Update on Global Ag Tech Initiative

Cindy Zimmerman

The Global Ag Tech Initiative, launched in June by Meister Media Worldwide (MMW), was in the spotlight at the recent Tech Hub LIVE in Indianapolis.

“The initiative will leverage all MMW domestic and international markets and diverse platforms to build out new global and region-specific programs to advance the new generation of digital data-driven agriculture around the world,” said Global Ag Tech Initiative managing director Eric Davis.

The initiative includes a portfolio of events and informative products which can be found on the GlobalAgTechInitiative.com website. It also includes the Global Ag Tech Alliance North America, a partnership with industry-leading technology and crop input organizations supporting the activities, research, and outreach that facilitate the adoption of precision and digital agriculture products and practices.

Learn more in this interview with Davis.
2022 Tech Hub LIVE interview with Eric Davis, Global Ag Tech Initiative 4:28

AgWired Precision, Audio, Precision Agriculture, Tech Hub LIVE, Technology

DWFI Podcast 16 – Erin Haacker – Nebraska Groundwater

Cindy Zimmerman

Erin Haacker is a hydrogeologist and assistant professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. As Erin would say, her professional path has been a winding road. She has two bachelor’s degrees – zoology from the University of Montana and geology from University College Cork in Ireland. She ventured to Michigan State University for her Ph.D., double majoring in environmental science and policy and is now teaching in UNL’s Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences.

Erin is interested in groundwater management, especially in terms of profit and risk. She likes to ask thought-provoking questions such as how people adapt to natural resources and how that can be represented in physical and statistical models.

In this episode, Frances Hayes, DWFI director of communications and public relations, and Erin discuss the interconnections of groundwater and surface water in Nebraska, as well as the role agriculture plays in the equation.

Listen here or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:
DWFI Podcast 16 - Erin Haacker - Nebraska Groundwater 26:59

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, Irrigation, Water, Water for Food

Industry Ag News 8/5

Carrie Muehling

  • U.S. Wheat Associates has hired Brenda Taylor as Director of Information Technology in its Arlington, Va., headquarters office. Taylor is an experienced information technology manager having worked primarily in a local law firm. USW is the export market organization for the U.S. wheat industry.
  • U.S. Wheat Associates has promoted Catherine Miller to Director of Programs. Miller joined USW in 2018 as Program and Planning Coordinator and shifted to Programs Coordinator in 2021 to reflect structural changes.
  • The Progressive Agriculture Foundation welcomes Toby Neal of Rochester, Minnesota, as its new program support specialist. Bringing more than 10 years of experience in volunteer management and youth development, Neal will officially begin his role with the Foundation on Monday, August 8.
  • Start making your plans to attend the 2022 NAFB Convention. Join more than 650 agricultural industry leaders November 16-18 in Kansas City for three days of learning, newsmaker sessions, networking, and more.
  • In celebration of its 50th anniversary in the U.S., Kubota grows its Kubota Hometown Proud community grant program sixfold in its second year, awarding $600,000 in grants to deserving communities across the country. “Kubota Hometown Proud” – which encourages cities, towns, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations to partner with their local Kubota dealership and apply for consideration – launched a call-for-entries in April and Kubota selected its five regional grant winners in May. Each regional winner is awarded $100,000 to support their community revitalization project. Then, all five community projects were put up for a public vote to determine one lucky community that would receive an additional $100,000 with the program’s “Community Choice Grant,” which ultimately went to Homesteads for Hope, a community garden for adults with disabilities located in Rochester, New York.
  • The Controlled Environment Agriculture Food Safety Coalition announced that it has retained The Stenzel Group LLC to provide management services, with the appointment of former United Fresh Produce Association President & CEO Tom Stenzel as its new Executive Director.
  • Farmers Risk ushers in the next generation of tools for farmers through their trade execution tool. Originally founded in 2021, Farmers Risk is a platform that helps growers track their current financial position and profitability. With this product launch announcement, farmers on the platform will not only be able to track their financial position and risk portfolio, but they can now also actively trade futures and options through their own account, with a small convenience fee of $10 per turn.
  • Anthony Bush, an Ohio farmer, has been appointed to serve as a director on the board of MAIZALL, the international alliance of maize growers and exporters from Argentina, Brazil and the United States. He joins John Linder, National Corn Growers Association’s chair, representing NCGA to the board.
  • Agricultural Retailers Association is proud to announce that Andrea Mowers is being promoted to the position of Director, Communications and Member Experience, effective August 1, 2022. In this role, Andrea will lead all digital and print communication efforts and ensure that all aspects of member interaction and engagement are the best that can be delivered.
Zimfo Bytes

Precision Ag News 8/4

Carrie Muehling

  • Bayer, Bunge and Chevron U.S.A. Inc., a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, have signed a shareholders’ agreement in connection with Bayer’s acquisition of a 65 percent majority ownership of the winter oilseed producer CoverCress, Inc. The remaining 35 percent of CCI will continue ownership under Bunge and Chevron.
  • Veteran ag industry leader John Gertz has joined the senior management team at Meristem Crop Performance as Chief Operating Officer. In the new role, Gertz will apply his deep experience in agribusiness, manufacturing and global supply chain operations management to boost Meristem’s efforts to build the most efficient platform for driving farm business success and accelerating innovation.
  • Valley Irrigation has partnered with Farmers National Company to complete the company’s first ag solar installation within North America. The installation, which is located in south-central Nebraska on a farm managed by Farmers National Company, will provide sustainable power to the landowner by efficiently converting the sun’s rays to clean energy.
  • Corteva Agriscience announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved the registration of Resicore XL herbicide. The improved Resicore XL herbicide formulation will be available for use in the 2023 growing season.
  • The Soil Health Institute has released the agenda for its upcoming annual meeting to be held virtually on Aug. 11-12. Attendees at this year’s annual meeting of the Soil Health Institute can expect a content-rich program ranging from scientific results to their translation and implementation, all designed to increase on-farm and environmental benefits by “Scaling Up Soil Health.”
  • The Illinois Soybean Association has named Stephanie Porter as Outreach Agronomist and Deanna Burkhart as Agronomic Programs Coordinator.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Concept AgriTek Field Day Showcases Product Successes

Cindy Zimmerman

Concept AgriTek recently held its 2022 field day at the Seyer Farm in Oran, Missouri to showcase leading research on the company’s micronutrient and biological product portfolio and answer questions farmers have regarding implementing plans that include biology and micronutrient management.

“We decided a couple of years ago, that if we were going to do plots, we were going to do them right. We wanted them to be as close to what growers were seeing in the field as we could get them,” Regional Sales Manager, Mark Glastetter told attendees as the event kicked off.

The in-field portion offered an in-depth look at the biology being used in the Concept AgriTek agronomic program with Agronomist, Bert Riggan, discussing the importance of Buncha Bugs and Biovate® XP as a foundation for any crop. The afternoon delivered an introduction of the Concept AgriTek team, a display of nationwide product success amongst various crops, including rice, corn, soybeans, sweet potatoes, and melon. The afternoon concluded with a product giveaway of 100 acres of CALBOR and BioHealth.

Concept AgriTek owner, Trey Curtis, addressed attendees. “We are growing at an incredible rate and with that growth, we are adding to our sales and support teams to make sure that we are able to provide the level of service and agronomic support our team has become known for,” he said.

Visit the Concept AgriTek website to learn more about the education shared at the 2022 Field Day, or to schedule an on-site visit with an agronomist.

Agronomy, AgWired Precision, Biologicals, Nutrient Management, Precision Agriculture

Animal Ag News 8/1

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced that JY Ferry & Son, Inc. in Corinne, Utah, is the 2021 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) national winner. The award, which annually recognizes the outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of cattle producers, was presented to the Ferry family during the cattle industry’s Summer Business Meeting in Reno.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced support for the Food and Energy Security Act introduced by Sen. John Thune, R-SD. The bill would require federal regulators to disclose how proposed rules would impact food and energy prices.
  • Dr. Billy Powell of Washington County, Alabama was presented with the Cattlemen’s Beef Board’s second annual Beef Checkoff Visionary Award during the General Session of the 2022 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in Reno, Nevada. This honor recognizes an individual in the beef industry who has demonstrated exemplary support of and commitment to the Checkoff’s goals and vision.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is increasing the amount of funding available for the Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program (SMHPP) and expects to issue approximately $62.8 million in pandemic assistance payments to hog producers starting this week. SMHPP assists eligible producers who sold hogs through a spot market sale from April 16, 2020, through Sept. 1, 2020. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) accepted SMHPP applications through April 29, 2022. Terry Wolters, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) president and owner of Stoney Creek Farms in Pipestone, Minnesota, shared a statement on behalf of NPPC in support of this action.
  • Dr. Janet Remus, senior technical director with Danisco Animal Nutrition & Health, was recognized with the 2022 Poultry Science Association Distinguished Poultry Industry Career Award, sponsored by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY).
  • Wisconsin cheese, butter and yogurt makers win the most awards of any state, totaling more than one-fourth (26%) of all awards at the 2022 American Cheese Society Judging and Competition in Portland, Ore. That’s twice the awards won by the next closest competing state.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

DWFI Podcast 15 – Roric Paulman, Paulman Farms

Cindy Zimmerman

Roric Paulman is a producer and owner of Paulman Farms, located just south of Sutherland, Nebraska and in the heart of the Ogallala Aquifer, comprised of both irrigated and rain fed farmland. The farm was established and harvested its first crop in 1985 and uses the latest on-farm technology to grow more than a dozen crops. It is one of two “smart farms” in Nebraska that DWFI and the Nebraska Water Center helped the University of Nebraska–Lincoln establish to test the real-world ability of innovations to increase yields and improve sustainability outside of a controlled environment. It is equipped with high-speed wireless internet for data access, cutting-edge sensors and precision application equipment that helps to improve water, nitrogen and other input efficiencies, as well as soil health, carbon sequestration and technology development.

Roric is an avid user of new technologies and practices he believes will help make his operation more sustainable while still increasing profits. He is also a member of the DWFI international advisory board and Board Chair of the Nebraska Water Balance Alliance, an organization that catalyzes best practices among Nebraska farmers by emphasizing practical, locally focused watershed management practices. Roric is active on state, regional, and national boards for many of the crops he grows and is focused on helping to promote farmer understanding of best practices in water use efficiency.

In this episode of our special series focused on water and agriculture in Nebraska, Frances Hayes, DWFI director of communications and public relations, chats with Roric about why technology’s intersection with agriculture is so top of mind and how he sees growers working together to protect groundwater and surface water.

Listen here or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:
DWFI Podcast 15 - Roric Paulman, Paulman Farms 26:59

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:

AgWired Precision, Audio, Irrigation, Precision Agriculture, Technology, Water, Water for Food

Syngenta Agronomy Alert – DuracadeViptera Success

Chuck Zimmerman

Corn rootworm is one of the primary insect pests, costing growers an estimated $1 billion annually in lost yields and control measures. I talked with Bruce Battles, technical agronomy manager for Syngenta to describe how bad it is and what his suggestions are for growers in this current season. He specifically talks about the successes growers have had using Syngenta’s DuracadeViptera which controls both above ground and below ground pests.

“There are several key insect pest corn growers should keep an eye out for this growing season – including corn rootworm and western bean cutworm,” says Bruce Battles, technical agronomy manager for Syngenta. “For those that plant corn on corn, conditions have supported an increase in corn rootworm populations in the last few years. Conducting root digs and monitoring adult corn rootworm beetles will help guide future management decisions.”

You can listen in to our conversation here: Interview with Bruce Battles (5:55)

Agribusiness, Agronomy, Audio, Corn, Syngenta

Plant Response Announces New Team Members

Cindy Zimmerman

(Research Triangle Park, NC) — Plant Response Inc. announces new team members joining the company as its biologicals business continues to grow.

Matt Sowder is the company’s new director of global agronomy. Sowder is responsible for building and leading Plant Responses global agronomy team to support new product development, assessment, and trialing as well as positioning and training as product near commercialization. He will be based in Memphis, TN.

Jennifer Lilly joins Plant Response as director of regulatory and government affairs. Lilly will shepherd the company’s expanding product registrations through global review, as well as represent the company in key industry and regulatory discussions. She has extensive experience in regulatory affairs across a range of product categories including pesticides, fertilizers, biostimulants, and organic certification at both small and large ag companies, including Isagro, Indigo Ag, Bayer, and BASF. Lilly will be based in RTP.

Anthony Finke joins the Plant Response commercial team as regional sales manager. He will lead growth across the company’s product lines in the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Finke has over a decade of experience in the industry, including sales roles with Chief Agri and Syngenta. Finke will be based in Kearney, NE.

Plant Response Inc. is a biological solutions company discovering and commercializing technologies in the areas of live microbes, extracts and digests, and natural compounds. The solutions are grounded in science and designed to deliver a range of outcomes including enhanced nutrient acquisition and improved soil and plant health. The company’s headquarters is in Durham, NC and has offices in Madrid (Spain); Plant City, FL; and Redmond, WA.

Agronomy, people, Soil

Peanut Policy Remarks from Congressman Michael Cloud, R-TX

Chuck Zimmerman

Congressman Michael CloudCongressman Michael Cloud (R-Texas), shared thoughts on the state of U.S. peanut policy during the 2022 Southern Peanuts Growers Conference. He said the American agriculture industry continues to do a great job even amid policies that are sometimes restrictive.

“What we’ve seen over the last year is the American ag industry continues to have higher yields with less inputs. That’s an amazing story that needs to continue to be told,” Cloud said.

In the meantime, he recognized that farmers need solutions for supply chain breakdowns and high input costs rather than electric tractors.

Interview with Congressman Michael Cloud, R-TX: Interview with Congressman Cloud (3:12)

Full remarks from Congressman Michael Cloud, R-TX: Remarks from Congressman Cloud (22:17)

2022 Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Farm Policy, Peanuts, SPGC