Extended Tech Support Hours

Melissa Sandfort

Insights Weekly Whether it’s good (hopefully!), bad or “help me before I throw this thing out into the field and run over it”, Ag Leader’s customer support staff wants to hear from you. And during busy seasons such as planting and harvest, customer support specialists are on hand extended hours to be sure that across all time zones, day or night, if you have a question in the field you can get an answer over the phone.

They may be called the silent heroes of the day, but Jordan Dittmer, Ag Leader Machine Guidance Support Supervisor, says, “We’re here to help. If you have something going on and you don’t tell us, we can’t help you. We want to hear from you.”

Listen to Dittmer explain

So think of these silent heroes as your next door neighbor, even though they may be thousands of miles away. In fact, most of the support staff are farmers just like you!

Listen to Dittmer explain

You can find Ag Leader’s 2014 Tech Support Extended Hours schedule here.

On behalf of Ag Leader’s support team, we wish you a safe, successful 2013 planting season!

Become a fan of Ag Leader on Facebook today, and get the latest precision ag videos on the YouTube channel. For more information about Ag Leader products and services, or to visit the blog site, go to www.agleader.com.

Ag Leader, Agribusiness

First ResponsibleAg Board of Directors Selected

Jamie Johansen

responsibleagThe Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) and The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) today announced the selection of individuals to serve on the newly formed ResponsibleAg Board of Directors.

The nine representatives include:
– Alicia Duke, Director, Health and Safety, Simplot
– Justin Gough, Director, Agricultural Products, LSB/El Dorado Chemical Company
– Dave Ito, Manager, Human Resources & Regulatory Affairs, Lyman/Tremont Group
– Pete Mutschler, Environmental and Safety Director, CHS Inc.
– Tim McArdle, Executive Vice President & COO, Brandt Consolidated, Inc.
– Rosemary O’Brien, Vice President, Public Affairs, CF Industries, Inc.
– Billy Pirkle, Sr. Director, Environmental, Health & Safety, Crop Production Services
– Scott Rawlins, Director, Regulatory & Governmental Affairs, Wilbur-Ellis Company
– Rod Wells, Manager, Plant Food Division, GROWMARK, Inc.

ResponsibleAg is an independent, not-for-profit organization designed to support fertilizer retailers’ compliance with federal safety and security regulations. Under ResponsibleAg, retail fertilizer dealerships will have access to comprehensive inspections based on federal regulatory requirements. The inspections will be carried out by trained auditors who will have successfully completed an intensive training course based on the objectives of ResponsibleAg.

“We are pleased to have named the representatives who will lead this groundbreaking safety and security initiative forward,” said TFI President Chris Jahn. “I am confident the Board’s broad spectrum of knowledge and experience will contribute to the success of ResponsibleAg.”

“Engaging these key industry leaders is a critical step as ResponsibleAg continues to develop and evolve,” said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. “We are privileged to have volunteers committed to making this initiative a success.”

The Board of Directors will hold its first meeting on May 5 at the offices of Asmark, Inc., in Owensboro, Ky. During its first meeting, the board will adopt ResponsibleAg bylaws, create an annual operating budget, elect officers and begin the selection process for a business manager to oversee day-to-day operations of ResponsibleAg. After the board meeting, the new directors will tour the auditor training facility site, which is also located in Owensboro.

Agribusiness, Fertilizer

Where Does Your Marketing Budget Go?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Do you think farm movies can help the public image of agriculture?”

It looks like the majority polled believe these farm movies can play a positive role in improving the agricultural industries image. Getting people to theaters to watch them might be tricky, but the old fashioned word-of-mouth advertising could be the ticket. I, personally, am eager to watch them and share with friends and family.

Our poll results:

  • Definitely – 38%
  • Maybe – 27%
  • No – 11%
  • Not sure – 4%
  • Can’t hurt – 15%
  • Other – 5%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What’s the largest percentage of your 2014 marketing budget?”

Next week is the annual Agri-Marketing Conference in Jacksonville, FL. Agribusiness/agency/media and more will be networking and participating in professional development activities. We’re pretty sure this question will be a part of the conversation.

ZimmPoll

Industrial Hemp Making its Case

John Davis

vote-hempIndustrial hemp could be on the verge of becoming a respectable alternative crop in the United States, as it once was back when the country was founded and our first president grew it on his farm.

Ben Droz with Vote Hemp was one of the attendees at National Agriculture Day last week in Washington, and he’s thrilled to talk about how hemp is part of the latest farm bill.

