Alltech Releases 2025 Sustainability Report

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

Alltech has released its 2025 Sustainability Report detailing Alltech’s commitment to advance the well-being of people, animals and our planet in more than 140 countries.

“Agriculture has always carried a profound responsibility to nourish people, to care for the land and to support the communities that depend on it,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “Today, that responsibility feels greater than ever. We are being asked to produce more, while using fewer resources, and to do so in a way that is both transparent and trusted. At Alltech, we see this as an opportunity for agriculture to lead.”

Alltech employs more than 5,300 people across 72 nationalities and 59 native languages, reflecting a highly diverse global team. Among the company’s 2025 sustainability accomplishments:
– Alltech completed 47 energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, reducing emissions by 15,837 metric tons (mt) of CO₂e annually.
– In 2025, 43 peer-reviewed studies linked to Alltech platforms demonstrated that improved nutrient utilization, biological resilience, and feed and crop management can deliver significant productivity and sustainability gains.
– Alltech processed 73 life cycle assessment (LCA) requests across the agri-food supply chain, supporting sustainability insights across species and production stages.
– Over the course of 2025, World Without Cows, a documentary written, directed and filmed by Alltech team members and award-winning journalists Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth, was screened more than 250 times across 36 countries.

“We believe our industry has the capacity not only to meet today’s challenges, but to help shape a healthier, more abundant future for the planet we all share,” Lyons said. “That belief is captured in our purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™. This purpose reflects how we think about progress — not as a single outcome, but as a balance of three interconnected priorities: providing nutrition for all, replenishing our planet’s natural resources, and revitalizing local economies. Progress in one depends on progress in all.”

AgWired Animal, Alltech, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, Sustainability

Industry Ag News 7/3

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • President Donald J. Trump signed a proclamation temporarily suspending countervailing duties (CVDs) on certain phosphate fertilizer imports, providing immediate relief to American farmers while advancing the Administration’s broader strategy to strengthen America’s fertilizer supply chain. The temporary suspension will increase phosphate fertilizer availability, improve competition, and help lower one of agriculture’s largest production expenses while supporting a stable and reliable fertilizer supply ahead of future planting seasons.
  • Duda Farm Fresh Foods, a leading grower and processor of fresh vegetables, announces the retirement of its national account manager, Bob Sloate, following a distinguished 50-year career in the fresh produce industry, including 23 years of dedicated service to Duda Farm Fresh Foods.
  • The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture signed a memorandum of understanding establishing the American Farm Legacy 250 Program. This national initiative will recognize farm families who have shaped American agriculture and contributed to the nation’s history while laying the foundation for future generations of farmers.
  • Families celebrating the Fourth of July holiday with a cookout will find that prices at the grocery store closely reflect inflation increases over the last year. An Independence Day cookout will cost $73.82 for 10 guests this year, according to the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation annual marketbasket survey This is up $2.90 from last year, which is a four percent increase. The overall annual inflation rate in the United States is 4.2 percent for 12 months ending in May, which is consistent with the findings of the marketbasket survey, even though the survey tracks a much smaller basket of items.
  • Kubota Tractor Corporation and the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) announced the selection of the 2026 “Geared to Give” farmer veteran recipients of new Kubota equipment. This year’s five awardees were honored during a special pre-race ceremony prior to the NASCAR Cup Series race at NASCAR San Diego Weekend at Naval Base Coronado, where the veterans were recognized in front of race attendees and presented with the keys to new Kubota equipment as part of Kubota’s ongoing commitment to supporting America’s military veterans through agriculture.
  • Ag Growth International Inc. announced a multi-million dollar investment in its Clay Center, Kansas facility to add U.S. production of 4-inch corrugated farm grain bins and strengthen its North American manufacturing network.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation, with support from Farm Credit, is seeking applicants for the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence. The award recognizes U.S. military veterans or service members for excellence in farming or agriculture and positively impacting local communities. The honoree will receive a $10,000 cash prize plus reimbursement in travel and other expenses incurred for him/her and one guest to attend the 2027 American Farm Bureau Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, Jan. 8-12.
  • The Honey Bee Health Coalition released the ninth edition of its popular Tools for Varroa Management Guide. The guide provides information on the latest tools and options for beekeepers in the United States and Canada to keep bees healthy and manage varroa mites, which spread disease within and among honey bee colonies.
  • As awareness of microplastics continues to grow among consumers, brands and retailers, Cotton Incorporated is expanding its efforts this July to educate the textile industry and consumers about the benefits of natural fibers and the role cotton can play in addressing evolving concerns around microplastics and sustainability, reinforcing a plant, not plastic approach to material choice.
  • Agri-Pulse is pleased to announce it has named Olivia Bridges congressional and trade editor, effective June 29. Bridges is a Washington-based journalist who has covered agriculture and trade policy, including farm safety net programs, Proposition 12, pesticide regulation, hemp, federal appropriations and the impact of tariffs.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Passing of Dan Crummett

    Chuck Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    AMS 2005 Dan CrummettAnother good friend in agricultural marketing and communications, Dan Crummett, has passed. I did a post back in 2005 when he became president of the AAEA. In this picture he’s seen here presenting a recognition plaque to Susan Davis for her service as AAEA president. I can only say that I thoroughly enjoyed talking to Dan, especially when he had started a blog, which made him one of the early bloggers in the business. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.

    Here is some information from Lessiter Media:

    Lessiter Media is mourning the loss of one of its most valuable contributing editors, Dan Crummett, who passed away unexpectedly this week at his home in Coyle, Okla. He was 78.

    No-Till Farmer Editor Frank Lessiter said Dan made major contributions the magazine’s content for many years, first as a freelance writer before taking an expanded role at Lessiter Media in 2023 as a contributing editor.

    Just recently, Crummett won regional and national honors from the American Society of Business Publication Editors for an article on how soil testing is evolving into ‘predictive agronomy.’

    “Many times he told me and others that working with Lessiter Media was one of the most enjoyable parts of his long-term ag writing career,” Lessiter said.

    Dan also contributed content for No-Till Farmer, Strip-Till Farmer, Cover Crop Strategies, Farm Equipment, Farm Innovations and Precision Farming Dealer. In recent years, he’s also contributed as technical editor for Ag Equipment Intelligence’s custom research offering.

    You can find his obituary here.

    ACN, Media

    Scanit Technologies Launches Iowa SporeWarn™ Network

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Scanit Technologies has launched the Iowa SporeWarn™ Network to help growers get advance notice on airborne crop diseases such as corn tar spot and soybean white mold that may be heading to their fields.

    “We’ve monitored challenging disease environments all over the globe, including millions of corn and soybean acres, and each season we are listening to growers, agronomists, and university experts to understand their needs from an airborne pathogen monitoring service,” said Jaydeep Rane, CEO and Co-Founder of Scanit Technologies. “The Iowa SporeWarn Network is us putting that knowledge to work.”

    At the heart of the network is SporeCam™, Scanit’s AI-enabled, autonomous airborne pathogen-detection platform. Deployed in fields throughout central Iowa, each SporeCam sensor acts like a smoke alarm for disease — sampling the air around the clock and catching the invisible spores that signal a building risk of outbreak.

    Iowa SporeWarn Network subscribers can access reports refreshed daily through an online portal that features summarized pathogen pressure data for each disease, a rolling 7-day history, risk and trend analysis, and heat maps to visualize pressure across the area. There is also a daily morning report delivered by text message that provides a quick read on changes in pathogen presence and disease risk.

    Deployed with ag services partner MaxAg, the new service continuously tracks local airborne pathogen pressure ahead of disease outbreaks with the ability to change how agronomists scout for disease and help farmers be proactive with treatment. The SporeWarn Network service includes plain-language reports, local context from the field, and blog articles that explain what the numbers mean for spray and scouting decisions.

    “Charts on a screen only go so far for a grower’s understanding,” said Ryan French, Market Development & Sales Lead at Scanit Technologies. “Having a partner like MaxAg, with their agronomists who know these fields and walk them often, is what transforms pathogen readings into supportive advice for their customers. The ground-level insight they provide adds valuable context to the SporeWarn Network data.”

    Access to the Iowa SporeWarn Network is available now for the 2026 growing season. Through July 15, growers can subscribe for season-long access for only $60 — half the regular $120 price — by entering code IOWA26 at signup. This is a one-time fee with no recurring charges. Growers can preview the network and sign up at www.scanittech.com/sporewarn. Scanit also offers a SporeWarn Business Tier for agribusinesses, retailers, NGOs, drone operators, and other organizations seeking network-scale pathogen intelligence for the growers they serve.

    Listen to an interview with Rane and French to learn more:
    Scanit Technologies - Jaydeep Rane and Ryan French 17:37

    Agronomy, AgWired Precision, Audio, Corn, Precision Agriculture, Soybean

    Passing of Mary-Dell Chilton

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Mary-Dell Chilton, 2013 World Food Prize

    One of the world’s foremost agricultural pioneers passed away last week. Mary-Dell Chilton, Syngenta plant biotechnologist, died on June 24 at the age of 87. Just one of her many awards and accolades over the years included being honored as the 2013 World Food Prize Laureate, with co-Laureates Marc Van Montagu and Robert Fraley, for her breakthrough achievement in developing and applying modern agricultural biotechnology to create the first genetically modified crops.

    “Millions of farmers all over the world have Dr. Chilton to thank for protecting their crops from disease, pests and climate shocks,” said Tom Vilsack, CEO, World Food Prize Foundation. “Her brilliant innovations have revolutionized agriculture. She will be greatly missed, but her legacy continues to guide those who are bringing technology to bear on the great challenges we face in feeding the world.”

    Dr. Chilton led a team of university researchers in producing the first transgenic plant in the late 1970s and her research ultimately resulted in the discovery of novel methods to improve a plant’s ability to control pests and manage extreme environmental conditions. She began her corporate career in 1983 with CIBA-Geigy Corporation, a legacy company of Syngenta, and later founded its first biotechnology research lab. Under her leadership, Syngenta was the first company to commercialize a biotech trait in corn (Bt). Dr. Chilton retired in 2018, but her legacy of innovation will continue through the Syngenta Seeds’ R&D program.

    In 2006, Dr. Chilton was only 67 but she said at the time she was already “way past” retirement age. She finally officially retired in 2018 at age 79 after a 35-year career with the company. You can listen to an interview with her from a Syngenta media day in 2006 visiting the biotech research lab dedicated to her.

    Dr. Mary-Dell Chilton 2006 interview
    Audio, Biotech, Syngenta, Technology, World Food Prize

    DWFI Podcast 53 – Validating the Future of Carbon Markets

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Five years ago, the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) was tapped by the U.S. Department of Energy to tackle a critical challenge: scientifically validating carbon sequestration in Midwest corn and soybean production.

    With this $3 million project now in its final 120-day closeout phase, DWFI Director of Research Christopher Neale discusses this initiative at the intersection of energy, agriculture and policy. He shares insights with Frances Hayes, DWFI Director of Communications and Public Relations, into how the team translated rigorous field-level measurements into tools that bring credibility to carbon credit markets, discussing what carbon credits are, the importance of data-driven policy and how these markets can be a tool for producers.

    DWFI podcast episode 53 26:29

    The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska was founded with the mission to have a lasting and significant impact on achieving more food security with less pressure on scarce water resources by conducting scientific and policy research, using the research results to inform policy makers, and sharing knowledge through education and communication.

    How to subscribe:

    Audio, carbon, Food, Water, Water for Food

    Grounded in Ag and AgCareers Create Ag Onboarding Academy

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Grounded in AgTM and AgCareers have partnered to create Ag Onboarding Academy to address the experience and market knowledge gap that many employees and new hires in the industry today have since fewer have lived on farms, studied agriculture in college or worked in the industry.

    “Our latest analysis indicates nearly 40 percent of AgCareers.com’s job applicants do not have an ag-based education, and 30 percent of them are not currently working in agriculture,” said Bonnie Johnson, Marketing & Communications Manager, AgCareers. “By expanding access to onboarding resources, we can help employers enhance the experience for employees and strengthen their teams over time.”

    “Good onboarding is one of the simplest and most effective ways to help someone feel welcome, confident and capable in a new role,” said Janice Person, founder of Grounded in Ag. “Helping people understand and appreciate agriculture and the farmers many of us serve is the focus of our programming. Participants hear directly from trusted farmers and experts who impart expertise in the business, farm practices and culture as they deliver the lessons. This collaboration with AgCareers makes practical training tools more accessible so more businesses can add that industry lens, improve understanding, and set employees up for success.”

    Audio soundbite from Janice Person (:56)

    Person will also be speaking about upskilling at the AgCareers Agriculture and Food Roundtable Conference this summer, where workforce development, retention, and employee readiness will be among the topics of discussion.

    The Ag Onboarding Academy features lessons from farmers and ag professionals, as well as course combinations that provide foundational knowledge about agriculture and farming. All courses are delivered via videos (web & app), which are paired with downloadables, quizzes and vetted resources.

    There are additional packages available via Grounded in Ag that provide greater depth of knowledge by focusing on specific commodities. A free preview is available for people interested in learning more.

    AgCareers, Agribusiness, Audio

    Ag Media Summit Photo Albums

    Chuck Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Ag Media Summit PhotosHow about a look at the past with two decades of Ag Media Summit photos! A real blast from the past. We get requests for pics of different people or they just want one but don’t know where to look. Flickr is the way.

    One of the features we like about Flickr is that we can take all the albums from a particular annual event or all of the ones that a certain company contracted to be their photographer. They call it Collections and that’s what the image is for AMS.

    Just click on the image or in this post and you can see them and open them. Flickr photos are simple to download. Just click on the picture you want, look at the down arrow on bottom right and select the size to download it. See. Simple.

    I’m going to miss Ag Media Summit this year but I will be keeping my eye on all the activity. I hope you have a great one.

    ACN, Ag Media Summit, LPC, Media

    ZimmCast 761 – Biofueling Agriculture

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    ZimmCastAmerican agriculture is at a crossroads today, but biofuels could point the way to a brighter future, according to a recent study from S&P Global and commissioned by U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action (USFRA).

    “Fueling Agriculture: Biofuels as the Catalyst,” finds that biofuels have the potential to restore long-term profitability to American farms and drive investment in rural communities; unlock demand for sustainable feedstocks, creating a market that rewards farmers for pioneering modern farm practices; and strengthen food, economic and energy security on a global scale. It could also help motivate the U.S. Senate to pass legislation allowing year-round, nationwide sales of E15 (15% ethanol-blended fuel).

    In this episode of the ZimmCast, hear from USFRA CEO Kevin Burkum; USFRA vice chairman and Maryland farmer Chip Bowling; Kevin Lindemer, S&P Global Energy; Kelsey Barnes, USDA Senior Advisor for Rural Development and Biofuels; Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Tina Smith (D-MN).

    Listen to the episode here:
    ZimmCast 761 - Biofueling Agriculture (25:30)

    Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

    Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Corn, Ethanol, Podcasts, USFRA, ZimmCast

    Precision Ag News 6/25

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • USDA is now accepting project proposals for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Up to $310 million will be invested to expand producer conservation activities across the nation.
  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon hosted several land-grant university leaders at USDA for a roundtable discussion and announced the opening of the FY2026 funding opportunity for the Research Facilities Act program. President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts provided $125 million annually for the Research Facilities Act program and this historic investment will help address decades of deferred maintenance and accelerate modernization of agricultural research facilities across the country. The deadline for applications is July 17, 2026. For more information, visit nifa.usda.gov or email RFAP@usda.gov.
  • The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) announced that, collectively, U.S. corn refiners have supported the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices on more than 8.5 million acres of farmland across North America, an area equivalent to more than 10 million football fields.
  • Flagship Pioneering has announced the formation of Terion™, a new agricultural technology company created through the combination of CIBO Technologies and Indigo Ag’s Source business. Terion’s mission is to become the leading independent, trusted digital infrastructure layer for agriculture, connecting on-farm activity to enterprise sustainability, compliance, financing, and market outcomes through science, data, and artificial intelligence. Sunand Menon, Executive Chairman and CEO of CIBO Technologies and Operating Partner at Flagship Pioneering, will become Terion’s CEO.
  • Intelinair has launched the AGMRI AI Agent, an AI capability inside the AGMRI platform that lets agronomic advisors and growers ask questions and receive field-level answers in seconds. Now live, the AGMRI AI Agent is built on the agronomic data already in AGMRI: multi-source imagery, soil characteristics, weather, input applications, field boundaries, and historical yield outcomes.
  • The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) welcomed the European Parliament’s adoption of the European Union’s regulation on plants produced by New Genomic Techniques (NGTs). The vote, taken at second reading, completes the EU legislative process and clears the way for the implementation process to start.
  • Syngenta has signed a memorandum of understanding to be a strategic partner in India’s first open-data agricultural ecosystem Annam.AI. Syngenta will contribute agronomic expertise in building accurate crop health, pest forecasting, and heat stress models.
  • The 2026 Tech Hub LIVE Conference and Expo will take place July 20-22 in Des Moines, Iowa, including more than 60 speakers, over 50 exhibitors, and hundreds of ag retailers and growers confronting one of the most economically demanding seasons in recent memory. Featured exhibitors at THL 2026 include AgGateway, AgVend, Agri-Access, Compass Regulatory, Ever.Ag, InnerPlant, Intelinair, Raven Industries, Spectrum Technologies, and Taranis, among others. The full exhibitor and speaker roster is available at techhublive.com.
  • John Deere announced the newest 5E 3-Cylinder tractor, featuring their first electronically controlled eHydro™ transmission in a utility tractor. Built with ease of use, versatility and performance in mind, the 5E 3-Cylinder tractor can help operators of all experience levels tackle a wide range of tasks.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture