwide coloring contest that gave young guests the chance to be featured in Culver’s 2015 Thank You Farmers calendar
– In-restaurant fundraising backed by the efforts of more than 380 restaurants

The results after two years? Nearly a half-million dollars raised in support of the National FFA Foundation, local FFA chapters and a variety of local agriculture organizations.

“We’re excited to see the enthusiasm with which guests have embraced Thank You Farmers,” said Craig Culver, CEO and founder of Culver’s. “We’re deeply grounded in the farms that produce the dairy and grow the food that have made our restaurant what it is. It’s been a natural partnership since Culver’s was established over 30 years ago.”

The second year of Thank You Farmers kicked off with increased education around farming and where food comes from in Culver’s restaurants across the U.S. Participating restaurants pledged their support to farm families through percent-of-sales nights, a guest donation program and event sponsorships—all benefiting local chapters of the National FFA Organization and other agricultural organizations.

“Thank You Farmers has become an integral part of our story and is ingrained in our values and culture,” said David Stidham, Culver’s vice president of marketing. “We’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible energy and passion that these future agricultural leaders have for their fields. And we’re committed to helping ensure they reach their goals.”

Agribusiness, FFA

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