Ag Coalition for Cuba Launched

Cindy Zimmerman January 8, 2015

More than 25 companies and organizations launched the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC) in Washington Thursday to liberalize trade and re-establish Cuba as a market for U.S. food and agriculture exports.

Among the speakers who introduced the new coalition were a list of lawmakers from a variety of states, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, and representatives from a number of the organizations who are part of the new group. “Today we gather to discuss an expanded opportunity for American agriculture – our farmers and our ranchers,” said Vilsack. “Allow them to expand business opportunities in a country just 90 miles from our border – Cuba.”

Secretary Vilsack at US Ag Coalition for Cuba kickoff

Agricultural organizations representing a variety of commodities including corn and soybeans, poultry, meat and dairy, wheat and rice, have all stepped up to become members of the coalition. “We know the Cuban market for rice is not theoretical. It is real, it is large, and it is compelling,” said Betsy Ward, President and CEO of USA Rice. “With rice imports valued at more than $300 million, Cuba is the second largest importer of rice in the Americas. And there was a time when Cuba was our number one export market — we look forward to a return to those days.”

Others who spoke at the National Press Club event announcing the coalition on Thursday were Alan Tracy with U.S. Wheat Associates, Dale Moore with American Farm Bureau, and Stephen Sothmann of the U.S. Hide, Skin and Leather Association. Ag organizations at US Ag Coalition for Cuba kickoff

The USACC believes that normalizing trade relations between the U.S. and Cuba will provide the U.S. farm and business community with new market access opportunities, drive enhanced growth in both countries and allow U.S. farmers, ranchers and food companies to efficiently address Cuban citizen’s food security needs. Under current sanctions, U.S. food and agriculture companies can legally export to Cuba, but financing and trade restrictions limit their ability to serve the market competitively. The USACC ultimately seeks to end the embargo and allow for open trade and investment.

Audio, Exports, Rice, Trade, USDA

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes January 8, 2015

Producers can improve the bottom-line of their farming operation with knowledge, connections and information gained at the 39th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference, held at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center, Jan. 15, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Forum, sponsored by The Chicago Farmers, will feature a variety of educational sessions, as well as a diverse blend of exhibitor booths held on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at Weitendorf Agricultural Education Center.
Farmers National Company, the nation’s leading farm and ranch management company, is pleased to announce that Roy Bracey, Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) of Chenoa, Illinois, has been named the company’s 2014 Farm Manager of the Year.
This year, for the first time ever, World Ag Expo will offer guided school tours to students in 9th through 12th grades during 2015 World Ag Expo.

Zimfo Bytes

Farm Bureau Convention Preview

Cindy Zimmerman January 8, 2015

The 96th annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation is being held in San Diego starting this weekend.

Among the highlights are a new IDEAg Innovate Conference and Trade Show that will preview for invited guests on Friday night and officially kick off on Saturday morning at 8 am featuring topics such as big data, drones, and Internet strategies for farmers and ranchers. The meat of the convention kicks off with AFBF president Bob Stallman’s address at the opening general session on Sunday morning.

I talked to AFBF Executive Director of Industry Affairs Dan Durheim to get some more information about what to expect when I head to San Diego on Saturday. Interview with Dan Durheim, AFBF

Learn more at annualconvention.fb.org.

AFBF, Audio

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

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