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

    MyLand and Texas A&M AgriLife Offer Soil Health Courses

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Soil health innovation leader MyLand is launching a new Educational Hub in collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife Research, featuring six online courses designed to educate individuals on the importance of soil health.

    The Educational Hub will offer courses that address critical soil health topics, including:
    1. Introduction to Soil Health
    2. Chemical Traits of Soil
    3. Physical Traits of Soil
    3. Biological Traits of Soil
    4. Saline and Sodic Soils
    5. Soil Testing

    The first course, “Introduction to Soil Health,” is now available with the remaining courses to follow. Each course will be open to anyone with an interest in learning about optimal soil health — from growers and ranchers to educators and environmental advocates.

    The collaboration between MyLand and Texas A&M AgriLife Research is aimed at advancing agriculture and addressing global challenges. This statewide initiative focuses on soil health across 12,000 acres of commercial farmland, covering over 20 unique crops. By researching MyLand’s impact on water availability, salinity, nutrient use efficiency, and carbon cycling, the partnership seeks to improve both the quality of life and economic returns for farmers and communities.

    For more information about the Educational Hub and to enroll, visit Course 1: Introduction to Soil Health.

    AgWired Precision, land, Soil

    DWFI Podcast 40 – Irrigation’s Role in Agricultural Productivity

    Cindy Zimmerman

    In the 40th episode of the Water for Food Podcast, Daugherty Water for Food Institute (DWFI) Director of Communications and Public Relations Frances Hayes sits down with Darren Siekman at the Valmont Industries headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. Darren is the Vice President of Policy and Industry Strategy at Valley Agriculture, a Valmont Company. The two discuss Valmont’s history and global presence and the importance of center pivot irrigation in agricultural productivity, as well as current challenges and future innovations in achieving global water and food security.

    Listen here or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:
    DWFI podcast episode 40 29:09

    The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska was founded with the mission to have a lasting and significant impact on achieving more food security with less pressure on scarce water resources by conducting scientific and policy research, using the research results to inform policy makers, and sharing knowledge through education and communication.

    How to subscribe:

    Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Farming, Food, Irrigation, Water, Water for Food

    Agrauxine by Lesaffre Announces New Microbial Bio-nematicide

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Agrauxine by Lesaffre announces the launch of its new bio-nematicide Atroforce to the marketplace for use on soybeans, corn, cotton and potatoes as well as other cereal grains, brassicas, cucurbits and fiber type plants.

    Atroforce is a broad spectrum bio-nematicide that reduces damage caused by nematodes including lesion, dagger, root know, reniform, spiral, lance and soybean cyst and minimizes egg laying reducing populations in the field. The Trichoderma fungi grow into and with the plant roots as they develop and induce systemic changes in plant physiology. The active ingredient in Atroforce is Trichoderma atroviride strain K5 and it can be applied as a seed treatment as well as in-furrow, drip or sub irrigation.

    Atroforce is registered with the EPA as both a bio-nematicide and bio-fungicide and launch is expected in this first quarter of 2025.

    Biologicals, Corn, Crop Protection, Fungicide

    Animal Ag News 1/7

    Carrie Muehling

  • The 2025 International Livestock Congress will be held March 4-5, 2025, in Houston, Texas, during the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. This year’s topic will be “Effectively Communicating Sound Science and the Value of Animal Agriculture to Society.” The ILC provides a unique opportunity through the International Stockmen’s Educational Foundation’s Student Travel Fellowship Program. This program introduces attendees to a group of outstanding students from international and domestic agriculture colleges and universities.
  • The American Feed Industry Association is pleased to see the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) establish a new framework for the review of animal food ingredients under the Animal Food Ingredient Consultation (AFIC) program through the issuance of Guidance for Industry (GFI) 294. The FDA’s action marks a major shift for the regulation of animal food, providing animal food innovators an alternative pathway to the recently ended process facilitated in coordination with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
  • Due to the National Day of Mourning for President James Earl Carter, Jr., USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has rescheduled the Weekly Slaughter data release from Jan. 9 to Jan. 10 at 3 p.m. ET. Other reports scheduled for release on Jan. 10 such as Crop Production and Grain Stocks reports will be published as scheduled.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) congratulated Speaker Mike Johnson (LA) for his successful reelection campaign as Speaker of the House for the 119th Congress: “Congratulations to Speaker Johnson on successfully navigating a narrow margin and being elected as Speaker of the House by his peers once again. Speaker Johnson has always been a strong supporter of U.S. cattle producers, and we look forward to continuing to work with him in the new Congress,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “There is a lot of work that needs to get done this year, including extending the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passing a long-term Farm Bill, and providing regulatory relief to producers that have been squeezed by government overreach over the past four years. We are confident Speaker Johnson is the leader to get these policy priorities across the finish line.”
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, announces the release of the updated Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) National Manual, which serves as a resource for science-based cattle production information. The manual is available for free at www.bqa.org/resources/manuals.
  • The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) commended President Biden for signing into law the Beagle Brigade Act, which provides statutory authority and reliable funding to the National Detector Dog Training Center. NPPC led a coalition of 50+ groups in pressing Congress to pass this bipartisan legislation
  • The poultry industry consistently invests in research to enhance its understanding and expertise in avian care, while exploring methods and techniques to boost its overall success. These advancements and related subjects will be highlighted at the International Poultry Scientific Forum (IPSF), held in conjunction with the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Industry Ag News 1/3

