Precision Ag News 6/5

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) introduced the Plant Biostimulant Act to create a uniform federal definition for plant biostimulants, establish a consistent regulatory pathway to market, and promote additional research into the benefits of biostimulant products on soil health and crop production.
  • Veteran’s Carbon Holdings announced it will distribute $1.1 billion in direct payments to U.S. farmers and landowners who bury organic carbon over the next nine years. Established in 2024, the newly launched Carbon Development Program provides farmers and landowners across the Midwest and Western United States with an innovative method to generate a great deal of money and substantial annual income, sequestering organic carbon in agricultural soils.
  • Kubota North America announced a strategic collaboration with Agtonomy, a leader in agricultural autonomy software, to commercialize autonomous operations on Kubota diesel tractors for spraying and mowing. This joint effort reflects Kubota’s ongoing commitment to pioneering solutions for specialty crop growers, equipping them with smart technology that enhances efficiency, adaptability, and productivity.
  • Join Women in Ag Tech Group Editor Lara Sowinski July 10 at 2 pm EST for a conversation with Sarah Canada, Chief of Staff to the CTO and Global R&D Operations leader at Corteva Agriscience, on career development inside one of the industry’s leading ag R&D teams. Register here for Strategies for Career Growth and Innovation in Ag Tech R&D.
  • FarmTogether and MyLand announced FarmTogether’s integration of MyLand’s Soil as a Service™ technology across four high-value apple orchards in Washington State. The adoption supports FarmTogether’s broader efforts to enhance operational efficiency, reduce input costs, and advance regenerative agriculture practices across its farmland portfolio.
  • Loveland Products, Inc. and Dyna-Gro Seed, Nutrien Ag Solutions’ proprietary products businesses, are proud to highlight the success of its ongoing collaboration with the Louisiana State University AgCenter through the LPI Research Station Support Fund – a targeted initiative accelerating innovation in rice breeding and early-stage agricultural research.
  • Bayer has developed new tomato varieties that provide growers advanced solutions in their fight against tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV). These will launch this year in every major glasshouse tomato segment and provide multi-stacked virus-resistant genes for more durable protection against ToBRFV mutations.
  • Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) specialist Azotic® Technologies Limited has appointed Sander Pabbruwee in the role of CEO, as the company steps up activities to engage more growers in adopting its sustainable agriculture solutions worldwide.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Azotic® Technologies Names New CEO

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) company Azotic® Technologies Limited has named Sander Pabbruwee as CEO, effective April 1, as the company aims to accelerate its global commercial success.

    Sander Pabbruwee

    Pabbruwee joins the York, UK-based agritech company from Koppert in the Netherlands, where he was general manager.

    “Azotic is not only the most cutting-edge business in biological nitrogen fixation, but also one of the most engaging in terms of what its technology platform offers, beyond merely nitrogen, to farmers and growers around the world,” says Pabbruwee.

    In the seven years since the launch of Azotic’s debut BNF product, Envita®, in the United States, the company has grown sales every year since, with millions of crop acres treated. Envita has become the third most recognized biological brand by North American farmers, according to Stratus Ag Research. Added distributors across Europe, Africa and Asia, where the product is known as Encera™, and the registration and launch of new formulations from new production facilities in the UK, have reinforced the perception that Envita is the product to watch.

    AgWired Precision, Biologicals, people, Precision Agriculture

    BarnTools Introduces BinTalk Pro at World Pork Expo

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    BarnTools is in Des Moines today at the World Pork Expo for the debut of BinTalk Pro, a next-generation feed monitoring system that delivers near real-time insights and comprehensive operational oversight for poultry and swine producers.

    With updates every 15 minutes, 16 times more frequent than the industry standard, BinTalk Pro enables growers and integrators to detect issues as they develop and prevent costly feed interruptions before they impact production.

    Powered by Smart Event Detection, BinTalk Pro goes beyond simple feed level monitoring to identify the critical moments that matter most. Using farm-tested algorithms, the system detects essential feed events and ensures alerts reach the right person for immediate action. The intuitive BarnTools app provides growers with real-time, actionable insights to support peak animal performance, while managers gain comprehensive visibility across all locations to drive smarter, faster operational decisions.

    Unlike traditional sensors that provide delayed data and create monitoring blind spots, BinTalk Pro captures early signals of out-of-feed events – which research shows occur 4.4 times more frequently than total feed outages. With 80% of return on investment tied to catching these early warnings, producers gain the critical insights needed to act quickly and confidently.

    To learn more about BinTalk Pro, download the product brochure, request a site assessment, or schedule a live demonstration, visit www.barntools.com.

    Meet the BarnTools team at World Pork Expo Booth V310 in Des Moines June 4–5 to experience BinTalk Pro in action.

    Watch a the BinTalk Pro demo video below:

    AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, Feed, Pork, Poultry, Swine, Video, World Pork Expo

    Inspire PR Group Ranked in Top Ag PR Firms

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Congrats to Inspire PR Group being named one of the top agriculture PR firms in the country, moving up to rank fourth on the O’Dwyer’s PR News annual list of Top Agricultural PR Firms.

    “Our client-partners in agriculture lead the way in feeding those across the U.S. and worldwide, and theirs are the stories that must be told,” said Hinda Mitchell, founder and president of the female-owned agency based in central Ohio.

    Meghann Winters-Rowe, a senior account manager at Inspire PR Group, was recognized with the 2025 Next Gen NAMA award

    Inspire has been recognized with several major industry awards this year. In April, Inspire senior account manager Meghann Winters-Rowe received the 2025 Next Gen NAMA award from the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA), which recognizes young communicators with a bright future in agriculture.

    Other awards include:
    – A five-part animated video series sharing how Ohio egg, chicken and turkey farmers protect the environment, A Closer Look: Ohio Poultry Farmers’ Commitments, produced in partnership with the Ohio Poultry Association and Ohio Soybean Association, won a national Best of NAMA Merit Award and a PRism Award from the Central Ohio Chapter of PRSA.
    – Inspire was a national finalist at the Best of NAMA Awards for work with American Egg Board, American Dairy Association Mideast, Versova, Wayne-Sanderson Farms and the NC Mountain State Fair.
    – Two finalists at the Best of NAMA Awards also took home PRism Awards in mid-May from PRSA Central Ohio—including the Shop Ohio Cheese campaign with the American Dairy Association Mideast and Versova’s 2023 Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Report.

    Inspire is ranked among the top 100 PR firms in the nation overall by O’Dwyer’s and also is 14th in Restaurant, 19th in Nonprofit and 33rd in Education PR Firms.

    Ag Groups, Agencies, NAMA, people

    FarmTogether Integrates MyLand Soil Health Service in Washington

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    FarmTogether and MyLand have partnered to integrate Soil as a Service™ technology across four high-value apple orchards in Washington State, supporting FarmTogether’s broader efforts to enhance operational efficiency, reduce input costs, and advance regenerative agriculture practices across its farmland portfolio.

    By implementing MyLand’s live, native soil biology service, FarmTogether is taking a proactive step toward strengthening soil structure, increasing organic matter, and supporting greater nutrient availability.

    “This collaboration reflects our continued commitment to exploring innovative, data-driven solutions that strengthen farmland operations while advancing sustainability goals,” said Boyd Corkins, Head of Farm Management at FarmTogether. “We look forward to working closely with MyLand to evaluate the potential for long-term soil health improvements and operational efficiencies across our apple portfolio.”

    The orchards selected are part of FarmTogether’s portfolio of 52 managed properties. The firm specializes in permanent cropland across the West Coast, which represents 92.8% of its $209 million in assets under management (AUM)—a strategy rooted in long-term biological and economic fundamentals.

    FarmTogether joins MyLand’s $4.8 million initiative supported by Washington State’s Climate Commitment Act designed to accelerate the adoption of regenerative soil health practices across 9,000 acres of farmland, promoting carbon sequestration, improving water efficiency, and supporting climate resilience throughout the region.

    AgWired Precision, land, Precision Agriculture, Soil, Sustainability

    20th Annual NAMA Boot Camp Registration is Open

    Chuck Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    20th Annual NAMA Boot Camp It’s that time. Join Agri-Marketing’s Best at NAMA Boot Camp.

    Agri-marketing is always changing. That’s why each year, NAMA Boot Camp features the latest tips, trends and best practices to take you forward in your career—at any level. It’s the event to learn about modern agriculture and our industry, grow your network and prepare to be a leader.

    NAMA members receive a discounted rate. Non-members receive a year of NAMA membership when they register. Sign up for Boot Camp today and prepare to join us in Kansas City, August 6–8!

    Attendees can look forward to sessions covering a breadth of topics including:

    • Producer Panel
    • ​Tools of the Trade – Focus on Research
    • The Business of Agriculture
    • Networking for Introverts Pretending to be Extroverts: A How-To Guide
    • Trends in Marketing
    • Cultivating Your Career
    • Great Marketing: Best of NAMA Case Study

    Plus, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to connect with friends and make new connections at different networking receptions and during the Ag Tour hosted by Farm Journal.

    Register now and book your hotel room before the hotel cutoff date, July 3.

    We can’t wait to see you in Kansas City!

    NAMA

    Animal Ag News 6/3

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • March was the best sales month in history for Certified Angus Beef, with 116.8 million pounds sold. It was also a standout month for quality, with 86 percent of fed cattle carcasses grading Choice or Prime, the highest annual mark once again. USDA Prime has outpaced Select for nine weeks in a row, thanks in part to heavier carcass weights and longer feeding periods.
  • The Public Lands Council (PLC) announced the appointment of public lands ranchers to new leadership positions in PLC policy committees. These individuals will guide conversations that develop grassroots policies aimed at strengthening federal lands management and multiple use policy that recognizes the important role livestock grazing continues to play in Western communities.
  • While global pork consumption has edged upward, U.S. per capita consumption has been flat for more than 50 years at 50 lbs. on average, according to the USDA. That trails annual beef and chicken consumption, which exceeds 60 lbs. and 100 lbs., respectively. The pork industry is aiming to gain ground with a new consumer marketing program, “Taste What Pork Can Do.” Focusing on flavor and featuring a wide variety of recipes and convenient cooking techniques, the campaign encourages U.S. consumers to reimagine the possibilities of pork for at-home meals. According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, the campaign represents the beginning of what could be a “new pork” on U.S. consumers’ plates.
  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the release of Congressionally mandated Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments to cover grazing losses due to eligible drought or wildfire events in 2023 and/or 2024. Secretary Rollins committed on May 7 to release these emergency payments by May 30, and she is delivering on that commitment ahead of schedule.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) thanked Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins following an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that the agency would quickly be sending Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments to cattle producers who suffered losses from drought and wildfire.
  • Becky Rasdall Vargas, Senior Vice President of Trade and Workforce Policy with the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), released a statement recognizing a new streamlined approval process for U.S. dairy exports to Costa Rica.
  • Industry professionals worldwide are gearing up for World Pork Expo 2025! This preeminent event returns to the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 4-5, and is hosted by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). The Expo promises two full days packed with cutting-edge insights, industry innovation, and countless networking opportunities.
  • The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is deeply concerned with the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s take on the causes of wide-ranging health concerns in American children, largely blaming modern food and agriculture with little regard for the rigorous regulatory systems in place that have allowed the U.S. to be a world leader in safe, affordable and wholesome food. Like human food manufacturing facilities, all feed and pet food manufacturing facilities must abide by stringent regulations in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which requires facilities, among other things, to: identify hazards that could result in foodborne pathogens and put risk-based preventive controls in place; comply with Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements; develop and implement animal food safety plans; work with domestic and foreign suppliers to reduce hazards; and be subject to regular inspections.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    NRCS Chief to Keynote Agri-Pulse West Summit

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Aubrey J.D. Bettencourt will be the luncheon keynote speaker at the annual Agri-Pulse West Food & Ag Issues Summit in Sacramento on June 10.

    Prior to being named NRCS Chief, Bettencourt served as the Global Director of Government Relations and External Affairs for Netafim, an Orbia Company, and as President and Chief Executive Officer for the Almond Alliance. Just prior to taking the role of NRCS Chief earlier this year, Bettencourt appeared on a panel at the Agri-Pulse DC Food & Ag Issues Summit in March.

    During the first Trump Administration, Bettencourt worked with both the U.S. Department of the Interior and USDA and prior to that she was the State Executive Director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency in California where she directed the administration of farm commodity programs providing support, security, and emergency relief for producers throughout the state.

    The Summit will offer a full day of speeches and panel discussions on topics such as land, water and labor challenges in California, perspectives from state Senators, and presentation of the second Great Tomato Challenge winner. Registration includes both in-person and virtual attendance options at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento.

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    Industry Ag News 5/30

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • Agri-Pulse is pleased to announce that Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Aubrey J.D. Bettencourt will be the luncheon keynote speaker at our annual Food & Ag Issues Summit in Sacramento on June 10.
  • In response to the recent release of the Making America Healthy Again report, which raised unfounded questions about the safety of pesticides, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has released a report that speaks to the economic impact of widely used technologies, like atrazine and glyphosate.
  • 365 agricultural and related groups have sent a letter calling on Congress to enact the Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act, a bipartisan bill the groups say is needed to protect access for farmers and the public to safe, well-regulated pesticides. The groups—which represent millions of pesticide users from farmers to scientists, and mosquito control to public land managers—say the legislation would reaffirm and clarify long-standing provisions in federal pesticide law regarding labeling requirements.
  • ASTA’s 2025 Leadership Summit is quickly approaching! The American Seed Trade Association is convening this year June 8-11 in Washington, D.C. for its annual meeting to celebrate the seed sector’s role in the broader agricultural community. Hosting the event in our nation’s capital gives attendees the special opportunity to participate in Advocacy Day, allowing them to share their story as a member of the seed industry before the members of Congress who shape ag policy.
  • The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City welcomes Chris Chinn, Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, and Mike Beam, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Agriculture, for a timely discussion of the key issues shaping the future of agriculture in the region. The Council’s June Luncheon Meeting will be Thursday, June 12 at the American Royal from 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Register here.
  • The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) announced the selection of Duane Simpson as its next President and Chief Executive Officer. Simpson will formally assume the role on July 14, 2025, coinciding with the opening of NCFC’s annual Washington Conference.
  • Farmers are invited 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. The grand prize winner – Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year – will win a year’s worth of Purina Pro Plan dog food and $5,000 in prize money. The winner will be recognized at a Farm Dog of the Year award ceremony at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Anaheim, California, in January 2026. The 2026 Farm Dog of the Year will also be featured in a professionally produced video. The profile of 2025 Farm Dog of the Year Sirius can be viewed here.
  • The National Cotton Council announces its Emerging Leader Program participants for 2025-2026.
  • Farm Credit Mid-America has released its 2024 Impact Report, a reflection of how the cooperative is fulfilling its mission to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture. The report, available here, highlights the many ways the customer-owned cooperative invests back into the people and places it serves, with nearly $4.5 million directed toward impactful programs and initiatives in 2024.
  • National Sorghum Producers (NSP) is proud to announce Eric Washington as its new Communications Director. Washington brings a dynamic blend of strategic marketing experience, communications leadership and brand development expertise to the NSP team.
  • The application deadline for the 2025 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders Program is approaching quickly — all submissions must be received by June 8, 2025. Learn more about the program and apply here.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    BIO Dedicates Focus to Human Health and Biopharmaceuticals

    Chuck Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Biotechnology Innovation OrganizationPretty big decision for BIO. I guess other ag organizations will be ready to carry the load.

    The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) today announced plans to dedicate its focus entirely to human health and to transition the work of its Agriculture and Environment (A&E) section to other organizations.  This change is intended to enable an enhanced strategic focus on each of these respective areas of biotechnology and will be effective July 1, 2025. In support of this transition, BIO announced the hiring of two new senior executives to lead Regulatory Affairs and a new “Center of Excellence” focused on Emerging Companies & Economic Growth. 

    “The field of biotechnology is increasingly diverse, with great threats and significant opportunities,” said John F. Crowley, President and CEO, BIO. “In consultation with the BIO Executive Committee and the Agriculture and Environment Governing Board, BIO has determined that these organizational changes will enable greater focus and impact on behalf of our healthcare members, and will sharpen our advocacy work on critical policy priorities for the improvement of human health – modernizing the FDA’s regulatory processes; building back a robust biopharmaceutical manufacturing base across the US and our allies; preserving strong IP protections; fostering capital formation; protecting our national security; and enabling 21st Century access to medicines. At the same time, this change will enable A&E member companies to enhance their focus on agricultural and environmental biotech at expert third-party organizations.” 

    Biotech