Cotton Consultants Conference Covers the Latest

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From what’s new in crop protection technology from the major players, to what’s new that could impact this growing season, the 2026 Beltwide Cotton Consultants Conference covered the waterfront on the first day Wednesday.

Conference coordinator Hank Jones was pleased to see a good crowd. “We had a very good turnout from around the belt,” said Jones. “I know there’s people here from Georgia, consultants from Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, I’m from Louisiana, of course, Texas and other states … we had a room full in the big hall, so that was good to see.”

Emerging topics included the Cotton Jassid pest and Syngenta’s new insecticide Vertento®, as well as research into a new phenomenon being seen.

“One very exciting thing that we were able to do this year was invite a grad student from the University of Tennessee, Ms. Gabriella Marcotti, to present on her research that is funded by the Cotton Foundation, which is an entity of the National Cotton Council about the aborted terminal phenomenon that we’re seeing in various regions of the Cotton Belt,” said Jones.

Attendees also got updates from USDA and the National Cotton Council, as well as a Meteorological Update with Eric Snodgrass from Nutrien.

The 2026 Beltwide Cotton Conferences continue through tomorrow with technical conferences on a variety of topics including agronomy and soil, economics and marketing, ginning, sustainability, weed science, and much more.

Hank Jones, Consultants Conference interview 7:17

2026 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton

Syngenta Spotlights New Insecticide at Cotton Conferences

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Syngenta’s PLINAZOLIN® technology just received registration from the Environmental Protection Agency last month and is now available for use, subject to state approvals, powering five separate insecticide products including Vertento® for cotton.

Tripp Walker, Syngenta agronomic service rep, gave a presentation at the Beltwide Cotton Consultants Conference Wednesday in San Antonio on the new foliar-applied insecticide for cotton, peanuts and onions to treat insect pests including plant bugs, thrips and mites.

“So what we’re seeing, and it’s been tested across many crops in many different locations, is we see an extended residual activity out of this product,” said Walker. “Of course, we’ve already mentioned this several times, broad-spectrum control, including mites along with other insect pests. It’s very crop safe, we don’t see any kind of crop response. It’s very UV stable, it’s very rain fast.”

Listen to Walker’s presentation to learn more about what Vertento® has to offer cotton growers.
Tripp Walker, Syngenta - presentation 20:37

2026 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton, Insecticides, Syngenta

NewLife Bio Announces Approval for Remediate™

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NewLife Biosciences announces the approval of an important microbial patent for soil and crop health for uses in agriculture.

This patent will allow NewLife Bio to produce and provide Remediate™ products to help significantly accelerate the breakdown of pesticide residues. Each Remediate™ product, available through a customized and stabilized formula, is an optimized consortium of microbes designed to break down residues of specific pesticides. The patent provides for a broad base of microbes and pesticides with which Remediate™ can be used. With these product lines, NewLife Bio can provide tailored and specific biological consortia to break down different pesticide residues much more efficiently and quickly in both soil or foliar applications.

By identifying and blending specific microbes for specific tasks, NewLife Bio can offer various Remediate™ products to address either individual pesticide residues, or multiple groups of target residues, all within specific Remediate Products. Most importantly, NewLife’s stabilization technology will allow for pre-mixes or tank mix options for extreme flexibility of application windows for this technology.

Remediate will become one of the first biological products in this important and expanding category of soil health. Remediate is expected to help retailers, distribution and manufacturers with one of the many challenges they face by ensuring they have the tools to help deliver optimized soil health for their customers by reducing effects of pesticides that could impact biological function and root development.

“Remediate™ will be available in 2026 as we plan our paths to market and expand our R&D through the year for improved customization,” says Steve Stansell, CEO of NewLife Biosciences. “We believe Remediate™ will be a great tool to help growers and the supply chain around the globe succeed in this category.”

Biologicals, Crop Protection, Soil, Sustainability

Overview of New Invasive Pest – Cotton Jassid

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A brand new invasive pest is on the scene for cotton growers in the Southeast.

University of Georga Extension Entomologist Phillip Roberts presented the latest information on the Cotton Jassid during the Cotton Consultants Conference yesterday in San Antonio on the first day of the 2026 Beltwide Cotton Conferences.

“So this is an invasive insect, native to India,” said Roberts. “It was discovered in this hemisphere in Puerto Rico in 2023. The following year, in 2024, it was detected in Florida. So the first time in the U.S. was 2024. We first detected the insect in Georgia on July 9th on cotton. It was found in cotton in Florida and South Carolina about that same time. But just within a matter of weeks, the insect had really spread across the southern part of Georgia. By September, the insect was present and every cotton producing county in our state has ran up the eastern seaboard to the Virginia line and west to Mississippi and even some areas of Texas. So it expanded very, very quickly.”

Roberts was joined by other UGA extension agents on a panel to discuss their experiences with the invasive pest. Listen below to learn more.

Cotton Jassid – a New Invasive Pest in the Southeast – Interview with Phillip Roberts, UGA extension entomologist
Phillip Roberts, UGA extension entomologist, interview 10:44

Cotton Jassid panel – UGA Extension – Phillip Roberts, Will Brown, Jacob Kalina, Jeremy Kichler
UGA extension agents Jassid panel 20:10

2026 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton

Industry Ag News 1/7

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), a fourth generation rice farmer who represented much of California’s rural north in Congress, died suddenly this week. He was 65. LaMalfa represented California’s 1st Congressional District from 2013 to 2026, serving as Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and served on the House Agriculture Committee.
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030, marking the most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in decades. The new Guidelines deliver a clear, common-sense message to the American people: eat real food.
  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins congratulated Dr. Seth Meyer for his years of service to our country and announced Dr. Justin Benavidez as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Chief Economist.
  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the next phase in the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA), the eligible commodity per-acre payment rates. As announced earlier this month by President Trump and Secretary Rollins, $12 billion will be paid to American farmers in 2026. Of that amount, $11 billion consists of one-time FBA program payments. This is in response to four years of disastrous Biden administration policies that created record-high input and production costs, zero new trade deals, and a forgotten rural America.
  • The American Farm Bureau Convention welcomes U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to the closing general session stage on Monday, Jan. 12. Sec. Rollins will speak about the challenges and opportunities ahead for American agriculture. A congressional panel entitled “Shaping the Future,” will take place during the mid-general session on Sunday, Jan. 11. The chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), and Ranking Member on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) will be joined by the chair of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.), and Ranking Member of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) to discuss their vision for the future of U.S. agriculture and their plans for 2026.
  • Members of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists are invited to apply for a seat at the IFAJ Executive Meeting and Press Tour in Brazil, March 15–20, 2026, organized by Agrojor Brazil. The week includes visits to soybean, cattle, orange, sugarcane, coffee, poultry, flower, and biologicals production, plus expert briefings and cultural highlights around São Paulo. Click here to apply by January 9.
  • U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) announced the promotion of two staff members to key posts in Southeast Asia and the addition of two international staff members. The shifts reflect a shared commitment across USW’s global operations to build on recent momentum, continue to grow demand for U.S. wheat and drive innovation in the organization’s market development activities.
  • Producers can improve the bottom-line of their farming operation with knowledge, connections and information gained at the 49th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference, held at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center, Jan. 15, 2026. The show ­hours will be 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Peanut farmers and those involved in the peanut industry will be able to learn more about the latest products, services and peanut research at the show, which is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission.
  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the eligible commodity per-acre payment rates for the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA). Eligible peanut producers can expect to receive $55.65 per acre by February 28, 2026.
  • AgCareers awarded the fourth annual USA Feed Your Future Scholarship to Sarah Witte, a University of Arizona student. Witte is studying Systems Engineering and minoring in Food Science, Fermentation, and Biosystems Engineering. AgCareers created the Feed Your Future $1,000 scholarship to assist financially a post-secondary student studying agriculture or intending to pursue a career in agriculture. The application process required students to respond to essay questions, including: “Why did you decide to pursue a career in agriculture or food?”
    • Zimfo Bytes

    PowerPollen and Oxbo Partner for Mechanized Corn Seed Pollination

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    PowerPollen® and Oxbo have announced the first mechanized pollination solution for corn seed production to allow seed companies to directly purchase, integrate, and scale the system ahead of the 2026 growing season. The partnership leverages PowerPollen’s second-generation technology stack with Oxbo’s 5180 high-clearance power units for a true breakthrough in commercial pollination technology.

    For the first time, seed companies and their service providers can purchase complete pollination units to control in-field pollination at scale, improving seed set, mitigating environmental and timing risks, and enhancing yield potential across commercial acres. Units are available exclusively to current PowerPollen license holders and fully supported by Oxbo with comprehensive sales, service, and technical support.

    “This launch is more than just new equipment—it represents a turning point for our customers and for PowerPollen,” said Carl Cox, CEO of PowerPollen. “For the first time, seed companies don’t have to rely on limited-service windows. They can own the technology, run it on their schedule, and integrate it directly into their operations. That shift not only scales pollination in a historically unprecedented manner, it also represents PowerPollen’s unyielding commitment to the success of our customers. With this product offering, PowerPollen is pioneering innovation to deliver durable commercial solutions that generate unique value for our customers and strengthen the entire seed production system.”

    The agreement runs through 2030 and PowerPollen co-founder Jason Cope says seeing their technology become commercially available through this partnership is very rewarding. “We believe this is just the beginning of what’s possible when breakthrough biological innovation is scaled through world-class engineering and manufacturing partnerships,” said Cope.

    The new pollination collectors and applicators integrate seamlessly with existing Oxbo power units and will also be available as an upgrade with new equipment purchases.

    Learn more in this interview with Cope.
    PowerPollen co-founder Jason Cope 7:55

    AgWired Precision, Audio, Equipment, pollinators, Precision Agriculture, Seed, Technology

    Animal Ag News 1/5

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • As of Dec.1, there were 75.5 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up one percent from December 2024 and up slightly from Sept. 1, 2025, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
  • The National Pork Board (NPB) welcomes five appointees to serve a three-year term ending in June 2028, and one appointee to serve a two-year term ending in June 2027. Congratulations to the following producer leaders: Chad Groves, Kansas; Jessica Stevens, Ohio; Paul Ayers, Illinois; Dwight Mogler, Iowa; John Rauser, Montana; and Jeremy Burkett, Wyoming (two-year term).
  • The Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act, modernizing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), has passed the House. House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) originally sponsored this bill to speed up NEPA permitting processes. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) have consistently pushed to modernize NEPA to allow livestock producers to be able to quickly carry out critical conservation work.
  • The Pet and Livestock Protection Act, introduced by Reps. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO) passed the House with a bipartisan vote. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) have been strong supporters of this legislation which would reissue the 2020 rule delisting gray wolves in the lower 48 states and ensure that the delisting cannot be overturned in federal court again.
  • Updated research, supported by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was released quantifying the U.S. poultry industry’s on-farm antibiotic use. The updated report shows continued improved antibiotic stewardship and commitment to disease prevention within poultry production. As part of its commitment to a transparent and sustainable food supply, the poultry industry works to balance the responsible use of antibiotics considered “medically important” to human health with the need to maintain healthy poultry flocks.
  • USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation announce the completion of a research project focused on creating a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine platform for two major poultry viruses: infectious bronchitis virus and infectious laryngotracheitis virus. The research is part of the Association’s comprehensive research program encompassing all phases of poultry and egg production and processing and is made possible in part through proceeds from the International Poultry Expo, part of the International Production & Processing Expo.
  • The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association will host its annual Poultry Market Intelligence Forum at the 2026 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta, Ga. This year’s forum will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, and is complimentary for all registered IPPE attendees.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    2026 Starts with Beltwide Cotton Conferences

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    The National Cotton Council and its cooperating partners will be ringing in the new year with the 2026 Beltwide Cotton Conferences January 7 through 9 at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter, San Antonio, Texas.

    Beltwide Coordinator Lauren Krogman says the conference includes three days of individual reports, panel discussions, hands-on workshops and seminars designed to provide attendees with information they need to help producers make key cotton production/marketing-related decisions.

    “So there’s 11 total conferences and 10 of those run concurrently throughout the meeting,” said Krogman. “I’d like to highlight the Cotton Consultants Conference, which is scheduled for the afternoon of January 7th, which is the first day. Presentations include a panel discussion on emerging pests and invasive species, including the new cotton jassid bug. A report on PLINAZOLIN will be provided, as well as reports on resistance monitoring and cotton aborted terminal phenomena.”

    The Beltwide Cotton Technical Conferences provide findings from current research and updates on emerging technology and programs aimed at elevating US cotton production and processing efficiencies. Those sessions meet concurrently beginning the morning of January 8th and conclude by noon on January 9th, with a total of 310 presentations scheduled.

    Learn more in this interview with Krogman.
    Beltwide Cotton Conferences preview - Lauren Krogman 3:54

    Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton

    Industry Ag News 12/30

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • Amidst today’s global challenges—including the escalated need for food and nutrition security under mounting population pressure–the mission of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska has never been more vital. The institute’s recent annual report marks a year of critical research, capacity building and global thought leadership, and details significant progress across the Institute’s three core focus areas.
  • Keystone Cooperative, Inc., an Indiana-based leader in agriculture and energy, announces 100 percent of member net profits are being returned directly to members through patronage. Keystone Cooperative will distribute $57 million in patronage to eligible farmer-members who did business with the cooperative in 2025. 80 percent or 90 percent of each member’s payout will be delivered in cash, based on their legacy membership status, with the remainder applied to their equity in Keystone. This cash patronage return equals more than $46 million.
  • Auburn University has named Eve Brantley as the 1862 Extension director for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, effective Jan. 1, 2026, Auburn President Christopher B. Roberts announced.
  • Nominate the cream of the crop for the Agribusiness Leader of the Year, National Agri-Marketing Association Marketer of the Year, Ag Association Leader, or Next Gen NAMA awards. These prestigious awards will be presented at the 2026 Agri-Marketing Conference, April 15-17 in St. Louis. Submit your online nomination(s) by January 31, 2026.
  • The effective across-the-board tariff rate is now about 17 percent but based on tax collections, the actual average import tax paid is only about 10 percent. According to a new year-ahead report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, that rate is expected to drop even further as the reduced tariffs on China and imported food products take effect and more bilateral agreements are finalized.
  • AdFarm is proud to welcome experienced agri-marketing leader Kari Palutis as Vice President, Growth and Revenue, leading growth strategy and agency initiatives across North America. Palutis brings more than two decades of experience in agency leadership, client partnership development and integrated marketing communications across many of agriculture’s biggest brands.
  • The United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) elected Kim Baldwin of McPherson, Kansas, as chair during its annual board of directors meeting in December.
  • Plasma Blue has unveiled a newly redesigned website highlighting how its groundbreaking technology is destroying PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” The enhanced site — plasma-blue.com — features a fresh, electric design and expanded content that delves deeper into the company’s innovative plasma-based water treatment process. Visitors can explore how this technology transforms PFAS remediation and opens doors to new industrial applications.
  • BASF has partnered with the National Wheat Foundation (NWF) for the past 9 years to offer scholarships to students with ties to the wheat industry pursuing careers in agriculture. Applications are being accepted until December 31, 2025.
  • Applications are open for the World Ag Expo “We Believe in Growing” Scholarship, proudly presented by Coast Counties Peterbilt (formerly E.M. Tharpe). For nearly 20 years, this scholarship has supported agricultural education and encouraged Central Valley students to pursue careers in agriculture.
  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Agriculture committees will all be featured speakers at the American Farm Bureau Convention. Secretary Rollins, who has led USDA through a pivotal first year of the Trump administration focused on the agriculture economy, trade and reducing costs for farmers, will speak about the challenges and opportunities ahead for American agriculture during the closing general session on Monday, Jan. 12. Tim Tebow was announced in June as a closing general session speaker – a two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, College Football Hall of Fame inductee, and five-time New York Times best-selling author.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Ethanol Report on 2025

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    2025 marked the 20th anniversary of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and showed just how far U.S. ethanol has come – and how much more it could accomplish for the world with just a little more freedom.

    Nationwide, year-round E15 spends another year in limbo, but California catches up with the rest of the country by unanimous passage of legislation finally approving sales in the state. Corn production, ethanol production, and U.S. ethanol exports are on pace to set big records in 2025. New RVOs and reallocation of small refinery waiver gallons have been proposed but yet to be approved. And what is happening with 45Z?

    Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper offers us his year in review for this edition of The Ethanol Report. Happy New Year!

    Ethanol Report 12-30-25 33:32

    The Ethanol Report is a podcast about the latest news and information in the ethanol industry that has been sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association since 2008.

    Choose an option to subscribe

    Audio, Ethanol, Podcasts, RFA