Industry Ag News 7/18

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

  • The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) has named veteran ag communicators Janet Adkison and Gale Cunningham as the 2025 inductees in the NAFB Hall of Fame. They will be celebrated at the Night of Honors banquet on Thursday, Nov. 20, attended by farm broadcasters and ag industry leaders during the 82nd NAFB Convention in Kansas City.
  • The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded its 2025 college scholarships, totaling $47,500, to six students studying agriculture communications. They are: Morgan Anderson, Ohio University; Jacie Ambrose, University of Nebraska-Omaha; Maci Carter, Oklahoma State University; Ella Stiefvater, South Dakota State University; Cortney Zimmerman, Oklahoma State University; and Chloe Zittergruen, Iowa State University. The students will attend and be recognized for their achievements at a special NAFB Foundation Celebration Luncheon on Nov. 19, 2025, during the NAFB Convention in Kansas City.
  • Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode responded to President Trump calling for replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar in soda. “Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit.”
  • The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) today launched a bold new campaign spotlighting fruits and vegetables as nature’s original prescription for better health, lower healthcare costs and longer lives. With headlines like “Before there were pharmacies, there were farms” and “Before there were co-pays, there were carrots,” the campaign delivers a direct message to U.S. policymakers: you can’t make America healthy again without fruits and vegetables.
  • The National Agri-Marketing Association is seeking nominations for its Professional Development Awards to be presented at the NAMA Nexus (formerly Fall Conference), October 14-16 at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. Awards of Excellence will be presented in the areas of (1) Marketing Communication, (2) Product/Species Management, (3) Public Relations and (4) Sales. The awards will be presented at NAMA Nexus (formerly Fall Conference). Winners will receive complimentary registration to the meeting. Nominations are due by August 1
  • The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) recognized Rep. Adrian Smith (Neb-R) with the President’s Award today during its summer Corn Congress meeting in Washington, D.C. Smith, who serves on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, has been a legislative champion for corn growers on key issues, including international trade, tax policy and ethanol.
  • The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture proudly honors the retirement of Charlie Ingram, National Agricultural Statistics Service Program Director, following nearly 27 years of service. Charlie will retire on September 30, marking the closure of a transformative career over decades of agricultural innovation and public service.
  • Duane Simpson has assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC), succeeding longtime CEO Chuck Conner. His first day on the job came as more than 100 leaders from farmer-owned cooperatives across the country descend on Washington, D.C., for NCFC’s annual Washington Conference and fly-in, which will include meetings at nearly 160 congressional offices.
  • In response to the devastating floods that swept through Kerrville and surrounding areas of Central Texas over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Kubota North America (KNA) announced a contribution to assist in clean-up and restoration efforts with the donation of construction equipment, generators, and $100,000 to help the affected communities recover from this disaster.
  • The Georgia Peanut Commission is hosting a photo contest through Oct. 1, 2025, featuring peanut farms from across the state to fill the pages of the 2026 Georgia Peanut Calendar. Photos will also be selected to be used in various promotional projects by GPC throughout the year. Photos can be submitted in jpg format with the online entry form provided on www.gapeanuts.com by Oct. 1, 2025,
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Passing of Mike Perrine

    Chuck Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Mike PerrineI am sad to say that I just found out that one of my best farm radio friends, Mike Perrine, has passed. I have enjoyed every conversation and we’ve had some fun times together. Mike was a great listener and had a wonderful sense of humor. He will be seriously missed by so many people who have worked with him.

    Back in 2015 he received the NAFB Dix Harper Meritorious Service Award at the NAFB convention in Kansas City. Mike was also received into NAFB Hall of Fame in 2023. You can see a great video that was played there.


    Here’s a quote from the NAFB FB page: “Mike’s broadcast roots date back to 1959 and his career journey took him to many broadcast destinations, including WLDS, WJIL/WJVO, WKAN and AgriTalk (to name a few). He made an indelible impression on everyone who knew him. Mike joined NAFB in 1978 and served in numerous volunteer positions.”

    Update: Service will be September 20 at the Troy Methodist Church in Troy, Illinois. Visitation from 10-11:30 with the service to follow immediately after. Memorials to the NAFB Foundation or the Troy Methodist Church.

    Media, NAFB, Video

    Precision Ag News 7/16

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

  • Stakeholders are welcome to join AgGateway for a webinar update on Version 2 of the Modus lab test data standards Thursday, July 17, 10:00 – 10:45 pm Central Time. AgGateway gathered key industry stakeholders and is in the process of a significant overhaul of Modus. Late last year new versions of the soil and manure test method lists were released, and work continues to add additional features and capabilities.
  • The first National Cover Crop Variety Test Report has been released publicly. This project was led by the University of Missouri’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture, working closely with the American Seed Trade Association and over a dozen partner organizations including seed companies, land-grant universities, as well as USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and Natural Resource Conservation Service. The intent of the National Cover Crop Variety Testing program is to identify how new and existing cover crop varieties perform in a wide variety of locations across the country. For this first-year report, data from 11 states is provided for 25 different varieties representing six different cover crop species. 
  • Understanding Ag, LLC, a leading U.S.-based regenerative agriculture consulting firm, has officially launched UA/UK, a wholly owned subsidiary registered in the United Kingdom. The new entity marks the company’s formal expansion into the UK and European markets and underscores the rapid rise of regenerative agriculture across the region.
  • The Soil Health Academy (SHA) announces that Ben Katon will serve as organizational strategist, offering planning and operational guidance as the non-profit enters a new phase of strategic growth and development.
    Katon brings valuable insight to SHA as it refines its programming, structure, and long-term vision. His appointment comes as part of a broader initiative to realign SHA’s efforts with the foundational mission established by its founders in 2018: advancing regenerative agriculture through practical, principle-based education.
  • Bayer signed a development and distribution agreement with French pheromones expert company M2i Group for the exclusive distribution of pheromone gels for the Asia-Pacific as well as the Latin America region and the United States building on its successful collaboration and related product launches in Europe and Africa.
  • Proven® Seed, the proprietary seed brand of Nutrien Ag Solutions, is expanding its canola portfolio with the launch of four new hybrids for the 2026 growing season. The additions include both LibertyLink® and TruFlex® options, each offering distinct maturity ranges, trait packages, and agronomic advantages to meet the evolving needs of Western Canadian farmers.
  • Reinke Manufacturing, a global leader in irrigation systems and technology, today announced the acquisition of Scott Specialties, Inc.’s industrial assets in Belleville, Kansas—including facilities, equipment, and real estate holdings—following the orthopedic soft goods manufacturer’s decision to close. With this strategic move, Reinke is expanding operations and extending new employment opportunities to Scott Specialties’ skilled workforce within its growing mechanized irrigation division.
  • Emergent Connext, Inc., the nation’s first carrier-grade rural IoT network and solutions integrator, announced today the successful close of its oversubscribed $5 million seed funding round. The seed round attracted a strong group of investors who share Emergent’s vision to digitally connect the most underserved industries of rural America—unlocking a new era of profitability, sustainability, and operational efficiency across agriculture, climate and energy, utilities and municipalities, and the broader rural economy.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Agriculture

    Blueberries Add Billions to the U.S. Economy

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Blueberry growers and importers deliver a powerhouse crop that contributes nearly $9.1 billion in annual economic impact to the U.S. economy, or nearly $25 million every day, according to new reports from the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC).

    “The new reports reaffirm what our industry has long recognized—blueberry growers have a powerful and positive impact on the U.S. economy,” said Kasey Cronquist, president of the USHBC. “Thanks to the ongoing commitment of growers and our import partners, blueberries are available to consumers year-round, contributing to spending that helps create and maintain thousands of jobs and delivers billions in economic activity nationwide.”

    “The economic impact of blueberry growers is both far-reaching and deeply rooted in the U.S. economy,” said Cronquist. “From job creation to tax revenue, blueberry growers fuel sustained economic activity in every region of the country.”

    In the United States specifically, the U.S. highbush blueberry industry accounts for $6.7 billion in annual economic impact, or about $18.3 million per day, while creating and sustaining 49,260 full-time equivalent jobs supported by the business activities of U.S. growers. Additionally, U.S. highbush blueberry growers generate nearly $2.4 billion in labor income each year, equating to about $6.7 million per day, and indirect business taxes generated by grower spending totals nearly $193.1 million annually, or $529,000 per day, not including income taxes.

    Learn more from USHBC and in this interview with Cronquist.
    Interview with USHBC president Kasey Cronquist 13:14

    Audio, specialty crops

    Animal Ag News 7/15

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

  • USDA launched a new, modernized Midwestern Food Safety Laboratory in St. Louis this week to bolster USDA’s efforts to combat foodborne illness. This better positions USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), which is responsible for ensuring meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled, to protect the nation’s food supply. FSIS will continue to work in close collaboration with partners like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure the safety of the entire food supply chain. 
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation has extended its deadline until July 25 for farmers to submit nominations for the 2026 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year contest, which comes with cash prizes and bragging rights. This is the eighth year of the contest, supported by Nestlé Purina PetCare, which celebrates farm dogs and the many ways they support farmers and ranchers.
  • Creekstone Farms has promoted Andrew Baltz, current Senior Vice President and General Manager, to the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). In his new role, Baltz will drive productivity and automation across plant operations, expanding the production of value-added products and future industry offerings. Prior to joining Creekstone Farms in 2024, Baltz held several leadership positions within Tyson Foods including Director of Engineering and Director of Automation.
  • USPOULTRY is offering to its members a first-of-its-kind Sanitation Safety for the Poultry Industry certification program designed for workers across all parts of the poultry industry. The goal of the certification program is to provide safe and sanitized working conditions to produce poultry products. Developed and reviewed by a team of industry specialists and Georgia Tech Safety, Health and Environmental Services professionals, the training offers a third-party certification to cover sanitation safety.
  • Cattle producers from across the country were recognized during the industry’s Summer Business Meeting in San Diego through the 2025 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). Regional award recipients were honored for their commitment to conservation and stewardship. The national winner will be announced during CattleCon 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee, in February. The 2025 ESAP Regional winners are:
    Region I: Whispering Hills Farm, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky; Region II: M&D Overstreet Ranch, Kathleen, Florida; Region III: Smith Family Farms, Bankston, Iowa; Region IV: McFaddin Ranch, Victoria, Texas; Region V: G&G Livestock and Cathey Cattle Company, Polson, Montana; and Region VII: Wine Glass Ranch, Imperial, Nebraska
  • Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins congratulates the dairy industry’s commitment to eliminate artificial food dyes from their ice creams. This is a voluntary, proactive pledge to eliminate the use of Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 from ice cream and other frozen dairy desserts by 2028. Rollins joined leaders from the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, and others at the USDA headquarters in Washington to announce the Commitment and participate in a special celebration of ice cream, where crowds enjoyed complimentary ice cream in recognition of National Ice Cream Day occurring on Sunday, July 20.
  • With a new reported case of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Ixhuatlan de Madero, Veracruz in Mexico last week Secretary Rollins ordered the closure of livestock trade through southern ports of entry effective immediately just days after it had been reopened. The new case in northern Veracruz indicates screwworm has traveled 160 miles northward of the location where sterile flies are currently being dropped. As the screwworm continues to move north through Mexico the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) urges USDA to immediately begin work on a sterile fly facility in the United States.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture

    Industry Ag News 7/11

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

  • USDA has announced that agricultural producers who suffered eligible crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 can now apply for $16 billion in assistance through the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP). USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is delivering assistance in two stages. This first stage is open to producers with eligible crop losses that received assistance under crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program during 2023 and 2024 and sign up is now underway at county offices. SDRP Stage Two signups for eligible shallow or uncovered losses will begin in early fall.
  • A letter with signatures from 42 agricultural associations, led by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), was sent to President Trump this week urging him to expeditiously nominate a chief agricultural negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative. The group said the nomination is critical to prioritizing the needs of American agriculture amidst the ongoing reciprocal trade negotiations.
  • As part of a $10 million effort funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the first National Cover Crop Variety Test Report was released publicly. This project is led by the University of Missouri’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture, working closely with the American Seed Trade Association and over a dozen partner organizations including seed companies, land-grant universities, as well as USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and Natural Resource Conservation Service
  • Meyocks, a leading branding and marketing agency, has recruited Kelli Calkins as director of social media. In this role, Calkins will oversee social media strategy, content development and influencer campaigns for the agency’s client roster of food, agriculture, health and mentor brands. Most recently, she served as associate social media director at Charleston Orwig.
  • The National Wheat Foundation (NWF) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Anne Osborne as Executive Director. Osborne has served as the Foundation’s Project Manager since January 2021, playing a key role in the expansion and success of its core programs. Under Osborne’s leadership, the Foundation’s signature initiative—the National Wheat Yield Contest (NWYC)—has grown significantly. The contest now includes over 30 industry partners and receives more than 500 entries annually across five categories. It has led the way in innovation with the introduction of a digital yield category and an enhanced focus on wheat quality, attracting collaboration from all sectors of the wheat value chain.
  • Judge Stephen Alexander Vaden was sworn in as the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Vaden, of Union City, Tennessee, joins Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to deliver on the promises of President Trump and execute the agriculture and nutrition policies of the One Big Beautiful Bill.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimated 95.2 million acres of corn planted in the United States for 2025, up 5% from last year, according to the Acreage report released today. Soybean area planted is estimated at 83.4 million acres, down 4% from last year.
  • Nichino America announced that Jeffrey Johnson will continue his role as Chairman of Nichino America, Inc. In this capacity, Johnson will continue to lead the NAI board of directors and management team, focusing on strategic oversight and corporate governance. Nichino also announced Dustin Simmons was appointed as an Executive Officer of Nihon Nohyaku Co., Ltd., the parent company of the NICHINO Group and Nichino America, Inc.
  • Kynetec, a global leader in agricultural and animal health market data, analytics and insights, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ines Kapphan as Chief Operating Officer for Agriculture. Ines brings over a decade of experience in technology, data science, and digital product development within the agricultural industry. She joins Kynetec from Bayer Crop Science, where she spearheaded the development of Bayer’s Data & Cloud Solutions business
  • From Australia to Zimbabwe, 39 visionary scientists, farmers, policy advisors, entrepreneurs and humanitarians have been named to the 2025 Top Agri-food Pioneers (TAP) list, announced today by the World Food Prize Foundation. Now in its second year, the TAP list honors individuals driving bold and innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges in global food security. This year’s honorees span 27 countries and one territory and range in age from 20 to 79, representing a powerful cross-section of experience, geography and expertise.
  • The World Food Prize Foundation extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Simon Nanne Groot, 2019 Laureate, who passed away on July 6, 2025, in his hometown of Enkhuizen, the Netherlands. Groot played a transformative role in empowering millions of smallholder farmers in more than 80 countries to earn greater incomes through enhanced vegetable production while providing hundreds of millions of consumers with greater access to nutritious vegetables for healthy diets. His initiative over more than four decades developed a dynamic, smallholder-centered tropical vegetable seed industry, starting in Southeast Asia and spreading through Asia, Africa and Latin America.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    USDA Unveils National Farm Security Action Plan

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Sec. Rollins with governors, lawmakers, and cabinet members July 8

    Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins was joined by three other cabinet members, three governors, several members of the House and Senate, and other officials at USDA headquarters Tuesday to announce the National Farm Security Action Plan.

    “This Action Plan puts America’s farmers, families, and future first—exactly where they belong. Under President Trump’s leadership, American agriculture will be strong, secure, and resilient. He will never stop fighting for our farmers and our ranchers,” said Rollins.

    During questioning from reporters, Rollins said they are looking at ways to recover land holdings from Chinese-owned companies such as Smithfield and Syngenta. “We are looking at every available option. There are multiples of options. You’ll likely see an executive order on this very soon from the White House, and we’ll be looking at multiple different authorities within the federal government to begin to claw that back.”

    Rollins also responded to questioning about amnesty for farm workers. “No amnesty under any circumstances,” Rollins stated emphatically. “Mass deportations continue but in a strategic and intentional way as we move our workforce toward more automation and toward a 100% American workforce.”

    Listen to the announcement by Rollins and questions from the press.
    USDA Farm Security Plan announcement (18:39)

    Audio, labor, land, USDA

    Agri-Pulse Announces ‘Great Tomato Challenge’ Winners

    Cindy Zimmerman 1 Comment

    Staci Rosenberger with Bayer CropScience Vegetable Seeds (left) joins Sen. Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, Legislative Director Tanya Vandrick and Agri-Pulse Founder Sara Wyant.

    Agri-Pulse recently announced the winner of the 2025 Great Tomato Challenge was California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. Taking second place was Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh and third place went to Sen. Monique Limón.

    First and second place winners receive $1000 and $500 donations to the food banks of their choice. Speaker Rivas selected Second Harvest in Santa Cruz County and Sen. Ochoa Bogh selected Table of Plenty.

    The competition was open to all members of the California Senate and Assemblymembers and their staff members. The winning tomato plants all had unique growing experiences, depending on each contestant. For example, the winning tomato was fertilized with composted chicken manure and produced over 30 tomatoes during the competition. Bayer Seminis® brand Early Girl variety tomato plants, donated by Bonnie Plants, were distributed to legislators on April 7 and photos of the plants were collected June 3.

