Field Notes from Koch Agronomic Services – Episode 21

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.

Brand Expansion: Finding the Right Solutions to Grower Challenges

In this episode, we’ll sit down with two members of the brand expansion team to discuss how they find the right solutions to handle the nutrient challenges growers face in the field. Michael Berry, director of brand expansion, and Doug DeGroot, brand expansion manager, also discuss their latest acquisitions and how products are integrated once they are added to the KAS solutions lineup.

You can listen to the program here: Brand Expansion: Finding the Right Solutions to Grower Challenges (10:12)

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, Koch Agronomic Services, Podcasts, Soil

Tech Hub LIVE Keynoter Offers Ag Economic Insights

Cindy Zimmerman

Keynote speaker for the second annual Tech Hub LIVE on Wednesday was David Widmar, managing partner at Agricultural Economic Insights (AEI), who offered his insights on where we are in the farm economy production agriculture business cycle, some key demographic trends, and some key conversations to have with growers.

Widmar says one of the main favorable factors in the current farm economy is an increase in oilseeds demand. “We’ve seen it here in the U.S. but also around the world,” said Widmar. “It’s soybeans in South America, sunflowers in Eastern Europe, and it’s rapeseed in India.”

AEI.ag has produced two in-depth podcast series in the past two years, “Escaping 1980” about the causes, impacts, and lasting effects of the 1980s farm crisis, and “Corn Saves America” on agriculture’s role in environmental solutions, comparing the rise of corn ethanol with today’s carbon markets. The podcast just received a Star Prize award for audio from the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) at the organization’s 2022 World Congress in Denmark last month, so congratulations for that major accomplishment.

Listen to an interview with Widmar here.
2022 Tech Hub LIVE interview with David Widmar, AEI 6:03

Photos

2022 Tech Hub LIVE Photo Album

Ag Economics, Audio, Tech Hub LIVE, Technology

Precision Ag News 7/20

Carrie Muehling

  • Bushel, an independently owned software company for the agricultural supply chain, announced an integration with EFC Systems’ Merchant Ag ERP software. This integration will allow agribusinesses to provide real-time business information through Bushel’s digital tools including its mobile app and web portal created specifically for agribusinesses.
  • American Farmland Trust (AFT) expanded its national Farmers Combat Climate Change Initiative team by adding Bonnie Michelle McGill, PhD, as Senior Climate and Soil Health Scientist and Rachel Seman-Varner, PhD, as Senior Soil Health and Biochar Scientist.
  • Moleaer, the global leader in nanobubble technology, made its U.S. debut of Lotus™, the newest addition to its nanobubble generator product suite. The patented nanobubble system joins in good company with Moleaer’s other nanobubble generator products, which are used globally by over 500 growers and farmers. Lotus is designed to treat and optimize irrigation water, promote plant growth and reduce water and chemical usage.
  • For compact sprayer manufacturers Martin Lishman Ltd, their venture into the world of autonomous spraying became a reality when they were approached by UK based precision equipment specialist, Manterra Ltd. The plan was to mount a Martin Lishman Mini-Spray 125 litre demount sprayer with 3.5m boom on their XAG R150 fully autonomous utility vehicle and create a go-anywhere unmanned GPS controlled spraying system. The XAG and Mini-Spray combo provides a robust and versatile ground-based platform, which offers a whole plethora of spraying capabilities at an affordable level.
  • With 2022 planting complete, growers are turning their attention to managing their in-season inputs and protecting against disease. This season, managing disease and improving plant health with the right fungicide are crucial due to the higher risk of disease from late planting throughout the Midwest and an above average predicted hurricane season for the South and East Coast. With the Syngenta portfolio of fungicides, like Miravis® Neo, Miravis Top, Miravis Ace and Trivapro®, growers can expect cleaner and greener fields with higher yield and return on investment (ROI) potential.
  • Langer Farms & Ag Services has entered a dealer agreement with Meristem Crop Performance, a new provider of crop inputs.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Soiltech Wireless at Tech Hub LIVE

Chuck Zimmerman

Soiltech WirelessSoiltech Wireless has just completed its seed funding round of $2.5 million and this week the company is exhibiting at Tech Hub LIVE in Indianapolis.

“These funds will help us accelerate growth,” said Ehsan Soltan, Soiltech Founder and CEO. “We have worked hard to prove the concept, enhance the product, and demonstrate value to our customers. Now that we have proven this level of success at the farm gate, we will build the team to drive sales, while continuing to collaborate with customers and researchers to refine our product and software platform to deliver tangible operational, sustainability and traceability results across the agricultural supply chain.”

Soiltech at Tech Hub LIVE

The Soiltech sensor boasts ease of use, arriving pre-configured, pre charged, and ready to help farmers improve crop quality, boost yields, reduce costs, and lower environmental impact. This current round of funding will focus on developments to the Soiltech software platform to help drive collaboration across the agriculture supply chain and deliver enhanced insights to farmers, advisors, processors and input companies.

Learn more about Soiltech in this interview with Soltan.
2022 Tech Hub LIVE interview with Ehsan Soltan, Soiltech 3:42

Agribusiness, Audio, Farming, Tech Hub LIVE, Technology

Valent Receives EPA Registration for Maverick™ Corn Herbicide

Chuck Zimmerman

ValentThis morning Valent announced that it has received EPA registration for Maverick™ Corn Herbicide, a powerful new tool for corn farmers in their fight against resistant weeds.

Maverick equips growers with three effective modes of action for long-lasting, broad-spectrum control of problematic weeds, including waterhemp, Palmer amaranth, marestail and annual grasses, as well as application flexibility from preplant up to 18-inch corn, low use rates for easy in-field handling and mixing, and excellent compatibility with atrazine.

Erick Garcia“Maverick provides use options that increase operational efficiencies and in-field performance,” says Erick Garcia, Maverick brand manager for Valent U.S.A. “Not only do the three modes of action make it a broad spectrum, long-lasting solution, Maverick also provides growers the operational flexibility they need to make the most of their weed management program.”

I interview Erick during the Ag Media Summit in Raleigh, NC to learn more about this new product. You can listen to the interview here: Interview with Erick Garcia (2:58)

You can find more on the Valent website. Erick is now the newest member of the Golden ZimmComm Mic Club!

Ag Media Summit, Agribusiness, Audio, Herbicide

Last Day of 2022 Ag Media Summit

Chuck Zimmerman

2022 Ag Media SummitThis is the big final day of the Ag Media Summit. Things have started out with a Newsmakers Panel on sustainability, climate change and regenerative ag. I’m recording it and the audio will be in our virtual ag newsroom on AgNewsWire.

I have a number of InfoExpo exhibitor interviews and have more to do today. These will all be in the newsroom within the next day or so as time and travel allow. And, finally I have over 300 photos in the AMS photo album so far. But today we have different sessions, organizational meeting, awards and a final banquet with more awards. So a lot more photos today.

I also got to do a Facebook Live interview yesterday with Heather Gieseke, Indigo Ag, one of the AMS sponsors. We talked about the company’s Carbon by Indigo program. It was fun and I got to use my new wireless lav mic kit from DJI. More to come on that from this agnerd.


Ag Media Summit, Audio, Video

Agri-Pulse Welcomes Newsmakers Producer

Cindy Zimmerman

Agri-Pulse Communications is proud to announce the addition of Andrew Huneke as producer of Agri-Pulse Newsmakers, a weekly news program designed to take its audience to the heart of ag policy with members of Congress, administration officials and industry leaders. Huneke will play a central role in scheduling guests, developing graphics, producing all aspects of the show, and interacting with the nation’s agricultural community.

“We’re very excited with the reception Agri-Pulse Newsmakers has received since launching in February, and now is the perfect time to fuel even more growth by bringing Andrew on board,” said Agri-Pulse Founder and President Sara Wyant. “Andrew brings the experience, energy, and passion for broadcast journalism that we were looking for to bring the show to new heights.”

Huneke has a variety of experiences in TV production, including as a news and sports producer at WBFF-TV in Baltimore and as a writer and producer with WTTG-TV in Washington, D.C. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electronic media and film from Towson University and an associate degree in mass communication from Harford Community College.

“I love bringing stories to light and helping viewers understand complex issues, and I can’t wait to bring the skills I’ve developed to the team at Agri-Pulse,” Huneke said. “Newsmakers is off to a great start, and I look forward to working with the rest of the team.”

