AgriLogic Farmer Survey
AgriLogic Consulting, LLC, is conducting a survey regarding the performance of the Peanut Revenue Federal Crop Insurance Policy. This program was developed by AgriLogic Consulting in cooperation with peanut grower organizations, industry experts, peanut brokers and the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency.
The result of these efforts was the development of an insurance program that allows peanut growers to choose between Yield Protection, Revenue Protection and Revenue Protection with Harvest Price Exclusion as options to manage their exposure to both production and market risk. An annual program review is conducted to ensure that crop insurance for peanuts is meeting the risk management needs of growers. Farmers are urged to participate in this process by completing the survey found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GMHJSKH.
Farm Storage Loans
The Farm Storage Facility Loan Program provides low-cost financing for producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage, handling facilities, and storage and handling trucks. FSFL’s can be used for items such as drying and cooling equipment, safety equipment, cold storage buildings, hay barns and grain bins. The FSFL program benefits producers who lack local commercial storage options or have limited marketing options for their commodities at harvest time.
Having on-farm storage helps producers to sell their crop at a time when the market is favorable for them, rather than being forced to sell immediately after harvest or pay for commercial storage. On-farm storage allows producers to better serve their customers who buy commodities throughout the year. FSFLs are not to be used for crop production equipment.
New provisions of the program recently announced include: loans are up to $50,000 (aggregate outstanding balance), five percent down payment and reduced documentation for determining the storage capacity need, storage and handling equipment (portable or permanently affixed, new or used), storage and handling trucks (new or used) and all FSFL-financed equipment, structures and storage and handling trucks must have a useful life for at least the FSFL term.
Syngenta #RootedinAg Contest
Syngenta is offering producers and ag professionals the opportunity to describe how their agricultural roots have helped them thrive to win prizes and charitable donations.
The contest asks growers and other industry professionals to describe how their agricultural roots help their families and communities thrive. In exchange, the five best entries will each receive a mini touch-screen tablet. From those finalists, one grand prizewinner will receive a $500 gift card, plus Syngenta will make a $1,000 donation in the winner’s name to a local charity or civic organization.
“At Syngenta, we share a proud history with the men and women who help make U.S. agriculture the leader in feeding, fueling and clothing the world,” says Wendell Calhoun, communications manager at Syngenta. “Our contest gives us a chance to reward and recognize a few of those individuals.”
To participate, go to www.syngentathrive.com and click on the #RootedinAg icon. Using the online entry form, describe how your agricultural roots are helping you, your family and your community thrive in about 200 words. Upload a photograph or video that visually supports your written entry.
The deadline for entries is June 30, 2016. After which, a panel of judges will choose five finalists. Syngenta will then post all finalists’ entries on the Thrive website and ask visitors to help choose the grand prizewinner by voting for their favorite. These votes, along with the judges’ scores, will determine the winner. Online voting ends Sept. 15, 2016, with Syngenta announcing the grand prize winner in October.
To apply or learn more about the #RootedinAg contest, visit www.syngentathrive.com.
NASS Plans Southeast Survey
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will spend the first two weeks of June surveying thousands of producers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina to get a clear indication of the production and supply of major commodities for 2016. NASS will compile information collected across the country into publically accessible reports while ensuring the confidentiality of an individual farmer’s information.
These surveys are among the largest and most important conducted by NASS and serve as a primary source of agricultural information. They will provide accurate and reliable data about 2016 planted acreages of major crops, grain stocks and livestock in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
Producers rely on the survey results to make production, marketing and investment decisions. Congress utilizes the information to design better regulations and farm programs. Industry analysts, Extension agents, farm organizations and agricultural lenders use the data in a variety of ways to directly benefit the grower. These data will be collected by mail, phone and personal interviews. Growers will also be given the opportunity to report on the Internet for selected surveys.
Information provided by respondents is confidential by law. Reports are available on the NASS website: www.nass.usda.gov.
Humanitarian Mission Continues
Peanut Proud celebrated a successful 2016 Festival in Blakely, Ga., and Chairman Gregg Grimsley reported that donated product and cash contributions in 2015 provided 220,626 jars of peanut butter in 2015, breaking the record of 217,104 jars of peanut butter in 2014.
In the past three years, more than 620,130 jars have been delivered from the peanut industry for humanitarian efforts. Peanut Proud will again offer a $2,000 food technology scholarship to be given at the Food Technologist Convention.
Growers and grower associations can partner with Peanut Proud to donate to food banks. The Peanut Buying Point Challenge and Farm Bureau Challenge continue and buying points may donate half a pallet for $700 (700 jars) or a full pallet for $1,400. For information, contact Tyron Spearman at tspearman@friendlycity.net (229-386-1716) or contact Gregg Grimsley at GGrimsley@Birdsong-Peanuts.com.
The most recent delivery, thanks to Southern Ag Carriers, was 27,000 jars to Food Bank in Monroe, La. to assist flooding victims.
NPB At Culinary Symposium
Prominent chefs, restaurant operators and food industry representatives gathered in Santa Fe, N.M., recently for McDonnell Kinder Associates’ annual Culinary Innovation Symposium. National Peanut Board sponsored and presented information on food allergies, sustainability and the culinary versatility of peanuts.
“The symposium is an excellent opportunity to connect with influential chefs and chain operators and position peanuts as culinary ingredients on national restaurant menus,” says Ryan Lepicier, NPB senior vice president, marketing and communications. Bob Parker, NPB president and CEO and Keegan Treadaway, marketing and communications specialist, also attended the conference.
Many of the culinary immersions with restaurant groups that NPB has engaged in over the years are a direct result of the connections made at this annual gathering. As a result, peanut ingredients have seen an increase on restaurant menus across the country. Corporate chefs in attendance this year represented national chains such as IHOP, Houlihan’s, Johnny Rockets and Kimpton Hotels and Resorts.
As part of the program, Patrick McDonnell, chef consultant for NPB demonstrated culinary innovation with peanuts by creating dishes including a peanut milk, an ancient grains peanut granola and seasoned peanuts, among others.
The New Mexico Peanut Growers Association was also a sponsor of the event. Wayne Baker, New Mexico NPB member and NMPGA secretary-treasurer presented information on New Mexico’s peanut production and Valencia peanuts.
NPB and NMPGA also sponsored a dinner at renowned Chef Fernando Oléa’s restaurant Sazón. Oléa featured regionally sourced Valencia peanuts in inspired applications such as a peanut and citrus dressing and a peanut mole. The information and innovative foods presented during the symposium were an influential illustration of the culinary possibilities with peanuts.
Mr. Peanut Celebrates 100th Birthday
Prominent chefs, restaurant operators and food industry representatives gathered in Santa Fe, N.M., recently for McDonnell Kinder Associates’ annual Culinary Innovation Symposium. National Peanut Board sponsored and presented information on food allergies, sustainability and the culinary versatility of peanuts.
“The symposium is an excellent opportunity to connect with influential chefs and chain operators and position peanuts as culinary ingredients on national restaurant menus,” says Ryan Lepicier, NPB senior vice president, marketing and communications. Bob Parker, NPB president and CEO and Keegan Treadaway, marketing and communications specialist, also attended the conference.
Many of the culinary immersions with restaurant groups that NPB has engaged in over the years are a direct result of the connections made at this annual gathering. As a result, peanut ingredients have seen an increase on restaurant menus across the country. Corporate chefs in attendance this year represented national chains such as IHOP, Houlihan’s, Johnny Rockets and Kimpton Hotels and Resorts.
As part of the program, Patrick McDonnell, chef consultant for NPB demonstrated culinary innovation with peanuts by creating dishes including a peanut milk, an ancient grains peanut granola and seasoned peanuts, among others.
The New Mexico Peanut Growers Association was also a sponsor of the event. Wayne Baker, New Mexico NPB member and NMPGA secretary-treasurer presented information on New Mexico’s peanut production and Valencia peanuts.
NPB and NMPGA also sponsored a dinner at renowned Chef Fernando Oléa’s restaurant Sazón. Oléa featured regionally sourced Valencia peanuts in inspired applications such as a peanut and citrus dressing and a peanut mole. The information and innovative foods presented during the symposium were an influential illustration of the culinary possibilities with peanuts.