Rabo AgriFinance at Ag Media Summit

Chuck Zimmerman

Rabo AgriFinance“U.S. Agriculture’s Labor Crisis: Can It Be Fixed?” was the topic for the Ag Media Summit Newsmakers session last week, sponsored by Rabo AgriFinance.

David Magaña, RaboResearch Fresh Produce Analyst, gave some insights into the reduction of the agricultural labor force available due to a declining percentage of young people. “Obviously this has been a challenge for years for agriculture,” said Magaña. “On the supply side of labor, we’ve seen drastic changes in demographics in Mexico. The natality rate has drastically declined from an average of seven children per family in the ’70s, to close to two children per family nowadays.”

Learn more in this interview:
Interview with David Magaña, Rabo AgriFinance

2023 Ag Media Summit photo album

Ag Media Summit, Agribusiness, Audio, labor

Precision Ag News 8/9

Carrie Muehling

  • The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Grassland, Soil, and Water Research Laboratory, held a dedication and ribbon cutting for the opening of a newly renovated laboratory building that will allow scientists to continue their mission of developing solutions for more efficient use of soil and water resources, enhancing forage and crop production, and supporting sustainable agricultural production in healthy ecosystems by utilizing modern technology.
  • The Progressive Agriculture Foundation (PAF) announced the increased support from the Polaris Foundation to strengthen education efforts for children on safe riding practices for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility task vehicles (UTVs) through the Foundation’s Progressive Agriculture Safety Day (PAF Safety Day) program.
  • American Farmland Trust and Sierra View Solutions released Agricultural Carbon Programs: From Chaos to Systems Change at a recent meeting of the Soil and Water Conservation Society annual conference in Des Moines, IA. Lead authors Michelle Perez, AFT Water Initiative Director and Robert Parkhurst, President of Sierra View Solutions presented their analysis of 22 agricultural carbon market programs and recommended changes that would help these programs succeed.
  • Meristem Crop Performance unveiled the next generation of their patented BIO-CAPSULE TECHNOLOGY delivery system. The reveal came in front of nearly 300 dealers attending Meristem’s Breakthrough to Excellence Dealer/Partner event in Delavan, Wisconsin.
  • The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced a call for concept papers as it launches the first phase of a $90 million program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities.
  • Brandon Neuschafer, co-leader for Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, LLP International Food and Agriculture Team, was elected as President-Elect for 2023–2024 for the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST).
  • BeeHero, the pioneer of data-led precision pollination, introduced their Pollination Insight Platform (PIP), a plug-and-play in-field sensing solution that leverages AI-powered analytics to measure pollinator activity in seed, row, and specialty crops to subsequently improve pollination and increase yields.
  • Bushel, an independently owned software company and leading provider of software technology for the agricultural supply chain, announces a new mobile app and website portal available to all producers selling grain to ADM. The new digital platform gives farmers easy access to near real-time information to increase efficiency in their operations, including scale tickets, contracts, settlements, and cash bids. Commodity balances that will allow better visibility of open storage, delayed price contracts, delivered unpaid balances and more will be coming soon.
  • The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC), a 41-year-old agriculture conservation non-profit, is pleased to announce its role as a partner in Farmers for Soil Health (FSH), a new program devoted to increasing the usage of cover crops on corn and soybean acres. Today, cover crops are used on 15.4 million acres, which is only about 6% of U.S. cropland, according to the 2017 USDA Census of Ag.
  • Yanmar America Corporation, a leading provider of tractors, UTVs and industrial equipment, proudly announces the opening of its brand-new Regional Distribution Center (RDC) in Lakewood, WA.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    New Cover Crop Survey Released

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The 2022-2023 National Cover Crop Survey Report was released today the challenges assumptions on the role of incentive payments in cover crop adoption.

    According to the survey, nearly half of the cover crop users participating in the survey reported receiving some sort of payment for cover crops in 2022, and almost 78% of cover crop non-users said incentive payments would be helpful. However, over 90 percent of the farmers who were receiving cover crop incentives reported that they would definitely or probably continue planting cover crops after the payments ended, while only 3.3% said they definitely or probably would drop cover crops at the end of the incentive program. Overall, less than 16% of cover crop users said receiving incentive payments was one of their goals for cover cropping.

    “What the survey showed is that cover crop incentive payments are an important factor in encouraging and helping farmers to transition into cover cropping, but once they see the soil health improvements and other cover crop benefits, most stick with cover crop planting long after the incentives end,” said Dr. Rob Myers with USDA-NIFA North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program and lead researcher for the survey.

    The 2022-2023 report marks the seventh National Cover Crop Survey, issued jointly by SARE, Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), based on insights from nearly 800 farmers in 49 states. The survey series started in 2012, and data from the surveys has been used in academic research, educational programs, policy planning and even testimony to Congress.

    “The National Cover Crop Survey goes beyond acreage statistics by providing insights into what farmers want to achieve with cover crops, what motivates them to try and continue the process, how cover crops relate to other soil-building practices like no-till, and their approaches to using the practice,” says Ryan Heiniger, executive director of CTIC. “We are also just as interested in the perspectives of non-users of cover crops. Understanding their concerns and information needs provide direction for developing better outreach materials, and can help policymakers clear obstacles that hamper adoption or create more attractive incentives.”

    Andy LaVigne, president and CEO of ASTA, adds that the survey provides seed producers with valuable insight on cover croppers’ needs. “Our members are extremely interested in learning about the needs of growers when it comes to which varieties they’re seeking and when and how they make cover crop planting decisions,” LaVigne says. “These perspectives help the seed industry plan ahead to ensure that farmers have the species they want as well as genetics that help them manage their cover crops effectively to achieve their goals.”

    This was the first survey to explore livestock in cover crops, and it found 25% of respondents integrated livestock into their cover crop program. Of those who grazed cover crops, 76% reported a net increase in profit from the practice.

    Get more details on the survey in this presentation with Heiniger, LaVigne, and Dr. Myers – read the full report.
    2022-2023 Cover Crop Survey (39:06)

    Interview with ASTA President and CEO Andy LaVigne
    Cover Crop Survey interview with Andy LaVigne, ASTA (6:12)

    ASTA, Audio, cover crops, CTIC, Seed, Sustainability, USDA

    Field Notes from Koch Agronomic Services – Episode 30

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The Field Notes podcast series from Koch Agronomic Services (KAS) breaks down the science and technology behind agronomy to help growers do more with less.

    Vital Tools in Range and Pasture Management

    In this episode, we’re discussing pasture and range management with our KAS experts, Technical Agronomist, Lacie Thomas, and Territory Business Manager, Ryan Walker. They’ll address pasture management and the inputs needed to maximize yield potential and protect soil health on grazing land.

    You can listen to the program here: Vital Tools in Range and Pasture Management 12:48)

    And to make sure you don’t miss an episode, choose an option to subscribe

    For Spotify on your computer download the desktop app

    Agribusiness, Agronomy, Audio, Fertilizer, Koch Agronomic Services, Nutrient Management

    Livestock Publications Council Awards

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Diane JohnsonLPC’s Hall of Fame Award was Established in 1990, to honor distinguished livestock publishing leaders. Presenting the award to Diane Johnson is Molly Schoen, Charolais Journal.

    Diane Johnson, is no stranger the organization, having served more than 20 years as its executive director. During that time, she was a part of the development of the Ag Publications Summit which later became the Ag Media Summit. Diane was an integral part of 21 Ag Media Summit events including two Congresses held in the United States for the International Federation of Agriculture Journalists.

    Bob HoughLPC’s Headliner Award Program, inaugurated in 1980, salutes an individual for meritorious service to the livestock industry. This year’s recipient is Dr. Bob Hough. Presenting the award is Katrina Huffstutler, Grant Company, LLC.

    Hough has served the livestock industry in numerous capacities for almost 50 years but may be best known for his roles as chief executive office of the Red Angus Association of America and executive vice president of the North American Limousin Foundation.

    LPC Awards 2023There are many more awards which you will be able to find a list of on on the LPC website. The Ed Bible Distinguished Service Award was presented to Tim Steinbeck, Modern Litho.

    Ag Media Summit, LPC, Media

    Ag Communicators Network Awards

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Greg LampTwo former presidents of the Ag Communicators Network (ACN), have been named ACN’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipients for 2023. Presenting the awards is Cynthia Clanton, CHS, Inc.

    Greg Lamp and Karen McMahon were selected based on their outstanding leadership and professional and personal achievements, emphasizing contributions made toward improving the viability and value of the Ag Communicators Network.

    Lamp, a recent retiree and 40-year media industry veteran, has served ACN through the years in various capacities. Throughout his years as an ACN member, Lamp always has dedicated his time selflessly to the organization and led with integrity.

    Karen McMahonMcMahon leaped into service within ACN after attending her first photography seminar in 1979. Her support and leadership have raised thousands of dollars in sponsorship for the association’s annual conferences.

    Within ACN and the ag communications industry, McMahon’s work has been recognized by ACN and prestigious organizations such as Minnesota Magazine & Publication Association, the Livestock Publications Council, IFAJ Council, American Society of Business Publications, and Oscar in Agriculture.

    Don WirthDon Wirth, an innovative Oregon farmer and promoter of cover crops and forage in the United States and internationally, has been named the Agricultural Communicators Network (ACN) Distinguished Service Award recipient for 2023.

    The Distinguished Service Award is presented to individuals who give back to the agricultural community and have demonstrated outstanding leadership efforts in education, science, or public affairs relevant to agriculture. Presenting the award is Michelle Paul, Ag West Farm Credit.

    ACN Awards 2023There are a lot more ACN Awards and you can find a full list here. Some include.

    Of the Year Winners:

    Writer of The Year – Steve Werblow, The Furrow
    Story of The Year – “Making hay was a part of his flight plan”, Amber Friedrichsen, Hay & Forage Grower
    Photographer of the Year – Martha Mintz, Corral Creek Communications
    Photo of the Year – Joel Reichenberger, DTN/The Progressive Farmer
    Designer of the Year – Rachael Davis, Noble Research Institute
    Communicator of the Year – Jamie Cole, Red Barn Media Group

    Andy Markwart Horizon Award Winner:
    Betty Haynes, Prairie Farmer

    ACN, Ag Media Summit, Media

    Animal Ag News 8/7

    Carrie Muehling

  • Alltech announced two additions to its U.S. poultry team. Keith Fleetwood has joined the company as a poultry account manager and feed mill specialist. In that role, he will provide support related to specialty ingredient, nutrition and premix sales for the company’s commercial poultry customers. Additionally, Matie George has returned to Ridley Feed Ingredients, which is part of the Alltech family of companies, as a formulation and pricing specialist. George will provide support in the area of complete feed formulations for Ridley’s poultry customers.
  • U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award. The award recognizes exemplary environmental stewardship by family farmers engaged in poultry and egg production. Those eligible for the award include any family-owned poultry grower or egg producer supplying product to a USPOULTRY member or an independent producer who is a USPOULTRY member. Nominations are due Oct. 27.
  • Wayne-Sanderson Farms helped cost-conscious consumers save money, be more creative in their cooking and reduce food waste with the launch of its innovative Search by Ingredient tool. As a result, Wayne-Sanderson Farms was recognized as the 2023 winner of the Chicken Marketer of the Year. The trophy presentation for the award occurred at the 2023 Chicken Marketing Summit, held at Hotel Effie Sandestin in Miramar Beach, Florida, on July 31-August 2.
  • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association member and Missouri cattle producer Charlie Besher testified before the House Natural Resources Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee in support of the Black Vulture Relief Act. Besher, the chairman of NCBA’s Property Rights and Environmental Management Committee, shared how predatory black vultures take a toll on cattle producers’ livestock and livelihoods.
  • Sysco and Certified Angus Beef announced a strategic partnership aimed at promoting animal welfare and beef sustainability. The collaboration will focus on providing Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training and certification to 1,000 farmers and ranchers through nine training events between August 2023 and June 2024.
  • Missouri Beef Industry Council welcomes Monica Thornburg as their new Manager of Industry Relations.
  • Protect American Lamb, a project under the auspices of the R-CALF USA Sheep Committee, with members from nearly 15 states, petitioned United States Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai for relief from lamb and mutton imports which the group says has decimated the United States commercial sheep industry.
  • Smithfield Foods, in partnership with Kroger, donated nearly 30,000 pounds of protein to Feed More to fight food insecurity in Central Virginia.
  • U.S. beef industry supply chain expert and cattle rancher Lamar Steiger will join Protect The Harvest’s advisory committee. We welcome his wealth of experience in, and knowledge of, American beef from farm to fork.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced that 30 emerging leaders of the dairy industry have been accepted into the fifth cohort of the NextGen Leadership Program, a signature program of IDFA’s People Strategy.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    ZimmCast 716 – A New Podcast and New Presidents

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

    Cindy and I are getting a break from the agriblogging highway for a few weeks. We just completed a journey to Des Moines for Tech Hub Live, to San Destin, FL for the Southern Peanut Growers Conference and Palm Springs, CA for the Ag Media Summit. It has been a busy summer and I am very grateful for air conditioning. I’m old enough to remember summers in Sarasota, FL without AC and when my parents got our first box fan. This latest warm spell we’re having is nothing knew and that is no matter what the climate activist wackos say. It’s amazing how much misinformation is being spread right now.

    Heart of Rural America PodcastSo, back to this week’s podcast. I’m going to start with an excerpt of the brand new podcast, The Heart of Rural America, hosted by Amanda Radke. She’s a South Dakota cattle rancher, wife, mama, author, and motivational speaker. Amanda also wrote for AgWired back in 2010! I highly recommend you subscribe to and listen to her new podcast. We are very proud of Amanda and have enjoyed watching her family and career grow over the years.

    Next in the program are interviews with the new presidents of the Ag Communicators Network and the Livestock Publications Council. The gavel was passed for both organizations during the Ag Media Summit. First up is Martha Mintz, Corral Creek Communications. Next, you can listen to my interview with Katrina Huffstutler, Grant Company LLC.

    Listen to the episode here:ZimmCast 716 - A New Podcast and New Presidents (16:08)

    So that’s the ZimmCast for this week. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

    Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

    ACN, Ag Media Summit, Audio, LPC, Media, Podcasts, ZimmCast

    Organizations Supporting Tech Hub LIVE

    Cindy Zimmerman

    AgGateway’s Jeremy Wilson (L) poses with Kyle Daeley, Publicis Sapient, at Tech Hub LIVE

    AgGateway and the Agricultural Retailers Association are two of the annual Tech Hub LIVE Conference and Expo supporting organizations for one very good reason – because their members attend.

    “For the last 13 years, AgGateway has done a lot of work in the whole technology space and bringing data interoperability,” said AgGateway Executive Vice President Jeremy Wilson. “This conference has just turned into a really good event with our members and a lot of the core people. It’s like the third annual class reunion of the whole technology space working in this for the last 10-15 years.”

    Wilson says AgGateway is currently gearing up for its 2023 Annual Conference, November 13-15 in Nashville.

    2023 Tech Hub LIVE interview with Jeremy Wilson, AgGateway (4:15)

    ARA CEO Daren Coppock (R) moderates panel at Tech Hub LIVE with Justin Quigley, Fresh Talent

    “The things that are talked about here are important to retailers and so they’re important to us,” said ARA CEO Daren Coppock. “I find personally a lot of value in this meeting because of the new technologies and new players coming into the business.”

    Coppock identified a couple of top issues for ag retailers discussed this year at Tech Hub LIVE. “One of them is building a data infrastructure from one end of the supply chain to the other…so that data transfer can be easy,” he said. “The other one is biological products…growers don’t have time to figure out which of the hundreds of biologicals out there will work on their farms…the retailers have an important role to play there.”

    The 2023 ARA Conference & Expo will convene Nov. 28-30 in Orlando

    2023 Tech Hub LIVE interview with Daren Coppock, ARA (2:55)

    2023 Tech Hub LIVE Conference and Expo photo album

    AgGateway, AgWired Precision, ARA, Audio, Tech Hub LIVE, Technology

    Industry Ag News 8/4

    Carrie Muehling

  • Between scoops of corn ice cream and live music, farmers and policymakers gathered at Minnesota Farmfest to discuss the issues that matter most to rural America. The Listening Session held by the House Agriculture Committee presented an opportunity for farmers, lenders, and other agricultural stakeholders to outline their priorities in the upcoming Farm Bill. Farmers testified that crop insurance is an essential risk management tool for America’s family farmers, and they asked that it be protected and strengthened in the next Farm Bill.
  • Agricultural producer sentiment improved slightly in July as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index rose 2 points to a reading of 123. Farmers were also more optimistic about their perception of current conditions and future expectations on their farms. The Index of Current Conditions rose 5 points to a reading of 121, while the Index of Future Expectations was up one point to 124. The Ag Economy Barometer is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. This month’s survey was conducted July 10-14.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association announced that Pivot Clean Energy, Encore Energy Services and Continuum Ag have joined as the association’s newest associate members.
  • The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced the hiring of Jennifer Sharkey as Membership Operations Manager. In this role, Sharkey will be responsible for implementing and administering NCGA’s Customer Relationship Management System and will play a key role in membership recruitment and retention strategy.
  • The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) will host a “Fork to Farm” event on Saturday, Aug. 12, sponsored by the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB). The event will take place in west-central Wisconsin and includes a farm and identity preserved processing facility tour. Attendees include a trade team of food entrepreneurs and marketers from Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan. Farmers are also invited to attend.
  • The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) announces the launch of the “It’s Sustainably Soy” Certification program to recognize organizations, construction firms, and executives for utilizing sustainable soy-based products in their infrastructure projects.
  • The Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year state winners have been announced for 2023. The group will announce the 2023 Farmer of the Year at the Sunbelt Ag Expo.
  • U.S. retail dollar sales of potatoes increased 16.8 percent July 2022–June 2023, which closed with a strong quarter (April–June 2023) that saw retail dollar sales growth of 14.5 percent compared to the same period last year. Dollar sales reached $16.9 billion for the 52-week period, the highest in five years.
  • The 2024 Beltwide Cotton Conferences (BWCC) call for papers opened August 1, 2023. Those interested in making an oral or poster presentation at this forum must start the process by clicking m-anage.com. Please note, due to changes to the Confex platform, submitters must create an account before submitting abstracts.
  • The 2023 Bayer Cotton Growers of the Year Johannes and Scarlett Roellgen from the Darling Downs say their agronomist, information sharing among farmers, and Cotton Australia’s myBMP program are important factors in their success. Johannes and Scarlett Roellgen from Tyunga Farms, Brookstead were announced the 2023 Bayer Cotton Growers of the year with fellow Darling Downs grower Daniel Skerman, representing Skerman Farms at Dalby, taking out the AgriRisk High Achiever award.
    • Zimfo Bytes