Agri-Pulse Newsmakers – Farm Credit’s Todd Van Hoose

Chuck Zimmerman

Agri-Pulse NewsmakersAgri-Pulse has just published their latest Newsmakers program. You can see it below. Next week the company will be holding their annual Ag & Food Summit. I’m pretty sure that will provide them with lots of good content for upcoming episodes! You can also subscribe to the audio podcast of the series here.

The Federal Reserve announced an increase to interest rates this week in an effort to soften the blow of inflation on the economy. This we talk to Farm Credit Council’s Todd Van Hoose about the impacts the rate hike – and more planned increases in the future – will have on the farm economy.

There’s also a panel discussion on the current state of the farm economy and what a leading panel of experts are watching for indicators on the future of the sector’s financial status and how current factors are impacting the industry.


Agri-Pulse, Audio, Farm Policy, Video

Industry Ag News 3/18

Carrie Muehling

  • The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) is deeply concerned for the personal safety of our friends and colleagues in Ukraine, and all the journalists and communicators who are under threat of bodily harm and professional suppression in both Ukraine and Russia as a result of the current invasion.
  • Don’t miss your chance to get “on point” with your skillset and network of career peers. Register for Ag Media Summit today. Early bird rates end June 1.
  • Adding $10 billion to its total impact since 2015, Florida’s nursery and landscape industry generates $31.4 billion in total output sales and provides more than 266,000 jobs statewide, according to a new economic impact study released jointly by the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) and Farm Credit of Central Florida.
  • American Farmland Trust New York Regional Director Erica Goodman has been named director of the Farms for a New Generation program, where she will play a critical role to usher in a diverse new generation of farmers and ranchers to access land and help to transform agriculture.
  • As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s commitment to expanding and diversifying global market opportunities for U.S. agriculture, the Department will sponsor four additional international trade missions in 2022, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced at the Commodity Classic in New Orleans. While final dates are subject to confirmation, the remaining trade missions scheduled for 2022 are: London, United Kingdom: June 20-23; Manila, Philippines: July 18-21; Nairobi, Kenya (including buyers from across East Africa): Oct. 31-Nov. 3; and Madrid, Spain (including buyers from Portugal): Nov. 29-Dec. 3.
  • In February, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute Executive Director Peter McCornick visited the United Arab Emirates and Jordan as part of a trade mission organized by the Nebraska Secretary of State. McCornick was joined by 25 other delegates from the University of Nebraska, Nebraska commodity groups, state government and private industry.
  • Nicole Berg was elected as the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) President. Nicole is a 4th generation farmer from Paterson, Washington, where she farms alongside her dad and two brothers.
  • The American Soybean Association (ASA) recognized John Gordley with its top honor during a ceremony in New Orleans at Commodity Classic. The Pinnacle Award is an industry-wide recognition of a lifetime of work that demonstrates the highest level of contribution and leadership within the soybean family and industry. ASA also recognized Nancy Johnson, North Dakota, with its Distinguished Leadership Award.
  • The National Sorghum Foundation (NSF) and BASF announced NSF/BASF joint scholarships were awarded to Zoe Schultz from Kansas State University and Luke Arthaud from Oklahoma State University. Each winner will be awarded $2,500 to be applied during the 2021-2022 academic year.
  • The National Wheat Foundation welcomes Joe Kejr as its new Chair. Joe farms with his son, brother and nephew west of Salina, Kansas where they raise wheat, corn, soybeans and milo. Joe has been President of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and served as a legislator on the Kansas House of Representatives for three terms.
  • The United States Peanut Federation (USPF) combined advocacy with service during their Spring 2022 Washington D.C. Fly-in. The Georgia Peanut Commission in conjunction with USPF proudly partnered with Peanut Proud, the peanut industry’s humanitarian relief organization, to donate 10,080 jars of peanut butter to serve the Nation’s Capital and surrounding area. The delivery of this donation was made possible by SouthernAG Carriers who graciously donated their truck carrier service to transport the peanut butter.
Zimfo Bytes

Syngenta Receives Registration for Tendovo™ Herbicide

Carrie Muehling

Syngenta’s Tendovo is a new pre-emergence herbicide designed to keep weeds from competing with the soybean crop early in the season. With three sites of action and three different ingredients, Tendovo will provide a broad spectrum control of up to 70 weeds.

“We’ve seen a 4 to 5 bushel an acre advantage in field trials with Tendovo,” said Pete Eure, herbicide technical lead at Syngenta, during an interview at Commodity Classic. “By controlling the tough weeds that compete with soybeans for sunlight, water and nutrients, Tendovo helps growers achieve superior potential yield and return on investment (ROI) at harvest.”

Eure said the formulation also provides lots of flexibility and can be used across trait platforms and in different geographies and soil types, as well with varying tillage systems.

Interview with Pete Eure, Syngenta herbicide technical lead (2:58)

Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, Herbicide, Syngenta

Precision Ag News 3/17

Carrie Muehling

  • The American Soybean Association (ASA) presented Wayne and Ruth Fredericks from Osage, Iowa, with the 2022 National Conservation Legacy Award during the annual ASA Awards Banquet at Commodity Classic.
  • The International Certified Crop Adviser (ICCA) Program and American Society of Agronomy have awarded Juan Manuel Osorio-Hernandez of Toluca, Mexico 2022 International Certified Crop Adviser of the Year.
  • As challenges in tackling weed desiccation and re-growth escalate for crop farmers, Clariant offers the support of ADJUWEX, a new high-performing set of tested products to tailor-make effective glufosinate formulations for local circumstances and needs.
  • Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC introduced new pest management technology at the 2022 Commodity Classic in New Orleans, Louisiana. The exclusive Protecta™ method promises to build fungicides and insecticides differently, relying on diligent design, expert analysis and verified results.
  • Marking a milestone in ag-tech history, High Speed ISOBUS (HSI) was demonstrated for the first time by the Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) at its North American 2022 Plugfest during the Commodity Classic trade show in New Orleans.
  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved label amendments that further restrict the use of over-the-top dicamba in Minnesota and Iowa. The amendments, requested by pesticide registrants in consultation with those states, are intended to reduce risks from the use of over-the-top dicamba, an herbicide used to control certain types of broadleaf weeds. To view the label amendments, visit docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2020-0492 at www.regulations.gov.
  • All segments returned to positive in U.S. ag tractor and combine unit sales, while Canadian harvesters and 4WD units fell according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. U.S. total farm tractor sales grew 9.2 percent for the month of February compared to 2021, while U.S. self-propelled combine sales for the month inched up 3.1 percent to 200 units sold.
  • The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) presented the fifth-annual Davidson Prize to the top three innovative products, selected from the AE50 honorees at Commodity Classic in New Orleans, La. Winning entries are: AGCO Corporations’ Fendt Rogator 900 Series Applicator; VeriGrain’s Automated Sampling & Data Management System; and John Deere’s See & Spray Select.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Syngenta Spotlights Sustainability Standard

Carrie Muehling

A new platform from Syngenta can help farmers to easily assess how sustainable their farming practices are and what changes they can begin to make in order to improve. The Sustainable Outcomes in Agriculture (SOA) standard enabled through its Cropwise™ Sustainability app was in the spotlight at last week’s Commodity Classic.

“Sustainability assessments do not have to be a time-intensive process — users who leverage Cropwise Sustainability typically complete a 20-30-minute farm assessment and receive immediate results,” said Liz Hunt, sustainable and responsible business head at Syngenta. “The insights are compiled in an intuitive, digital dashboard that tracks progress in areas such as crop production, water impact, soil health, biodiversity and habitat, human and animal well-being, and community leadership. Growers also have the unique option to view their results and benchmark against other app users in their area.”

While Syngenta developed the Standard with a farmer focus in mind, it also creates opportunities to share the sustainability story with consumers and stakeholders. Hunt explains more in this interview.

Interview with Liz Hunt, Syngenta Head of Sustainable and Responsible Business (6:05)

2022 Commodity Classic with Syngenta Photo Album

Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Apps, Audio, Commodity Classic, Precision Agriculture, Sustainability, Syngenta, Technology

ESMC and Benson Hill Work With Farmers in Carbon Markets

Cindy Zimmerman

Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC) and Benson Hill, Inc. have completed the first year of a carbon credit pilot program leveraging Benson Hill’s ‘farm to ingredient’ business model.

Last year, ESMC worked with soy and corn farmers across the Midwest to generate carbon credits and earn payments for reduced greenhouse gases and increased soil carbon as an outcome of their on-farm practice changes. The project with Benson Hill is unique because the company’s closed loop business model provides the capability to leverage its data aggregation from the farm through ingredient manufacturing, and streamlines the carbon credit generation process within ESMC’s program.

Debbie Reed, ESMC Executive Director, noted, “Our digitized program enables seamless enrollment and participation for farmers. The innovative model we are testing with Benson Hill allows us to develop farmer support from seed to harvest, and it enables rapid aggregation and utilization of robust data sets. This type of integrated partnership and infrastructure is critical to scale a long-term viable market that meets buyer and seller needs equally.”

Benson Hill is recruiting growers within its network for training in regenerative agriculture practices for project continuation in the 2022 season. ESMC is targeting 500,000 acres enrollment with the market program launch. ESMC’s program stacks multiple ecosystem credits, including increased soil carbon and reduced greenhouse gases, and water quality and water use conservation, to make ESMC a unique and attractive option for farmers.

AgWired Precision, carbon, Precision Agriculture

USSEC Leaders Excited About New Opportunities

Cindy Zimmerman

LtoR- Mac Marshall, Doug Winter, Jim Sutter – USSEC

The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) is excited about new opportunities to build market access for U.S. soy.

“2021 was a milestone year for U.S. soy,” said USSEC CEO Jim Sutter during a press conference at Commodity Classic last week. “We reached both a crop production and an overall export record.”

Sutter, along with USSEC VP of Market Intelligence Mac Marshall and new board chairman Doug Winter, talked about the potential for opening up new markets, and what exports mean for soybean farmers.

“Our board is looking forward to building on the immense achievements in recent years,” said Winter, a farmer from Mill Sholas, IL. “And I am energized about collaborating with USSEC’s global team to enable companies to experience the full value of U.S. Soy for human consumption, aquaculture, and livestock feed in more than 80 countries around the world.”

Winter and the rest of the 2022-2023 USSEC Board of Directors were seated during the organization’s annual meeting in New Orleans last week during Commodity Classic.

USSEC Press Conference (23:43)

Classic Interview with Jim Sutter, USSEC (6:04)

Classic Interview with Doug Winter, USSEC chair (4:23)

2022 Commodity Classic with Syngenta Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, Soybean, USSEC

NK Seeds Launches 2023 Field Forged Series

Carrie Muehling

NK Seeds was happy to be at Commodity Classic last week to talk about the new 2023 Field Forged Series just introduced on the heels of a great first year of the Field Forged program. The company is launching 28 total products for 2023 that have been put through extreme tests to ensure they are top performers regardless of trait package.

“When it comes to soybean performance, the proof is really in the data,” says Eric Miller, NK Soybean Product Manager. “Last year, Field Forged products with Enlist E3® soybean trait technology yielded 0.8 bushels more than Pioneer® brand products with Enlist E3 soybean trait technology in nearly 1,800 trials, and Field Forged products with XtendFlex® soybean trait technology yielded one bushel more than Asgrow® brand products XtendFlex soybean trait technology in almost 4,000 comparisons. When you consider $15 per bushel soybeans, that’s a significant ROI potential for soybean farmers.”

Miller said the adoption has been excellent and he encourages farmers to talk to a local retailer or NK sales representative about the Field Forged Series for the 2023 growing season. Learn more in this interview.

Interview with Eric Miller, NK Soybean Product Manager (2:52)

2022 Commodity Classic with Syngenta Photo Album

Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, Commodity Classic, Seed, Syngenta

#Classic22 Association Leaders on Stage

Cindy Zimmerman

The 2022 Commodity Classic once again featured the leaders of each organization during the general session with emcee Mark Mayfield.

Joining Mayfield were (LtoR) National Corn Growers Association president Chris Edgington; National Association of Wheat Growers president Dave Milligan; National Sorghum Producers chairman Kody Carson; American Soybean Association president Brad Doyle; and Association of Equipment Manufacturers ag sector chair Todd Stucke with Kubota.

Enjoy their conversation here:
Classic association leaders panel (39:55)

2022 Commodity Classic with Syngenta Photo Album

AEM, Ag Groups, ASA, Audio, Corn, NAWG, NCGA, NSP

Syngenta Introduces CruiserMaxx APX Soybean Seed

Carrie Muehling

Syngenta recently launched CruiserMaxx APX, a new brand combining components of CruiserMaxx Vibrance seed treatment with picarbutrazox, a novel mode of action.

“With CruiserMaxx APX, best-in-class soybean seed treatment protection is now even better,” said Katie Jaeger, Syngenta Seedcare product lead, at last week’s Commodity Classic. “CruiserMaxx APX combines the proven Vigor Effect and RootingPower that CruiserMaxx Vibrance is known to deliver with supercharged, broad-spectrum, early-season disease and insect protection to give seedlings the strongest possible start from day one.”

Jaeger said the product will be featured in Grow More sites during the 2022 growing season and the first commercial sales will occur in Q4 of this year.

Learn more in this interview from Classic.
Interview with Katie Jaeger, Syngenta Seedcare product lead (3:00)

2022 Commodity Classic with Syngenta Photo Album

Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, Commodity Classic, Crop Protection, Syngenta