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May 20, 2016 
Hello ZimmComm Fans:

Chuck and Cindy have still been working out of the satellite office on Pensacola Beach this past week, enjoying some sun and entertaining guests at the same time! This weekend our good friends from Agri-Pulse are visiting - they won our weekend package at the NAFB Foundation auction last fall. 
 
Jamie and Lizzy are heading to Lexington this weekend for ONE - the Alltech Ideas Conference. Chuck is very unhappy to be missing this great event for the first time in 10 years, but our capable Animal.AgWired editors are thrilled to be going. Stay tuned for all the coverage from this world class event coming up next week. After Memorial Day we'll have lots of time on the agriblogging highway - with the Corn Utilization Conference, World Pork Expo, ASTA annual convention, Fuel Ethanol Workshop, and lots more on the calendar. 

Hope you have been checking out our I AM USFRA series. This week the spotlight was on Brad Greenway of South Dakota who represents the National Pork Board on the USFRA board. 
 
Now for some news from the ZimmComm News Network:
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 AgWired  AgWired       
  
Meet Mark Poeschl - CEO of @NationalFFA

This week I visit with Mark Poeschl, incoming CEO of the National FFA Organization and Foundation. Mark officially takes over the position August 1. MORE

Podcast  

Climate FieldView Helps @GROWMARK Customers

Climate Corporation's Climate FieldView products are among the most exciting innovations that GROWMARK's Ron Milby has seen come along for agriculture in the past two decades. MORE

Podcast  

ITC Study Predicts #TPP Benefits for Farmers

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) this week released a report on the expected impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on various industries and agriculture fares especially well.  MORE 
DomesticFuel  Domestic Fuel 

Anti-Ethanol Bill Steps Consumers, Farmers Back
 
There is still buzz around a bill introduced last week by Representatives Bill Flores (R-Texas), Peter Welch (D-Verm.), Bob Goodlatte (R-Vir.) and Jim Costa (D-Cali.) that would cap ethanol blends in America's transportation fuels at 9.7 percent by volume. This cap would be in direct opposition to the goal of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that aims for 20 percent of all fuels to be renewable fuels by 2020. MORE 
 
RFA to Hold FSMA Training Classes
 
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is hosting four training courses to help biorefineries meet new requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The classes, which are FDA-approved, are geared toward ethanol plant employees overseeing the food safety plan of the ethanol plant. The course will assist ethanol plants with FSMA compliance, provide accurate and fact-based information and the means to compliance. MORE  
 
#USDA to Award $21M for Bioeconomy R&D
 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made $21 million available to support the development of regional systems in sustainable bioenergy and biobased products. The funds will also be awarded to train the next generation of bio-scientists. The monies are offered through the AFRI Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts challenge area designed to provide renewable energy, chemical, and product options, among other goals. MORE 
   
 
 Precision

Ag Technology Plows Ahead

Market prices and a generally "down" farm economy have most farmers tucking away the checkbook, expect, it seems, when it comes to new technologies.  In a recent report from Caledonia Solutions, a research and consulting firm in Minneapolis, as many as 1 out of every 4 large farmers are actually planning to increase spending on data and equipment technology. MORE 
 

NAS Reaffirms Safety and Benefits of GMOs

The National Academy of Sciences has released (yet another) report reaffirming the safety and benefits of GMO crops.  Not surprisingly this report has lead to a flurry of reactions across multiple social media platforms, both positive and negative.  Agricultural groups are also responding.  From the American Soybean Association and the National Corn Growers Association to the Coalition for Safe and Affordable Food, agriculture is praising the report that helps clear confusion surrounding this topic. MORE 

ISPA Award Nominations Closing Soon

The International Society for Precision Agriculture is extending the deadline for two award nominations to Friday, June 10, 2016, but that date is quickly approaching!  Now is the time to nominate a scientists or professional for the Pierre C. Robert Precision Agriculture Award and a student for the Graduate Student Award. MORE 

 
  
  
RFA Reacts to EPA 2017 #RFS Proposal
 
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its draft Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2017 on Wednesday proposing a total renewable fuel volume of 18.8 billion gallons, including four billion in advanced biofuels and 312 million gallons is cellulosic biofuel.  MORE

Podcast

  
Lisa Lunz Feature of I AM USFRA
  
This week I AM USFRA features Lisa Lunz of Nebraska who has been on the board of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) from its inception, and she has been pleased to see how the organization has grown to have a significant influence on conversations about food across the country. MORE

Podcast 

  
The Truth About #Ethanol & Marine Engines
  
Fuels America hosted a panel discussion in Washington, D.C. this morning focused on ethanol, engines and boats. The panelists included certified mechanics, engine performance experts and professional fisherman. An element of the discussion was the role ethanol plays in protecting water environments. A press conference followed the discussion. The panel coincided with the White House Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) near-completed review of the EPA's proposed blending requirements for ethanol and advanced biofuels in 2017.MORE

Podcast  

WDDMark  
  Animal  
   
Swine Fitness Solutions from Hubbard Feeds

Gut health is the foundation of pig health and immunity, and Hubbard Feeds is committed to working with their customers and keep the focus on gut health, daily nutrient intake and optimal marketing weight to produce pigs that are fit both physically and financially. MORE 
   
Dairy Groups Applaud School Milk Support

Dairy leaders are applauding the House Education and Workforce Committee for their decision to include key dairy provisions in the Improving Child Nutrition and Education Act of 2016, an amendment approved today by the committee. The bipartisan amendment by Congressmen G.T. Thompson (R-PA) and Joe Courtney (D-CT) is specifically targeted at addressing declining school milk consumption, and the document was unanimously approved. MORE

   
George Morris Book Signing At KY Spring Classic

The Kentucky Horse Shows have announced that they will be hosting a book signing with George H. Morris for his newly released autobiography, Unrelenting: The Real Story: Horses, Bright Lights and My Pursuit of Excellence. The signing will be hosted on the afternoon of Saturday, May 21, during the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Kentucky Spring Classic, held at the Kentucky Horse Park. MORE 
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