As we near the end of the first quarter in 2016, we would like to thank all of our renewing members. The growth and retention of our membership is the life blood of this association. We could not be such a great organization without each of our member's support.
I invite those who have not renewed to call the office and make arrangements for 2016. The 2016 Membership Directory is being published in April and final cut off for member inclusion is March 31. You can contact our Membership Director, Reilly Vaughan, at 515-262-8323 or [email protected].
Also, if you are interested in serving on a committee, I invite you to take this moment to contact us about the different opportunities we have to be involved. Your knowledge and expertise is a crucial part of what makes this organization great.
I feel as I speak for the staff and leadership when I say that we are looking forward to serving you and your business in 2016.
Sincerely,
Joel Brinkmeyer
CEO
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Office Closure: March 25
In observance of the Good Friday holiday - the AAI office will be closed Friday, March 25.
Normal business hours will resume Monday, March 28.
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INREC Board Meeting Re-Cap
The Iowa Nutrient Research and Education Council (INREC) held their first board of directors meeting for 2016 at the Iowa Pork Producers Association on March 17th. Despite falling on top of the first round of the NCAA basketball tournament, all of the voting directors and several of their staff were represented as well as guests from TFI, GROWMARK, and a guest speaker from Iowa DNR.
Meeting topics focused largely around activities to measure and document progress being made by Iowa farmers to implement practices listed in the Iowa Nutrient Strategy, including important discussion about developing historic baselines and the need to target public funds based on the progress that has been made over time.
Special thanks to the Iowa Pork Producers Association for providing their board room and hospitality as hosts of this meeting and for INREC Treasurer Dave Struthers and Tyler Bettin providing an insightful overview of IPPA over lunch. The next INREC meeting is scheduled for
June 22, 2016
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Showcase Committee Meeting Wrap up
On Monday, March 21 the Showcase Committee met at the AAI home office in Des Moines to discuss the current Agribusiness Showcase & Conference that was held on February 9-10 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
The committee is represented by active exhibitors and sponsors of the showcase. Discussion began with staff comments/notes on the 2016 event and with the successes and improvements that can be made. Financials were provided by AAI CFO Joan O'Brien along with discussion on CCA learning. The group had open discussions on registrations, exhibiting opportunities, CCA credits, the annual meeting, and the leadership forum. including preliminary results of the showcase surveys.
There is to be a small working group to speak with exhibitors of the showcase from previous years to get input and generate discussion on bulk spaces at the show.
The summer workshop for CCAs is currently under planning and scheduling speakers. The sessions will be held in Ames at the Hansen Learning Center in late August. Details will follow.
The group closed the meeting with discussion on new dates of the conference. The preliminary dates will be February 14-15, 2017 and the committee will meet again on May 23 to follow up with tasks assigned.
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Elk Run WQI Cover Crop Workshop
by: Agriculture's Clean Water Alliance
The Elk Run Water Quality Initiative is hosting a cover crop workshop for farmers and landowners in the Elk Run Watershed - north central Carroll, southeast Sac and southwest Calhoun counties. Learn how cover crops can improve soil health, provide forage for livestock while also improving water quality.
Lunch sponsored by
Iowa Cattlemen's Association.
RVSP by Friday, March 25 to Janean Carey at 515-334-1032 or [email protected].
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Iowa Businesses Spend Billions In Tax Coupling
In Iowa, it's up to the legislatur
e to couple that down to Iowa law. Traditionally, that's what's expected and what has happened, but not this year.
In January, Governor Terry Branstad announced that he didn't think he had funds in the budget for Section 179, which allows small businesses to include up to $500,000 in immediate depreciation and has been in place in Iowa for the last five years.
Instead Iowa taxpayers would be limited to a $25,000 deduction for 2016 and retroactively for 2015.
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What You Need to Know About Farmland Prices
There is a good demand for prime land, but falling crop prices trigger low farmland value. Not too many months ago, farmland would sell well regardless of the quality - and likely at top dollar, too.
The land market is simply adjusting to lower farm incomes, says Dr. Brent Gloy, visiting professor at Purdue University.
"The reality is, farmland prices are too high for current commodity prices," Dr. Gloy notes. Generally, prices paid by farmers for land is driven by earnings that farms generate. "Earnings are falling, so the market is trying to figure out whether lower prices are here to stay or if this is short term," he says.
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Farm Credit Services of America returns $4.3 Iowa Customer-Owners
by: Dickinson County News
Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) announced in March that eligible customer-owners in Palo Alto, Kossuth, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Pocahontas and Humboldt counties will receive checks this month totaling $4,309,000 -- their share of the financial cooperative's $160 million cash-back dividend for 2015.
FCSAmerica has distributed a portion of its net earnings to eligible customer-owners for each of the past 12 years, returning $1.15 billion in cash-back dividends to farmers, ranchers and their rural communities.
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Prestige Farms Announces New Pork Plant in Mason City
by: Globe Gazette
Prestage Farms, a family-owned business home-based in North Carolina, was identified Monday as the company that will build a multi-million-dollar pork processing plant in Mason City.
"It is a great day for Mason City and all of North Iowa," said Gov. Terry Branstad, who attended the announcement event at the Historic Park Inn Hotel.
It is expected to employ 2,000 workers over the next several years, to be hired in two phases. Company officials have said average starting pay will be $30,000 to $35,000 with average overall wages to be closer to $40,000.
The building of the plant, which will be 600,000 square feet, will involve more than 1,000 construction workers, officials said.
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Want a Chance to Win? We Need Your Opinion Today.
The Agribusiness Association of Iowa has previously send a survey link to all persons that attended the 2016 Agribusiness Showcase & Conference. AAI would very much appreciate any feed back that you may have. Please see below links for your chance to win one of five $25 Amazon Gift Cards!
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Need a 2016 Membership Directory?
AAI is now taking orders for the 2016 membership directory. If you are a
current 2016
voting member you will receive one complementary directory as a membership
benefit
. If you would like to pre-order your 2016 directory please visit our website. If you have questions on your membership please contact Reilly Vaughan 515-262-8323 or [email protected]. All members that are not paid (or have made other arrangements) as of March 31 will be removed from the directory.
Thank you!
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Upcoming Events
& Meeting
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Office Closed
Observing Good Friday
March 25
Environmental Committee Meeting
March 28
10 AM
AAI Board Room
AAI Board Meeting
March 29
10 AM
AAI Board Room
Showcase Committee Meeting
May 23
10 AM
AAI Board Room
AAI Services Board Meeting
June 23
10 AM
AAI Board Room
AAI Executive Committee Meeting
July 5
10 AM
AAI Board Room
Grain Committee Meeting
July 6
10 AM
AAI Board Room
AAI Board Meeting
July 12
10 AM
AAI Board Room
Golfing Events
Wednesday, July 13
Fox Ridge, Dike
Thursday, July 14
Emerald Hills, Okoboji
Event 3 - August
Date & Location - TBD
Thursday, September 8
Location -TBD
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