2025 Tech Hub Live

Syngenta Seeks to Simplify Seed with GHX

Cindy Zimmerman

At Commodity Classic last week, Syngenta announced a new way to buy seed, available first to farmers in Iowa and Illinois.

“Seed Simplified” is the slogan GHX by Golden Harvest® has adopted for this new concept. “Basically it’s a simple way for farmers to buy seed…modern, simple and seamless,” said Morgan Dugan, Golden Harvest, commercial unit head Iowa and Illinois.

In the new GHX experience, seed is priced at a flat rate, per-acre basis. Farmers determine the best seeding rate for individual fields based on data-driven analytics and their input without an additional cost.

Learn more from Dugan in this interview.
Classic 23 interview with Morgan Dugan, Golden Harvest (5:36)

L-R: Illinois farmer Rye Randolph; GHX Certified Advisor Jason Gumbart, Apex Seed; Wade Wiley and Christy Schrader, GHX

“The new GHX experience is an innovative way to make seed buying easier, without the hassle of programs and deadlines. It also helps farmers determine the best seeding rate for individual fields based on data-driven analytics and their input to maximize return per acre,” says Wade Wiley, head of customer experience strategy and business intelligence for Syngenta Seeds, U.S.

Wiley was on a panel at Classic with “Go for the Gold” Winner Rye Randolph from Canton, Illinois and his GHX Certified Advisor Jason Gumbart, Apex Seed.

Listen to the conversation moderated by Christy Schrader, GHX Brand Marketing Manager.
Classic 23 Syngenta GHX press conference (21:03)

2023 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, Corn, Seed, Soybean, Syngenta

NK Seeds Highlights 2023 NK Soybean Lineup

Cindy Zimmerman

At Commodity Classic last week, NK Seeds was proud to talk about their soybean lineup for the 2023 growing season, offering trait choices farmers want and need, including Enlist E3® and XtendFlex® soybean technologies.

“Now more than ever, farmers are looking for choices, along with trait flexibility and, subsequently, strong defensive agronomic traits,” says Jared Benson, Soybean Product Manager at NK Seeds. “With the recent label changes for over-the-top dicamba application in several key U.S. soybean states, farmers seek soybean products that they can be confident will give them a strong, fast start this spring. The proprietary genetics and proven performance that NK Seeds offers in both traits will help them do just that.”

Benson says NK is the only seed provider to offer the most sought-after herbicide traits stacked on their own proprietary germplasm. “Taking a farmer-first approach to all that we do, we understand the importance of providing farmers with top-performing genetics and a range of trait options for high yield potential and strong performance. Because the leading herbicide trait choices don’t matter if the varieties don’t yield.”

Listen to an interview with Benson from Classic.
Classic 23 interview with Jared Benson, NK Seeds (3:25)

2023 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, NK Seeds, Seed, Soybean, Syngenta

Industry Ag News 3/10

Carrie Muehling

  • House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson and Ranking Member David Scott have confirmed that they will speak at the March 20 Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit.
  • 2022 will go into the record books as the third-costliest year for weather disasters in U.S. history, with an estimated $165 billion in total economic losses. In the agriculture sector, new analysis by American Farm Bureau Federation economists in the latest Market Intel shows extreme weather caused more than $21 billion in crop losses. The impact to America’s farms and ranches demonstrates the importance of farm bill programs to help rural communities recover from weather-related disasters.
  • The winner of the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Collegiate Discussion Meet is Maddie Dvorak of Florida. She was awarded the top prize following a discussion on the role of farmers in shaping climate initiatives to benefit society overall, as well as their own farms and ranches.
  • Rob Sharkey, known in digital circles as The Shark Farmer, is the host of a popular podcast and multiple TV shows on RFD-TV, PBS, and Acres TV. Drawn by his connection to Beck’s Hybrids faith-filled believe campaign, Sharkey wanted to work with a company that shares the same values. He will provide a fully immersive look into working with Beck’s from the perspective of a farmer and lead viewers and listeners on a behind the scenes experience of selecting the right products for his farm, planting and managing the crop, and harvesting.
  • Only 111 more days until Canada is ready to welcome the 2023 IFAJ world congress — New Frontiers in the West — hosted in Calgary and Olds, Alberta. Early bird pricing is now in effect for those who register for the full week of the congress. Save $200 off the base price of $1,323 CAD by using the code INTHEWEST23 at checkout.
  • Swanson Russell has been chosen by global ag and turf chemical product company Nufarm to lead their U.S. marketing efforts. Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, Nufarm is a worldwide leader in herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and plant growth regulators for the ag, lawn care, golf and ornamental markets.
  • At the opening banquet of the 121st Anniversary Convention, National Farmers Union (NFU) presented Sarah Vogel of North Dakota and Doug Peterson of Minnesota with the 2023 Meritorious Service Awards, the highest honor presented by Farmers Union. Luke Runyon of Greeley, Colorado was awarded the 2023 Milt Hakel Award for Excellence in Agricultural Journalism.
  • National Farmers Union (NFU) concluded their 121st Anniversary Convention held in San Francisco, California. With an agenda that was focused on the ability of NFU and Farmers Union members to create change, delegates and attendees heard from United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, keynote speaker Dr. Glenda Humiston, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, California Secretary of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross, as well as representatives from the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, and the Department of Justice.
  • The U.S. Soybean Export Council’s (USSEC) 2023-2024 Board of Directors was seated on March 7, 2023 during the organization’s annual meeting prior to Commodity Classic in Orlando. Stan Born, an ASA director and soybean and corn farmer from Lovington, Illinois, was elected as USSEC chair for a 12-month term.
  • The National Potato Council (NPC) installed its 2023 roster of Executive Committee members this week at the organization’s annual Washington Summit. During the Annual Meeting of the Voting Delegates, RJ Andrus of Idaho Falls, Idaho, was elected to serve as the Council’s President for the next 12 months.
  • Brent Cheyne was elected President of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). Brent farms with his son Rodney near Klamath Falls, Oregon, where they raise wheat, barley, oats, alfalfa and Angus cattle. In 2011, Brent began his time with the Oregon Wheat Growers League as the Oregon president before accepting the position of NAWG Secretary in 2015.
Zimfo Bytes

Syngenta Welcomes Attendees to #Classic23

Cindy Zimmerman

The traditional Syngenta Welcome Party marked the start of the 2023 Commodity Classic in Orlando yesterday and the company captured a lot of the buzz at the opening of the trade show today.

“It’s a great way to start the new crop year,” said Jim Shertzer, Head of Branded Marketing, Syngenta North America Seeds.

As always, there is plenty that is new from Syngenta. On the seed side, Shertzer says there is a lot of excitement this year in all the brands. “Whether it’s local seed advisors on our Golden Harvest side, or direct sellers on our GHX, or through our retail partners in NK,” he said.

Syngenta had a WIN session and two press conferences today at Classic, so we’ll be hearing more about GHX, and other new products on the crop protection side.

Classic 23 interview with Jim Shertzer, Syngenta (2:33)

2023 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, Seed, Syngenta

Precision Ag News 3/8

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) released policy recommendations for the 2023 Farm Bill. The recommendations were recently approved by NACD’s Board by Directors at NACD’s Annual Meeting in New Orleans. NACD’s most important priority is for Congress to keep conservation investments provided by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in farm bill conservation programs.
  • Area farmers learned how farmers across the Midwest work to improve soil health and were challenged to think about how they are protecting the local watershed. Nearly 50 attendees heard from various experts and local farmers at the Sheboygan River Progressive Farmers annual meeting. Dr. Lee Briese, an independent crop consultant from central North Dakota, gave farmers ideas on how to help their plants and soils thrive.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online for the 2024 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its 10th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
  • Farm Journal’s Trust In Food is proud to announce Verdesian Life Sciences has joined America’s Conservation Ag Movement, one of the largest public-private partnerships solely dedicated to the acceleration of conservation agriculture.
  • A national survey has launched to gather insight from farmers who plant cover crops, as well as farmers who don’t. Farmers are encouraged to access the National Cover Crop Survey online. The anonymous survey typically takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
  • John Deere has introduced new G5 Universal displays, a new JDLink M modem and is also making the StarFire 7000 Universal receiver available all as aftermarket options. These offerings make it easy for farmers to upgrade equipment they already own or to replace dated components so they can take advantage of current and future technology.
  • John Deere has announced MY24 updates for its lineup of 7, 8 and 9 Series Tractors that will help prepare them for the future of precision agriculture. Key updates include the new StarFire 7000 integrated GPS position receiver and an all-new G5Plus CommandCenter Display. Both will be included as base equipment.
  • USDA’s Economic Research Service will host a webinar on the Precision Agriculture in the Digital Era: Recent Adoption on U.S. Farms report Thursday, March 9th at 1 p.m. ET. Digital agriculture may be a part of the solution to challenges facing U.S. agriculture, including rising production costs, climate change, and labor shortages, among others.
  • U.S. Custom Harvesters kicked off their 40th anniversary from February 2-4, 2023 at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska at their Annual Convention. This year saw a record-breaking attendance as 1,147 members and vendors gathered for the event.
  • The Global Ag Tech Awards of Excellence program sheds light on some of the most important people and programs that have helped agriculture realize the full benefits of technology to improve agronomy, efficiency, and stewardship in crop production. The nominations must be received by April 15, so please consider nominating a worthy individual or organization today.
  • The American Soybean Association congratulates the regional winners of the 2023 Conservation Legacy Award. They are: Terry & Lori Dabbs, Stuttgart, Arkansas (South Region); Tom Perlick, Washburn, Wisconsin (Upper Midwest Region); Michael Vittetoe, Washington, Iowa (Midwest Region); and Les Seiler, Fayette, Ohio (Northeast Region). The award winners will be recognized at the annual ASA Awards Celebration event during Commodity Classic on March 10, 2023. During the celebration, one of the regional winners will be announced as the national winner.
  • Take advantage now of the lowest price offered for the 2023 Water for Food Global Conference May 8-11 in Lincoln, Neb. Explore the theme of “Cultivating Innovation: Solutions for a Changing World” and focus on innovative ways to improve water and food security by increasing farmers’ resiliency to a changing landscape.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

HGS BioScience™ and Tiger-Sul® Partner for Soil Health

Cindy Zimmerman

HGS BioScience™, a leader in the manufacture of dry-delivery, functional carbon, and Tiger-Sul® Products LLC, leaders in sulphur bentonite and micronutrient-enhanced crop performance products, are debuting a new strategic partnership for high-value soil health and nutritional products at Commodity Classic this week.

The first product in their joint venture is Tiger® Humi[K]™ 4%, which combines functional carbon with sulphur bentonite, both companies’ flagship products, in one easy-to use formulation, expected to be commercially available this month.

“This is a classic example of the sum being greater than the parts, said Scott Messer, Vice President, HGS BioScience™. “We are always thinking about ways to get our Performance Technology™ to customers who want to get more out of each acre. The ability to get both these products at once with Tiger Humi[K] is just that solution.”

This combination delivers functional carbon technology which improves soil health, increases nutrient uptakes, and reduces plant stress. The sulphur bentonite increases plant nutrient-use-efficiency, improves soil health and is in high demand to promote higher yields.

HGS and Tiger-Sul have been in talks for months establishing the details of the strategic partnership. The two agree that this will go much further than this initial product, with talks already beginning for other product innovations and joint marketing efforts.

“Growers are always looking for ways to lower input costs, improve efficiency, and increase yields,” said Kit Rowe, Vice President – Sales and Marketing, Tiger-Sul. “We believe this new combination product hits all three marks with one convenient pastille. Growers can make fewer applications, and boost productivity.”

In this interview from Commodity Classic, HGS BioScience CEO Mike Steffeck talks about the new company name and focus, this new partnership, and future plans.
Classic 23 interview with HGS BioScience CEO Mike Steffeck (8:09)

Audio, Commodity Classic, Nutrient Management, Soil

Highlights from the National Ethanol Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association 2023 National Ethanol Conference last week in Orlando coincided with the release of EPA’s proposed rule to allow year round sales of E15 ethanol, making it a very timely event with attendance back to pre-pandemic levels.

This edition of the Ethanol Report podcast includes highlights from the NEC, including remarks from RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper; Ben Hengst, EPA Deputy Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality; Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds; Former Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL); RFA Director, Government Affairs Jared Mullendore; Dana Jackson, Partner with RSM US; Former RFA chair Randall Doyal; and current RFA chair Erik Huschitt, Badger State Ethanol.

Ethanol Report 3-6-22 20:18

Click here for more audio and photos from the National Ethanol Conference.

Audio, Ethanol, Podcasts, RFA

ZimmCast 707 – Ready for Spring

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

It is Commodity Classic week and I’ll be there in Orlando, FL. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of good content for a future ZimmCast. You can count on that.

But I’m going to focus on a couple of different conferences in this episode. First I’m going to share an interview Cindy did with Erik Huschitt, Badger State Ethanol, who is the Chair for the Renewable Fuels Association. This was during the National Ethanol Conference last week. We’ve been working on the annual conference since 2007. Besides Erik’s interview we have lots of content on our AgNewsWire.com virtual ag newsroom. It might be the most we’ve ever produced at this conference. In Cindy’s interview you’ll hear Erik talk about what a great conference it was this year.

Next I’m going to let you hear what Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse, says about the upcoming Agri-Pulse Ag and Food Policy Summit, which is will place in The National Press Club in Washington, DC.

