Crop Insurance Today May 2012 - (Page 1)

TODAYPRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Commitment to Excellence Laurie Langstraat, Editor TODAY IS PROVIDED AS A SERVICE OF NATIONAL CROP INSURANCE SERVICES® TO EDUCATE READERS ABOUT THE RISK MANAGEMENT TOOLS PRODUCERS USE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE. This issue of TODAY® will be published in time for Spring Training. So, what better way to start Spring Training than with a compelling quote from a legendary sports icon. Here goes... TODAY is published quarterly–February, May, August, and November by National Crop Insurance Services 8900 Indian Creek Parkway, Suite 600 Overland Park, Kansas 66210 www.ag-risk.org If you move, or if your address is incorrect, please send old address label clipped from recent issue along with your new or corrected address to Laurie Langstraat, Editor, at the above address. “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” Many will recognize this quote as attributable to the late Vince Lombardi, former football coach of the Green Bay Packers. Let’s start with the back-end of the quote, and go from there. Tom Zacharias, NCIS President “...chosen field of endeavor...” NCIS® EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Steve Rutledge, Chairman Ted Etheredge, Vice Chairman Tim Weber, Second Vice Chairman NCIS® MANAGEMENT Thomas P. Zacharias, President P. John Owen, General Counsel James M. Crist, CFO/COO Frank F. Schnapp, Senior Vice President Mike Sieben, Senior Vice President It strikes me that when we were small children, very few of us sat with our parents and dreamed about being in crop insurance. No doubt, some of us aspired to be doctors, firemen, professional athletes, rock stars, etc. Now we find ourselves, approximately twenty thousand strong — agents, adjusters, company personnel, and association staffs in our “. . . chosen field of endeavor . . .” serving U.S. agriculture as crop insurance professionals. Remarkably, we find ourselves in agriculture and crop insurance at the “Crossroads” — at a “space in time” when deliberations over the next Farm Bill focus primarily on the role of crop insurance and risk management as the centerpiece U.S. farm policy. As an Industry, we have a great responsibility and we face great challenges. Now, back to the remainder of the quote, the quality of our experience will be in “direct proportion to our commitment to excellence.” So, what should we be committing to? I submit three areas of commitment for our consideration here today. The list is not meant to be exhaustive or all inclusive, but it gives us a place to start. Commitment to Excellence in Agriculture We are fortunate enough to have the privilege to work in agriculture. Last October, world population surpassed seven billion. By 2025, the UN projects world population will reach approximately nine billion people. It is estimated by the Food and Agriculture Organization that world food production will need to increase 70 percent to meet world food demand in 2050. It will require a serious commitment from all of us to service these demands on the food and fiber sector and manage the enormity of the inherent risk facing agriculture. Creative Layout and Design by Graphic Arts of Topeka, Inc., Kansas Commitment to Excellence to U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Fundamentally, our job is to service the risk management needs of U.S. farmers and ranchers. They are our customers. Much of the burden to feed the world rests with U.S. Printed on recycled paper. Continued on page 39 CROP INSURANCE TODAY® 1 http://www.ag-risk.org http://www.ag-risk.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crop Insurance Today May 2012

Commitment to Excellence
2011 Year in Review
Farming: Pessimists Need Not Apply
Leadership: NCIS Regional/State Crop Insurance Committees
NCIS Board of Directors
Insect Resistance to Bt: Is it a new threat to crop production?
Another Successful Convention
Adam Vetter Given Outstanding Service Award
Pat Flanagan Given Industry Leadership Award
Step 6-Identifying and Evaluating Alternatives: What alternatives are feasible for the future?
In Memory of John F. Ames

Crop Insurance Today May 2012