BASF/NAAA Partnership Supports Future of Ag Pilots

Jamie Johansen

2013-NAAA-BASF-Ag-Aviation-Scholarship-winnersThree up-and-coming agricultural pilots were awarded scholarships sponsored by BASF and the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) to help them turn their dreams of becoming professional agricultural pilots into reality.

Kole Pederson of Crookston, MN; Richard Conrad of Kiel, WI and Heidi Stoeppler of Bakersfield, CA were awarded the NAAA/BASF Agricultural Aviation Scholarships of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 during the 47th Annual NAAA Convention and Exposition in Reno, NV. To qualify for the Agricultural Aviation Scholarship, applicants have to be sponsored by an NAAA member operator.

The scholarships are part of a longstanding partnership between BASF and NAAA to support the futures of students pursuing careers in the aerial application industry. Each year, two budding pilot trainees are awarded a scholarship; however, this year, three deserving applicants were selected.

“These passionate aviation students exemplify what it means to work hard and follow your dreams,” said Gary Fellows, Ph.D., Technical Market Manager, BASF, and member of the National Agricultural Aviation Research & Education Foundation’s Professional Aerial Applicators’ Support System (NAAREF PAASS) Program Development Committee. “The scholarships offer the students an opportunity to pursue their goals and continue to move towards becoming invaluable members of the aerial application industry.”

Pederson attends University of Minnesota, pursuing a degree in aviation with an emphasis in agricultural aviation. He holds a private pilot certificate and tailwheel endorsement from the University of North Dakota Aerospace Foundation. Pederson was sponsored by Tom Rongen of AgriMAX LLC in Fisher, MN.

Conrad attends Fox Valley Technical College’s Aircraft Avionics program. He holds a private pilot certificate and tailwheel endorsement, as well as a Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCAP) Commercial Applicator’s License. Dean Heimermann of Countryside Aviation LLC in Chilton, WI, sponsored him.

Stoeppler is training with the Bakersfield Flying Club as she builds time toward her private pilot certificate. She is sponsored by Jon Slikker of Vince Dusters in Bakersfield, CA.

Agribusiness, BASF, Education, NAAA

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

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  • Intersystems, a leading designer and manufacturer of specialized material handling equipment serving the global agriculture industry, announced David Gau as its new chief executive officer.
  • John W. Mackenzie will receive the esteemed American Wool Council Wool Excellence Award during the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI)/National Lamb Feeders Association Annual Convention taking place in Charleston, S.C., Jan. 22-25, 2014.
  • Members of the Dairy Business Milk Marketing Cooperative (DBMMC) held an election for two positions on DBMMC’s Board of Directors during the 4th Annual Business Meeting in Madison, Wisconsin.
  • To better serve its Missouri clients, Rabo AgriFinance announces an addition to its team, Doug Meyer, has been hired as a Relationship Manager based in the newly-opened Kansas City office.
Zimfo Bytes

Farm Equipment Manufacturers Assoc. Elect Leader

Jamie Johansen

ART'S WAY MANUFACTURING, INC. MARC MCCONNELLDuring the 63rd Annual Fall Convention, recently in Indianapolis, IN, the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association elected Marc McConnell, Art’s Way Manufacturing Co., as the 62nd president of the association.

Marc serves as the Vice Chairman of Art’s Way Manufacturing Co., Inc., headquartered in Armstrong, IA, a diversified manufacturer of sugar beet harvesters, grinder-mixers, hay and forage equipment, manure spreaders, graders, plows, grain augers, and other farm equipment. Art’s Way has been a member of the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association since 1961.

In addition to his role at Art’s Way, Marc also serves as Chairman of West Town Savings Bank, President of Bauer Corporation, Babcock Co., Inc., and Adamson Global Technology Corp., Vice-Chairman of McConnell Holdings, Inc., and Director of Mountain Aircraft Services, Inc. He is also Past President of the American Ladder Institute, the Lenoir County Manufacturer’s Association, among other civic associations, foundations, and boards. He is also a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and is a graduate of Cornell University.

Marc will host the Association’s 2014 Spring Management Clinic in San Antonio, April 6-9, and the 2014 Fall Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, November 4-7, where his term as President will conclude.

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Farm Machinery

New Nufarm North America Headquarters

Chuck Zimmerman

Nufarm North America HeadquartersHello from the new Nufarm headquarters for North America in Alsip, IL. This beautiful logo mosaic greets you at the door. It is the work of the mother of Tom Lyons, Exec. VP, Operations.

I’m here today with other ag media to learn more about Nufarm and tour this facility that includes a production plant as well as offices for management, including their Nuseed division. I’ll be doing some interviews before heading home to ZimmComm World Headquarters later today and will share as soon as I can.

We’re putting the finishing touches on a new North American headquarters and fungicide, insecticide and growth regulator formulation plant in Alsip, Illinois and expect to be up and running in late February. With state-of-the-art technology, a central location and the speed and agility we’re known for, we’ll be able to meet more needs faster and better than ever before.

The Alsip location is just 15 miles from our herbicide formulation plant in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Between the two plants, we will formulate over 90% of the products we sell in the US right here in the Heartland. So you can be assured of made in the USA quality along with local service and support.

You can find photos from the event here: 2013 Nufarm North America Headquarters Photo Album

Agribusiness, Nufarm

Vicki’s Wicked Potions

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 420I recently mentioned a wonderful bloody mary mix that paired well with Organic Ocean Vodka. It’s called Bloody Brew by Vicki’s Wicked Potions in Pensacola, FL. It is good stuff. Good enough that I went back to Palafox Market on Saturday to pick up a case!

Randy & Vicki ComptonVicki’s Wicked Potions is owned and brewed by Randy & Vicki Compton, seen here in their booth with another customer making a large purchase. I spent a while getting to know them and thought you might enjoy our conversation to learn about how they got into this enterprise and especially what’s in Bloody Brew.

Randy says that he and Vicki have invested a lot of money in the consumption of bloody marys over the years and they thought it was time for bloody marys to pay them back. Besides Bloody Brew they specialize in creole spiced pickled vegetables. Randy says, “We’re known to bring a tear to your eye.” One of the pickled vegetable options includes garnishes for bloody marys! If you want to learn more and perhaps figure out how to get a supply of your own just send Randy an email.

Listen to this week’s program to learn more: Vicki's
Wicked Potions

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

Audio, Food, ZimmCast

ASTA CSS 2013 Preview

Cindy Zimmerman

nafb13-asta-andyWhen I talked with American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CEO Andy LaVinge at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting meeting the 2013 CSS & Seed Expo was still three weeks away, but all of the sudden it’s next week already!

I am heading to Chicago for the 68th annual Corn and Sorghum Seed Research Conference/43rd Soybean Seed Research Conference on Monday where I will be joined by Leah Guffey to bring you coverage of this important meeting “where seed business gets done.” Thanks to ASTA and BASF Crop Protection for sponsoring our coverage. BASF will be will be discussing where their seed solutions profile is today, since they officially announced their plans with Becker Underwood at this meeting last year.

The new portfolio is the result of combined breakthroughs from the BASF global research and development platform and Becker Underwood’s biological seed treatment, seed treatment colors and polymer technologies.

Andy says there will be a big focus at the meeting this year on seed treatment stewardship and a new guide available under the industry banner of Seed Treatment Matters. “We got together with CropLife America, and the major grower groups – National Corn Growers, American Soybean, National Cotton Council and American Farm Bureau Federation – to talk about the adoption of new technologies we’ve seen on seed,” he said. “We want to make sure that technology is properly stewarded.”

The guide developed by the groups is available at seed-treatment-guide.com and it will also be offered and discussed at 2014 grower meetings.

Listen to my interview with Andy here: Interview with Andy LaVigne, ASTA

2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, BASF, Seed

Ag Leader Opens New Distribution Center

Melissa Sandfort

Insights Weekly In order to provide more space for order fulfillment and finished goods storage, Ag Leader Technology, Inc. announced that it has opened a new distribution center in Ames, Iowa. As Ag Leader’s product line continues to grow and the business expands into more overseas markets, the company has outgrown its current fulfillment facilities.

“In order to meet demand and deliver our line of products across the world,” explains Al Myers, president of Ag Leader Technology, “We have opened a new distribution center located just down the road from our corporate headquarters.”

6E8A7504 FINALAg Leader has continuously seen an increase in the volume of product moving through the company due to many factors, such as new product introductions, expanding market presence and increased sales.
“We’re very excited to have the extra space, as it will help us to serve our customers better,” says Myers.

The distribution center was designed with the same lean concepts used throughout Ag Leader’s manufacturing areas. This includes storing products with high runners close to the center of the fulfillment area, as well as minimizing the amount of lifting and moving of products throughout the shipping process.

“All of these changes minimize the time necessary to pick an order,” explains Chad Heuer, Operations Manager at Ag Leader, “And also allow Ag Leader to fill orders faster and with greater accuracy.

The transition to the new distribution center was completed without disrupting the flow of product to customers.

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

RFS Hearing Goes 12 Hours, Draws Hundreds

Cindy Zimmerman

Over 140 stakeholders testified at a hearing Thursday on the Environmental Protection Agency proposal to lower the biofuels targets under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2014, and those opposed to the plan outnumbered those in favor by a ratio of more than two to one.

dinneen1“More than 100 of the 144 speakers support #ethanol, #biodiesel & advanced biofuels,” tweeted Renewable Fuels Association (RFS) president Bob Dinneen. “Don’t mess w/ the RFS!” Bob Dinneen testimony at EPA hearing

The hearing, which lasted 12 hours, included livestock producers from Iowa who testified against lowered the RFS requirements. Among those testifying in favor of the proposal was National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) past president and Illinois farmer and rancher Steve Foglesong.

“I am a corn farmer, I just choose to feed it to cattle, it’s value added,” said Foglesong. “It’s not that different from the ethanol industry who takes corn to feed it into their plants and produce ethanol, dried distillers grains (DDGs), and carbon dioxide instead of beef. The process is identical, all but the RFS mandate, which gives the ethanol industry an advantage in purchasing corn. We’re not opposed to corn ethanol, but it’s time to look at reforming the RFS and let the market pick winners and losers instead of the government.”

The National Corn Growers Association had dozens of witnesses from around the country, but one of their best advocates was a young man with no ties to either side. “Coolest witness of the day at #RFS hearing: college student from Michigan drove in with E85 to testify!” tweeted NCGA. “He uses E10 in his lawn mower.”

All of those who testified at the hearing Thursday submitted written comments to the EPA regarding the RFS plan for 2014. Comments will be accepted until Jan. 28.

Audio, Corn, Ethanol, NCBA, RFA

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

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  • Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer.
  • Hawaii Sea Spirits announced an ambitious plan for several new craft spirit offerings to complement its award-winning organic Ocean Vodka.
  • Hudson Valley and the Tri-State region will be highlighted in the keynote speech by Don R. Rogers at the third annual Farming Our Future conference on Saturday, February 22nd in Columbia County, New York.
  • Morral Companies was named the Agricultural Retailers Association Retailer of the Year for 2013.
Zimfo Bytes

ASA Names 2014 Officers & Committee Assignments

Jamie Johansen

pic-Gaesser-120712American Soybean Association (ASA) announced their newest President, Ray Gaesser, from Corning, IA. Out going President, Danny Murphy from Canton, MS will move to the position of Chairman. Board members also elected Wade Cowan from Brownfield, TX to serve as First Vice President, an office that places Cowan in line to be the association’s president in 2015.

“There are so many issues that face the soybean industry today, and I’m excited to lead this organization in addressing each one of them,” said Gaesser. “As we work to see a farm bill enacted, and soybean-friendly policies in place within the trade, transportation, energy and technology arenas, we know that we’ll depend on the consistent involvement and cooperative work between all members of the soy family including our state affiliates, United Soybean Board, United Soybean Export Council and our industry partners, to help fully realize the benefits of those victories. As always, ASA remains committed to ensuring the success and profitability of soybean farmers, and I am very proud to be part of that effort.”

Also elected to form ASA’s nine-member executive committee were Secretary Wyatt Whitford of Ernul, N.C., and Richard Wilkins from Greenwood, Del., as Treasurer. Bob Worth of Lake Benton, Minn., Ron Moore of Roseville, Ill., Bob Henry of Robinson, Kan., and Kevin Hoyer of West Salem, Wisc., were elected to serve as the association’s four vice presidents. Whitford, Moore and Hoyer are new elections to the Executive Committee, while Wilkins, Worth and Henry were reelected to the posts they held in 2013.

Elections were held in St. Louis at ASA’s annual winter board meeting, and the meeting also served as a venue to celebrate the retirements of Kentucky’s Randy Mann, Illinois’ Ron Kindred, Rob Joslin of Ohio and Andy Welden of Michigan from the ASA Board. Assuming positions on the Board as new members at the meeting were Kentucky’s Gerry Hayden, Ron Moore of Illinois, Jerry Bambauer of Ohio and Michigan’s Matt Stutzman.

Ag Groups, ASA