Water Availability is Growing Concern

Cindy Zimmerman January 21, 2015

A growing population, increasing environmental demands and climate change are combining to pose long-term questions for water availability, especially in the western part of the United States, and California in particular.

“I’m not an engineer, I don’t have a PhD, I’m just a farmer,” said California Farm Bureau president Paul Wenger during a workshop on water availability at the American Farm Bureau convention last week. “I’m a farmer that uses less water today and produces more crop. In California, we’ve more than doubled agricultural production on the same amount of water that we’ve used in the last 40-50 years.”

An almond and walnut grower, Wenger made the argument that agriculture is using water more efficiently than governments and urban areas. “There’s a lot of people that say the environment has to survive the way it has for millennia. No, it doesn’t,” said Wenger. “If we’re about results we can have great results.”

California Farm Bureau president Paul Wenger at AFBF convention

2015 AFBF Convention photo album

AFBF, Audio, Water

Introducing The Uganda Community Farm

Jamie Johansen January 21, 2015

The answer to extreme poverty in Africa could be Africa itself, if a new agricultural initiative lives up to its vision. The Uganda Community Farm (UCF) aims to create a prototype for self-sustainability within Uganda’s poor rural communities. Pursuing a comprehensive agricultural program, it intends to set a precedent for Africa’s rural poor to tread their own path out of hunger and extreme poverty.

Organic Perspectives, the Ugandan non-profit organization behind the project, has already worked with more than 2,000 small rural farmers from Kamuli and Buyende since 2007. The Uganda Community Farm anticipates reaching at least half of the 150,000 households in both Kamuli and Buyende in our first two to four years of operation, and to ultimately scale across Eastern Uganda thereafter.

Organic Perspectives most recently joined hands with celebrity chef Cat Cora’s charity “Chefs for Humanity” on a $250K crowd funding appeal for the Uganda Community Farm. The farm plans to train local farmers on organic horticulture systems that have faster/high returns, and to help the farmer’s access stable and collaborative organic marketing channels – particularly through collective marketing and an approach of Community Supported Agriculture.

UCF Founder Anthony Kalulu explains, “By providing smallholder farmers with a practical organic farming learning centre, based on low-input, sustainable practices, we can provide these communities with the ability to feed themselves, rather than relying on short-term relief programs. What’s more, UCF shall have an organic farming practice section (a Hectare or two) entirely managed by the farmers trained here—with all sales from the section supporting local projects of the community’s own choice. The farm also hopes to become a resource center for scaling Organic Perspectives’ current conservation activities in Uganda’s deforested countryside—in a financially self sustaining manner.”

Ag Groups, Food, International

Ag Reacts to SOTU

Cindy Zimmerman January 21, 2015

A freshman Senator from Red Oak, Iowa brought the Republican response to the president’s State of the Union address last night home to the farm.

“As a young girl, I plowed the fields of our family farm,” said Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) during her moment to represent the new Republican majority in the Senate. “We were raised to live simply, not to waste.”

Both the president and the GOP hit on many of the same themes, including trade expansion. “We should level the playing field,” said Obama. “That’s why I’m asking both parties to give me trade promotion authority to protect American workers, with strong new trade deals from Asia to Europe that aren’t just free, but are also fair.”

“Let’s tear down trade barriers in places like Europe and the Pacific,” said Ernst. “Let’s sell more of what we make and grow in America over there so we can boost manufacturing, wages and jobs right here, at home.”

“We are encouraged by Senator Ernst’s call to work together and tear down trade barriers,” said National Corn Growers Association president Chip Bowling. “Couple TPA with normalized relations with Cuba, and farmers and consumers – both here and abroad – will benefit.”

American Farm Bureau president Bob Stallman was also encouraged by the president’s strong support for TPA and expanding trade, particularly with Cuba. “Congress must pass bi-partisan TPA legislation to strengthen U.S. negotiating positions in future trade agreements,” said Stallman. “We strongly support President Obama’s efforts to normalize trade and other relations with Cuba.”

“Soybeans are the nation’s leading farm export, and it’s critically important that Congress pass and the President sign a completed TPA package that will lay the groundwork for robust and comprehensive trade agreements,” said American Soybean Association president Wade Cowan of Texas.

On the other hand, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson supports President Obama on reopening trade with Cuba, but opposes massive free trade agreements being considered with Asia and Europe. “Free trade agreements are not only exporting American jobs, they are contributing to an increasing trade deficit that has become a major drag on the economy,” he said. “The US government needs to clearly direct our trade negotiators to conclude trade agreements that will erase our trade deficit and lead to more balanced trade in the future.”

AFBF, ASA, NCGA

NBB’s Joe Jobe Says “Take the RFS Back in 2015”

Chuck Zimmerman January 20, 2015

Talking about how much the truth matters and calling for cooperation from the petroleum industry Joe Jobe, CEO, National Biodiesel Board, got attendees fired up this morning during his opening general session speech. He received a standing ovation at the end of the speech when he loudly proclaimed:

2015 is the year we get back to the future of this program. Back to the future of this industry and this country. We are the ones on the right side of history, and we have a powerful force on our side. The truth. So rise up with me people. Rise up and tell our story. Rise up and take the RFS back in 2015.

Only by diversifying the transportation fuels market and providing competition to crude oil can the U.S. truly achieve energy security, he explained.

“The RFS is a good policy – it is pro-competitive, pro-consumer, free-market capitalist policy,” Jobe said. And, “2015 was intended to be a turning point for the RFS,” he said. “For the first seven years, conventional biofuel was designed to lead the growth in volumes until 2015 where conventional biofuel is statutorily capped at 15 billion gallons. From 2015 on, advanced biofuels are intended to lead the growth of the program. And so far, biomass-based diesel has emerged as the only domestically-produced, fully commercialized advanced biofuel.”

You can listen to Joe’s full speech here: Joe Jobe Speech

2015 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, National Biodiesel Conference

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes January 20, 2015

The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) has introduced the 2015 Executive Committee members.
Six western retail distributors and United Suppliers, Inc., are announcing the pending formation of Aligned Ag Distributors LLC, a joint venture distribution company.
Meredith Agrimedia is pleased to introduce Tyler Smith as a new National Sales Account Executive.
Select Sires Inc. was formed 50 years ago when four farmer-owned cooperatives joined forces to offer a wider variety of genetic options to their members and improve efficiencies.

Zimfo Bytes

Veteran Ag Journalist Joins Agri-Pulse Team

Jamie Johansen January 20, 2015

Agri-Pulse is pleased to announce that award-winning veteran agricultural journalist Ed Maixner is a contributing editor, effective Jan. 5.

Maixner most recently served as editor of the Kiplinger Agricultural Letter and as food and agribusiness editor for other Kiplinger publications. Before joining Kiplinger, he wrote and edited for Farm Progress Companies.

Before Farm Progress, Maixner served as an associate director for Western States Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to bipartisan policy on western regional issues, including natural resources, environment, and agriculture. He was also a legislative assistant to former U.S. Senator Bryon Dorgan of North Dakota. Prior to serving on Dorgan’s staff, Maixner spent two decades as a journalist covering agriculture and other topics.

“It’s exciting to have Ed join us as a regular contributor, after stepping down from a distinguished career with Kiplinger’s ag newsletter,” said Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse Editor and Publisher. “He led the Washington Bureau at Farm Progress Companies when I was vice president for editorial there. We’re pleased to have a journalist with his experience, expertise and connections contributing to Agri-Pulse.”

Maixner earned his bachelor of arts degree at North Dakota State University and a master of arts in journalism at The Ohio State University, where he was awarded a Kiplinger Fellowship in Public Affairs Reporting. He was awarded the Truth in Journalism Award from the American Corn Growers and the J.S. Russell Memorial Award from the North American Agricultural Journalists for agricultural reporting. In addition, Maixner received a first place team story award from the American Agricultural Editors Association for coverage of what the 9-11 attacks would mean for American agriculture.

Agri-Pulse, Agribusiness

FMC Partners With Emerge Application Solutions

Jamie Johansen January 20, 2015

FMC Agricultural Solutions has partnered with Emerge Application Solutions, Owensboro, Ky., to commercialize the new 3RIVE 3D™ in-furrow crop protection delivery platform. The FMC patent-pending 3RIVE 3D technology seamlessly integrates formulation technology, application technology and active ingredients to increase the number of acres planted in a day.

“This system is streamlined for speed and efficiency. Growers can plant up to 500 acres on a single fill. There’s no need for large saddle tanks or changing tender rigs and, compared to granular products, the fully loaded unit adds minimal weight to the planter,” said Rick Kesler, FMC business services manager. “3RIVE 3D lets growers easily and efficiently cover more acres in less time while saving water, fuel and labor.”

Growers looking for a chance to see the system in person can do so at upcoming farm shows. The 3RIVE 3D system will be on display at the National Farm Machinery Show, February 11-14 in Louisville, Ky. and at Commodity Classic, February 26-28 in Phoenix, AZ.