“It allows states to conduct pilot program research projects at the university level and through the state departments of agriculture,” but just in those 10 states where it’s already legal to grow hemp. “Ultimately, I’m sure that we’ll get positive results, and those results will encourage lawmakers to change these laws so farmers can grow this profitable crop.”

Ben said the Farm Bill defined industrial hemp, not to be confused with marijuana despite its similar appearance, as having just 3/10 of a percent or less of THC – the active ingredient in the drug. Even if you smoked a hemp joint the size of a telephone pole, Ben said you still wouldn’t get high. Historically, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp, and Henry Ford was actually doing research on hemp fuels and hemp biocomposites. In the picture, Ben’s carrying a hemp composite briefcase and wearing a tie made of hemp, and he says hemp food products are available in many grocery stores.

“There’s literally thousands of uses for hemp.”

Listen to all of Cindy’s conversation with Ben here: Interview with Ben Droz, Vote Hemp

2014 Ag Day Photo Album

Coverage of National Ag Day is sponsored by BCS Communications

Ag Day, Audio, Farming

Tour de Fresh Launches Official Website

Jamie Johansen

CG-Tour-de-Fresh-Logo-CMYK-Transparent (4)Organizers of the inaugural 2014 Tour de Fresh are happy to announce the launch of the official website. Donations can now be made through the website to support the event’s riders and benefit the United Fresh Produce Association’s Let’s Move Salad Bars to Midwest Schools campaign. Each participant aims to raise enough money to fund one salad bar for his or her selected school, for a grand total of close to $120,000 for the campaign.

This collaborative effort will bring together 40 fresh produce industry members to cycle 275 miles between Carmel, CA and Anaheim, CA over the four days leading up to the 2014 PMA Fresh Summit Convention and Expo.

“We are extremely pleased by the enthusiastic response we have received from all corners of the industry,” said Brock Nemecek, event participant and Account Manager at DMA Solutions. “Originally we had planned for 30 riders, but we had to increase this number due to the overwhelmingly positive support.”

In addition to the funds that will be raised for selected schools, the Tour de Fresh has also become a great promotional opportunity for participants and sponsoring companies. With a multi-pronged public relations plan, including outreach to the local media in communities benefitting from the Tour, the fresh produce industry’s passion for this cause has never been more apparent.

“It’s exciting to step out of our day-to-day business roles and not only get outside and have some fun with our industry colleagues, but also give back to a deserving community,” said Chris Ford, Vice President of Sutherland Produce, riding for The Dearborn Academy in Dearborn, Michigan.

“We saw partnering with Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools as a great chance for our industry to increase accessibility to the fresh products we are so passionate about,” said Cindy Jewell, Director of Marketing at California Giant Berry Farms. “By providing funds for salad bars in at least 40 schools, we are encouraging these children to develop healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime.”

While sponsorship opportunities and the rider roster are both full, there are still many avenues for involvement. In addition, The Official Tour de Fresh Training Guide is available for download on the website. This guide will help you prepare for your next race or ride, perhaps even the 2015 Tour de Fresh.

“We’re thrilled that the Tour de Fresh sponsors and riders have chosen to support the United Fresh Foundation and our work to bring more salad bars to schools,” said United President & CEO Tom Stenzel. “With over 3,400 salad bars donated to date, the Lets Move Salad Bars to Schools campaign is making a huge difference in schools across the country.”

Ag Groups, Food

Soybean Growers Applaud Tax Extenders Package

John Davis

ASAlogo1Soybean growers are welcoming news of a couple of important measures moved forward in one bill. The American Soybean Association says a two-year extension of the dollar-per-gallon biodiesel tax incentive and a reinstatement of the pre-2014 expensing amounts for farm infrastructure and equipment under Section 179, both in the Senate Finance Committee Chairman’s Tax Extenders Package, are key issues for group’s members.

ASA First Vice President Wade Cowan, a farmer from Brownfield, Texas, issued the following statement on the committee’s proposal:

“The extension of the biodiesel tax credit is huge. Biodiesel blenders create a renewable and safe domestic energy source for our country and a valuable market for the soybean oil American farmers produce. The credit further encourages the development and sustained success of the biodiesel marketplace, and much credit goes to Chairman Wyden and Ranking Member Hatch and specifically Sens. Grassley and Cantwell for recognizing the importance of the biodiesel tax incentive and including it in their proposal…

“The proposal’s Section 179 reinstatement is also important. This enables farmers and other small business owners to expense investments made in new technology, equipment and infrastructure in their operations. Given the land-based and capital-intensive nature of farming, not to mention the ever-advancing technology we need to farm sustainably and competitively, this program helps us to stay on the cutting edge of our industry.”

Cowan also pointed out the biodiesel industry has been operating without the credit since the end of the fiscal year in September and called on the full committee to take up the measures quickly and move them on to the full Senate and House for final approval.

ASA, Biodiesel

Generate Event for Next Generation of Co-op Leaders

Jamie Johansen

Generate PhotoGenerate is a new Wheat Growers program dedicated to “growing the most important crop of all, our next generation of cooperative farm leaders.” Those words from Wheat Growers CEO Dale Locken summed up the first Generate event, held in Aberdeen on Friday, March 14. Wheat Growers hosted the event in cooperation with Mitchell Technical Institute and the South Dakota Center for Farm and Ranch Management.

“We are committed to providing the best products and services for our members and also the best farm business insights, knowledge and advice,” Locken said.

The agenda included farm programs with an overview of programs and options available, a financial session, and sessions on production, risk management, managing producer risk and safety. The programs were developed in coordination with Mitchell Technical Institute and the South Dakota Center for Farm and Ranch Management.

There were 22 Wheat Growers Emerging Farm Leaders at the full-day event, including Scott Anderson from Andover, S.D., and Jamason Larson from Langford, S.D.

Anderson found special value in the risk management session and said the event was a good opportunity to get ready for the planting season. “After the winter, it’s always good to get a refresher of things to think about and to keep at the front of your mind when you’re getting back into full-force farming again.”

Larson thought the sessions were very informative. “They covered a lot of things and got me thinking about some important areas like record keeping, giving me an idea of how to break things down to the field level, which I don’t always do.”

“The theme of this event was Cultivating the Future,” Dale Locken said. “The positive input we received from this event will help Wheat Growers develop more forward-looking programs that we hope will reach even more of our next generation of farmers.”

Ag Groups, Cooperatives, Wheat

McQueen Presented Charles Eastin Award

Jamie Johansen

ag-day-14-eastin-awardThe Agriculture Council of America presented the Charles Eastin Award to Lindsay McQueen, Union/Jackson County, IL Farm Bureaus during this year’s Ag Day festivities. The Eastin Award honors an individual who stands out as an advocate for accurate communications between rural and urban audiences.

Lindsay has been promoting agriculture and actively involved with agriculture industry her entire life. She has worked for the Farm Bureau for seven years and has been the Union and Jackson County, IL Farm Bureau Manager for four years. She was actively involved in 4-H and FFA all throughout her childhood and high school career and still volunteers with both groups.

When she addressed the crowd after accepting the award she quoted the first two words in the well-known FFA Creed. I BELIEVE – is an action she tries to live by each day. “Believe in a higher power, believe in your family, in yourself and your abilities.”

Listen to Lindsay’s remarks after being presented the award: Remarks from Lindsay McQueen, Eastin Award Winner

Ag Day, Ag Groups, Audio

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

    Zimfo Bytes

  • In partnership with the Ministry of Education, the USAID Food and Enterprise Development (FED) Program has developed Liberia’s first market-based, regionally integrated vocational training program in agriculture.
  • The NRCS webpage features the five steps to getting assistance from NRCS, so that farmers, ranchers and forest landowners can know about the process of applying for assistance from the comfort of their own home, barn, tractor or wherever else they hop online.
  • broadhead, a leading marketing communications agency connecting the interests of urban and rural consumers, including agriculture, energy, food, government, and safety and wellness, continues to grow with the addition of four new employees to the team.
  • The University of Illinois has achieved a goal of $2 million to fund the James F. Evans Endowment in Agricultural Communications.
Zimfo Bytes

Get the USPB Mobile App

Jamie Johansen

Screen Shot 2014-04-02 at 11.55.29 AMThe US Potato Board’s industry communications has launched a new mobile app. Stay connected with their latest news and views via your iPhone, Android or iPad. The can be downloaded for free on iTunes or Google Play.

View and be alerted to the latest press releases, industry updates, events calendar, and other news from the United States Potato Board. The icon will indicate when new articles are posted. Mark a calendar event or article as a favorite and the app will store it. You can also share updates with friends via Facebook, Twitter or Email.

Ag Groups, Apps, Potato