ZeaKal and Perdue Agribusiness Work for Sustainable Poultry

Cindy Zimmerman

Perdue AgriBusiness and ZeaKal have announced a multi-year development agreement to raise more sustainable poultry through improved soy genetics and feed quality.

ZeaKal’s PhotoSeed® trait technology increases photosynthetic capacity, converting more carbon dioxide and sunlight into energy for the plant. In soybeans, this has consistently resulted in improved oil and protein content while improving the sustainability index of the crop. As the main protein source in poultry feed, U.S. farmers and food companies have been eager to secure access to higher value soy.

“As we evaluated our supply chain, it became clear that moving upstream to access better seed genetics could improve value and sustainability in ways other solutions simply could not. As PhotoSeed soy develops, we expect it will be transformative for Perdue across soy processing and specialty oils, while improving the quality of feed,” said Perry Aulie, senior vice president of Value-Added Products for Perdue Agribusiness. “Together with our farmers, we are working towards delivering better carbon capture and overall nutritional composition using the power of the sun.”

ZeaKal CEO Han Chen said, “With operations spanning the entire soy value chain, Perdue can uniquely capture the full value of PhotoSeed. Together, we can deliver higher value crops with broad benefits accruing to growers, consumers, and everyone in between.”

Aulie and Chen talk about the partnership in the sound bites below, and more in depth in the full interview.
Han Chen, co-founder and CEO of ZeaKal 1:56

Perry Aulie, Perdue Agribusiness 1:49

Full interview with Chen and Aulie
ZeaKal/Perdue Agribusiness interview 10:00

Agribusiness, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Poultry, Soybean

Agri-Pulse Plans 2022 Food & Ag Issues Summit West

Cindy Zimmerman

In person or virtual options are available for the 2022 Agri-Pulse Food & Ag Issues Summit West, July 11 in Sacramento.

Another year of western drought, supply chain disruptions, labor challenges and regulatory hurdles have prompted industry leaders to rethink how to adapt, transform and innovate in order to be resilient and stay in business. The 2022 Agri-Pulse Food & Ag Issues Summit West will discuss the top economic and policy issues impacting California farmers and food companies, including innovations to produce more crops with less water, opportunities to advance climate-smart practices, new strategies for job training and political engagement and much more.

To view the draft program and register today visit agri-pulse.com/2022-West-Summit.

Agri-Pulse, Events

Animal Ag News 5/9

Carrie Muehling

  • Pork industry professionals will get the latest in production and management education through topical seminars at the 2022 World Pork Expo, presented by the National Pork Producers Council. World Pork Expo takes place June 8-10 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.
  • USDA Scientist Douglas Gladue, a research microbiologist for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), has received the 2021 Arthur S. Flemming award for his exceptional achievements in basic science.
  • The American Feed Industry Association announced the addition of Rebecca Kane, CMP, as its director of events and the promotion of Victoria Broehm to senior director of communications.
  • FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative awarded $27,000 in scholarships to 19 deserving individuals this year. This year marks the tenth year the cooperative has been generously giving scholarships, for a grand total of 224 recipients totaling nearly $208,000.
  • The National Institute for Animal Agriculture welcomed members and guests to Kansas City for the 2022 Annual Conference: Producing Protein for a Food Insecure & Uncertain World – Leading Food Security, Sustainable Production, and Innovation, April 20 –22.
  • “NMPF looks forward to the first White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health in more than 50 years, to advance the goals of ending hunger, increasing healthy eating and physical activity, and decreasing the prevalence of diet-related diseases across our nation,” said National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Jim Mulhern.
  • The National Bison Association selected Jim Matheson as their new executive director. Matheson replaces Dave Carter, who recently resigned as executive director after serving in that position for 20 years.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

ZimmCast 691 – Update from CropTrak

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

Before getting to our featured guest I did a little look into the way back machine of AgWired. I found a ZimmCast I did with an interview with PrecisonEarth, owned by Cogent3D, Inc, and that’s where I met Aaron Hutchison. We were at the InfoAg Conference in 2011 where the company was showcasing a new iPad soil collect and display app called PrecisionEarth. At the time that was still early use of iOS devices for precision ag. The company then moved on to a product called CropTrak.

Now look forward to today and I just interviewed Aaron, President and Co-Founder, about CropTrak, a cloud technology solutions company that helps multinational food, beverage, agriculture, and protein customers increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency of their supply chain management processes and systems. CropTrak just released a platform update that expands its capabilities to provide multi-stakeholders complete visibility of the financial transactions across their ingredient supply chain. For the first time, food and beverage companies managing grower contracts and settlements can do so in one seamless platform optimized for collaboration and insights. Aaron says “Our goal is to continue to lead the food industry with ongoing innovation and process improvements to help assure food is safe, affordable, and sustainable, while making paper contracts a thing of the past.”

Sounds like a lofty goal and it is as CropTrak is working with companies like Del Monte, Bolthouse Farms, Corteva, Pivot Bio, Benson Hill and more.

It is amazing to see how fast technology has changed in the precision ag area. For all the agnerds out there it is a constant learning experience as innovation receives more investment.

On a last note about technology, I was very sorry to hear this week that the in-person Corn Utilization and Technology Conference has been cancelled again but we are told there will be more information to come on virtual opportunities. And in just a couple weeks I’ll be in Lexington, KY for the Alltech ONE Conference where we always see new technology on display

If you would be interested in sponsoring the podcast please let me know. Just email chuck@zimmcomm.biz or message me on social media.

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

Listen to the ZimmCast here:
ZimmCast 691 - Update from CropTrak (17:32)

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, Audio, Precision Agriculture, Technology, ZimmCast

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: EPA Administrator Regan

Cindy Zimmerman

The latest episode of Agri-Pulse Newsmakers is out and the big news maker this week is EPA Administrator Michael Regan.

The Biden administration is approaching a key deadline to publish annual volume targets for biofuel blending. There’s also the ongoing effort to redefine the definition of a Water of the U.S. and looming concerns about the loss of crop protection tools through the Environmental Protection Agency’s approval processes.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan joins Newsmakers to discuss the work the agency is doing on the long list of food and ag policy concerns at the agency. There’s also thoughts from industry leaders like Chris Bliley at Growth Energy, Michael Formica at the National Pork Producers Council, and Richard Gupton at the Agricultural Retailers Association about what the EPA is doing – as well as what they’d like the agency to do instead.

Newsmakers is also available as a podcast and/or you can sign up to get free access to Newsmakers.


Agri-Pulse, EPA, Ethanol, Video

Industry Ag News 5/6

Carrie Muehling

  • Leading climatologist, agronomist and former farmer Dr. Cynthia Rosenzweig has been named the 2022 World Food Prize Laureate for her pioneering work in modeling the impact of climate change on food production worldwide.
  • C.O.nxt is excited to welcome a new employee-owner to its growing team. Jill DeLucero joins the team as a senior account manager, bringing with her over 20 years of experience in the agriculture industry.
  • International Fresh Produce Association applauds President Biden’s announcement that the Administration will host the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health this September.
  • The American Soybean Association (ASA), United Soybean Board (USB), and soy states want to help farmers who may need a hand managing the stress of life on the farm. This May during Mental Health Month, the soy community will continue its proactive communications campaign to combat farm stress by offering #SoyHelp.
  • Register to attend Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association’s Annual Convention at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resorts & Spa in Orlando June 23-25.
  • Roxi Beck is the new president of Look East, a public relations and strategic communications firm that helps its clients in food and agriculture earn trust. Beck, who previously served in the role of vice president, joined Look East in 2007 and has received industry-wide recognition for her leadership and strategic insight.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association welcomed Summit Carbon Solutions as its newest associate member. In developing the largest carbon capture and storage project in the world, the company seeks to lower greenhouse gas emissions by connecting industrial facilities via strategic infrastructure to store carbon dioxide safely and permanently in the Midwestern United States.
  • The 3rd Annual Florida Industrial Hemp Conference & Exhibition is scheduled for May 20-22 at Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando.
  • Agriculture and its related businesses continue to be a driving force in the regional economy, according to an analysis released by the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City. Using the most recent data available, 66 agriculture, food, and food processing sectors were analyzed to determine their overall contribution to the economy supported by the Kansas City Agribusiness Council. These 66 sectors have an estimated total economic impact of approximately $24.445 billion and support 98,655 jobs in the Greater Kansas City area.
  • FAPRI-MU has released a market snapshot of latest projections. An April 2022 snapshot of U.S. agricultural markets indicates higher farm commodity prices, higher production expenses, and higher consumer food costs than were reported in the FAPRI-MU 2022 baseline outlook. The war in Ukraine and reduced soybean production in South America are two of the factors that have pushed prices higher.
  • Join an exclusive look at the 2022 Ag Media Usage Study, produced by AM&P Network’s Ag Media Council, the National Agri-Marketing Association and Readex Research on May 9 at 11:00 a.m. Central. The webinar is free of charge. Register here.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online for the 2023 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its ninth year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
Zimfo Bytes

