Corn Growers Welcome New Congress

Cindy Zimmerman January 8, 2015

The National Corn Growers Association spent Tuesday on Capitol Hill this week, welcoming the 114th Congress to Washington and talking up the importance of agriculture to the American economy.

“We are here to welcome the new Congress, and to encourage them to work together with one another and the Obama Administration to advance policies that help agriculture and family farmers,” said NCGA President Chip Bowling, pictured here with Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL). “I was encouraged not only by the warm reception we received, but also a hope that lawmakers will set aside past divisions, find common ground, and get things done.”

After overcoming the challenge to his bid for re-election as Speaker of the House, Rep. John Boehner of Ohio used a very agricultural metaphor to urge Democrats and Republicans to work together. “Every day you and I come here, try to cultivate good seeds, and take care of the pests. And then with patience, sacrifice, and God’s grace, there will be a harvest,” said Boehner. “Let’s make this a time of harvest.” Speaker John Boehner harvest quote

NCGA executive vice president Jon Doggett notes that you have to plant a crop and nurture it before you harvest it. “I think there will be a lot of actions taken in the first few months of this Congress that will set the tone as to whether or not we’re really going to be able to harvest anything at the end of this Congress,” said Doggett.

With the latest farm bill being implemented, Doggett says corn growers are mostly concerned with protecting what they have during the budget reconciliation process. “We may see some attacks on Title 1 of the farm bill (and) on the crop insurance program,” he said. “Both have piles of money that folks will want to rob.”

Doggett talks about opening day for the 114th Congress and priorities for corn growers in this interview: Interview with NCGA Executive VP Jon Doggett

Audio, Corn, NCGA

Nufarm Growing in Cotton Market

Chuck Zimmerman January 7, 2015

In 2015 cotton growers have some new tools courtesy of Nufarm. These include Cheetah and Cheetah Max.

Presenting at the Cotton Crop Consultants Conference for NuFarm was Jerome Kovar. Jerome is a marketing manager for the company and we sat down to discuss what Nufarm is doing in cotton with these new herbicide options. Here’s a quick description:

Cheetah™ utilizes a novel mode of action to better protect your high-value TNVV crops from weed competition including triazine, ALS, and glyphosate resistant weeds. This fast, effective, non-selective herbicide will let you focus more on profitability and less on weeds.

Cheetah™ Max uses two leading active ingredients in a dual-mode formulation to quickly eliminate the toughest weeds – even those resistant to glyphosate. Cheetah Max provides fast and effective preplant control – killing weeds in days instead of weeks, virtually eliminating weed competition from day one.

Jerome says these products will provide growers with some tools to address the growing weed resistance problem. He says they’re building on a different different glufosinate strategy than other companies.

You can listen to my interview with Jerome to learn more here: Interview with Jerome Kovar

By the way, Nufarm is not only a sponsor of our coverage but they were a key sponsor of the Beltwide Consultants Conference!

You can find photos from the opening day of the conferences here: 2015 Beltwide Cotton Conferences

Coverage of the Beltwide Cotton Conference is sponsored by

Agribusiness, Audio, Cotton, Nufarm

Johanns Joins Deere Board

Cindy Zimmerman January 7, 2015

Former Senator Mike Johanns of Nebraska has been elected to the board of directors for Deere and Company. Johanns, who recently completed his term in the Senate after deciding not to run for re-election, also previously served as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and as governor of Nebraska.

“Mike’s wide range of expertise in the areas of agriculture, banking, commerce, foreign trade, law and governance will be valuable assets for the Deere & Company Board of Directors,” said Samuel R. Allen, Deere’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We are pleased Mike has agreed to join the Deere Board.”

With Senator Johanns’ election, Deere & Company’s Board totals 12 members, 11 of whom are independent directors.

John Deere

National Ag Day Poster Art Contest Winner

Jamie Johansen January 7, 2015

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) and Meredith Agrimedia encouraged young artists to celebrate modern agriculture through the 3rd Annual National Ag Day Poster Art Contest. A winning original piece of art has been chosen as the Official National Ag Day poster.

Congratulations to Clinton Walker, Kansas City Art Institute, for being selected as the winner of the contest. Walker was selected amoung many young artists in the competition. The contest theme was Agriculture: Sustaining Future Generations.

In addition, his artwork and profile will be prominently featured in Successful Farming magazine and Ag Day correspondence. He will receive a $1,000 scholarship from Meredith AgriMedia. Media releases will also be sent to all Ag Day sponsors and supporters. The original artwork will be on display in a public location.

National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America. ACA is a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food and fiber community, dedicating its efforts to increasing the public’s awareness of agriculture’s role in modern society.

The National Ag Day program encourages every American to:
– Understand how food and fiber products are produced.
– Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.
– Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.
– Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry.

On March 18, 2015, the ACA will host major events in the nation’s capital including the Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon and the National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner. Additionally, the ACA will bring approximately 100 college students to Washington to deliver the message of Ag Day to the Hill.

Ag Day, Ag Groups, NAMA

Crop Protection Helps Growers Produce Nutritious Food

Jamie Johansen January 7, 2015

A recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirms that over 99 percent of fresh and processed food available to consumers tested below allowable pesticide residue levels, allowing for continued access to affordable and nutritious food across the country. Released on December 19, 2014 by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the 23rd Pesticide Data Program (PDP) Annual Report shows that only .23 percent of the products sampled through the PDP had residues above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established tolerances. PDP researchers collected and tested 9,900 samples of bananas, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, mushrooms, peaches, plums, summer and winter squash, and other produce—all nutritious foods that Americans should continue to include in their diets.

National health organizations agree that fruits and vegetables are integral to a long, healthy life. The American Heart Association advises consumers to “Buy more fruits and vegetables that are good sources of fiber, including beans, peas, oranges, bananas, strawberries and apples.” The American Cancer Society notes that “vegetables, fruits, and whole grains should form the central part of a person’s diet, regardless of whether they are grown conventionally or organically.”

Through modern agricultural practices, including the responsible use of pesticides, American agriculture helps bring nutritious food to the table at a decreased price. According to a socio-economic report completed by CropLife America (CLA) in 2011, crop protection products help American families save more than 40 percent on fruit and vegetable purchases.

Ag Groups, Crop Protection, Food

Cotton Crop Consultants Gather at Beltwide

Chuck Zimmerman January 6, 2015

The man who coordinated the Cotton Consultants Conference during the Beltwide Cotton Conferences is Bill Robertson, Professor, Cotton Extension Agronomist at University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture. He says the Consultants Conference is broken into two parts. On day one the focus is on new developments from the industry. This includes new equipment, seed varieties and more. Throughout the day company representatives spoke about what they have to offer that’s new in 2015.

The second day the focus shifts more toward different disciplines like entomology, agronomy, irrigation. He says water is becoming even more important, especially in areas like Texas.

You can listen to my interview with Bill to learn more here: Interview with Bill Robertson

You can find photos from the opening day of the conferences here: 2015 Beltwide Cotton Conferences

Coverage of the Beltwide Cotton Conference is sponsored by

Ag Groups, Audio, Cotton

Ag Women Come Together for Midwest Conference

Jamie Johansen January 6, 2015

The annual Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference is set to meet the needs of women in all sectors of agriculture. The conference will be held Feb. 18-19 at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville, IN. 800 E. 81st Ave.

A preconference program will be held at 1 p.m. CST Feb. 17 at Fair Oaks Farms, 856 N. 600 E, Fair Oaks, at 1 p.m. As part of the program, participants can register for a dairy adventure or pig adventure tour.

Along with the preconference tours, there will be dinner that evening at The Patio, 7706 Broadway in Merrillville. Attendees must indicate their interest when registering for the conference.

“Our goal in planning the conference is always to make sure we are finding topics and speakers that are relevant to the needs of the women attending the conference,” said conference co-chair Kelly Heckaman, Purdue Extension agriculture and natural resources educator in Kosciusko County. “This year we are focusing on telling the story of women in agriculture through our keynote speakers and in our breakout sessions. We realize that the upcoming year will require tougher financial management decisions, and we have sessions for that, too.”

Keynote speakers and their topics are:
* Jay Akridge, Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture at Purdue University: “Update from Purdue Agriculture.”
* Carrie Mess, dairy farmer, blogger, speaker and advocate for agriculture: “Welcome to the World of Agvocacy.”
* Matt Lohr, director of the Knowledge Center for Virginia Farm Credit: “Leaving a Lasting Legacy.”

Conference sessions include topics on management, marketing, financing and business planning. Registration should be submitted by Feb. 2. There will be additional fees for registration received after Feb. 3.

Ag Groups, Events

2015 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Underway

Chuck Zimmerman January 5, 2015

The “new format” is now in its second year. That is the new format of the annual Beltwide Cotton Conferences. The conferences have been slimmed down to three days and there is no trade show. I missed last year’s in New Orleans but thanks to my sponsor, Nufarm, I am able to spend a day here in San Antonio.

To get an overview of this year’s program I spoke with the coordination, Dale Thompson, Manager, Marketing & Processing Technology at National Cotton Council of America. Dale says the conference has really dialed in on the consultants who are advising so many farmers today. There are cotton farmers here of course but many are relying more and more on their advisors as technology in agriculture continues to move fast. Learn more about what’s going on at this year’s Beltwide in my interview with Dale.

You can listen to my interview with Dale here: Interview with Dale Thompson

You can find photos from the opening day of the conferences here: 2015 Beltwide Cotton Conferences

Coverage of the Beltwide Cotton Conference is sponsored by

Ag Groups, Audio, Cotton

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes January 5, 2015

Eli Lilly and Company announced that it has completed the acquisition of Novartis Animal Health, which will further position Lilly’s Elanco as a global leader in the animal health industry.
S&W Seed Company and DuPont Pioneer announced the closing of the previously disclosed acquisition by S&W of DuPont Pioneer’s alfalfa production and research facility assets, as well as conventional (non-GMO) alfalfa germplasm, for a purchase price of up to $42 million.
The NCGA-FMC Ag Weather Advisor, prepared by Blue Water Outlook, is a special, free member benefit that can help growers stay a step ahead.
Shook, Hardy & Bacon has graciously offered to host the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City in January, for what has become a traditional legal update for the Council.

Zimfo Bytes

Farm Bureau Proud 2015 Convention

Cindy Zimmerman January 5, 2015

Innovation and technology will be in the spotlight at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 96th annual convention, which begins this weekend in San Diego.

Big, new and really different this year is the IDEAg Innovate Conference and Trade Show that will feature topics such as managing agricultural big data, the use of drones for farming purposes, precision agriculture and Internet strategies for farmers and ranchers. The IDEAg conference will be held from 8:00 to 10:30 am on Saturday, the trade show will be open from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday and 10:30 am to 3:30 pm on Sunday.

AFBF’s Dan Durheim says a survey of Farm Bureau members guided the planning for convention this year. “And what they told us is ‘give us more opportunity to engage with the commercial people.'” said Durheim. “It’s really finding that sweet spot behind what we do really well, which is policy work and advocacy, as well as making our trade show more robust.”

The events and exhibits on Saturday and Sunday will be open to all farmers, ranchers and agricultural professionals, not just Farm Bureau members. There is no fee for Farm Bureau members to attend but they are encouraged to register online at annualconvention.fb.org. Non-members may attend the IDEAg conference by paying $75, in addition to $10 to attend the trade show, by registering online at annualconvention.fb.org.

The convention kicks off with the opening general session on Sunday morning, when AFBF President Bob Stallman will share Farm Bureau’s direction for 2015. At the general session on Monday morning, Commander Rorke Denver will provide insights on teamwork and courage when faced with pressure-filled situations, and comedian Jay Leno will leave us laughing at the closing general session.

The convention also includes two dozen workshops covering a variety of topics and issues on Sunday and Monday. Topics covered will include how to become a more effective advocate for agriculture, big data, the latest technology trends, updates on economic issues affecting today’s farmers, and skills and ideas leaders can take home and apply at their county and state Farm Bureaus.

Members attending the convention are also encouraged to support ag literacy by bidding on items in the online/onsite auction and purchasing tickets to attend the Flapjack Fundraiser, the golf outing or the Foundation’s Night Out event. Learn more at annualconvention.fb.org.

I’m heading to San Diego on Saturday so hope to see you there!

AFBF

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