    Agri-Pulse, specialty crops

    Animal Ag News 7/8

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

  • Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins recently announced American poultry producers will have greater market access to Namibia, which will now accept fresh, frozen, and chilled poultry exports from the United States, unlocking a market valued at $15 million. In addition, USDA successfully negotiated the removal of burdensome export and transit permit requirements for processed poultry products—reopening a previously restricted channel.
  • the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) supports for the USDA plan to strategically reopen key ports of entry to shipments of live cattle, bison, and horses. This decision was made by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins following a New World screwworm assessment by USDA staff in Mexico and ongoing conversations between Secretary Rollins and the Mexican Secretary of Agriculture. The first port of entry at Douglas, Arizona was opened this week.
  • The Michigan Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) was pleased to announce that Michigan beef was on display at the White House 4th of July celebration in Washington, D.C. Michigan cattle producer Don Nevill raised some of the high-quality beef that was served to the White House’s guests, a guest list that includes major dignitaries, servicemembers, Cabinet officials, and senior White House staff.
  • The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) thanked President Trump for signing into law the One Big, Beautiful Bill which helps producers protect the industry. According to NPPC, the bill preserves necessary resources to protect the nation’s food supply through foreign animal disease (FAD) prevention, maintains market access programs for U.S. pork, and maintains resources for the feral swine eradication program to protect herd health.
  • The USPOULTRY Financial Management Seminar welcomed more than 150 poultry industry financial professionals in Amelia Island, Fla. A multidisciplinary slate of speakers delivered an impressive array of knowledge to address the issues faced by finance managers, accountants and other financial professionals.
  • Anne Ilse Anderson of Austin, Texas will be honored with the Cattlemen’s Beef Board’s fifth annual Beef Checkoff Visionary Award on Tuesday, July 8, during the General Session of the 2025 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in San Diego, California. This award recognizes an individual in the beef industry who has demonstrated exemplary support of and commitment to the Checkoff’s goals and vision.
  • Dairy Business Association will hold its annual Dairy Strong conference in Green Bay on Jan 14-15, 2026. The conference will be held at the KI Convention Center and will focus on how the dairy community continues to lead with purpose—one person, one policy and one farm at a time. Dairy Strong programming will feature timely political updates, insights into the dynamics of producer-processor relationships and strategies to continue to grow a stronger future for dairy through innovation and the latest advancements.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is pleased with key provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill signed by President Trump on Friday that deliver wins for America’s family farmers and ranchers. According to NCBA leadership, the legislation protects farms and ranches from being split up and sold off to pay a high Death Tax bill, protects pro-business tax deductions for cattle producers, lowers taxes overall, and funds programs like the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, Livestock Indemnity Program, voluntary conservation programs, and invests in keeping foreign animal diseases out of the United States.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture

    Industry Ag News 7/7

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

  • The American Soybean Association is pleased to announce the hiring of Mariah Wollweber as senior director of marketing and communications. Wollweber joins ASA’s senior leadership team today, based in the Washington, D.C. office.
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Research is launching a multi-institutional study to develop and evaluate systems that deliver treatments to trees affected by citrus greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing. The three-year, $1.1 million project is supported by the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
  • In celebration with America 250, USDA will be hosting the Great American Farmers Market on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., during National Farmers Market Week. The market will run this summer from August 3rd to August 8th, and musical performers, farmers, and vendors will be invited to join the historic event.
  • The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture concluded an inbound trade mission with a high-level Moroccan agricultural delegation June 22–28, 2025. The visit further strengthened bilateral agricultural cooperation and deepened ties between the U.S. and Morocco, laying important groundwork for continued engagement. The mission also opened new avenues for collaboration and future trade opportunities.
  • The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) has released a new report detailing the critical nature of the corn refining industry and its work to support rural economies across the country. The report comes amid suggestions that foods should be considered Ultra-Processed based on the content of certain ingredients or use of production practices, a classification that fails to consider nutritional content.
  • 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 American Farm Bureau Convention in Anaheim, California, Jan. 9-14, 2026. Applications deadline is September 2.
  • The thirty-seventh annual Georgia Peanut Tour will be held Sept. 16-18, 2025, in Valdosta, Georgia, and the surrounding area. The tour brings the latest information on peanuts while giving a first-hand view of industry infrastructure from production and handling to processing and utilization. Tour stops will be made in several peanut producing counties in South Georgia.
  • Starting at the end of July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will mail the Grape Inquiry – August 2025 survey to approximately 2,000 U.S. growers. The survey asks for grape acreage and projected production. NASS will forecast 2025 grape production based on the information collected. The 2025 U.S. grape forecast will be released at noon ET, Aug. 12, 2025, in the Crop Production report.
  • With connection and collaboration at the heart of its mission, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) hosted its fifth annual Women and Mentors Retreat on June 25 and 26 in Chicago, Illinois. The Women and Mentors retreat is designed to create a diverse network of individuals who wish to empower women in agriculture. NCGA would like to thank all of our sponsors for making the Women and Mentors Retreat possible for the fifth year in a row: Syngenta, FMC, Bayer, John Deere and BASF.
  • Thirty high school seniors from across Missouri completed the eleventh annual Helping Youth Prepare for Excellence (HYPE) FFA Academy June 24-26 in Jefferson City, Mo. The three-day academy is designed to inform and empower agriculture students to effectively engage in issues impacting Missouri agriculture. The annual event was sponsored by the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council.
    • Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Zimfo Bytes