Agri-Pulse Summit is Back In-Person

Cindy Zimmerman

As COVID restrictions are beginning to loosen up at last, Agri-Pulse Communications is pleased to present the 2022 Ag & Food Policy Summit live and in-person for the first time since 2019, and especially pleased to welcome the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) as the Platinum sponsor for the event.

The summit will offer both in-person and virtual options on March 21 and the timely theme this year is “Laying the groundwork for the next farm bill.”

“Agri-Pulse will explore the policies and politics under consideration with leading experts, members of Congress and administration officials. This is a great opportunity to learn from some of the most influential voices in farm policy,” said Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse editor and founder.

Summit discussions will focus on global and domestic factors driving farm production and food demand, political and economic factors driving the next farm bill, conservation policy, what do food companies want in the next farm bill, and more. Registration is available here.

COVID restrictions are loosening up in the nation’s capitol and Agri-Pulse is closely monitoring all District directives and health measures. However, at this time, the National Press Club is requiring proof of vaccination to attend.

Agri-Pulse, Events

Industry Ag News 2/25

Carrie Muehling

  • The Todd and Louise Malecha family are the 2022 winners of Farm Journal’s annual Top Producer of the Year award. Their operation, Malecha Enterprises, is based in Villard, Minn., and includes 1,200 milk cows and 1,100 replacement heifers as well as 2,500 acres of diverse crop and forage production. The award was presented during Farm Journal’s Top Producer Summit, held from Feb. 14-16 in Nashville, Tenn.
  • Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc., announced that Garrett Downs has joined the digital media company as an associate editor. Downs previously worked as a reporter at Inside U.S. Trade and prior to that, as an intern for POLITICO New York where he co-authored POLITICO’s New York – New Jersey energy newsletter and worked as an editorial clerk and a freelancer for the New York Post.
  • Cotton Council International (CCI) announced that Carlos C. Garcia, a cooperative official from Lubbock, Texas, was elected as its president for 2022. CCI is the National Cotton Council’s (NCC) export promotion arm.
  • “My Drone’s View Returning Home” is the grand prize winner of the 2021 National Corn Growers Association Fields-of-Corn photo contest. The picture was taken via drone by Todd Wachtel of Illinois. This was the first time a bird’s eye view category was offered as a part of the contest.
  • A Diversity Seminar: America, Race & Agriculture hosted by NAMA and North Central NAMA is scheduled for March 3 at 11:00 a.m. Central. Click here to register.
  • Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) and the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) formally announced a partnership aimed at gathering critical input from Native American U.S. military veterans working in the agricultural industry.
  • The American Soybean Association (ASA) announces Gena Perry as executive director of ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health program. Perry, who currently serves as project director global strategy, will be promoted Feb. 28 to WISHH’s top staff role.
  • Sakata Seed America has officially launched www.SakataCEA.com, a comprehensive website detailing specifics of Sakata’s CEA product offerings.
Zimfo Bytes

RFA Honors Corn Growers With Industry Award

Cindy Zimmerman

RFA CEO Geoff Cooper, NCGA Chair John Linder, NCGA president Chris Edgington, NCGA CEO Jon Doggett

For the first time, the Renewable Fuels Association Industry Award was presented to an organization this year.

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) was honored in recognition of the group’s dedicated and sustained efforts on behalf of the ethanol industry over the last 40 years. The award, RFA’s highest recognition, was presented this week at the 27th annual National Ethanol Conference in New Orleans.

RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper noted that NCGA has collaborated with RFA over the years on countless research and ethanol promotion efforts, such as technical work, market development programs, ethanol export initiatives, co-products research and development, and economic studies. “This is what a real partnership looks like, and we are so proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our friends at NCGA as we identify and seize new opportunities for ethanol and agriculture moving forward.”

RFA Industry Award (9:12)

2022 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, NCGA, RFA

Precision Ag News 2/23

Carrie Muehling

  • Riceland Foods announced a new partnership with Arva Intelligence as the cooperative shifts its sustainability focus towards capturing the agronomic and economic data associated with its farmer members crop production. Through the Ingrain Good Sustainability Initiative, Riceland is dedicated to creating value through sustainability for its farmer members.
  • To meet farmers’ demands for more sustainable and profitable growing practices, Verdant Robotics announced the expansion of its robot-as-a-service (RaaS) model to ensure access for more specialty crop farmers.
  • The Gadfly Project announced it has awarded a Q4 2021 in-kind climate grant to the Soil Health Institute to develop an application called the Drought Resilience Calculator. This free, web-based decision support tool will enable growers, advisors, consultants, and other agricultural stakeholders to calculate how much more water their soil can store by increasing the carbon in it. This application is based on a novel algorithm developed by the Soil Health Institute and is planned to be released in June 2022.
  • Meristem has announced the new formulation of EXCAVATOR. EXCAVATOR and Meristem’s other new biologicals are part of the antidote for high fertilizer prices and can help farmers boost yields and beat inflation.
  • Alltech Crop Science, the agronomic division of Alltech, announced Liqui-Plex® Mn, the latest addition to the Liqui-Plex® line of products, which also includes Liqui-Plex® Cu and Liqui-Plex® Zn. Approved for use across Canada for all agriculture and horticulture crops, Liqui-Plex products provide the right nutrients at the right time to help plants deal more efficiently with environmental and other stressors, in addition to improving overall plant health.
  • Honey bees and other pollinators play an important role in the agricultural ecosystem. These same pollinators are under stress from a number of factors: pests, disease, lack of habitat, and more. The GROWMARK System would like to help youth organizations do their part to help sustain and increase honey bee populations. Clubs across the United States wishing to participate should fill out the online application by March 11, 2022: http://bit.ly/2022GMKPollinator.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Ethanol Industry Zeroes in on New Opportunities

Cindy Zimmerman

In his annual State of the Industry Address at the National Ethanol Conference Tuesday in New Orleans, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said the global quest to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 “may very well be the greatest opportunity for growth and value creation in the industry’s history.”

“Just as the ethanol industry seized on opportunities to stimulate the rural economy, reduce smog-forming air pollution, and bolster energy security, we now have—right in front of us—another great opportunity to provide a solution to one of the world’s most daunting challenges: reducing carbon emissions and combatting climate change,” Cooper said. “And we cannot afford to miss this opportunity—not just because it will help our industry grow and thrive, but because the very health of the planet is at stake.”

The ethanol industry has already made great progress toward decarbonization, Cooper said, as today’s corn ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 50% percent compared to gasoline. And, as highlighted in a new study released at the conference, ethanol is on a trajectory to achieve net-zero carbon emissions well before 2050. But ethanol’s ability to contribute to decarbonization goals goes far beyond the light-duty vehicle fleet, Cooper said.

“With the right chemistry and technology, ethanol can serve not only as a future low-carbon fuel for jets, ocean liners, trucks, and farm equipment, but also as the fundamental building block for sustainable chemicals and plastics,” Cooper said. “In reality, anything you can do with a barrel of crude oil, we can do with a barrel of renewable ethanol.”

Cooper also highlighted a big opportunity for ethanol to help address another vexing problem: high gas prices. Oil prices topped $95 per barrel last week and average retail gas prices hit $3.50 a gallon, which Cooper said “reminds us of an inconvenient reality: We cannot frack our way to low gas prices and energy security. Whether we like it or not, pump prices here in America continue to be shaped by the whims of OPEC and geopolitical events—like the current situation in Ukraine.”

Read Cooper’s state of the industry remarks

Listen to Cooper’s full address below:
RFA CEO Geoff Cooper Industry address (29:16)

The 2022 NEC runs through Wednesday afternoon.

Audio, Ethanol, RFA

Verdant Delivers Multi-Action Robot for Specialty Crops

Cindy Zimmerman

Verdant Robotics today announced the expansion of its robot-as-a-service (RaaS) model to develop the first multi-action, autonomous farm-robot for specialty crop farmers.

Verdant raised $21.5 million to develop the robot, which is capable of millimeter-accurate spraying, laser weeding, and AI-based digital crop modeling. Verdant has already contracted to service approximately 40% of the U.S. carrot market exclusively for the next five years and is currently scaling to meet the needs of the U.S. multi-billion-dollar fruit and vegetable industry.

“Farmers told us not to give them more data, but to figure out what to do with the mountains of data they already have, or better yet just go do it,” said Gabe Sibley, PhD., co-founder and CEO, who brings more than 20 years of experience in geo-spatial computation and AI. “They want a complete solution that takes action in real-time and keeps farmers in control – all while improving profitability and automating dangerous, back-breaking field work.”

Following successful large-scale roll-out over the past 18 months, Verdant logged thousands of hours in 2021 and is already proven on multiple crops. “Today, Verdant machines are in the field all-day, every-day helping farmers achieve superhuman efficacy,” said Sibley.

Combining multiple technologies, the company’s 6-row and 12-row commercial implements can treat up to 4.2 acres per hour, achieving a higher weed-removal rate per acre than other technology or human ability, and reducing chemical usage by up to 95 percent. Simultaneously, its autonomous software system collects data and uses machine learning capabilities to optimize yield and growing outcomes, ultimately unlocking new revenues to help farmers reach profitability and sustainability goals.

Learn more about this new development in this interview with Sibley.
Interview with Verdant Robotics CEO Gabe Sibley (10:58)

AgWired Precision, AI, Audio, Precision Agriculture, robotics

Ethanol Industry Gathers in New Orleans

Cindy Zimmerman

From emerging technologies and new uses to opportunities in global carbon reduction policies, market insights, and international and domestic marketplace developments, there is much to learn and experience at the 27th Annual National Ethanol Conference: Zeroing in on New Opportunities.

New Orleans is the place where the ethanol industry is meeting this week and Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper says the agenda is packed but the best reason to go is to be in person again. “We’re just looking forward to seeing everybody again. It’s been two years since we’ve been able to have this event in person,” said Cooper. “The National Ethanol Conference really is the premier networking event for the ethanol industry.”

The theme “Zeroing in on New Opportunities” focuses on the commitment of the industry to achieving net zero emissions for ethanol by 2050 or sooner. “We’re going to spend a lot of time talking about how to achieve that goal which is admittedly ambitious but I believe is absolutely achievable,” said Cooper.

Cooper previews the NEC in this edition of The Ethanol Report.
Ethanol Report 1-31-22 (11:01)

Audio and photos from the event can be found in the:
2022 National Ethanol Conference Virtual Newsroom

Audio, Ethanol, RFA

Animal Ag News 2/21

Carrie Muehling

  • Paying tribute to Florida’s hardworking dairy farmers and the animals in their care, Florida Dairy Farmers have partnered to transform the T.G. Lee dairy, a farmer-owned processing plant of Dairy Farmers of America in DeLand, Fla into a larger-than-life tribute to agriculture. Located on a major highway and visible to tens of thousands of commuters each day, the T.G. Lee plant is a massive building and has been a landmark in the region for decades. At more than 5,500 square feet, the iconic mural is the largest in Central Florida.
  • The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program shared the results of its Animal Care Version 5 Development Survey. The report summarizes stakeholder perspectives on animal care issues of importance and captures ideas and levels of support for potential changes to the industry’s animal care standards.
  • The quality of the traffic in the Expo halls, enthusiasm from attendees and exhibitors in reconnecting with their colleagues, and participation in the educational offerings made for a highly productive 2022 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). A total of 1,121 exhibitors showcased their latest technology and solutions, occupying more than 500,000 square feet of exhibit space. IPPE is the world’s largest annual poultry, meat and animal food industry event of its kind and is one of the 30 largest trade shows in the United States.
  • FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative members and delegates gathered on February 11-12 to take a deeper look at important industry topics, approve its 2022 public policy and review the cooperative’s accomplishments from the past year during its 10th annual meeting in Onalaska, Wis.
  • The National Pork Board shared more about its industry’s aspiration to produce a leading sustainable protein choice, with an announcement of goals and metrics and its first official U.S. Pork Industry Sustainability Report.
  • The World Pork Expo returns for its 34th year to the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, June 8-10. Presented by the National Pork Producers Council, World Pork Expo is expected to draw thousands of producers and industry professionals for three days of networking, education, innovation – and free pork, too.
  • The U.S. dairy sector has undergone substantial structural change characterized by a shift to larger and fewer dairy operations, concentrated in relatively few states. A report issued by USDA’s Economic Research Service, Sources, Trends, and Drivers of U.S. Dairy Productivity and Efficiency, measures and analyzes the dairy sector’s productivity growth and efficiency and identifies proximate drivers and sources of this growth in the face of the structural change observed from 2000 to 2020.
  • Austin Hill was first to the checkered flag, and the beef, as he won the 41st season-opening race for the NASCAR Xfinity Series – the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.® 300. For the second year the Federation of State Beef Councils, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, partnered with the Daytona International Speedway to sponsor the race one day ahead of the legendary DAYTONA 500.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Industry Ag News 2/18

Carrie Muehling

  • Meet two keynote speakers joining the Alltech ONE Conference lineup: Mick Ebeling, founder and CEO of Not Impossible Labs and author of “Not Impossible: The Art and Joy of Doing What Couldn’t Be Done,” will take the ONE mainstage in person, and his presentation will also be live-streamed for those joining virtually. Presenting virtually is Paul Polman, who has been described by the Financial Times as “a standout CEO of the past decade”. As CEO of Unilever (2009-2019), he stopped reporting quarterly earnings to focus on a long-term strategy that would successfully double revenues while reducing the company’s environmental impact by half.
  • Peggy Findley, Commodity Classic director for the past 26 years, has announced that she will be retiring later this year, once her replacement is hired and the transition of duties for managing the 2023 event in Orlando is complete. Commodity Classic is actively recruiting candidates for the position at commodityclassic.com/join-the-classic-team.
  • There’s still time to enter the IFAJ Star Prize competition! With categories in Print, Photography, Audio, Video and Digital/Multimedia, the Star Prize recognizes the best agricultural reporting in the world… and every entry receives feedback from our global judging panels. The entry deadline is March 10.
  • During the recent Growth Energy Executive Leadership Conference, National Corn Growers Association Communications Director Julie Busse received the TOBI Award for Public Affairs.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association welcomed six companies to the organization as its newest associate members. The new associate members are: The Greenbrier Companies, P&E Solutions, Richard Design Services, Texas International Terminals Ltd., Trucent Inc., and Unison Energy LLC.
  • The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) has announced the 2022 National Ag Day video and written essay winners. The winners were chosen based on the theme: American Agriculture: Growing a Climate for Tomorrow. The national written essay winner, Haden Coleman of Trinity, Texas, receives a $1,000 prize and will read his winning essay at the virtual Ag Day event on March 22, 2022. The winning entries can be viewed online at agday.org/2022-contest-winners.
  • GROWMARK, Inc. is honoring the 40-year career of CEO Jim Spradlin with gifts to his alma mater, Illinois College. The GROWMARK Foundation is providing $50,000 to establish the James Spradlin Endowed Scholarship Fund. This permanent endowed fund at Illinois College will provide financial assistance annually to a student or students majoring in agribusiness or a similar field.
  • The National Cotton Council announced that Ron Rayner, a third generation Arizona cotton producer, is the recipient of the 2021 Harry S. Baker Distinguished Service Award.
  • Ted Schneider, a Lake Providence, La., producer, was elected National Cotton Council chairman for 2022 during the organization’s annual meeting in Houston, Texas.
  • The BASF Board of Executive Directors has decided on changes to the responsibilities in two Board Ressorts. These will take effect on March 1, 2022, and are structured as follows: Saori Dubourg (Ressort IV) will assume responsibility for the Monomers, Performance Materials, Petrochemicals and Intermediates divisions. She will continue to be responsible for the region Europe. Michael Heinz (Ressort V), based in Florham Park, New Jersey, will assume responsibility for the Agricultural Solutions, Care Chemicals and Nutrition & Health divisions. He will continue to be responsible for the regions North America and South America.
Zimfo Bytes

Passing of Jerry Passer

Cindy Zimmerman

Sad to share the news that longtime farm broadcaster Jerry Passer died over the weekend. He would have been 79 years old today, born on Feb 17, 1943, in Wells, MN.

Passer was a veteran of the US Navy where he served as a corpsman for 4.5 years in Washington D.C. at the Bethesda Naval Hospital. After his time in the service, Passer joined KBEW Radio in Blue Earth, Minnesota, in 1967. From there, he moved on to spend time at KATE Radio in Albert Lea and Austin, Minnesota. He joined NAFB at KQAQ Radio in 1972 as an associate member, working as both a broadcaster and doing sales.

In 1973 when he became farm editor at WMT Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and stayed for the next 18 years. After leaving WMT in 1991, Passer continued in farm broadcasting at KOEL Radio in Oelwein, Iowa, and Brownfield Ag News. He retired from Brownfield in June 2017.

Read more about Jerry and arrangements here.

NAFB