FMC scientists used their market-leading formulation expertise to reduce the amount of water needed to deliver crop protection products to the furrow. Just 40 ounces of solution is applied per acre. The 3RIVE 3D manifold precisely mixes the right amount of product with a very low volume of water and expands the mixture up to 50 times into a three-dimensional continuous Zone of Protection delivered directly into the furrow. 3RIVE 3D products from FMC are exclusively formulated for use in the 3RIVE 3D application system and require minimal measuring and no mixing or tank agitation, thus simplifying in-field preparation.

Agribusiness, Crop Protection, FMC

Register for Industry Leading Ag Marketing Conference

Jamie Johansen January 20, 2015

Ranch House Designs Inc. has provided hands-on workshops in agricultural marketing, livestock marketing and agricultural photography since 2011. Their latest event will take place March 27-29th in Kansas City, MO and I will be there. Join me atThe Gathering Conference, a leading educational workshop in the industry that is great for farmers and ranchers, association staff members and industry professionals.

To date more than 400 participants have attended our workshops, with many attending multiple conferences. The great thing about these workshops is that they are producer friendly, farmer friendly, and are guaranteed to teach you marketing tool, photography skills, and cutting edge advertising methods that can immediately be implemented in your agri-business, farm, ranch, or organization.

Conference registration includes admission to the following:
– Friday night welcome social featuring business panel discussion.
– A full day of workshops held Saturday, March 28
– Sunday’s half day program
– An all-new, special conference workbook never before published and filled with conference notes, tips and insider tricks
– Access to a private Facebook group for workshop attendees to ask questions, share tips, and find shared lodging for the event.
– A chance to win more than $1500 in conference giveaways including a free ad design, social media set up, individual photo training session and more!
– Up to $500 in discounts in future services from Ranch House Designs or Luke and Cat future services.

General conference registration opened January 20th at 8:00 a.m. CST and will be limited to the first 50 participants. Early bird seats sold out in less than one hour.

**College students may receive a 10% conference discount with coupon code STUDENT at checkout.

Agribusiness, Events, Marketing

American Agri-Women Leader Joins Advisory Committee

Jamie Johansen January 20, 2015

Doris Mold, First Vice-President for Resolutions and Vital Issues for American Agri-Women, was recently appointed to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Agricultural Advisory Committee.

Mold owns and operates a dairy farm in Wisconsin and an agricultural consulting business. She also teaches farm and agri-business management courses at the University of Minnesota. Mold has served on numerous agricultural committees on the local, state and national level.

AAW is the nation’s largest coalition of farm, ranch and agribusiness women representing more than 50 state, commodity and agribusiness affiliates. The organization is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

The Agricultural Advisory Committee was created in 1985 to advise the Commission on issues involving the trading of agricultural commodity futures and options and facilitate communications between the CFTC, the agricultural community and agriculture-related organizations.

CFTC Chairman Tim Massad sponsors the Agricultural Advisory Committee. Members include representatives of national farm organizations, major commodity groups, agribusiness concerns and agricultural bankers. Mold will serve a four-year term.

“I am pleased to represent American Agri-Women — and women in agriculture — and provide our perspective to the CFTC Agricultural Advisory Committee. It is important that those of us directly impacted by agricultural commodity futures and options markets have a voice in providing advice to the Commission,” says Mold.

Ag Groups

Field to Market Update at AFBF

John Davis January 20, 2015

An alliance for sustainable agriculture is giving farmers, companies and ag organizations what they need to measure sustainability and meet the needs of a booming global population. During the American Farm Bureau Federation’s recent 96th Annual Convention, Rod Snyder, president of Field to Market, the Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, talked about the tools available to help farmers track their progress and choose best practices on their farms.

“Sustainability is about meeting the needs of today while improving the ability of future generations to meet the needs of tomorrow,” Snyder said.

Field to Market offers several resources to help farmers and companies achieve this goal and share that story more broadly. Their national report analyzes trends across several commodities, with a focus on efficiency and production, and their Fieldprint Calculator allows farmers to analyze specific fields to measure progress and to share that data with suppliers, should they so choose.

“The real value of Field to Market is in the information that farmers are able to collect and then put to use, making long-term improvements on their farms,” Snyder said.

The most recent information into Field to Market shows a marked decrease in agriculture’s environmental footprint, important for major companies which have set ambitious sustainability goals for the next five to 10 years.

2015 AFBF Convention photo album

AFBF, Sustainability

Page 848 of 2,397
←
1
...
847
848
849
...
2397
→