RFA Ethanol Podcast

Commodity Group CEOs Meet the Press at #Classic22

Cindy Zimmerman

The CEOs of the commodity groups that make up the Commodity Classic, together with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, met the press this week to discuss a variety of issues impacting the industry.

American Soybean Association CEO Steve Censky, National Corn Growers Association CEO Jon Doggett, National Sorghum Producers CEO Tim Lust, National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Chandler Goule, and AEM senior vice president, industry sectors & product leadership Curt Blades dealt with topics from trade relations, to the impact of the conflict in Ukraine, biofuels, and the farm bill.

Listen to the conversation here:
Classic CEOs press conference (56:13)

ASA, Audio, Commodity Classic, Corn, NAWG, NCGA, NSP, sorghum, Soybean, Wheat

Industry Ag News 3/11

Carrie Muehling

  • After a six-month national search, Talmadge “Tal” Coley has been tapped as the next chief executive officer to lead the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association.
  • The Farm Credit Administration has created a new webpage regarding its efforts to identify and address the unique challenges facing small associations in the Farm Credit System.
  • The latest episode of Land O’Lakes, Inc.’s podcast Something Greater discusses the critical role that broadband connectivity plays in supporting local economies. The episode features Jeremy Wilhelm, CEO of Frontier Cooperative and Land O’Lakes member-owner, as well as Ken Edwards, an American Connection Corps Fellow. Their efforts, boosted through Land O’Lakes’ American Connection Project, aim to help close the digital divide in their respective communities in Nebraska.
  • Southern Peanut Growers, the organization representing peanut growers in the Southeastern U.S., is launching “Making Sustainable More Attainable,” a new initiative featuring James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef and author Steven Satterfield geared towards educating professional chefs about the sustainability of peanuts.
  • News Corp completed its acquisition of OPIS and related assets including Axxis Software, PetroChem Wire, OPISNAVX, and the coal, metals and mining business, now referred to as McCloskey, from S&P Global and IHS Markit.
  • Register for the 24th annual Ag Media Summit in Raleigh, North Carolina, July 16-20, 2022. Early bird rates end June 1.
  • The Sugar Association submitted a supplemental petition to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to further support its call for sweeping reform of federal regulations governing the labeling of artificial sweeteners used in packaged foods.
  • The American Soybean Association congratulates the regional winners of the 2022 Conservation Legacy Award: Wayne and Ruth Fredericks, Osage, Iowa (Midwest Region); Brian and Jamie Johnson, Frankfort, South Dakota (Upper Midwest Region); Shane Burchfiel, Dyersburg, Tennessee (South Region); and Grier Stayton, Lincoln, Delaware (Northeast Region).
  • The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City will honor two of the region’s leading agricultural figures on May 18 at a luncheon in the Chamber Board Room in Kansas City’s historic Union Station. The honorees will receive the Council’s highest award, the Jay B. Dillingham Award for Agricultural Leadership and Excellence. The 2022 honorees are Jan Lyons, Lyons Ranch, Manhattan, Kansas, and Dr. Abner Womack, FAPRI-retired, University Missouri.
  • Sen. Roger Marshall, M.D., and Rep. Tracey Mann introduced the Emergency Relief from Duties Act. The bill would create emergency waivers for duties levied on fertilizers by the U.S. International Trade Commission.
  • A new book published by UNESCO includes a project from Nebraska’s Central Platte Valley as a case study in effective managed aquifer recharge. The case study was co-authored by Crystal Powers, research and extension communications specialist with the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute and the Nebraska Water Center.
Zimfo Bytes

In Person #Classic22 is Big Success in Big Easy

Cindy Zimmerman

New Orleans is the place to be this week for the 2022 Commodity Classic – live and in person. Like the National Ethanol Conference two weeks ago, the Commodity Classic is seeing only a very modest decline in attendance compared to the last live event in 2020.

National Corn Growers Association CEO Jon Doggett says they had 7100 pre-registered for the convention, which was one of the very last events to be live in 2020 before the pandemic shut down the world. “That’s getting pretty close to what we had pre-pandemic,” said Doggett.

And while corn prices are higher, the challenges for farmers are as well. NCGA chairman John Linder of Illinois says they are concerned about fertilizer and crop protection prices in particular. “We all feel it in the pocketbook,” he said. “We’re really looking at the products we’re going to be using.”

While farmers have already been impacted by supply chain issues, the situation in Ukraine has only made matters worse. Linder talked about some of the issues facing corn growers in this interview.
Interview with John Linder, NCGA Chairman (11:52)

Audio, Commodity Classic, Corn, NCGA

Precision Ag News 3/9

Carrie Muehling

  • Syngenta announced its latest Seedcare innovation, CruiserMaxx® APX seed treatment, is now registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The peak of soybean seed and seedling protection, CruiserMaxx APX delivers powerful protection against early-season insects and diseases, including Pythium and Phytophthora.
  • Syngenta, a Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform (SAI Platform) member, announces the release of the Sustainable Outcomes in Agriculture (SOA) standard enabled through its Cropwise™ Sustainability app, a one-of-its-kind tool that places farm sustainability insights into the hands of growers. The platform, available for free download for U.S. farmers in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, empowers farmers and the broader agriculture value chain to demonstrate sustainability and identify opportunities for continuous improvement, ensuring alignment with the objectives of the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA).
  • Syngenta Seeds has unveiled the 2023 Field Forged Series™ from NK Seeds. Rigorous testing and selection criteria, coupled with industry-leading germplasm and genetics, has culminated in a new product lineup to help corn and soybean farmers optimize every acre. For the 2023 growing season, NK Seeds has announced 64 products that span maturity groups and trait packages, ensuring the latest best options for farmers across the Corn Belt and beyond.
  • The agriculture industry collaboration led by Growing Matters launched its fourth annual BeSure! stewardship awareness campaign to promote best management practices when using neonicotinoid products on farms and urban landscapes. The BeSure! campaign uses a wide range of media channels including print, radio, digital and social media to remind farmers, crop protection applicators, urban landscape applicators, agricultural supply retailers and others to ensure label directions and responsible stewardship measures are followed for neonicotinoid products, minimizing any potential impact on pollinators and other wildlife.
  • According to the latest business intelligence data from AEM, the global economy expanded by a robust 5.1 percent in 2021. And while projected growth of about 3.9 percent is expected for 2022, slower growth seems like a foregone conclusion.
  • Sakata Seed America has announced the next milestone in the company’s continued infrastructure expansion. The prominent seed leader recently finalized the purchase of 14 hectares (35.6 acres) of land in Culiacan, Mexico. The land and facilities have been leased by Sakata Seed for the past 3 years. Significant growth in the region led to the decision to secure a permanent location in Culiacan – home to many global seed breeding companies.
  • As producers face new challenges like complying with environmental regulations and reduced herbicide effectiveness or availability, many are discovering the unique benefits offered by propane-powered weeding systems. New propane flame weeding technology uses heat to rupture the internal cells of plants for a clean, highly effective solution for weed control that reduces reliance on herbicides and combats increasing weed resistance issues. According to research supported by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), flame weeding technology is up to 90 percent effective against weeds when applied twice in a growing season to row crops.
  • The American Society of Agricultural Consultants (ASAC) presented the 2021 ASAC Lifetime Achievement Award recently to well-deserving member Sam Bartee. This award recognizes a longtime member of the organization who has provided significant contributions to the organization as well as the agricultural industry.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Golden Harvest Releases Agronomy 2022 Research Review

Chuck Zimmerman

Golden Harvest 2022 Agronomy in Action Research ReviewGolden Harvest Seeds just held a webinar to share agronomic research insights from the new Agronomy in Action 2022 Research Review to help corn and soybean farmers prepare for the upcoming season. The book provides nearly 100 pages of data and recommendations to help farmers make research-backed decisions throughout the season. I will be visiting with Syngenta during the upcoming Commodity Classic and will certainly be chatting with representatives there.

You can now download the full report here.

You can listen to the webinar here: Golden Harvest Webinar

You can watch the webinar here.

With farmer insights in hand, the Agronomy in Action 2022 Research Review provides a comprehensive review of trials conducted during the 2021 growing season at Golden Harvest Agronomy in Action research sites located across the Corn Belt. The book contains nearly 100 pages of insights and recommendations to help farmers make research-based decisions this season. Aerial imagery, tar spot management in corn and soybean planting date optimization are just some of the topics explored in this year’s edition.

Agribusiness, Audio, Syngenta

Animal Ag News 3/7

Carrie Muehling

  • The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), the Port of Los Angeles, and CMA CGM — a world leader in shipping and logistics — say the groups are working together to prioritize exports of U.S. dairy products and report significant progress moving cargo to Southeast Asia, South America, and other export destinations. In January, the groups formed the Dairy Exports Working Group to identify and address supply chain issues hampering U.S. dairy product exports.
  • The dairy checkoff has entered a five-year collaboration with Mayo Clinic to explore research and consumer outreach efforts to improve public health and advance dairy’s benefits.
  • Vytelle is progressing on a five-year plan to provide accessible hormone-free bovine in vitro fertilization (IVF) to producers across the globe. Part of the five-year plan, initiated at the conclusion of their Series A Funding, promised to double the laboratory capacity to produce bovine embryos through in vitro fertilization.
  • Registration is now open with early savings available for the 2022 Chicken Marketing Summit. The annual executive conference, hosted by WATT Global Media, is scheduled for July 25-27, 2022, at the Château Élan in Braselton, Georgia.
  • JCB North America is partnering with The American Rodeo – “the world’s richest weekend in western sports” as the official tractor and skid steer sponsor for 2022. With an unprecedented total purse of more than $3 million, The American’s payout now rivals that of the Kentucky Derby.
  • The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) rejected a proposal issued by Global Affairs Canada that outlines the Canadian “changes” to their current scheme for allocating U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) dairy tariff-rate-quotas (TRQ).
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Preview of 2022 Ag & Food Policy Summit

Chuck Zimmerman

2022 Ag & Food Policy SummitThe annual Ag & Food Policy Summit, powered by Agri-Pulse, is coming up soon. It is live and virtual this year. I talked with Agri-Pulse President, Sara Wyant, to learn what is on the program this year. You can register here.

Interview with Sara Wyant, President, Agri-Pulse: Interview with Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse (5:17)


In these uncertain times, here’s your chance to gain insight and analysis about what’s ahead. The Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit on March 21 enables you to learn from some of the most influential voices in farm policy including Senate Ag Committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member John Boozman, House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott, Ranking Member G.T. Thompson and Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The Summit theme is “Laying the groundwork for the next farm bill” and we will talk to dozens of industry experts about everything from the politics driving the next farm bill to some of the key components like conservation and commodity policy as well as the future of risk management. You’ll also learn more about what consumers and major food companies are looking for in the next farm bill. In addition, former House and Senate Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson and Pat Roberts will talk about “Lessons Learned” from previous farm bills.

ZimmComm is assisting Agri-Pulse with promotion for this year’s event.

Agri-Pulse, Audio, Farm Policy, Food

Industry Ag News 3/4

Carrie Muehling

  • Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc. announced that Garrett Downs has joined the digital media company as an associate editor.
  • 2022 Commodity Classic announced that attendees at the March 10-12 event in New Orleans will not be required to wear masks indoors at the convention center or in convention hotels, according to new guidelines announced by the City of New Orleans.
  • The National Cotton Council directors for 2022 were announced at the NCC’s recent annual meeting in Houston, Texas. The NCC also announced that Nathan Reed, an Arkansas producer, will chair the NCC’s American Cotton Producers in 2022.
  • The National Farmers Union (NFU) 120th Anniversary Convention concluded following the adoption of the organization’s policy book and special orders of business. More than 450 members and guests convened in Denver, Colorado, to set policy positions and priorities that support American farm and ranch families and strengthen rural communities.
  • National Farmers Union presented its highest honor, the Meritorious Service Award, to two longtime stewards of the organization, who have dedicated their careers to strengthening family farm agriculture. Former NFU president Roger Johnson and retired long-time NFU staff members Sue Arends, were awarded with the Meritorious Service Award to Farmers Union and to American Agriculture.
  • For his work covering agriculture news and his podcast covering industrial hemp, National Farmers Union awarded editor and journalist Eric Hurlock with its 2022 Milt Hakel Agriculture Communications Award.
  • WATT Global Media announces the addition of Jen Wilson to its Feed & Grain sales team and Emma Cottrell to the WATT editorial team as an associate editor.
  • Brendan and Elaine Martin, owners of Martin Angus and Blue Cedar Beef, Mt. Solon, Virginia, were recognized with the 2022 Tomorrow’s Top Producer Horizon Award at Farm Journal’s Top Producer Summit in Nashville. Susan Weaver Ford of Kenly, North Carolina, was recognized as the 2022 Executive Women in Agriculture Trailblazer Award.
  • Bayer announced changes in the leadership team of its Crop Science division, with Kelly Gast assuming the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) from Michael A. Schulz, effective April 1, 2022. Schulz had been CFO for the Crop Science division for over a decade and decided to leave Bayer for personal reasons after 16 years with the company. Gast is currently CFO for Bayer’s U.S. organization.
  • Ag Media Summit registration opens March 7. The 24th annual Ag Media Summit is in Raleigh, North Carolina, July 16-20. The theme of this year’s AMS is “On Point,” which builds on the idea of the points in a triangle and reflects the location, Raleigh, in Research Triangle Park. It also represents our attendees who are looking to “stay on point,” meaning, sharpen their skills, be on their game, get things right. A triangle also represents the three organizations that govern AMS, the Ag Communicators Network (formerly AAEA,) Livestock Publications Council (LPC) and the Ag Media Council.
  • The Georgia Peanut Commission will return to Front Row Motorsports (FRM) to support NASCAR Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Todd Gilliland at two of NASCAR’s premier tracks in the Southeast.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of nine new U.S. soybean farmers to serve on the United Soybean Board (USB) and reappointed eight directors for an additional term. Farmer-leaders will serve a three-year term.
Zimfo Bytes

Biofuels Advocates Respond to #SOTU With Energy Solution

Cindy Zimmerman

Biofuels advocates offered a response to President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union address this week – use more ethanol.

Acknowledging that the situation in Ukraine was causing pain at the pump here at home, President Biden’s solution was more oil. “I can announce the United States has worked with 30 other countries to release 60 million barrels of oil from reserves around the world. America will lead that effort, releasing 30 million barrels of our own Strategic Petroleum Reserve.”

In a joint statement Wednesday, the Advanced Biofuels Business Council, American Farm Bureau Federation, Clean Fuels Alliance America, Growth Energy, National Farmers Union, and Renewable Fuels Association called on the president to unleash the power of ethanol.

“American-made biofuels are the only abundant, affordable, homegrown alternative to oil that can immediately extend the domestic supply of liquid fuels…Ethanol is trading at a steep discount compared to unblended gasoline, often 50 to 60 cents per gallon, and consumers are driving out of their way every day to capture the extra 15 cents or more per gallon savings on higher blends like E15.”

Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Geoff Cooper wrote a response to the SOTU on the RFA Blog that echoes his State of the Industry address last week at the National Ethanol Conference. “More ethanol could easily be blended simply by the Biden administration supporting and allowing for year-round availability of E15. In fact, our nation’s ethanol producers currently have enough excess production capacity to supply enough ethanol to entirely replace equivalently the amount of crude oil the U.S. currently imports from Russia.”

In addition to maintaining market access for E15, ethanol industry leaders urge the administration to get the Renewable Fuel Standard back on track by denying all pending Small Refinery Exemptions and issuing strong renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Ethanol, RFA

Precision Ag News 3/2

Carrie Muehling

  • Syngenta, a Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform member, announces the release of the Sustainable Outcomes in Agriculture standard enabled through its Cropwise™ Sustainability app, a one-of-its-kind tool that places farm sustainability insights into the hands of growers. The platform, available for free download for U.S. farmers in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, empowers farmers and the broader agriculture value chain to demonstrate sustainability and identify opportunities for continuous improvement, ensuring alignment with the objectives of the Farm Sustainability Assessment.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (ERS) announced the launch of the ERS Charts of Note mobile app, designed to deliver agency research straight to your mobile device. The app provides a new way for users to access the popular ERS Charts of Note series, which highlights economic research and analysis on agriculture, food, the environment and rural communities.
  • Koch Ag & Energy Solutions and OCP have signed an agreement under which a Koch affiliate will acquire a 50% interest in Jorf Fertilizers Company III from OCP, the world’s largest phosphate mining and leading global fertilizer group. When closed, the transaction will establish a 50/50 joint venture.
  • Biome Makers invites agronomists and consultants to apply for the BeCrop Advisor Program, a robust community of soil health and BeCrop® Technology experts. The program is designed for experienced industry advisors who are looking to provide informed agricultural recommendations by decoding soil biology.
  • DLF has acquired the assets of OreGro Seeds, a forage, cover crop, and turfgrass breeding company located in Albany, Oregon. OreGro’s proprietary cool-season forage grass, forage legume, turfgrass, cover crop, and small grain varieties are now offered exclusively through DLF and its distribution partners in the U.S. and abroad.
  • The VISION Conference 2022 introduced a broader scope and perspective beyond the ag retail sector to engage voices throughout the entire food chain. See their insights and hear what the top industry professionals had to say on demand. These on-demand videos are available for purchase to folks who did not attend VISION Conference 2022, and they’re available to conference attendees for FREE. Your login is the same email you used to register for VISION Conference 2022. Your Password is: visionvideos2022.
  • Azotic North America announces the addition of Thomas Chavez to lead their Global Sales Team. Chavez’ appointment comes at a pivotal time for Azotic as the company accelerates the growth of nitrogen-fixing Envita in existing and new markets in Asia, Latin America, Europe and Africa.
  • Save the date for the industry’s premier retail agronomy event: the InfoAg Conference is scheduled for July 26-27, 2022 at the Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, MO.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture