Catching Up With Alltech at #CattleCon23

Cindy Zimmerman

We had a chance to catch up with Alltech President and CEO Dr. Mark Lyons last week at the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show to find out about a couple of recent announcements from the company.

Last month, Alltech released its 2023 Alltech Agri-Food Outlook highlighting global feed production survey data. “This year we had 128 countries that reported in, which is a pretty astounding amount of information,” said Lyons. “But what is really striking is that, at the end of the day, four countries represent over half of the total feed produced in the world.”

Those four countries are China, the U.S., Brazil and India. The next six countries – Mexico, Russia, Spain, Vietnam, Argentina and Germany – and together the top 10 countries produced 64% of the world’s feed production.

Dr. Lyons also talked about the new format for Alltech’s annual ONE conference, which they are taking on the road this year. “We’ve got about a dozen stops thus far, two in Europe at least, including one in Dublin, Ireland,” he said. “We’re going to have one in Budapest. Eastern Europe is going to play a huge role in the future of European agriculture.”

There are also plans for meetings in the UAE, Brazil, the U.S., Canada, and Asia.

Learn more in this interview.
2023 CattleCon interview with Dr. Mark Lyons, Alltech (8:05)

AgWired Animal, Alltech, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, Audio, Cattle Industry Conference

Animal Ag News 2/6

Carrie Muehling

  • U.S. Poultry & Egg Association presented the organization’s annual Lamplighter Award to five individuals at the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2023 International Production & Processing Expo. The award pays tribute to individuals for “sustained and exemplary service” to the poultry and egg industry.
  • Ralco has announced the launch of its latest swine product, Essential-Lyte, a natural water additive designed to get weaned pigs drinking and eating quickly.
  • The food safety team from Schreiber Foods, Inc. received the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) 2023 Food Safety Leadership Award during IDFA’s Dairy Forum. Staci Richardson, vice president of enterprise quality and food safety at Schreiber Foods, Inc., accepted the award on behalf of her team members.
  • Meat processors looking for answers to common industry questions have a new one-stop digital resource. The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) has launched an Animal Protein Processing Resource Database.
  • Kansas bison producer Dick Gehring was recently honored as the National Bison Association‘s (NBA) 2022 Member of the Year.
  • The Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) announced the release of a new scholarship program. With the goal of investing in the next generation, the program is designed to award five (5), $2500 scholarships to individuals that are interested in or display knowledge of the importance of the agriculture industry and its supporting entities, with plans to use their career to advocate for or advance the livestock marketing industry.
  • Mike Durkin, president and chief executive officer of the Leprino Foods Company, was elected chair of the board of directors of the checkoff-founded Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy at its first meeting of 2023.
  • There were 89.3 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of Jan. 1, 2023, according to the Cattle report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
  • Ralco announced that Justine Seifert, Senior Nutritional Support Specialist, was selected to the International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) Young Leaders Under 30 Program in Atlanta, Georgia last week.
  • The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) named Nicole Ayache its first ever chief sustainability officer and Emily Yeiser Stepp the first ever executive director of its National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program, bolstering its sustainability leadership and member service.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

CattleCon Session on Pilot Cattle Contracts Library

Cindy Zimmerman

Just as the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show was getting underway last week, USDA launched its pilot Cattle Contracts Library on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Cattle Contract Library webpage.

That provided a timely opportunity for USDA AMS Administrator Bruce Summers and Associate Deputy Administrator Taylor Cox to update the cattle industry during an early morning session at the convention.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 directed USDA to create a pilot library to increase market transparency for cattle producers. This pilot library will provide new disclosure to the industry and public regarding the key terms, conditions, and volumes under which cattle are contracted, bringing sunshine to practices in what is now the largest part of the cattle market. This will empower cattle producers to negotiate better terms, more carefully monitor risks relating to marketing preferences and pricing practices, and ultimately take better advantage of market opportunities to produce cattle that the market demands.

USDA Pilot Cattle Contracts Library
USDA AMS Administrator Bruce Summers and Associate Deputy Administrator Taylor Cox
2023 CattleCon USDA Pilot Cattle Contracts session (30:08)

2023 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

CattleCon23 Virtual Newsroom

Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, Livestock, Marketing, Markets, Meat, USDA

Outgoing USDA Deputy Secretary Visits #CattleCon23

Cindy Zimmerman

Despite her imminent departure from USDA, Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh addressed the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show last week in New Orleans. Bronaugh announced on January 26 that she is leaving the Department in the weeks ahead to spend more time with her family.

As a part of the third general session of the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention, Deputy Secretary Bronaugh spoke on a wide variety of topics including rural broadband access, foreign animal disease, international trade, and sustainability. Deputy Secretary Bronaugh discussed the implementation of broadband improvements across rural America under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Additionally, Deputy Secretary Bronaugh highlighted USDA’s foreign animal disease response strategy and the importance of the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB), the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP), and the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN). Finally, the Deputy Secretary reaffirmed the critical role of USDA in opening new markets for U.S. beef exports and countering non-science based, subjective trade barriers that hamper the sale of American beef worldwide.

2023 CattleCon USDA Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh (16:02)

Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, USDA

Industry Ag News 2/3

Carrie Muehling

  • Amanda Johnson of Nebraska is the grand prize winner of the National Corn Growers Association’s 2022 Fields-of-Corn photo contest. The photo – “All the Fall Colors” – was submitted under the Scenery and Landscapes category.
  • AMEXMA, the guild of agricultural journalists and communicators in Mexico, is hosting a 4-day press tour of farms and agri-food facilities in the Jalisco region from February 24-27, 2023.
  • The International Federation of Agricultural Journalism (IFAJ) and Alltech have opened nominations for the 2023 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders program. The deadline to apply is February 13, 2023.
  • Farmers across the country are getting excited for the 2023 Commodity Classic, which has just announced registration is up 28% over last year’s event in New Orleans. The 2023 Commodity Classic will be held March 9-11 in Orlando. Attendees can register for all three days of the event; single-day passes are also available.
  • The American Agri-Women (AAW) Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2023 Daughters of American Agriculture Scholarships. The deadline is March 1. Late applications will not be considered.
  • Individuals across the country can make a difference in the lives of the more than 850,000 FFA members this month by participating in Give FFA Day during National FFA Week.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reminds our nation’s farmers and ranchers that the deadline to respond to the 2022 Census of Agriculture is Feb. 6. Producers can respond online at agcounts.usda.gov or by mail.
Zimfo Bytes

CattleFax Predicts Producer Profitability and Drought Relief

Cindy Zimmerman

The popular CattleFax Outlook Seminar was presented Thursday at the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans forecasting producer profitability in 2023 and potential drought relief.

Prices and profitability will again favor cattle producers in 2023. The cattle industry is entering 2023 with the smallest cattle supply since 2015 as drought caused the industry to dig deeper into the supply of feeder cattle and calves. While the exact path to drought relief is unknown, improvements are also expected to translate to moderating feed costs, especially in the second half of 2023. Combined with increased cattle prices, cattle producers, especially the cow-calf operator, will continue to see an improvement in margins for the next several years, according to CattleFax.

Meteorologist Matt Makens said the latest forecast for La Niña has only a 14% probability of existence this spring and down further by the summer, which means a pattern change comes our way this year. A neutral phase will take control of the pattern as La Niña weakens and may last several months before giving El Niño a chance to grow this summer and into the fall. Makens said putting this latest La Niña episode in the review mirror suggests improving drought conditions, more favorable growing seasons and healthier soils.

Kevin Good, vice president of industry relations and analysis at CattleFax, reported that U.S. beef cow cattle inventories have already fallen 1.5 million head from cycle highs. The 2023 beef cow herd is expected to be down about another million head to nearly 29.2 million. Good forecast the average 2023 fed steer price at $158/cwt., up $13/cwt. from 2022, with a range of $150 to $172/cwt. throughout the year. All cattle classes are expected to trade higher, and prices are expected to continue to trend upward.

CEO Randy Blach concluded the session with an overall positive outlook, expecting improvements in the weather pattern and a tighter supply to distribute more money though all sectors of the cattle industry.

Listen to CattleFax presentations and interviews from CattleCon23.

CattleFax 2023 U.S. & Global Protein & Grain Outlook
2023 CattleCon CattleFax report by Kevin Good (23:02)

2023 CattleCon CattleFax report by Randy Blach (24:28)

2023 CattleCon interview with Kevin Good, CattleFax (4:45)

2023 CattleCon interview with Randy Blach, CattleFax (6:28)

2023 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

CattleCon23 Virtual Newsroom

AgWired Animal, Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, Livestock, Markets, Weather

2022 Environmental Stewardship Regional Awards Announced

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) recognized seven of the nation’s top cattle operations as Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) regional winners for their environmental conservation efforts during the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans. The regional winners will compete for the national award, which will be presented during NCBA’s Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., April 24-27, 2023.

The regional winners are:
Read More

Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, Environment, Sustainability

Good Times are Rolling at #CattleCon23

Cindy Zimmerman

Nearly 7,000 cattle producers, industry partners and stakeholders have gathered in New Orleans this week for the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show with the first general session on stage Wednesday afternoon.

This year’s event kicked off with Franki Moscato, winner of the 10th Annual NCBA National Anthem Contest, singing the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Buzz Brainard, host of Music Row Happy Hour, returned as convention emcee and chatted with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president Don Schiefelbein, American National Cattlewomen president Reba Mazak, and Cattlemen’s Beef Board chair Norman Voyles, Jr.

Unfortunately, due to the major ice storm across Texas, the widely anticipated appearance by “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan had to take place remotely. But surprise guest Archie Manning, patriarch of a professional football legacy and former quarterback of the New Orleans Saints, provided a good backup.

The award-winning NCBA Trade Show opened last night with a New Orleans-style reception featuring more than 350 exhibitors and displays across eight acres under one roof along with a variety of educational opportunities. The convention runs through tomorrow.

2023 CattleCon Star Spangled Banner, Frankie Moscato (1:37)

2023 CattleCon general session - organization leadership (13:19)

2023 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

CattleCon23 Virtual Newsroom

Audio, Beef, Beef Checkoff, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA

HGS BioScience Announces New Leadership Team

Cindy Zimmerman

HGS BioScience™ has announced an impressive new leadership team following the recent naming of Michael Steffeck as chief executive officer. HGS BioScience™, formerly Humic Growth Solutions, is a leading producer of humic & fulvic acids and has perfected a dry delivery system known as Performance Granule. The new team includes one key elevation and three recent hires.

Jakob Bredsguard: Chief operating officer (COO)
Jakob is the new chief operating officer with more than 18 years of industry experience and 30+ patents to his name. His expertise in leading strategy, product development and process improvements make him ideally suited for this new role. He previously founded and was chief technology officer of Biosynthetic Technologies.

Carla Stucky: Chief financial officer (CFO)
Carla assumes the post of chief financial officer with 25+ years of progressive financial experience. She is highly proficient at overseeing financials at rapidly growing companies. Her diverse industry leadership includes 5 years at a Big 4 public accounting firm and executive roles in manufacturing, fintech, entertainment, and oil & gas.

Ryan Merritt: Senior Vice President, International Sales
As a company co-founder, Ryan brings an unparalleled depth of operational knowledge and product expertise to the team. With his expertise in supply chain, Ryan is excited to grow the company’s reach in international markets with new and innovative soil health solutions.

Scott Messer: Vice President, U.S. Sales and Marketing
Scott brings more than 20 years of experience in connecting growers to products that improve their yields. He is known throughout the agriculture industry for his ability to deliver quality customer experiences with specialty fertilizer and crop production solutions. With a rapidly expanding portfolio, Scott will have even more ways to deliver value to customers.

Recent innovations at HGS BioScience™ include expanding the Performance Granule™ portfolio. Dry granular products made by HGS have become a top choice for distributors, retailers and farmers. The functional carbon granule is built and formulated to mix with dry fertilizer, saving precious time in the field.

AgWired Precision, Fertilizer, people

Precision Ag News 2/1

Carrie Muehling

  • PepsiCo and the AgMission initiative, co-founded by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and the World Farmers’ Organisation, are issuing a request for applications to accelerate the adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices that incorporate regenerative agriculture principles to support resiliency of on-farm production and commodity value chains in North America, Europe, South Africa and Australia.
  • Case IH has been recognized as a 2022 Good Design Award winner for the industry-leading Patriot 50 series sprayer. The award, presented by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, highlights the most innovative and cutting-edge industrial, product and graphic designs produced around the world.
  • Cropin, a leading agtech company known for creating the first industry cloud for agriculture, has announced that its farm digitization software, Cropin Grow, is now available on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Marketplace. The AWS Marketplace is a digital catalog that allows customers to easily find, purchase, and deploy third-party software and services to build solutions on the AWS platform. With Cropin Grow now available on the AWS Marketplace, agri-industry players and governments worldwide will be able to accelerate their digital transformation efforts and use data to reimagine agriculture.
  • Greeneye Technology and Farmers Business Network announced they have entered into a long-term strategic collaboration agreement to help farmers reduce weed control costs and drive profitability by combining Greeneye’s retrofit precision spraying systems and FBN’s Precision Spraying Packs–customized crop protection and nutrition plans which FBN is developing for use specifically with the Greeneye technology–and financing offerings. The program will launch first in the U.S for the 2024 growing season.
  • Traction Ag Inc., the first cloud-based accounting software delivering solutions to growers across the Midwest, recognizes a momentous year of growth, solidifying their position as the leader in farm accounting technology.
  • U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc. will celebrate its 40th anniversary as an organization that serves the custom harvesting industry at their Annual Convention in Omaha, Nebraska, February 2-5, 2023.
  • NK Seeds unveiled new third-party yield data showing NK corn hybrids and soybean varieties outyielded comparable competitive products in 2022.
  • Kubota Tractor Corporation and Trackhouse Racing announced that drivers Ross Chastain and Daniel Suárez will carry the familiar orange Kubota paint scheme in six races in the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season. With the sponsorship, Kubota becomes the Official Tractor Company of Trackhouse Racing after serving as the primary sponsor of Chastain’s No. 1 Chevrolet last season at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 23, 2022.
  • John Deere was recently presented with three 2023 AE50 Awards for outstanding innovations that improve production agriculture. The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers annually recognizes the 50 most innovative product-engineering designs in the food and agriculture industry with AE50 Awards, as chosen by international engineering experts.
  • February is National Pesticide Safety Education Month and a time to review pesticide safety practices at your home or place of business, the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) says. WSSA and the American Phytopathological Society and the Entomological Society of America are among the many organizations in public and private sectors that promote pesticide safety awareness during February and throughout the year.
  • BRANDT has overhauled its popular BRANDT Product Finder app. This update re-imagines the app, incorporating new features, a clean, simplified design and a modern user interface.
  • Jesús Valencia joins Corbet Scientific as the Regional Director of Agronomy. In this role, he will advise key customers and prospects on Corbet’s products and technology and drive market share growth of Corbet products as a regional expert based in California. He will report directly to the CEO.
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