Industry Ag News 7/21

Carrie Muehling

  • The National FFA Organization has announced the 16 finalists for its 2023 top achievement awards: American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience.
  • Farmers National Company has released its mid-year land values report with some interesting findings. There’s been a slight reduction in both sales volume and value growth within the ag real estate market. That trend has continued into the first half of 2023 with fewer properties being offered for sale and market values that, while still strong, are dramatically off the pace seen in the first half of 2022.
  • Join the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) this December 5 – 8, 2023 at a NEW venue, the Hyatt Regency Orlando, for the Field Crop Seed Convention, an unparalleled seed business networking and educational opportunity.
  • U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced bipartisan legislation to increase transparency and oversight of foreign ownership in the American agricultural industry. The Farmland Security Act of 2023 builds on the Senators’ bipartisan Farmland Security Act of 2022 by ensuring that all foreign investors, including “shell companies,” who buy American agriculture land report their holding, strengthening penalties for those who evade filing, and investing in research to better understand the impact foreign ownership of American farmland and agricultural production capacity has on our domestic food supply, family farms, and rural communities.
  • Youth members of Farmers Union from around the country participated in the 85th National Farmers Union (NFU) All-States Leadership Retreat. This year’s event was held at Montana Farmers Union’s Arrowpeak Lodge in Highwood, MT.
  • The thirty-fifth annual Georgia Peanut Tour will be held September 12-14, 2023, in Bainbridge, Georgia, and the surrounding area. The tour brings the latest information on peanuts while giving a first-hand view of industry infrastructure from production and handling to processing and utilization. Tour stops will be made in several peanut producing counties in Southwest Georgia.
  • According to a new quarterly report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, the full impact of monetary policy actions—raising interest rates, quantitative easing and contracting the money supply—have yet to be felt. Those policy actions, combined with depleted consumer savings, tighter commercial bank lending standards and the persistently inverted yield curve are likely to result in a mild recession by the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    ZimmCast 715 – Preview of the 2023 Ag Media Summit

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCastAfter getting a break from the agriblogging highway the ZimmComm Team has used the time for some needed work on headquarters. Fortunately it has been indoors as the temperatures are high and a lot of rain has fallen until the last couple days. So now it’s time to look ahead to some events we will be attending.

    The first one is the 2023 Tech Hub Live with a preview from Scott Cogdill, Proagrica. This is the third annual event and will have over 88 speakers, 19 tech talks, 19 fireside chats, 17 roundtable discussion groups and 10 breakout sessions. You can see who is exhibiting here.

    Following Tech Hub Live I will be at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in Destin, FL. I’ll be creating content for the conference blog and there will be lots of photos and interviews.

    Agricultural Media SummitThen it’s on to the 2023 Ag Media Summit in Palm Springs, CA, and the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel. I haven’t been able to attend them all but most of them. The AMS started in 1999. To get a preview of this year’s event I spoke with Shelia Grobosky, Public Relations Coordinator at BioZyme Inc. who is the AMS Steering Committee Chair and a member of the Livestock Publications Council. She says there are a number of things that have been changed in the schedule but the basics all all there. It’s not too late to register. You can do that here.

    Here is my interview with Shelia:ZimmCast 715 - Preview Interview of Ag Media Summit (21:07)

    Hope you are staying cool if you are in an area with significant heat but, hey, it is summer. 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, ZimmCast

    Registration Open for ASTA Field Crop Seed Conference

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The event formally known as CSS & Seed Expo has a whole new look and registration is now open for the debut in December. The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Field Crop Seed Convention will be held for the first time this December 5-8 at the new venue, the Hyatt Regency Orlando.

    Gathering over 2,000 attendees from 36 countries, the Field Crop Seed Convention (formerly known as the CSS & Seed Expo) is THE place to see and be seen amongst the global community of companies working in all field crops, from corn and soybean, to wheat, rice, cotton, sorghum and so much more. Now in Orlando, after 77 years in Chicago, our new venue offers any and all seed industry stakeholders a wealth of new opportunities, in a central hub of exhibits, sessions and private meeting rooms all in one combined meeting space area.

    Click here for more information.

    ASTA, Seed

    Precision Ag News 7/19

    Carrie Muehling

  • Total farm tractor unit sales in the U.S. turned positive for the first time in 2023, led by continued strength in large tractors and combines according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Gains in the U.S. market were led by 100+hp 2WD units, up 25.4 percent, closely followed by 4WD units up 21.9 percent.
  • Syngenta announced Syngenta Biologicals, bringing together Valagro – the pioneer in biostimulants and specialty nutrients it acquired in 2020 – with its in-house biologicals business, setting the stage to shape rapid growth of the global biologicals market.
  • Syngenta announced that its latest residual corn herbicide, Storen, has been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and will be available for use in 2024, subject to state approvals.
  • With 2023 planting complete, growers are turning their attention to managing their in-season inputs, and one of the key decisions remaining this year is whether or not to use a fungicide. With much of the Midwest currently under moderate to exceptional drought conditions, growers may be debating if applying a fungicide is worth it since dry conditions can limit disease pressure. In the last five years, 2020 was the driest summer and 2021 was the wettest. But in both scenarios, the Syngenta Cleaner & Greener fungicide portfolio still showed excellent performance and improved yields over untreated acres.
  • Cargill and John Deere are announcing a collaborative effort to streamline the digital and in-field experience for farmers using John Deere technology and electing to participate in the Cargill RegenConnect program.
  • CLAAS of America announces the opening of the first of two CLAAS FARMPOINT dealerships that employ a groundbreaking new approach to parts and service for CLAAS customers. The first of the new dealerships officially opened in Madisonville, Kentucky in early June.
  • Built on Founder Gary Vermeer’s legacy of finding a better way, for Vermeer Corporation the last 75 years have centered around impacting people and the world for the better. As the company looks to the future, third- generation family member, President and CEO Jason Andringa says the next 75 years will continue to aim for the same purpose.
  • New Holland Agriculture North America has introduced the new Durabine 413 PLUS disc header for Speedrower PLUS Series self-propelled windrowers.
  • For small grain and canola producers, consistency and efficiency are keys to a successful harvest. To help growers achieve reliable results, Case IH announces a collaboration with Honey Bee Manufacturing to allow WSC draper heads to connect to Case IH WD5 series self-propelled windrowers. Honey Bee brings their draper head technology for greater capacity, which maximizes efficiency across a range of conditions.
  • Precision Planting, most known for premier planter upgrades, launched a new product for the air seeder and fertilizer market. The Clarity system, a combination of advanced flow and blockage monitoring, gives greater detail into seeding and dry fertilizer application than ever before.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Third Tech Hub LIVE Spotlights Innovative Companies

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The third annual Tech Hub LIVE is set to open its doors next week and bring together the largest gathering yet of ag tech practitioners, thought leaders, and innovative solution providers, with some of the industry’s leading companies on display.

    Tech Hub LIVE offers an unparalleled opportunity for ag retailers, distributors, consultants, manufacturers, and other stakeholders in the ag supply chain to discover the latest advancements in decision-making and analytics software, with an exhibit hall featuring over 75 booths and meeting rooms. With over 88 speakers, including 19 tech talks, 19 fireside chats, 17 roundtable discussion groups, and 10 breakout sessions, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to turn new technology opportunities into practical business advantages on the farm.

    More industry partners, sponsors, and exhibitors have come together this year to make Tech Hub LIVE possible, as those from previous years have returned. Among this year’s event partners are Education Partner Ever.Ag; Sustainability Partner Indigo Ag; and Networking Partner Proagrica, as well as Destination Sponsor Greater Des Moines Partnership.

    Click here for a complete list of exhibitors.

    Scott Cogdill, Director of Business Development at Proagrica, talks about why they are helping to sponsor Tech Hub LIVE again.
    2023 Tech Hub LIVE partner preview with Scott Cogdill, Proagrica (8:23)

    AgWired Precision, Audio, Precision Agriculture, Tech Hub LIVE, Technology

    The IFAJ Flag has been passed to Switzerland

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Passing the IFAJ flag to SwitzerlandThe International Federation of Agricultural Journalists has several traditions. One is at the end of the annual Congress when the IFAJ Flag is passed on to a representative of the country guild that will be hosting next year’s Congress. In this case the flag is being passed to Switzerland. Representing is Markus Rediger, past president of IFAJ and in Switzerland and Lena Johansson, current IFAJ president. You can listen to their remarks here:
    2023 IFAJ Congress passing the flag (3:27)

    Here are details for next year’s IFAJ Congress Switzerland. Interlaken, August 14-18, 2024

    Welcome to Switzerland. We invite you to the IFAJ Congress in Switzerland, where we will talk about the high expectations of society and take a look behind the scenes of Swiss agriculture. The congress will take place in Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland. An impressive landscape and a diverse agriculture awaits you.

    Speaking of flags, another IFAJ tradition. At every annual congress, IFAJ has the tradition of putting up the flags of each member country, either at the Delegate Assembly or during the closing banquet (or both!). It is an impressive sight to see all 40+ flags hung around the room and is an inspiration for the internationalism that IFAJ stands for. You can see them displayed around the room in the photo album.

    Thank you to Alltech for making it possible for me to attend this year’s IFAJ Congress.

    Click here for the IFAJ Congress 2023 Photo Album.

    Audio, IFAJ, International, Media

    Animal Ag News 7/17

    Carrie Muehling

  • Performance Livestock Analytics (PLA), a leader in data analytics solutions for livestock producers, announced its separation from Zoetis. The newly independent PLA business is led by its original founders, Dane Kuper and Dustin Balsley, and with financial investment from Builders VC.
  • The National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry will provide poultry facility and corporate safety professionals with the tools to help ensure industry personnel’s continued well-being and protection. The Conference, sponsored by the Georgia Tech Research Institute/ATRP and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, is scheduled for Aug. 14-16 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Fla.
  • U.S. Poultry & Egg Association announces the promotion of Gwen Venable to executive vice president – expo & communication services. She will assume the position as Nath Morris transitions to president.
  • U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced the Dairy Business Innovation Act of 2023, bipartisan legislation that will reauthorize and strengthen the Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives to help more American dairy farmers and processors add value to their businesses, including creating new products, expanding their markets, and modernizing their production facilities. Senator Baldwin successfully created the DBI Initiatives through the Dairy Business Innovation Act in 2018, which passed as part of the 2018 Farm Bill and has since delivered almost $40 million to help Wisconsin dairy businesses innovate and reach new customers.
  • FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, along with other members of the Midwest Dairy Coalition, endorsed the Dairy Business Innovation Act of 2023 that was introduced by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). This bill would increase the funding authorization for the Dairy Business Innovation Act, which supports dairy businesses in the development, production, marketing, and distribution of dairy products.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Alltech Continues Support of IFAJ Young Leaders

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Alltech/IFAJ Young Leaders with sponsors at Alltech ONE Calgary

    Once again this year, ten outstanding young agricultural journalists and communicators had the opportunity to attend the IFAJ Congress thanks to Alltech, which has sponsored the IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders program since 2006.

    Patrick Charlton, Vice President of Europe for Alltech, says he really enjoys being part of the program, which includes for the participants a special Boot Camp prior to the congress for leadership and skills training and fellowship. “It’s an inspiring opportunity to see how many young, smart, up and coming journalists there are around the world,” said Charlton. “We always have a huge number who enter from Africa and it’s fantastic to see their involvement.”

    This year the group also had the opportunity to attend the Alltech ONE Calgary event, which followed IFAJ. “When we were first talking about putting the ONE on the road, the dates were fixed for this one to tie into the IFAJ meeting so we could build the two in together,” Charlton said. “It was absolutely the right thing for us to do.”

    Learn more about Alltech and the IFAJ Young Leaders program in this interview.
    ONE Calgary interview with Patrick Charlton, Alltech (6:44)

    Alltech, Audio, IFAJ

    Industry Ag News 7/14

    Carrie Muehling

  • Twenty groups representing agricultural, environmental, forestry, wildlife, nutrition and hunger advocates have launched the “Farm Bill for America’s Families: Sustaining Our Future” campaign to urge passage of the 2023 farm bill this year.
  • Farm Progress continues to enrich its offerings, as long-time broadcaster Mike Pearson takes over the reins to host “This Week in Agribusiness” and “Farm Progress America.” With extensive experience in radio and television farm broadcasting, Pearson brings a familiar face and respected knowledge, as he joins Farm Progress full time. Farm Progress also wants to extend congratulations to Armstrong on his retirement, as well as announce his continuing involvement on the broadcast team. Armstrong will remain on the air each week with Max’s Tractor Shed and special segments on “This Week in Agribusiness”.
  • Farm Aid 2023 is coming to Noblesville, Indiana, on Saturday, September 23. This year’s festival will showcase how farmers are leading the way to mitigate climate change with a specific focus on the essential role that water plays in farming and in our lives.
  • Huma, a company regarded for developing innovative humic solutions and technologies to support regen ag and soil health initiatives, has appointed two new members to its board of directors. This includes Chief Marketing Officer Fred Nichols and Chief Financial Officer Steve Lunt, effective immediately.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association announced that Rondo Energy has joined the association as its newest associate member. Rondo Energy is a leading provider of zero-carbon industrial heat, making industrial decarbonization possible and profitable today. The Rondo Heat Battery captures low-cost renewable electricity and delivers continuous high-temperature heat, enabling customers to power their operations with zero-carbon energy.
  • The National Cotton Council announced its Multi-Commodity Education Program participants and tours. Farmers from eight states in the southern half of the nation toured agricultural production and processing operations in Idaho on June 25-30.
  • The National Corn Growers Association joined over 90 other trade groups representing diverse businesses across the transportation sector in urging the Biden administration to reverse course on its proposed tailpipe emissions standards for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles.
  • Nancy Martinez, a seasoned Capitol Hill professional with extensive policy experience, has joined the National Corn Growers Association as director of public policy for trade.
  • The American Feed Industry Association announced the addition of Ivy Torres as its global programs specialist, effective July 10.
  • Celebrate marketing excellence by submitting your nominations for the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) Professional Development Awards by August 1.
  • IUNU announced the release of its 2023 State of CEA report. Since 2016, these reports have served as a trusted resource for the CEA industry, focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing greenhouse operators.
  • The U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) board of directors seated officers for 2023/24 at their annual meeting July 12, 2023, in Minneapolis, Minn. USW is the export market development organization for the U.S. wheat industry. Michael Peters, Okarche, Okla., accepted the USW Chairman’s gavel from 2022/23 Chair Rhonda Larson, East Grand Forks, Minn.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Third Tech Hub LIVE Ready for Action

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Organizers of the third annual Tech Hub LIVE Conference and Expo, July 24-26 in Des Moines, are expecting it to be the best one yet.

    “This will be the biggest Tech Hub LIVE,” said conference program chair Lara Sowinski, CropLife Media. “Our sponsors, exhibitors, attendees, all the numbers are exceeding what we’ve had previously.” The event debuted in Des Moines in 2021 and was held in Indianapolis last year.

    Sowinski says they are very excited about this year’s program which includes and improves upon many of the features of the first two events, including Fireside Chats showcasing top retailers and industry leaders, and 10-minute Tech Talks to learn more about the technologies and solutions developed to improve operations.

    She is especially pleased with this year’s keynote speaker Dr. Alyssa Whitcraft, Executive Director of NASA Acres and the immediate-past Deputy Director of NASA Harvest, and about the first meeting of the recently formed Women in Ag Tech on July 24 starting at 2:00 pm.

    More information and registration can be found on the Tech Hub LIVE Conference and Expo website.

    Learn more about what’s in store in this interview.
    Tech Hub LIVE preview with Lara Sowinski, CropLife Media 10:58

    AgWired Precision, Audio, Tech Hub LIVE, Technology