Corn Farmers Return to Nation’s Capital

Talia Goes

For the fifth year in a row, policymakers in our nation’s capital are learning about the U.S. family farmers who produce corn, our nation’s top crop, as part of the Corn Farmers Coalition program. Once again, the program, which is sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association and its state affiliates, showcases how innovative and high-tech corn farmers have become …

Agribusiness, Corn, NCGA

Charleston|Orwig Hires Pinke, Bryant

Melissa Sandfort

Charleston|Orwig recently added two veteran food industry communicators to its growing team. Katie Pinke (pictured right), a former marketing and information director for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, was named business director. Lisa Bryant (pictured below left) brings nearly 20 years of communications and integrated marketing experience, with an emphasis in the beef industry, to her new role as …

Agencies, Agribusiness

Crop Insurance Reporting with SMS

Melissa Sandfort

It’s that time of year again and as the crop insurance reporting deadline nears, farmers may find that using precision ag data can simplify the process. During planting season, growers are encouraged to use their Integra display from Ag Leader to record accurate planting data and then import this information into SMS software. Once in SMS, reports can be created …

Ag Leader, Agribusiness

Shuanghui International to Purchase Smithfield Foods

Chuck Zimmerman

We’re talking a lot of pork in this deal. See the full release here. Smithfield Foods, Inc. (NYSE:SFD) and Shuanghui International Holdings Limited today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement that values Smithfield at approximately US$7.1 billion, including the assumption of Smithfield’s net debt. Shuanghui International is the majority shareholder of Henan Shuanghui Investment & Development …

Agribusiness, International, Pork

GROWMARK Interns Journey to Great

Cindy Zimmerman

Summer is officially underway and for over 60 college students it is the beginning of a great journey as interns for GROWMARK, Inc. “This is our 54th annual GROWMARK summer internship,” says GROWMARK University Relations Manager Ashley McClintock. “We have 61 interns this summer, representing 16 universities across North America.” The 12 week internship program encompasses a variety of different …

Agribusiness, Audio, Education, GROWMARK

Syngenta Launches Clariva Seed Treatment

Chuck Zimmerman

The first product from Syngenta’s acquisition of Pasteuria Bioscience, Clariva, has been launched and will be available in the U.S. next year. Syngenta announced today the launch of CLARIVA™, a proprietary seed treatment nematicide based on the Pasteuria technology acquired in 2012. CLARIVA consists of naturally occurring soil bacteria with a unique, direct mode of action on nematodes: microscopic worm-shaped …

Agribusiness, Seed, Syngenta

Monsanto Summer Learning Opportunities

Melissa Sandfort

Farmers throughout the country will have many opportunities to attend learning events this summer as the industry pushes for more education on diversified weed management practices (DWMPs) and insight into the seed, trait and herbicide technologies expected to soon become available. A greater number of in-field, educational events in 2013 reflects the motivation of academics, farmers, manufacturers and retailers to …

Agribusiness

Crisis Management Training at Alltech Symposium

Chuck Zimmerman

Is your farm or company ready to handle a crisis? Unfortunately, in today’s world the possibility of having to deal with one has become very high. During the 2013 Alltech International Symposium attendees could get some hands on training during a session on Crisis Management. I worked with one of the session presenters, David Wescott, VP, APCO Worldwide. He created …

Agribusiness, Alltech, Audio

New Ag Leader Responsive Website

Melissa Sandfort

Growers using a smartphone, tablet or laptop will now have an optimized experience when visiting agleader.com, thanks to the launch of Ag Leader’s new responsive website. “Responsive web design is an approach that businesses are implementing to provide users with the best possible viewing experience, no matter what device they are using,” explains Jake Smith, web developer for Ag Leader …

Ag Leader, Agribusiness

Alltech Young Scientists Award

Maggie Seiler

Alltech awarded its annual Young Scientist Awards at the closing ceremony of the Alltech International Symposium on May 22. The first award was for undergraduate research. Amanda Pesqueira was the recipient of this honor. Pesqueria attended the University of Maringa in Brazil before transferring to the University of Kentucky for her final year of undergraduate studies in animal science. Her …

Agribusiness, Alltech, Audio