Precision Ag News 7/12

Carrie Muehling

  • Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Rostin Behnam announced the second voluntary carbon markets convening will be held on Wednesday, July 19 at the CFTC’s Washington, D.C. headquarters at 11:30 a.m.
  • Verdesian Life Sciences recently finished in the top three for a BioAg Innovator Award at the BioAgTech World Congress for its newest Phosphorus efficiency technology, the soon-to-be-released Phree-uP. This new product builds upon the long line of Verdesian Phophorus products such as AVAIL and AVAIL T5 with technology that protects applied Phosphorus from being tied up in the soil while also making the Phosphorus already in the soil more available to the plant.
  • Huma, a company regarded for developing innovative humic solutions and technologies to support regen ag and soil health initiatives, has appointed two new members to its board of directors. This includes Chief Marketing Officer Fred Nichols and Chief Financial Officer Steve Lunt, effective immediately.
  • The Center for Food and Agricultural Business has once again partnered with the American Seed Trade Association to present the 2023 ASTA Management Academy. The academy’s unique delivery approach, a blend of asynchronous online and in-person aspects, will take place on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus August 15-17.
  • Sentera announces the launch of its Crop Damage analytics to empower researchers, product developers, retail ag advisors, and crop insurance professionals to make critical decisions about mitigation strategies for key weather events.
  • Indigo Ag announced a program with Consolidated Grain and Barge Co., a subsidiary of CGB Enterprises, Inc., designed to quantify the environmental benefits of sustainably grown crops sourced by CGB.
  • The pilot episode of Destination Regeneration, a regenerative agriculture docuseries from the Soil Health Academy, has been selected for the prestigious Breck Film Festival and the South Dakota Film Festival, the non-profit organization announced.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    ZeaKal and Nutrien Partner for Soybean Supply Chain

    Cindy Zimmerman

    ZeaKal today announced a collaboration with ag retailer Nutrien Ag Solutions to support commercialization of ZeaKal’s PhotoSeed™ trait technology for U.S. soybean growers, with the goal of creating higher value, more diversified and sustainable global soybean supply chain.

    The PhotoSeed™ technology increases photosynthetic capacity and the enhanced carbon capture in soybeans results in improved oil and protein without compromising field yields benefiting every participant on the soybean supply chain, including farmers, soybean processors, food companies and ultimately the consumer.

    “There is no question, the world needs a better soybean and the collaboration with Nutrien Ag Solutions brings us one step closer to that reality,” said Han Chen, ZeaKal CEO and Co-Founder. “Nutrien Ag Solutions is a critical piece of the puzzle for ZeaKal, growers and our other collaborators in fully realizing the potential of PhotoSeed. Together, we can accelerate and increase the depth of our product offering with flexible and customized agronomic solutions that protect the yield potential and value created through our genetics.”

    Today’s announcement completes the loop of ZeaKal’s “NewType” agriculture model, bringing multiple supply chain collaborators together for a strategic collaboration that connects genetics in the field to the entire soybean value chain.

    In 2021, ZeaKal signed a partnership agreement with Gro Alliance, one of North America’s largest independent soy and corn contract seed producers, ensuring locally produced seed that improves seed costs for growers. And in 2022 ZeaKal entered into a multi-year collaborative agreement with Perdue AgriBusiness, agreeing to purchase future PhotoSeed soybean harvest from growers. Last month, ZeaKal signed a licensing agreement with the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council (MSMC) to combine ZeaKal’s PhotoSeed™ photosynthetic capabilities with MSMC’s patented high-oleic SOYLEIC® soybean.

    For Nutrien Ag Solutions, this collaboration exemplifies their commitment to offer growers more diversity in their soybean production practices and new income streams not tied solely to yield. Under the terms of the collaboration, Nutrien Ag Solutions will release ZeaKal-branded soybean seeds to U.S. growers in time for the 2024 growing season.

    Learn more about this exciting new venture in this interview with ZeaKal CEO and Co-Founder Han Chen.
    Interview with Han Chen, ZeaKal (12:33)

    Audio, Seed, Soybean

    DWFI Podcast 26 – Mure Agbonlahor and Louise Mabulo

    Cindy Zimmerman

    This is the second in our series of podcasts from the 2023 Water for Food Global Conference, produced by the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska (DWFI) and held May 8-11 in Lincoln, Neb. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Mure Agbonlahor, who works at the African Union Commission as senior Policy Officer, and Louise Mabulo, chef, farmer, entrepreneur, and founder of The Cacao Project.

    Agbonlahor discussed “Financing irrigation for smallholder farmers across scales” and “Policy and pathways for scaling smallholder irrigation” at the conference, while Mabulo served as a keynote luncheon speaker and discussed her “View from the field” on a panel with farmers from other countries. Mabulo was featured in the very first Daugherty Water for Food podcast three years ago.

    Listen here or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:
    DWFI Podcast 26 - Mure Agbonlahor and Louise Mabulo 17:21

    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, Irrigation, Podcasts, Water, Water for Food

    ZimmCast 714 – Margy Eckelkamp, Farm Journal

    Cindy Zimmerman

    ZimmCastIn this episode of the ZimmCast we are featuring an interview with AgWired’s first intern.

    Margy Eckelkamp was Margy Fischer and a senior at the University of Missouri when she and Mary Irelan were chosen by Monsanto to be the student bloggers for the 2006 Commodity Classic – the first time it had ever been done and this new media thing was just getting started. Margy immediately showed how capable she was as a multi-media journalist by writing on the spot reports, doing interviews, attending press conferences and taking photos. Farm Journal hired her when she graduated and she’s been there ever since, recently earning another promotion with the ag media group.

    We had a nice conversation about where ag media has been and where it might be going in the future. Listen to the ZimmCast here:
    ZimmCast 714 - Margy Ecklekamp, Farm Journal (22:00)

    Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

    Audio, Farm Journal, Journalism, Media, Podcasts, ZimmCast

    Animal Ag News 7/10

    Carrie Muehling

  • The USDA Agricultural Research Service‘s National Animal Germplasm Program (NAGP) has collected and preserved more than one million samples from over 64,000 animals across the United States. These samples, dating from the late 1940s to the present, aim to maintain the genetic diversity of American livestock, providing genetic security and an improved understanding of genes that influence and control valuable animal characteristics.
  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must end dairy product mislabeling by manufacturers of synthetic, cell-based “dairy” ingredients that are in violation of federal dairy Standards of Identity to prevent a repeat of the plant-based labeling fiasco that’s created confusion among consumers and regulatory headaches at the agency, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) said in a letter to the agency.
  • The Public Lands Council (PLC) has submitted grazing coalition comments raising concerns with the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) proposed rule titled “Conservation and Landscape Health.” Together with PLC affiliate members the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI), as well as partners from the American Farm Bureau Federation, the comments garnered signatures from 55 state organizations and several additional national partners.
  • Cookbook author and social media influencer, Shereen Pavlides, will host a live cook along from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Culinary Center, funded by the Beef Checkoff, on Tuesday, July 11 at 4:00 pm mountain time. Pavlides will showcase beef on her popular Cooking with Shereen Instagram page. She is known for her cooking style and social media teaching method which have earned her a following of more than six million across her Instagram, TikTok and Facebook pages.
  • Earlier this month, Sens. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mike Rounds, (R-S.D.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in cosponsoring the American Beef Labeling Act of 2023 (S.52), reigniting support for the bill across rural America. R-CALF USA and its partners in the national MCOOL coalition remain strong in their support of the Act and are hopeful for the reintroduction of its House companion bill.
  • The USPOULTRY Foundation is now accepting applications from colleges and universities for the Industry Education Recruitment Funding program. The funding supports student recruitment at colleges and universities that cultivate careers in the poultry and egg industry.
  • The 2023 USPOULTRY Financial Management Seminar provided attendees with a variety of topics related to financial management in the poultry and egg industry. Subject matter, ranging from regulatory updates, cybersecurity, tax updates and accounting principles in live production and auditing, was covered. The diverse selection of “Experience Sharing Sessions” ensured that attendees came away with a well-rounded perspective on the most pressing issues facing financial professionals in poultry and egg companies.
  • Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) continues to support the education of the next generation of veterinarians focusing on caring for food animals through the Illinois Veterinary and Training (IVET) loan program.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Trump Launches Farmers for Trump Coalition in Iowa

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Former President Donald Trump held a rally and launched his Farmers for Trump coalition this past weekend in Council Bluffs, Iowa, with several state agriculture leaders serving as co-chairs.

    The Iowa Farmers for Trump Co-Chairs include three current farmer members of the Iowa state legislature who serve on the agriculture committee, Reps. Mike Sexton, Derek Wulf, and Heather Hora, in addition to former state rep David Kerr and former USDA official Jeremy Davis.

    “No president has ever come close to me in fighting for farmers and ranchers,” Trump claimed before the crowd of supporters. “I’m proud to be the most pro-farmer president you’ve ever had in the White House.”

    The Republican presidential candidate touted actions he took while in office to help farmers, such as rolling back the Waters of the United States, ending the estate tax, renegotiating trade agreements, and supporting ethanol, while attacking both his GOP opponent Ron DeSantis and current President Joe Biden.

    “Every Iowan needs to know that Ron DeSanctus totally despises Iowa ethanol and ethanol generally,” said Trump. “Joe Biden is trying to kill Iowa ethanol and replace it with expensive electric cars.”

    Listen to some of Trump’s remarks here:
    Pres. Donald Trump Iowa rally (26:56)

    Audio, politics

    Industry Ag News 7/7

    Carrie Muehling

  • Register here for a July 13 NAMA webinar at 11 a.m. central time titled “Brevity: Being a More Effective Communicator” with presenter Merritt Neil of M&C.
  • Celebrate marketing excellence by submitting nominations for the NAMA Professional Development Awards by August 1. Individuals may nominate agribusiness and marketing professionals for the awards. NAMA chapters may also host awards at the local level and submit chapter recipients to the national level, or a chapter can nominate candidates directly for the national awards. Awards are presented at the NAMA Fall Conference, October 9-11 at the Ritz Carlton in Clayton. Award winners receive complimentary registration to the meeting.
  • Two former presidents of the Ag Communicators Network (ACN), have been named ACN’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipients for 2023. Greg Lamp and Karen McMahon were selected based on their outstanding leadership and professional and personal achievements, emphasizing contributions made toward improving the viability and value of the Ag Communicators Network.
  • American Farmland Trust has opened applications for the 2023 cohort of the Brighter Future Fund program. The program helps farmers nationwide improve farm viability, access, transfer, or permanently protect farmland or adopt regenerative agricultural practices. The last day to submit applications is July 15th. AFT’s Brighter Future Fund provides grants up to $10,000 per project. A project may involve one or more individual farmer(s) or farm families, and projects will be awarded on a one-per-farm basis.
  • If you are looking to earn some extra recognition and cash, enter the Livestock Publication Council’s 2023 People’s Choice Photography Contest (previously known as the Best of the Bunch.) Entries should be submitted and paid for online by July 14.
  • Farm Foundation, an accelerator of practical solutions for agriculture, will host its next virtual Forum, Ownership and Investment in U.S. Farmland, on Tuesday, July 18, from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Central. This Forum will touch on the challenges and opportunities surrounding agricultural land ownership in the U.S.
  • The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) encourages qualified graduate students to apply for the Research Ambassador program. If you are interested in building a personal network of future agricultural leaders as you begin your career, you will want to apply today.
  • The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index improved in June, rising 17 points to a reading of 121. The upswing in sentiment was driven by producers’ more optimistic view of the future; however, their perception of current conditions remained unchanged from May. The Index of Future Expectations rose 25 points to a reading of 123, while the Index of Current Conditions held flat at a reading of 116 in June. The Ag Economy Barometer is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. This month’s survey was conducted June 12-16.
  • AgTruckTrader.com, part of The Certified Agriculture Group (TCAG) is kicking-off a Summer Get-A-Grip Giveaway for two Michelin 14.9R24 Agribib tires to be provided to a farmer or rancher entering the sweepstakes. The offer has a retail value of more than $3,000.
  • The Sorghum Promotion, Research and Information Order was approved by USDA in May 2008 and began collecting assessments on July 1, 2018. On July 1, 2023, the United Sorghum Checkoff Program celebrated its 15th anniversary. This milestone marks a decade and a half of relentless dedication to advancing sorghum genetics, expanding market opportunities, conducting impactful research, promoting education and raising consumer awareness.
  • International Food and Agribusiness Management Association welcomes Aidan Connolly to the presidency. Aidan is President of AgriTech Capital LLC – an advisory resource for new and established companies working at the interface of agriculture and technology. His firm helps governments, fortune 500 food companies and large agri-businesses develop their agtech strategies to improve productivity, efficiency, and sustainability.
  • National Association of Farm Broadcasting Emeritus member Bruce Lease passed away on July 2, 2023. Lease became a farm broadcaster at KWOA radio, serving as farm director from 1969-1987. He continued his broadcasting career at KLQL and KITN radio until retiring in 1998. Lease served as NAFB North Central Region Vice President in 1977 and remained active and connected to NAFB throughout his career.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    A Very Good Alltech ONE

    Cindy Zimmerman

    This week’s Alltech ONE World Tour stop in Calgary, Canada was the third a series of international events bringing the ideas and inspiration of the annual Alltech ONE Conference to the world, and Alltech President and CEO Dr. Mark Lyons is pleased with how the tour is going so far.

    “This has been a great idea,” said Lyons in a wrap-up interview. “I think doing it this way is making the event so much more accessible. There’s an opportunity to really understand and hone in on real issues in each market.”

    The Alltech ONE World Tour will continue with stops in the U.S., Asia, South America and the Middle East.

    Listen to Chuck’s wrap up interview with Dr. Lyons here:
    ONE Calgary - interview with Dr. Mark Lyons, Alltech (2:31)

    Alltech ONE World Tour – Calgary Photo Album

    Alltech, Audio

    Sustainability Insights at Alltech ONE Calgary

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Alltech ONE Calgary featured global and Canadian experts discussing agricultural trends, animal nutrition and business, including a Sustainability Insights discussion.

    “Our industry is navigating unprecedented disruption yet remains confident and committed to evolving toward a more sustainable food system,” said Tara McCarthy, global vice president of ESG at Alltech. “The key to success will be the development of innovative solutions, but even more critical is the capacity of the industry to work together across the value chain.”

    Alltech recently released initial findings of its 2022 Sustainability Insights report, with the complete report to be released later this summer. McCarthy talked about some of those findings including:

    There is a strong level of optimism and positivity with 85% of respondents agreeing that the food system can rise to the challenge.

    Respondents were similarly realistic about the need for support for the primary producers of the food that the 8 billion people on this planet eat. 66% agree that unless the farmer is incentivized, things will never change.

    There is recognition that we won’t be able to resolve the challenges ahead without a huge degree of innovation and harnessing technology to enable us to feed ourselves sustainably, with 92% of respondents believing that technology and innovation are key to more sustainable food systems.

    There is a near-universal recognition that we need a collaborative conversation and effort across the value chain, with 93% of respondents agreeing that we all have to work together to create a better food system for the future.

    Listen to McCarthy’s remarks here:
    ONE Calgary - Tara McCarthy, Alltech (19:14)

    Alltech ONE World Tour – Calgary Photo Album

    Agribusiness, Alltech, Animal Agriculture, Audio

    Precision Ag News 7/5

    Carrie Muehling

  • The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is urging farmers to submit comments to the Environmental Protection Agency regarding a new proposal on multi-pollutant emissions standards. The call-to-action was launched after EPA first announced the proposal in April. The comment period deadline closes on July 5.The new standards would effectively force automakers to produce electric vehicles at an increasingly rapid rate to comply with the stringent proposed rule.
  • Enriched Ag is pleased to announce the inclusion of its insights products in the INCA Exchange app by the Indian Nations Conservation Alliance. The data-driven insights focus on helping producers with grazing management, conservation and supply chain needs. The INCA Exchange app was designed for Native small-scale producers to enhance their participation in local agricultural markets, social connections and resource sharing.
  • Applications are open from now to Sept. 4 for the 2024 AgLaunch365 Accelerator program, a one-of-a-kind, farm-immersive business development experience for startups with a product or service that has the potential to be transformative in production agriculture.
  • Join the 2023 ARA Conference & Expo where the theme “Launching the Future of Ag Retail” will guide the forward-thinking keynote speaker messages and breakout sessions.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) signed a memorandum of understanding strengthening the collaboration between the two agencies, including efforts to improve agricultural and Earth science research, technology, and agricultural management, and the application of science data and models to agricultural decision making.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture