2025 Agri-Marketing Conference

Sec. Vilsack Bids Farewell with Climate-Smart Agriculture Rule

Cindy Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack held his last official press conference of his tenure at USDA on Wednesday, announcing the publication of an interim rule on Technical Guidelines for Climate-Smart Agriculture Crops Used as Biofuel Feedstocks.

The interim rule establishes guidelines for quantifying, reporting, and verifying the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the production of biofuel feedstock commodity crops grown in the United States. These guidelines will facilitate the recognition of climate-smart agriculture within clean transportation fuel programs, creating new market opportunities for biofuel feedstock producers while enhancing climate benefits.

The action today is essentially what was missing from the 45Z guidance offered by U.S. Treasury last week and makes changes from the rules for 40B, according to Sec. Vilsack. “First of all, there’s an additional crop in addition to corn and soybeans. We now include sorghum. There are additional climate smart agricultural practices, including reduced tillage and fertilizer application timing. As importantly, practices may be used individually or in combination. They are not required to be bundled. And the CI reductions that result from using each practice would be better and more precisely estimated than they were for the pilot program in 40B.”

Click here to get the details from USDA and listen to Vilsack’s press conference below:

Sec. Vilsack final presser (23:20)

Audio, Biofuels, climate, SAF, USDA

Cotton Consultants Focused on Regulatory Issues

Cindy Zimmerman

Adapting to regulations is a constant theme in the life of cotton consultants, but this year more than ever the Beltwide Cotton Consultants Conference wanted to stress how new regulations will be impacting the industry.

“We set up a central theme this year of regulatory issues, primarily focused around the marriage of EPA with Fish and Wildlife with some of the new pesticide regulations that are going to be coming forward,” said Louisiana-based cotton consultant Hank Jones at this year’s conference in New Orleans. “We don’t have too many pesticides yet that have any of the new regulations applied to them, so we still have an opportunity as an industry, as applicators, as consultants like me that give recommendations, to really get ahead of this issue.”

One of the speakers at the consultants conference was Clayton Myers, USDA Office of Pest Management Policy, who said it has just come to the point that EPA has to move forward on the Endangered Species Act. “The proposals are now coming out…This is no longer a tomorrow. This is going to soon become a today problem and. So we’re, we’re obviously trying to increase the depth of grower awareness on that as much as we can because this is a big issue that is going to affect growers, pest management toolbox going forward.”

Listen to interviews with Jones and Myers below and check the Beltwide Cotton Conferences virtual media page for more content.

Beltwide interview Hank Jones, cotton consultant 5:45

Beltwide interview Clayton Myers, USDA-OPMP 4:08

2025 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton

USDA Completes Reform of Packers & Stockyards Rule

Cindy Zimmerman

In one of his last official acts in the waning days of the Biden administration, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the third installment in a series of regulatory reforms under the Packers and Stockyards Act.

Along with other finalized updates, this completes a major regulatory reform intended to “level the playing field for farmers who raise chicken, turkeys, hogs, cattle, and sheep under contract or for sale to meat and poultry processing companies.”

Specifically, the rule announced today will give chicken farmers better insight into companies’ payment rates for their birds, will institute stability and fairness in what is commonly known as the ‘tournament system,’ will provide farmers with key information on capital improvements the companies require farmers to make in order to keep or renew contracts, and give farmers stronger leverage when companies do not adhere to the rules.

“During my time as Secretary of Agriculture, time and again USDA has been confronted with the stories of farmers who lost their life’s savings or went bankrupt because of an unfair system they entered into when they agreed to raise animals for a major meat conglomerate. It is USDA’s job to advocate for farmers, and these regulatory improvements give us the strongest tools we’ve ever had to meet our obligations under the Packers & Stockyards Act,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Find all the details here and listen to a press conference with Sec. Vilsack and Andy Green, USDA Competition Senior Advisor, below.
USDA Packers and Stockyards final (23:20)

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Livestock, Poultry, USDA

Agri-Pulse Announces 2025 Ag & Food Policy Summit

Cindy Zimmerman

Agri-Pulse Founder Sara Wyant at 2024 Summit

“Navigating Taxes, Trade and Technology: What’s Ahead for Food & Agriculture?” is the theme for the annual Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit on March 17 in Washington, D.C. The Summit will feature keynote speakers and panelists focused on these topics as well as provide time for networking with industry leaders.

“President-elect Trump has made it clear that he plans to quickly make major changes after his inauguration and wants to see his signature Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expanded and extended,” said Agri-Pulse Founder and Publisher Sara Wyant. “However, much depends on whether the GOP-controlled House and Senate can stay unified to pass a major tax bill, along with addressing illegal immigration, reforming trade agreements, and more.”

The Summit will be held at the National Press Club, offering in-person and virtual attendance options. Registration is now open and you can take advantage of early bird registration rates. The tentative agenda is also available.

Summit sponsors include Gold: American Farm Bureau Federation, Bayer, Earth Optics, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Farm Credit, Farmer Mac, John Deere, PepsiCo, Syngenta. Bronze: Ag Council of America, American Sugar Alliance, CCI Marketing, FGS Global, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), National Crop Insurance Services, National Milk Producers Federation, National Pork Producers Council, Pivot Bio, The Russell Group, Inc., U.S. Dairy Export Council and more. The reception is sponsored by the Corn Refiners Association.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Jason@Agri-Pulse.com<./a>

Agri-Pulse, Agribusiness, Food

Animal Ag News 1/13

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Institute for Animal Agriculture will host animal agriculture leaders will discuss the current state of research and treatment for lameness across food animal species before the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta, Georgia, January 27-28. Registration for the Roundtable will include a complementary code to attend IPPE.
  • National FFA Officer Candidates will be attending the International Poultry Expo (IPE), part of the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), as a result of the USPOULTRY Foundation’s ongoing initiative to further attract the best and brightest students to the poultry and egg industries. The students will receive an all-expense paid trip to IPE in Atlanta, Georgia.
  • A new study from USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Iowa State University (ISU) reveals that generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help expedite the search for solutions to reduce enteric methane emissions caused by cows in animal agriculture, which accounts for about 33 percent of U.S. agriculture and three percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
  • While CattleCon 2025 is just around the corner, Feb. 4-6, in San Antonio, Texas, it isn’t too late to register. Whether flying or driving, make plans to join thousands of cattlemen and women for the largest cattle industry event in the country. Register in advance at convention.ncba.org or in person on-site.
  • Join the Livestock Publications Council for a luncheon at CattleCon in San Antonio, Texas! Catch up with old friends and meet new ones while learning about the 2025 LPC Hall of Fame and Headliner honorees.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) condemned the Biden Administration’s irresponsible use of the Antiquities Act to create the Chuckwalla and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments. The groups also denounced the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) revised grizzly bear listing and their rejection of state petitions to delist grizzly bears under the Endangered Species Act in the Northern Continental Divide and Greater Yellowstone Ecosystems.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Trade Representative announced the reappointment of Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), and Becky Rasdall Vargas, IDFA senior vice president of trade and workforce policy, to the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) for Trade and the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Processed Foods, respectively.
  • Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative announced its priorities for the next congressional session, focusing on rural workforce accessibility, trade and supply chain opportunities, the 2025 farm bill and climate and environmentally sustainable efforts.
  • In a win for efficiency in feeding a growing population and alleviating supply issues, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) celebrated the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service’s (FSIS) decision to extend the New Swine Inspection System (NSIS) increased line speed trials through May 15, 2025.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Regev Hybrid Fungicide Receives California Registration

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Summit Agro has announced the use of Regev hybrid fungicide has been approved by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, giving California growers a unique new tool in their battle against many fungal and bacterial diseases.

    Regev is the first hybrid fungicide in that it unites the disease fighting power of botanical and conventional chemistries. Specifically, the product combines Tea Tree Extract (FRAC BM01) with difenoconazole (FRAC 3). This combination will provide California growers remarkable disease control from nine powerful mechanisms of activity, with only one MRL.

    Regev is approved for use on a broad number of crops, including grapes, almonds, brassica leafy vegetables, fruiting vegetables and berries. California growers and PCAs wanting to learn more about Regev can view two videos posted to the Summit Agro website.

    Audio from the videos can be downloaded below:
    Dr. Jim Adaskaveg discusses Regev on almonds 1:13

    Dr. Eric Tedford gives overview of Regev 1:28

    AgWired Precision, Audio, Fungicide, specialty crops

    Treasury 45Z Guidance Offers Little Clarity for Farmers

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The biggest piece of the puzzle for the 45Z Clean Fuels Production Credit implementation was left out of the guidance issued last week by U.S. Treasury, leaving farmers still uncertain about what practices they would need to implement this year for the crops to qualify.

    The guidance includes both a notice of intent to propose regulations on the section 45Z credit and a notice providing the annual emissions rate table for section 45Z, which refers taxpayers to the appropriate methodologies for determining the lifecycle GHG emissions of their fuel. In conjunction with today’s guidance, the Department of Energy will release the 45ZCF-GREET model for use in determining emissions rates for 45Z in the coming days.

    American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings said without key details essential for biofuel producers to capitalize on 45Z, including how climate-smart agriculture practices will be incorporated, the job is unfinished.

    “Since ag-based feedstocks represent about half of ethanol’s carbon footprint, it is critical to allow farmers and ethanol producers to realize the full value of sustainable farm practices through this tax credit,” said Jennings. “We have strongly urged both Treasury and USDA to update 45Z guidance for ag practice credit values on a routine basis by incorporating the best available science and results from real-world activities, such as the two USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Programs (RCPPs) currently being led by ACE. These projects are specifically designed to address the perceived need for more empirical data on the GHG benefits of ag practices and help improve the accuracy of the GREET model, and we look forward to the release of the 45ZCF-GREET model for use in determining emissions rates for 45Z in the coming days.”

    According to the guidance, Treasury “intends to propose rules for incorporating the emissions benefits from climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices.”

    These options would be available to taxpayers after Treasury and the IRS propose regulations for the section 45Z credit, including rules for CSA, and the 45ZCF-GREET model is updated to enable calculation of the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions rates for CSA crops, taking into account one or more CSA practices.

    ACE, Ethanol, Farming

    Industry Ag News 1/10

    Carrie Muehling

  • Ranking Member Angie Craig applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture after it announced that an additional $650 million would be made available to support struggling specialty crop producers. On December 18, 2024, the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance sent a letter to the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate Agricultural Committees requesting additional economic assistance for specialty crop producers. Bicameral Agriculture Democrats responded with a letter that same day to USDA and the Office of Management and Budget, conveying the need to make additional funding available to producers via the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced the appointment or reappointment of 53 members to serve on seven agricultural trade advisory committees. The appointees will serve until December 2028. A complete roster of members and additional information about the committees is available at www.fas.usda.gov/atacs.
  • Nominate the cream of the crop for the National Agri-Marketing Association Agribusiness Leader of the Year, NAMA Marketer of the Year, Ag Association Leader, or Next Gen NAMA awards. These prestigious awards will be presented at the 2025 Agri-Marketing Conference, April 9-11 in Kansas City. Submit online nomination(s) by January 31, 2025.
  • AgCareers.com awarded their third annual U.S. Feed Your Future Scholarship to Gabryele Carter, a University of Kentucky student. Carter is a Junior from Delaware studying Agricultural Economics. AgCareers.com created the Feed Your Future $1,000 Scholarship to financially assist a post-secondary student studying agriculture or intending to pursue a career in agriculture. AgCareers.com is committed to Feeding the World with Talent by supporting education and career opportunities in agriculture and food.
  • Farmers nationwide can maximize savings with the Propane Education & Research Council’s (PERC) latest initiative, the 2025 Propane Farm Research Program (PFRP). Designed to address the evolving challenges of modern agriculture, the program empowers farmers with innovative propane-powered solutions to increase productivity, reduce costs, and promote sustainability. Building on the former Propane Farm Incentive Program, the new PFRP introduces expanded opportunities for agricultural professionals to integrate cutting-edge technology into their operations. With increases of up to $10,000, additional equipment eligibility, and a streamlined application process, the program is more accessible than ever before.
  • There are more motivated land buyers in today’s market than there are willing sellers, according to Farmers National Company. Despite the pressures created by lower net farm income, declining commodity markets, higher interest rates and increased input costs, land values have remained quite stable across the Midwest. While most university and industry land value reports published at year’s end reflect a flat or slight downward trend compared to production expenses, the stability in those values reveals the resiliency of the land market and its ability to maintain the high values set over the past five years.
  • Keystone Cooperative, Inc., an Indiana-based leader in agriculture and energy, announces a $68 million patronage distribution to eligible farmer-members who conducted business with the cooperative in 2024. Keystone membership will receive between 80-90 percent of this patronage payment in cash, based on their legacy membership. The remaining percentage will go towards their equity in Keystone. In addition to the cash patronage payout, Keystone will also be redeeming $3.8 million in equity to its farmer-members. This exceptional cash return of over $60 million underscores the cooperative’s strong financial performance and commitment to delivering value to its members.
  • On January 6, 2025, the Illinois Legislature passed HB 4439 which designates the soybean as Illinois’ official state bean. HB 4439 recognizes the importance of soybeans to the state’s economy and agricultural heritage. Illinois is the No. 1 soybean-producing state in the nation with over 10 million acres of soybeans planted each year, accounting for 16 percent of the total U.S. soy production. HB 4439 acknowledges the contribution of the 43,000 hardworking soybean farmers across the state who feed and fuel the world.
  • The Georgia Peanut Commission will be promoting peanuts as a poultry feed ingredient at the International Production and Processing Expo hosted at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, Jan. 28-30, 2025.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    2025 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Preview

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The National Cotton Council is ready to welcome all to the 2025 Beltwide Cotton Conferences next week, January 14-16, at the New Orleans Marriott, New Orleans, LA. Three days of individual reports, panel discussions, hands on workshops and seminars are designed to provide attendees with information they need to help producers make key cotton production/marketing-related decisions.

    Conferences coordinator Lauren Krogman says they have another dynamic program planned, along with the opportunity to network with peers from across the Cotton Belt. “The Beltwide actually has 11 technical conferences that are running all concurrently which really provide findings from current research and updates on emerging technology and programs aimed at elevating US cotton production and processing efficiency,” said Krogman.

    One of the most popular conferences of the event is the Cotton Consultants Conference. “Topics being considered include a panel discussion on the vulnerable species pilot program, insecticide strategy and mitigation identification and management. We also include some EPA regulatory updates and cotton pathology updates,” Krogman said. There will also be an economic outlook, information on ag lending, and crop insurance, and a report on the farm bill.”

    Registration is still open on-line and there will also be registration on-site.

    Beltwide Cotton Conferences preview - Lauren Krogman 4:23

    Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton

    Precision Ag News 1/9

    Carrie Muehling

  • The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), and the ARS’s Partnership for Data Innovations (PDI) have launched a new web-based application to facilitate digital soil mapping and optimize soil sampling. The Soil Sample Planning Organizer Tool, or SSPOT, can be accessed at https://sspot.scinet.usda.gov.
  • Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC and Gowan SeedTech LLC announced they have entered into a sale agreement with Gowan acquiring Syngenta’s FarMore® Technology Vegetable Seed Treatment Platform in the United States. The FarMore Technology Platform is a precise on-seed application of separately registered seed protection products combined into proprietary recipes for use on vegetable crops. The transaction includes the divestment of certain specific Syngenta trademarks, recipes, registrations, and other assets used in the FarMore Technology Platform in the United States. Syngenta also has agreed to supply its proprietary vegetable seed treatment products to Gowan for its use in FarMore Technology offerings.
  • Kubota North America announced during a media briefing at CES® 2025 its vision for the future that includes offering more customer solutions across its entire equipment portfolio and providing greater choice—offering diverse powertrain options, seamless access to data and analytics, improved connectivity, and advanced automation. This approach ensures that Kubota meets increasing complexities and challenges with more certainty and simplicity and empowers its customers like never before.
  • Scott Sanders, general manager of Peterson Farms Seed, was named president of the Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA) at the organization’s annual conference. IPSA represents nearly 100 seed companies from more than 25 states, Canada and Mexico, who produce corn, soybeans, small grain and forage seeds. The association also has over 100 associate and affiliate members, representing all facets of the seed industry.
  • Valley View Agri-Systems is pleased to announce the addition of Dylan Sutton as Chief Financial Officer. Sutton’s career includes time in agriculture, manufacturing, public and corporate accounting. Most recently he served as controller for Ritter Agribusiness Holdings, Inc.
  • John Deere revealed several new autonomous machines during a press conference at CES 2025 to support customers in agriculture, construction, and commercial landscaping. Building on Deere’s autonomous technology first revealed at CES 2022, the company’s second-generation autonomy kit combines advanced computer vision, AI, and cameras to help the machines navigate their environments.
  • Nutrien Ag Solutions is excited to announce a collaboration with Mossy Oak, along with their conservation arm, the GameKeepers. Mossy Oak is recognized in the outdoor lifestyle community for their dedication to land stewardship, conservation, and love of wildlife. Together, they are united in working toward a shared goal to care for the land and create a lasting legacy for future generations. This collaboration underscores our focus on farmers’ sustainable agricultural practices and conservation efforts, aiming to educate and inspire communities engaged with farming and the outdoors.
  • Traitology, a leading U.S.-based agricultural biotechnology company specializing in soybean trait discovery and development, has announced its rebranding as The Traits Company. This new name and brand identity reflect the company’s remarkable technical and operational progress achieved in less than two years since its founding.
  • UPL Corp, a provider of comprehensive and sustainable agricultural solutions announces U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration of NIMAXXA™ bionematicide, the only triple-strain bionematicide seed treatment for season-long nematode protection in soybeans and corn. It is effective against the most damaging nematodes, including soybean cyst nematode (SCN), root knot nematode (RKN) and reniform nematode.
  • Pivot Bio is proud to announce a strategic distribution partnership with Hefty Seed Company, one of the largest independent ag retailers in the U.S. Beginning in 2025, PROVEN® 40, a microbial nitrogen source powered by Pivot Bio’s patented gene-edited technology, will be available at all Hefty Seed Co. locations, offering corn farmers a new mode of nitrogen delivery that complements Hefty’s trusted lineup of crop input offerings.
  • The Nebraska Ag Expo hosted its third Innovation After Hours event last month. Over 150 start-ups, investors, and executives from innovative ag companies and partners from across the country and beyond shared an evening of networking and innovation. This year, 6 companies competed for cash prizes during the Startup Showcase. Grain Weevil was named the Startup Showcase Winner and received a $5000 cash award from the Iowa Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (INEDA). AgZen was named the “People’s Choice Award” and received a $1000 cash award from The Combine.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture