Land O’Lakes Acquires Assets of FLM+

Jamie Johansen

land o'lakesLand O’Lakes, Inc. is acquiring the assets of FLM+, a leading marketing communications and strategic consulting company with expertise in the agribusiness and rural community sector. The acquisition aligns the growth strategies of both companies in serving the agricultural industry.

“Land O’Lakes, together with its member cooperatives, is working to build the talent and provide the necessary resources to fully participate in this great growth industry of food and agriculture,” said Chris Policinski, president and CEO of Land O’Lakes, Inc. “This partnership with FLM+ will provide valuable resources within our federated co-op system to drive the growth of our member-owners.”

FLM+ will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Land O’Lakes, Inc. The company will retain its employee base after closing, which is scheduled for the second quarter of the year.

FLM+ combines the best practices of consulting firms, communications agencies and learning services companies to help clients realize their growth goals. The marketing communications and consulting services FLM+ delivers to their extensive roster of commercial and producer-funded clients will also be available to Land O’Lakes, Inc. member co-ops to help them better meet their own growth goals and respond to emerging market opportunities.

“Five years ago Phillip Farmer, John Lumpe and I set out to create a new kind of marketing and communications company focused on meeting the needs of agribusiness and rural communities,” said Rob McClelland FLM+ president and CEO. “This new partnership will only accelerate our commitment to positively impact our valued clients. We’re honored and excited to become part of the Land O’Lakes family.”

Agribusiness

Miller’s Ag Bag Silage Bagger

Jamie Johansen

nfms-15-ag-bagIf you haven’t heard of the Ag Bag, now is the time to learn. While at the National Farm Machinery Show, Chuck spoke with Stashia Bittner with Miller who owns Ag Bag, to learn more about the equipment and what they can offer farmers across the country.

“Ag Bag machines are used to bag silage. The concept started in 1970 in Germany. When the United States’ market needed a faster bagger, Ag Bag Corporation was developed. Since then we have built 6 foot baggers, 7 foot baggers, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and now we are up to 14 foot baggers.”

Stashia said she believes New Holland can bring something they may not have been able to bring to the table and is excited to see what the future holds.

Learn more about Ag Bag products in Chuck’s complete interview with Stashia here: Interview with Stashia Bittner, Ag Bag

2015 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by New Holland
Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, New Holland, NFMS

USFRA Adds Nine New Affiliates

Jamie Johansen

USFRAThe U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance® (USFRA), a consumer-facing organization dedicated to leading the national conversation about how food is grown and raised, has grown to more than 80 organizations with the addition of nine new affiliates. The mission of USFRA is for all of agriculture to work together to enhance consumer confidence and trust in today’s food production system.

With the commitment of its affiliates and industry partners, USFRA is leading the way in bringing experts throughout the industry to the table for candid dialogue around some of the most contentious issues in agriculture. These conversations take place through several of USFRA’s most notable programs including The Food Dialogues and the Faces of Farming and Ranching, programs that amplify farmers’ and ranchers’ voices. The documentary FARMLAND, produced by award-winning filmmaker James Moll, is also a unique and creative medium in which non-ag consumers are emotionally connected with real farmers and real ranchers.

Additionally insights learned from USFRA’s proprietary consumer research helps guide the development of programs and outreach efforts, and is a tool exclusively available for affiliate and industry partners.

USFRA is excited about welcoming the following new affiliates this past year:
· Dairy Business Milk Marketing Cooperative
· Delaware Soybean Board
· Illinois Corn Marketing Board
· International Dairy Foods Association
· Iowa Pork Producers Association
· Maryland Soybean Board
· Oregon Farm Bureau
· Wisconsin Corn Growers Association
· Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board

For a complete list of USFRA’s affiliates and industry partners, click here.

Ag Groups, USFRA

AWARD Fellowships go to 70 African Women Ag Scientists

Jamie Johansen

Screen Shot 2015-02-19 at 8.46.13 AMOlivia Narciso Pedro, a lecturer and researcher at the Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo, Mozambique is one of 70 outstanding African women agricultural scientists to have been awarded a 2015 fellowship from African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD). The winners have been publicly announced this week in Nairobi, Kenya, where they have convened for an orientation workshop.

“Agricultural research and development in Mozambique is an important tool for increasing production, and consequently reducing household malnutrition and poverty, particularly in children and women,” said Pedro. “My vision for agriculture-led growth in Mozambique is to design alternatives to mitigate loss of genetic diversity, and ensure conservation of species, while improving household food security.”

This years’ laureates were selected from among an impressive cadre of 1,109 applicants from 11 African countries. These scientists and researchers, will benefit from AWARD’s two-year career-development program that is focused on accelerating agricultural gains by strengthening their research and leadership skills. AWARD Fellowships are granted on the basis of each scientist’s intellectual merit, leadership capacity, and the potential of her work to improve the livelihoods of African smallholder farmers, most of whom are women.

AWARD Fellows share a common vision: they want to translate their research and knowledge into tangible action, tangible action that will benefit smallholder farmers—especially laudable in 2015, the African Union’s Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063.

“We have a long journey ahead with women still underrepresented in agricultural research and higher education in Africa. AWARD is at the forefront, working to increase the numbers of professional women at the decision making table in Agricultural Research and Development (ARD) across Africa. We are committed to Africa’s prosperity with this year’s cohort of AWARD fellows joining our vibrant Pan- African community that is building the capacity of Africa’s women researchers to contribute to the continent’s food security,” says AWARD Director, Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg. “We congratulate the 2015 winners of the AWARD Fellowship. In this special year, where empowerment of women in all areas of development is being highlighted by the African Union, we are proud of the impact these women are making in their different areas, and the contribution that the fellowship will make in fast-tracking their innovation,” continues Dr. Kamau-Rutenberg.

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Ag Groups, International, Research

Bob Dinneen Live Stream of State of Ethanol Industry

Chuck Zimmerman

This morning at 8am central we will live stream the session from the National Ethanol Conference featuring Renewable Fuels Association CEO Bob Dinneen. Bob will deliver this annual state of the industry address a few minutes after 8am and we’ll be recording it so that you can watch and listen later if you miss the broadcast or want to review it. All you’ll have to do is click on the player button in the video embed below when we’re live.

Post Update: Below is the recording of the presentation.


Live stream videos at Ustream

2015 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Biofuels, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA, Video

20th National Ethanol Conference Kicks Off

Cindy Zimmerman

nec15-bob-kennyFootball Hall of Fame member Kenny Houston helped Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen get the early activities for the 20th annual National Ethanol Conference underway on Ash Wednesday in Dallas.

Houston is a former American football defensive back who played for the Houston Oilers and then the Washington Redskins between 1967 and 1980, but today he was on the golf course instead of the football field for the annual NEC golf tournament. While he was greeting golfers, two bus loads of conference attendees headed to downtown Dallas to step back in history and learn more about that fateful day in November 1963 when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

Dinneen is excited to be celebrating 20 years of ethanol this year and happy to see so many from the industry making the trip to Dallas this week. “We’re coming off the single most profitable year in the industry’s history, but at the same time we’re looking at another tough year – it’s a commodity market,” said Dinneen. “But this is an industry that has been seasoned, that has seen tough times, that has seen good times, and is prepared for either.”

The theme of this year’s conference is “Going Global” and Dinneen says the program will focus on the future of the ethanol industry in the export market, which Dinneen says is already booming. “It was critical to the industry’s profitability last year,” said Dinneen, noting exports of 836 million gallons, or about six percent of production, to over 50 countries worldwide.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Bob here and tune in at 8:10 am Central time to hear his state of the industry speech live: Interview with Bob Dinneen, RFA

2015 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, RFA

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

Zimfo Bytes

Under Sec Scuse Visits Missouri State University

Jamie Johansen

missouri-state-undersec-24-editedThe Missouri State University William H. Darr School of Agriculture proudly hosted the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, Michael Scuse. A luncheon was held where Under Secretary Scuse addressed a room full of leaders in Missouri agriculture. He also met with Missouri State agricultural students for a roundtable discussion and question and answer period.

Most producers across the country are familiar with the three agencies the Under Secretary covers in his job title, the Farm Services Agency, Risk Management Agency and the Foreign Agricultural Service. I had the opportunity to sit down with him and he shared the latest information and his opinion on trade and the implementation of key farm bill programs.

“The discussions are going on right now and hopefully in the very near future we are going to be able to have the votes needed to give President Obama Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). Every President since FDR has had TPA and we think it’s important. It gives our negotiators that are working on these deals additional leverage.”

Listen to my complete interview with Under Secretary Scuse where he addresses other issues like TPP, T-TIP and crop insurance here: Interview with Under Secretary Michael Scuse

While addressing attendees to the luncheon, Under Secretary Scuse made one statement twice because of it’s importance. “What happens in 2015 will be one of the most important year in history for trade.”

Listen to the Under Secretary’s complete remarks here: Remarks from Under Secretary Michael Scuse

Find a few photos from the event here: Missouri State University School of Ag Hosts Under Sec. Scuse Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Education, Trade, USDA

New Holland’s Utility Tractors Scream Value

Jamie Johansen

nfms-15-nh-workmasterThe New Holland brand screams value and their line of utility tractors easily falls into that same step. While exhibiting at the recent National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland Agriculture drew in attendees who sought power, efficiency and value all lumped into one tractor.

The New Holland WORKMASTER™ 50, 60 and 70 utility tractors boast a new look and new Tier 4B FPT common rail engines, and the same great value, with features not found in all value tractors.

Todd DeBock, New Holland, shared more about their new line of utility tractors when visiting with Chuck at the event.

“We are really excited for 2015. We have a new family of WORKMASTER’s coming out. They run roughly from 45-62 PTO horsepower and the key thing about this product is the bang for your buck. There is no better value for a mid-range utility tractor in the marketplace. The first thing customers notice about the vehicle is the modern New Holland styling. We gave it a modern day look with it’s appearance, but we have kept the things that are really important for the value-minded customer.”

Learn more about New Holland’s line of utility tractors in Chuck’s complete interview with Todd here: Interview with Todd DeBock, New Holland Agriculture

2015 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by New Holland
Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, Farm Shows, New Holland, NFMS, Tractor

T4 Series Tractors from New Holland

Jamie Johansen

nfms-15-nh-t4Tractors are one of the hottest items for attendees to check out when visiting the National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS) and New Holland Agriculture has a few for customers to choose from.

New Holland’s T4 Series tractors have set a new standard for performance and efficiency in a utility tractor. These tractors are now powered by clean-burning Tier 4B engines which improve fuel efficiency and generate greater torque and power to handle tough on the farm jobs. Features include: deluxe VisionView™ cab, ergonomic CommandArc™ console and Dual Command™ transmission.

While at NFMS, Chuck chatted with Alex Booms who is the Marketing Specialist in the Dairy & Livestock Customer Segment for New Holland.

“Our core market is dairy and livestock producers who are our hay and forage customers. The fact that they don’t have to mess with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) or have to go into that regeneration process and can keep working is key. Time is money. It’s a great all-around tractor, great haying tractor, great choring tractor. Versatile in a lot of different ways.”

Learn more about New Holland’s T4 series tractors in Chuck’s complete interview with Alex here: Interview with Alex Booms, New Holland

2015 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by
Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by FMC and Coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by New Holland
Agribusiness, Audio, Equipment, Farm Machinery, Farm Shows, New Holland, Tractor