USDA Seeks Input on New Beef Checkoff

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA_logoThe USDA Agricultural Marketing Service is seeking input on the development of a new industry-funded promotion, research and information order for beef.

The new order would be in addition to the existing beef checkoff program, providing American beef producers with more resources for the marketing of their products and research to help strengthen the country’s beef industry. “Beef industry representatives agree that this important program needs more resources. USDA is stepping up at a critical juncture to help achieve the industry’s goal,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “With this action we can boost research investments, increase beef exports, and encourage folks here at home to support American beef producers.”

Beef industry leaders agree that the current fee of $1 per-head-of-cattle per producer is too little. The $1 assessment has remained the same since 1985 when Congress first created the beef checkoff program, and the amount can only be changed through Congressional action. This assessment provides resources for marketing to promote beef sales, research, and many other benefits for producers. An additional supplemental program like the one USDA is proposing would enhance available resources, which would help the beef industry address important issues including improving and enhancing nutritional and consumer information through initiatives such as consumer advertising, education, research and new-product development.

Comments on how a new beef checkoff would be structure are being accepted until December 10, 2014. Find out more information on what USDA is seeking input on and how to submit comments here.

Beef, Beef Checkoff, USDA

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

  • National Farmers Union (NFU) announced the opening of registration for the 2015 NFU Women’s Conference, a conference for farm and rural women.
  • One of the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) MVPs, Heather Cox, is back with a new lineup of weekly videos and contests that are scoring big points with college football and Idaho® potato fans across the country.
  • Filament Marketing, LLC is seeking an enthusiastic, passionate candidate with hands-on beef cattle experience for a marketing coordinator position.
  • Merck Animal Health announced the Food and Drug Administration approved of a second feeding method for the beta agonist Zilmax and has made significant progress on its Five-Step Plan to Ensuring Responsible Beef.
Zimfo Bytes

Listening Sessions Planned on Pollinator Strategy

Cindy Zimmerman

honeybee100429The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and USDA are hosting two public listening sessions this month for stakeholders to provide input to assist the Pollinator Health Task Force in development of a federal strategy to protect honey bees and other pollinators.

The Task Force is asking for input on the types of activities that could be part of the strategy, including public private partnerships, research, educational opportunities, pollinator habitat improvements and pesticide risk mitigation.

On June 20, 2014, President Obama issued a directive to federal agencies to create a federal strategy to promote honey bee and other pollinator health. The President’s directive created a Pollinator Health Task Force, co-chaired by EPA and USDA, and charged federal agencies with expanding efforts to take new steps to reverse pollinator losses and help restore populations to healthy levels.

The listening sessions will be held on Wednesday, November 12, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in Arlington, Virginia and Monday, November 17, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in Riverdale, Maryland. For those not able to attend the sessions, there is a webinar available. Additional information is available here.

Bees, Farming, USDA

ADAMA Wins Agrow Award

Cindy Zimmerman

adamaADAMA Agricultural Solutions Ltd. (formerly Makhteshim Agan Industries) was recognized this week for its global brand launch, winning the international Agrow Award for Best Marketing Campaign.

Earlier this year, the crop protection company launched the new name and uniform global brand for all of products, including MANA. Adama, which is the Hebrew word for “earth”, was chosen to signify the company’s commitment to agriculture, farmers and the land.

agrow-awardsThe Agrow awards, presented by Agrow World Crop Protection News, a leading global source for news and business intelligence about crop protection, provide the industry with the opportunity to showcase its new and innovative solutions. The awards feature 12 categories, plus a lifetime achievement award, with entries being judged by an independent panel of industry experts.

Crop Protection, Marketing

Farm Foundation to Talk Rural Transportation Issues

John Davis

farmfoundationlogo3News of too few rail cars to move this year’s grain harvest from farming areas to consumers has grabbed the headlines most recently, but agriculture and rural America are facing several other transportation issues this year. Farm Foundation will look to address some key issues, including the nation’s aging transportation infrastructure–roads, bridges and waterways, during its next free forum, Wednesday, Nov. 19 from 9 to 11 a.m. EST at the National Press Club, 529 14th St., NW, Washington, D.C. with a live audiocast being made available for those unable to attend in person.

The Forum will begin with presentations by four industry leaders:

Eric Jessup, Vice President, Transportation, Industrials & Energy Services, Informa Economics;
John H. Miller, Group Vice President, Agricultural Products, BNSF Railroad;
Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director, Soy Transportation Coalition; and
Jon Samson, Executive Director of the American Trucking Associations’ Agriculture and Food Transporters Conference.

Moderating the session will be grain farmer Mark Scholl of J&M Scholl, Inc. Mr. Scholl and Mr. Miller are both Trustees of Farm Foundation.

More information and sign-up is available here.

Farm Foundation, transportation

John Deere Reaches Out to Developers

Chuck Zimmerman

Pat Pinkston John DeereThis morning John Deere kicked off what’s becoming an annual conference for developers. The 2014 Develop with Deere conference brings together dealers, independent agricultural software application developers and John Deere staff primarily from their Intelligent Solutions Group.

Kicking things off was a keynote presentation by Pat Pinkston, Vice President, Technology and Information Solutions, Agriculture and Turf Division. Pat talked about the challenges and opportunities of new technology in the precision area. Challenges include the difficulty to prove returns, complex mgt. of data & operations and that it may challenge intuition/experience. He says precision ag needs a consistent and accurate flow of data, expert decision making and the ability to execute and monitor.

To learn more about what John Deere is doing in today’s precision ag arena listen in to Pat’s remarks or watch my interview with him afterward via my ZimmGlass.

Listen to Pat here: Pat Pinkston Remarks


Develop with Deere Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, John Deere, Precision Agriculture, Video

USFRA to Participate in NY Times Event

Cindy Zimmerman

USFRAThe U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance® (USFRA®) is bringing the voices of farmers and ranchers to the New York Times “Food for Tomorrow” conference next week.

USFRA will host a breakfast and panel discussion entitled “Big Ag, Big Food: How Being Good for the Environment Is Not about Size” at 8:30 a.m. EST on Wednesday, November 12 at the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Pocantico Hills, NY.

“USFRA is excited to have the opportunity to add the perspectives of farmers and ranchers on our panels to this important gathering of food minds,” said Randy Krotz, chief executive officer of USFRA. “During the discussion, panelists will have the opportunity to share their point of view on the role sustainability plays in today’s production practices.” The panel will include Illinois hog producer Julie Maschhoff, California farmer Bruce Rominger, and Nebraska cattle feeder Joan Ruskamp.

The first annual New York Times Food for Tomorrow conference will explore two of the most important food challenges facing the world in the 21st century: how to feed a growing population of the world’s poor and how to reverse poor eating habits in the developed world.

Farming, Food, USFRA

What’s Your Opinion on Election Results?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Where are the best future jobs in ag?”

The 87th National FFA Convention is a wrap, but FFA members will continue to be leaders in agriculture and will soon be filling these careers in agriculture. Biosciences looks to take the lead when it comes to future jobs, but the ag community just isn’t complete without a balance of all.

Here are the poll results:

  • Communications – 11%
  • Research – 8%
  • Engineering – 10%
  • Bioscience – 26%
  • Technology – 16%
  • Farming – 0%
  • Livestock genetics – 0%
  • All of the above – 24%
  • Other – 5%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, How do you feel about election results?

Election results are in. Some states tackled issues with big impacts on agriculture and others selected new leadership that could bring big change. We want to know how you feel about our resent election results.

ZimmPoll

Film Introduces FFA to Custom Harvesting

Cindy Zimmerman

ffa-14-weaverMembers of the National FFA Organization had a chance to learn more about the “Great American Wheat Harvest” and even get to see the documentary film or buy the DVD.

The film was showing all week last week at the Kentucky Science Center for FFA members, according to producer/director Conrad Weaver, who talked to students about it and answered their questions. “A lot of kids who grew up on farms, maybe not in the Midwest, don’t understand that there are people who travel from Texas to Montana harvesting wheat,” said Weaver, who added that there are job opportunities available there. “We have harvesters now who are begging for young people to run combines, run tractors, drive trucks and they’re having a hard time finding Americans to do that.”

Listen to Jamie’s interview with Conrad here: Interview with Conrad Weaver, Great American Wheat Harvest

87th National FFA Convention Photos

Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored by FMC
Audio, FFA, Harvest, New Holland, Wheat

“Oh, The Places You’ve Been, And The Places You’ll Go!”

Melissa Sandfort

FFAToday Aunt Jeanette writes:

Future Farmers of America, Fantastic Future of America, Finest Folks Around, Fabulous Fun-loving All-Around Students – whatever you would like the acronym to stand for, the bottom line is that this group of Future Farmers of America is a reason to celebrate!

Sandy Creek is a small Class C-2 school located in south central Nebraska. Students from five communities attend this “school on the hill,” which was built in a rural setting. But don’t judge a school by its location. These students recently competed at the National FFA Convention held in Louisville, Ky. Not only did they compete, they earned the bragging rights of placing 12th in the nation in Ag Communications, 10th in the nation in Ag Sales, and an individual animal science project placed 12th in the nation! I don’t know about you, but I am impressed!

A good friend of mine accompanied the students on this trip and provided some additional information, which I found interesting. When these students compete at the state and national levels, they are competing against ALL classes of schools – most of which are much, much larger than our school. Some even have five or six ag teachers specializing in certain areas. Sandy Creek has one instructor plus the support and help of parents. That’s it. I am impressed all over again!

Not only are these students understanding the important role of agriculture in their lives, they are learning to be accountable, responsible, professional, comfortable speaking in front of crowds, and they are developing a good work ethic. Now, if you would meet these kids on the street, they would appear to be your normal, average teenagers. After all, they are our neighbors, family friends, members of the same 4-H club, fellow church-goers, and some are my former third grade students. They participate in athletics, music, and numerous other school activities in addition to FFA.

Yes, they appear average, but I think they are awesome!

(Thank you to Rita Shuck for the inside information and pictures.)

Until we walk again …

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