Big Data Privacy Agreement

Cindy Zimmerman

Big-Data-Word-CloudA coalition of major farm organizations and agriculture technology providers today announced an agreement on data privacy and security principles.

The agreement was designed to encourage producers to use the full range of innovative, technology-driven tools and services to boost productivity, efficiency and profitability of agriculture with more assurance that personal data will be protected.

The organizations and companies that make up the coalition include: the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), American Soybean Association, Beck’s Hybrids, Dow AgroSciences LLC, DuPont Pioneer, John Deere, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, Raven Industries, The Climate Corporation – a division of Monsanto, and USA Rice Federation. Nearly all of these entities were represented at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Trade Talk on Thursday when the announcement was released.

“We’re very excited and proud to be one of the members bringing this out to help address those concerns,” said Ryan Molitor with Raven, who said there are two key components to the agreement. “Educating growers on what they can do with their data and when they grant access to somebody what that person can do with their data, and that the companies participating in this need to be transparent.” Interview with Ryan Molitor, Raven Industries

American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman says privacy issues were a major topic at the annual meeting earlier this year and he believes the principals agreed to by the coalition provide a measure of needed certainty to farmers regarding the protection of their data. “What we’re asking now is for any ag technology provider or any other producer groups to come on board,” said Stallman. “There will be a grower education effort with this and we’ll have a transparency tool developed to help them assess and make decisions.” Interview with AFBF President Bob Stallman

The principles promise to greatly accelerate the move to the next generation of agricultural data technology, which includes in-cab displays, mobile devices and wireless-enabled precision agriculture that has already begun to boost farm productivity across the United States.

Click here to read about all of the principles in the agreement.

2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by
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AFBF, Audio, NAFB

NAFB Panel Focuses on Integrating Tech in Ag

Taylor Truckey

15589994127_6c2982477a_zThe 71st Annual NAFB Convention brought together a panel of industry members to discuss integrating technology into the agriculture industry. Sitting on the panel were Dave Rhylander, IFS Lead – Monsanto, Matt Waits, CEO – SST Technologies, Rachelle Thibert, Integrated Solutions Manager – John Deere, and Ron LeMay, Founder and CEO – FarmLink.

The consensus was that data-driven performance tools are here to stay; many current industry products are focused on providing farmers with applicable information that is based purely on the collection, aggregation and distribution of data.

“There are enormous opportunities and needs to improve productivity through better management of data.” Ron Lemay continued, “The benefits to farmers associated with big data include the ability to aggregate data from a number of farmers and to turn that information or data into knowledge, and then into tools that can improve the productivity of the farmer.”

Listen to my complete interview with Ron here: Ron LeMay, FarmLink15773808045_be0ca8a4b2_z

Cindy spoke with Matt Waits about some of the key points he wanted to make to farm broadcasters in attendance. “We wanted to talk about how we integrate technology into the ag market. But the thing we are most excited about it the ability to improve decision making on the farm.”

Listen to Cindy’s complete interview with Matt here: Matt Waits, SST

You can find photos from the event here:
2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by
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Audio, NAFB, Precision Agriculture

Unforeseen Surprises

Melissa Sandfort

NAFB 2011 021Paperwork. Files. Back up your computer. Organize. Folders. Record retention.

Any of these things sounding familiar? It’s what we all do – we keep things around, just in case if we need them again in the future. As I was doing that a couple of weeks ago – digging back through old files to repurpose something for a #TBT (throw-back-Thursday) – I came across this picture.

How coincidental too, because as you’re reading this, I’m at the same trade show in Kansas City a few years later. So what was the surprise? Teresa Scanlan, American beauty pageant titleholder from Gering, Neb., who was named Miss Nebraska 2010, a subsequently won Miss America 2011, stopped by the beef booth at the trade show!

Now, I’ve admittedly never watched the pageant, but will say that as the sparkling crown came walking down our aisle, I knew who she was and knew she was from my great state. And admittedly, I thought that was pretty cool…to see Miss America at one of my work functions!

She paused for a photo opp with Beef Board Past Chairman Weldon Wynn from Arkansas. What man wouldn’t smile this big with Miss America’s arm around his waist?

Maybe some year Channing Tatum will make a surprise visit? Ah, the ladies in the room could only hope. You KNOW that would be a picture I’d save in my files.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Young Farmers & Ranchers to EPA: ‘Ditch the Rule!”

John Davis

fbProducers who will be the future of agriculture are telling the federal government to keep an unpopular water rule from having a future of its own. This news release from Farm Bureau says the group’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee wants the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers to ditch the proposed Waters of the U.S. rule.

“EPA keeps grasping for control over our farms and ranches,” AFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee Chair Jake Carter said. “Young farmers and ranchers are the future of American agriculture, and we take our role of protecting the land seriously. This proposal puts serious roadblocks in our way without any material improvements in water quality.”

Young farmers and ranchers are especially vulnerable to increased costs in farming. Since the already narrow “normal farming and ranching” exemption in the Clean Water Act excludes farms and ranches that started operating after 1977, farmers and ranchers with newer businesses will need permits for basic farming activities, including simply moving dirt.

Farm Bureau officials say the proposed rule will make it more difficult to farm and ranch or make changes to the land – even if those changes would benefit the environment.

AFBF, Ag Groups, Environment, EPA

Meet the New USFRA Faces

Cindy Zimmerman

nafb14-usfra-facesAt the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) convention on Wednesday, the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA®) announced the winners of its second class of the Faces of Farming and Ranching program.

The new “Faces” are (pictured left to right) Thomas Titus of Illinois, Jay Hill of New Mexico, Erin Brenneman of Iowa, Carla Wardin of Michigan, and Darrell Glaser of Texas. The class will be active participants in the national dialogue about food production to set the record straight. These farmers and ranchers will share their personal stories and experiences through consumer-facing public appearances, events, media interviews and social media.

Listen to Forrest Roberts of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) introduce the new faces and hear them talk about their farming operations and why they wanted to be part of this program to help educate the public about agriculture: New USFRA Faces of Farming and Ranching


2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by
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Audio, Farming, NAFB, USFRA

2014 NAFB Scholarship Winners

Cindy Zimmerman

nafb14-scholarshipsThe NAFB Foundation awarded scholarship numbers 98-100 today at the annual convention in Kansas City to three promising young industry leaders.

From left to right, they are Liz Koehler of Illinois, Joel Penhorwood of Ohio, and Shannon Yokely of Missouri. Liz is a senior at the University of Illinois majoring in agricultural communications, Joel is a junior at The Ohio State University also majoring in agricultural communications, and Shannon is a senior science and agricultural journalism major at the University of Missouri.

The scholarships are a little different this year, as we now have three $5000 scholarships all named after legendary NAFB members: Glen Kummerow Memorial Scholarship, George Logan Memorial Scholarship and now the Orion Samuelson Scholarship, sponsored by the CME Group, which was the 100th scholarship given by the NAFB Foundation and Liz was the recipient.”

nafb14-orion-cmeOrion, who was the first president and one of the founders of the NAFB Foundation, says it was one of the most thrilling days of his life. “Plaques and certificates I appreciate a great deal, but the thing I like about the scholarship is that’s something that will live beyond me because the recipient will change the world.”

“We think this is a fantastic opportunity to help young people,” said Tim Andriesen, CME Group agriculture commodities managing director. “Being able to sponsor something with Orion’s name on, we’re just very honored.”

Listen to my interviews with the three winners, Orion and Tim here: NAFB Foundation Scholarships interview


2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by
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Audio, NAFB

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • Farmers have been early adopters of many communications technologies, and Successful Farming and AgriCharts are meeting that growing demand by launching a new app for farmers on the go.
  • AgGateway’s Data Privacy and Security Committee has published a white paper to help the agriculture industry consider ways to incorporate data privacy best practices and standards into their operations.
  • “This Week in AgriBusiness” tapped Martinez Creative Group for the rebranding project, with the goal of updating the look and feel of the show while creating a more consistent branded image for viewers.
  • The Executive Boards of Family Farms, LLC and AgriSolutions® Inc. announced, effective January 1, 2015 the two agribusiness companies will unify as one.
Zimfo Bytes

Animal Welfare Panel at LPC Vision Event

Chuck Zimmerman

LPC Vision 2014 PanelThe inaugural Livestock Publications Council “Vision, and industry celebration” event, held in Kansas City, MO, featured a panel discussion. The topic was “Animal welfare in today’s world of agriculture.” As you might guess, animal activist, rights and welfare continue to be a hot topic of discussion in the industry.

The panel was moderated by Mike Adams, AgriTalk, and panelists were Dr. Hans Coetzee, Professor of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology, Iowa State University, Debbie Lyons-Blythe, Kansas rancher and Steve Meyer, President, Paragon Economics. Each panelist made opening remarks on the topic and then we had a question and answer session. I found it interesting how Steve pointed out that economic statistics don’t show that animal activists have yet had an impact on farm income in the livestock area.

You can listen to the whole panel discussion here: LPC Panel Discussion

LPC Vision 2014 Photo Album

Animal Activists, Animal Agriculture, Audio, LPC, Media

2014 NAFB Convention is Underway

Cindy Zimmerman

nafb14-susanThe 71st annual convention of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting is officially underway here in Kansas City with the theme “From Our Roots, Our Future Grows.”

Susan Littlefield of KZEN radio in Columbus, Nebraska is NAFB President-Elect and this year’s convention organizer. “We’ve got a variety of different speakers to hit everyone’s tastes,” said Susan, from new technology to farm policy to revitalizing rural communities. She’s also excited about the second NAFB 5K run on Friday morning. “This year the money goes to Children’s Hospital of Omaha to their GI clinic in honor of our youngest son Paul, who was a failure to thrive baby,” said Susan.

Susan says attendance at NAFB peaks at about 850 on Thursday for Trade Talk and “about 155-160 farm broadcasters here, doing what they do best.”

Listen to my interview with Susan here: Interview with Susan Littlefield, NAFB president-elect


2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
Audio, NAFB

Improving Plant Health Through Nutritional Balance

Jamie Johansen

aeaAdvancing Eco Agriculture (AEA) is a plant nutrition consulting company that works with fruit and vegetable growers from across the country. They have become known for helping farmers grow crops that are completely resistant to diseases and insects using nutrition and enhancing plant immunity through nutritional balance. During Crop Health Laboratories’ Power Growers Seminar I spoke with founder and CEO of AEA, John Kempf, he shared more about the new plant sap analysis technology that is sweeping the U.S. and Canada.

“Plant sap analysis is so sensitive and accurate that it can detect nutritional imbalances as much as four to six weeks earlier then typical tissue analysis. By understanding the connections between mineral nutrition and specific disease and insect challenges through sap analysis we have been able to develop nutritional models to very accurately identify and predict disease and insect susceptibility before it ever shows up.”

John said that as soon as growers start using sap analysis the value of it becomes immediately apparent. The information is actually usable because the information from the test correlates perfectly with what is seen in the field.

Listen to my interview with John here: Interview with John Kempf

Find photos from the event here: 2014 Crop Health Labs Power Growers Seminar Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Crop Science, Nutrition, Vegetables