2018 has already started off with a bang at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention in Nashville with the first appearance by a U.S. president in over 25 years and some pretty exciting mainstream media news coverage of agriculture. Jamie was there to take it all in and she talks about the experience in this edition of the ZimmCast, …
Preview of 2018 Cattle Industry Conference
Blaze a Trail is the theme for the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show January 31 – February 2 in Phoenix, AZ. Prior to the actual kickoff of the event will be the 25th Anniversary of Cattlemen’s College, the opening general session speaker will be Ree Drummond the Pioneer Woman, and attendees will also hear from former MLB …
National Biodiesel Conference to Celebrate 25 Years
The biodiesel industry is heading to Fort Worth January 22 – 25 for the silver anniversary of the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo. “Every conference we’ve sponsored has been an exciting event for our industry,” said National Biodiesel Board (NBB) CEO Donnell Rehagan. “But this one is obviously going to be special as we take the opportunity to not only …
2017 SMART Farmers
In 2017, the very first SMART Farmer podcast was introduced. It has featured interviews with the people who use data and technology to be more sustainable and to help build a smarter version of the American farm and ranch. SMART Farmer Katie Brenny – Podcast debut featuring interviews with USFRA CEO Randy Krotz and Katie Brenny, a beef producer from …
USFRA Promotes Food Evolution in Times Square
As New Year’s Eve revelers fill Times Square this weekend, towering over them will be a jumbotron advertisement for the movie Food Evolution being promoted by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA). Food Evolution was commissioned by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), and directed by Academy Award®-nominated director Scott Hamilton Kennedy. It can be found on Hulu, iTunes, …
Last Minute Gift Ideas from USFRA
If you are looking for last minute gift ideas, the U.S. Farming and Ranching Foundation may have the answer. The foundation is a nonprofit organization associated with the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) with the mission of supporting sustainability and consumer education in American culture. And it is the way that individuals can donate to support that cause by …
Soil Health Partnership Grows Program
The Soil Health Partnership (SHP) is expanding its program thanks to a large investment made by the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) and matched by other donors. National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) director of soil health and sustainability Nick Goeser says the grant represents one of the largest investments ever made in soil health. “It will allow us …
SMART Farmer Jerry Flint
Jerry Flint may not technically be a farmer, but he did grow up on a farm in Ohio and his entire career has been focused on delivering new innovations to smart farmers. In addition to being vice president of regulatory affairs for Dow DuPont Agriculture Division, Flint is also first vice chair for the American Seed Trade Association, and his …
Soybean Growers Lose $1.6 Billion Annually to SCN and SDS
Diseases like Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) and Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) continue to plague soybean growers to the tune of $1.6 billion per year, based on USDA 2016–2017 marketing year projection for average soybean price of $9.10 per bushel. Those two diseases contribute to the largest number of bushels lost for soybean farmers, who sometimes don’t even realize disease is …
Iowa Corn Looks to Increase Corn Use in Plastics
The Iowa Corn Promotion Board is one step closer to expanding the corn market after receiving a new patent application on a proprietary production method using corn in the industrial manufacturing of monoethylene glycol (MEG). Most MEG is produced from fossil fuels, with the exception of some bio-MEG made from sugarcane ethanol and sourced from Brazil. Consumers are driving a …
Agriculture Secretary Comments on Timely Topics
It’s been a busy year for Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, starting with being nominated for the job by President Trump the day before the inauguration. This week, Sec. Perdue made his first appearance at the National Press Club to talk about USDA’s mission, the 2018 farm bill, trade, and other topics. Last week, he was interviewed by Iowa Agribusiness …
AgriVisor’s Insight Program Kicks Off Eighth Year
Farmers will again have the opportunity in 2018 to commit bushels into the Insight managed bushel program through participating elevators across the Midwest. Participating farmers can choose any or all of four analysts including AgriVisor, who will then price grain out for them during a specific time period. Farmers can commit corn, soybean or wheat bushels to the program. They …
John Deere Announces New Generation 4 Display Applications
John Deere has announced four new precision applications for the Generation 4 Displays. These are being sold in a bundle activation deal for the John Deere 4600 CommandCenter™ and as bundled subscriptions for 4640 Universal Displays. The four applications are: AutoTrac Turn Automation AutoTrac Implement Guidance AutoTrac Vision for Tractors In-Field Data Sharing John Misher, precision agriculture product marketing manager …
Delaro™ Fungicide Ready to Work for Growers in 2018
Bayer’s new Delaro™ fungicide for corn and soybeans was put to the test by growers this past season in 500 field trials across 20 states and passed with flying colors by providing broad-spectrum disease control, dual mode of action residual and improved plant health. Thorsten Schwindt, Bayer corn and soybean fungicides product manager, and Randy Myers, fungicides portfolio manager, discuss …
ZimmCast from #ASTACSS
This ZimmCast comes to you from the ASTA CSS 2017 and Seed Expo in Chicago which Cindy attended last week for the sixth year in a row, and Jamie got to experience for the first. Cindy and Jamie sat down with Greg Lammert of Rhea+Kaiser, who was at the event representing their client Bayer, and we talked about the conference, …