Congrats to #ARCinMKE Winners

Cindy Zimmerman

The Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) 2022 Golden ARC Awards winners were announced last week in Milwaukee, during the group’s annual meeting.

MorganMyers won the Golden ARC de Excellence Award – the contest’s best all-around entry in the campaigns division – for its “The SCN Coalition: Battling A Bug to Improve America’s Soybean Profitability and Sustainability” entry in the PR Campaigns – Issues Management category. The Golden ARC Awards contest has recognized exceptional work created by public relations professionals in the agricultural industry since 1990.

This year’s Golden ARC Awards contest drew 72 entries – 27 campaigns and 45 tactics. Twenty-one entities, including individuals, agencies, companies, commodity groups and associations, submitted entries. In addition to the Golden ARC de Excellence Award, ARC presented 32 Golden ARC awards.

See all the winners.

Ag Groups, Agencies, ARC, Public Relations

Nebraska Inspires Water Partnership with Brazil

Cindy Zimmerman

The government of Mato Grosso, Brazil found what it was looking for in Nebraska – ways to improve the sustainable development of water for crop irrigation and pasture land, to intensify production on existing lands and decrease expansion of agriculture on fragile ecosystem.

As a result of a technical visit to Nebraska in May, Mato Grosso will sign a technical collaboration agreement with the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) and the University of Nebraska to map its water resources in order to identify, monitor and define any present and planned future use.

The state of Mato Grosso is Brazil’s agricultural giant, producing more soybeans and cattle than any other state in the country. It is also considered one of the world’s main food producers. However, the state faces many issues with the expansion of agriculture exerting pressure on the Amazon Forest and Cerrado savanna ecosystem. In addition, agriculture faces many water challenges, especially during long periods of drought.

With its mild climate and significant rainwater, Mato Grosso experiences two growing seasons. However, with just 5% of the state’s agricultural land currently irrigated, there is potential for a third crop production season within one year.

The new partnership is part of DWFI’s effort to strengthen relationships around the world to grow more food with less stress on water resources. DWFI’s mission is to have a lasting and significant impact on achieving more food security with less pressure on scarce water resources.

Read more from DWFI

International, Sustainability, Technology, Water, Water for Food

Cost of July 4th Cookout Skyrockets

Cindy Zimmerman

The cost of your July 4th holiday cookout has skyrocketed 17 percent since last year, according to the latest American Farm Bureau Federation survey.

According to the survey, the average cost of a summer cookout for 10 people is $69.68, or about $10 more than last year, which they attribute to ongoing supply chain disruptions, inflation and the war in Ukraine.

Survey results showed the retail price for 2 pounds of ground beef at $11.12, up 36% from last year. Meanwhile, the Agriculture Department’s Producer Price Index indicates that compared to a year ago, farm-level cattle prices are up 17.5%, but wholesale beef prices are down 14%. This serves to highlight the differences between farm-level, wholesale and retail beef prices and how the events of the last few years have had significant impacts on the beef production and cattle pricing cycles, making them all hard to predict.

Several other foods in the survey, including chicken breasts, pork chops, homemade potato salad, fresh-squeezed lemonade, pork & beans, hamburger buns and cookies, also increased in price.

One bright spot for consumers is the average retail price for strawberries, which declined by 86 cents compared to a year ago. Sliced cheese and potato chips also dropped in price, 48 cents and 22 cents, respectively. Better weather conditions in some fruit-growing regions and greater retailer pricing flexibility for processed products are the likely drivers behind the modest price declines for these items.

Read more from AFBF

AFBF, Food

Industry Ag News 6/24

Cindy Zimmerman

  • Michael Torrey Associates (MTA) welcomes Ashley Willits to the policy team for the Washington, D.C.-based firm with a growing number of clients in the food, agriculture, and forestry sector. Ashley serves as the Policy Manager for Michael Torrey Associates, where she provides policy communications and advocacy support for the firm’s clients. Prior to joining MTA, Ashley served as an Associate Director of Policy Communications at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
  • GROWMARK is partnering with the Midwest Food Bank to deliver relief to war-ravaged Ukraine. GROWMARK System employees, members, and customers are making financial donations to the GROWMARK Foundation which will go directly to providing Tender Mercies to Ukraine. The GROWMARK Foundation is also offering a dollar-for-dollar match for the first $5,000 donated through the program.
  • American Farmland Trust (AFT) and the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) announced the 14th annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration (AFMC) this week – the only annual ranking of the top farmers markets in the United States as voted on by the public. The AFMC will run June 20 to September 19 on markets.farmland.org. Markets can join the celebration and encourage their customers to vote, an excellent marketing tool and a pathway to winning a piece of the $10,000 prize pool.
  • The North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kipp McGuire as Director of Government Affairs. Kipp comes from the consulting world, where he was an advisor to the U.S. Navy’s Commander of Pacific Fleet as a member of the Commander’s Action Group and Government Affairs and Outreach teams.
  • The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol was accepted as an ISEAL Community Member following a rigorous and meticulous approval process and only eighteen months after the program’s launch. ISEAL is a global membership organization that supports credited sustainability systems in their work, with the goal to drive greater impact and establish markets that are a force for good.
  • AgriThority® continues to see increased demand for development projects for new agricultural innovations around the world. To meet current and future client growth, AgriThority announces the addition of two new associates to support global product and business development growth. Maria Karamagioli joins AgriThority to serve as Associate Product & Business Development Manager in Greece, while Luigi Radaelli takes on the same role in Italy.
  • The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) has launched a newly-redesigned, updated guide that allows farmers, land owners and others to easily locate and contact professional seed suppliers for quality environmental, conservation, and cover crop seed. The interactive Conservation, Environmental, and Cover Crop Seed Resource Guide allows buyers to find lists of specific seed types by geographic location to support production and sustainability goals.
ZimmNews

Tech Hub LIVE Ready to Deploy

Cindy Zimmerman

The second annual Tech Hub LIVE Conference and Expo will take place on July 19-21 in Indianapolis, building on last year’s premier event with timely educational programming, expanded business opportunities, and a keynote on strategies for delivering tech solutions to farmers.

Tech Hub LIVE co-chair Lara Sowinski says the CropLife Media Group® event is focused on proven, actionable solutions that can be deployed immediately. “Tech Hub LIVE is where business gets done, new connections are made and the industry advances through data-driven technologies,” said Sowinski.

The keynote speaker for this year’s Tech Hub LIVE is David Widmar, Managing Partner at Agricultural Economic Insights, who specializes in agricultural trends and the farm economy. He will share what lies ahead as he breaks down demographic trends in U.S. agriculture and how to navigate the hurdles to help producers increase profitability, reduce stress, and make better decisions.

The conference will offer diverse networking formats, including one-on-one meetings, break-out sessions, small group discussions, technology talks and fireside chats. The program has been specifically developed to help attendees leverage precision technologies for better profitability, find the latest hardware and software solutions, understand sustainability’s evolving demands, and break barriers to tech adoption. Plus, there will be multiple opportunities to engage with peers at the Welcome Party located at the Fowling Warehouse and during the Networking Reception.

Learn more about what’s in store for the 2nd annual Tech Hub LIVE in this interview with Sowinski.
2022 Tech Hub LIVE preview with Lori Sowinski 6:19

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

Senate Ag Committee Passes Cattle Market Bills

Cindy Zimmerman

The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced two bills on Wednesday with bipartisan support – the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act and the Meat Packing Special Investigator Act. Both bills were strongly supported by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA).

During his weekly call with agricultural reporters Tuesday, Grassley said he thinks the bills have a good chance of making it to the Senate floor. “I certainly hope as soon as we return after our July break that Leader Schumer will put these bills on the floor for a vote,” said Grassley.

The House included a version of the special investigator bill last week as part of the multi-faceted Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, which also includes the Year-Round Fuel Choice Act to expand voluntary sales of E-15 gasoline. Grassley said he is “confident the Senate has 60 votes” to pass the House package on the floor.

Listen to segments of Grassley’s press call where he comments on the legislation in both chambers and how they might work together.
Sen. Grassley comments on cattle bills 3:23

The cattle market legislation is opposed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association but supported by the United States Cattlemen’s Association.

Audio, Beef

Field Notes From Koch Agronomic Services – Episode 20

Chuck Zimmerman

The Field Notes podcast series from Koch Agronomic Services breaks down the science and technology behind agronomy to help growers do more with less.

The experts we’ve heard from on our previous episodes have covered topics ranging from how different crops use nitrogen to the 4R’s of Nutrient Stewardship and how growers and retailers work together to choose the best input for an operation. If you haven’t checked out the previous episodes, you can find them on your favorite podcast platform.

Hidden Hunger: Addressing Your Crop’s Unseen Nutrient Deficiencies

In this episode, we sit down with KAS agronomists, Edwin Suarez and Lacie Thomas, to discuss how the ‘hidden hunger’ phenomenon could be limiting your crops maximum yield potential. The KAS experts explain the importance of addressing hidden hunger before it’s too late and how KAS can provide the solution.

You can listen to the program here: Hidden Hunger: Addressing Your Crop’s Unseen Nutrient Deficiencies (17:51)

And to make sure you don’t miss an episode, choose an option to subscribe

For Spotify on your computer download the desktop app

Agribusiness, Audio, Fertilizer, Koch Agronomic Services, Nutrient Management, Soil

Precision Ag News 6/22

Cindy Zimmerman

  • Golden Harvest has shared new data showcasing the top yield performance of Golden Harvest® brand soybean varieties with the Enlist E3® soybean trait technology when compared directly against competitors. In addition to yield potential benefits, these varieties offer herbicide flexibility and fit into diversified weed management strategies.
  • The deadline is fast-approaching for the 2022 Farms.com Precision Agriculture Scholarship Contest — students have until June 30 to submit their idea. The theme for this year’s scholarship is “Precision Agriculture that Meets Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance.”
  • Sakata Seed America has appointed William (Bill) McCarthy as Director of R&D. Bill assumes the role from Jeff Zischke, who is retiring after 32 years with Sakata in roles as Tomato Breeder, Global Product Manager and Senior Director of R&D. Bill will assume responsibility for all of Sakata Seed America’s vegetables research and development activity at the company’s R&D stations in Burlington, WA, Woodland and Salinas, CA, Ft Myers, FL and Culiacan, Mexico.
  • Novozymes is partnering with AgroFresh, a global leader in post-harvest freshness solutions, to develop biological solutions that can improve post-harvest food quality and minimize waste by fighting fungal pathogens. Resulting products, which will be developed for post-harvest applications, will benefit growers, retailers, and consumers, as well as the environment.
  • Rob-See-Co, an independent seed company located in Elkhorn, Nebraska has acquired Big Cob Hybrids, an independent seed company based in Seward, NE. The
    acquisition enables Rob-See-Co to expand its footprint and product offerings to dealers and growers in Kansas and Nebraska. The company will operate out of Rob-See-Co’s headquarters.
  • Biotalys, an ag tech company protecting crops and food with protein-based biocontrol solutions, and Novozymes have entered into a partnership to expand opportunities for Evoca™*, Biotalys’ first proprietary biocontrol. Evoca is an innovative protein-based biofungicide developed on Biotalys’ AGROBODY Foundry™ platform that helps control fungal diseases such as Botrytis and powdery mildew in fruits and vegetables.
  • Content from the virtual Corn Utilization and Technology Conference (CUTC) focused on New Uses and Mycotoxins is now available on-line. For access to the catalog of this year’s virtual CUTC recorded sessions, visit ncga.com/cutc.
AgWired Precision, Precision Agriculture

Yield10 Bioscience Offers Winter Camelina Contracts

Cindy Zimmerman

Yield10 Bioscience, Inc., an agricultural bioscience company, today announced an open enrollment program for growers for contract production of winter Camelina. Farms located in Montana and Idaho, as well as southern Alberta (Canada) and Saskatchewan (Canada) are eligible to participate in the program.

Winter Camelina Production, Idaho, Spring 2022 (Photo courtesy of Yield10 Bioscience)

One of Yield10’s primary goals is to establish Camelina as a revenue generating winter cover crop that is also a low-carbon source of feedstock oil for use in the growing biofuels market. As a cover crop, Camelina has the potential to help reduce soil erosion, improve soil quality, and reduce nutrient run-off from land that is used for row crop production. Yield10 is developing proprietary varieties of winter Camelina that have been grown in field tests over the last three years.

Yield10 plans to contract with growers this winter for planting high-performing non-regulated winter Camelina as part of an initiative to establish pre-commercial production and offtake relationships in the biofuels market. Yield10 plans to expand the planting acreage going forward, introducing herbicide tolerant Camelina varieties to enable large acreage planting over time and is already field-testing herbicide tolerant Camelina varieties this year to identify lead and back up lines for commercial development and regulatory approval.

Yield10 has outlined a commercialization plan for Camelina as a platform crop to address three markets: Camelina oil for use as a biofuels feedstock oil; Camelina meal for use in animal feed; and longer term, PHA bioplastics produced in Camelina for use as a biodegradable plastic.

For more information on Yield10’s Camelina Opportunities for Growers, please contact Darren Greenfield, Senior Director of Seed Operations, at growers@yield10bio.com

Biofuels, Farming

Animal Ag News 6/21

Cindy Zimmerman

  • The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced new efforts to help prevent the introduction and spread of African swine fever in the U.S. Through an outreach and awareness campaign called “Protect Our Pigs,” APHIS will support commercial pork producers, veterinarians, and pig owners with information and resources to help safeguard America’s swine population and the pork industry.
  • USDA and the checkoff-founded Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to continue working toward the dairy industry’s 2050 environmental stewardship goals while addressing growing consumer demand for food that is produced in a way that’s good for the planet. The MOU, which extends and builds upon a pact originally signed in 2009, will leverage USDA programs to encourage the adoption of economically viable technologies and practices that improve sustainability and assist in addressing environmental needs of U.S. dairy farmers.
  • Mark Barnett of Kentucky-Tennessee Livestock Market, Inc. in Guthrie, Ky., was installed president of the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) at the 2022 LMA Annual Convention & WLAC, held June 8-11. Barnett will complete a two-year term leading the nation’s largest livestock marketing trade association that represents more than 800 local livestock auction markets and allied businesses.
  • The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is pleased to announce the promotion of Maria C. Zieba to vice president of international affairs. She will oversee international trade advocacy efforts on behalf of America’s 60,000 pork producers.
  • Will Epperly, from Dunlap, Iowa, was named the 2022 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion at the 58th annual competition held at Shipshewana Auction & Trading Place, Shipshewana, Ind., and presented by the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA)./li>
  • Four students have joined the Certified Angus Beef Communications team this summer as interns. The four college students are Claudia Adcock from Ohio, Lauren Mosher of Iowa, Daniela Medina and Kindle Catching, both from Texas. The up-and-coming leaders in the beef business will get hands-on experience, networking with professionals and putting their classroom knowledge to work /li>
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health