Barn Owls are Sustainable Rodent Control

Cindy Zimmerman


2014 CTIC Conservation in Action Tour Photo Album

ctic-14-raid-owlsBarn owls are being used in the Everglades Agricultural Area as sustainable rodent control – and it’s working amazingly well!

Richard Raid, a plant pathologist with the University of Florida, told us all about these hungry little raptors during what was arguably the most interesting stop on the 2014 CTIC Conservation in Action Tour of the Everglades Agricultural Area. Raid says the barn owl project started 10 years ago and has helped sugarcane growers drastically reduce their use of rodenticides. “One of the growers used to have about 4,000 acres of sugarcane and … used 8-10 tons of rodenticides a year and he said he had less rodent damage with the barn owls than he ever did with rodenticides,” he said.

Raid says baby barn owls, the size you can see at the end of the video and in the photos, swallow entire rats whole and eat 4-5 per night! They regurgitate the fur and bones and you can learn more about what they do with that in the video. It’s gross, but Raid says the kids they teach about barn owls love it! “With kids, cute it good, but gross is better!”


Conservation, CTIC, Sustainability, Video

TekWear Selected for Ag Accelerator Program

Jamie Johansen

Screen Shot 2014-10-16 at 4.50.43 PMTekWear, LLC is one of 11 ag technology start-up companies selected to participate in the premier three-month VilCap USA: Agriculture 2014 entrepreneurial development program in Louisville, Ky. The program supports early-stage ventures that increase agricultural resource efficiency and helps find business solutions to challenges facing farmers, ranchers, and rural, low-wealth populations.

Bruce Rasa, CEO and founder of TekWear, LLC, says being selected for VilCap USA: Agriculture 2014 is a tremendous opportunity to be exposed to and learn from the best business minds, investors, and industry experts in the country. Rasa and three core staff members will be participating in the three-month program, the 28th such program launched by Village Capital worldwide.

“Entrepreneurs who participate in this peer-review program receive the top-level business coaching and mentoring needed to take their companies to the next level,” Rasa explains. “Few business-development incubators in the country provide the intensive training and exposure VilCap USA does, or have shown the success this program has had in supporting early-stage agricultural technology ventures.”

TekWear, LLC, a leading developer of apps for wireless wearable devices used in agriculture, joins 10 other young ag venture companies all focused on finding, developing or marketing innovative products, or providing solutions to a wide variety of agricultural and food production challenges. In addition to the business development training, two participating businesses ranked highest by their peers will each receive a $50,000 investment from Village Capital and Radicle Capital. VilCap USA: Agriculture 2014 is part of the SOURCE Initiative, which is a nationwide partnership between Village Capital, The Hitachi Foundation, and Investors’ Circle. The program receives further support from the Blue Sky Network and VentureWell, as well as a powerful network of Kentucky-based mentors and advisors.

Agribusiness, Apps, Technology

A Year’s Supply of Bacon Up for Grabs in Wisconsin

Jamie Johansen

BRBaconFestOrganizers of the Madison Bacon Festival, a Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival event, recently announced two sizzling contests – the Wisconsin Bacon Royalty Contest and a Bacon Eating Competition. Wisconsin’s bacon-enthusiasts can enter the contests beginning October 13. Applications will be narrowed down to a total of 20 finalists who will each receive FREE tickets to the Madison Bacon Festival taking place on November 1. During the festival, the Wisconsin Bacon King and Queen will be crowned and at 3 p.m. the amateur eaters will compete for the Wisconsin Bacon-Eating Trophy presented by Farmland.

The grand prize package for the Madison Bacon King and Queen include: a crown, sash, two VIP tickets to the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival in Des Moines, IA on Saturday, Jan. 31 and bacon for a year valued at $300 in the form of gift certificates.

The grand prize package for the Wisconsin Bacon Eating Champion includes: a glorious trophy presented by Farmland, two VIP Tickets to the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival in Des Moines, IA on Saturday, Jan. 31 and $500 in Farmland Bacon in the form of gift certificates.

The Madison Bacon Festival is organized and promoted in partnership between the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival and the Madison community, the uniquely quirky celebration will provide participants with Wisconsin’s largest bacon showcase, bacon lectures, bacon-inspired dishes, bacon competitions, an annual bacon queen contest, live entertainment and bacon fellowship.

The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival started as a groups’ passion for “all things bacon” and has evolved into America’s premier bacon festival. In 2001, a group of guys began celebrating bacon during an annual weekend retreat in Spirit Lake, IA. Six years later, they pursued a deeper understanding of their favorite meat by earning “All About Bacon” diplomas from Living History Farms. On March 1st, 2008, officially organized under the Bacon Board and led by Brooks Reynolds, they went on to found a festival: a multi-city festival with the mission of improving the enjoyment of all things bacon by providing education, recognition, advocacy and research on behalf of the masses, everyone, everywhere, all of them. They are serious. Seriously, dudes.

Ag Groups, Food

Enlist™ Weed Control System Approved

Jamie Johansen

enlistThe Enlist™ Weed Control System is now approved for use with registration by the Environmental Protection Agency of Enlist Duo™ herbicide for use with Enlist corn and soybeans.

EPA’s decision is the final step in the federal regulatory process for the Enlist system. The Enlist corn and soybean traits were deregulated by USDA last month. With regulatory approvals now in place for Enlist corn and soybean traits and Enlist Duo herbicide, Dow AgroSciences will release its 2015 market intentions for Enlist in the coming weeks.

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauded news of the approval which will provide farmers with a valuable tool to combat instances of weed resistance. “The battle for approval of all components of this important technology has taken both determination and patience,” said NCGA Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team Chair John Linder, a farmer from Edison, Ohio. “This final step should place a necessary, new tool in the hands of corn and soybean farmers in immediate need of new systems to combat growing weed pressures throughout the Corn and Cotton Belts.”

“The registration of Enlist Duo herbicide means that America’s soybean farmers are a step closer to having access to another integral mode of action with which they can fight yield-robbing weeds,” said American Soybean Association President and Iowa farmer Ray Gaesser. “We now look to our key export partners to approve this trait so that we can realize the full market potential of this product, without fear of jeopardizing our trading relationships with partially approved traits.”

Enlist Duo™ herbicide is a proprietary blend of new 2,4-D choline and glyphosate. By combining two modes of action, Enlist Duo will control and help prevent further development of herbicide-resistant weeds. Enlist Duo herbicide has also been optimized for on-target application utilizing Dow’s proprietary Colex-D™ Technology, which will provide both stewardship and user benefits. Dow has made significant investments in existing and new assets to reliably supply high quality 2.4-D for current market needs, and 2,4-D choline for new Enlist Duo demand.

Agribusiness, Corn, NCGA, Soybean, weed management

Learning About Everglades STAs

Cindy Zimmerman


2014 CTIC Conservation in Action Tour Photo Album

ctic-14-larryThis may just look like a swamp but it’s actually a very sophisticated stormwater treatment area in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) which is one of several designed to remove phosphorus from urban and agricultural runoff. These public works projects are the second point of cleanup for the water, while the farmers are the first point.

The 2014 CTIC Conservation in Action tour spent some time learning about these specially constructed wetlands areas from folks with the South Florida Water Management District on our first stop. Over the past 20 years, phosphorus concentrations in water heading for the Everglades have been reduced from 170 part per billion to less than 20.

Lawrence Gerry, STA coordinator for the SFWMD, who gave an overview of the created wetlands and how it all works together with varying hydrology, vegetation and wildlife. “These are probably the most highly managed treatment wetlands in the world,” said Larry. Watch the video below to learn more and check out the post on Precision.AgWired.com to hear from other SFWMD experts.


Conservation, CTIC, Video, Water

Become an AgCatalyst

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 453What is an AgCatalyst? In this week’s ZimmCast Roger Reierson, AdFarm, is going to tell us.

agcatalyst-14-5AgCatalyst is a two day conference where marketing and communications professionals learn how to solve agribusiness challenges and create opportunities by using digital social communications tools and strategies. Presenters include agribusiness and food industry experts and some completely outside the industry.

Roger says that for AdFarm, AgCatalyst is about engaging clients and interested people in becoming advocates for the advancement of agriculture. This is necessary because of the challenges that the agriculture industry faces in not only feeding a growing population but doing so in the face of increasing mis-information in the general public. He firmly believes that attendees here and employees at AdFarm can be a “catalyst” to help people understand agriculture and its role globally.

Roger also announced a new awards program, the AgCatalyst Award. Attendees at the AgCatalyst events are encouraged to nominate someone and the first recipients will be presented at next year’s conference. The AgCatalyst Award is meant for individuals in rural America who are doing an outstanding job of moving agriculture forward. Several awards will be presented and the recipients will be invited to speak at next year’s event.

Listen in to this week’s program here: Become an AgCatalyst

2014 AgCatalyst Photo Album

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

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Agencies, Audio, ZimmCast

Alison Van Eenennaam Wins CAST Award

Joanna Schroeder

Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam, faculty member and Cooperative Extension Specialist at the University of California-Davis was awarded the 2014 Borlaug CAST Communication Award by the Council for Agriculture Science and Technology (CAST). She received the honor during this year’s World Food Prize taking place in Dr. Alison Van EenennaamDes Moines, Iowa. This year’s award was sponsored by DuPont Pioneer who announced they will also be sponsoring next year’s award.

Recipients of this annual award are science/ag experts who demonstrate an ability to communicate by written material, public presentations and various forms of media. Van Eenennaam is known for her communication skills and praised for her understanding of biotechnology, her enthusiasm for agricultural education, and her abilities to use novel ideas to get important messages to policymakers and the public alike.

Van Eenennaam spoke about “The Livestock Revolution” and other issues of interest to the agriculture community during the award ceremony. She also encourages people to ask the question, “What do the facts say?” She has given more than 250 presentations around the world and made appearances on the Dr. Oz Show, Animal Planet, and NPR. She uses her creative and humor to communicate information about science and agriculture.

With her many talents, Dr. Van Eenennaam represents the true nature of the award inspired by Norman Borlaug. One of her colleagues summed up her impact this way: “Her creativity and personal talent to engage and communicate have enabled her to illustrate the importance of technology to a broad audience including students, non-scientists, livestock producers, government officials, policymakers, regulators, and scientific peers. This is not only rare; it is truly remarkable.”

Following her remarks, Van Eenennaam participated in A Food Dialogues session hosted by U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance that focused on GMOs – a topic of which she is no stranger.

Congrats to Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam!

Agribusiness, World Food Prize

Drive with Caution During Harvest Season

Jamie Johansen

Screen Shot 2014-10-16 at 10.13.48 AMIt’s harvest season in Georgia and more farm equipment will be heading out across the state as farmers transport equipment and produce between fields and processing areas. Because farm equipment is designed to be used primarily in the field and not for typical highway speeds, motorists can be caught off guard when traveling rural roads this time of year.

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the Georgia Department of Agriculture are teaming up for the fourth year to remind motorists and farmers to use caution during harvest time.

“We want drivers who are navigating our rural roads to be mindful of tractors and other farm equipment that may be transporting harvest from field to field,” GOHS Director Harris Blackwood said. “In rural regions around farmland, speed limits are higher, and motorists should be aware that this is the season when field equipment is sharing the asphalt with motor vehicles.”

Motorists are urged to slow down when they approach a slow-moving vehicle. If a vehicle is traveling at 55 mph and comes upon a tractor that’s moving at just 15 mph, it only takes 5 seconds to close a gap the length of a football field between the vehicle and tractor.

“These fatalities are 100 percent avoidable,” said Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black. “Farming is a crucial aspect of Georgia commerce and agriculture. We need to ensure that these farm workers can do their jobs safely to get food on our tables and contribute to a safe and prosperous harvest season in Georgia.”

Farmers should mark any equipment that travels on the road with a slow moving vehicle triangle. The triangle is orange with a red border and is reflective. Unfortunately, fewer than 30 percent of drivers know what this symbol means, but it’s a matter of life and death for motorists and farm equipment operators on rural roads. The symbol is meant to notify motorists that the vehicle travels at speeds of 25 mph or less. It’s a reflector, but also a warning for motorists to slow down.

Ag Groups, Harvest

For Whom the School Bell Tolls

Melissa Sandfort

20141016_081756Families seem to have themes. What I mean by that is some people relish in old barns, and pass that love along to the next generation. Some families are “born into” being a police officer, a fire fighter or a doctor. For my family, I’d say it’s teaching.

As you may or may not know, my Aunt Jeanette taught 3rd grade for 36 years. She could (and should!) write a book about her many experiences in the profession where I’m sure she saw everything under the sun. Another thing you definitely don’t know is that my father, Mr. Farmer himself, got his ag teaching degree from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. I can’t imagine my father teaching and believe he went into the right field (no pun intended) – at least combines and tractors don’t talk back! And my grandmother, often featured in AgWalk, used to substitute teach when my brother and I were in grade school.

I have an old school desk upstairs that came from the one-room school just north of where my grandparents live. The schoolhouse is long gone, but my grandpa restored four desks, complete with pen scratches and ink stains. My grandmother’s parents both taught in that schoolhouse.

And, we have an old bell, its origins unidentified, but as grandpa says, it was used to call farmers from the field and children inside from “recess” if they were home-schooled.

On my way to drop kids off at daycare, I pass this old schoolhouse. Maybe it’s just coincidence or maybe the theme continues. Just don’t expect me to go into teaching anytime soon. I’d rather just write about old schoolhouses.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Has RFS Uncertainty Hurt Your Community?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Are you ready for MyFarmRadio on your mobile device?”

Don’t worry if you are part of the majority and have never heard of MyFarmRadio. We won’t accuse you of living under a rock just yet, because it is still very new. On November 3rd the new platform MyFarmRadio will launch. The 24/7 digital mobile radio channel will focus on a mix of best-in-class news, weather and markets along with entertaining and informative conversation for America’s farmers and ranchers. The app will allow listeners to pick and choose what they want to hear – and when they want to hear it.

Here are the poll results:

  • Yes, plan to get the app – 22%
  • Yes, want to know more – 17%
  • No, only listen on my radio – 6%
  • No, get my farm news other ways – 22%
  • What’s MyFarmRadio? – 33%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, Has the uncertainty for the RFS caused by the EPA hurt your community?

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has been facing more than a year of uncertainty as the biofuels industry waits for the final 2014 rule that will determine the final renewable fuel volumes. Renewable fuel categories include ethanol, biodiesel, cellulosic and advanced biofuels. What impact has this had on your community?

ZimmPoll