Hearing Explores Agricultural Trade Issues

Cindy Zimmerman

Senators heard from representatives of U.S. peanut growers, dairy producers and wheat farmers Thursday during a hearing on “Agricultural Trade: Priorities and Issues Facing America’s Farmers.”

Representing the U.S. Peanut Federation before the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade, was Karla Baker Thompson with JET Farms Georgia and Integrity Farms of Camilla, Georgia. Thompson highlighted the decline in peanut exports to the European Union (EU) for U.S. peanuts, and issues in other top markets of Canada, Mexico, Japan and China.

“A look at our major export markets shows some of the issues we are facing. Our best markets, and those with the most potential for growth, are the markets that pay premium prices,” Thompson says. “These markets provide prices that are profitable for exporters and have an impact on grower prices. Unfortunately, some of these best markets are not healthy.”

Karla Baker Thompson, US Peanut Federation (4:34)

Sheryl Meshke, co-president and CEO of Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI), told senators that the government should pursue additional market access opportunities and address export supply-chain delays in order for the U.S. dairy industry to keep up with its global competitors.

“In pursuing exports, the U.S. dairy industry faces experienced and well-established competitors who have been exceptionally active with free trade agreements,” said Meshke. “The United States needs to get back in the game and craft an approach to pursuing comprehensive trade agreements.” Meshke serves on the board of directors for both the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC).

Sheryl Meshke, Associated Milk Producers (5:27)

Neal Fisher, administrator of the North Dakota Wheat Commission, spoke on behalf of wheat farmers and stressed the need to address non-tariff trade barriers. “Non‐tariff’ barriers have become some of the most complicated and damaging trade issues, often deployed aggressively with little or no basis in science,” said Fisher.

Neal Fisher, ND Wheat Commission (5:37)

Audio, Dairy, Exports, Peanuts, Wheat

Agoro Carbon Alliance Pays Over $9 Million in 1st Year

Cindy Zimmerman

Agoro Carbon Alliance has distributed more than $9 million in payments to U.S. farmers and ranchers in its first year, according to company officials.

“We are extremely proud of the company’s success in the first year,” said Agoro Carbon interim CEO, Elliot Formal. “We have connected with farmers and ranchers throughout the U.S., and look forward to our carbon journey together in the years to come.”

Backed by Yara International, Agoro Carbon’s carbon contract opportunities are based on improved management practices to sequester carbon and deliver sustained agriculture improvements, and are not packaged or paired with other product offerings

“At Agoro Carbon, we are focused on delivering a climate-positive change and financial returns to our farmer and rancher partners,” said Formal. “We provide education on the benefits of regenerative agriculture and work together to support their change to more sustainable practices. The transparency in our contracts, including options for early payments, help our farmer and rancher partners know exactly what to expect when working with Agoro Carbon.”

With Agoro Carbon’s background in agronomic knowledge and commitment to the carbon market, farmers and ranchers can be assured the company will be with them throughout their carbon journey. Those interested in carbon farming or learning more about conservation practices can visit AgoroCarbonAlliance.com or the Agoro Carbon Farming Knowledge Hub.

AgWired Precision, carbon, Farming

Traction Now Connected with Climate FieldView

Cindy Zimmerman

Traction™, a comprehensive farm accounting solution, is now connected to the Climate FieldView™ platform, providing farmers the option to share field records from their FieldView account. With this new capability, Traction delivers accurate field profitability analysis and up-to-date inventory tracking for farmers across the U.S.

This new connection is unique to the industry due to the integration of Traction’s farm accounting software. As field records are created automatically from the FieldView platform, Traction can assign exact costs to products and equipment from actual accounting entries. This enables farmers to see their margin per bushel, immediate visibility of their product inventories, and a clear picture of their overall profit on the farm.

“Reducing manual data entry and tying information back to your actual accounting numbers is our top priority,” said Ian Harley, Traction’s CEO. “Other companies claim to have accurate field costing but Traction is the only company to use actual financial data to drive field profitability analysis. We look forward to adding other integrations in the future that greatly enhance value for the farmer.”

“With every decision a farmer makes, profitability of those decisions is always top of mind,” said Marc Harris, Partner Engagement and Outreach for Climate LLC and Digital Farming at Bayer. “Easily collecting data with FieldView and connecting to a partner like Traction delivers value in a streamlined process when combining field level data insights and farm accounting.”

For more information and a free 30-day trial, please visit www.tractionag.com.

AgWired Precision, Precision Agriculture, Technology

Precision Ag News 6/8

Carrie Muehling

  • John Deere announces updates to its 5 Series Utility Tractors, which include more options to make it easier for rural property owners, farmers, ranchers and fleet owners to match the right tractor to the many jobs they need that tractor to do day after day.
  • General Mills and Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC) announced a multi-year roadmap to scale Eco-Harvest, ESMC’s market program that recognizes and rewards farmers for beneficial environmental outcomes from regenerative agriculture.
  • The largest, highest quality analysis of data ever conducted reveals that genetically modified Bt corn has little impact on nontarget insects and other organisms, especially compared to growing conventional corn. This study was published in Environmental Evidence by a USDA Agricultural Research Service scientist and his Swiss colleagues.
  • A new, $5.25 million greenhouse is being built on the University of California, Davis, campus to safeguard an important grapevine collection from red blotch disease and other pathogens. The 14,400-square-foot greenhouse will have a vestibuled entry, be insect-proof and provide another level of disease protection. It is being spearheaded by Foundation Plant Services, or FPS, which provides the U.S. grape industry with high-quality, virus-tested grapevine plant material.
  • Dr. Gary Beall and Dr. Rusty Phillips have teamed up with key experts in the produce industry to accelerate the growth of Nabaco Inc. Nabaco manufactures a revolutionary safe and edible coating, called NatuWrap, that extends the shelf life of produce.
  • Traction, a comprehensive farm accounting solution, is now connected to the Climate FieldView platform, providing farmers the option to share field records seamlessly from their FieldView account. With this new capability, Traction delivers accurate field profitability analysis and up-to-date inventory tracking for farmers across the U.S.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast Episode 12

Cindy Zimmerman

Managed aquifer recharge can be an innovative way to both satisfy endangered species’ habitat restoration and benefit crop irrigators in the area. This is exactly how it was used in Nebraska’s Central Platte Valley when river canals were already in need of repair after more than 100 years of use.

The process consists of recharging an aquifer using either surface or underground recharge techniques, making the stored water available for use in dry years when surface water supplies may be low. In the Central Platte Valley, this was done through a low cost, low energy method of timing the flow of water and managing its gravitational seep into the ground. It now contributes to the streamflow targets of each endangered bird species, with an estimated value of $43.7 million.

Crystal Powers, Nebraska Water Center

In this episode, DWFI Communications Specialist Arianna Elnes interviews Crystal Powers, research and extension communications specialist with DWFI and the Nebraska Water Center. They dive more into this collaboration between the Central Platte Natural Resource District (CPNRD), the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (NeDNR), and the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program (PRRIP), as well as private irrigation districts and canal companies.

A new book published by UNESCO includes this project as a case study in effective managed aquifer recharge and it was co-authored by Powers.

Listen to the podcast here:
Daugherty Water for Food Podcast Episode 12 16:48

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, Podcasts, Water, Water for Food

Animal Ag News 6/7

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association praised the signing of an agreement between the U.S. and Japan to increase the Beef Safeguard Trigger level under the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement.
  • Navigating social, environmental and economic issues facing dairy businesses in a world shifting from COVID-19 restrictions took center stage at the 2022 Dairy Sustainability Alliance® Spring Meeting, held May 18-19.
  • FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative applauds the announcement made by the Biden Administration to initiate a second dispute panel over Canada’s most recent actions to delay fulfilling its obligations under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
  • This year’s World Pork Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds from June 8-10 is presented by the National Pork Producers Council, marking the organization’s 34th annual event. Thousands of producers and industry professionals will gather to learn the latest technologies and innovations in the field.
  • This June Dairy Month, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) is turning up the heat with a new ad campaign featuring the “DFA Nerd Herd” that will show milk doesn’t just cut the heat in spicy foods, but it also can help protect the environment by cutting the heat that methane emissions trap in the planet. Launched in 2021, the DFA Nerd Herd is led by farmers along with a team of engineers, nutritionists, veterinarians, technology experts, scientists and more to help educate consumers about how DFA farm families are using renewable energy methods, like wind and solar, creating healthy soil and turning waste into power sources through anaerobic digesters to help protect the earth and reduce our carbon footprint.
  • The American Meat Science Association (AMSA) announced Kaitlyn Compart, director of scientific affairs for Smithfield Foods, Inc., is a recipient of its 2022 Achievement Award. The annual awards program recognizes young professional members who have demonstrated significant contributions to the industry.
  • The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced that a highlights report from the 2022 Stakeholders Summit is now accessible online. The 2022 event, themed “Come Together for Animal Ag: Be Informed, Be Ready, Be Here,” was held May 11-12 in Kansas City, Mo. and attracted a diverse audience of over 385 in-person and virtual attendees.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Agri-Pulse West Summit Announces Speakers

Cindy Zimmerman

The agenda for the 2022 Agri-Pulse Food and Agriculture Issues Summit in Sacramento July 11 is shaping up to include some of California’s most prominent policy makers.

State Senator Melissa Hurtado, the youngest woman ever to be elected to the California State Senate and a representative of a new generation of Latina political leaders, will be the opening keynote speaker for the summit. California’s Secretary of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross, and Wade Crowfoot, Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, will also participate in the event which focuses on “Reinventing Resiliency for California Food and Agriculture.”

“If you are involved with food and agriculture, the concept of bouncing back from adversity and being resilient is likely not new. However, another year of western drought, supply chain disruptions, labor challenges and regulatory hurdles have prompted industry leaders to rethink how to adapt, transform and innovate in order to be resilient and stay in business,” said Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse editor and founder. “Our Summit will focus on the top economic and policy issues impacting California farmers and food companies, including innovations to produce more crops with less water, opportunities to advance climate-smart practices, new strategies for job training and political engagement, and much more.”

The summit will offer participants a full day of presentations and panel discussions at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento in person on July 11, and virtual attendance options are also available. Find out more from Agri-Pulse.

Agri-Pulse, Events, Food

Industry Ag News 6/6

Carrie Muehling

  • Agriculture producers who did not receive the 2017 Census of Agriculture and do not receive other USDA surveys or censuses have until June 30 to sign up to receive the 2022 Census of Agriculture at nass.usda.gov/AgCensus. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will mail ag census survey codes for responding securely online to every known U.S. producer this November. Hard copy questionnaires will follow in December.
  • The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) is accepting entries for its 2023 NAFB Membership Directory cover photo contest. The winning entry will receive $100, and the photo will be featured on the cover of the 2023 NAFB Membership Directory. The entry deadline is September 30, 2022.
  • The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) welcomes two interns this summer thanks to the generous support of the Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA). Emma Hoffschneider, who is majoring in agricultural economics and agricultural & environmental sciences communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will be working in the NCGA office in Washington, D.C. Savannah Peterson is interning with the NCGA office in St. Louis, Missouri. Peterson majored in agricultural communications and animal science at Casper College and will begin at Kansas State University this fall.
  • The Kroger Co., America’s largest grocery retailer, launched a digital farmers market in Atlanta, Georgia, in partnership with Market Wagon. Developed as an e-commerce marketplace for local farmers and businesses, the service is a digital platform that offers customers a wide range of fresh, local products.
  • Prof. Louise O. Fresco, President of Wageningen University & Research, was presented the Norman E. Borlaug Medallion by World Food Prize Foundation President, Barbara Stinson, at a special celebration at the university.
  • The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) recommends that producers initiate discussions with propane suppliers now, as recent weather and global geo-political events continue to introduce challenges to many markets. By having those conversations now, producers can take advantage of early order discounts and other benefits of filling tanks sooner than previous years, while ensuring continuous access to the energy they need throughout the 2022 harvest season and beyond.
  • Ag Supply Chain and Challenges will be the topic for the Agricultural Council of Kansas City’s June 16 monthly luncheon meeting. The panel discussion will be moderated by Tom Brand with NAFB and will feature experts from the meat, dairy, crop, and equipment sectors.
  • Commodity Classic announced Maureen Feck has accepted the role of Show Director and will begin her new job on July 1, 2022.
  • U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action took to the global stage at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, where food and agriculture were front and center in the conversation for the first time.
Zimfo Bytes

Alltech E-CO2 Helps Lower Dairy Carbon Footprint

Cindy Zimmerman

Alltech has pioneered the use of on-farm environmental tools and assessments to provide opportunities to benchmark and improve efficiency, leading towards increased profitability and sustainability. From individual farms to multinational organizations, Alltech E-CO2 service provides a comprehensive range of advice, tools and services to help measure and improve environmental performance.

Alltech E-CO2 Vice President Matthew Smith says they can help processors improve efficiencies by looking at the carbon footprint of each individual dairy unit supplying their product. “And then you get the opportunity to provide some management advice about how nutrition could be improved which will lower that carbon footprint,” said Smith during an interview at the recent Alltech ONE Conference. Lowering a farm’s carbon footprint goes hand-in-hand with increasing farm efficiency and, therefore, profitability.

Learn more in this interview with Smith.
ONE22 Interview with Matthew Smith, Alltech E-CO2 (7:05)

Did you miss Alltech ONE in person? You can still register to enjoy all of the virtual content. Click here.

Virtual Newsroom

2022 Alltech ONE Conference Photos and Audio

AgWired Animal, Alltech, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Dairy

Alltech Honors Global Ag Journalists at ONE

Cindy Zimmerman

Lindi Botha, South Africa – 2022 IFAJ–Alltech award

The recent 38th annual Alltech ONE Conference (ONE) in Lexington, Kentucky, hosted 65 journalists from approximately 20 countries. Another 213 were in attendance virtually, representing nearly 35 countries. In a presentation during the conference, Alltech presented several awards to honor some of those journalists for their excellence.

In partnership with the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ), Alltech announced Lindi Botha of South Africa as the recipient of the 2022 IFAJ–Alltech International Award for Leadership in Agricultural Journalism. This recognition honors Alltech’s late founder, Dr. Pearse Lyons, who was a passionate storyteller with a great respect for agricultural journalists. Botha is an agricultural journalist and communications specialist and serves as the deputy chairperson of Agricultural Writers South Africa.

Alltech CEO Dr. Mark Lyons presented awards to Sofia Neumann (right) of Chile and Marlene Bernal Munoz (middle), accepting on behalf of Nicolás Gómez Bernal of Ecuador

Alltech also partnered with the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Agricultural Communicators (Red CALC) to present the ninth annual Innovation and Quality Awards in Agricultural Journalism to Sofia Neumann of Chile and Nicolás Gómez Bernal of Ecuador.

Neumann’s winning article, entitled “5 Chilean innovations that will impact the agricultural industry,” was published in Chile’s Financial Journal and addressed the impact of the adoption of research and development in the fruit sector of Chile. Gómez Bernal’s award-winning report, “RAZA 4 joins Latin American countries in defense of their plantations,” published in the newspaper El Productor de Ecuador, focuses on the banana industry as the first export area of many Latin American countries.

Virtual Newsroom

2022 Alltech ONE Conference Photos and Audio

Alltech, Media