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.
Zimfo Bytes

Farmers Receive $1.2 Million from CarbonNOW®

Cindy Zimmerman

Over 40 farmers around the country are celebrating the rapid receipt of over $1.2 million in carbon payments, upfront on a per-acre basis through CarbonNOW®, a globally recognized carbon farming program from Locus Agricultural Solutions® (Locus AG). Farmers received the initial compensation within 8 months of joining CarbonNOW, making it the fastest prepayment from any agricultural carbon farming program.

“It’s important for farmers to see financial compensation early on for the time dedicated to a carbon farming program, plus co-benefits to help ensure a successful growing season,” said Travis Kraft, Locus AG’s director of row crops and CarbonNOW carbon farming expert. “With CarbonNOW, farmers don’t have to wait years for payment. They get guaranteed money upfront with no program fees, plus the chance for bonuses.”

CarbonNOW also provides access to novel microbial soil amendments, or soil probiotics, that count as a required regenerative agriculture practice change.

In addition to broader eligibility, the soil probiotics also accelerate profitability for the farmer and enable potential performance bonuses by:
– increasing carbon sequestration
– enhancing nutrient uptake
– boosting crop productivity / yields

Locus AG’s CarbonNOW experts help farmers track these co-benefits through free-of-charge, on-farm soil testing and third-party validations.

The CarbonNOW program was recently expanded to 1.32 million acres and growing interest from farmers and carbon credit buyers is leading to additional plans for further reach.

Find out more from LocusAG.com/CarbonNOW.

carbon, Farming

Precision Ag News 8/10

Carrie Muehling

  • Bayer’s national flagship brand DEKALB is proud to announce its new partnership as the Official Corn Seed of MLB at Field of Dreams presented by GEICO. On August 11, the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs take the field next to the legendary filming site in Dyersville, Iowa, surrounded by none other than DEKALB corn.
  • As harvest begins across the country, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) reminds farmers about the importance of taking precautions to ensure treated seed does not enter the grain supply. To learn more about seed treatment stewardship, visit seed-treatment-guide.com. For information about treated seed benefits and safety, visit betterseed.org/treated-seeds/.
  • Growers looking to provide the critical nutrition needed for early crop establishment can now turn to PROTIVATE nutritional seed enhancer from Koch Agronomic Services. With proprietary blends of nutrients applied directly to the seed, PROTIVATE is tailored to provide early season nutrition needed to maximize emergence and resilience for a variety of crops, from corn and soybean to cotton, wheat, canola, alfalfa and more.
  • The 2022 Irrigation Issues Report from Ceres Imaging, a precision agriculture data provider, is now available. As a follow up to their inaugural 2021 report, this year’s report further analyzed data from 350,000 acres of specialty crops across California to quantify the extent and impact of drip irrigation issues.
  • At its annual Specialty Products Conference, AgriGold revealed significant new offerings in seed products that give farmers opportunities to generate greater net income through premium programs.
  • Meristem Crop Performance Group and Stoller announced a strategic product development and marketing alliance focused on distributing Stoller’s biostimulant technology while offering even more quality solutions through Meristem’s growing network of dealer-partners.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Ethanol Report on Inflation Reduction Act

Cindy Zimmerman

The Inflation Reduction Act passed Sunday afternoon by the U.S. Senate retained important provisions that will stimulate growth and investment in the use of low-carbon renewable fuels, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. The legislation now moves back to the House of Representatives, where a vote is expected as soon as Friday.

In this edition of The Ethanol Report podcast, RFA Vice President of Government and Public Affairs Troy Bredenkamp breaks down some pieces of the legislation that include funding for clean fuel production and enhanced opportunities for ethanol to play a greater role in sustainable aviation fuel, and carbon capture, utilization and storage.

Ethanol Report 8-7-22 (13:25)

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.

Choose an option to subscribe

Audio, Ethanol, Podcasts, RFA

Animal Ag News 8/8

Carrie Muehling

  • FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative is hosting an exclusive webinar on Thursday, August 11 at 12 noon for cooperative members to learn more and discuss the issues being discussed to modernize Federal Milk Marketing Orders. The webinar is being hosted in conjunction with the National Milk Producers Federation, and registration is free.
  • Prompted by a call from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to get as many people involved in dairy as possible in one room to discuss solutions to Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) shortfalls, the American Farm Bureau Federation is hosting a forum Oct. 14-16 in Kansas City, Missouri. Registration is open through Sept. 22. on the Federal Milk Marketing Order Forum website.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is seeking nominations for three top awards presented annually to leaders in the dairy industry. Nominations will close on Friday, Oct. 28. Winners will be announced and recognized at Dairy Forum 2023 in Orlando, Fla. Nominations are now open for the following awards: The IDFA Laureate Award, the 2023 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year Award, and the IDFA Food Safety Leadership Award.
  • Verility Inc., led by co-founder and CEO Liane Hart, has closed Series A funding worth $3.5 million. The round was led by Mountain Group Partners of Nashville, Tennessee, and includes a previous investment from Purdue Foundry.
  • The 2023 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) has surpassed 500,000 square feet of exhibit space and secured more than 940 exhibitors, with six months remaining until the Expo. Made up of three integrated trade shows – the International Poultry Expo, International Feed Expo and International Meat Expo – IPPE is the world’s largest annual poultry and egg, meat and animal food trade show and is sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, the American Feed Industry Association and the North American Meat Institute.
  • Zoetis announced it has received expanded label approval from the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) on three beef implant products. Synovex Choice® is the foundation of new reimplant labels that are now available to feedlot operations, which also include Synovex Plus® and Synovex® One Feedlot.
  • To better capture current market values and the investments producers have in the livestock they raise, USDA’s Farm Service Agency recently announced increased Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) disaster assistance payment rates for beef, beefalo, bison and dairy animals less than 250 pounds. These now-updated payment rates are reflective of the substantial increased cost of these non-adult livestock in 2022.
  • Cargill is continuing their legacy and commitment to fighting food insecurity through a new $4.9 million donation to the Feeding America® network of member food banks. The company’s donation comes at a moment when the need for food assistance remains high from continued pandemic and economic impacts.
  • The Animal Agriculture Alliance’s annual College Aggies Online scholarship competition is returning this year on September 12. Now in its 14th year, the program is open to undergraduate, graduate students, collegiate clubs and classes who will learn how to engage about food and agriculture online and in their communities over the course of the nine-week program. Last year students were awarded more than $20,000 in scholarships.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites