Industry Ag News 12/1

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • Join NAMA and Doug Foley of Giant Goat on December 7 for a 30-minute session titled “Unlocking AI for Marketing.” This session will dive into the world of AI and, in a short span, discover actionable marketing strategies that can transform the way you view technology. By the end of this session, we promise you’ll see AI not as a daunting tech challenge, but as your next indispensable marketing ally. We genuinely believe this knowledge could be a game-changer for each of our collaborative efforts in the marketing realm. Free to members. $50 for non-members. ​Register here.
  • The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture announced the hiring of Amelia Iliohan as Associate Director of Events and Member Engagement. As Associate Director, Iliohan will plan, manage and execute NASDA’s annual conferences and assist NASDA’s regional and affiliate organizations with meeting programming. Iliohan will also help strengthen NASDA’s member engagement through coordinating events designed to facilitate relationship building and cross-collaboration amongst states.
  • The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) installed Amy Asmus with Asmus Farm Supply as chair of the board of directors during the closing session of the 2023 ARA Conference & Expo. Asmus succeeds Ian McGregor with The McGregor Company in the role and will serve a two-year term.
  • The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) welcomes Katrina Bishop as Senior Director, Strategic Communications. Katrina comes to ASTA from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) where she served in Public Affairs since 2019. In her role at AEM, Katrina oversaw the advocacy messaging for the association’s government affairs and grassroots work. Prior to her time at AEM, Katrina worked in the office of Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) in Washington D.C., serving as Press Secretary and later Communications Director.
  • Globally-renowned agricultural company Huma, Inc. has appointed industry leader David Chinn as their first-ever vice president of corporate compliance. After getting his start in business law, Chinn transitioned to the agricultural regulatory field, which has been his career passion for the past 15 years. He also has 10 years of experience serving on the Humic Products Trade Association (HPTA) Board and will apply his expertise to guide the company’s regulatory affairs, along with domestic and international product registration.
  • The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) announces the resignation of Tom Brand, its current executive director, effective December 31, 2023. Brand joined the NAFB staff in August 2011. Prior to his role with the association, he served as farm director at KFEQ Radio in St. Joseph, Missouri.
  • Alltech, a leading global animal health and nutrition company, has been awarded a silver medal from EcoVadis — putting it in the top 25 percent of sustainable companies globally. The EcoVadis silver medal testifies to Alltech’s purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty and its commitment to prioritizing the efficient production of nutritious food while minimizing environmental impact, implementing environmentally and economically sustainable solutions, promoting fair labor practices and fostering ethical business conduct. Alltech has also earned the EcoVadis platinum medal for its production site in Springfield, Kentucky, USA, which puts it in the top one percent of the over 200,000 businesses assessed by EcoVadis. Alltech Coppens, which produces industrial feeds for the aquaculture sector, earned gold-medal status, putting it in the top seven percent of sustainable companies globally.
  • In the dynamic landscape of American agriculture, two powerhouse organizations, Agriculture Future of America (AFA) and the National FFA Organization, recently made their partnership official – signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during AFA’s Leaders Conference in November. The MOU cements a bond that has existed for many years and underscores a shared commitment to developing and empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders.
  • The American Soybean Association is expanding its staff in both the D.C. policy office and the St. Louis headquarters to meet the growing needs of the soybean industry. Joining the advocacy team for the national soy group is Carson Fort, who starts Nov. 28 in the second of two newly created policy manager roles, the other filled by Joe Prosser in October. In St. Louis, the Industry Relations department is pleased to add Maria Brockamp to its ranks.
  • Anne Thompson, a veteran Washington advocate and the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) senior director of PAC and political strategy, has been chosen by the National Institute of Lobbying & Ethics as its 2023 Top Grassroots Professional.
  • National Farmers Union (NFU) is pleased to announce the selection of Brittany Jablonsky as Chief of Staff. Jablonsky, who previously held various roles within NFU, is set to bring her wealth of experience and expertise back to the organization. She joins NFU from the Farm Credit Council, where she most recently served as Vice President of Public Policy and Stakeholder Relations.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Alltech ONE World Tour Stops in Dubai

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    The Alltech ONE World Tour (ONE), a series of international events bringing the ideas and inspiration of the annual Alltech ONE Conference to the world, wrapped up its final 2023 event this week in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates – just as delegates to COP 28 were arriving.

    ONE Dubai welcomed international attendees to explore collaborative solutions to the greatest challenges facing the agri-food industry in the Middle East, Africa and beyond featuring discussions led by local and international experts about the latest trends in sustainable agricultural, animal nutrition and business.

    In his opening remarks, Alltech President and CEO Dr. Mark Lyons welcomed delegates to Dubai to discuss agriculture’s role in saving the planet. “Agriculture can transform things in ways that other industries cannot and we are at the interface of nourishing the present and preserving the future,” he said. “Our belief is that agriculture has the greatest potential to positively influence the future of our planet, provide nutrition for all, help rural communities thrive and replenish our planet’s resources.”

    For the past 38 years, the Alltech ONE Conference has been held in Lexington, Kentucky, the home of Alltech’s global headquarters. This year, the company chose to bring the conference to its partners, customers, suppliers and friends around the world, providing the opportunity for more people than ever to experience the power of ONE. The Alltech ONE World Tour will continue with international stops in 2024. For more information and to register for an Alltech ONE World Tour stop, visit one.alltech.com.

    Alltech, Animal Health

    ZimmCast 722 – Interviews from NAFB Trade Talk

    Chuck Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

    During this year’s NAFB Trade Talk I interviewed a lot of company representatives and am taking this opportunity to share some of them. These folks had a lot more than just the Golden ZimmComm Microphone in their face! But they are now members of the Golden Mic Club. Here’s who you can listen to in this order: Mike DiPaola,Taranis and Ethan Noll, Ag Partners Co-op; Mark Foster, AMVAC; Aaron Robinson, Benson Hill; Aaron Eddy, Azotic and Brian Neineke, Phospholutions.

    Cindy and I will be on the agriblogging and podcasting trail for the American Seed Trade Association’s newly named Field Crop Seed Conference. It is being held in Orlando, FL for the first time. The Golden ZimmComm Microphone will get a workout once again before we start the new year in Ft. Worth at the Beltwide Cotton Conference.

    Listen to the episode here:ZimmCast 722 - Interviews from NAFB Trade Talk (27:02)

    That’s the ZimmCast for this week. I hope you enjoyed it and thank you for listening.

    Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

    Agribusiness, AMVAC, Audio, NAFB, ZimmCast

    DWFI Podcast 30 – Central Asia Partnership

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Since 2013, UNL Water Sciences Lab Director Dan Snow and other researchers in the University of Nebraska system (NU) have collaborated with faculty and students in Central Asian institutes to improve water quality research across the globe. The purpose of this effort is to share NU’s knowledge and expertise in water quality research with a region that has limited resources and important water quality issues to address.

    In this episode, guest host Ann Briggs, public relations and engagement coordinator at the Nebraska Water Center, chats with Dan during one of his visits to Kazakhstan, along with Marjan Kalmakhanova, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology at M.Kh. Dulaty Taraz Regional University in Kazakhstan. Both discuss the importance and impact of global partnerships in water quality research.

    To learn more about this partnership, visit centralasiawater.unl.edu.

    Listen here or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:
    DWFI Podcast 30 - Marjan Kalmakhanova and Dan Snow 16:15

    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, International, Irrigation, Water, Water for Food

    Precision Ag News 11/29

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the National Strategic Germplasm and Cultivar Collection Assessment and Utilization Plan in support of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) U.S. National Plant Germplasm System’s (NPGS) mission.
  • The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) applauds the release of the National Plant Germplasm and Cultivar Collection Assessment and Utilization Plan. ASTA led efforts in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 to further support the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) through the development and implementation of this plan in order to preserve the viability of, and public access to, germplasm and cultivars.
  • Dan Funk, son of legendary seedsman Don Funk, announces he’s acquired the interests of Outward Ag, LLC from family members. The acquisition is a step further in his goal to reestablish Midwest Seed Genetics, NC+ and Crow’s as premium regional seed brands.
  • Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp launched a new incentive program designed to encourage ag-tech and food-based businesses to locate in Kentucky.
  • After considering the unique challenges that growers across the country have faced during the 2023 harvest season, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has extended the National Corn Yield Contest (NCYC) Harvest Entry deadline from Thursday, November 30 to Tuesday, December 5.
  • The Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC), a non-profit, market program that pays farmers and ranchers for their environmental services to society, has chosen HabiTerre, an advanced technology company specializing in environmental and productivity insights for agriculture, to provide modeling services to ESMC’s Eco-Harvest market program. The goal of this work is to improve accuracy and value creation for farmers and ranchers, while further reducing barriers to scale.
  • Syngenta has reached a settlement agreement with Marty Fletchall of Beloit, Kansas, in response to Syngenta’s allegations of Mr. Fletchall’s unauthorized selling and offering to sell of AgriPro SY Monument variety. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Fletchall has agreed to cease and desist from all further efforts to offer to sell and/or sell Syngenta PVPA-protected wheat seed varieties. Fletchall will also pay a fine to Syngenta as part of the settlement agreement.
  • The UF/FAS Extension Florida Stakeholder Engagement Program (STEP) just concluded its second year growing corn at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, Suwannee Valley (NFREC-SV). The competition, funded by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy, was devised to introduce best management practices and new technologies, while generating data on what makes for a successful harvest.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    CattleCon24 is Onward to Orlando

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    CattleCon, the cattle industry’s largest event of the year, will bring producers and their families to Orlando, Florida, Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2024, for education, networking and business, along with family fun.

    “We’re looking forward to our convention in Orlando, it’s always a crowd pleaser,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President-elect Mark Eisele from Wyoming during a recent interview.

    CattleCon24 will include plenty of entertainment and awards, as well as important informational sessions and policy updates. The Opening General Session will feature former professional football player and sleight-of-hand magician, Jon Dorenbos. while the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program’s Celebration of Excellence, honoring BQA award winners features keynote speaker Jim Carroll, a renowned futurist, author, and innovation expert. As always, CattleFax will present their U.S. & Global Protein and Grain Outlook Session and the 31st annual Cattlemen’s College will include educational sessions with industry leaders tackling innovative topics.

    CattleCon is also where NCBA holds its annual meeting to guide policy for the coming year and Eisele says they have a lot of issues on their plate, as usual, including the farm bill, WOTUS, and endangered species with the relocation of grizzly bears planned by the Biden administration. “We’re watching the president and his agencies trying to drop bears into Washington (State) without any stakeholder input,” said Eisele.

    2023 NAFB Trade Talk - Mark Eisele, NCBA president-elect 3:17

    Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, NAFB, NCBA

    Dalan Animal Health Recognized for Honeybee Vaccine

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Dalan Animal Health, Inc. (“Dalan”), a biotech company specializing in insect health, has been included in the 2023 Fast Company Next Big Thing in Tech list in recognition of developing the world’s first vaccine to protect honeybees against American Foulbrood (AFB), a devastating disease that weakens and kills honeybee colonies globally.

    In addition to Fast Company, Dalan has also been awarded the animal health innovator recognition by International Zendal Awards, which celebrates and financially awards innovative biotechnology solutions, as well as recent inclusion on TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023 in the sustainability category for the promise the vaccine holds for both protecting honeybees and advancing greater biodiversity.

    “Pollinators are the building blocks of our food supply and play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem biodiversity. Without them, the global food supply as we know it ceases to exist,” said Dr. Annette Kleiser, co-founder and CEO of Dalan Animal Health. “Our honeybee vaccine represents an important milestone in the collective fight for increased invertebrate health and environmental sustainability as we enable beekeepers to access proactive solutions for healthy, productive hives.”

    Learn more from Dalan Animal Health.

    AgWired Animal, Animal Health, Bees, pollinators, Technology

    Animal Ag News 11/27

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) announced the addition of Madison Wyman as its policy communications specialist, effective Nov. 13.
  • The Indiana Sheep and Wool Market Development Program is sponsoring a shearing school, hosted by the Indiana Sheep Association (ISA) on Saturday, Feb. 24, at Purdue University’s Animal Science Research and Education Center sheep unit.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of five members to serve on the American Lamb Board. All five of the appointees will serve three-year terms. The terms of the members start January 2024 and end January 2027.
  • Smithfield Foods has donated $1 million to launch the Southeastern Education and Economic Development (SEED) apprenticeship program in North Carolina. A partnership between the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) and Smithfield Foods, SEED is a comprehensive youth apprenticeship program that will provide career pathways and college education for high school students in southeastern North Carolina counties.
  • The winner of the 11th annual NCBA National Anthem Contest, sponsored by Norbrook, is Anna Sponheim of Winifred, Montana. Sponheim will sing the “Star-Spangled Banner” at CattleCon24 in Orlando, Florida, during the Opening General Session.
  • National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Chairman Randy Mooney commended U.S. dairy farmers for their persistence in supporting positive change for their industry at the organization’s annual meeting in Orlando, noting that challenges are nothing new to producers and that their unity has brought progress in encouraging better federal farm policy.
  • In a surprising setback for U.S. dairy, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) dispute settlement panel upheld Canada’s manipulative dairy quota administration practices, leaving U.S. dairy exporters struggling to realize the market access granted in the trade agreement. Despite the tireless efforts of the U.S. government team, this ruling reflects a glaring failure to safeguard the most fundamental rights outlined in the USMCA. Michael Dykes, D.V.M, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), issued a statement sharing the group’s disappointment.
  • The poultry industry continuously invests in research to expand its knowledge and mastery of avian care and to identify processes and techniques that help increase the overall success of the industry. These research developments and related topics will be discussed at the International Poultry Scientific Forum (IPSF), held in conjunction with the 2024 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Get to Know Pivot Bio

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Pivot Bio visited the NAFB Convention Trade Talk earlier this month in Kansas City to talk about its unique offerings for farmers and companies.

    As a sustainable agriculture company, Pivot Bio delivers farmers patented crop nutrition technologies to deliver nitrogen to plants without the negative impacts of synthetic fertilizer. “Pivot Bio provides growers a technology opportunity to deliver a better form of nitrogen that comes from microbes that continuously fix atmospheric nitrogen and deliver ammonia directly into the plant,” said Randy Minton, Pivot Bio Head of Commercial Sustainability. “The benefit of that delivery system is that it creates a sustainability benefit.”

    Pivot Bio’s N-OVATOR™ Program translates growers’ synthetic nitrogen replacement into the environmental impact they delivered which contributes to corporate partners’ sustainability goals while generating new revenue for growers. “We believe we have the capability to create really strong partnerships and really great opportunities for growers and we want to make sure that the majority of that revenue coming from those programs flows back to the grower,” said Minton.

    Pivot Bio recently presented research focused on PROVEN® 40, a product offering a microbial source of nitrogen specifically designed for corn crops.

    Learn more in this interview.
    2023 NAFB Trade Talk - Randy Minton, Pivot Bio 6:17

    AgWired Precision, Audio, Corn, Fertilizer, NAFB, Sustainability

    Seed Industry Conference Starts Next Week

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    The American Seed Trade Association‘s newly-branded Field Crop Seed Convention kicks off its first year next week in Orlando. The convention will host seed industry professionals from over 30 countries for educational sessions, networking and the Seed Expo.

    “We’re excited about it,” said ASTA president and CEO Andy LaVigne during an interview at the recent NAFB Trade Talk. “We’ve got good registration, it continues to increase, and we hope to have great numbers this year.”

    LaVigne says the agenda will be similar to what it has been including the conference’s most popular speaker, Dan Basse of AgResource Company, who will keynote the opening General Session again on Wednesday with his annual update on the global agricultural market. Following the keynote, Basse will moderate a panel of top executives as they give their perspectives on what lies ahead for the seed business. Basse will be available for interviews in the media room after the conclusion of the panel.

    Other key session topics include geopolitical impacts on growers, the Farm Bill, future trends, climate-smart and sustainability initiatives, and more. Get a preview in the interview below:

    2023 NAFB Trade Talk - Andy LaVigne, ASTA 6:26

    ASTA, Audio, NAFB, Seed