9th Annual Kansas City Ag Outlook Forum Announced

Cindy Zimmerman

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse Communications announce the 9th annual Ag Outlook Forum will be held on September 25 at the Downtown Marriott in Kansas City.

The session will feature three keynote presentations:
• Denver Caldwell, director of sales for the U.S. and Canada, John Deere
• Hans Kabat, president, Cargill Protein North America
• Ken Seitz, president, and CEO, Nutrien

USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer will lead-off a panel discussion looking at the ag economy. Panelists include:
• Arlan Suderman, chief commodities economist, StoneX
• Krista Swanson, lead economist, National Corn Growers Association
• Roland Fumasi, EVP & North American regional head, RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness
• Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse will serve as the panel moderator

The program will also feature a discussion of the 2023 farm bill prospects led by Missouri farmer Blake Hurst. Additional program speakers will be announced as they are confirmed.

Registration is available for both in-person and virtual participation.

Agri-Pulse, Agribusiness, Events

Animal Ag News 6/26

Carrie Muehling

  • A month after the Supreme Court upheld a California law that bans the sale of pork produced anywhere from breeding pigs held in small cages, the state announced a six month delay in implementation. Statement from National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) CEO Bryan Humphreys: “It is welcome news to America’s pig farmers and consumers that California recognized the challenging situation the July 1 Proposition 12 implementation date will have on our industry and food supply. Granting six months of additional relief for products in the supply chain allows grocery stores to remain stocked so the 40 million Californians have uninterrupted access to affordable, safe and nutritious pork products, especially with rising food prices…While this temporary solution does not solve the challenges and uncertainty California Proposition 12 brings to our industry, NPPC looks forward to working with Congress to find a permanent solution to this problem.”
  • GOOD Meat, the cultivated meat division of food technology company Eat Just, Inc., announced that it has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) its first poultry product, cultivated chicken, to enter interstate commerce. This landmark clearance means the firm’s chicken, which is made directly from animal cells, can now be sold to American consumers.
  • During the Heritage Fire Tour event in Minneapolis, Minn., the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, debuted the very first episode of the docuseries, “Cattle Calling.” Attendees will be among the first to experience this highly anticipated release that will provide consumers with an in-depth look at the cattle farming and ranching Industry.
  • Approximately every five years, the beef cattle industry undergoes a National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA), funded by the Beef Checkoff, to help determine quality conformance of the U.S. beef supply. Reports detailing 2022 NBQA results are now available at www.bqa.org. The Market Cows and Bulls and Fed Cattle reports outline where the beef supply chain is making positive changes as well as areas for improvement.
  • Ralco is excited to announce the addition of Taylor Husz as Associate Ruminant Nutritionist. Husz joins Ralco after receiving her bachelor’s degree in animal science and first master’s degree in animal science from Oklahoma State University, followed by her second master’s degree in animal science from West Texas A&M University.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    DWFI Podcast 25- Soumya Balasubramanya, The World Bank

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The 2023 Water for Food Global Conference was held May 8-11 at the University of Nebraska Lincoln and produced by the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska (DWFI). It was the first time the event has been held since 2019 and it was a huge success with more than 120 global speakers and 400 participants.

    For the next several Water for Food podcasts, we will be bringing you highlights from the conference, which had the theme “Cultivating Innovation: Solutions for a Changing World.” In this first episode, we hear from Soumya Balasubramanya, Senior Economist with The World Bank, who spoke at the conference about “Supporting entrepreneurship for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.”

    Listen here or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:
    DWFI Podcast 25 - Soumya Balasubramanya, The World Bank 23:26

    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:

    Audio, Food, International, Water, Water for Food

    Industry Ag News 6/23

    Carrie Muehling

  • The 2024 Commodity Classic trade show floor opened to new exhibitors today at 9:30 a.m. CT. Commodity Classic’s “New Frontiers in Agriculture” will be held February 28 through March 2, 2024, in Houston, Texas.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association welcomed its newest producer member, Aztalan Bio LLC, with operations based in Jefferson, Wisc. After completing significant technology upgrades, Aztalan Bio’s ethanol biorefinery is expected to begin production in October with an initial capacity of 110 million gallons per year.
  • Leading law firm Michael Best has joined the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association as a vendor member.
  • Congress can ensure more consumer choice in fuels and vehicles by taking greater advantage of low-cost, low-emissions biofuels like ethanol, a leader of the National Corn Growers Association told members of Congress.
  • The National Cotton Council announced training participants for this week’s Emerging Leaders Program in Memphis and St. Louis.
  • To support the next generation of agricultural professionals, National Farmers Union Foundation announced the 2023 recipients of its annual scholarship awards.
  • Controlling for Varroa mites, the parasitic mites that feed on honey bees and serve as vectors for viral diseases like deformed wing virus, can help with improving honeybee populations and make bees less susceptible to harmful insecticides, according to a recent study published in Environmental Pollution.
  • Alltech announced new leadership in the office of the president, the culture and talent team, and the marketing and communications team. Orla McAleer joins the culture and talent team as chief culture officer, while Susanna Elliott will lead the global marketing and communications team as chief marketing and communications officer, and Brian Lawless will lead the office of the president as chief of staff.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    ZimmCast 713 – The Work of AgGateway

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast. I’m Chuck Zimmerman.

    In this episode I am sharing a couple of interviews from the AgGateway Mid-Year Meeting.

    One of those is with Andres Ferrerya, Data Asset Manager for Syngenta Digital. The kind of work that he does and the work of AgGateway can get pretty technical but he describes it in a clear way to understand, in my opinion. Then you can hear Jeremy Wilson, AgGateway’s Executive VP/COO, as he talks about the various working groups in AgGateway and what they are doing.

    The work that AgGateway is doing is really vital for farmers, retailers and other companies that are seeking standards of various kinds to make the process of digital information quicker, simpler and more useful.

    Listen to the ZimmCast here:
    ZimmCast 713 - The Work of AgGateway (22:28)

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

    Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

    Ag Groups, AgGateway, Audio, Precision Agriculture, Technology, ZimmCast

    Precision Ag News 6/21

    Carrie Muehling

    • Bayer announced its Crop Science Division will capitalize on opportunities presented by the shift to regenerative agriculture to grow in adjacent markets in addition to its core business of seeds, traits, crop protection and digital. At its 2023 Innovation Summit, the company identified growth potential in segments like crop fertility, biologicals, biofuels, carbon farming, precision application services as well as digital platforms and marketplaces, all of which are serving the needs of agriculture.
    • Make-A-Wish Iowa welcomes Stine Seed Company as the premier partner for the new Harvesting Wishes Program. Together, Make-A-Wish and Stine will cultivate hope and resiliency for critically ill children in our communities through the program. Farmers and the agriculture industry will now have an entirely new way to impact local families waiting for their life-changing wish.
    • The American Farm Bureau Federation signed a memorandum of understanding with CLAAS of America, providing even more farmers and ranchers the right to repair their own farm equipment. The MOU follows similar agreements AFBF entered with John Deere, CNH Industrial Brands (which includes Case IH and New Holland), AGCO and Kubota. Combined, the five MOUs cover approximately three quarters of the agricultural machinery sold in the United States.
    AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Tech Hub LIVE Announces Keynote Presenter

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The Tech Hub LIVE Conference and Expo, taking place July 24-26th in Des Moines, Iowa, has announced Dr. Alyssa Whitcraft as the keynote presenter for this year’s event.

    Whitcraft is well-known in the field of agricultural technology, dedicating her career to harnessing the power of cutting-edge technologies to address the challenges faced by the agricultural industry and her work continues to be a driving force behind advancements in the industry. She is the Executive Director of NASA Acres and the immediate-past Deputy Director of NASA Harvest. NASA Acres, which officially launched in April 2023, is NASA’s latest investment in agriculture that builds on the successes of the NASA Harvest global consortium to advance solutions for agriculture in the U.S. Her talk, titled “From Space to Soil: How NASA Data and Tools are Supporting a Revolution in Ag Tech,” will delve into the groundbreaking research and applications that NASA Acres is spearheading to tackle the unique challenges faced by farmers and ag retailers today.

    Tech Hub LIVE, now in its third year, provides a platform for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and showcasing the latest advancements in ag tech. With a focus on digital farming, robotics, precision agriculture, and data analytics, Tech Hub LIVE attracts a diverse audience of ag retailers eager to explore emerging technologies and gain a competitive edge.

    Register today and secure your spot at the must-attend ag tech event of the year.

