RFA Ethanol Podcast

Golden Harvest Offers New Corn and Soybean Varieties

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

Golden Harvest has 19 new soybean hybrids and nine new corn hybrids in store for 2026.

“We continue to offer trait choice so nine of those new products are going to be on the Enlist side and 10 of those products are going to be on the XtendFlex side,” said Soybean Product Manager Ryan Dunsbergen. “We’re continuing to offer trait choice, we’re bringing in these traits, we’re putting on our own proprietary genetics and we’re continuing to bring that to the market for the American farmer.”

Dunsbergen said new products will bring a great deal of versatility and can handle lots of stress. He said Golden Harvest is also proud of portfolio options that offer Peking soybean cyst nematode resistance.

FPS25 Interview with Ryan Dunsbergen, Golden Harvest (3:26)

In addition to the nine new corn hybrids in 2026, Corn Product Manager Rex Gray says looking further ahead, new Durastak corn trait technology that will be available in 2027 has shown a 50 percent increase in root node product and double the increase in root matter, leading to a 9.7 bushel advantage in areas with moderate to severe rootworm infestations.

“With that increased root protection, we’re really going to help growers protect that yield potential that each of those corn hybrids have,” said Gray.

Learn more in this interview from Farm Progress Show.
FPS25 Interview with Rex Gray, Golden Harvest (3:33)

2025 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, Farm Progress Show, Golden Harvest, Seed, Soybean, Syngenta

Looking for Event Photos – New or Old?

Chuck Zimmerman Leave a Comment

Photo Album CollectionsLooking for photos from past events? Look no more. How about the Collections we’ve created for many events?

I frequently get requests from people who are looking for a specific photo and wonder if I would have it. It could be a picture of someone receiving an award. It could be photos for photo books they’re working on. It could be just wanting to see what they looked like way back then. It could be you need a photo for social media or publications. And we have lots of them since we go back to May of 2005. We have 196 different photo albums (a couple of personal ones snuck in there). You can search them in Flickr or just scroll through the 10 pages of them.

Currently the 266,149 photos have received a total of 50,609,564 views. I don’t know how many of them were downloaded but it’s quite a bit. And the price is right. You can always contact me if you need something and just can’t find it and I’ll do my best.

Photography

Precision Ag News 9/5

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • Machinery Pete, LLC, a leading online marketplace for used farm and construction equipment, announced its partnership with AgDirect, one of the nation’s leading ag equipment financing providers, to deliver financing solutions directly within eligible equipment listings.
  • Outdated or underperforming concaves are a major source of profit loss during harvest. When concaves can’t keep up with today’s high-capacity combines, farmers risk unthreshed grain, cracked kernels, and restricted machine performance caused by plugging or reduced rotor efficiency. Marcel Kringe, Founder and CEO of Bushel Plus and expert in harvest optimization, says many farmers underestimate the impact of outdated concaves. “The concave is the heart of the threshing system,” says Kringe. “Yet too many machines still run with concave designs that haven’t changed in decades. Every field with old components like this risks losing grain.” A standout in advanced concave innovation is the Bushel Plus O-Grate MAD Concave™, which replaces traditional round-bar concaves with a precision-engineered design for corn, soybeans, milo, sunflowers, and other pulse crops.
  • Women in Ag Tech present Future-Ready Farming: Upskilling for Success in Ag Technology. Join the conversation on Thursday, October 9 at 2:00 p.m. EST. Register here.
  • Loveland Products, Inc. announced the launch of Extract® XC, a next-generation product of its trusted Extract Powered by Accomplish®. In a new concentrated formulation, Extract XC helps farmers release more nitrogen and sulfur from crop residue, using half the product per acre compared to previous versions. Easier handling and proven results make it simple to integrate residue management into fall and spring fertility programs.
  • The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and CropLife America (CLA) announce the release of the updated Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship. The guide, launched in partnership with the Agricultural Retailers Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Soybean Association, the National Corn Growers Association, and the National Cotton Council, is an educational tool for farmers, retailers, applicators, and other stakeholders in the handling of treated seed.
  • John Deere announced the full acquisition of GUSS Automation, LLC, a globally recognized leader in supervised high-value crop autonomy, headquartered in Kingsburg, California. The acquisition builds on an existing joint venture established in 2022 and advances John Deere’s commitment to helping high-value crop growers address their biggest challenges around labor availability, input costs and crop protection.
  • Vermeer Corporation continues to push boundaries in hay and forage innovation
    with the launch of eight new hay tools for 2026 — led by the all-new ZR-2200 self-propelled baler, a next-generation solution built for speed, precision and operator comfort. With a focus on productivity, operator comfort and bale quality, Vermeer is releasing these products to reflect their ongoing commitment to listening to customers and delivering solutions that make a difference in the field.
  • The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) and the Fertilizer Institute (TFI) praised the Trump Administration for the forward-thinking and decisive action of including potash on the official draft Critical Minerals list.
  • Land O’Lakes, Inc. unveiled its participation in AgRogue Growth Partners, a bold initiative aimed at harnessing the strength of the cooperative model to fast-track the discovery, investment and adoption of breakthrough technologies to support farmers, their businesses, and their communities.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    CruiserMaxx Vibrance Elite Seed Treatment

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

    Syngenta is offering a new cereal seedcare package that should be available for the 2026 growing season. The new CruiserMaxx Vibrance Elite Seed Treatment premix includes five fungicides and an insecticide, bringing two modes of action to combat early season cereal diseases.

    “What’s really neat about this is that this will be our first introduction of Vayantis® into the cereal seedcare market, which is an elite pythium product for high pressure pythium areas,” said Bryn Hightower with Syngenta Seedcare.

    Hightower said it’s a complete offering for early season insect and disease control, and farmers are excited about the ease of use as it takes away the need for custom mixes and offers one solution in one jug.

    Syngenta displayed the product at the 2025 Farm Progress Show.

    Syngenta Seedcare product lead Bryn Hightower – Cruiser Maxx Vibrance Elite
    FPS25 Interview with Bryn Hightower, Syngenta Seedcare (3:15)

    Audio, Crop Protection, Farm Progress Show, Seed, Syngenta

    Syngenta Victrato® Seed Treatment Coming Soon

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Syngenta is expecting registration of Victrato®, its long-awaited seed treatment for nematode and Sudden Death Syndrome control any day now.

    “We should receive registration in September and we intend to launch Victrado in 2026 after we receive registration,” said Syngenta Seedcare Technical Product Lead Dale Ireland at last week’s Farm Progress Show. “Victrato is powered by TYMIRIUM® technology and this is the 11th season that I’ve had this out in the field on soybeans and what Victrato is going to do is deliver the highest level of nematode, Sudden death syndrome, red crown rot, and early season soy foliar disease protection that’s ever been offered from a seed treatment.”

    Ireland says Victrato is setting a new level of protection. “The leading competitor in the soybean SDS space, we beat it 91% of the time by nearly 5 bushels under moderate to heavy SDS. And Victrato also beats Saltoro, which is one of our products, 87% of the time by about half that amount. So about 2 1/2 bushels different.”

    Victrato® seed treatment will be approved for both soybeans and cotton against nematodes and key yield-robbing diseases, like Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) and Cotton Root Rot (CRR) respectively, as well as provide early-season suppression of foliar soybean diseases.

    Learn more in this interview with Ireland.
    FPS25 Interview with Dale Ireland, Syngenta Seedcare (3:36)

    2025 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

    AgWired Precision, Audio, Cotton, Farm Progress Show, Seed, Soybean, Syngenta

    Land O’Lakes and Local Retailers Join to Fast Track Ag Tech

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Land O' LakesLand O’Lakes, Inc. today unveiled its participation with local ag retailers in AgRogue Growth Partners, a new initiative aimed at using the cooperative model to fast-track breakthrough technologies for agriculture.

    As the Land O’Lakes cooperative system has a long history of driving adoption of the latest ag technologies, Land O’Lakes and a coalition of its retailer-owners will invest up to $7 million in each of 10 to 15 companies focused on improving crop inputs, ag data, supply chain processes, business models and more.

    “We believe the key to jumpstarting the adoption of modern ag technologies lives in the partnership and trust between retailers and growers. This platform represents a focused strategy that builds on the strength of Land O’Lakes’ co-op model and our retail owners to assist Radicle Growth in finding, funding and scaling new innovation to help ensure our system remains at the leading edge of ag tech, and U.S. agriculture remains competitive on a global stage,” said Jason Trusley, senior vice president and chief strategy officer at Land O’Lakes, Inc.

    The new coalition plans to invest in and scale innovative technologies, business models and systems that drive on-farm impact, pool resources to access proprietary ag innovations beyond traditional channels, and accelerate early adoption by leveraging the trusted relationships between participating retailers and farmers.

    “Right now, we’re seeing a wave of necessary innovation stall before it reaches the farm gate — often lacking the local trust and infrastructure needed to succeed,” said Brett Bruggeman, chief operating officer and executive vice president of ag business at Land O’Lakes, Inc. “As one of the largest farmer-and retailer-owned cooperatives in the U.S., we know our retail-owners are uniquely positioned to bridge that gap and get proven innovation into farmers’ hands faster.”

    Retail partners include Keystone Cooperative (Indiana), Central Valley Ag (Nebraska), Farmers Cooperative – Dorchester (Nebraska), Farmward Cooperative (Minnesota), Alabama Farmers Cooperative (Alabama), and GreenPoint Ag (Alabama). The AgRogue Growth Partners will be managed by Radicle Growth, a leading ag tech investment firm, which will help identify and vet cutting-edge startups from around the world.

    Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Cooperatives, Precision Agriculture, Technology

    Animal Ag News 9/2

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s longstanding Meat and Poultry (MPP) Effluent Guidelines and Standards will stand, as EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that proposed changes to the regulation are unnecessary. In reaching its decision, EPA determined existing federal wastewater regulations under the Clean Water Act are effective and the burdens that proposed changes would inflict on meat and poultry processors are unwarranted. Duane Stateler, National Pork Producers Council President and pork producer from McComb, Ohio, said “The National Pork Producers Council applauds the Trump administration and EPA Administrator Zeldin for taking a commonsense approach on the Meat & Poultry Processing Rule.”
  • Join the Livestock Publications Council for the next Coffee and Collaboration on Wednesday, September 17 at 12 p.m. CT. Details below. Registration is not required, but is encouraged. The topic is Unleashing AI for Creative Thinking and Productivity with speaker Clint White, Director of Communications, United Sorghum Checkoff Program.
  • Anne Ilse Anderson of Austin, Texas, was recently honored with the Cattlemen’s Beef Board’s fifth annual Beef Checkoff Visionary Award during 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.
  • Wisconsin’s leading dairy advocacy group, the Dairy Business Association, announced the promotion of Chad Zuleger to executive director. Having nearly seven years of experience at DBA, Zuleger is dedicated to advocating for the state’s dairy community.
  • The dairy checkoff has awarded 12 academic scholarships to students pursuing degrees with a focus on dairy and demonstrating strong potential as future industry leaders. The National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB), through Dairy Management Inc. – which manages the national dairy checkoff – annually awards $2,500 scholarships to 11 students. In addition, the NDB awards a $3,500 James H. Loper Jr. Memorial Scholarship to one outstanding scholarship recipient.
  • Farmers for Sustainable Food announced the promotion of Jamie Fisher to Managing Director. Fisher joined the organization in 2019 and has helped lead support for farmer-led watershed groups throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota. She’s played a pivotal role in executing various sustainability projects, including assisting farmers in documenting and understanding their on-farm environmental outcomes.
  • The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) is accepting applications for the 14th annual IPPE Young Leaders Under 30 Award. This initiative, supported by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), the Meat Institute and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), aims to recognize emerging leaders in the industry. The award offers recipients a chance to gain visibility at the world’s largest annual trade show focused on the production, packing and processing of meat, poultry and egg products, as well as animal feed and pet food.
  • USPOULTRY has released the second edition of its North America Commercial Waterfowl Animal Welfare Guidelines for Ducks and Geese, reflecting the organization’s ongoing commitment to sustainable duck population management and effective conservation practices. To protect both wildlife and industry interests, the USPOULTRY Duck Council reviews and updates these guidelines every two years. The updated edition outlines recommended practices in four key areas: food safety, animal welfare, environmental stewardship and biosecurity. While not intended as a comprehensive animal well-being manual, these guidelines are designed to be adaptable across diverse production systems and industry scenarios.
  • Corn growers are stepping up efforts to stay ahead of rising mycotoxin risks by expanding a proven research model that has delivered results for more than a decade. The Aflatoxin Mitigation Center of Excellence (AMCOE) is now becoming the Mycotoxin Mitigation Center of Excellence, broadening its focus to address a full spectrum of mycotoxins, including aflatoxin, fumonisins, vomitoxin and others, before they create bigger problems for corn producers.
  • Ralco, through its Agnition® brand, has announced a strategic partnership with AGCO to deliver a new standard in hay preservation. The collaboration introduces a complete system that pairs AGCO’s HayBoss® DryMax™ granular applicator with BaleMax™ hay preservative, powered by Ralco’s patented Microbial Catalyst® technology.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Syngenta R&D Delivers for Farmers

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Syngenta remains focused on delivering solutions for farmers by delivering the choices they need in seed products, traits and solutions, according to Syngenta Commercial and Product Strategy Lead Steve Sterchi.

    “That’s what’s fun right now,” said Sterchi at last week’s Farm Progress Show. “We’re talking about these new trait technologies that are both coming in soybeans and corn. We will be advancing products for corn with our new Durastak trait technology coming this fall, which again just expands the choice and the opportunities that exist out there for the North American farmer. And then on the soybean side, we’ve got a new trait that we’re launching here at the Farm Progress show right now.”

    Listen to an interview with Sterchi below and check out all of the Syngenta and Golden Harvest interviews from Farm Progress Show on the virtual newsroom.

    FPS25 Interview with Steve Sterchi, Syngenta (3:03)

    2025 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

    Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, Corn, Farm Progress Show, Soybean, Syngenta

    The NAMA Nexus Will Get You Talking

    Chuck Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    2025 NAMA NexusIt’s the NAMA Nexus! This elevated, workshop-style event is designed to spark collaboration and drive real-world impact. Rather than traditional lecture-style sessions, you’ll engage directly with peers and industry experts in dynamic, discussion-based sessions. Bring your curiosity and individual experience to the table for the best, most engaging experience. These focused sessions will explore today’s most pressing topics and challenges — and deliver takeaways you can apply right away.

    Let’s start talking … with the President of NAMA:

    “This is more than a conference; it’s a nexus.” NAMA President Melanie Rice says about our NEW event: NAMA Nexus! Take a deep dive into ag economics and engage with subject matter experts and your peers. Learn more and grab your ticket here: nama.org/nama-nexus


    Ag Groups, Agencies, Agribusiness, Media, NAMA, Video

    John Deere Announces B30 Biodiesel Compatibility

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    At the 2025 Farm Progress Show last week, John Deere announced the approval of B30 biodiesel use across its entire portfolio of Tier 4 John Deere engines, including tractors, combines, and application equipment. During the show, all John Deere equipment operated in the company’s Ride and Drive area was running on B30 biodiesel.

    Previously, all Tier 4 John Deere engines were approved for B20 biodiesel and RD100 renewable diesel, with all Tier 3/Stage III A and lower tier engines approved for biodiesel blends up to B100. In addition, all John Deere spark ignition turf and utility equipment is approved for E10 ethanol blend. John Deere is also exploring the use of higher ethanol blends in future engine solutions, including the development of a concept 9.0L ethanol engine that runs on E98. Customers interested in incorporating higher renewable fuel blends including B30 into their operations are encouraged to consult their fuel supplier.

    As an Illinois soybean farmer and first vice president of Clean Fuels Alliance America, Rob Shaffer is pleased with the decision for both the farmer and the fuel producer. “It’s great for the American farmer because if a combine is cutting soybeans, we can take those soybeans and crush them and make oil and then turn around and put in the fuel tank,” said Shaffer, who also serves on the board of the American Soybean Association.

    Shaffer says anything to increase demand for soybeans is important right now. “We need all the demand we can get, you know, without a China trade deal, whatever we can do to be domestic and lower our dependence on foreign oil, whether that ethanol going into gasoline or biodiesel going into diesel that extends the life of those oil products.”

    FPS25 Interview with Rob Shaffer, Clean Fuels (5:26)

    2025 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

    AgWired Precision, Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Clean Fuels Alliance, Equipment, Farm Progress Show, John Deere