ZimmCast 708 – New at Commodity Classic

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

ZimmComm is celebrating 19 years in business this month. Our primary service at the time was AgNewsWire and sending news releases with pre-recorded audio to ag media representatives. Additionally, we had a number of projects of various sorts that included media buying for a local Sheriff’s race. But once AgWired, which started as my blog about agricultural marketing, took off, things really escalated. It has been a journey through new technology and eventually social media. So, onward to what’s next.

Getting back on track, the 2023 Commodity Classic was a record as far as attendees. Final numbers are still to be announced but were over 10,200 with more than a day to go. That alone was the highest number in Classic history.

Phospholutions Hunter SwisherIf you missed it you can find plenty of content in our virtual newsroom on AgNewsWire. Lots of photos and interviews and speaker audio like our Secretary of Ag Tom Vilsack.

I want to say a special thank you to Syngenta and Phospholutions for making my attendance possible. You can find out what’s new from these companies and more. And that’s my focus on this weeks episode.

First you’ll hear my conversation with Hunter Swisher, CEO/Founder, Phospholutions. This was the companies public announcement of their product RhizoSorb, an entirely new phosphate fertilizer technology. Hunter will explain.

Golden Harvest Morgan DuganMoving over to Syngenta, a key announcement was a new way to buy seed. They call it Seed Simplified and it is starting with their GHX by Golden Harvest brand to farmers in Iowa and Illinois. Golden Harvest’s Morgan Dugan explains it.

I’d also like to thank the Commodity Classic staff and communications folks from NCGA and ASA for another well run media center. It gives us plenty of room and a mostly quiet space to work with internet access and, very importantly, food!

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

Listen to the ZimmCast here:
ZimmCast 708 - New at Commodity Classic (16:20)

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.

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Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, Fertilizer, Seed, Soil, Syngenta, ZimmCast

Precision Ag News 3/15

Carrie Muehling

  • The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) presented the sixth-annual Davidson Prize to the top three innovative products, selected from the AE50 honorees on March 9 during Commodity Classic in Orlando, Fla. Winning entries included: Precision Planting for the Radicle Agronomics system, which focuses on saving time and eliminating error-prone processes in soil sampling and testing. The Radicle Agronomics system is designed for professional crop consultants and aims to make daily processes more efficient; RedSea for the Iyris Heat Blocking Greenhouse Roof, a controlled environment agriculture (CEA) solution; and TerraClear for the TC80 Rock Picker, one of the most versatile and efficient precision rock pickers available today.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Department received $3 billion in applications from more than 350 independent businesses from 47 states and 2 territories for the first two rounds of a new grant program to add innovative domestic fertilizer production capacity. The Biden-Harris Administration’s Fertilizer Production Expansion Program is part of a government-wide effort to promote competition in agricultural markets.
  • Syngenta Group announced the launch of “Shoots by Syngenta,” a global platform designed to help tackle agriculture’s most complex challenges, increase innovation, and advance more sustainable agriculture. Starting with science-based innovation challenges, the platform will connect scientific discovery and creativity, bringing together academics, research institutes, startups, and cross-industry sectors to collaborate with Syngenta’s global network of 5,000+ scientists.
  • CNH Industrial has purchased Augmenta to accelerate the growth of their innovative Sense & Act technology. Augmenta was a previous CNH Industrial Ventures investment and a strategic partner for CNH Industrial.
  • U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and John Thune (R-SD) introduced the Promoting Precision Agriculture Act. The bill would create a federal working group to establish interconnectivity standards to better communicate and share data. Precision agriculture includes the use of devices like robotics, sensors, monitors, drones, etc. to help growers increase efficiency, potentially increasing crop yields while reducing costs. Establishing interconnectivity standards will help promote the growth of the precision agriculture industry and make such tools easier for farmers to use and access.
  • The National Corn Growers Association, along with a broad coalition of national and state agriculture and bioscience organizations, sent a letter to President Biden to thank the administration for beginning technical consultations with Mexico concerning its action to ban imports of biotech corn. The letter calls for those consultations to start without delay.
  • Following a 2021 strategic partnership announcement with Microsoft, Bayer launched new cloud-based solutions for the agri-food industry: AgPowered Services from Bayer in combination with the new Microsoft Azure Data Manager for Agriculture provide ready-to-use capabilities available for businesses and organizations from start-ups to global enterprises to license and use for their own internal or customer-facing digital solutions.
  • Pegasus Robotic, Inc., a company focused on solutions for agriculture, and an exclusive XAG distributor, announced the launch of the XAG P100 Pro agriculture drone to the American market. Progressive growers, retailers, and service providers can now “go Pro” with the fastest high-capacity spraying and spreading drone to date, enabling them to cover more acres and achieve top-end yields for their crops this season.
  • Indigo Ag, the premier sustainability partner of the agriculture industry, announced FieldFlex, a comprehensive suite of sustainable agriculture programs, designed to give farmers the freedom and flexibility to choose how they make money from their sustainability practices for every field, every year of their rotation.
  • Long known for dependability and durability across a variety of operations, the Case IH Puma series lineup now includes the AFS Connect Puma tractor, as well as an addition to the short wheelbase Puma series tractor lineup: the Puma 175. Existing Puma 185, 200, 220, 240 tractors — as well as the all-new high-horsepower Puma 260 — now come equipped with more power options, a revamped operator environment and AFS Connect technology for unparalleled data management, tracking and sharing across a range of machines. Meanwhile, the Puma 175 offers greater horsepower to efficiently complete a variety of tasks across tough applications.
  • John Deere has introduced a new See & Spray Premium performance upgrade kit for John Deere self-propelled sprayers, the next addition in the See & Spray lineup. The kit uses a vision system powered by artificial intelligence that can help farmers gain cost efficiency and combat herbicide resistance with precise application by only spraying the weeds and not the entire field.
  • Tech Hub LIVE, the premier event advancing tech-enabled agriculture, is proud to announce Ever.Ag Agribusiness, Proagrica, and Greater Des Moines Partnership as Partners for the upcoming event taking place July 24-26, 2023 at the Iowa Events Center.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Rabobank Analyst Sees Potential in SAF

Cindy Zimmerman

The sky seems to be the limit for the future of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and can be a real opportunity for farmers, according to RaboResearch Senior Grains & Oilseeds Analyst Owen Wagner.

Wagner was at Commodity Classic last week talking about how sustainable aviation fuel fits into the landscape for commodity demand. “This (SAF) is not just for vegetable oils,” said Wagner. “We’re also seeing new facilities going up that are going to be using corn or cellulosic materials as feedstock.”

Wagner says the policy to promote SAF is moving rapidly with tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act and even state incentives like one recently brought forth in Illinois. “That’s a really phenomenal way to get this product off the ground,” he said – no pun intended. Listen to a recent Rabobank podcast with Wagner on the topic.

Learn more in this interview from Commodity Classic.
Classic 23 interview with Owen Wagner, Rabobank (6:08)

2023 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Commodity Classic, Corn, Ethanol, Soybean

What’s New With Syngenta?

Cindy Zimmerman

Syngenta had a lot to talk about at the Commodity Classic last week in Orlando.

Paul Minehart, who has been Syngenta Head Crop Protection Communications North America since 2009, told us he will be retiring soon. But first, he moderated the Syngenta crop protection and seeds press conference at Classic, which started off with the big coming-soon announcement about Storen corn herbicide, expected for next year. Mark Kitt, Technical Product Lead for Corn Herbicides, provided an overview of Storen.

Jonathan Furasek, Product Lead for Soybean Herbicides, talked about the success of Tendovo soybean herbicide from Syngenta during its first season of use last year.

Steven Wall, Development Manager for Sustainability gave an update on Syngenta’s Cropwise app which helps farmers along their journey to improve sustainable operations.

Syngenta’s Head of Federal Government Affairs and Industry Relations Mary Kay Thatcher discussed the Endangered Species Act.

Jason Sparks, Global Seeds Communications Lead, introduced Paul Morano, Head of Cereals at Syngenta-AgriPro
and Jon Rich, Hybrid wheat Operations Head Syngenta-Agripro, to talk about hybrid wheat.

Listen to it all here:
Classic 23 Syngenta press conference (28:00)

AgWired Precision, Audio, Commodity Classic, Syngenta

NK Seeds Taking Aim at Tar Spot

Cindy Zimmerman

Tar Spot cost U.S. farmers more than 231 million bushels of corn in 2021, according to the Crop Protection Network, and last year there were outbreaks reported in eight states. NK Seeds has compiled products, tools and agronomic tips to help farmers know how to recognize and manage Tar Spot to prevent it from having a significant impact on their 2023 yields.

At Commodity Classic last week, NK Seeds Corn Product Manager Matt Dolch said because Tar Spot is a relatively new disease, there’s still a knowledge gap around its management practices but planting hybrids with resistance to Tar Spot can delay disease development and minimize yield loss. “NK genetics have been proven to be resistant to common diseases, including Tar Spot — that makes our hybrids an essential tool for keeping Tar Spot in check in susceptible fields,” said Dolch.

Learn more in this interview with Dolch.
Classic 23 interview with Matt Dolch, NK Seeds (3:25)

2023 Commodity Classic Photo Album

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

Secretary Vilsack Makes 10th Appearance at Classic

Cindy Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressed the Commodity Classic for the 10th time last week, counting the virtual event in 2021.

Vilsack took the opportunity to sign memorandums for two of USDA’s new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities programs – Farmers for Soil Health (FSH) and the Midwest Climate Smart Commodities Project.

“It is the beginning of a process of a number of projects that are going to transform how we farm, where we farm, what we do to sustainably produce crops,” said Vilsack.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addresses Commodity Classic
Classic 23 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack address (28:49)

Secretary Vilsack and USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie joined the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and farmer-leaders with Farmers for Soil Health (FSH) to sign a $95 million USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant, officially launching the Farmers for Soil Health initiative.
Classic 23 Agriculture Secy Vilsack - Farmers for Soil Health MOU (3:28)

Vilsack also joined the Iowa Soybean Association to sign the Midwest Climate Smart Commodities Project, which also includes other partners such as PepsiCo, Cargill, Renewable Energy Group, Ingredion, Target, JBS, Coca-Cola, Mano y Ola, FarmRaise, Rural Community Assistance Partnership.
Classic 23 Secy Vilsack - Midwest Climate Smart Commodities MOU (2:58)

2023 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Ag Groups, AgWired Precision, Audio, Commodity Classic, USDA

One Week Until Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit

Cindy Zimmerman

Among the top names confirmed for the highly-anticipated annual 2023 Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit are House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson and Ranking Member David Scott.

The “must-attend” policy event of the year will explore the topc “Next-gen farm and food policy” on March 20 starting at 8:00 am going all day long with lunch and a concluding reception to wrap it up.

“This is a great opportunity to listen and learn about farm and food policy issues from some of the brightest minds in our industry,” said Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse editor and founder. “The event is especially timely as lawmakers ramp up their efforts to write a new farm bill.”

The summit will focus on the forward-looking ideas under development that will drive policy discussions for not only this year, but the decades ahead. We’ll visit with some of the diverse players who are trying to influence legislation and investment decisions. Plus, we will delve into the availability and sustainability of crucial resources like land, water and crop protection chemicals. View this year’s agenda here.

If you can’t make it in person to the National Press Club in Washington DC, there’s a virtual option as well. Register here.

Listen to a preview of the event from Sara Wyant.

Ag Groups, Agri-Pulse, Audio

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.
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