NCGA Talks Sustainability at the White House

Kelly MarshallAg Group, Government, NCGA, sustainability

nick-notdNCGA and more than a dozen other organizations met at the White House to discuss the role of the federal government in advancing sustainability in agriculture.  Dr. Nick Goeser, a member of the Roundtable panel, highlighted NCGA’s participation in Field to Market, as well as the Soil Health Partnership programs.

“Everyone across the ag supply chain has a role to play and a responsibility with conservation, but no one organization or company can do it alone,” said Goeser, who serves as director of the Soil Health Partnership. “We all must work together to understand the environmental impact at each point in the supply chain and adopt the best systems to reduce our environmental footprint.”

The Roundtable included representatives from the White House Council for Environmental Quality, USDA, and one of the President’s top advisors on environmental issues.

ZimmPollers Turn to Gas to Fuel Grills

Jamie JohansenZimmPoll

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What fuels your grill?”

My family was a little late pulling out our grill this summer, but it’s now out and we have been enjoying it thoroughly. I honestly don’t have a preference, but my husband is pretty adamant about what fuels his grill. So, it’s charcoal all the way in my household. But apparently we are the minority. Our pollers clearly like a gas grill and I was a little surprised we had no electric grillers out there.

Here are the poll results:

  • Charcoal/wood – 44%
  • Gas – 56%
  • Electric – 0%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, How will a ban on antibiotics impact your livestock operation?

This change in federal guidelines will require many regulation modifications and a lot of label changes. The livestock industry is currently working with producers to help with his transition. We want to know how you think this ban on antibiotics will impact your operations.

GROWMARK Stresses Overlap Weed Management

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Growmark, Weed control

In the midst of bin-busting yields last year, farmers in many areas of the Midwest saw waterhemp raise its ugly head in soybean fields late in the season, despite the best pre-emergence efforts.

growmark-powell“Waterhemp is one of those weeds we’ve finding throughout all of our territory,” said GROWMARK Weed Science Technical Manager Dr. David Powell, who wrote an article about this recently. “It’s one of the hardest weeds to control and that really has to do with the lack of options we have to manage it with post-emergence herbicides.”

Because waterhemp can germinate all season long, Powell says it’s important to use multiple modes of action and overlapping post-emergence residuals. “Really using a lot of pre-herbicides at high rates and then coming back earlier in the season before you even see a weed emerge to get overlapping residual,” said Powell. “A weed that doesn’t come up is easier than a weed that you try to control when it gets any height to it.”

Powell adds that now is the time for farmers to be thinking about that overlapping residual. Learn more in this interview. [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/growmark/growmark-powell.mp3″ text=”Interview with David Powell, GROWMARK”]

2,4-D and Dicamba Reports to Be Released

Kelly MarshallASA, Herbicides, NCGA

2,4-DThe World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) will soon be releasing another report.  An earlier report, released in March, categorized the herbicide glyhosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans,” a category shared by aloe vera and coffee.  The upcoming report will be the results of their review of 2,4-D and dicamba.  Farm organizations are concerned.

National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling and American Soybean Association Chairman Ray Gaesser have issued a joint statement about the possible classification of a tested pesticide as a probable carcinogen.  The response of confused consumers is the main concern of the organizations.

“We are concerned, […] that a pending announcement from the U.N. World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer will only lead to more confusion and concern about two widely-used herbicides that have been mainstays for farmers for decades. These two substances play an especially important role in corn and soybean farming as they allow us to manage weeds in a sustainable way.

“The IARC exists to review health and safety data to decide whether something could (not will or is even likely to) be carcinogenic. IARC creates confusion and unnecessary fear amongst the public by using narrowly-focused data removed from real-world situations to find almost everything that it reviews as potentially carcinogenic, including drinking coffee, using aloe vera, or working the late shift.
“IARC does not take the regulations and use patterns around herbicides that allow them to be implemented safely into consideration.

“While IARC may be fulfilling its narrow charge, its findings are easily misrepresented and misunderstood.

Farm groups are urging IARC to interpret its findings with care.  The confusion activists groups may cause with misleading information will be difficult for farm families working to pass on farms to the next generation.

2015 CTIC Conservation in Action Tour

Kelly MarshallConservation, CTIC, Events

Conservation in ActionOn August 11-12 the Conservation Technology Information Center’s (CTIC) eighth annual Conservation in Action Tour will visit farms in southeastern Minnesota.  The tour will include a close-up exploration of conservation farming practices and will focus on innovative practices and partnerships.  The trip is touted as one of the conservation agriculture world’s top idea-sharing opportunities.

Executive Director, Karen Scanlon says participants will visit farms ranging from corn and soybeans, to vegetable operations, to dairies.  Expect hands-on exploration of conservation ideas like: saturated and vegetative buffers, innovative drainage techniques, strip till systems, and others.

“There’s great diversity in the farming practices, crops and landscapes in southeast Minnesota, and a wide range of innovative conservation technologies and systems in use there, which will make this a rich experience,” Scanlon points out.

“The diversity of the participants themselves is a vital part of what makes Conservation in Action tours so powerful,” she adds. “You’re sitting on the bus and sharing meals with farmers, crop consultants, government policymakers, agribusiness leaders, ag retailers, members of conservation groups and others—and everyone is talking about conservation agriculture. The access to people and ideas is truly unique.”

Previous tours have sold out so register early.  To register for the event, visit www.ctic.org/CIATours, or contact Crystal Hatfield at hatfield@ctic.org or (765) 494-9555.

Feed A Bee Initiative Exceeds Goal

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Bayer CropScience, Bees

feed-a-bee_bannerThe Feed the Bee campaign has received pledges to plant 50 million flowers in 2015.  The initiative, sponsored by Bayer CropScience just 12 weeks ago, strives to to increase forage for honeybees by working with organizations and indificuals to provide the pollinators with their food source.  Almost 200,000 people supported the campaign by visiting www.FeedABe.com and requesting seeds to plant.

“That fact that the Feed a Bee initiative has already met its goal to plant 50 million flowers is a testament to the passion of individuals and organizations to support pollinator health,” said Jim Blome, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience LP North America. “While this is a great initial step for Feed a Bee, we know there is more work to be done to allow these amazing creatures to thrive, and we don’t plan to stop here.”

Individuals are encouraged to continue supporting Feed a Bee by coming back to share their planting photos using #FeedABee on social networking sites. Individuals will have the opportunity to view their planting contributions on an interactive tool on www.beehealth.bayer.us/feed-a-bee.  Individuals can also still visit www.FeedABee.com to have the Feed a Bee initiative plant forage on their behalf or commit to planting a bee-attractant plant on their own. 

The Feed a Bee campaign is also close to reaching its goal of working with 50 partners to plant thousands of acres of flower-producing crops this year. To date, the initiative has secured more than 30 collaborators, including groups like NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT), Project Apis m. and Integrated Vegetation Management Partners, Inc.(IVM Partners).

Feed a Bee is one of several programs sponsored by Bayer’s Bee Care Program, continuing its nearly 30 years of supporting bee health. 

California approves BASF’s Nealta Miticide

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, BASF, Insect Control

basf-logoBASF‘s latest product, Nealta® miticide, has received registration for use in California. The product has been shown to control spider mites in all life stages through a unique mode of action. It is labeled for use on tree nut (including almonds and pistachios), grape, strawberry, citrus, tomato, apple and pear crops.

“Mites infest California crops each year, causing growers to treat more than 4 million acres each season,” said Steve Broscious, Ph.D, Technical Market Manager for BASF. “With Nealta miticide, growers in California now have a powerful tool that can be used as part of an integrated pest management program.”

One treatment of Nealta miticide delivers high efficacy against spider mites at all life stages, including eggs. Laboratory studies with twospotted spider mite adults show Nealta miticide provides 100 percent mortality after 3 hours of direct exposure, and 95 percent mortality 8-1/2 hours after indirect exposure. Nealta miticide keeps working to provide excellent knockdown and residual control of problematic mites.