    AgWired Precision, Precision Agriculture, Tech Hub LIVE, Technology

    Animal Ag News 6/20

    Carrie Muehling

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it is implementing a multi-step effort aimed at strengthening the substantiation of animal-raising claims. This action builds on the significant work USDA has already undertaken to protect consumers from false and misleading labels and to implement President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American economy.
  • Farm Journal’s Trust In Food is proud to welcome Tyson Foods to Trust In Beef, a collaborative value chain program designed to help ranchers integrate climate-smart agriculture into their operations while sharing their learnings and success stories.
  • The second stop of the Alltech ONE World Tour was held in Dublin, Ireland June 19–20 with more than 500 international agri-food leaders to discuss collaborative solutions and strategies for success in today’s agriculture and agri-food industries.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Young Cattlemen’s Conference program concluded its successful relaunch after a three-year hiatus. This year’s class included 71 leaders from across the nation and every segment of the beef industry. After nine days of intensive leadership training and a five-city tour which showcased every facet of the beef industry, these leaders completed their trip with a full day of representation in Washington, D.C.
  • The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) named Megan Fulmer, director of import and export programs for Darling Ingredients Inc., as one of AFIA’s 2023 Member of the Year award recipients.
  • According to news reports, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) has decided to withdraw its membership from the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) over IDFA’s decision to proceed with its petition to modify the federal milk marketing order system. DFA said in a statement that the decision was made “following requests to return to a neutral policy position until a consensus position could be reached.” During an informational session, USDA shared that it is considering 38 proposals from 12 different organizations.
  • FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative applauds the introduction of the Dairy Farm Resiliency Act to make changes to the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program. This bipartisan supported bill would require USDA to update the production history calculation in the program every five years, and to be based on the producer’s highest production year out of the last three years. If included in the 2023 Farm Bill, this provision would update the production history to that of the highest production year of 2020, 2021, and 2022. The bill also increases the Tier 1 threshold from five million pounds to six million pounds.
  • The Public Lands Council launched a grassroots campaign regarding the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) proposed rule “Conservation and Landscape Health.” The proposed rule would create significant, concerning changes to the BLM’s authority to manage the nation’s public lands and would open the door to removing livestock grazing from the range.
  • In comments submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), R-CALF USA expressed general support of the agency’s proposal for new requirements for the voluntary “Product of USA” label but urged the USDA to take additional steps for mandatory reforms.
  • Ann Marie Magnochi, of Footville, Wisconsin, has been hired by Select Sires Inc. as a communications specialist. In this role, she will collaborate with team members and adjacent departments to create and implement digital communications highlighting Select Sires’ genetics, programs and services.
  • Norbrook has added Tauramox (moxidectin) Injectable Solution to its extensive portfolio of cattle health products available to North American producers and veterinarians. Tauramox is the first generic Cydectin (moxidectin) Injectable Solution available for the treatment of a broad range of internal and external parasites that impact the health and performance of beef and nonlactating dairy cattle (under 20 months of age).
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Second Alltech ONE World Tour Stop Wraps Up

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The second stop of the Alltech ONE World Tour (ONE) wrapped up today in Dublin, Ireland, after two days with more than 500 international agri-food leaders to discuss collaborative solutions and strategies for success in today’s agriculture and agri-food industries. The discussions fostered at ONE Dublin explore collaborative solutions to the greatest challenges facing the agri-food industry as it confronts the “4 Cs” — the major forces of climate, conflict, consumer trends and rising costs.

    Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, welcomed delegates to Dublin. “Agriculture can transform things in ways that other industries cannot and is at the interface of nourishing the present and preserving the future,” Lyons said. “Our belief is that agriculture has the greatest potential to positively influence the future of our planet, provide nutrition for all, help rural communities thrive and replenish our planet’s resources.”

    Following Dr. Lyons, Dr. Vaughn Holder, director of ruminant research at Alltech, and Nikki Putnam Badding, registered dietician and director of human nutrition initiatives at Alltech, to discuss agriculture’s role in saving the planet.

    ONE Dublin delegates also heard from industry experts on various topics, including consumer demands, succeeding through conflict, and demonstrating the relationship between agriculture and sustainability for the world, and were able to attend focus-track sessions on soil and crops, animals, and the business of food and farming.

    The Alltech ONE World Tour continues after ONE Dublin, with the next stop in Calgary, Canada, on July 3–4, following the upcoming IFAJ Congress next week. For more information and to register for an Alltech ONE World Tour stop, visit one.alltech.com.

    Agribusiness, AgWired Animal, Alltech, Animal Agriculture

    Agricultural Relations Council Golden ARC Awards

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Janice Pearson, Deron Johnson, and Lynn Henderson

    The Agricultural Relations Council met last week in Des Moines and (ARC) inducted two members into the Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame during the Golden ARC Awards Banquet.

    The new members are Janice Person, Grounded Communications CEO/founder and Deron Johnson, Curious Plot executive vice president, chief brand & culture officer. This award is given to agricultural public relations professionals who have made lifetime contributions to the industry. The Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame is sponsored by ARC and Agri Marketing magazine.

    Golden ARC Award winners

    The winners of the 2023 Golden ARC Awards contest were also presented last week, recognizing the stellar work created by public relations professionals in the agricultural industry this past year. OBP won the Golden ARC de Excellence Award for its “DEKALB Brand + Field Of Dreams” created for client Bayer DEKALB.

    This year’s Golden ARC Awards contest drew 75 entries from 26 organizations, including individuals, agencies, companies, commodity groups and ag associations/checkoffs. In addition to the Golden ARC de Excellence Award, ARC presented 27 Golden ARC awards. Multiple awards were received by Kansas Farm Bureau, Purina, Bayer, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, State Fair of Texas, OBP, Padilla, AdFarm, and Curious Plot.

    Others receiving Golden Arc awards were Agoro Carbon Alliance, AgBiome, Merck Animal Health, TELUS, American Royal Rodeo, FMC, United Soybean Board, EarthOptics, Cargill, Missouri Soybean Assn and Farm Credit East, Filament and Cultivate.

    Ag Groups, Agencies, Agribusiness, ARC, Public Relations