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Business Briefs - June 19, 2019
 

Warm-season grass group seeking materials for buyers

WAPWALLOPEN, Pa. — The Assoc. of Warm Season Grass Producers (AWSGP) has put out an alert that it knows of buyers looking for warm-season grass materials.

Anyone with grass or seed, or who knows someone, is invited to contact AWSGP Chair Will Brandau by calling 570-814-0195, writing to him at 31 Smith Mtn. Rd., Wapwallopen, PA 18660, or emailing willbrandau@gmail.com

Learn more about the organization and its mission and need for warm-season grass materials at www.awsgp.org

County Farm Bureaus launch community programs with grants

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana Farm Bureau (INFB) issued three county development grants to support new or expanded county Farm Bureau programs, activities, or events that enhance the promotion of or provide education about agriculture. The Farm Bureaus that will receive financial assistance for programming this year are Pulaski, Starke, and Warren counties.

Pulaski County was awarded $1,050 to launch an educational program for students attending the Pulaski County Fair. The goal of the program is to educate them about new concepts for plant production, like aquaponics, and the importance of new forms of food production for feeding our growing world population. Once launched at the fair, Farm Bureau hopes to expand the programming into local classrooms.

Starke County was awarded $1,500 to launch a local Farm-to-Fork event. The purpose is to highlight the many ag products and their producers in Starke County, and to foster positive relationships between those producers and Farm Bureau.

Warren County was awarded $1,500 to implement a monthly mobile food pantry as part of the Warren County Food Insecurity and Food Deserts program. Since much of the county is qualified as a food desert, the mobile pantry would significantly improve access to food for those in need. Warren County Farm Bureau launched a trial into the program in January and served 64 local families with little promotion.

INFB’s program development grants are issued annually. All Indiana county Farm Bureaus are eligible to apply for up to $1,500 in funding each year.

Climate Corp., NAU Country partner on crop insurance

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Climate Corp., a subsidiary of Bayer, announced a platform agreement between the company’s industry-leading Climate FieldView digital agriculture platform and NAU Country Insurance Co.

The new agreement enhances digital reporting capabilities for farmers. NAU is one of the largest federal crop insurance providers in the United States; the new collaboration will help mutual farmer customers and their insurance agents to move planting and harvest data electronically into the NAU Country Precision Farming system, for faster completion and delivery of planting and production reports.

For more information about the Climate FieldView platform, contact a local FieldView dealer, or visit climate.com

National Beef Packing Co. arranges to own Iowa Premium

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — National Beef Packing Co., LLC announced it has approved a transaction that will result in it owning 100 percent 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.

Iowa Premium, located in Tama, Iowa, employs more than 800 people and processes approximately 1,100 head of Black Angus fed cattle per day. The company is well known for marketing high-quality beef products worldwide under several proprietary brands including Iowa Premium Angus and Est. 8 Angus.

Culver Duck Farms earns American Humane Certified seal

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Culver Duck Farms, Inc. has earned certification for the treatment of their animals from American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization and the largest certifier of animal welfare in the world. Culver is the first duck producer to achieve certification under the program.

To qualify as an American Humane Certified producer, Culver had to meet the program’s rigorous requirements, including many science-based standards covering everything from adequate space to proper temperature, air quality and much more. It also voluntarily agreed to undergo stringent, yearly audits by independent auditors to ensure the program’s standards are being implemented correctly.

Culver Duck began more than five generations ago as a family business and was one of the original Long Island duck companies. Under new ownership and leadership since 2016, Culver Duck has put an emphasis on animal welfare.

Tennessee pesticide certification testing now more accessible

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee pesticide applicators will now have improved access to required certification testing thanks to new and streamlined services. Applicators will be able to pay for and schedule tests online and receive results immediately following their exam.

The new pesticide certification, scheduling, and exam process is being administered for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture by PSI Services based out of Glendale, Calif. The company has been doing business with Tennessee agencies since 2004.

State and federal law requires any person who commercially applies or supervises the use of pesticides to be certified. There are 12,623 commercial applicators, 1,464 chartered pest control companies, and 215 restricted use pesticide dealers licensed in Tennessee.

For more information, visit www.tn.gov/agriculture/businesses/pesticides.html

James Allen launches Foreign Animal Policy coverage

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — James Allen Insurance (JAI), the first in the industry to offer livestock policies for PRRS, PED, ASF, FMD, and avian flu, has developed a new program to offer even more comprehensive coverage through its Foreign Animal Policies.

Under the new program, producers and livestock operations can get a variety of operational expenses covered, including feed costs, insurance premiums, interest costs, loan payments, medication and vaccination costs, mortgage payments and property taxes, payroll and payroll taxes, rental and utility costs, veterinarian costs, and waste removal costs.

Coverage for these expenses is available with James Allen’s African swine fever (ASF), foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), porcine reproductive & respiratory syndrome (PRRS), and porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) policies.

JAI works with farmers to create personalized policy plans for their operation based on the number of sows and hogs on their farm. Its policies for ASF, FMD, PRRS, and PED can be purchased together or separately based on each producer and operator’s needs.

DNR provides more than $52,000 to help support rural FDs

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DNR) supports Ohio’s rural fire departments and the communities they serve. Through the Community Wildfire Risk Reduction (CWRR) grant program, the DNR Division of Forestry recently approved grant funding for 25 projects totaling $52,106 for fire departments in rural areas of eastern and southern Ohio.

CWRR grant projects are focused on supporting wildfire hazard mitigation, public education, and firefighter training for rural fire departments. Items purchased through these grants include dry hydrants, computers, tablets, GPS units, outdoor signs, and training room equipment and materials.

The CWRR program allows for cost-sharing to help make important ancillary programs, like community outreach, risk reduction, and safety campaigns, possible. CWRR grant funding was provided to the Division of Forestry through a competitive process via the U.S. Forest Service.

Farmers have cost-share opportunity for certification program

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee farmers looking to expand their markets and increase food safety by becoming good agricultural practices (GAP) certified now have the opportunity to receive financial assistance from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA).

GAP certification allows producers to sell directly to more businesses and institutions with stringent food safety requirements, such as grocery stores or hospitals. These new opportunities allow producers to increase their income, and the certification helps to ensure food is safe and wholesome for specialty crops throughout Tennessee.

The application period closes August 31. Qualified producers will have the opportunity to offset the cost of a GAP Certification inspection by being reimbursed 75 percent of the inspection cost up to $750. Funds are available on a first come, first served basis. Grant funds are available to producers only; warehouses and distributors may not apply.

Find more information and the application at www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/produce-nursery/gap.html or by emailing Grant Pulse at grant.pulse@tn.gov

NCGA releases pollinator protection guide for corn growers

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — The National Corn Growers Assoc. (NCGA), in partnership with the Honey Bee Health Coalition, is releasing new best management practices (BMPs) to protect bees and other pollinators in and around cornfields.

At roughly 92 million acres, field corn covers more land than any other row crop in the country, and in the Midwest Corn Belt, corn often makes up to 40 percent of the landscape or more. The BMPs presented in the NCGA’s new guide identify potential effects of agricultural practices on bees at each stage of production and recommend ways to mitigate those impacts.

The digital publication via www.ncga.com/topics/conservation/pollinators showcases specific strategies such as reducing dust and drift while planting a pesticide-treated seed. Corn growers who rotate with soybeans could also see added benefit from their pollinator stewardship because bees can increase soybean yields by up to 18 percent, according to a 2005 study.

Land O’Lakes recognizes Ceres as farmer innovative advisor

CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. — At the recent Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN Partners In Excellence Summit, Land O’Lakes leadership was proud to honor just a few of the many outstanding ag retailers across the United States and Canada who are helping to drive improved environmental outcomes while supporting farm profitability and resilience. Ceres Solutions Cooperative, based in Crawfordsville, received recognition as leader at this event.

Ceres Solutions has helped drive the success of Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN program for the past two years. Ceres expert agronomists have enrolled nearly 100,000 acres into their SUSTAIN Program, and have taken an active role in educating their local community about soil health and conservation by hosting multiple field days for customers.

Ceres Solutions is a key leader in the Big Pine watershed conservation project focused on improving water quality in western Indiana. Ceres is also a key partner in a recently announced collaboration to source sustainably-grown corn from the Midwest for global ingredient supplier Tate & Lyle. The relationship enables Tate & Lyle to enhance sustainable agriculture by helping corn farmers target and measure the impact of environmental stewardship efforts.

Land O’Lakes is thrilled to have such innovative retailers as part of its network, and was proud to recognize Ceres’ good work with the Outstanding Ag Retailer Award.

Raber Packing to rebuild in West Peoria after 2018 fire

WEST PEORIA, Ill. — The head of Peoria’s only local farm-to-fork packinghouse has announced plans to rebuild his family business after a fire destroyed the business in November 2018.

Raber Packing Co. President Buddy Courdt announced the company will rebuild in West Peoria. The new facility, projected to cost $8 million, will relocate near its roots to a site on Farmington Road. The four-alarm fire, which used more than 1.4 million gallons of water, destroyed the packinghouse and damaged other parts of the business.

