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Head of US Dairy Export Council says marketing changes won’t need checkoff increase

Ag/Outdoor

October 10th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The leader of the U.S. Dairy Export Council says he’s making changes to the organization’s marketing strategy. CEO Tom Vilsack says he’d like to increase export sales by five-percent, bringing the total to 20-percent of U.S. dairy production.

“To do that requires us to have more presence in some of these emerging markets, more people on the ground figuring out what the market needs, what the market wants, figuring out ways in which we can innovate appropriately to meet that market demand,” Vilsack said. Although the boost in manpower in developing markets will cost money, Vilsack is promising producers they won’t see changes in the dairy checkoff program.

“This is not about increasing the checkoff. This is about using the resources that are available from the checkoff in the most efficient and effective way possible,” Vilsack said. “And, certainly within our own USDEC budget, we are re-prioritizing to be able to put more resources, for example, into that Mexican market which is so important.”

USDEC CEO Tom Vilsack (L) and Dairy Management Inc CEO Tom Gallagher address media at 2017 World Dairy Expo

The 66-year-old Vilsack added along with cutting ineffective marketing programs, the council will examine revenue streams.

“We also have dues-paying members, 120 members or so of our organization. There hasn’t been a dues increase for at least 10 years, so there’s a possibility that we would look at our dues structure. That’s a small percentage of our budget, but an important part of it,” Vilsack said. “And, we obviously want to make a case to the U.S. Government to continue to fund and maybe even increase the MAP (Market Access Program) funding, the foreign market development funding (and) the market assistance programs.”

Vilsack served as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for eight years before starting his new job with the U.S. Dairy Export Council in February. Vilsack was Iowa’s governor from 1999 to 2007. He made his comments in an interview with Brownfield Ag News at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. Iowa typically ranks among the top 15 states in terms of annual dairy production.

(Radio Iowa, w/Thanks to Larry Lee, Brownfield Ag News)

Conservation Report 10/07/2017

Ag/Outdoor, Podcasts

October 7th, 2017 by admin

Bob Beebensee and DNR Conservation Officer Grant Gelle talk about all things outdoors as we get into the fall hunting and fishing season.

Play

Local 24-Hour Rainfall Totals ending at 7:00 am on Friday, October 6

Ag/Outdoor, Weather

October 6th, 2017 by Jim Field

  • KJAN, Atlantic  .71″
  • 7 miles NNE of Atlantic  .43″
  • Massena  .67″
  • Elk Horn  .57″
  • Avoca  .8″
  • Neola  .2″
  • Villisca  3.6″
  • Manning  .16″
  • Missouri Valley  .31″
  • Logan  .26″
  • Woodbine  .22″
  • Carroll  .13″
  • Council Bluffs  .76″
  • Creston  .85″
  • Corning  2.67″
  • Red Oak  3.39″
  • Clarinda  3.9″
  • Shenandoah  3.98″

Farm Rescue nonprofit marks milestone with 500th aid case

Ag/Outdoor

October 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The Farm Rescue farm aid nonprofit in the Plains has reached another milestone. The organization this week is delivering donated hay to south central North Dakota rancher Doug Bichler. He lost his right arm in a hay baling machine accident this past summer, while also dealing with devastating drought. It’s the 500th case for Farm Rescue since it was started in 2005.

Farm Rescue provides free physical labor for farmers and ranchers in need in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, Montana and Nebraska. Founder Bill Gross says he considers it an honor to have been able to help 500 farm families who have experienced crises. Bichler is still recovering from his ordeal and says the assistance from Farm Rescue will help him keep his herd of cattle through the winter.

Grassley to have biofuels meeting with EPA administrator

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Some renewable fuels advocates are questioning the Trump Administration’s commitment to biofuels in light of recent proposals from the EPA. Those proposals include reducing the RFS blend requirement for biodiesel and having U.S. biofuel export volumes count towards compliance with the RFS. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he expressed his concerns to President Trump in a phone conversation last Friday.

“I don’t want to say what the President said, but I was very satisfied with the position the President took in our discussion,” Grassley said. As a result of that conversation, Grassley and several of his Senate colleagues will be meeting with EPA administrator Scott Pruitt on October 17.  “I will tell administrator Pruitt that the proposal is counter to what the President has pledged,” Grassley said.

The EPA, Grassley added, appear to be undercutting the President’s support of biofuels. Grassley said while he has no direct evidence that the oil industry is pressuring the EPA on biofuels, he isn’t ruling out the possibility. “Big Oil may be accomplishing something in EPA it couldn’t get through Congress,” Grassley said. “And like a duck, if it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, it’s probably a duck.”

Grassley will be holding town meetings in Iowa next week during the Congressional recess.

(Radio Iowa)

“Unhuggables: Halloween Hike set for Oct. 28th at Sunnyside Park in Atlantic

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 4th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Conservation Board invites you to enjoy the 24th biannual Halloween Hike, on Saturday, October 28th, as you follow a trail where your “Unhuggables” will greet you!  Starting at 7:00 p.m. small groups will depart from the Camblin Addition of Sunnyside Park every ten minutes. Kids twelve and under are encouraged to arrive early to get their faces painted. The last group will depart at 8:10 p.m. and all hikers are welcome to enjoy free tasty treats and warm drinks after their hike. It is not our intent to scare or frighten anyone, but to educate and entertain people of all ages.

Pre-registration is required for this FREE event, please call 712-769-2372 or email lkanning@casscoia.us to make your reservations. If you leave a message please leave name, phone number, how many is in your group and what time you wish to depart on the hike! We are looking for volunteers for this event as well. This hike is sponsored by the Cass County Conservation Board.

(Press Release)

Local 24-Hour Rainfall Totals ending at 7:00 am on Wednesday, October 4

Ag/Outdoor, Weather

October 4th, 2017 by Jim Field

  • KJAN, Atlantic  .15″
  • Elk Horn  .11″
  • Massena  .26″
  • Audubon  .09″
  • Oakland  .29″
  • Clarinda  .44″
  • Carroll  .02″
  • Logan  .07″
  • Villisca  .15″
  • Corning  .1″
  • Shenandoah  .12″
  • Red Oak  .44″
  • Denison  .09″
  • Manning  .07″
  • Bedford  .37″

Cass County Extension Report 10-4-2017

Ag/Outdoor, Podcasts

October 4th, 2017 by Jim Field

w/Kate Olson.

Play

Crop report shows Iowa farmers making harvest progress

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 3rd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Iowa farmers are moving into their fields to harvest crops. Despite some wet conditions across sections of the state last week, a new report shows Iowa farmers made progress in harvesting corn and soybeans.The USDA’s survey indicates six-percent of the Iowa corn crop and 16-percent of the soybean crop had been harvested through October 1. The corn harvest is nearly two weeks behind average, while the collection of soybeans is just three days behind average. The USDA rates 60-percent of corn crop in good to excellent condition, while 61-percent of the state’s soybean crop is rated good to excellent.

(Radio Iowa)

Local 24-Hour Rainfall Totals ending at 7:00 am on Tuesday, October 3

Ag/Outdoor, Weather

October 3rd, 2017 by Jim Field

  • KJAN, Atlantic  .06″
  • Massena  .26″
  • Elk Horn  .13″
  • Audubon  .05″
  • Manning  .09″
  • Woodbine  .34″
  • Logan  .33″
  • Missouri Valley  .43″
  • Carroll  .04″
  • Red Oak  .3″
  • Corning  .04″
  • Denison  .17″
  • Underwood  .07″