Georgia Deere Season

Chuck Zimmerman Leave a Comment

That’s not a typo. For members of the Crystal Pig Hunt Club it is Deer and Deere season. Opening day was this past Saturday and there is deer meat in camp. The weather has been almost perfect. Last year was not since it rained hard all of opening day and then things were a mess.

So, we’re test driving a new John Deere Gator XUV855M, diesel. It has been a joy to drive to do maintenance on feeders, fill them, get to stands and get our deer back to camp. We have some steep and narrow trails so being able to just push 4-wheel drive and go is simple. During the season I’ll have some more detailed analysis of what we like or might not like. For now though we’re off to a good start with all members going home with meat in the cooler. I’ll have plenty of field photos and some video too.

Hunting, John Deere

Animal Ag News 10/19

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • The ONE Virtual Experience looks at a sea of opportunity awaiting the global aquaculture market, which is expected to see an increase in demand of more than 30% by 2030. Explore what awaits the world’s fastest-growing protein sector and learn how aquaculture will play a vital role in feeding the world in a healthy, sustainable way. Access the ONE Virtual Experience now.
  • Due to the recent postponement of the 2021 National Western Stock Show, the American Gelbvieh Association board of directors made the decision to hold the 2021 Gelbvieh and Balancer® National Show and 2021 Gelbvieh and Balancer National Sale at the Cattlemen’s Congress taking place January 4-17, 2021, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This board decision comes from recommendations of both the Association’s national show committee and national sale committee.
  • It’s difficult to imagine operating a finishing facility in today’s era of thin margins without real-time information on finishing pig weight and performance. Yet that’s how typical finishing barns were built and equipped prior to the development of automation technology. Research shows automated pig sorting technology increased revenues by $7,000-$10,000 per year per 1,000-head barn. Visit nedap-livestockmanagement.com to learn more.
  • The Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association, in cooperation with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, have worked closely with USDA to ensure cattle producers in the state of Louisiana have access to needed disaster resources to help with losses incurred as a result of this year’s devastating hurricanes.
  • President Trump expressed disappointment regarding the ongoing stalemate in the development of new COVID-relief legislation, saying his lead negotiator “hasn’t come home with the bacon.” Without immediate relief for hog farmers in crisis, the treasury secretary may not be the only one not bringing home the bacon, according to the National Pork Producers Council. U.S. hog farmers are facing $5 billion in collective pandemic-related losses this year following two challenging years due to trade retaliation. NPPC is seeking several provisions in a new COVID-relief package.
  • USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation announce the completion of a funded research project at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, in which researchers evaluated a novel method to vaccinate for infectious bronchitis viruses. The research was made possible in part by an endowing Foundation gift from Fieldale Farms and is part of the Association’s comprehensive research program encompassing all phases of poultry and egg production and processing.
  • NovaQuest Capital Management LLC announced a $20 million product financing agreement with Mileutis Ltd., an Israeli biopharmaceutical company, to help mitigate the use of antibiotics in animals. NovaQuest’s investment will drive the continued development and commercialization of Mileutis’ novel, biologically sourced, and residue-free therapies for animal health. NovaQuest’s investment is its first ever in the animal health care field and in an Israeli company.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Industry Ag News 10/16

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an export sale of 420,000 metric tons of U.S. corn to China.
  • The American Soybean Association (ASA) wants to award a scholarship to an outstanding high school senior interested in pursuing agriculture. The Soy Scholarship is a $5,000 one-time award presented to a high school senior who plans to pursue agriculture as an area of study at any accredited college or university in the 2021-22 academic year. The scholarship is managed by ASA and made possible through a grant the by BASF Corporation. High school seniors may apply online Oct. 14-Dec. 6, 2020. Click here to apply.
  • The success of Farm Journal’s inaugural Farm Journal Field Days has led to a 365-day expansion of the event, giving agricultural suppliers and service providers timely access to target audiences while also providing farmers, ranchers and growers with the critical information they need for upcoming seasons.
  • A huge ‘75’ artwork visible from outer space was carved into a recently combined field in Staffordshire, UK to mark JCB’s impending 75th birthday. The giant logo was created in a field eight miles away from the company’s World Headquarters at Rocester and covered almost eight acres – equivalent to four soccer fields. The birthday tribute was so distinctive is could be seen by imaging satellites orbiting high above the earth. The special artwork was created ahead of JCB’s 75th anniversary on October 23rd by one of the company’s most famous products – the Fastrac tractor, which was equipped with a hi-tech precision guidance system.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Office of the U.S. States Trade Representative (USTR) are accepting applications for new members to serve on seven agricultural trade advisory committees. Application instructions are available at https://www.fas.usda.gov/trade-advisory-committees-applying-membership. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 13, 2020.
  • Dr. Rattan Lal was awarded the 2020 World Food Prize in a virtual award ceremony. The annual Laureate Award Ceremony rivals that of the Nobel Prize, often drawing over 800 people from more than 50 countries and is traditionally held in the Iowa State Capitol building. This year, due to the global pandemic, this event and the rest of the annual World Food Prize Week is being conducted virtually.
  • IFAJ is providing the opportunity for five agricultural journalists and communicators to attend the Financial Times digital Global Food Systems Summit 2020 on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Recipients of passes will be chosen by a random drawing. Register here by October 22 for the chance to be selected for a free pass.
  • Atlanta nonprofit Food Well Alliance (FWA) announced it is one of 23 organizations across the nation – and the only organization in Georgia – receiving a brand-new grant awarded by the Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The new Regional Food System Partnerships grant program joins the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion grant programs authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill. The $250,000 grant awarded to FWA will advance implementation of the Atlanta region’s first-ever City Agriculture Plan being piloted in the City of East Point and guided by FWA and city planning experts from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC).
  • On Monday, November 2, Mindi Vanden Bosch will move to the role of Managing Director of Forage Solutions at Vermeer Corporation. After gaining wide experiences across different parts of the Vermeer business for the past 12 years, Vanden Bosch will lead the product development, commercialization and customer support of the company’s comprehensive lineup of innovative hay tools and feeding solutions. Vanden Bosch is the granddaughter of Vermeer founder Gary Vermeer.
  • The American Agri-Women (AAW) Foundation has chosen five scholarship recipients that play a positive role in their communities, encourage the present generation of agriculture, and desire to continue their education in agricultural pursuits. For more information and applications to AAW scholarships visit americanagriwomen.org/scholarships.
  • UPL North America recently announced the addition of Robert Sergeant as a Territory Sales Manager. In this role, Bob will be working directly with customers in western New York and Pennsylvania. He will report to Scott Janes, Eastern Regional Sales Manager.
  • A new hemp membership association has been started in Missouri. The Show-Me Hemp Association LLC officially opened for business on October 1st with a goal of serving hemp growers and businesses throughout the Midwest.
  • Max J. Molleston, 85, of Coralville, Iowa, formerly of Davenport, passed away October 8, 2020, at his home after a sudden illness. Max was a long-time media personality in the Quad Cities who lent his time and talents to many community organizations. Max Molleston joined NAFB as an associate member at WHBF in 1976 then continued his broadcast career there before moving to WHBF, WKBF/WPXR, and WOC/WLLR Radio.
  • The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and the Minnesota Corn Growers Association have announced the annual MN AG EXPO, the state’s premier indoor agriculture trade show, will be pared down to a virtual format in 2021 due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions.
Zimfo Bytes

2021 American Farm Bureau Convention Goes Virtual

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

It is starting to look like most conventions kicking off 2021 will be going virtual.

The American Farm Bureau Federation announced today that its 102nd Annual Convention will be held virtually following the cancellation of all events through Jan. 31, 2021, at the San Diego Convention Center where the convention was scheduled to take place. The AFBF virtual convention will be held Jan. 10-13, 2021.

AFBF joins a growing list of January events that will be virtual in 2021.

The National Biodiesel Board announced earlier this week that the annual Biodiesel Conference & Expo will be virtual for the 2021 event January 18-21. The National Cotton Council has replaced the in-person 2021 Beltwide Cotton Conference in New Orleans, LA with a fully virtual meeting January 5 through 7. The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), which was scheduled for Jan. 26-28 in Atlanta, will now instead offer digital exhibitor engagement and virtual educational opportunities during the week of Jan. 25.

We will be working with both the National Biodiesel Board and the National Cotton Council to help get content to media from their events on AgNewsWire.

AFBF, Ag Groups, Beltwide Cotton, Biodiesel, Cotton, IPPE, National Biodiesel Conference, Poultry, Poultry Expo

Study Shows Economic Impact of St. Louis Agribusiness

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

The St. Louis AgriBusiness Club has just released a new economic impact study which finds that agribusiness contributes $43 billion in total sales and 166,633 jobs to the St. Louis region. The study was conducted by Alan Spell of the University of Missouri Extension.

St. Louis continues to serve as the hub of American agriculture. Over 50% of U.S. agricultural production occurs within 500 miles of the St. Louis metro area. The study reported that 12.8 percent of the St. Louis region’s total sales are from agribusiness and indirect sales, and that 9.3 percent of the region’s jobs are directly related to agribusiness and indirect firms.

Agribusiness industries within the bi-state 14 county area include production agriculture and manufacturing and processing in the areas of animal food, human food, beverages, paper products, pharmacy and medicine and basic chemicals. The St. Louis region is home to some of the largest agribusiness employers in the United States and world, including Bayer Crop Science, Bunge North America, Novus International and Nestle Purina Petcare. The American Soybean Association (ASA) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) also have their world headquarters in St. Louis.

The study’s scope encompasses the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), a bi-state region that covers 14 counties.

Agribusiness

Precision Ag News 10/14

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • Cibus announced an additional 12 of its trait products have been designated as non-regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) Biotechnology Regulatory Services. This brings Cibus’ total number of designated non-GMO trait products to 14.
  • All segments of ag equipment, small to large, grew in September 2020 continuing a positive trend for the year according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. U.S. total farm tractor sales rose 21.6 percent in September compared to 2019 while U.S. self-propelled combine sales grew 8.2 percent. Four-wheel-drive units grew for the second month in a row in the U.S. in September, up 21.4 percent to 374 units, cutting the year-to-date deficit almost in half to -4.7 percent. 100+hp also climbed in September, up 7 percent, bringing big units closer to breaking even for the year, now down only 1.8 percent. Total YTD farm tractors out the door are up 14.7 percent in 2020, while combines are now up 4.3 percent on the year.
  • As part of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) steadfast commitment to building on the momentum of a sustainable future, AEM has announced the establishment of a Sustainability Council comprised of leaders from member companies.
  • Registration is open for AgGateway’s Virtual Annual Conference, November 16-19, which will feature an array of sessions and networking opportunities for companies seeking to realize the many benefits of digital agriculture. Details are available on the Annual Conference meeting page at www.AgGateway.org.
  • HELM Agro US, Inc. announced that Reviton™ herbicide has received federal registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
  • USDA released the final rule for its Conservation Stewardship Program. The rule makes updates to the popular conservation program as directed by the 2018 Farm Bill as well as integrates feedback from agricultural producers and others.
  • Advanced Biological Marketing, headquartered out of Van Wert, OH is celebrating 20 years of serving the agricultural industry.
  • Highland Ag Solutions, LLC has hired Aimee Smith as Sales Manager. Aimee will be responsible for implementing and managing our strategic sales efforts. Based in Ventura, California she will expand our West coast presence driving customer acquisition and increasing brand awareness in key markets.
  • Kubota Tractor Corporation announced that it is furthering its commitment to the hay and forage segment by offering a two-year standard limited warranty across its entire hay tools line, including Kubota balers, and a three-year standard limited warranty on its disc mower and disc mower conditioner cutterbars and gearboxes.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

2020 Water for Food Global Webinar Series

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

The next in the series of Water for Food Global Webinars coming up this week will focus on Advancing Science-based Targets for Fresh Water. The webinar is schedule for Thursday, October 15, 9:00-10:00 am Central time.

This webinar will provide the background, context, status, timeline and next steps for science-based targets in the private sector and how interested parties can engage.

