Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast. In this week’s program we’re going to learn about Calyxt, a plant science company, doing some very interesting work with new technology. I spoke with Calyxt CEO, Jim Blome, about the work they are doing. He focuses on the future of food and how the types of technology being developed at the company is …
Farm Credit Update Call: Ag Credit, COVID-19, Assistance
Farm Credit leaders participated in a media call for an on-the-record update on agricultural credit conditions, COVID-19’s impact on farmers, ranchers and rural communities, and how Farm Credit is supporting our customers during this challenging time – including via the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. Each of the CEOs made a presentation and answered questions. Webinar participants: Todd Van Hoose, …
RFA Update on COVID-19 Impacts and Other Ethanol Issues
Through the middle of April, the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the effects of the Saudi-Russia oil price war, has had a devastating impact on the U.S. ethanol industry, slashing production by half and leading to the idling of dozens of plants across rural America. A new analysis estimates that U.S. ethanol sales in 2020 could fall by more than $10 …
USDA Announces Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
This evening U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). This new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program will take several actions to assist farmers, ranchers, and consumers in response to the COVID-19 national emergency. President Trump directed USDA to craft this $19 billion immediate relief program to provide critical support to our farmers and …
ZimmCast 641 – CommoditAg App
Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast. In this week’s program I’m featuring a conversation with John Demerly, CEO, CommoditAg, about the new app they launched during Commodity Classic. That was the last on location meeting either of us attended and it seems like a lot longer ago than it really is! John says the app provides the opportunity for agricultural …
Agriculture Secretary Addresses U.S. Food Supply Issues
The White House Coronavirus Task Force Update on Wednesday included comments from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on the U.S. food supply. Secretary Perdue discussed the health and safety of essential food processing workers, praised those working in the food industry, and stressed that the food supply is “strong, resilient, and safe.” He also stated that there is plenty …
U.S. Soy is Open for Business
The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) held a webinar for the media Wednesday to provide an update on the industry and its continued resilience through this time. Participating in the webinar were, USSEC CEO Jim Sutter, USSEC Chairman Monte Peterson, and Regional Directors Brent Babb and Rosalind Leeck. They discussed the industry’s response to COVID-19 in various export markets, how …
Hog Farmers Face COVID-19 Financial Crisis
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) held a press conference Tuesday to outline the impact COVID-19 is having on the industry, causing hog values to plummet, and the immediate relief they are requesting from the administration and Congress. The call featured NPPC President Howard “A.V.” Roth of Wisconsin, CEO Neil Dierks, Global Government Affairs VP Nick Giordano, and Michael Formica, …
Dairy Checkoff Helping Producers Weather COVID-19
Leaders of the dairy checkoff are working to help U.S. dairy farmers during these challenging times. Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), which manages the national dairy checkoff on behalf of 35,000 farmers, has prioritized work focused on three key areas: schools, hunger and foodservice and industry partnerships. Leaders outlined a shift in its business plan in a letter to USDA Secretary …
President Trump Says Help for Farmers Coming Soon
During the daily White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing on Thursday, President Donald Trump said help for hurting farmers is coming soon. “We have money going out to our farmers in the pretty near future,” said President Trump. “The farmers got hurt very badly by all of this. People are eating less from the standpoint that there’s no restaurants that …
Field Notes from Koch Agronomic Services – Episode 2
Welcome to Episode 2 of the Field Notes podcast series from Koch Agronomic Services, where we break down the science and technology behind agronomy to help growers do more with less. Crop science experts and others in the agriculture industry will discuss topics ranging from nitrogen loss and soil health to ways growers can increase operational efficiencies. Spring Weather Impact …
ACE: COVID-19 Exposes Flaw in RFS Rulemaking
The American Coalition for Ethanol is urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address a shortcoming in the implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) which has been exposed with the recent nosedive in gasoline use as a result of COVID-19. ACE CEO Brian Jennings explains that the gasoline demand drop means a reduction in ethanol blending, meaning the 11.56 …
Impact of COVID-19 on Agriculture
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting farmers and ranchers as they work to maintain a stable domestic food supply. Changes in consumer purchases, the closing of schools and restaurants, and the drop in fuel demand has caused a sharp decline in commodity prices. Farmers are challenged to find methods to get products to consumers. The American Farm Bureau Federation brought together …
Georgia Congressmen Answer CARES Act Questions
The Georgia Peanut Commission hosted a webinar discussion on Friday with U.S. Congressmen Sanford Bishop (D-GA) and Austin Scott (R-GA) and Bob Redding, The Redding Firm, to learn more about the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law March 27. The discussion includes important information for farmers and ranchers about the Payroll Protection Program …
Dairy Industry Calls on USDA for Direct Aid
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, Dairy Business Association and Edge Farmer Cooperative held a media conference call Thursday to discuss the current situation being experienced in the dairy industry and to call on USDA for direct aid to farmers and a massive dairy commodity purchase. Press release from Edge. Participating in the press conference were: • John Umhoefer, Executive Director, …