Industry Ag News 8/19

Carrie Muehling

  • Louis Dreyfus Company Agricultural Industries LLC announced the opening of its new soy liquid lecithin plant in Claypool, Indiana, positioning the site as the country’s largest facility integrating soybean processing, biodiesel production, and glycerin and lecithin refining operations, as well as a food-grade packaging line and canola oil distribution terminal.
  • Jenni Badding, formerly the Digital Technology Go-to-Market Manager for John Deere, has been named Production & Precision Ag Public Relations Manager for North America. Badding replaces Chad Passman who was named Tactical Marketing Operations Manager at John Deere.
  • GROWMARK, Inc. is excited to announce Orange Madison Cooperative as the newest FS Member Company to join the GROWMARK System. Orange Madison Cooperative is based in Orange, Virginia.
  • The National FFA Organization announced a record-high student membership number of 850,823, an increase of 15% from last year. In addition, chapter numbers increased by 178, resulting in 8,995 chapters in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • Six students recently received 2022 Accelerating a Generation Syngenta Scholarships. These students, who are acquiring degrees focused on agricultural pursuits, will each receive a $2,500 scholarship. The selected winners and their designated charities are: Taylor Baggett from Jay, Florida, a sophomore at the University of Florida ― Farm Aid; Regan Draeger from Lindsey, Ohio, a senior at The Ohio State University ― The Roper’s 4-H Club; Luke Heupel from Kalispell, Montana, a sophomore at Montana State University ― Field of Hope; Johanna Hooten from Red Bud, Illinois, a senior at Murray State University ― The Arboretum at Murray State University; Deziree Lee from Coffeyville, Kansas, a freshman at Kansas State University ― Montgomery County 4-H Fair; and Ashlyn Persyn from Hondo, Texas, a freshman at Texas A & M University ― Medina Valley FFA Boosters.
  • The Georgia Cotton Commission, Georgia Peanut Commission and the University of Georgia Extension Cotton and Peanut Teams, will co-sponsor a joint research field day on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Tifton, Georgia.
  • Troy Schroeder may not be quite ready to include the number 1884 in his next Powerball Lottery ticket, but the President + Founder of CLUTCH is justifiably proud of where the Minneapolis firm landed on the Inc. Magazine 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. CLUTCH, a hybrid consultancy and agency with a roster of clients across the agriculture and food value chain, has experienced over 300 percent growth in revenue in the last three years.
  • After years of establishing relationships, the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council investment has paid off. This week – for the first time – Uzbekistan traders imported 700 MT of U.S. soymeal.
  • Parker Migliorini International, a $3 billion enterprise that annually supplies 1.6 billion pounds of beef, chicken, pork, eggs, and seafood products all over the world, announced a partnership with CityServe International to provide protein to Ukrainian refugees. PMI Foods first delivery of desperately needed food to CityServe’s warehouse included 32,400 cans of shelf stable food that will go directly to assist those suffering in Ukraine.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that the Department will begin accepting applications on September 6 for funding to expand access to high-speed internet for millions of people in rural America nationwide, part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to investing in rural infrastructure and affordable high-speed internet for all. USDA is making the funding available under the ReConnect Program, which received new funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
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Farm Podcaster Tool – DJI Mic

Chuck Zimmerman

DJI MicI have lost count of the various types and brands of microphones I have purchased in search of simple, good quality, wireless and tailored for iPhone or DSLR and not a budget breaker. But I have found it thanks to DJI. It is the DJI Mic.

I’ve tried shotgun mics, a few brands of wireless lav mics and none have come close to the various options available to use this two mic set. My first thought when it was announced was that someone had heard my wish list of all the ways I’d like to be able to record audio that matches the quality of the video I’m shooting. Here are some of the things I love:

  • Small size.
  • A charger case that let’s you quickly re-charge if needed. (receiver/mics run up to 15 hours!)
  • Various adapters for the camera being use.
  • Simple set up.
  • You can use the receiver to just record audio without connecting to a camera. (up to 14 hours of audio)
  • Separately adjust record levels on the mics.
  • Touchscreen display on receiver.
  • Clip mics on or use a small magnet to attach it.
  • Windscreen.

My first opportunity to use the DJI Mic on location was a Facebook Live video at Ag Media Summit. You can see and hear the video online. We weren’t plugged into my iPhone but that doesn’t matter.

During the Bayer Field Technology Showcase last week I had a great chat with an ag editor from Brazil who was using his DJI Mic. He loves it for all the same reasons I do. I’m looking forward to putting it to use during the Farm Progress Show later this month.

Read all about it here.

Audio, Podcasts, Technology

Huber Signs Agreement to Acquire Biolchim Group

Cindy Zimmerman

J.M. Huber Corporation, a specialty engineered materials manufacturing company, has signed an agreement to acquire the Biolchim Group from NB Renaissance, Chequers Capital and the Biolchim Group management team. The Biolchim Group has its main operating base in Italy and is a leading producer and distributor of a full range of specialty plant nutrition and biostimulants.

The Biolchim Group operates eight production plants globally and its products – biostimulants, trace elements, and water soluble, liquid and foliar fertilizers — are present in over 70 countries worldwide. The Biolchim Group has a rich 50-year history of serving the agricultural industry.

Upon close of the sale, the Biolchim Group will become part of Huber Engineered Materials (HEM), a company within the Huber portfolio of businesses. The Biolchim Group will be a key part of the strategic foundation of the Huber AgroSolutions (HAS) business unit of HEM that currently includes Miller Chemical & Fertilizer (Miller).

Leonardo Valenti, CEO of the Biolchim Group since 2008 and a pioneer in the plant nutrition industry, will remain committed to lead the Biolchim Group through the next phase of growth and the integration. “The strategic combination of the Biolchim Group and Huber AgroSolutions will be transformative since the companies have complementary commercial and product offerings, as well as industry-leading technologies and research capacities,” said Valenti.

Huber AgroSolutions’ vision is to become a leading formulator of sustainable, high-performing agricultural products globally. The acquisition of the Biolchim Group, which has achieved impressive growth due to its broad offering of biostimulant and specialty nutritional products, significantly advances this vision by bringing an innovative and entrepreneurial workforce and culture to HAS.

The sale is expected to close by the end of 2022 pending all customary closing conditions and approvals.

Read more.

Agribusiness, AgWired Precision

ZimmCast 697 – Bayer Crop Science Field Technology Showcase

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

Getting close to episode 700!

I’m sharing two of the interviews I conducted during the Bayer Crop Science Field Technology Showcase last week. We had multiple in-field demonstration plots and presenters. I was most interested in one about small stature corn which you’ll hear is the core of Bayer’s Smart Corn strategy. Then on the soybean side of things you’ll hear about new technologies coming to help farmers with weed control and also a description of their investment in CoverCress which is planted in the fall and harvested just ahead of spring planting. The product works as a good cover crop and has opportunities for farmers to obtain additional income from the harvested crop. Bayer recently purchased a majority stake in CoverCress, Inc.

I talk with Kelly Gillespie, VP Digital Ecosystems Services, Bayer Crop Science, about her corn presentation. And then turn to soybeans in my interview with Jennifer Ralston, Global Soybean Seed & Traits Portfolio Manager, Bayer Crop Science.

Listen to the ZimmCast here:
ZimmCast 697 - Bayer Field Technology Showcase (11:56)

My next stop on the agriblogging highway will be the Farm Progress Show in Iowa. But before that Cindy and I will be spending a few days seeing our grand children in Missouri. Looking forward to seeing them.

So, that’s the ZimmCast for this week. I hope you enjoyed it and thank you for listening.

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.

Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Corn, cover crops, Crop Protection, Crop Science, Soybean, Sustainability, Technology, ZimmCast

Precision Ag News 8/17

Carrie Muehling

  • AgGateway announced the opening of advance registration for the 2022 Annual Conference, November 14-16 at the Wyndham Clearwater Beach in Florida.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) welcomed the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which will deliver $19.5 billion in new conservation funding to support climate-smart agriculture. This historic funding will bolster the new steps that USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced to improve opportunities for nutrient management.
  • The Soil Health Institute (SHI) announced its recommended measurements for assessing soil health. These recommendations answer the No. 1 question about soil health that farmers, ranchers, and their advisers have been asking since the soil health movement began. Based on these results, SHI recommends a minimal suite of three measurements to be widely applied across North America (and likely beyond). Those measurements include: 1) soil organic carbon concentration, 2) carbon mineralization potential, and 3) aggregate stability.
  • Bayer put its industry-leading offerings in crop protection, seeds & traits, and digital farming tools on display at its Fields of Opportunity Technology Showcase as the company continues to advance innovative products and services tailored toward the individual needs of growers around the globe. Following strong second quarter 2022 financial results, the event demonstrated Bayer’s latest developments in a unique portfolio of solutions and technologies expected to power sustainable growth in the years ahead.
  • Stine Seed Company is partnering once again with Peoples Company, a full-service farmland transaction and management business, on the Sustainability Cover Crop Initiative. The initiative, which is operated by Peoples Company, offers landowners a paid-in-full, managed cover crop program. Previously offered in five states, the initiative is expanding into 11 additional states for the 2022–2023 season, with the goal to plant cover crops on 25,000 acres over the next two years in the 16 eligible states.
  • South America continues to see increased demand for growth in agricultural innovation. To help accelerate more new innovations through product, market and business development, AgriThority® adds an experienced Product Development Agronomist based in Argentina.
  • To provide farmers with the latest information on the most effective practices in use today by top leaders in no-till and cover crops, Lessiter Media Inc. is publishing a new No-Till & Cover Crops Handbook under its grower division titles, No-Till Farmer and Cover Crop Strategies.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Farms and Biofuels Groups Cheer Climate Provisions

Cindy Zimmerman

Farm and biofuel organizations are pleased with provisions included in the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law by President Biden Tuesday, including new funding to encourage agricultural conservation programs and advance biofuels.

“Through this legislation, Congress and the administration recognize that farmers’ voluntary climate-smart agricultural practices are an important part of addressing climate change,” said Brooke Appleton, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) vice president of public policy. “We are also particularly pleased to see Congress and the administration acknowledge that low-carbon biofuels like ethanol are needed to help decarbonize transportation and improve energy security.”

The law allocates $19.9 billion in funding for U.S. Department of Agriculture’s conservation programs and $1 billion for additional conservation technical assistance. These allocations include:
$8.45 billion for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
$6.75 billion for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program
$3.25 billion for the Conservation Stewardship Program
$1.4 billion for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program

To advance biofuels, the legislation includes:
$500 million for infrastructure for greater market deployment of higher blends of biofuels
New tax credits based on carbon reduction to incentivize clean fuels such as biofuels like ethanol and new sustainable aviation fuel

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says the bill puts ethanol on a sustainable path for growth and investment. “Several provisions within this bill are very important to the U.S. biofuels industry and will result in American families having greater access to low-carbon, more affordable, domestically made renewable fuels. We look forward to helping the administration implement the key provisions within this legislation.”

RFA Senior VP, Government & Public Affairs, Troy Bredenkamp summarizes the provisions in the bill that help farmers and biofuel producers contribute more to a low carbon future.
RFA's Troy Bredenkamp on Inflation Reduction Act (3:51)

Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Corn, Ethanol

Happy 40th Birthday AgDay TV

Cindy Zimmerman

AgDay TV is celebrating 40 years of providing syndicated agricultural television programming for the nation. The show has gone through a few changes over the decades and today reaches more viewers than ever as part of the Farm Journal family.

Viewers across the country watch the agriculture news program each morning on 121 affiliate stations and RFD-TV, reaching more than 53 million viewers each year. “Farm Journal is proud of AgDay’s legacy in delivering the news farmers, ranchers and growers across the country need to run their operations,” said Charlene Finck, president of Farm Journal. “Our industry-leading broadcast programs reach the largest audience in agriculture and set the standard in reporting the news and issues that are most mportant to America’s farmers and ranchers.”

AgDay launched on a handful of stations in 1982 by satellite, which was new technology at the time. Farm Journal acquired the show in 1998, adding national television to its industry-leading print publications. Clinton Griffiths has served as host of AgDay for the last 12 years, taking over the news desk when long-time host Al Pell retired in 2010. This year, AgDay added veteran journalist and farm broadcaster Michelle Rook to the staff.

AgDay is one of four industry-leading broadcast programs owned by Farm Journal. Other programs include U.S. Farm Report (acquired in 2007), hosted by Tyne Morgan, and Machinery Pete TV (launched in 2014), led by Greg ‘Machinery Pete’ Peterson. Farm Journal also reaches America’s farmers with AgriTalk (acquired in 2013), the first nationally-syndicated daily radio show hosted by Chip Flory.

To watch AgDay or other Farm Journal broadcast programs, check your local or cable TV listings, go to agday.com or subscribe to Farm Journal’s YouTube channel at Youtube.com/FarmJournal.

Farm Journal, Media

Animal Ag News 8/15

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) condemned the flawed “Food Compass” study funded, in part, by fake meat promoter Bill Gates.
  • U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award. The award recognizes exemplary environmental stewardship by family farmers engaged in poultry and egg production. Those eligible for the award include any family-owned poultry grower or egg producer supplying product to a USPOULTRY member or an independent producer who is a USPOULTRY member. Nominations are due Oct. 28.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced that 30 emerging leaders of the dairy industry have been accepted into the fourth class of the NextGen Leadership Program, a signature program of IDFA’s People Strategy. This incredible group of emerging leaders was selected based on their experience and scope of responsibility within their organizations.
  • DSM Animal Nutrition and Health has announced a brand new precision biotic transforming the poultry industry. Symphiome™ is a first-of-its-kind precision biotic that orchestrates microbiome metabolism and optimizes the bird’s resilience to enteric stress, aids in nutrient utilisation while improving poultry health and sustainability.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is offering college students a unique behind-the-scenes experience through its annual convention internship program. The 2023 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, the largest annual meeting of the U.S. beef cattle industry, will take place Feb. 1-3, 2023, in New Orleans. Interested students must complete an online Student Internship Application and submit college transcripts, two letters of recommendation and a resume. The application deadline is Oct. 21, 2022.
  • Genvax Technologies, a startup dedicated to bringing advances in self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) vaccine production to animal health, announced it has secured $6.5 million in series seed funding. This funding moves the company toward USDA and international regulatory approval of its vaccines in anticipation of any foreign animal disease outbreak in order to increase health and profitability in livestock production. United Animal Health led the financing with participation from Johnsonville Ventures, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Summit Agricultural Group, and Ag Startup Engine.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation submitted comments on USDA’s proposed poultry marketing disclosure requirements. AFBF President Zippy Duvall remarked on the rulemaking under the Packers and Stockyards Act.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Bayer Announces ForGround Digital Platform

Chuck Zimmerman

Bayer ForGroundBayer has just announced the launch of ForGround, a farmer-first digital platform that will transform the way farms of all sizes can more easily make the transition to sustainable agricultural practices. I interviewed Leo Bastos, Head of Global Commercial Ecosystems, Bayer Crop Science, during a field day held at the Bayer Agronomy Center in Jerseyville, IL. He explains more about the platform in my interview and says the program is live now.

Interview with Leo Bastos – ForGround Announcement Interview with Leo Bastos (6:14)

Leo Bastos, BayerForGround offers growers tools, resources, discounts, as well as and the potential to earn revenue through the Bayer Carbon Program7 for the adoption of regenerative practices and to connect with businesses looking to advance their sustainability and carbon goals.

Based on the successful foundation of the existing Bayer Carbon Program, ForGround will expand and evolve to go beyond carbon offsets to explore other ways that farmers can make a positive impact in their operations, through the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices and technologies, and the potential to connect with companies to help them meet their sustainability goals from foot printing to value chain interventions all the way to carbon offsets.

“As a global leader in agriculture, Bayer is uniquely positioned to help drive lasting change by working directly with farmers and businesses through leveraging our global scale to reduce our impact on the planet and support farms for generations to come”, said Leo Bastos, Head of Global Commercial Ecosystems, Bayer CropScience. “We know that better harvests and a better future start with healthy soils and investing in farmers’ success – and believe that the ForGround platform will help them make the transition to more sustainable practices – and ensure agriculture is part of the climate solution.”

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, carbon, Sustainability

Industry Ag News 8/13

Carrie Muehling

  • Syngenta will combine efforts in Seeds Global Communications with the North America Seeds marketing communications team. Leading this new role for Global Seeds and NA Seeds Communications will be Linda Arnold Whaley as Head of Communications, Global Seeds and Seeds North America.
  • Mark your calendars and make plans to join the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse for the Ag Outlook Forum on Sept. 26 at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown.
  • Pro Farmer scouts will fan out across the Corn Belt to measure this year’s corn and soybean yield potential during the 30th annual Pro Farmer Crop Tour, set for Aug. 22-25. The tour is an August ritual covering seven Midwestern states and capturing the attention of the industry and national media.
  • Key EPA officials will visit South Georgia cotton farms on August 15-17 to hear firsthand how producers are tackling weed and other cotton pest management challenges that threaten their viability. The National Cotton Council is coordinating the farm visits as part of The Cotton Foundation’s 2022 Educational Outreach Program.
  • Delayed planting in many states may cause high moisture corn to be a common challenge this harvest, requiring longer periods of grain drying than average. Due to increased uncertainty, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) recommends participating in early tank fill programs before peak harvest demand. PERC’s Grain Drying Calculator tool helps plan ahead for propane supply needs. Available for free online, farmers can simply enter the number of acres, estimated bushels per acre, and optimal moisture percentages to determine gallons needed.
  • Michael Torrey Associates welcomes Caroline Snell to the policy team. The Washington, D.C.-based firm offers effective government relations, strategic communications, and issue advocacy as well as full-service association management to a growing number of clients in the food, agriculture, and forestry sector.
  • The Western Growers Family of Companies is mourning the passing of Hank Giclas. Giclas served the Western fresh produce industry in various capacities with Western Growers over three decades from 1990 until he retired as Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning, Science & Technology in 2020.
  • A national leader in food and agriculture consulting, KCoe Isom, is writing a new chapter. With roots dating back to 1932, this ‘U.S. Top 100’ accounting firm is rebranding as Pinion to encompass a more forward-thinking, proactive and global approach to business.
  • Valent U.S.A. LLC has appointed Dave Poling as vice president, Marketing, effective August 1, 2022. Poling succeeds Geoff Quick, who has transitioned to a new role as the global lead, business development for Sumitomo Chemical’s AgroSolutions Division International (ASDI).
  • The Center for Food Integrity (CFI), with support from the United Soybean Board (USB), is hosting a free webinar, Tues. Aug. 30, from 1 to 1:45 p.m. CT, to detail how biodiesel can fuel food company sustainability efforts.
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