Webinar to Spotlight Modernizing Rural Infrastructure

Cindy Zimmerman

How can we create more jobs in Rural America?

That question is at the heart of an upcoming April 7 Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc. webinar, “Rural renaissance: How investments in transmission modernization can drive rural economic development.” This complimentary one-hour program will discuss expanding and modernizing the electrical grid in Rural America.

“As more people and companies look at escaping crowded urban areas and finding their place in Rural America, it’s important for them to have reliable infrastructure,” says Agri-Pulse Founder and Editor Sara Wyant, who will moderate the event. “Our conversation will cover not only current conditions, but we’ll discuss much-needed improvements.”

Speakers include USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small, Congressman Frank Lucas, USDA Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service Chris McLean, Americans for a Clean Energy Grid executive director Rob Gramlich, and Denise Bode with Michael Best Strategies.

The webinar will take place at 11 a.m. ET and is sponsored by the Americans for a Clean Energy Grid. Speakers will address how expanding, integrating and modernizing the North American high-voltage grid can drive rural economic development. You can sign up for this free webinar by clicking on this link.

Agri-Pulse, Infrastructure, webinar

Animal Ag News 3/28

Carrie Muehling

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the launch of the Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity Technical Assistance Program (MPPTA) to provide technical assistance to meat and poultry grant applicants and grant-funded projects. Processors and applicants involved with the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) program and the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) can access this technical assistance. USDA also announced it is now accepting applications for $23.6 million in competitive grant funding available through the MPIRG program.
  • Taco Bell restaurants nationwide have rolled out a dairy-based coffee creamer and a new coffee drink with support from dairy checkoff food scientists. The vanilla creamer replaces a non-dairy product and will become a permanent offering at more than 7,500 Taco Bell locations in the United States. The shelf-stable creamer also was used in the checkoff-created Pineapple Whip Freeze and Island Berry Freeze beverages that previously appeared on Taco Bell’s menu.
  • Recognizing that auctions are arguably the most profitable way today for farmers and ranchers to sell land, Superior Land Network is changing its name to Superior Land Auction. While auction services have always been part of its business, the move signals the company increased focus on providing auctions nationwide that help agricultural landowners have the best seller experience and achieve the highest sale price.
  • CattleFax elected a new slate of officers at this year’s annual business meeting on Feb. 2, which was held in conjunction with the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Houston. The new president is Pono Von Holt of Kamuela, Hawaii.
  • Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) has recognized 51 of its U.S. locations with Environmental Recognition Awards and 33 of its U.S. facilities with Worker Safety Awards.
  • The American Feed Industry Association has opened registration for its popular biennial Feed Industry Institute (FII), which will be offered in a self-paced, virtual learning environment over a span of a few weeks this summer. The conference, which kicks off June 6 and culminates on Aug. 1, brings together industry newcomers to learn the fundamentals of the animal food manufacturing process – from the types of ingredients used to the animals served to federal policies that shape the output of the industry.
  • A new partnership between USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farmers for Soil Health (FSH) was awarded a $1 million grant to advance adoption of soil conservation practices on farms. Pork producers can measure their cover crop adoption by using On-Farm Sustainability Reports, which are available at no additional cost to them to help document and improve their on-farm sustainability efforts.
  • The Dairy Calf & Heifer Association annual conference & trade show is scheduled for April 12-14, 2022, in Bloomington, MN. Attend either in-person or virtually.
  • The Dairy Business Association (DBA) and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative have hired Jeremy Henkels to serve as managing director, a new role for the advocacy organizations.
  • Commodity Blenders, LLC welcomes Mike Wright as the company’s new Chief Operating Officer.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

NAMA Announces Annual Awards

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) has announced the winners of its 2022 Agribusiness Leader, Ag Association Leader, and Marketer of the Year Awards.

NAMA is proud to announce Kent Harrison, Vice President of Marketing and Premium Programs, Tyson Foods, Fresh Meats, as the 2022 Agribusiness Leader of the Year. The award recognizes outstanding leadership in private, public or academic service and is conferred each year to a senior executive at an agribusiness. In 2008, Harrison joined the Tyson Fresh Meats Team as director of marketing. Today, as the vice president of marketing and premium programs, Harrison is involved in nearly all facets of the company’s domestic and international business operations.

Kasey Cronquist, President, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), is NAMA’s 2022 Ag Association Leader of the Year. This award recognizes outstanding achievement and excellence among senior executives who have made significant contributions to the agriculture industry in their roles with trade association or commodity organization. Soon after taking the helm at USHBC in 2019, Cronquist’s ability for long-term strategic visioning became apparent and proved vital. Through the “Grab a Boost of Blue” program, Cronquist has placed the blueberry health benefits at the center of every story told.

Lisa Homer, Senior Communications Manager, FMC, is the distinguished recipient of the 2022 NAMA Marketer of the Year Award. Awarded to an active member of NAMA and recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the field of agri-marketing. Throughout a marketing and advertising career spanning more than 20 years, Homer has spent time on the client side, agency side and as a consultant. This unique perspective, coupled with a ‘can-do’ attitude, has enabled Homer as a skilled builder and driver of brands.

These three awards are NAMA’s highest honors and will be given out at the 2022 Agri-Marketing Conference, April 6-8, 2022, in Kansas City.

Ag Groups, Agencies, Agribusiness, NAMA

New Agri-Pulse Newsmakers Spotlights Nutrition

Cindy Zimmerman

The newest episode of Agri-Pulse Newsmakers is now live and the focus this week is on nutrition and food policy.

Congress has funded a White House conference on nutrition, hunger and health, setting the stage for the first such gathering since 1969. The issue has been a longtime priority for House Ag Committee member and Massachusetts Democrat Jim McGovern, who joins this week’s Newsmakers to discuss what he hopes will come from the event and how it might shape the upcoming farm bill.

Then, a panel of experts takes a look at the current state of nutrition assistance and how a White House conference might influence the future of food policy.

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


Agri-Pulse, Food, Video

Industry Ag News 3/25

Cindy Zimmerman

  • 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.
  • The joint membership of the Midwest-SouthEastern Equipment Dealers Association (MSEDA), the United Equipment Dealers Association (UEDA), the Western Equipment Dealers Association (WEDA) and the Equipment Dealers Association
    (EDA) recently voted overwhelmingly in favor of moving forward with a merger of these four associations to form the new North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA).
  • On March 30, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will livestream the Secretary of Agriculture’s data report briefing for the first time. This and future Secretary data briefings will stream on NASS’s YouTube channel five minutes after NASS reports are released to the public.
  • The Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will host a series of listening forums to hear from those who have experienced firsthand the effects of mergers and acquisitions beyond antitrust experts, including consumers, workers, entrepreneurs, start-ups, farmers, investors and independent businesses. The first forum will be held March 28 at 3pm ET for the Food and Agriculture sector.
  • Deadline for the Golden ARC (Agricultural Relations Council) Awards contest is coming up April 1. This program provides an opportunity for agricultural communicators to have their 2021 tactics and campaigns evaluated by marketing and public relations (PR) experts, and receive helpful feedback. To be eligible, entries must be completed in full or partially in 2021. A complete list of categories can be found at www.agrelationscouncil.org/categories.
  • The U.S. Peanut Federation joined five other agriculture organizations in support of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) as a proven intervention to address global hunger and childhood malnutrition. The organizations are requesting an additional $200 million in funding for the procurement of WHO guidance-compliant RUTF for the 2023 appropriations legislation.
  • The cost of growing crops could outpace revenue for many farmers in 2022, making it more difficult to break even despite rising commodity prices and increased demand both domestically and globally. The American Farm Bureau Federation is launching a series of Market Intel articles examining rising farm production expenses. The first report concludes that farm production costs are likely to increase 6% in 2022, which follows a 12% increase in 2021.
Ag Groups, Agribusiness, ZimmNews

NK Seeds Partners with John Force Racing

Cindy Zimmerman

NK Seeds and John Force Racing began a season-long sponsorship this month that brings NK Seeds to the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) racetrack. The partnership features the NK logo on cars driven by the legendary NHRA drag racing team, John Force Racing: John Force, Brittany Force, Robert Hight and Austin Prock.

“Winning in drag racing is about the synchronized combination of speed, precision and power, and that’s what we do every day at NK Seeds,” says Jim Shertzer, Head of NK Marketing. “We develop high-performing corn hybrids and soybean varieties using the same synchronized combination of speed, precision and power to help farmers win in the fields — because success matters, on the racetrack and on the farm.”

To view the 2022 John Force Racing schedule, click here. To learn more about this new partnership and NK corn hybrids and soybean varieties, listen to this interview with Shertzer.

Interview with Jim Shertzer, Head of NK Marketing (4:56)

Audio, Corn, Soybean, Syngenta

Ag Day Takes Over National Mall

Cindy Zimmerman

The inaugural Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the National Mall was held outside the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) headquarters on Tuesday, showcasing America’s equipment manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, and agriculture innovators on the cutting-edge of science and technology.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack delivered remarks at the event, invoking President Abraham Lincoln who created the USDA in 1862. “I think he (Lincoln) would be pleased that we’re expanding the notion of agriculture,” Vilsack said. “The idea that it just doesn’t have to happen in a rural area – it can happen in a big city, too. It can happen on a rooftop. It can happen in a building. It can happen in the lab.”

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and over three dozen partner organizations and companies hosted the celebration, which they hope will be the first of many.

Listen to Vilsack’s remarks below – and be sure to check out the photo album. Thanks to Gary Crawford at USDA for the audio and Jamie Johansen for the photos.
Ag Day 2022 - Vilsack remarks (9:06)

2022 National Ag Day Activities Photo Album

Ag Day, Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Audio, USDA

Precision Ag News 3/23

Cindy Zimmerman

  • MyLand Company has announced that Jeff Downs has joined the company as Grower Relationship Director, focusing on Arizona and Southern California. Jeff will be responsible for partnering with growers to deliver MyLand’s unique Soil as a Service (SaaS) solution.
  • UPI and Radicle Growth are thrilled to announce that Pluton BioSciences has won the Radicle Carbon & Soil Challenge by UPL, securing $1M in funding, and that the Runner-up, Phospholutions, secured a $250k investment.
  • Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC) and SustainCERT have announced a partnership to accelerate the deployment of an end-to-end digital solution for corporate reporting on the carbon intensity of agriculture commodities.
  • Solinftec, a global leader in agricultural digitalization, has announced that it will expand upon its partnership with GROWMARK, Inc. with a collaborative project focused on a new cutting-edge AgTech robotic device. GROWMARK will collaborate with Solinftec to run the robot throughout the entire 2022 season where it will fine-tune the technology of agriculture operations in North America from planting to harvesting.
  • – Bimbo Bakeries USA in Dubuque, Iowa, and Koch Fertilizer plants in Beatrice, Nebraska, and Ft. Dodge, Iowa, were among the 93 U.S. manufacturing plants that earned the EPA ENERGY STAR certification in 2021. ENERGY STAR-certified plants are verified to be among the most energy-efficient plants within their industries. Bimbo Bakeries is commercial bread and roll baking facility, while the two Koch plants manufacture nitrogenous fertilizer. This was the first-time ENERGY STAR certification for their Beatrice plant.
  • The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) is committing up to $2.5 million to establish the Hemp Research Consortium, a public-private partnership bringing together research-intensive and land grant universities with industry participants. Consortium members, including Agilent Technologies, IND HEMP, International Hemp, Oregon CBD, The Scotts Company and U.S. Sugar, are contributing matching funds to the Consortium for a total investment of up to $5 million.
  • The St. Louis agtech ecosystem has combined its resources to attract startups to the St. Louis region by funding an AgriFoodTech track in the annual Arch Grants Startup Competition. BioGenerator, the startup arm of BioSTL; the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center; and The Yield Lab have partnered with Arch Grants to extend more funding opportunities specifically to AgriFoodTech companies.
  • Wyld Networks has announced the availability of its new range of low-power, sensor-to-satellite terminals and modules that make it possible to connect agricultural sensors anywhere in the world, where there is no alternative coverage. The full sensor-to-satellite service will be available in the second half of 2022.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Agri-Pulse Summit Includes Farm Bill Veterans

Cindy Zimmerman

The 2022 Agri-Pulse Food & Ag Policy Summit held Monday at the National Press Club was focused on laying the groundwork for the next farm bill and featured some of the most influential voices in farm policy including leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, as well as agricultural organizations and companies. It was the first time Agri-Pulse has been able to hold its premier event in person since 2019 and it was a huge success.

One of the highlights of the program was a discussion between two veteran farm bill negotiators – former Senate Ag Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and former House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN). The two shared stories going back to the 1996 “Freedom to Farm” bill, as well as perspectives on current events, such as the situation in Ukraine.

As always, the comfortable friendship between the two former members of Congress generated an interesting discussion, moderated by Jeff Nalley.

Agri-Pulse Summit - Pat Roberts and Collin Peterson (49:15)

2022 Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit Photo Album

Agri-Pulse, Audio, Farm Bill, Farm Policy

Senate Ag Leaders Ready for Farm Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

The leaders of the Senate Agriculture Committee addressed the 2022 Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit live and in-person Monday at the National Press Club, sharing their perspectives on the next farm bill.

Senate Ag Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) both spent some time visiting the National Ag Day exhibits on the National Mall before heading to the summit.

Agri-Pulse Summit - Sen. Stabenow (20:05)

In addition to plans for farm bill hearings in the next few months, Sen. Stabenow talked about the importance of agricultural innovation, trade, infrastructure and climate smart agriculture.

Sen. Boozman said, “The Farm Bill offers us an opportunity to show Americans that we can work together to get important stuff done,” and he hopes to see the next farm bill pass with even more votes in the Senate than the record 87-13 in 2018.

Agri-Pulse Summit - Sen. Boozman (20:28)

2022 Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit Photo Album

Agri-Pulse, Audio, Farm Bill, Farm Policy