Husker Harvest Days to Help Families with Food

Joanna Schroeder

Husker Harvest Days is taking place this week from Tuesday, September 9, 2014 through Thursday, September 11, 2014 in Grand Island, Nebraska. During this year’s show, the attendees will have the opportunity to fight hunger in Nebraska with the America’s Farmers Food Drive. Organizers of the food drive will be accepting nonperishable food donations and will be donated to local hunger organizations. The food drive is sponsored by Monsanto in conjunction with Farm Progress and will benefit Heartland United Way.

Husker Harvest Day logo“In order for children and families to thrive and do their best every day, they need reliable and nutritious food,” said Karen Rathke, president of Heartland United Way in Grand Island. “There are 9,270 people in our four-county area that are completely food-insecure, uncertain where their next meal is coming from — and almost half of those individuals are children. That’s why our food pantries, shelters, backpack programs and places that serve community meals need food to support individuals and families.”

FFA chapters and 4-H clubs have special incentives to participate in the food drive. Members from these two organizations will receive free admission with a donation of five nonperishable food items per student. The top three FFA chapters and top three 4-H clubs that bring in donations of more than 100 pounds of food will each be awarded $250 from Monsanto. Donations will be accepted at the main bus entrance and Main Street flag entrance of the show.

“Although America’s farmers work day in and day out to feed the growing population, there are still nearly a billion people who go to bed hungry each night,” added Howard G. Buffett, HGBF president. “The America’s Farmers Food Drive is an opportunity for farmers, community members and ag youth to help feed their families, friends and neighbors.”

Statistics show 15.5 percent of rural homes are in need of nutritional assistance. For every pound of food collected, Monsanto will donate $1 (up to $10,000) to the Heartland United Way. The Howard G. Buffett Foundation is also committed to matching that donation with $1 (up to $10,000) to the non-profit Feeding America.

Agribusiness, Events

Growth of Biologics Industry

Cindy Zimmerman

bpiaThe market for biopesticides and other biologics in crop protection is growing fast and the industry is making significant investments in more research and development for these types of products.

“We’re growing globally about 15-16% per year, here in the U.S. about 14% per year,” says Biopesticide Industry Alliance executive director Bill Stoneman. “Starting from a small base, we’re about doubling every five years – that’s significant growth.”

bayer-biologics-stonemanStoneman says they estimate biologics account for about six percent of crop protection right now and “we believe by 2020 we’ll be somewhere around 12 percent.”

“People are looking for integrated solutions for pests, whether for crops or industrial applications, that are environmentally safe and cost effective,” he added.

At the grand opening of the Bayer CropScience new biologics facility in West Sacramento last week, Stoneman said it was the third major facility opening this year. “I went to a grand opening for Valent Biosciences in Osage, Iowa, a $140 million biological control production facility,” said Stoneman. He also attended the opening of Marrone’s $60 million facility in Bangor, Michigan. “So there’s capitol investment being made in our industry,” he said. “Now we’re really building the facilities to deliver the products to the growers.”
Interview with Bill Stoneman, Biopesticide Industry Alliance


Bayer CropScience Biologics Center Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Crop Protection

IFAJ Congress Concludes

Chuck Zimmerman

Dumb and DumberHello from Aberdeen, Scotland again. The 2014 IFAJ Congress has concluded but not my coverage of it. I have a lot of photos left to upload and video clips, etc. We’ve been constantly on the go for days with almost no personal time with good wifi to get any work done so I think I will just wait until I get back to ZimmComm World Headquarters to get back on it.

In the photo you can see what happens by the end of an IFAJ Congress. I’ve titled this photo, “Dumb and Dumber.” It happens after being immersed in a new culture and having a brain on overload trying to absorb all the facts and figures about agribusiness and farming for the new country we’re visiting.

Over the next couple weeks I’ll share stories with photos about our Scottish experience. I hope you’ll find it interesting.

2014 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

IFAJ

Bayer Synergy Between Biologics and Vegetables

Cindy Zimmerman

The new Bayer CropScience $80 million dollar integrated research and development facility is a great marriage between the company’s biologics and vegetable seeds businesses.

bayer-biologics-millieThe courtship started when Bayer acquired AgraQuest in 2012 and Mike Millie was part of that acquisition. “Started with AgraQuest back in 2004,” said Millie. When Bayer came in, “at that point we were already out of space at our (UC) Davis facility,” he said. “We recognized right away that we wanted to find a location that would work for both the biologics team as well as vegetable seeds.”

He was pleased they were able to get the new facility done so quickly to get the scientists moved in and “still have room for growth.” Interview with Mike Millie, Bayer CropScience biologics

bayer-biologics-murenVegetable seeds site manager for Bayer Roger Muren says they moved to California from Oregon five years ago. “The reason we came here was to be close to UC Davis,” he said. “We work very closely with them to bring technologies into our programs for varietal development.”

Muren says the commitment by Bayer to this new facility demonstrates its support of specialty crop market. “When you have a worldwide company, it’s hard to make it tangible sometimes,” said Muren. He adds that sharing the facility with the biologics allows the vegetable seeds group to share ideas and technology providing synergy between the two businesses and helping them work toward mutual goals of crop protection. “We’re really thrilled to be here.” Interview with Roger Muren, Bayer CropScience vegetable seeds


Bayer CropScience Biologics Center Photo Album

Audio, Bayer, Crop Protection, Seed, Vegetables

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

Zimfo Bytes

Great Big Idaho® Potato Truck Does ALS Challenge

Cindy Zimmerman

tater-alsShowing its support for one of the most popular fundraisers ever, the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) Great Big Idaho® Potato Truck has nominated the Florida Department of Citrus, Washington Apples, and Georgia Peaches to accept the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. The energetic Tater Team that travels with the Great Big Idaho® Potato Truck initiated the challenge on Facebook with a video of them drenching the Truck.

“When an Idaho® potato fan suggested the Truck take the challenge, there was no way we could resist,” said Frank Muir, President and CEO, IPC. “I want to thank the Florida Department of Citrus, Washington Apples, and Georgia Peaches for participating and inviting other commodity boards to be part of this great cause.”


Potato, Video

Do You Care About Farming in Other Countries?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How do you think commodity prices are impacting farm equipment sales?”

Looks like the majority of us believe that since prices are down, sales will also be down. And the other majority polled don’t see this changing in the near future.

Here are the poll results:

  • Prices down, sales down – 38%
  • Temporary slump – 8%
  • Good crops, sales ok – 10%
  • Downward trend will continure – 35%
  • No idea – 9%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, How important is it to know about farming in other countries?

Chuck is quite the world traveler these days. No, he isn’t on vacation. He is actually working…we think. Over the year’s the ZimmComm duo has brought you stories about farming from many various countries from around the world. That leads us to wondering how important you think it is to know how farming differs in other countries. Can you learn from them? Should we be sharing more of our knowledge?

ZimmPoll

Deadline Extended for CTIC Everglades Tour

Cindy Zimmerman

ctic-fl-tourThe Conservation Technology Information Center has extended the early-bird registration deadline for the upcoming Everglades Conservation in Action Tour with discounts available now until September 12.

The tour will take place October 14-15 and provide an in-depth look at the unique story of the approximately 700,000-acre Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), which is located south of Lake Okeechobee in Florida. Lettuce, sugar cane and owls will be just a few of the crops and creatures to be seen on the tour which will feature EAA’s conservation practices, erosion control and nutrient management.

Richard Budell, director of the Office of Agricultural Water Policy for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, will be the featured lunch speaker. He oversees state programs that promote agricultural best management practices addressing water quality and conservation.

Early registration is just $75 for CTIC members and $100 for non-members, $25 for producers, media, federal/state employees and students. Hope you will join us!

Find out more here.

Conservation, CTIC, Events

IFAJ Congress in Full Swing

Chuck Zimmerman

Scottish Sale BarnThe 2014 IFAJ Congress is in full swing today. Our group is spending most of the day at the Thainstone Exchange facility where livestock auctions are also taking place. We’re listening to presentations in one area and can wander around and get some poop on our boots if we want! Can you say happy farm journalists?

This afternoon we’ll move to a farm for some fun and fellowship before we head out early in the morning on one of several simultaneous farm tours. I’ll be on the beef tour and doubt we’ll have the kind of excellent internet access we’ve had here today. So, keep an eye on my photo album as it grows and I’ll have more to share later.

2014 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

IFAJ

NAFB Purchases Office Building

Chuck Zimmerman

NAFB LogoIn case you missed it, the National Association of Farm Broadcasting has purchased the office building where it is located. This was announced in President Janet Adkinson’s eChats President’s Report. Here’s an excerpt.

NAFB Executive Director Tom Brand put it this way, “Just like finding the perfect piece of farm land, the opportunity to purchase a building in a growing area, only comes around once.”

The facility includes five other business tenants who are in multi-year rental contracts. When discussing the idea with the bank and our NAFB investment professional, they agreed the move is a way to expand the organization’s portfolio.
“The purchase of the office building allows the association to diversify our investments, provides an additional income stream and helps the association continue to be financially sound.”

I actually missed the announcement myself until it was brought to my attention by a past president who has some concerns about the decision. What do you think?

Media, NAFB