Courdt said they decided to build an entirely new facility. It was designed by Courdt and his youngest brother, Brad, an industrial design engineer. The specially-designed 40,000-50,000 square-foot processing facility will house an expanded retail area, a larger slaughter floor, processing area, and office space. The new design also will provide for the most efficient flow-through from slaughter to counter as well as incorporating new cost-effective methods.

Hein Construction expects a completion date in November 2019. Raber Packing expects to employ 40 full-time union employees. Raber has been family-owned and -operated since 1954.

Tractor Supply presents $970,121 to National FFA Foundation

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Tractor Supply Co. and the National FFA Organization continue to partner to support the next generation of agricultural leaders through their Grants for Growing program. Grants for Growing provides funding to FFA chapters across the country for the development or improvement of a proposed agricultural project.

This year, Tractor Supply stores nationwide raised a record $970,122 through customer donations to fund sustainable, youth-driven agriculture projects made possible by the initiative.

Tractor Supply awarded 259 grants impacting more than 24,000 students in 258 FFA chapters across the country this spring. From school gardens to beekeeping stations, the grants will be used to purchase the supplies needed to fulfill agricultural projects such as power tools, hydroponic systems, fencing, vegetation, livestock, poultry, feed, mulch, and more.

Over the course of six weeks, FFA received 436 grant applications. Coinciding with National FFA Week, Tractor Supply hosted a 12-day in-store national fundraising event, which offered shoppers the opportunity to donate at checkout in support of the program. Donations were also accepted online with a purchase.

Since the program’s start in 2016, Grants for Growing has raised more than $3.2 million for the National FFA Organization. In total, the initiative has funded 1,258 grants supporting projects involving more than 127,000 students.

AEM, EDA, FEMA team up on ag teacher scholarship program

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Inspiring the next generation to consider working toward a career within the agriculture equipment industry continues to be one of the greatest challenges for equipment manufacturers and dealers.

A joint industry initiative led by the Assoc. of Equipment Manufacturers’ (AEM) Ag Sector Board aims to increase the number of equipment-specific courses taught in high schools, to help expand awareness of and enthusiasm for the equipment manufacturing industry.

With help from the Equipment Dealers Assoc. (EDA) and Farm Equipment Manufacturers Assoc. (FEMA), 36 educators from 12 states were awarded partial scholarships for certification in equipment courses starting this summer. The courses, offered through the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (C.A.S.E.), will qualify teachers to begin teaching the courses this fall, with the potential of reaching more than 1,500 students in the 2019-20 school year.

Teachers will spend 80 hours working through nearly every lesson in the yearlong curriculum and learning how to deliver lessons in an inquiry-based way that will shift focus in the classroom from teacher-led to student-directed learning.

Organizations wishing to contribute or match a teacher scholarship, which currently covers about half of the teacher’s total certification expenses, should call Brian Voss with AEM at 414-298-4108.

Tillable introduces Hassle-Free Lease for renting farmland

CHICAGO, Ill. — To reduce the risk associated with farmland ownership and simplify the land rental process, Tillable, the online marketplace for the $32 billion farmland rental market, announced the launch of its new Hassle-Free Lease.

Under the Hassle-Free Lease, Tillable provides landowners a one- or three-year rental offer for their land, pays the landowner up front and in full, and finds a farmer to operate on their land for the duration of the lease beginning in the 2020 growing season.

It also provides certainty that landowners receive a fair lease payment, eliminating the risk of market volatility, destructive weather, or unfair rental contracts that ultimately damage profitability. After the landowner and Tillable agree upon a fair rental offer, Tillable handles the rest.

Additionally, Tillable mitigates the risks of fluctuating commodity prices and the impact of destructive weather patterns by providing upfront payment for the lease ahead of the 2020 growing season. For more information, visit www.tillable.com

fairlife to expand and build new production facility in Arizona

CHICAGO, Ill. — fairlife, LLC announced plans to increase overall production capabilities with the construction of a new 300,000 square-foot production and distribution facility in Goodyear, Ariz., a suburb of Phoenix.

fairlife currently produces multiple varieties of dairy-based beverages at its production plant in Coopersville, Mich., and distributes the highly nutritious beverages to retailers in the United States and Canada.

The new $200 million-plus facility, which is slated to begin operation in the back half of 2020, will house production lines that will play a key role in meeting the growing demand for fairlife. Working with the United Dairymen of Arizona (UDA) to source milk from numerous dairy farmers in Goodyear, the new plant will enable increased production of all fairlife products.

The new facility will incorporate advanced manufacturing technologies and efficient, energy-saving equipment to reduce power consumption. It will create more than 140 jobs locally.

 

6/20/2019