DWFI Podcast 21 – Peter McCornick, New Year at Water for Food

Cindy Zimmerman

In this episode of the Water for Food Podcast, DWFI Communications Specialist Arianna Elnes discusses exciting projects coming out of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) and what lies ahead in the upcoming year with Executive Director, Dr. Peter McCornick.

McCornick leads the institute in delivering on its vision of a water and food secure world, building its partnerships and collaborations in Nebraska, nationally in the US, and other key food producing regions in the world. He is a tenured professor in the Department of Biosystems Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the Robert B. Daugherty Chair of Water for Food.

McCornick was recently re-elected to the Board of Governors of the World Water Council; and is a member of the steering committee of the Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG) initiative, a global partnership organized by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN (FAO). Prior to joining DWFI, Peter was the deputy director general of research at the International Water Management Institute. With an international career focused on improving the sustainable management of water resources, he has led inter-disciplinary research and development programs on water, agriculture and the environment in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Canada and the U.S.

View DWFI’s 2021-2022 Annual Report: https://go.unl.edu/annualreport
Watch Peter McCornick’s end-of-the-year video: https://go.unl.edu/2022year

Listen here or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:
DWFI Podcast 21 - Dr. Peter McCornick, DWFI 34:54

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.

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Audio, Podcasts, Water, Water for Food

Cotton Pesticides and the Endangered Species Act

Cindy Zimmerman

L-R: Leah Duzy and Ashlea Frank, CSI; Jack Royal, Royal’s Ag Consulting Company; Rogers Leonard, Integrated Crop Consulting

The future of pesticides under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was a topic for a panel at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences Consultants Conference this week in New Orleans.

The panel was composed of Leah Duzy and Ashlea Frank, Compliance Services International (CSI); Jack Royal, Royal’s Ag Consulting Company, Leary GA; and Rogers Leonard, Integrated Crop Consulting, St. Josesph, LA.

“EPA must comply with the Endangered Species Act,” explained Duzy. “Any products currently registered have to go through registration review every 15 years and have to meet their ESA obligation.”

EPA now has a work plan which was updated in November which outlines strategies and actions for EPA to meet that ESA obligation. “Because of this work plan there are going to be changes to labels with Endangered Species specific information,” said Frank. That includes a directive to check an EPA website which contains species and geographically specific mitigations.

According to Frank, number of endangered species varies around the country, but virtually every county has at least one and the total nationwide is around 1700.

Listen to the panel conversation and an interview with Duzy and Frank below.

2023 Beltwide Cotton Pesticides and Endangered Species Act panel 44:59

2023 Beltwide Cotton interview Leah Duzy and Ashlea Frank, CSI 7:54

2023 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album
Beltwide Cotton Conferences Virtual Newsroom

Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton, EPA, pesticides

Precision Ag News 1/11

Carrie Muehling

  • Deere & Company has released the names of eight companies chosen for its 2023 Startup Collaborator program. The Startup Collaborator was launched in 2019 and helps John Deere enhance precision technology in its agriculture and construction equipment.
  • At the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced several major developments at the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will benefit farmers, ranchers and producers across the nation. Secretary Vilsack announced that USDA continues to make progress by assisting producers facing high input costs to access domestic, innovative fertilizer capacity; improving risk protection for underserved producers; investing in new choices and meat processing capacity for livestock producers; and providing relief for producers impacted by disaster and the pandemic.
  • Soiltech Wireless, the leader in remote crop monitoring and traceability, announced the appointment of Shane Thomas to its board of directors.
  • Deere & Company is adding to its lineup of balers with the introduction of the new L341R High-Density Large Square Baler. The new baler creates 3×4 high-density bales. For straw bales, farmers can expect bale weight increases of up to 30% when using the new baler.
  • Premium denim label Citizens of Humanity Group announced a long-term partnership with regenerative agriculture leader Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA) and regenerative advocacy group Kiss the Ground Foundation (an inspiration for the highly-acclaimed Kiss the Ground Film, available on Netflix) to work with farmers to grow cotton regeneratively. The Citizens of Humanity Group and its family of brands, Citizens of Humanity, AGOLDE, and GOLDSIGN will launch Kiss the Ground Cotton as part of their Fall 2023 Collections and beyond to supply regeneratively grown cotton that consumers can believe in.
  • As the official agricultural seed of John Force Racing (JFR) for the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, NK Seeds was literally on the fast track last year. More importantly, NK Seeds helped farmers race toward their own yield and profit potential by offering the newest standouts and tried-and-true favorites.
  • Another leading agronomic professional has joined Meristem Crop Performance, one of the fastest-growing crop input suppliers in America. Eli Swenson becomes a Meristem sales representative in North Dakota and the Red River Valley. Swenson has great experience in helping growers boost their profitability with the right products and practices.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

US Cotton Trust Protocol Update

Cindy Zimmerman

The 2023 Beltwide Cotton Conferences kicked off in New Orleans Tuesday with the consultants conference and an update on the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol from president Gary Adams.

Launched in 2020, the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is a farm level, science-based program designed to set a new standard in more sustainably grown cotton. Adams says membership in the program grew from about 600 growers in 2021 to between 800 and 900 in 2022 and increased substantially across the value chain as well. “We enroll mills and manufacturers…and now that’s about 1100 companies from over 30 countries that have joined,” said Adams. “And then those end use customers and we have approximately 30 major brands and retailers, such as Gap and Levi’s.”

Adams notes that the Cotton Trust Protocol was the recipient of a USDA Climate Smart project grant that will be undertaken in 2023. “The objective is to enroll 1,650 U.S. cotton farmers into the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol,” said Adams, who is also president and CEO of National Cotton Council.

Listen to Adams’ remarks at the Beltwide and a summary interview below:
2023 Beltwide Cotton - U.S. Cotton Protocol Update 25:34

2023 Beltwide Cotton - interview with Gary Adams, NCC/US Cotton Protocol 7:17

Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton

Agri-Pulse Webinar – Farming in an Integrated World

Cindy Zimmerman

An upcoming Agri-Pulse webinar will address “Farming in an Integrated World,” how disparate global crop protection standards disrupt trade, exacerbate food insecurity and restrict farmers’ ability to grow and export safe, high-quality food.

“U.S. farmers and ranchers have long been some of the most productive and efficient in the world but they need access to safe, modern farming tools in order to be competitive,” said Agri-Pulse Editor Sara Wyant. “This webinar will provide an update on current regulatory challenges that are impacting ag exports around the world.”

Speakers include:
• Sabina Neumann, senior trade advisor, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service;
• Paula de Vera, senior policy advisor, Copa-Cogeca in Europe;
• Luis Osorio, executive director, PROCCYT in Mexico; and
• Ted McKinney, CEO, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

The webinar will also feature the voice of an American farmer, Jason Sandahl, sharing his perspective on the impact that varied crop protection standards have on their ability to grow and trade. Agri-Pulse Editor Sara Wyant will serve as moderator.

The free webinar takes place January 19 at 1 p.m. ET and is sponsored by the Crop Protection Action Coalition for Trade (CPACT).

Register here.

Agri-Pulse, Agribusiness, Exports, Trade

Animal Ag News 1/9

Carrie Muehling

  • EmGenisys, Inc., an animal health technology company on the path to revolutionize the bovine embryo industry, was one of the ten semi-finalists competing in the 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation Ag Innovation Challenge this week in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
  • Under the theme of “The Bison Benefit – Good for US, Good for our Planet”, preparations are in full swing to welcome roughly 400 North American bison ranchers, processors and marketers who will convene at the Westin Westminster Hotel January 18-21. This is the annual meeting of the industry’s largest bison organization, the National Bison Association (NBA).
  • From National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Jim Mulhern: “NMPF is disappointed that once again dairy farmers, who every day strive to be leaders in environmental stewardship, may need to live under a WOTUS rule that is cumbersome, unclear and overly complicated. Because the EPA’s most recent iteration fails to resolve what is now a 50-year struggle to define what constitutes a water body subject to federal regulation under the Clean Water Act, our members will face continued uncertainty as they attempt to comprehend and comply with unclear regulations.” Read the full statement here.
  • Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW), is featured in BizTimes Media’s “The Wisconsin 275” highlighting Wisconsin’s Most Influential Business Leaders of 2022.
  • Individuals 8-21 years of age are invited to compete in the Larry Higgins Bison Junior Judging Contest on Friday, January 20th at 9 a.m. in the Yards at the National Western Stock Show. This event is hosted by the National Bison Association and the Rocky Mountain Bison Association and held in conjunction with the Gold Trophy Show and Sale (GTSS) during the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado.
  • U.S. beef exports to East Asia in 2022 are again on record pace after a record year in 2021. Despite economic uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, continued global supply chain challenges, and a competitive global beef market, U.S. beef exports to East Asia, both in value and volume, were outstanding in the first half of 2022. East Asia’s relatively robust middle class has supported the demand for high-quality beef, and a developed e-commerce retail sector has provided flexible avenues for suppliers to promote beef products during the pandemic.
  • The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced that registration is now open for the 2023 Stakeholders Summit, themed “Partners in Progress: Building a Sustainable Future for Animal Ag.” The event is set for May 4-5 in Arlington, Va. An outline of the Summit agenda has been posted on the event website and the full speaker lineup will be announced soon. To register, visit bit.ly/AAA23Summit. Early registration discounts are available through March 10. Discounted hotel rooms are available to attendees through April 11 at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View hotel.
  • With over twelve million dollars raised for livestock operations, Harvest Returns continues to successfully raise capital in this agricultural sector. The crowdfunding platform recently assisted American Beef Ranch (ABR) in completing a $470,000 raise.
  • Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA), the largest and oldest livestock association based in Texas, announced the opening of registration for the 2023 Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo. The annual event, which will be held March 24-26 in downtown Fort Worth, is the largest gathering of livestock producers in the Southwest, drawing more than 3,500 landowners together.
  • The nation’s premier bison show and sale will culminate with a live animal auction at the National Western Livestock Auction Arena starting at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 21 at the National Bison Association’s Gold Trophy Show and Sale (GTSS).
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Field Notes from Koch Agronomic Services – Episode 25

Chuck Zimmerman

The Field Notes podcast series from Koch Agronomic Services breaks down the science and technology behind agronomy to help growers do more with less.

Success is in the Science – How CENTURO Protects your Nitrogen

In this episode, our experts go through the science behind the KAS nitrification inhibitor, CENTURO. They explain the truth of how the field-proven, EPA-registered formula works with anhydrous ammonia and UAN to help protect growers’ nitrogen investments. Lacie Thomas, technical agronomist for KAS, and Stacey Wertz, KAS senior research chemist, also discuss how Pronitridine, the active ingredient in CENTURO, offers highly effective below-ground protection against leaching and denitrification for fall- and spring-applied nitrogen.

You can listen to the program here: Success is in the Science – How CENTURO Protects your Nitrogen (14:31)

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Agribusiness, Audio, Fertilizer, Koch Agronomic Services, Podcasts, Soil

USDA Announces Value Added Producer Grants

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Thursday announced the awarding of $9.6 million across the country and taking several other steps to help farmers, ranchers, processors and rural businesses diversify the nation’s meat supply.

The Department is awarding 23 Value Added Producer Grant program grants totaling $3.9 million to help producer-owned companies process and market new products. USDA is also providing guarantees for a total of $5.7 million in loans to two companies through the Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program using American Rescue Plan funding. This program supports new investments in infrastructure for food aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesaling and distribution. Through these two programs, USDA is investing in 25 projects in California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

In his first call with reporters for 2023, Vilsack answered questions on a few other topics, including the announcement that Senate Agriculture Committee chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) will not seek re-election in two years, getting a new farm bill done, the current status of Mexico’s plan to ban GMO corn, and whether Congress should re-introduce cattle marketing legislation this year. Listen to the call below.

USDA press call 1-5-23 (28:37)

Audio, Beef, Livestock, Meat, USDA

Deere Introduces New Planting Tech at CES 2023

Cindy Zimmerman

The massive CES 2023 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas kicked off this week with a keynote address by John Deere featuring Chairman and CEO John May and new product announcements.

This is the first time in CES history that an agriculture technology company was featured as a keynote at the show. John Deere first debuted at CES 2019 and has been exhibiting each year since, highlighting the importance of innovation in agriculture. “I know some of you are wondering, why should you care about farmers when they represent less than two percent of the U.S. population,” said May. “It’s farmers from across the world who undertake the enormous task of growing the food, fuel and fiber we all need.”

Deanna Kovar, Deere Vice President of Production and Precision Ag Production Systems, had the pleasure of introducing a new planting technology called ExactShot, which allows farmers to reduce the amount of starter fertilizer needed during planting by more than 60 percent. “The technology uses sensors and robotics to place starter fertilizer precisely onto seeds as they are planted in the soil, rather than applying a continuous flow of fertilizer to the entire row of seeds,” said Kovar.

Last year at CES, Deere introduced a fully autonomous tractor ready for large-scale production. While attendance at the huge event was down last year post-COVID, CES 2023 is expected to have as many as 100,000 attendees this year.

Listen to May and Kovar’s remarks this morning at CES 2023 below and you can watch the livestreamed video here.

CES 2023 John Deere keynote (30:38)

Audio, Equipment, John Deere, Planting, Technology

2022 was a Very Good Year for Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

For the first time in several years the good news outweighed the bad for the ethanol industry in 2022.

In this edition of the Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper takes a look at the year in review for the industry and takes a peek at what 2023 may have in store.

Ethanol Report 12-19-22 22:42

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.

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Audio, Ethanol, Podcasts, RFA