ZimmCast 611 – National Ag Day

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This week’s program focuses on National Ag Day activities in our nation’s Capitol.

In the program you’ll hear from Senator Pat Roberts who made remarks during the Celebration of American Agriculture reception. I also interviewed Isabella Chism, American Farm Bureau Federation, who is the Chair for National Ag Day. 

Next up is USDA Deputy Secretary, Steve Censky, who spoke prior to moderating a panel discussion, “Observations from the Next Generation of America’s Agriculturists.” After his remarks you can listen to National Ag Day Essay Contest winner Grace Brose, South Dakota.

You can find a recap of National Ag Day activities here. If you’d like to listen to more from the events and find lots of photos then check out my virtual ag newsroom here.

I hope you enjoy this week’s program and thank you for listening.

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 611 – National Ag Day

Another Successful Agri-Pulse Summit

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The 2019 Agri-Pulse Ag and Food Policy Summit was another success for the best farm policy news team in the free world.

The event at the National Press Club featured an all-star line up that started with USDA Chief Economist Rob Johannson, and ended with Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney, with Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach at midday. Dozens of agricultural organizations, agribusinesses and food companies were also included on the program, as sponsors, and in attendance.

The day packed in enough food for thought about the future of agriculture and farm policy to keep us all from going hungry for a long time! Here is just a taste of what was on the menu for your listening pleasure.

Agri-Pulse 2019 Summit – USDA Chief Economist Rob Johannson

Agri-Pulse 2019 Summit – USDA Under Secretary Greg Ibach

Agri-Pulse 2019 Summit – USDA Under Secretary Ted McKinney

2019 Agri-Pulse Ag and Food Policy Summit Photo Album

Animal Ag Bites 3/18

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  • The National Pork Board named Norman Bessac as its new Vice President of International Marketing. Bessac is currently director of international sales for Tyson Fresh Meats, a position he has held since 2016.
  • National Beef Packing Company, LLC announced that it has approved a transaction that will result in it owning 100% of the ownership interests in Iowa Premium, LLC. The transaction is subject to customary conditions, including the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2019.
  • A fuller picture is emerging of the environmental footprint of beef in the United States. An Agricultural Research Service-led team has completed a comprehensive life-cycle analysis quantifying the resource use and various environmental emissions of beef cattle production in the United States. The team began its beef life-cycle analysis in 2013 and published the first of two sets of results in the January 2019 issue of the journal Agricultural Systems.
  • U.S. Poultry & Egg Association has released a 360° virtual reality video that shows how young turkeys are raised and the care they are given by the farmer who is raising them. The video can be viewed on USPOULTRY’s YouTube channel.
  • Legislation proposed by U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., that would prohibit mislabeling of non-dairy foods has been reintroduced in Congress. The DAIRY PRIDE Act would make it illegal to market products using dairy terms unless those products are derived from milk that comes from a hooved animal.
  • Rick Cook has joined Ceva Animal Health assuming leadership for Ceva’s U.S. vaccine production and related operations.

National Ag Day Honors Youth

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The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) honored the winners of the 2019 National Ag Day video and written essay contest during the celebration in Washington DC this week, and also featured a youth panel discussion moderated by USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky.

The theme for the video and essay contest this year was Agriculture: Food for Life. How does our nation lead the way? The theme presented an opportunity for students to address how American agriculture feeds the growing population. The national written essay winner was Grace Brose from Box Elder, South Dakota, who received a $1,000 prize and travel to Washington, D.C. to read her essay at the National Press Club event and take part in the panel discussion on issues and challenges in agriculture. The national video essay winner for 2019 is Jacob Kandell from Mason, Ohio who also received a $1,000 prize for his video.

Listen to Grace read her essay:
Grace Brose Reads Her Essay

ACA chair Isabella Chism, American Farm Bureau Federation, presented Brose with her award. In this interview, she talks about the National Ag Day activities this week in D.C. and why ACA sponsors the event.
Interview with Isabella Chism

Find more content from National Ag Day on AgNewsWire:
National Ag Day Virtual Newsroom

2019 National Ag Day Photo Album

Bayer Honored at National 4-H Legacy Awards

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Bayer was recognized for helping foster the next generation of STEM leaders in agriculture with the National 4-H Council’s 2019 Corporate Leadership Award during ceremonies this week in Washington, D.C.

Bayer was recognized for its nationwide partnership with 4-H on a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) STEM program called Science Matters, which since 2017 has provided more than 25,000 youth across the United States with access to essential agriculture programs and opportunities. In the photo, 2019 4-H Youth in Action winner in Agriculture Addy Battel presents Philip Blake, President of Bayer US, with the award.

“We are proud to receive this prestigious award from 4-H, which honors our longstanding commitment to CSR,” said Blake. “We couldn’t have achieved this without our employees who have dedicated their time to the communities where we live and work volunteering and mentoring 4-H’ers.”

National 4-H Council holds its Legacy Awards event each year to honor those who make life-changing experiences possible for millions of kids and outstanding 4-H youth members who are making a difference in their communities. Bayer was among the many honorees recognized at last night’s 10th Anniversary of the 4-H Legacy Awards including Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Jennifer Nettles, who received the 4-H Brand Champion Award, and legendary, triple crown winning race horse trainer Bob Baffert, who received the Distinguished 4-H Alumni Medallion.

Happy National Ag Day!

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President Donald J. Trump has proclaimed today as National Ag Day, the third year that the administration has publicly recognized National Ag Day as a salute to the contributions of America’s farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses.

USDA officials and the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee joined members of the agricultural community gathered in Washington DC yesterday evening to kick off the official Ag Day celebration with a reception at the Capitol Visitors Center. Sen. Pat Roberts, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Steve Censky and California Representative Doug LaMalfa all made remarks at the event, which you can hear in the audio file below.

Today, Censky along with Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney will take part in the National Ag Day event at the National Press Club. Photo album is started and will include photos from all of the National Ag Day activities. National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America (ACA), a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food and fiber community, dedicating its efforts to increasing the public’s awareness of agriculture’s role in modern society.

National Ag Day Reception remarks from Sen. Roberts, Steve Censky, and Doug LaMalfa

2019 National Ag Day Photo Album

National Pork Board CEO Shares Export Numbers

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National Pork Board CEO Bill Even addressed those attending the 2019 Pork Industry Forum, highlighting a number of issues affecting pork producers today. One of those topics was pork exports, and Even said the NPB has certainly not been idle when it comes to market opportunities.

“Since the year 2000, exports have absorbed 63 percent of your growth from U.S. pork production,” said Even. “Those extra 7.4 billion pounds of pork we produced, 63 percent of it went overseas and about a strong third stayed in the United States. That’s why this export component is critically important.”

Even shared that since 2014, the international marketing budget has increased by 30 percent, with now more than $10 million being spent in that space. He said the top seven export markets for U.S. pork include bright spots like South Korea and Australia where growth is occurring, as well as countries like Mexico and China where trade disputes are negatively affecting export numbers.

Listen to Even’s full report here: National Pork Board CEO report

2019 Pork Industry Forum Photo Album

Pork Industry Honors Service and Leadership

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Dr. Billy Flowers receives award from Pork Board president Steve Rommereim

During the Pork Industry Forum last week in Orlando, the National Pork Board honored individuals for their service and leadership to the industry.

North Carolina State University animal science professor Dr. William “Billy” Flowers received the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his lifelong contribution to the pork industry.

Working to prepare the next generation, his teaching responsibilities include an introduction to animal science, pork production and management, and advanced pork reproduction management. Dr. Flowers also serves as an advisor to more than 70 students each year.

Listen to an interview with Dr. Flowers –
Interview with Pork Forum 2019 NBP Distinguished Service Award winner Billy Flowers

Also at Pork Forum, the late Bob Morrison posthumously received the Pork Checkoff Industry Service Award. Morrison was a veterinarian and professor at the University of Minnesota and coordinated two internationally respected swine health management conferences – the St. Paul, Minnesota-based Allen D. Leman Swine Conference and the Leman China Conference in Nanjing, China.

The National Pork Board and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) presented Sam Hines, former state executive of the Michigan Pork Producers Association, the Paulson-Whitmore State Executive Award. The award is named in honor of two top leaders – Don Paulson, past Minnesota state pork executive, and Rex Whitmore, past Wisconsin state pork executive.

Find content from the Pork Industry Forum here –
National Pork Industry Forum virtual newsroom

Introducing the 2019 Pig Farmers of Tomorrow

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(LtoR) 2019 Pig Farmers of Tomorrow Ben Wikner, Bailee Arnold, and Ben Luebbering

The National Pork Board has named its 2019 Pig Farmers of Tomorrow. The three young farmers will share stories about every day life on the farm with consumers through outreach events and social media activity, while representing the pork industry’s We Care ethical principles.

Recent Iowa State University graduate Ben Wikner is excited to be part of an industry he describes as being on the forefront of sustainability and providing a safe product.

“With antibiotic resistance, sustainability, environmental stewardship, I mean, pork is really leading and pushing the front of caring for the environment, caring for our animals and providing a safe product for our consumer,” said Wikner, who farms with his father and brother. “And that’s why I’m excited to be in the pork industry. That’s something I can be proud of and that’s something I can share with my family and my neighbors and my friends, is that we do care.”

Bailee Arnold manages a 2,000 sow farm for Goldsboro Milling in North Carolina. She hopes she is setting an example for other young people who might consider entering the pork industry.

“I want to encourage the youth to pursue this. It’s a very rewarding career,” said Arnold.

Central Missouri farmer Ben Luebbering hopes to promote a better understanding of farming as he shares daily experiences on his family’s farrow to finish operation.

“If I can share to one person and help them to understand why we do what we do and let them feel that they’re comfortable with farmers, I think it would be a successful year for me,” said Luebbering. “For me, this is the beginning of sharing my story. It kind of gave me the platform to really start doing that. So when this program is over, I don’t want to stop sharing my story.”

All three representatives will do some traveling and plenty of engaging on social media platforms as they represent the pork industry over the next year.

Listen to Chuck’s interviews with all three Pig Farmers of Tomorrow here:
Interview with 2019 Pig Farmer of Tomorrow Ben Wikner, Iowa
Interview with 2019 Pig Farmer of Tomorrow Bailee Arnold, North Carolina
Interview with 2019 Pig Farmer of Tomorrow Ben Luebbering, Missouri

2019 Pork Industry Forum Photo Album

Animal Ag Bites 3/11

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  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has joined BFGoodrich Tires to launch the new Tradesmen Support Program.
  • Global Dairy Platform announced the addition of Mr. Mike Durkin, President & CEO of Leprino Foods and Mr. Lino Saputo, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saputo Inc., to GDP’s Board of Directors.
  • Foot-and-mouth disease virus spreads much more aggressively in pigs than previous research suggests, according to a new study by U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists.
  • The Missouri Dairy Association seeks an Executive Director/Sales Manager for the Heart of America Dairy Expo. Mr. Dave Drennan, Executive Director, will be retiring on May 1, 2019. Click here for more information.
  • The Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2019 Stakeholders Summit themed, A Seat At The Table, will be held May 8-9 at the InterContinental at the Plaza Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri. Discounted registration rates are available through April 1.
  • Eddy Roberts, president of the International Brangus Breeders Association, announced that Dr. Darrell Wilkes will assume the role of executive vice president of the 70-year-old Brangus cattle breed registry.
  • In an effort to share more about beef farming and ranching with audiences across the globe, Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. is making its virtual ranch tours available in Korean, Japanese, and Spanish.
  • The Agricultural Relations Council to announces the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association will host the ARC intern for the second year in a row. Student applications are due March 15.
  • The United States Department of Agriculture announced additional steps to keep African swine fever from entering the United States, even as the disease spreads internationally.
  • U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is accepting applications for the 2019 Clean Water Awards. The awards recognize outstanding performance of wastewater treatment plants that operate at poultry or egg processing facilities. The deadline for submitting applications is June 28. For an application form, go to www.uspoultry.org/environment/.
  • The National Pork Producers Council awarded scholarships to 10 college students who intend to pursue careers in the pork industry. The Lois Britt Memorial Pork Industry Scholarship program is sponsored by CME Group and the National Pork Industry Foundation and managed and administered by NPPC.
  • The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs recently announced the inaugural board of directors and leadership team at the International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta.
  • The National Pork Producers Council elected new officers and members to its board of directors at the National Pork Industry Forum. Elected as president of the organization was David Herring, a hog farmer from Lillington, N.C.
  • Tom Miller, an Arizona pork producer, executive director of the Arizona Pork Council and past president of the National Pork Producers Council, was inducted into the NPPC Hall of Fame for his lifetime commitment to advocacy, leadership and advancement on behalf of pork producers at the National Pork Industry Forum.
  • The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy will host food safety workshops that are taught by industry professionals for the benefit of the entire industry. Visit www.usdairy.com/events for more information on any of these workshops.
  • Join fellow producers and industry experts at the annual Dairy Calf & Heifer Association conference coming up on April 9-11, 2019.
  • US Speedskating and Dairy West announce a strategic partnership that will bring high quality dairy products to Speed Skating Olympic athletes and hopefuls.