RFA Ethanol Podcast

GROWMARK Names New CEO

Cindy Zimmerman

GROWMARK, Inc. has named Jim Spradlin of Morton, Illinois as new chief executive officer effective September 16, 2014, replacing Jeff Solberg who will retire in September.

“Jim has the skills, knowledge, experience, and support to successfully lead GROWMARK into the future,” said GROWMARK Chairman of the Board and President, John Reifsteck. “The Board has great confidence in him and his ability to lead the multitude of talented employees throughout the GROWMARK System.”

growmark-spraudlinSpradlin has held various positions within the GROWMARK System of cooperatives, including controller of Schuyler-Brown FS, regional administrative director, general manager of Piatt Service Company, general manager of Ag-Land FS, and region manager (Central Ill.), energy division manager, agronomy division manager, and vice president of agronomy for GROWMARK.

“GROWMARK and its FS member companies have a long-standing reputation as a progressive and reliable supplier of quality products and services, for being easy to do business with, and for its highly-trained employees who operate with integrity. It is truly an honor to have the support of the GROWMARK Board of Directors as we work together to guide the GROWMARK System,” Spradlin said.

GROWMARK is a regional cooperative providing agriculture-related products and services, as well as grain marketing in 31 states and Ontario, Canada.

Agribusiness, Cooperatives, GROWMARK

NCGA Joins USB, Taking Action on Weeds

Jamie Johansen

NCGA-Logo-3The National Corn Growers Association has added a new “Take Action on Weeds” section to its website as a resource of farmers combating herbicide resistance issues. This resource, developed by the United Soybean Board through its Take Action program, offers a wide array of information developed over several years to help farmers combat weed resistance through best management practices.

“The increased exposure of this program comes at a fortuitous time as many herbicide resistant cropping systems are currently under consideration by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,” said NCGA Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team Chair Jim Zimmerman. “This program demonstrates the proactive measures our industry is taking to monitor itself and constantly push for the adoption of ever-evolving best management practices. As farmers, we understand the importance of cooperation and proactive adoption of practices that benefit the industry and the environment. We do not see a need for expensive government regulation in light of our efforts.”

The “Take Action on Weeds” center includes a variety of resources developed to help farmers increase their understanding of current best management practices. With information on herbicide classifications, integrated pest management-plant protection programs and a weed scouting guide, the interactive resource offers a wide and rich array of information and tools.

NCGA, along with several other commodity organizations, joined with USB to help promote this important program. It enjoys broad support across the agricultural community and serves as an example of an effective collaboration between a cross-commodity partnership and agricultural input companies.

Ag Groups, Corn, NCGA, Soybean, USB, weed management

Ag Leader Technology Meets Dirt in Illinois

Leah Guffey

_DSC0016 Ag Leader Technology is out in the fields this summer bringing the latest precision technology to Illinois farms in the Technology Meets Dirt Road Tour. There have been two events so far but there are still three more scheduled in the next couple of weeks where you can learn how the latest technology can help you manage seed, fertilizer, water and data.

I had the chance to attend Wednesday’s event outside of Peoria and was impressed with the discussions, programs and field demos. The Ag Leader specialists put a lot of emphasis on answering farmers’ questions and getting them involved, not just talking at them.

Michael Vos, dealer development manager for Ag Leader Technology, encourages growers to come out and get their hands on the equipment during the field demonstrations after they hear some about it from the experts. “The Technology Meets Dirt Road Tour is all about educating and demonstrating,” Michael says. “We’re taking the tile plow, the OptRx sensors on Hagi sprayers, the Seed Command products with Hydraulic Down Force clutches out into the field and demonstrating them.” Interview with Michael Vos, AgLeader Technology

_DSC0080All that and, did I mention they even had Uncle Bob’s ice cream for us as a treat? That was certainly a highlight for me and very much appreciated during the beautiful but hot day!

Find out more about the tour at TechMeetsDirt.com – the upcoming dates are listed below. If it’s not your part of the country, or if you can’t make it, don’t worry. I’ll have posts about what I learned coming up here and on our sister site Precision.AgWired.com.

June 27th – Route 24 East, Mt. Sterling Illinois 62353
July 8th – 10-98 Industrial Park Rd Benton, IL 62812
July 10th – 1368 County Rd 11 Thomasboro, IL 61878

AgLeader Technology Where Technology Meets Dirt photo album

Ag Leader, Audio, Farming, Precision Agriculture

Lotz Wins World Livestock Auctioneer Championship

Jamie Johansen

Screen Shot 2014-06-26 at 12.24.58 PMBlaine Lotz of Edna, Kan. proved his world-class talent as a livestock auctioneer at the 51st anniversary of the Livestock Marketing Association’s (LMA) World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) in Knoxville, Iowa, on Saturday, June 21.

As a third-generation auctioneer, the world champion was quite familiar with the livestock marketing industry. When he was 15, Lotz attended auctioneering school at Western College of Auctioneering in Billings, Montana and later received his first full-time job as a livestock auctioneer at the age of 17.

Lotz was sponsored by South Coffeyville Stockyards, Inc., South Coffeyville, Okla.; Fredonia Livestock Auction, Fredonia, Kan.; and Tulsa Stockyards, Inc., Tulsa, Okla.

This year’s champion takes home a customized 2014 Ford F-150 pickup to use during the year of his reign; $5,000 cash; a championship sculpture; world champion Gist belt buckle and a hand-tooled leather briefcase from LMA; world champion ring sponsored by Knoxville Regional Livestock Market; the Golden Gavel Award sponsored by the World Wide College of Auctioneering; and a James Reid, Ltd. money clip sponsored by CattleUSA.com.

Also, making a great showing were the Reserve Champion, Preston Smith, Dodge City, Kan., and Runner-up Champion, Brennin Jack, Prince Albert, Sask. Smith was sponsored by Winter Livestock, Inc., Dodge City, Kan., and Pratt Livestock, Pratt, Kan. As reserve champion, Smith received $2,000 cash, a Gist knife and reserve champion Gist belt buckle from LMA.

The 2014 Audrey K. Banks “Rookie of the Year” Award winner was Justin Gattey, Consort, Alberta, who was sponsored by Vold, Jones & Auction Co., Ltd., Ponoka, Alberta; Blair Vold, Ralph Vold, and Nansen Vold; and Viking Auction Market. Gattey was awarded $500 cash by LMA, in recognition of an impressive display of talent at his first WLAC competition.

When not on the auction block at the livestock markets he regularly sells at, Lotz will spend his year traveling the country sharing his auctioneering skills with other livestock auction markets, and acting as a spokesperson for the industry. Therefore, each semi-finalist had an opportunity to establish their knowledge of the livestock marketing business, and their ability to express that knowledge with clarity, in a judged interview session on Friday of the championship.

The auctioneering phase of the contest is conducted during an actual sale, with live bidders in the seats. Contestants were judged on the clarity of their auction chant; vocal quality; their ability to catch bids and conduct the sale; and finally, would the judge hire this auctioneer for their own livestock market?

A special one-hour highlight show will be aired on RFD-TV June 30 at 8:00 p.m. EST.

Ag Groups, Beef, Livestock, LMA

ASTA Committee on Innovations and Policy

Cindy Zimmerman

asta-14-innovation-chairsThe American Seed Trade Association has had a Biotechnology Committee for two decades, but as it is now the Innovations and Policy Committee. Pictured here from the ASTA annual meeting are immediate past committee chair Keith Newhouse with Winfield Solutions and current chair Mark Krieger of Dow AgroSciences who presided at the first meeting of the committee under the new name.

Newhouse says they feel that innovations is a better word for the committee than biotechnology. “It’s more representative of the range of new technologies that are being used to develop new and better plants for agriculture and the food industry,” he said. Interview with Keith Newhouse, Winfield Solutions

Krieger says the direction of the committee is to broaden the conversation on innovation in the seed industry. “To make sure that we’re looking at biotechnology as just one slice of innovation in plant breeding .. so we’re advocating for policy solutions that impact all of the tools, techniques and sectors of the industry,” he said, adding that the opportunities right now are huge. Interview with Mark Krieger, Dow AgroSciences

ASTA Annual Meeting Photo Album

ASTA, Audio, Biotech, Seed, Technology

Where Are You in #Hay14?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How important are biobased products for agriculture?”

An overwhelming majority of those polled believe biobased products serve a purpose in the agriculture community. At the USB Biobased Stakeholders Dialogue in Washington D.C., USDA officials shared what they are doing to expand biobased opportunities. Listen to those interviews here.

Our poll results:

  • Very – need new markets – 71%
  • Somewhat helpful – 7%
  • Waste of resources – 7%
  • What are bio-based products? – 7%
  • Other – 7%

    • Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Where are you in #hay14?”

    The hay making process is a necessity for all raising livestock across the country. Many got an early start this year, yet others have had delay after delay because of Mother Nature. I was raised to never complain when it’s raining and after droughts the last couple of years I have learned to take all we can get. However, getting hay up on time and between spring showers has been hard for many farmers and ranchers. Have you finished your first cuttings or are you still in the heat of it? Join the hay making conversation on New Holland’s Facebook page and learn about their Roll-Belt app here.

    ZimmPoll

    Rainy Days and Mondays…

    Melissa Sandfort

    This week Aunt Jeanette writes:

    Some people don’t like rain – or Mondays for that matter. I am assuming since most of you that read this are in some way associated with agriculture, you are not one of those people. There are many songs written about rain, however, this song title fit today perfectly – except the part in the song that says, “always get me down”.

    Dan and I started our morning walk in cool, calm weather conditions. It was cloudy but nothing that looked threatening. We went out the driveway and started walking south, admiring the growing corn along the way, and just enjoying the walk with no wind blowing. We noticed a few sprinkles, but kept walking. When we turned to make the return trip home, we heard raindrops hitting the corn in the field, and we could see the hazy sign of rain coming our way. Well, what do you do? Walk faster? No. Hope someone comes along and picks you up? Again – no. We enjoyed every minute of walking that last half mile, holding hands in the rain.

    Someone did come along, however. Our neighbor, Doug, was on his way to work and stopped to say hello. Did he offer us a ride? No, because he understands. A farmer and his wife walking in a gentle rain is one of life’s wonderful, simple pleasures. I bet he secretly wished he had been walking with us!

    And, just for the record, I like Mondays … and rain!

    Until we walk again …

    Uncategorized

    Trade Priorities for Soybean and Chicken Producers

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The Senate Committee on Finance held a hearing Wednesday on “Trade Enforcement: Using Trade Rules to Level the Playing Field for U.S. Companies and Workers” addressing concerns that as new trade agreements are being considered those that are already in place are not being adequately enforced.

    “Without strong enforcement, no trade deal – old or new – is able to live up to its potential for jobs and economic growth,” said Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR). “And foreign companies that get unfair backing from their own governments will continue undercutting our manufacturers, farmers and ranchers.”

    hearing-asaAmerican Soybean Association (ASA) Treasurer Richard Wilkins, a farmer from Delaware, testified before the committee about the importance of biotechnology to soybean farmers as the U.S. pursues trade agreements abroad.

    “Other countries have adopted systems for approving biotech traits, but these decisions are subject to differing regulations or are overtly political, which can result in lengthy delays between approvals in importing and exporting countries,” he testified. “This is a concern because, until an importer approves a new trait, even a trace amount of that trait detected in a cargo can result in its rejection and major losses for the shipper.”Richard Wilkins, American Soybean Association, senate testimony

    hearing-broschInternational trade lawyer Kevin Brosch testified before the committee on behalf of the National Chicken Council, praising the Obama administration for successfully litigating a Chinese antidumping case for the poultry industry before the World Trade Organization (WTO). But he noted there are other cases not yet resolved, including one against Mexico was instituted nearly two years ago. “The NAFTA dispute settlement system depends upon the governments agreeing to formation of a panel,” he said. “At present, we still do not have a panel to hear the case. We believe there is a significant problem here of enforcement that needs to be addressed.”

    Kevin Brosch, National Chicken Council, senate testimony
    ASA, Audio, Poultry, Soybean, Trade

    BASF Nealta® Fights Mites

    Cindy Zimmerman

    basf-14-nealtaBASF Nealta® miticide just received unconditional registration from the EPA last month so it was in the spotlight during the company’s recent media event.

    “We’re really excited to bring Nealta to the marketplace this year,” says product manager Doug Haller. “Currently we have 32 state registrations and we’re getting more and more each day.”

    The miticide is labeled for use on treenuts (including almonds and pistachios), grape, strawberry, apple and pear crops, delivering residual control of mites at all life stages, and is beneficial friendly. “So it won’t hurt the beneficial, predatory mites and it will remove the ones you want to take out,” said Haller, who adds that the registration right now is especially important for growers in California who have been facing a lot of pressure from mites over the last couple of years.

    Interview with Doug Haller, BASF

    2014 BASF Ag Media Summit Photo Album

    Audio, BASF, Crop Protection

    Soil Renaissance Strategic Plan for Soil Health

    Jamie Johansen

    Screen Shot 2014-06-25 at 3.37.18 PMGoals and strategies for advancing soil health were announced with the release of the Soil Renaissance Strategic Plan during the World Congress of Conservation Agriculture in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

    “This Strategic Plan is a starting point that will evolve and expand as work is completed, new challenges are identified and more individuals and groups join the Soil Renaissance,” said Neil Conklin, President of Farm Foundation, NFP. Farm Foundation and the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation are leading the Soil Renaissance but collaboration among diverse stakeholders will be key to its success.

    “For the Soil Renaissance to meet its full potential, it will require multiple individuals and organizations,” says Noble Foundation President and CEO Bill Buckner. “Many groups already are working in specific areas of soil health. The Soil Renaissance is a central hub through which people can learn what’s now being done, gaps to be filled and ways they can help.”

    The first task of the Soil Renaissance team was to agree on a definition of soil health. After lengthy discussion, the team adopted the definition used by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): The continued capacity of the soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals and humans.

    The Strategic Planning Team has identified goals in each of the four key work areas:
    – Measurement: To incorporate soil health measures into standardized soil testing that is readily available, affordable and commercial viable.
    – Economics: To quantify the effects of soil health on economic risks and returns.
    – Education: To reawaken the public to the importance of soil health.
    – Research: To convene the research community to advance soil health.

    Agribusiness, Soil