Precision Ag News 5/4

Carrie Muehling

  • National Corn Growers Association has cancelled the in-person Corn Utilization and Technology Conference due to continuing travel complications in the wake of COVID. NCGA will be refunding all registration fees and hotel arrangements will be automatically cancelled. The organization is working on alternative plans to disseminate the quality information in the confirmed sessions.
  • The FieldLink® Podcast from Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC debuted in March. With new episodes premiering every other week, it tells the story of agriculture through the eyes of farmers, industry experts and trusted advisors.
  • A new peer-reviewed research report published by the Soil Health Institute provides fresh insights into the vital role that soil organic carbon levels can play in preventing drought, reducing flooding and improving the health and water retention of the soils used to grow crops.
  • HELM Agro US, Inc announces Reviton™ herbicide has received approval for aerial application according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. The Reviton label expansion will increase aerial spring burndown options and soybean plant back intervals which have been troublesome for many growers.
  • Salford Group Inc. has announced it will be acquired by Linamar Corporation. The purchase is expected to close during the second quarter of 2022, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of required regulatory approval.
  • Mark Williams, a U.S. Department of Agriculture scientist, was named a finalist for a Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal in recognition of his pioneering research to protect water quality and aquatic life from pollutants in agricultural runoff.
  • The World Food Prize Foundation is currently accepting nominations for the renowned Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application, Endowed by The Rockefeller Foundation. This award recognizes exceptional, science-based achievement in international agriculture and food production by an individual under the age of 40. Nomination criteria, the selection procedure and other information can be found at worldfoodprize.org/nominate. Nominations will be accepted through June 15, 2022, for the 2022 Award.
  • AGCO announced it has acquired JCA Industries, Inc. JCA, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, specializes in the design of electronic systems and software development to automate and control agricultural equipment.
  • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting more than 2 million acres in offers from agricultural producers and landowners through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General signup, the first of the program’s multiple signups occurring in 2022. With about 3.4 million acres expiring this year, Vilsack encourages producers and landowners to consider the Grassland and Continuous signups, both of which are currently open.
  • The Ecosystem Services Market Consortium and the Conservation Innovation Fund announced the kick-off of a project to streamline the creation and sale of environmental credits from dairy and beef producers in the Mid-Atlantic.
  • #Plant22 is underway and the BeSure! initiative is back with its fourth annual national campaign to promote best management practices (BMPs) when applying neonicotinoid insecticides.
  • Globally farmers are facing a massive fertilizer shortage due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and rising input costs resulting from supply chain constraints. To remain competitive, more growers are turning to bio-solutions like H2OExcel to conserve water and reduce inputs during these challenging times.
  • The Seed Association of the Americas invites you to the Seed Congress of the Americas, to be held in Punta del Este, Uruguay on Sept. 26-28, 2022.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

2022 CUTC In-Person Has Been Canceled

Chuck Zimmerman

Just announced by NCGA.

Thank you for registering for the Corn Utilization and Technology Conference. There is a great community of science and business leaders that NCGA is committed to supporting but unfortunately, we had to make the decision to cancel the in-person event due to continuing travel complications in the wake of COVID. We will be refunding all registration fees and hotel arrangements will be automatically cancelled. We please ask you to stay tuned as we work on alternative plans to disseminate the quality information in the confirmed sessions.

Please watch your email for information on virtual CUTC sessions.

Ag Groups, Corn, Technology

Animal Ag News 5/2

Carrie Muehling

  • Michigan dairy farmer Ashley Kennedy, a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association, testified on behalf of MMPA and the National Milk Producers Federation at the Senate Agriculture Committee’s first hearing dedicated to the upcoming Farm Bill, the twice-a-decade reauthorization of all USDA programs.
  • U.S. consumer demand for retail meat remains exceptionally strong despite higher prices stemming from increased production costs and supply chain limitations. However, once the full effects of producer price inflation finally hit retail meat cases, consumer demand for meat will be tested again, according to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange.
  • Following two Congressional hearings on the beef and cattle markets largely focused on prices producers receive for their cattle, the North American Meat Institute said the latest USDA annual report on livestock income clears up misconceptions about the state of cattle markets and shows cash receipts for the sale of cattle and calves increased 16 percent, from $63.1 billion in 2020 to $72.9 billion in 2021.
  • Elanco Animal Health Incorporated and Royal DSM have created a strategic alliance connecting two leading, sustainability-focused companies to address one of society’s most significant opportunities of the decade, mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from farming. Elanco has secured the exclusive U.S. licensing rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize Bovaer® for beef and dairy cattle.
  • Leading-edge research and insights on critical issues and progress impacting the animal nutrition industry will be shared at the 2022 Animal Nutrition Conference of Canada, May 10-12 in Saskatoon.
  • The Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative announced the hiring of Melissa Haen as marketing and events manager.
  • Scientists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research Service (ARS) announced that a vaccine candidate for African Swine Fever (ASF) passed an important safety test required for regulatory approval, moving the vaccine one step closer to commercial availability.
  • Join the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association for its next webinar – “Scours Prevention Starts with Colostrum” – set for May 5, at 2 p.m. Central time.



AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Rail Disruptions Impacting Ag and Biofuels

Cindy Zimmerman

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) heard about how agricultural and biofuels producers are being impacted by rail service challenges during a two-day hearing last week.

USDA Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh told the board how rail disruptions are impacting farmers, ranchers and consumers. “Elevators are full and therefore cannot purchase more grain from farmers, and livestock operations are unable to receive the grain they need for feed,” said Bronaugh. “At the same time, ethanol and biodiesel facilities report numerous slowdowns and even shutdowns due to delays in their outbound train service—delays which permeate through the entire supply chain from farmers selling grain to customers buying fuel.”
STB hearing-USDA Deputy Bronaugh (7:37)

National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) President and CEO Mike Seyfert testified before the board, listing several examples of rail service failures experienced by grain shippers across the country and outlining recommended actions for the STB.

“Almost every shipment made by an NGFA member via rail will be used for either human food, animal food or fuel production,” said Seyfert. “Grain and oilseeds processors, such as flour mills, crushing and biofuels facilities have experienced rail challenges on the inbound and outbound.”
STB hearing-NGFA CEO Seyfert (4:23)

Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley testified on how disruptions have impacted the biofuels industry, including extreme delays in unit traffic and getting loaded trains offsite. “Nearly 70 percent of all ethanol is shipped by rail with 377,000 carloads in 2018 alone,” said Bliley. “Rail service is vital to get ethanol from our biorefineries in the Midwest to American consumers from coast to coast. It is perhaps even more important today with drivers facing high gasoline prices and ethanol continuing to trade 80 cents to a dollar less per gallon than wholesale gasoline.”
STB hearing-Chris Bliley, Growth Energy (3:22)

Audio, Corn, Ethanol, Grains, transportation