AgGateway Mid-Year Meeting Kicks Off in Iowa

Cindy Zimmerman

AgGateway is celebrating its 2022 Mid-Year Meeting as a 100% in-person experience once again this week at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, IA.

AgGateway President and CEO Brent Kemp says this summer meeting, which brings more than 250 industry professionals together, is where the work of the organization gets done. “The majority of the work that we do is really the heads down, identify business problems, figure out where the technical solution is, create a working group to address it, and very quickly develop a guideline to go out to the industry,” said Kemp during a pre-opening interview.

AgGateway’s mission is to develop the resources and relationships that drive digital connectivity in global agriculture and related industries and they just recently reorganized in 2020 to facilitate agile, cross-sector, global solutions through the creation of the Portfolio Management Center and Digital Resource Center.

Learn more about the priorities for AgGateway this year in this interview.
2022 AgGateway Mid Year - Brian Kemp, AgGateway 8:23

2022 AgGateway Mid-Year Meeting Photo Album

AgGateway, Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, Technology

Animal Ag News 6/13

Carrie Muehling

  • The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 12. The state law seeks to ban the sale of pork from hogs that don’t meet the state’s arbitrary production standards, even if the pork was raised on farms outside of California.
  • Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced that it will cease all harvest and processing operations in Vernon, California in early 2023 and, at the same time, align its hog production system by reducing its sow herd in its Western region. The company will decrease its sow herd in Utah and is exploring strategic options to exit its farms in Arizona and California. Smithfield harvests only company-owned hogs in Vernon. Smithfield will service customers in California with its Farmer John brand and other brands and products from existing facilities in the Midwest. Smithfield is taking these steps due to the escalating cost of doing business in California.
  • The Animal Agriculture Alliance recently announced that its annual College Aggies Online (CAO) scholarship program will return this fall, kicking off September 12. This nine-week program brings together college students from across the country to help them become confident communicators for agriculture. Undergraduates, graduate students, and collegiate clubs and classes are invited to sign up now.
  • The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) announced the culmination of a strategic planning and repositioning effort that will drive momentum in shaping the future for the next generation of pork producers and their businesses. Under the direction of new leadership and guided by a long-range strategic plan and additional financial resources, NPPC unveiled a new brand identity to symbolize the organization’s transformation and energized focus on driving growth for the U.S pork industry.
  • Indiana pork producer Heather Hill was elected to serve as president of the National Pork Board (NPB) for the 2022-2023 term. NPB’s 15 producer directors represent the 60,000 U.S. pig farmers who pay into the Pork Checkoff – a program funding research, promotion and education efforts for the benefit of the whole industry.
  • Royal DSM, a global purpose-led science-based company, announces it has reached an agreement to acquire Prodap, a Brazilian animal nutrition and technology company that combines technology offerings, consulting services, and customized nutritional solutions to drive efficiency and sustainability in animal farming.
  • Cattle producers voiced their concerns with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers’ ongoing Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rulemaking attempt at a roundtable organized by the Kansas Livestock Association. A recording of the roundtable is available here.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

RIP Cowboy Poet Baxter Black

Chuck Zimmerman

Chuck with Baxter in 2007

Baxter Black, nationally popular cowboy poet, storyteller, and comedian died June 10 at the age of 77.

I had the pleasure of meeting Baxter in 2007 when he was working with the Beef Checkoff on radio spots and he would entertain at the Beef Board dinners during the annual meetings. He was the real deal, a rodeo cowboy and and large animal vet with a clever wit and a lot of energy. He was hilariously funny, so funny that he gained a national attention as a regular guest on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson between 1987 and 1992.

Baxter was a prolific writer. According to Wikipedia, he wrote over 30 books of poetry, fiction—both novels and children’s literature—and commentary, selling over two million books, CDs, and DVDs and his weekly syndicated column, On the Edge of Common Sense, was carried by more than 150 publications.

He did a lot of radio too. During 2002–2009, he was a regular commentator for National Public Radio’s Morning Edition. Baxter Black on Monday, the weekly syndicated radio program, went on the air in 1989.

The last time we saw Baxter was at the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio where he was two-stepping in the trade show and snapping pictures with fans. So many pictures and memories of him are on Facebook this weekend. He touched a lot of lives and will be missed.

Listen to my 2008 interview with Baxter and two clips of his stories at Beef Board meetings in 2007 and 2008.
Baxter Black Interview 2008

Baxter Black story 2007

Baxter Black story 2008
Audio, Beef, Beef Checkoff, people

Passing of Don Funk, Seedsman

Cindy Zimmerman

We are sad to report the passing of Don E. Funk, fourth generation seedsman and grandson of seed industry pioneer, Edward J. Funk, who died June 9, 2022 of natural causes, according to his family.

Don became president of Edward J. Funk & Sons at the age of 25. It was later purchased by British Petroleum. In 1999, Don formed a new company, Channel Bio Corp, which is now owned by Bayer and is one of the major providers of corn and soybean seed to the U.S. market.

At a time when most would slow down, Don put his foot to the pedal. An unwavering optimist, Don re-acquired and re-launched the brands Midwest Seed Genetics and NC+ to provide American row crop farmers a true choice, independent of the ever-growing corporatization of the seed industry. His driving mission was to establish a team focused on earning the partnership, season after season, of progressive farmers and the agriculturalists who serve them. The sustained, record-setting growth of the three brands is a testament that Don’s relationship-based approach remains valued and vital.

Don’s hometown was Kentland, Indiana, and he is survived by his wife Abby, children Matt (Marcy), Dan (Grith), Katya (Mike) and Luke, and grandchildren William, Isla, Jens, Stella, True, and Sasha.

people, Seed

ZimmCast 693 – Stay Curious with Alltech Crop Science

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

By the time many of you will listen to this podcast episode I will be on my way to Altoona, Iowa for the AgGateway Mid-Year Meeting, “Catalyzing E-Commerce.” I’ll be conducting interviews and taking photos, so you can keep on the lookout for that on AgNewsWire.com.

But this week, let’s look back a little bit. The Alltech ONE Conference, in-person, may be over but the conference is still live virtually. Yes. You can still register and have access to all the recorded sessions and speakers. So, for this week’s podcast I’m going to share a couple of speakers who have just been added to the AgNewsWire virtual newsroom for the event. I thought you might be interested in their topics.

Let’s start out with Amy Bell-Elmohammed, Quality Manager for Alltech. Amy managed the Stay Curious Track for the conference. She will explain what that means.

Next let’s turn to a topic area many of you are involved in which is crop science. Learn what Alltech is doing in this area from Steve Borst, Vice President of Alltech Crop Science.

So, if you liked these topics you can find more if you register for the Alltech ONE Conference and look through all the virtual content.

I hope you enjoyed this episode and thank you for listening.

Listen to the ZimmCast here:
ZimmCast 693 - Stay Curious with Alltech Crop Science (18:29)

Want to sponsor the ZimmCast? Just let me know and we can talk through ideas for your company. I’m AgriBlogger on Twitter or just email me at chuck@zimmcomm.biz.

Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

Agribusiness, Alltech, Audio, ZimmCast

Industry Ag News 6/10

Carrie Muehling

  • The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped to its lowest level since April 2020, down 22 points in May to a reading of 99. Agricultural producers’ perceptions regarding current conditions on their farms, as well as their future expectations, both weakened this month. The Index of Current Conditions dipped 26 points to a reading of 94, and the Index of Future Expectations fell 21 points to a reading of 101. The Ag Economy Barometer is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. This month’s survey was conducted May 16-20.
  • The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Fields-of-Corn.com photo contest is now open and accepting entries for the 2022 contest. Since the beginning of the contest in 2014, nearly 3,000 pictures have been submitted across the various categories. This year a new category, Farm Babies, has been added.
  • Heidi Crnkovic, a longtime agricultural communicator who has experience working with and for farmers and ranchers across the western United States, joins AGDAILY’s editorial team as Associate Editor.
  • Save Citrus, a new coalition of citrus growers and industry partners, launched the first in a series of educational radio ads aimed at fellow growers. This ad focuses on a state-sponsored referendum on whether to continue the mechanism to tax growers to fund research that has proven ineffective.
  • American Farmland Trust has named Andrew Bahrenburg as its new Deputy Policy Director, where he will play a critical role in preparing an organizational strategy to advance transformational agricultural policy at the state and federal level, including through the 2023 Farm Bill.
  • More than 2,000 students are registered for the 2022 Washington Leadership Conference, the second-largest student experience that the National FFA Organization hosts each year.
  • Firestone Ag, a business of Bridgestone Americas, will kick off its 2022 Rock the Crop Concert Sweepstakes with Nashville-based country artist Dillon Carmichael, in celebration of U.S. agriculture. American farmers and ranchers can enter the 2022 Rock the Crop concert sweepstakes from now until July 25 for a chance to win a private concert with Dillon Carmichael, tickets to an upcoming show and a signed vinyl record. View rules and enter at https://woobox.com/nkw3k2.
  • American Agri-Women has named California 1st District Congressman Doug LaMalfa their 2022 Champion of Agriculture. AAW presented the award to LaMalfa at a recognition ceremony held recently in the House Agriculture Committee Chambers in Washington, D.C.
  • To support the next generation of agricultural professionals, National Farmers Union Foundation (NFUF) announced the 2022 recipients of its annual scholarship awards. More information about the scholarships is available on the NFU website at nfu.org/education/scholarships.
Zimfo Bytes

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