With spring almost here it is time for National Ag Day with activities in Washington, DC the day following the Agri-Pulse event. National Agriculture Day is celebrating 50 years. Amy Bradford, GROWMARK, is chair of the event this year with is hosted by the Agriculture Council of America. Amy talks us through the planned activities.

I’ve put on some miles here in 2023 and there are plenty more to come. Besides the events in Washington, DC, it’s time to get registered for the 2023 Agri-Marketing Conference, April 26-28, in St. Louis. And it’s time to register for the Agriculture Relations Council Annual Meeting, June 13-15, in Des Moines, IA. Registration is open for the Agricultural Media Summit, July 29-Aug. 2, in Palm Springs, CA. And you can register for the IFAJ Congress which will take place June 27-July 3, in Olds, Alberta, Canada. That’s a lot but of course there is more being planned as we speak.

That’s the ZimmCast for now. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

Listen to the ZimmCast here:
ZimmCast 707 - Ready for Spring (17:15)

Want to sponsor the ZimmCast? Just let me know and we can talk through ideas for your company. I’m AgriBlogger on Twitter or just email me at chuck@zimmcomm.biz.

Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

Ag Day, Ag Economics, Agri-Pulse, Audio, Commodity Classic, RFA, ZimmCast

Phospholutions Launching RhizoSorb® at Classic

Cindy Zimmerman

This week at Commodity Classic, Phospholutions is announcing the launch of RhizoSorb®, a new phosphate fertilizer technology now available for use in U.S. crop production.

RhizoSorb® is a patented fertilizer additive with a novel mode of action for increasing efficiency of phosphorus fertilizers. Extensive university and multi-year field trials show how growers can achieve a 50% reduction in applied phosphorus on corn and soybeans without compromising yield, resulting in a direct savings on fertilizer costs.

RhizoSorb® technology, a patented blend of activated metal oxides, is embedded directly into fertilizer granules during production. The technology works by storing and releasing phosphate more efficiently in the soil to increase plant availability and uptake throughout the growing season. The novel release mechanism allows plants to drive the release of nutrients independent of environmental conditions, leading to higher nutrient use efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

“Since 2016 our world-class team of researchers and agronomists have worked to bring the technology first conceived at Penn State University to the global farming community. We are confident that our science-backed solution to improving the efficiency of phosphate fertilizers will not only benefit the environment, but the farmer’s bottom line too.” said Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Hunter Swisher.

To support the growth into the US row crop market, Craig Dick has joined the Phospholutions Inc. team as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, bringing more than 25 years of experience in launching new novel crop nutrition solutions. “The number one comment we hear from agronomists is that we cannot afford to manage phosphates the way it has always been done,” said Dick. “The need for phosphate efficiency, alongside better grower profitability and a decrease in environmental impact, is driving a strong demand for RhizoSorb®.”

Interview with Phospholutions Founder and CEO Hunter Swisher from Commodity Classic.
Classic 23 interview with Hunter Swisher, Phospholutions (8:25)

Agronomy, AgWired Precision, Audio, Fertilizer, Nutrient Management, Precision Agriculture

Registration Now Open for 2023 Ag Media Summit

Cindy Zimmerman

The 2023 Agricultural Media Summit (AMS) will be held July 29 through August 2 in Palm Springs, California and registration is now open. AMS is the annual joint meeting of the Agricultural Communicators Network, the Livestock Publications Council and the Connectiv AgriMedia Committee. It is the largest annual conference of agricultural communicators in the US and provides opportunities for networking and professional development through workshops and speakers from industry professionals.

The summit is scheduled to kick off in Palm Springs with an address from Secretary of the California Dept of Food and Agriculture and Nebraska farm kid Karen Ross. The keynote speaker this year is Matt Booth, who encourages us to live an incredible life by having a great attitude, communicating effectively, taking care of ourselves and having a plan. Booth is also on tap to lead two breakout sessions at the summit.

Among the sessions already confirmed:
What’s in My Bag by Jamie Cole, who takes us inside a video storyteller’s bag to get the right video, no matter what the assignment is and where it is.
Difficult On-Farm Photo Situations and How to Overcome Them by Kate Baer
Images @ Work in Social Media by Morgan Boecker, who shares what types of images and graphics work across different platforms.
Making PR Lemonade Out of Lemons — Hear from PR pros about their careers’ past challenges and how they overcame them.
How Companies Can Inflation-Proof Their Marketing Budgets — Hear real-life examples from Dan Mandle on how to analyze the impact media and marketing spend has, and overcome pitfalls of Google analytics.

Find all the information at AgMediaSummit.com and register before July 6 for early bird prices.

Ag Media Summit