Participants will come away with an elevated awareness and understanding of the Science-Based Targets Initiative and Science-Based Targets Network (STBN). Specifically, this session will provide an update on the methodology development for the SBTN Freshwater Hub and visibility of the expected platform for corporates to set enterprise-level water targets, including addressing their supply chain impacts. This session will also provide the corporate perspective regarding the business case for water sustainability, especially from the food/beverage sector.

The webinar is free, registration is required for a Zoom link to join.

Water, Water for Food, webinar

USDA Lowers Corn, Soybean and Cotton Estimates

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

USDA is now forecasting smaller corn and soybean crops for this year, compared to last month’s estimate, but still higher than last year.

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) October Crop Production report, acreage updates were made in several states based on a thorough review of all available data.

Corn production for grain is forecast at 14.7 billion bushels, down 1 percent from the previous forecast but up 8 percent from 2019. Based on conditions as of October 1, yields are expected to average a record high 178.4 bushels per harvested acre, down 0.1 bushel from the previous forecast but up 10.9 bushels from last year. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 82.5 million acres, down 1 percent from the previous forecast, but up 1 percent from the previous year.

Soybean production for beans is forecast at 4.27 billion bushels, down 1 percent from the previous forecast but up 20 percent from last year. Based on conditions as of October 1, yields are expected to average a record high 51.9 bushels per harvested acre, unchanged from the previous forecast but up 4.5 bushels from 2019. Area harvested for beans in the United States is forecast at 82.3 million acres, down 1 percent from the previous forecast but up 10 percent from 2019.

The all cotton production forecast was also adjusted slightly to 17.0 million 480-pound bales, which is 14% lower than 2019. Based on conditions as of Oct. 1, yields are expected to average 909 pounds per harvested acre, down one pound from the previous forecast but up 86 pounds from 2019.

Corn, Cotton, Soybean, USDA

Animal Ag News 10/12

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • After thoughtful and thorough consideration, show management for the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) has made the difficult decision to not hold the in-person component of IPPE 2021 in Atlanta, scheduled for Jan. 26-28. The decision was based on numerous factors, including extensive surveys, direct feedback from our industries and other stakeholders, as well as the expected decrease in participation due to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, issued a statement on the August 2020 agricultural export data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Trade System.
  • Signaling bold climate change action, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy unveiled the Net Zero Initiative, an industry-wide effort that will help U.S. dairy farms of all sizes and geographies implement new technologies and adopt economically viable practices. The initiative is a critical component of U.S. dairy’s environmental stewardship goals, endorsed by dairy industry leaders and farmers, to achieve carbon neutrality, optimized water usage and improved water quality by 2050.
  • Iowa Corn® is proud to announce its contributions to the Beef Up Iowa program which was launched in July to connect Iowa beef producers with food insecure Iowans. Iowa Corn’s Animal Agriculture and the Environment Committee donated funds directly to the Beef Up Iowa program, while Iowa Corn’s District 2 Committee donated funds to purchase a family-owned steer that was processed at Iowa State University. The beef was distributed through the Iowa Food Bank Association.
  • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued a statement in response to reports of another reported occurrence of foot-and-mouth disease in Namibia.
  • The FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative board of directors made the tough decision to move it’s district member meetings from 17 in-person meetings throughout its seven state membership region to a single-day virtual format due to concerns and uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual meeting will be on Wednesday, December 2, 2020.
  • Ralco announced that Dr. Tim Broderick has joined the company as Poultry Research & Development Manager. Dr. Broderick is responsible for research and development of products for the poultry industry leveraging Ralco’s patented natural approaches.
  • Royal DSM, a global science-based company in Nutrition, Health and Sustainable Living, announced the completion of its acquisition of Erber Group’s Biomin and Romer Labs for an enterprise value of €980 million. The transaction, first announced on June 12th, forecasts enhanced earnings in the first year upon completion.
  • Alta Seeds, the premium seed brand of Advanta US and a leading provider of premium genetics and technology specific to sorghum, introduces EMPYR™ Premier Forages, a complete line of forage sorghum, sudangrass and sorghum-sudan hybrids. This innovative product will be revealed to growers during Sorghum Frontiers, a virtual field day experience on Nov. 8, 2020. Visit altaseeds.advantaus.com to register online.
  • For more than two years, by claiming regulatory jurisdiction over gene edited livestock, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stalled the development of an emerging technology with tremendous promise for livestock agriculture, including improved animal care, production efficiency and environmental impact. The scientists who invented one of the most promising forms of this technology – the “CRISPR/Cas9 genetic scissors” – have been awarded the Nobel Prize. Gene editing accelerates genetic improvement that would occur naturally over time by making changes to an animal’s own genome. For additional information, please visit the National Pork Producers Council’s Keep America First in Agriculture web site.
  • In effort to educate key opinion leaders in the food and hospitality industry on the beef production cycle, from pasture to plate, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, held a webinar in partnership with the James Beard Foundation. The “Pasture to Plate” webinar highlighted the beef community’s commitment to raising cattle in a safe, humane and environmentally sustainable manner. The webinar was part of the James Beard Foundation’s Industry Support Webinar series, targeting chefs and other hospitality leaders.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Industry Ag News 10/9

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • Register now for NAMA’s Fall Webinar Series. Programs include: Driving Around the Beltway on October 15 at 11 a.m. CDT with Matt Roberts; Marketing: What’s On Our Minds Now on October 29 – 11 a.m CDT with David Meerman Scott; and a Producer Panel on November 12 – 11 a.m. CDT moderated by Cyndi Young with Brownfield Network.
  • The National Association of Wheat Growers announced that it has joined the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC). ESMC is a non-profit organization working to advance ecosystem service markets that incentivize farmers and ranchers to improve soil health systems that benefit society.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it is seeking comments on a proposal for a new national Pecan Promotion, Research and Information Order. Information on the proposed program was published in the Federal Register Sept. 22, 2020. Comments must be received by Nov. 23, 2020, allowing for a 60-day public comment period. All comments must be submitted through the e-Rulemaking portal at Regulations.gov and should reference the document number, and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. Please be advised that the identity of the individuals or entities submitting comments will be made public at Regulations.gov.
    • The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City looks forward to welcoming Ryan LeGrand, President & CEO, U.S. Grains Council to the Council’s October webinar meeting.
  • Global Farmer Network announced the 2020 Kleckner Award winner, from Zimbabwe, Ruramiso Mashumba.
  • Register now for the next Farm Foundation Forum via Zoom – “Focus on Farm Policy: The Food and Agriculture Platforms of the 2020 Presidential Candidates.”
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation encourages development of young farmer leaders in a variety of ways including through support of Collegiate Farm Bureaus. Recently announced recipients of Collegiate Farm Bureau mini-grants for the fall cycle are: Colorado State University, North Dakota State University, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Penn State University, The Ohio State University, University of Arkansas-Monticello, University of Georgia, and University of Missouri.
  • For the first time in its more than 56-year history, the Colorado Farm Show Board of Directors announced that its annual event, held each January since 1964 has been cancelled for 2021. The 2021 Colorado Farm Show Scholarship Program will continue. Applications are due on November 1.
  • CLUTCH, a hybrid consultancy and agency with a roster of clients across the agriculture and food value chain, continues to add to its senior level talent with the hiring of Cindy Hackmann as Director of Reputation and Content Strategy.
  • The inaugural Women and Mentors Retreat will kick off virtually on October 15. Tara Smith, executive vice president at Michael Torrey and Associates and Kellie Bray, chief of staff at CropLife America, will open the event with a panel delving into mentorship relationships, including how these vital connections lead to career and personal growth. In January, National Corn Growers Association will host a second virtual session designed to help participants set deliberate intentions and goals with an in-person meeting will June 24 to 25, 2021.
  • The Georgia Peanut Commission and Georgia Bankers Association will join forces Oct. 12-16, 2020, to promote the 44th annual Georgia Peanut Bank Week. Financial institutions and local banks across the state will offer a tribute to Georgia’s 4,500 peanut farm families and the sustainability they provide to Georgia’s state and local economies.
  • The next webinar in the Water for Food Global Webinar Series via Zoom will provide the background, context, status, timeline and next steps for science-based targets in the private sector and how interested parties can engage. Register here.
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