Research indicates Nealta miticide is compatible with beneficials and non-target arthropods, including insidious flower bugs, seven-spotted lady beetles and western predatory mites. Nealta miticide also offers a short pre-harvest interval, application flexibility and tank-mix compatibility.

Nealta miticide is the latest in the BASF line of products.  It can be effective as part of a program with other proven innovations, such as Pristine fungicide, Merivon fungicide, Treevix herbicide and Altrevin fire ant bait insecticide.

ZimmComm Galaxy Tab S AgNerd Giveaway

Jamie JohansenAgNerd, Contest

Contest-Banner-2Are you in need of some new tech for your farm or business? ZimmComm New Media just might have the answer. Enter our latest AgNerd Giveaway for a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy S Tab.

Samsung Galaxy S Tab Specs:

  • Super AMOLED® display (1600 x 2560)
  • Our thinnest (0.26″) and lightest (1.02 lbs.) yet
  • Unique innovations like Fingerprint Scanner, Multi-window™, and more
  • Get up to 9 hours of battery life, and even more with Ultra Power Saving Mode

Checkout the AgNerd Giveaway Rules to learn more about your chance to win.

New Holland President Addresses Ag Forum

Cindy ZimmermanFood, International, New Holland

New Holland Carlo LambroNew Holland Agriculture Brand President, Carlo Lambro, spoke during the International Agricultural Forum that was held at Expo Milano 2015 last week. His comments focused on the company’s commitment to securing the right of healthy, safe and sufficient food for all by responsible investment in agriculture and food systems. This week Lambro will greet a group of agricultural media representatives visiting Expo Milano, including our own Chuck Zimmerman @Agriblogger.

The theme of the universal event taking place in Milan, Italy, “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life” drove discussions at the Forum organised by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (MIPAAF). The issue at hand was that of the global food challenge. Open to discussion was the issue of seeking a just balance between availability and consumption of resources by using efficient and accessible technology in order to achieve a sustainable future.

Carlo Lambro, a member of CNH Industrial’s Group Executive Council and Brand President of New Holland Agriculture, delivered a presentation during the Forum session on Agriculture and Food Security. In his speech, Mr. Lambro highlighted the development of CNH Industrial’s innovative solutions which seek to accomplish long-term sustainability: “By providing innovative products, technologies and solutions for the agriculture, transport and construction sectors that abide by environmentally responsible operating practices, CNH Industrial is doing its part to address global issues such as nutrition, food security and climate change.”

Read more here (pdf).

Jeff Pritchard Joins SynTelus as President/COO

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness

SynTelus mastheadSynTelus, a CSE Life Science Company focusing on end-use fungicides, insecticides and herbicides, as brought on Jeffery Pritchard as President and Chief Operating Officer.  Pritchard will be responsible for strategic direction, sales and marketing, and managing operational and supply chain endeavors.

Pritchard has a long history of leadership roles within both post-patent and R&D based crop-protection companies, most recently as President, North America, for Sharda USA. Previously he led UPI in the United States. Prior to joining UPI, Pritchard worked at American Cyanamid for more than 15 years in various commercial and leadership capacities, last serving as President of Latin America South, residing in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“Jeff and I have known each other for years, at times as competitors and at times as customers of each other,” said Randy Canady, founder and CEO of SynTelus and its parent company CSE Life Science Holdings. “We feel fortunate to bring Jeff on board as an equity partner in SynTelus. We’re looking forward to the growth that his knowledge, leadership and business philosophy will drive.”

“This is a very exciting time in US agriculture, and I look forward to working with Randy and the entire SynTelus team,” said Pritchard. “The market is ripe for a customer-centric, market-driven supplier of post-patent and differentiated chemistries. Our development initiatives will focus on technology and market opportunities delivered through a seamless channel model that is sustainable and profitable for SynTelus and the customers we serve.”