Bayer CropScience Launches #CitrusMatters Campaign

Jamie Johansen March 5, 2015

Bayer CropScience and California Citrus Mutual announced #CitrusMatters, a year-long campaign geared at raising consumer awareness of the Huanglongbing (HLB) disease and the devastating impact it could pose to California’s $2.4 billion citrus industry. The announcement was made during the Citrus Showcase, California Citrus Mutual’s annual event that brings together as many as 600 citrus growers from around the state.

The campaign will utilize an educational website, www.citrusmatters.us, and the hashtag #CitrusMatters in social media to educate California homeowners with citrus trees on their property about the important role they play in helping protect California citrus. Given that as many as 60 percent of California homeowners have citrus trees on their property, reducing the risk of infection from backyard trees to commercial citrus groves is vital to the health of the industry.

“Commercial citrus growers are already taking preventative action against HLB, but their groves will be threatened if the disease infects residential areas,” said Joel Nelsen, president of California Citrus Mutual. “Our goal is to educate homeowners about the dangers of the disease and empower them to take action to help prevent the spread of HLB in California. With the assistance of California residents, we can help protect the California citrus industry and the fresh fruit we all love.”

Now through September 30, with every share of the #CitrusMatters hashtag, Bayer CropScience will donate $1, up to $25,000, to California Citrus Mutual in support of prevention, detection and research on this devastating disease. Citrus growers are encouraged to join Bayer CropScience and California Citrus Mutual by sharing why #CitrusMatters with family, friends and neighbors who have citrus trees in their yards.

Agribusiness, Bayer, Citrus

Should Congress grant TPA?

Jamie Johansen March 5, 2015

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What do you think of proposed government control over the internet?”

It has been called net neutrality or open internet but now it should be called government controlled internet. In a vote along partisan lines the FCC last Thursday passed sweeping changes in how it will be regulating the internet. Basically, they are treating it like the telephone system using some very out of date laws. The goal is to provide more “equality” for users. How this plays out is anyone’s guess. Estimates have been made that the cost of the new regulations will include losing 500,000 jobs and $62 billion over the next five years. Wonder who will pay that and what they will allow. This 317 page move pushed by the Obama Administration has already caused uncertainty for investors in new technology.

It will be interesting to see what impact this has on American agribusiness in coming years.

Here are the poll results:

Agree – 25%
Disagree – 73%
Don’t know – 2%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, Should Congress grant TPA?

Congress is considering granting Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), formally known as Fast Track, to move forward on trade agreements being negotiated in Europe and Asia. Every president since Franklin Roosevelt has been given this authority to negotiate agreements that can just be voted up or down by Congress, but there is opposition even in agricultural circles to granting TPA or even pursuing new free trade agreements. What do you think?

ZimmPoll

AgriSCIENCE Award for Teaching Excellence

Jamie Johansen March 5, 2015

DuPont announced that Jessica M. Jones, agriscience teacher at Chatham Middle School in Chatham, Va., has been selected to receive the George Washington Carver AgriSCIENCE Teacher’s Award in recognition of teaching excellence. The award recognizes the top-ranking member of the DuPont National AgriScience Teacher Ambassador Academy (NATAA) who demonstrates and advocates inquiry-based science teaching and inspires students to pursue science excellence. Jones will receive the award at the National Science Teachers Association’s (NSTA) national conference, March 12-15 in Chicago, Ill.

“DuPont is pleased to honor Ms. Jones for her commitment and passion to use science to inspire and educate today’s youth and lead them on a lifelong path of learning,” said Rik L. Miller, president of DuPont Crop Protection. “We rely on Ms. Jones and other excellent teachers to provide children with the skills they will need to solve the global challenges of the 21st century.”

The award honors George Washington Carver (1864-1943), an agricultural scientist, researcher and inventor who was also a valued teacher, friend and mentor of Henry A. Wallace, the founder of DuPont Pioneer, as well as a U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and the 33rd Vice President of the United States.

Jones, an honors graduate of Virginia Tech, holds a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Horticulture and Leadership & Social Change, and a B.S. in Education with an emphasis in Agricultural Education. She also holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Administration and Supervision and is currently working on her doctorate in Leadership Studies at Lynchburg College in Virginia.

“My teaching philosophy is to be challenging and relevant through what I call ‘flearning’ – fun and engaged learning,” said Jones. “I incorporate science inquiry as a way to reach learning goals and objectives. Students investigate various components, find a direct result and apply findings making the inquiry real. I look at problem solving through the student’s vantage and hopefully instill passion as well as the education needed to carry these skills beyond the classroom in order to be universal, productive citizens of our global community.”

Agribusiness, Education, FFA

Celebrating the Years

Melissa Sandfort March 5, 2015

Ah, the torture of family get-togethers! I say that with a laugh for a couple of reasons: 1) I know my grandparents will be reading this, and, 2) because I could only wish for those moments for my own family.

A few of my childhood memories center around music and family celebrations. I remember, vividly, playing from memory “Fur Elise” during church one Sunday. I was mid-way through the piece when my mind went blank (I must have only been about 7 years old – – my mom would remember that detail). So I started over and when I got to the exact same spot, the notes disappeared again. I went running from the sanctuary crying and never played for church again.

I was, however, forced to play a piano duet with my dad for my great-grandparents’ wedding anniversary. Then when I was a bit older, “forced” (again, said with a chuckle because I really was honored to do it) to sing a duet for my grandparents’ wedding anniversary.

These are events to be celebrated and I truly am glad to have been a part of those.

This spoon was for my grandpa’s great-grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary (1856-1906, Friedrich and Elizabeth). In the early 1900s, this gift was probably quite the honor, but I can’t help but wonder if any of their grandchildren sang or played the piano?

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Redhage Selected 2015 NAMA Marketer of the Year

Jamie Johansen March 5, 2015

The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) has selected Paul Redhage as the 2015 NAMA Marketer of the Year. The photo is of him during his year as NAMA President.

This recognition is the most prestigious honor awarded to an active member of the association and honors outstanding accomplishments in the field of agri-marketing. For more than 50 years NAMA has been encouraging and promoting excellence in the industry by recognizing outstanding professional accomplishments. The NAMA Marketer of the Year award will be presented during the Second General Session of the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference, on Thursday, April 16, in Kansas City, Mo., and is sponsored by Agri Marketing magazine.

Until his retirement in January, 2015, Redhage served as Strategic Communications Manager for FMC Corporation. FMC is a diversified chemical company serving agricultural, industrial and consumer markets around the world. He was a key contributor in making Authority® herbicide a leading brand in the soybean pre-emergent market and also helped elevate Authority as a “Top of Mind” brand in pre-emergents.

Agribusiness, Marketing, NAMA

Wisconsin’s Largest Craft Beer Week

Jamie Johansen March 5, 2015

Madison Craft Beer Week (MCBW) will celebrate its 5th anniversary this May 1-10, 2015. Festival organizers are hard at work planning for the 5-year milestone. Over 80 different Greater Madison area restaurants, pubs and breweries will host more than 350 events as part of this year’s MCBW. Craft beer lovers will have the opportunity to choose from a multitude of events ranging from pub crawls and bike tours to meet the brewer events, beer education classes and beer cook-offs. A wide variety of events have been planned to attract beer lovers of all types, from novice to connoisseur.

“We are so excited to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Madison Craft Beer Week,” said Jeff Glazer, co-founder of Madison Craft Beer Week. “Each year we have worked hard to grow this festival into becoming Wisconsin’s largest craft beer week. No matter your level of interest in craft beer, we can offer something for everyone. The craft beer culture here is extraordinary, and we want the spread the word,” added Glazer.

Since its inception in 2010, Madison Craft Beer Week has promoted Madison’s thriving craft beer culture by sponsoring a ten-day (two weekend) festival that highlights Wisconsin’s regional brewing heritage and serves as a showcase for the Madison area’s breweries, restaurants, pubs, caterers, retailers, entertainers, and other businesses with ties to the craft beer community.

The Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau is honored to play a key role in supporting the more than 19,000 Dane County jobs supported by tourism. Promoting tourism in Madison since 1972, the GMCVB continues to work tirelessly to expand upon the more than $1.7 billion dollars generated by visitor spending in Dane County every year.

Agribusiness, Food

New Holland Debuts Guardian™ Injection Toolbar

Jamie Johansen March 5, 2015

New Holland has introduced the Guardian™ Injection Toolbar to the Guardian self-propelled sprayer line. The new piece of equipment was on display at the 2015 Commodity Classic and Chuck stopped by to chat with New Holland’s Jason Hardy to learn more about it’s capabilities.

The Guardian™ Injection Toolbar applies the liquid fertilizer exactly where the crop needs it most. Farmers don’t have to worry about burning and can keep efficiency at their finger tips.

“It has been well received so far. We are getting a lot of interest and I think our customers and dealers are going to appreciate it’s ability to add a little more nitrogen when the crop needs it.”

The toolbar can be mounted on all Guardian Series front-boom sprayers equipped with the Quick-Attach system, which is available as a factory option or as a dealer-installed accessory. The Quick-Attach system allows the operator to quickly switch between the Guardian Injection Toolbar and the sprayer boom.

“This is the first time we have had the opportunity to show this with our customers. There will be a lot more information to follow so stay tuned because we are really excited about this new product launch.”

Jason said they hope to have the Guardian™ Injection Toolbar ready to sell in the marketplace in just a few months. Listen to Chuck’s complete interview with him to learn more: Interview with New Holland's Jason Hardy

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

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by Propane Education and Research Council

Agribusiness, Audio, Corn, Fertilizer, New Holland

Vet Training, Education & Leadership

Jamie Johansen March 5, 2015

A look into veterinary training, education and leadership development was another topic discussed at the recent Boehringer Ingelheim Swine Health Seminar held in Orlando, FL. Dr. Jim Lowe, Lowe Consulting, headlined that conversation as he shared insights into making the animal health profession stronger for the future.

“I really need to credit my co-authors on this, Dr. Aldridge and Dr. Ferkins. We think we have to think about learning over a lifetime, not learning over while we are in school or in a given class. How do we create an education continuum? How do we create a different ecosystem to learn in? How do we create different teachers, different classes, different student thinkings so they come together.”

Dr. Lowe said there are three key elements to this methodology moving forward. They are: time, teaching and technology. One example of this is a flip classroom. They actually watch the lecture before they come to class via video and then come to class ready for discussion and do homework with the instructor. Student directive learning is also an important aspect to this learning process. Dr. Lowe added that a goal is to deliver education across a large time and space, drive cost down while keeping it easily available and relevant.

“As a consumer of education, we have to start to demand classes that teach us differently. How do they give us the skills we need, the competencies we need? We need to be able to think, problem solve and lead teams. Not just remember facts and regurgitate them.”

Listen to my complete interview with Dr. Lowe here: Interview with Dr. Jim Lowe, Lowe Consulting

Find all the photos from the event here: 2015 BIVI Swine Health Seminar Photo Album

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine

BASF Xanthion In-Furrow Info at #Classic15

Cindy Zimmerman March 5, 2015

BASF Technical Marketing Manager Caren Schmidt had 10 minutes to tell the Commodity Classic attendees at a Mini WIN session last week about Xanthion™ In-furrow fungicide, which received Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration in October in time for use on corn this season.

“Xanthion is our newest in-furrow fungicide for corn, and it’s the first in-furrow fungicide to combine a traditional, a chemical active ingredient, and a biological active ingredient,” she said during an interview with Cindy.

Caren said adding the biological broadens the spectrum and length of disease control, plus adds certain plant health benefits beyond disease control. She said growers have been really positive about this new fungicide.

“It’s all about getting the corn crop off to the best start possible, and growers are looking for any tool they can utilize for that,” Caren said.

Listen to all of Caren’s remarks here: Interview with Caren Schmidt, BASF

2015 Commodity Classic Photo Album

2015 BASF Science Behind Photos

Coverage of Commodity Classic sponsored by

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, Corn, Crop Protection

Farmland Partners Adds Former USDA Economist

John Davis March 5, 2015

After serving more than 30 years in the federal government, Dr. Joseph Glauber has been appointed as an independent director to ag real estate firm Farmland Partners Inc.

Dr. Glauber has been active in the agricultural industry since the early 1980s and began working for the USDA in 1984. In addition, Dr. Glauber chaired the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board of Directors from 2008 to 2014, served as the chief U.S. agricultural negotiator in the WTO Doha Round from 2007 to 2009 and served on the President’s Council of Economic Advisors from 1991 to 1992. Dr. Glauber is currently a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute and, over the course of his career, has written numerous articles about the agricultural industry that have been published in academic and trade journals. Dr. Glauber received an A.B. in Anthropology from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Wisconsin.

“We are pleased to welcome Joe to our Board of Directors,” said Paul Pittman, the Company’s CEO. “He brings years of experience at the highest levels of the agricultural industry along with demonstrated leadership ability that will further strengthen our Board of Directors and the management of the Company. His understanding of the effect of the global economy on the farming industry will be instrumental as we continue to expand our portfolio and work to further increase shareholder value.”

Agribusiness, USDA

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