Agri-Pulse, Media

Animal Ag News 7/18

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture, is hosting a two-day webinar symposium to address concerns regarding the Asian Longhorned Tick and the pest’s possible impact on the U.S. cattle industry. The free virtual event will be held Aug. 23-24 from noon to 3:45pm (Eastern) each day.
  • Chairman David Scott announced that he will be introducing legislation to help small family farmers and ranchers and address the national crisis in our nation’s beef supply chain.
  • May pork export value equated to $65.27 per head slaughtered, down 23% from a year ago but the highest monthly average since July 2021. U.S. pork exports are still below year-ago levels, primarily due to a continued decrease in exports to China and Hong Kong. However, exports to Central America, Latin America and the Caribbean continue to grow. Click here for a comprehensive overview of key U.S. pork markets.
  • Alltech has proudly continued its commitment to supporting the Poultry Science Association (PSA) and student research, celebrating the 22nd anniversary of the Alltech Student Research Manuscript Award. This year’s award recipient was Sarah Struthers from Canada, who is currently in her third year of working toward obtaining a Ph.D. in genetics and genomics at The Roslin Institute, the University of Edinburgh and Scotland’s Rural College. Struthers is a two-time recipient, as she also received the award in 2020.
  • Superior Livestock Auction and Zoetis are collaborating to offer BLOCKYARD™ technology to cattle producers, providing a central, consistent digital source of information for every animal. For cattle buyers and sellers, that means an easy way to access and share cattle records in real time.
  • A team of Utah State University students majoring in food science answered the challenge of developing a dairy-based product for “gamers” during National Dairy Council’s New Product Competition. Students Nathan Pougher, Melissa Marsh, Chandler Stafford and Mackenzie Taylor defeated teams from Iowa State University and California State Polytechnic University-Pomona with its Moba Boba energy drink, which is 92-pecent dairy. The students earned the first-place prize of $8,000 and were recognized at this week’s Institute of Food Technologists’ FIRST (Food Improved by Research, Science and Technology) conference in Chicago.
  • The National Pork Producers Council released a new economic report highlighting how America’s pig farmers are significant contributors to the United States’ agricultural and overall economy. The report highlights pork industry value chain contributions and growth over the past five years.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

2022 Ag Media Summit Begins

Chuck Zimmerman

2022 Ag Media SummitIt is day one of the main activities for the Ag Media Summit in Raleigh, NC this year. On the weekend there were Saturday tours and on Sunday the board meetings took place for the Ag Communicators Network and Livestock Publications Council. The picture is the LPC on a break in their work.

Last evening the Famous Welcome Party featured a golf theme and lots of green since it was sponsored by John Deere. Today the opening general session will start out before professional improvement sessions take place throughout the day until the opening of the InfoExpo exhibit hall at the end of the afternoon.

I’m taking photos and will recording interviews throughout the rest of the conference and you can find the virtual newsroom we have set up for it on AgNewsWire.com.

2022 AMS Photo Album

ACN, Ag Media Summit, Audio, LPC, Media

Industry Ag News 7/15

Carrie Muehling

  • An integral part of the oversight and review process of the 2018 Farm Bill and further preparation for the 2023 Farm Bill is getting direct input from producers, stakeholders, and consumers on how various farm bill programs are working for them. House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott and Ranking Member Glenn “GT” Thompson are offering the opportunity for members of the public to submit their feedback and ideas for the 2023 Farm Bill through an online form available here.
  • You are invited to a joint cocktail reception hosted by NAMA & NAFB at Ag Media Summit in Raleigh on Monday, July 18, from 9-11 p.m. at the Rye Bar Private Room, Marriott City Center. All are welcome. Feel free to bring a prospective member or guest. No cost or registration necessary.
  • MachineryPete.com announces that Machinery Pete Auctions, its online auction marketplace for selling and buying used farm equipment, has added an agriculture tire and wheel segment to its monthly online auctions in partnership with Dawson Tire & Wheel.
  • Michael Torrey Associates welcomes Katie Naessens 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.
  • National Corn Growers Association President Chris Edgington presented the organization’s prestigious President’s Award to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) during the group’s Corn Congress meeting in Washington, D.C.
  • Delegates attending the National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Congress, which was held in Washington D.C., elected five farmers to serve on the organization’s Corn Board. Taking office on Oct. 1, the start of NCGA’s 2023 fiscal year, are new board members Matt Frostic of Michigan and J.R. Roesner of Indiana.
  • Kentucky Venues welcomed Jacky Eshelby as the new Executive Director of Expositions. This position was created to oversee the planning, execution and growth of signature events at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Kentucky Venues owns and operates numerous in-house agriculture-focused events including the Kentucky State Fair, World’s Championship Horse Show, North American International Livestock Exposition, North American Championship Rodeo, National Farm Machinery Show and Championship Tractor Pull.
  • Western Growers will honor California agricultural icon John Harris with the 2022 Award of Honor. The Award of Honor is Western Growers’ highest recognition of achievement and is given to individuals who have contributed extensively to the agricultural community. With more than 50 years’ experience in ranching, farming, hospitality and thoroughbred horse racing, Harris embodies the diversity of California agribusiness. The Harris Farms Group includes Harris Fresh and the Harris Farms Thoroughbred Division, in addition to the landmark property known to all Californians on the I-5.
  • The Georgia Peanut Commission is hosting a photo contest until Oct. 1, 2022, featuring peanut farm families to fill the pages of the 2023 Georgia Peanut Calendar. Photos will also be selected to be used in various promotional projects by GPC throughout the year. Farmers from across Georgia are encouraged to submit their best high-resolution photo of their family on the peanut farm throughout the growing season. Winning entries will be selected for each month of the calendar, as well as the cover page.
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