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We would like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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The agriculture industry has been dealt a blow according to Adam Nielsen, director of legislation and policy development for the Illinois Farm Bureau. Nielsen, who spends a significant amount of time promoting the agricultural industry in Washington, D.C., said the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed 2014 reduction of the amount of corn ethanol blended as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is of great concern as is the lack of a five-year Farm Bill.
“I think it’s time for those four tops to stop posturing and to finish the job,” said Nielsen when asked about the status of the Farm Bill while at a biodiesel groundbreaking and RFS roundtable event hosted by biofuel plant Patriot Renewable Fuels. “And that’s to get back in a room and reach agreements on some of these issues that are considerable issues, but it’s not the first time a Farm Bill has ever been negotiated in this fashion and some of the people who are involved in this have been there before. So we’re all counting on them to be leaders right now.”
Nielsen said a five year farm bill is needed and the industry cannot afford another extension of one or two years. “The policies we have on the books right now reflect agriculture of the previous decade. We need a farm bill that reflects where we are today. I think they understand that and we’ve been patient for a long time, but our patience is beginning to run thin. And it is time for leaders to lead,” said Nielsen.
He noted that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and Farm Bill in some ways are tied together. Because the RFS drives the use of corn and soybeans there is no need for commodity supports. But if the bottom of the floor falls out on the RFS, then there would again be a need for commodity supports and this will typically be legislated through a Farm Bill.
When asked why the Farm Bill so so important and what’s at stake if one is not passed, Nielsen pointed out, “The Farm Bill provides a measure of national security, something we all take for granted. It guarantees the basic nutritional needs of Americans will be met. It really helps support the nation’s conservation goals. It keeps our soils healthy into the future. And then it provides a support for production.”
Finally, Nielsen said the Farm Bill is more than a farm bill. “It is a jobs bill for our economy. And this is what is at stake.”
Listen to my interview with Adam Nielsen here where he discusses both the Farm Bill as well as the need for the RFS to stay in tact and how the two bills are intertwined: Ag Industry Dealt a Blow from EPA
Check out the Patriot Renewable Fuels photo album.
It’s a Happy Holidays message from Seed World.
Click on the photo to view the video and enjoy Jingle Bells.
In honor of the season of giving Seed World has made a contribution to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault.
Here’s a development that comes right out of the John Deere Developer’s Conference this year in which the company opened up it’s MyJohnDeere platform to other companies to develop applications that would integrate with all the data that the platform creates.
Helping farmers get more value per acre through the expert analysis of production data is the goal of a collaboration announced between Dow AgroSciences LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) and John Deere. The companies announced today that they will work together to develop approaches and technology that will deliver data and provide information to farmers that will assist in the execution of site-specific applications to improve yields and manage costs. Specifically, Dow AgroSciences has signed on to leverage the MyJohnDeere platform and new cloud-based technologies for future delivery of customized prescriptions tailored to the grower’s environments.
This agreement will help Dow AgroSciences’ customers take full advantage of the company’s products through optimal placement of technology into specific environments based on a farmer’s field conditions. Bringing together production information with analysis from company experts and channel partners will enable specific product recommendations from a broad portfolio of corn hybrids. This precision enables effective management of inputs and the ability to monitor crop development which ultimately can drive increased yields.
“This collaboration is part of our strategy to deliver innovative Dow AgroSciences solutions tailored to each farmer’s specific environment,” says Larry Robertson, global corn project leader, Dow AgroSciences. “Exploring the promise of precision product placement is important to our customers and we are pleased to work with John Deere on approaches that ensure the best product and management tools are put to use on each acre.”
I spoke with Larry about what this collaboration means to Dow and its customers: Interview with Larry Robertson
Right after receiving my Glass I got a news alert from Sullivan Solar Power about their unique use of this new technology. What timing!
So I got in touch with Michael Chagala, Director of IT, and we talked about how they’re employing Glass in their field operations. In the photo Michael is “wearing.” I think that’s how I’ll refer to it.
Sullivan Solar Power developed their own app for Glass and now places a set of Glass on the head of their field service technicians. This means that when the technicians go out to service a client they can basically carry all the data and information on all their products via Glass going hands free which means a lot for efficiency and safety, especially when you’re working on a roof. Additionally, they can stream live video back to headquarters when they need to to share and get opinions and feedback from other technical support. It’s a fascinating step forward for a technology that some folks have at first made fun of but are now finding has many applications to businesses.
Listen to this week’s program to learn more: Sullivan Solar Power & Glass
Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.
This week, a poem from my Aunt Jeanette. As a side note, I’m often amazed at the quirky similarities between the two of us. When I was younger, I used to spend HOURS in the loft of the old barn, just me and the pigeons, writing poems. My mom saved boxes of my old “stuff” and I recently went through them and had some laughs at the little haikus and poems and random thoughts I had when I was 10. But I think the love for writing, whether it be a book or poem or now blog posts, was passed down from my grandpa to my aunt and also to me. So when Aunt Jeanette sent this poem, I smiled to myself and thought, “I am proud to be like her.” Enjoy.
Another year almost over – Two Thousand, Thirteen,
And my, oh my, what a year it has been!
I’ve shared with you some of our life’s ups and downs,
Our worries, our tears, our smiles, and our frowns.
A farmer’s life can’t help being somewhat of a mess,
And in a way writing eased some of my stress.
We had a tough year in south central Nebraska,
“But it won’t last, will it?” I think I must ask ya.
You’ve heard of my plants, our crops that had hail,
Our awesome family who stuck together without fail.
You learned of my days of teaching third grade,
And some of the messes our three young sons made!
I was met with a challenge by my wonderful niece,
And when I began writing, my mind felt at peace.
Though some days I haven’t known quite where to start,
I love writing for you – it comes straight from my heart.
My wish, my friends, as the Christmas Star shines above,
Is a year blessed with Happiness, Faith, Hope and Love.
Until we walk again …
News from AgNet West Radio Network:
AgNet West Radio Network is pleased to announce its entire business operations have been fully acquired and will be merged into AgNet Media, Inc., which includes a group of farm media properties solely owned and operated by Gary Cooper and Robin Loftin. Both Loftin and Cooper were instrumental in launching AgNet West in California in 2012, and Cooper has been the network’s General Manager since its inception in 2012.
AgNet West remains the most localized, relevant and targeted farm radio network in California, the nation’s top farm state. All AgNet West broadcasts, under the direction and guidance of Farm News Director Sabrina Hill, will continue to originate from Fresno County, the nation’s No. 1 agriculture-producing county. Hill has a distinguished career in radio and television news reporting in central California. She has been with AgNet West since 2012 and was named its news director early in 2013.
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The 2014 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention is right around the corner in San Antonio, TX. January 12-15 marks the organizations 95th convention and the event is expected to attract 6,000 farmers and ranchers from across the country.
Cindy caught up with AFBF’s Mace Thornton, Director of Communications, during the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s Convention where he shared more about the event and how the organization shares their message with grassroots members nationwide.
“This is the culmination of our annual grassroots policy development process. We take a lot of pride at Farm Bureau with the positions we have that all start at the county level with individual farmers. Those policy positions make their way up to the state level and then those with national implications make it to our meeting. It really is amazing that farmers with all types of farms, all areas of the country can come together and agree on policy positions.”
Austin, TX based western swing band, Asleep at the Wheel, will perform during the event. Attendees will also have the opportunity to see Josh Turner and James Wesley in concert as well. For more information on the convention visit AFBF website.
Mace also shared how Farm Bureau is staying on the cutting edge of communications. This includes providing members with information that they can take and build their own personal stories with to help educate and share with others.
Listen to Cindy’s complete interview with Mace here: Interview with Mace Thornton, ABFB Communications Director
Checkout photos from NAFB Convention: 2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album
