The agricultural equipment market is facing the same challenges the overall ag economy and a lot of it has to do with uncertainty, according to Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Senior Vice President Curt Blades. “That uncertainty is leading to people feeling a little bit uncomfortable about making capital equipment purchases, so until we get rid of that uncertainty, that’s …
Breedr Is New AgTech With Launch of Full Circle Beef ™
The CattleCon 2025 Industry News Center was sponsored by Breedr, the Austin-based global leader in precision livestock technology. I interviewed Founder and CEO, Ian Wheal. He talks about how and why he got the company started. Here’s the company’s mantra: “In God we trust; everyone else…bring data,” Full Circle Beef™ connects independent producers across the entire beef supply chain-from cow-calf …
Rabo AgriFinance Working to Support Cattle Producers
John Steeves, Head of Rural Business Economics, North America, Rabo AgriFinance, has moved into the U.S. from Canada to work more closely with producers for the company. He has already spent time meeting with cattle producers and feedlots in several regions of the country. So, spending time at CattleCon 2025 was a no-brainer. I met John in the media room …
Ranchbot Launches Trough Direct at #CattleCon25
At CattleCon 2025 Ranchbot launched Trough Direct, a stand-alone trough monitor with direct satellite connectivity enabling near real-time water levels and consumption data through the MyRanchbot app. The Trough Direct operates independently and can be easily installed with a side or top mount to accommodate a wide variety of trough types. To learn more about it I interviewed Andrew Coppin, …
World Without Cows Screening at #CattleCon25
During the CattleCon 2025 an open screening of the documentary, World Without Cows (Sponsored by Alltech), was on the big screen in the general session room. I was able to see the screening and highly recommend it. On the stage are Dr. Mark Lyons, CEO, Alltech and the filmmakers Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth. I talked with Dr. Lyons after …
Agri-Pulse Announces 2025 Ag & Food Policy Summit
“Navigating Taxes, Trade and Technology: What’s Ahead for Food & Agriculture?” is the theme for the annual Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit on March 17 in Washington, D.C. The Summit will feature keynote speakers and panelists focused on these topics as well as provide time for networking with industry leaders. “President-elect Trump has made it clear that he plans …
DWFI Podcast 40 – Irrigation’s Role in Agricultural Productivity
In the 40th episode of the Water for Food Podcast, Daugherty Water for Food Institute (DWFI) Director of Communications and Public Relations Frances Hayes sits down with Darren Siekman at the Valmont Industries headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. Darren is the Vice President of Policy and Industry Strategy at Valley Agriculture, a Valmont Company. The two discuss Valmont’s history and global …
AWIS is Ready for Winter
Winter is upon us and that creates a special need for weather information for farmers, especially in high value crops like fruits, vegetables and nursery. To learn how the Agricultural Weather Information Service (AWIS) creates extra weather information and forecasting I spoke to Karl Harker, Vice-President for Operations for AWIS. I asked him about any information he’d like to share …
AgGateway Speaker Explores What Ag Can Learn From Others
One of the keynote topics at the recent AgGateway annual meeting was how other industries might offer lessons for agriculture in navigating sustainability data standards. Andrew Selck, Partner with Kearney working in Agriculture and Food Practice, addressed this topic in his presentation, “Sustainability Data Standards: What Ag Can Learn from Other Sectors.” “In my role I have been a consumer …
Pivot Bio Appoints Melih Keyman to Board of Directors
Pivot Bio, one of the world’s leading innovative agtech companies, announced today Melih Keyman has been elected to the Pivot Bio Board of Directors, effective Dec. 1. Keyman brings to the company more than 40 years of leading expertise in the global fertilizer industry. “I have known Melih for several years and he is one of the most admired leaders …