National Ag Day Poster Winner Announced

Jamie Johansen

agdayposter2013The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) and Meredith AgriMedia encouraged young artists to celebrate modern agriculture through the 2nd annual National Ag Day Poster Art Contest. A winning original piece of art has been chosen as the Official National Ag Day poster.

Congratulations to Brittany Plachecki, Kansas City Art Institute, for being selected the winner of the contest. Plachecki was selected among many young artists in the competition. The contest theme was Agriculture: 365 Sunrises and 7 Billion Mouths to Feed. Entries were screened by a nine member jury and finalists were judged through online voting to determine the winner.

In addition, her artwork and a profile of Plachecki will be prominently featured in Successful Farming magazine and Ag Day correspondence. She will receive a $1,000 scholarship from Meredith AgriMedia. Media releases will also be sent to all Ag Day sponsors and supporters. The artist will receive a portion of the proceeds from limited edition prints and the original artwork will be on display in a public location.

National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America. ACA is a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food and fiber community, dedicating its efforts to increasing the public’s awareness of agriculture’s role in modern society.

Ag Day, Ag Groups

Nufarm Tackles Weeds

Chuck Zimmerman

Bob BrussNufarm’s recent event allowed farm media to see first hand their facilities, ask the questions growers from across the land are asking and learn a little bit more about the ever-changing industry.

Meghan Grebner with Brownfield caught up with Bob Bruss, Technical Services Manager for Nufarm during the event and talked with him about the company and where they are headed to combat the weed resistance growers are seeing across the country.

“Some of the weeds are different in the South then they are in the North. Although we work with products that the active ingredient in patented, the weeds have been changing. Weeds are developing resistance to some of there herbicides out there. Some key weeds that are really changing the way farmers are managing their weed control programs is Mare’s Tail or Horse Weed. It’s a real problem in no-till because unlike other winter annuals Mare’s Tail doesn’t go away when it gets hot.”

Bob goes on to share what others weeds are becoming herbicide resistant across the United States. He shares that farmers need to come up with a burn down program for winter, fall and early spring to control these weeds across your fields.

He also shares what products Nufarm offers growers to help combat these field robbers and how they can stay ahead of the epidemic.

You can listen to Meghan’s interview with Bob here: Interview with Bob Bruss

2013 Nufarm North America Headquarters Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Herbicide, Nufarm, weed management

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Brian Nelson has been named president of HCC, inc. effective January 1, 2014, succeeding Don Bickel.
  • AgGateway announced the launch of a redesigned website for the Agriculture Industry Identification System (AGIIS) at www.agiis.org.
  • Brakke Consulting, Inc. announced plans to present its 2014 Animal Health Industry Overview in Orlando, Fla. at the North American Veterinary Conference on Monday, Jan. 20 and in Las Vegas, Nev. at the Western Veterinary Conference on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
  • Debbie Dreyfus-Schronk, assistant executive director & chief operating officer of the San Antonio Livestock Exposition (SALE), San Antonio, Texas, was elected the 2014 chair of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) during the final business session of the 123rd IAFE Annual Convention.
Zimfo Bytes

Agri-Pulse names Daniel Enoch as Managing Editor

Talia Goes

agripulse-enochAgri-Pulse is pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel Enoch as our new Washington-based managing editor.

“As we continue to look for news ways to serve our audience and expand our coverage, we wanted a seasoned journalist who is well-versed in agriculture to lead our editorial team in Washington,” explained Agri-Pulse Editor Sara Wyant. “With the addition of Daniel, we will have five reporters providing the most trusted and balanced coverage of agriculture and rural policy issues in Washington.”

For the past 12 years Enoch has worked as an editor at Bloomberg News in the nation’s capital, helping to supervise the news agency’s award-winning coverage of agricultural and environmental issues as well as the major farm-commodity markets, including corn, wheat, soybeans, cattle and hogs.

Enoch previously worked for the Associated Press and as a reporter and editor for several daily newspapers including the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News. A native Philadelphian, Enoch studied English at St. Joseph’s University before joining the U.S. Marine Corps where he served as an infantry officer during the Vietnam War.

Agri-Pulse, Agribusiness

GROWMARK Announces Essay Contest Theme

Talia Goes

growmarklogoThe theme for the 2014 GROWMARK Essay Contest is: “Promoting Sustainability and Conservation of Natural Resources.” The contest is open to all high school FFA members in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

This is the 21st year for the program, sponsored by the GROWMARK System and FS member cooperatives, in conjunction with state FFA leaders, to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues affecting agriculture, and understand the unique role of cooperatives. This year, students will focus on three questions: What does sustainability mean? Why should farmers be concerned with conservation and sustainable practices? What role do cooperatives play in this effort?

Essays should be approximately 500 words, typed and double-spaced. The postmarked entry deadline for Iowa FFA members is February 14. The postmarked entry deadline for Illinois and Wisconsin FFA members is March 14. Additional program details have been sent to agriculture teachers and are online at www.growmark.com (click on Our Commitments/Youth & Young Farmers/Essay Contest).

Each state’s winner earns a $500 award and the winner’s FFA chapter receives a $300 award. Four runners-up per state each win $125 awards.

Agribusiness, GROWMARK

The ZimmGlass Project

Chuck Zimmerman

Google Glass at ZimmCommLike a story out of the future, except that it is now, comes The ZimmGlass Project. At least that’s what I’m calling it for now. What is it? We’re going to find out together over a period of time in which I experiment with Google Glass! Glass is basically a computer you wear on your face but that’s just just the short description. With its functionalities it is much more and that’s what I’ll be experimenting with.

I am one of the newest members of the Glass Explorers Program. Like Bruce Rasa, I want to find ways that this gamer changer technology can be incorporated into agricultural applications that will improve efficiencies and help farmer and company bottom lines. I’m looking for companies that may want to work on a test project that would include using Glass as part of an existing application or to develop a new one. You can be sure I’ll find a way to incorporate the device into online agricultural and social media.

This will serve as the first in a series of posts on my use of Glass and I welcome feedback and ideas you may have.

If you’d like to see the unboxing photos you can find them here: ZimmGlass Project – The Unboxing Photos

Agribusiness, Technology

International Seed Federation Update

Cindy Zimmerman

asta-css-isfIllinois Foundation Seeds president Tim Johnson is currently serving as the elected president of the International Seed Federation (ISF), which represents seed industry interests on a global level. Tim gave an ISF update during the first general session of the ASTA 2013 CSS last week, first pointing out to attendees that as members of the American Seed Trade Association they are all members of the ISF.

“The International Seed Federation was a merger of two federations in 2002,” he explained. “It used to be the Federation of International Seedsmen and we needed to change that because we are now seed people.” The other organization represented global breeders. “We represent over 238 members in 73 countries, which is 96 percent of all international seed traded globally.”

Tim talked about activities of the ISF this past year, including the 2013 Congress that was held in Athens, Greece and plans for the upcoming Congress to be held May 26-28, 2014 in Beijing. International Seed Federation update from president Tim Johnson

2013 ASTA CSS & Seed Expo Photo Album

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Seed

AgAccord is Complete

Cindy Zimmerman

asta-berniceThe big topic at last year’s ASTA CSS 2013 and Seed Expo was The Accord, which is an industry agreement developed to provide a mechanism to transition from proprietary biotech events to off-patent or generic biotech events. Just prior to the expo this year, the second part of what is now called the AgAccord was opened up for signature. That is the Data Use and Compensation Agreement or DUCA, as ASTA Vice President for Science and International Affairs Bernice Slutsky explains.

“Last year when we were talking about the accord we had just completed the first agreement, the Generic Event Marketability and Access Agreement or the GEMMA, and we have now completed the second agreement – the DUCA…so the AgAccord is now complete,” said Bernice.

The DUCA will become operational once six parties sign, three that hold proprietary regulatory property or have petitioned the USDA to deregulate an event, and three parties that do not hold proprietary regulatory property, such as a seed company or national farm organization. The AgAccord was triggered in anticipation of the very first biotech event scheduled to go off patent at the end of 2014, which is Monsanto’s Roundup Ready trait.

This is a pretty complex issue, but very important for the transition of biotech events to the off-patent market, particularly when it comes to international trade. “We’re really being proactive,” said Bernice. “These are highly regulated products and that regulation has an impact on our exports.” Interview with Bernice Slutsky, ASTA

2013 ASTA CSS & Seed Expo Photo Album

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Biotech, Seed

ASTA Chair Looks Ahead to Annual Meeting

Cindy Zimmerman

css-13-craigFinally caught up with American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) chairman Craig Newman as I was heading out of the hotel to go home Friday morning so I caught a quick interview.

Craig says the expo this year was great with a record number of exhibitors. “In fact, it’s just bulging,” he said. “Sometimes we think that the industry’s consolidating when actually innovation is expanding it.”

Craig is president and CEO of AgReliant Genetics, based in Indiana, so he is pleased to be hosting ASTA’s 131st annual convention in his home state next year. “The meeting will be in Indianapolis and we’ve added a lot of new things,” said Craig. “First is the new ASTA Purdue Leadership Academy which is pre-conference, two and a half days of specialized seed industry training.”

The meeting will be June 11-14, 2014 and Craig encourages anyone with an interest in the seed industry to come and “feel the need for seed!” Interview with ASTA chair Craig Newman

2013 ASTA CSS & Seed Expo Photo Album

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Seed

Happy Hubbard Holidays

Chuck Zimmerman

Happy Holidays from Hubbard FeedsI don’t get tired sharing holiday greetings. This one from Hubbard Feeds.

May peace, happiness & prosperity be yours during this Holiday Season and throughout the New Year!

Happy Holidays

Your friends at Hubbard

Agribusiness