Novus at Production and Processing Expo

Cindy Zimmerman January 27, 2014

Once again we are pleased to bring you coverage of the International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta, courtesy of our friends at Novus International.

IPPE is the new name for the combination of International Poultry Expo, International Feed Expo, and International Meat Expo, which all integrated together in 2013. The 2014 IPPE will bring together more than 1,100 exhibitors and over 25,000 attendees in Atlanta this week.

As part of the event, Novus is hosting a full week of events and educational opportunities for the industry, starting with the International Poultry Scientific Forum (IPSF) today which precedes the IPPE tradeshow. Kicking it off will be a luncheon to discuss “How Consumer Preference Drives Poultry Processing” by Dr. Shelly Mckee of Auburn University.

IPPE, Livestock, Meat, Novus International, Pork, Poultry, Poultry Expo

Tech Support Excels During Busy Spring Season

Melissa Sandfort January 24, 2014

This week we caught up with Scott Andrews, Ag Leader Customer Support Manager, who tells us a little more about what Ag Leader tech support is doing to gear up for the busy upcoming spring season.

1. With the spring rush almost upon us, what is Ag Leader doing to prepare to be ready to answer grower calls?

Ag Leader support is continuously reviewing how we can better help our customers. We continually train our staff on our products so that we are able to support our customers. We are tweaking our staffing so that we have the right resources in place to handle the types of calls we receive during planting season, and then we’ll re-tweak for applications over the summer and harvest in the fall.

2. What do you believe makes Ag Leader stand out above the competition when it comes to tech support?

Our helpful staff is what makes the difference. Every tech support representative is here because they want to help our customers.

3. When growers purchase precision Ag equipment, it comes along with tech support. They’re purchasing peace of mind. Why is this so important for their investment?

Farming can be challenging enough when equipment functions properly and weather cooperates. Knowing these aren’t guaranteed for our customers, we strive to provide quality, timely support so that customers can focus on their operations.

4. Tell me about the tech support team. Who are the people behind the product?

There are about 50 tech support staff who either grew up in ag or decided to pursue ag as a career. They are men and women from around the country ready to help our customers have a successful year.

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

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes January 24, 2014

DuPont Pioneer has expanded its high oleic soybean line by introducing four new Pioneer brand soybeans with the Plenish high oleic trait for the 2014 planting season.
To help provide answers as to why Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations are an important part of the poultry industry, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association has created a series of six short videos.
DuPont and the U.S. Agency for International Development formally announced a joint agreement to deepen efforts to reduce global hunger and poverty by enabling smallholder farmers access to proven, safe and transformative agricultural innovations.
Space is still available for a one hour webinar entitled “Cooperative Interstate Shipment: How’s It Working Out?” on February 4 at 1:00 EST.

Zimfo Bytes

EU Agriculture Commercial for CAP

Chuck Zimmerman January 23, 2014

The European Union is trying to sell the public on their Common Agriculture Policy while promoting agriculture with a campaign, “Taking Care of Our Roots.”

Designed to be greener, fairer and more efficient, the CAP reform aims to reinforce the partnership between Europe and its farmers and deliver real benefits to more than 500 million EU consumers. It also provides an excellent opportunity to bring together EU citizens, farmers, NGOs, other rural actors, national, regional, local authorities, and the European Commission to better understand and debate the importance of agriculture in our lives – and those of future generations.

Here’s a video that delivers the message, Our Life, Our Roots. What do you think? Should USDA run a campaign like this?

Farm Policy, International, Video

HSUS and Missouri Agriculture

Jamie Johansen January 23, 2014

The Human Society of the United States (HSUS) has been forming “Ag Councils” around the country, most recently in Missouri, with the stated purpose of fostering “better animal welfare and environmental stewardship.” The councils – which have also been been formed in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina and Ohio – are made up of farmers, ranchers and conservationists, but some are understandably skeptical.

Wes Shoemyer, former state senator and “sustainable” farmer from Monroe County, MO., is one of the new Missouri Agriculture Council members. “Over the last few decades farmers have been driven off of the land by industrialized agriculture and it has drained our rural economies,” he said. “We need to reinvest in these communities by promoting independent farmers and sustainable agriculture, and I’m happy to work with the HSUS to do that.”

Since Shoemyer has just formed a PAC called “Missouri Food For America” opposing the state’s Farming Rights constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot this fall, the Missouri Farmers Care agriculture coalition is suspicious of his intentions. “HSUS can’t be trusted,” said coalition chairman Don Nikodim. “Even a failed politician like Wes Shoemyer should be ashamed of selling out Missouri farmers.”

“The Missouri Farming Rights Amendment, is a common-sense way to protect Missouri family farmers from those who want to destroy our way of life,” Nikodim continued. “So, it’s no surprise that HSUS, the number one threat to Missouri farmers, would create this Trojan Horse in an attempt to deceive voters and stop this essential effort.”

This week’s ZimmPoll touches on the topic. What are the true intentions of these ag councils? Do the farmers on them really have the best interests of agriculture in mind or are they simply orchestrating the agenda of HSUS? As a member of the agriculture community, I can’t trust anything that has the mark of HSUS. As a Missourian, I fear these front groups could have a serious impact on farming and the livelihood of my family, friends and other fellow agriculturists across the state. Let us know what you think!

Ag Groups, Animal Activists, Animal Agriculture, Farming

Truth Behind the Star of Every Big Game – BACON

Jamie Johansen January 23, 2014

As millions of Americans gather around their televisions on the first Sunday in February, there’s one star that’s already a winner even before the kickoff. Whether it’s a main ingredient, an appetizer or simply a garnish, bacon is the standout star of any dish. But, there’s a side of the bacon story that most Americans aren’t so familiar with.

Just like a conditioned star athlete, a lot of hard work, dedication and countless hours go into making sure the bacon found in fan-favorite recipes is top quality.

Modern animal housing provides a well ventilated, warm (a must-have for those cold, snowy days) and clean home where the pigs receive a diet that meets their specific nutritional needs. And these are just a few of the ways that pig farmers across the country are dedicated to making sure the bacon on your table, and theirs, is a top pick.

“Our pigs are our highest priority on our farm,” says Jennifer Debnam, a pig farmer from Kennedyville, Md. “We constantly have to be at the top of our game, using the latest technologies and advancements in animal health. No matter the weather, time of day or time of year, we make sure that our pigs are healthy and well taken care of – not only for the well-being of the pig, but so that you never have to worry about bacon being available at the grocery store.”

This video from the United Soybean Board, titled “The Truth Behind Bacon,” shows that from the farm field to the football field, hard work is part of the recipe to bring home a winner.

Ag Groups, Animal Agriculture, Pork, USB

Farm Progress Show Will Reap International Exports

Jamie Johansen January 23, 2014

The nation’s largest outdoor farm show, Farm Progress Show, has been selected to participate in the 2014 International Buyer Program (IBP). This year’s event takes place in Boone, IA, August 26-28.

The IBP is an export program led by the U.S. Department of Commerce. It brings thousands of international buyers to the U.S. for business-to-business matchmaking with U.S. companies exhibiting at major industry trade shows.

“We are honored to be selected to be among this elite group of trade shows,” said Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress national events manager. “The IBP program will bring a new level of international attention to those companies who participate in the Farm Progress Show.”

The goal of the IBP is to connect U.S. companies with overseas buyers to produce U.S. export sales. The program promotes their approved events to over 170 countries worldwide, to attract international buyers interested in the latest and most advanced agriculture technologies and products.

The IBP also will be offering unique matchmaking services at the Farm Progress Show, matching overseas buyers with U.S. exhibitors. U.S. exhibitors at the Farm Progress Show, through the IBP’s Showtime Program, will have excellent opportunities to meet with U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. State Department delegation leaders and export partners to discuss overseas market-entry strategies and potential markets and sales for their products/services.

For companies new to exporting or even more experienced exporters, seeking to export to additional target markets, the IBP offers export market advice and counseling. The IBP Team can also provide expert strategic advice and guidance to U.S. companies on which overseas trade show to participate in, what market entry strategies to use in their target markets, and how to locate and qualify overseas distributors and sales representatives.

“The U.S. Department of Commerce is committed to assisting U.S. companies at the Farm Progress Show establish export connections that lead to U.S. export sales. Behind every U.S. export, is a job, a family. That’s the heart of why we support U.S. domestic trade shows, like the Farm Progress Show. It doesn’t get any more important than that.” Mark Wells, IBP project officer, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Events, Exports, Farm Progress Show, Farm Shows

April Fool?

Melissa Sandfort January 23, 2014

Today Aunt Jeanette writes:

Every once in a while a story from my teaching days pops in my head. Since farming is at a standstill for now, you get an “off-season” story.

It is amazing what I find in my closet. Maybe I should clean it out more often! Last week I found the bedspread my grandma made during the Depression. This week I found something funny – an old, black, frumpy dress that I wore to play a trick on my third graders.

If you know me very well, you know I like books and reading. Another thing I loved doing was reading aloud to my third graders. Every class that entered my door heard the beloved story of “Charlotte’s Web.” And every class saw a tear in my eye when Charlotte died. I tried to read different types of literature – as I feel that is an important part of a child’s development.

Some of my favorite books were “Miss Nelson is Missing,” “Miss Nelson is Back,” and “Miss Nelson Has a Field Day.” Whenever I read aloud, I always tried to really get into the characters. As I was reading these books, I thought, “Why not BE Miss Nelson? Or, even better, the substitute teacher, Miss Viola Swamp?”

So, with the help of the school secretaries, the physical education teacher, and anyone else who happened to be standing around, I literally transformed into Miss Viola Swamp! My third graders thought I was sick as I had been working at my desk and suddenly ran out of the room holding my stomach with one hand and covering my mouth with the other hand.

I will never forget the looks on the kids’ faces when their substitute walked in the room about 15 minutes later! I played the role of Miss Swamp all day and we had a fantastic time! There was actually learning that took place – just in case you were wondering.

It was undoubtedly one of the best April Fool’s tricks I have ever pulled off!

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Kirk Leeds Receives Biodiesel Award

Chuck Zimmerman January 22, 2014

One of the National Biodiesel Board Awards was presented this morning for Industry Partnership to Kirk Leeds, Iowa Soybean Association.

Kirk is Chief Executive Officer of the Association and has been a leader among soybean organizations in supporting biodiesel efforts since the industry’s inception. ISA’s support of the National Biodiesel Board over the years has allowed the industry to prepare and face the challenges of being a billion-plus-gallon Advanced Biofuel. His visionary leadership has helped to maintain a mutually-beneficial, strong connection between the soybean and biodiesel industries. Kirk and ISA have been at the forefront of improving agriculture’s environmental performance. Through partnerships with farmers, environmental groups, agri-business and academia, ISA is helping lead efforts to identify practical solutions for complex environmental issues.

You can listen to Kirk’s remarks here: Kirk Leeds Remarks

2014 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, National Biodiesel Conference, Soybean

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