    Carrie Muehling

  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is making domestic fertilizer production investments in nine states to increase competition, lower fertilizer costs for American farmers and lower food costs for U.S. consumers.
  • Farm Bureau farmer and rancher members play an important role in our communities and our organization by serving on governing boards and committees at local, state and national levels. Several newly appointed volunteers will provide leadership beginning in 2025 as members of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Promotion & Education and Young Farmers & Ranchers committees.
  • Total sales of aquaculture products in 2023 were $1.9 billion, an increase of 26 percent from 2018, according to the 2023 Census of Aquaculture released by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. In 2023, there were 3,453 aquaculture farms with sales in the United States, up 18 percent from 2018. Five states – Mississippi, Washington, Louisiana, Florida and Alabama – accounted for 55 percent of aquaculture sales and 49 percent of aquaculture farms in 2023. Food fish and mollusks were the largest product categories for sales, with catfish and oysters the top species.
  • The House Republican Steering Committee has selected the Republican members who will serve on the House Committee on Agriculture for the 119th Congress. The House Steering Committee is responsible for recommending Members to serve on standing Committees in the House of Representatives. The recommendations are subject to approval by the House Republican Conference.
  • The American Royal Association has received a grant for $20,000 from Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer in the U.S. The grant will be used to support the American Royal K-12 agricultural education programming in 2025.
  • A Michigan State University agricultural economist has been awarded a $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) to evaluate labor challenges affecting the U.S. food supply chain and identify potential policy options to alleviate them. Zach Rutledge, an assistant professor in the MSU Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, has studied issues relating to labor scarcity in the agricultural sector over the past several years.
  • Learn about the latest in agronomic practices, market outlooks and regulatory updates at Soybean Summit 2025. Take advantage of this expanded, two-day event in person for actionable and practical production insights that will help maximize your return on investment, introduce you to global and domestic market opportunities, and engage your input on sound policies designed to protect your freedom to farm.
  • Producers can improve the bottom-line of their farming operation with knowledge, connections and information gained at the 48th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference, held at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center, Jan. 16, 2025. The show ­hours will be 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Peanut farmers and those involved in the peanut industry will be able to learn more about the latest products, services and peanut research at the show, which is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    ZimmCast 739 – Happy New Year ZimmCast

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

    Welcome to another year of agriblogging and farm podcasting. It’s hard to believe that we’re coming close to 21 years since we started ZimmComm in 2004. Cindy and I have worked together in the ag marcom field for about 21 years before that. Now we’re doing some thinking and planning for 2025. I sense that this year will be a big one for us

    We’ve already got plans made for the same conferences during the upcoming months. We traveled to work at 20 different events last year. So, we’ll see how things go as time moves on.

    We started taking photos at events 20 years ago when Flickr started. Since then we’ve uploaded 222,000 photos and they have collectively received 38 million views. In 2024 we uploaded 6,611 photos from the events and they have been viewed 1.1 million views.

    On the audio side of things we started using Libsyn as our audio/podcast server platform in 2017. In that time, and just looking at our ZimmComm Golden Mic Audio podcast, we’ve received 2.8 million downloads of those files, with 137,000 in 2024.

    Our AgNewsWire service had a banner year in 2024 with the distribution of over 80 news releases for our clients. And speaking of news releases we’re offering a 2025 discount for existing or new customers. If you sign up for an advance purchase of 4 news releases you will receive a 10 Percent discount. Regular price is $525 but your discounted price will be $472.50/each! Feel free to contact me about how AgNewsWire works and we’ll help you reach our comprehensive list of ag media.

    AgWired and Energy.AgWired have also really kept us busy. Besides Cindy and me we’ve had 40 editors work for us and that includes interns, many of who are in high level jobs in ag media and agencies, and freelancers who have started their own companies. We can’t say how thankful and proud for all of them

    So, that’s what’s on our minds as we contemplate the how/when/what and why of another year on the agriblogging highway.

    Listen to the episode here:
    ZimmCast 739 - Happy New Year ZimmCast (15:49)

    That’s the ZimmCast for now. Please let us know if you have ideas for a future podcast. Just email Chuck at chuck@zimmcomm.biz.

    We hope you enjoyed it and thank you for listening.

    Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

    Audio, ZimmCast, ZimmComm Announcement

    Year End Ethanol Report

    Cindy Zimmerman

    2024 was a very good year for the ethanol industry, but the battle for year-round, nationwide E15 will once again continue on into the new year.

    In this edition of the Ethanol Report podcast, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper comments on some of the top ethanol stories of the year, including the continuing roller coaster ride for E15, fighting the EPA’s tailpipe emissions standards, working to get ethanol off the ground in sustainable aviation fuel, and expected record production and exports.

    Ethanol Report 12-30-24 38:30

    The Ethanol Report is a podcast about the latest news and information in the ethanol industry that has been sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association since 2008.

    Choose an option to subscribe

    Audio, Ethanol, RFA

    Animal Ag News 12/30

    Carrie Muehling

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the second round of states coming on board as part of its National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) that was launched Dec. 6.
  • As part of its ongoing efforts to stop the further spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and give farmers tools to help combat the disease, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing an interim final rule that updates the conditions for poultry facilities to receive indemnity and compensation after testing positive for HPAI. Based on evidence that strong biosecurity measures remain the most effective strategy to combat HPAI, APHIS will now require that farmers undergo a biosecurity audit before restocking their poultry after an HPAI detection, and before receiving future indemnity payments.
  • The National Turkey Federation (NTF) issued the following statement on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s authorization of importation of modified live avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) vaccine: “The National Turkey Federation welcomes the USDA’s approval of importation of a commercial modified live avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) vaccine, a massive advancement in protecting U.S. turkey flocks against aMPV. This development underscores our industry’s commitment to ensuring the health and productivity of our nation’s commercial turkey population. We encourage the USDA to continue its work to ensure additional importation and development of aMPV vaccines.”
  • The U.S. Poultry & Egg Harold E. Ford Foundation (USPOULTRY Foundation) in partnership with the Poultry Science Association Foundation (PSA Foundation) are pleased to announce the Ph.D. and Vet Student Career Fair which will be held during the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), scheduled for Jan. 28 – 30, 2025, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga. The Career Fair will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 8 – 11:30 a.m. in Room B-402 in unison with the International Poultry Scientific Forum (IPSF). This distinctive program is tailored to better support U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) member companies and allied suppliers, focusing on technology-driven sectors such as genetics, health, pharmaceuticals and nutrition. It specifically targets post-doctoral researchers, early-stage Ph.D. students and veterinary students.
  • The American Feed Industry Association’s (AFIA) free Feed Education Program will return to the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo, happening Jan. 28-30, in Atlanta, Ga. The AFIA Feed Education Program will be held on Jan. 29 from 8 – 10 a.m. ET in Room A412.
  • As of Dec. 1, there were 75.8 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up one percent from December 2023, but down slightly from Sept. 1, 2024, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
  • As global efforts to achieve a 30 per cent reduction in methane emissions by 2030 gain traction, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has launched a crucial guidebook to help developing countries incorporate agricultural methane reduction strategies into their climate plans. The guide will be presented during the high-level event “The NDC 3.0 Navigator: A Deeper Dive on Methane Reduction in Food Systems” at COP29 in Baku.
  • U.S. Congressman Mike Flood issued a statement following the release of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s Scientific Report. This report confirms previous reporting about new anti-meat dietary guidelines earlier this year. “The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee tries to claim they are promoting flexibility and individual choice, while they push plant-based proteins at the expense of red meat. This attempt to re-write your grocery list and push meat off the menu has nothing to do with a healthy diet and everything to do with appeasing radical environmental activists. For example, it takes three cups of quinoa to deliver the same amount of protein as only three ounces of beef. As the Beef State, Nebraska knows firsthand what kind of threat this poses. Reducing the role of meat in our diets is not only bad for consumer health but also undermines our country’s food security and way of life. I urge the incoming Trump administration to scrap these anti-meat recommendations from unelected bureaucrats and to return the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to a commonsense approach that supports our great American farmers and ranchers who grow the food that helps feed the world.”
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites