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

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers Charts New Territory

Cindy Zimmerman

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine entered its third week last week, the new weekly agricultural video program Newsmakers from Agri-Pulse released episode five, with Sen. John Thune (R-SD) offering his thoughts on solutions to inflation, why the Ocean Shipping Reform Act is vital to U.S. agriculture, and how biofuels can help make the U.S. less dependent on Russian oil.

Meanwhile, Newsmakers host Spencer Chase, who is currently serving as president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB), was busy gathering more content for future shows at the Commodity Classic last week where Chuck Zimmerman managed to get a quick interview with him about this new program.

“We wanted to produce something that was strictly focused on food and agriculture,” said Chase. “The main thing we want to convey is good, reliable, accurate information that tells folks what is going on in Washington.”

Chase says as the program develops they would like to get more producer interaction.

Classic Interview with Spencer Chase, Agri-Pulse (4:19)

Agri-Pulse, Audio, Commodity Classic, NAFB

Animal Ag News 3/14

Carrie Muehling

  • At Pork Forum, delegates approved a change in the mandatory Pork Checkoff rate. The current rate of $0.40/$100 value per live animal will change to $0.35/$100 effective Jan.1, 2023. This represents a 12.5% reduction in the Checkoff rate.
  • For his 40 years serving U.S. pork producers, including 20 years as CEO of the National Pork Producers Council and his dedication and countless contributions to the pork industry, Neil Dierks was inducted into the National Pork Industry Hall of Fame at NPPC’s annual business meeting — the National Pork Industry Forum.
  • The National Pork Producers Council has hired Dr. Anna Forseth for the newly created position of director of animal health. She will focus on foreign animal disease prevention and preparedness, as well as antibiotic use and resistance issues.
  • The Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2022 Omnibus Appropriations package. In addition to providing funding for a number of programs of importance to U.S. beef cattle producers, the bill also maintained key provisions the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has long advocated for, such as the Electronic Logging Device exemption for livestock haulers, important EPA regulatory relief, and an extension of the Livestock Mandatory Reporting program. Also included in the package is a Cattle Contract Library pilot program, a critical tool as NCBA works to increase market transparency for cattle producers.
  • The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program released its 2021 Year in Review highlighting new initiatives and program area advancements.
  • Dairy Management Inc. CEO Barbara O’Brien provided an overview of four “bold moves” the checkoff has made with farmer and importer directors representing DMI, United Dairy Industry Association and National Dairy Promotion and Research Board at their recent meeting in San Antonio, Texas. O’Brien, who assumed the CEO position in October, spent the last four months gathering input from hundreds of farmers and other stakeholders about the checkoff’s vision and strategy.
  • In response to the introductions of Senate Bills 2716 and 949, R-CALF USA issued an in-depth guide for U.S. cattle producers and consumers to influence the timely enactment of the two key pieces of legislation – the “MCOOL and 50/14 Toolkit”.
  • Kynetec, the global leader in market and customer insights in Agriculture and Animal Health, is delighted to announce that Paul Walker has joined the company’s Executive Committee as Chief Operating Officer for Crop Market and Customer Insights.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Field Notes from Koch Agronomic Services – Episode 17

Chuck Zimmerman

The Field Notes podcast series from Koch Agronomic Services (Koch) breaks down the science and technology behind agronomy to help growers do more with less.

The experts we’ve heard from on our previous episodes have covered topics ranging from how different crops use nitrogen to the 4R’s of Nutrient Stewardship and how growers and retailers work together to choose the best input for an operation. If you haven’t checked out the previous episodes, you can find them on your favorite podcast platform.

Role of Micronutrients from Koch Agronomic Services

In this episode, we’re focusing on the essential role micronutrients play in boosting a crop’s performance by helping manage deficiencies and optimizing yield potential. You’ll hear from two experts at Koch: senior agronomist Edwin Suarez and product manager Kassidy Frederick. They will discuss why micronutrients play a critical role in a crop’s balanced nutrition plan and how growers can get the most out of their input investment by improving nutrient use efficiency.

You can listen to the program here: Role of Micronutrients (13:53)

And to make sure you don’t miss an episode, choose an option to subscribe

For Spotify on your computer download the desktop app.

Agribusiness, Audio, Koch Agronomic Services, Soil

Syngenta News at #Classic22

Cindy Zimmerman

Syngenta had so much news to share at the 2022 Commodity Classic that it could barely fit into one press conference.

Syngenta North America Corporate Communications Head Paul Minehart, far right, moderated the panel of company experts, who are from right to left: Eric Boeck, North American Seeds Head of Marketing; Eric Miller, NK Soybean Product Manager; Stephanie Porter, Golden Harvest soybean product manager; Liz Hunt, Syngenta Head of Sustainable and Responsible Business; Al Klapp, Market Development Manager at Valagro USA (acquired by Syngenta in 2020); Katie Jaeger, Syngenta Seedcare product lead; Pete Eure, Syngenta herbicide technical lead Tendovo™; Mark Kitt, corn herbicide technical product lead; and Shawn Hock, AgriEdge Manager at Syngenta. (Click on the photo for a bigger image and check out the photo album for individual photos of each person)

2022 Commodity Classic with Syngenta Photo Album

Syngenta Press Conference
Syngenta Press Conference

We are going to have separate posts on each of Syngenta’s major announcements, but here are links to the press releases and individual interviews on many of the topics.

Syngenta introduces CruiserMaxx® APX soybean seed treatment for unmatched Pythium and Phytophthora protection
Interview with Katie Jaeger, Syngenta Seedcare product lead (3:00)

NK Seeds Introduces 2023 Field Forged Series to Help Farmers Optimize Every Acre
Interview with Eric Miller, NK Soybean Product Manager (2:52)

Syngenta launches new sustainability standard benchmarked against SAI Platform’s Farm Sustainability Assessment
Interview with Liz Hunt, Syngenta Head of Sustainable and Responsible Business (6:05)

Syngenta announces EPA registration of Tendovo™ soybean herbicide
Interview with Pete Eure, Syngenta herbicide technical lead (2:58)

2021 field trials show Golden Harvest corn delivered stronger yield results
Interview with Andy Ackley, Golden Harvest corn product manager. (3:48)

How producers who feed Enogen® corn can increase feed efficiency by about 5%1 when fed as grain or silage
Interview with Duane Martin, Enogen Head of Marketing and Stewardship (5:33)

Syngenta digital tools for growers AgriClime and AgriEdge
Interview with Heather Volpe, NK Regional Marketing Lead (4:47)

Audio, Commodity Classic, Corn, Seed, Soybean, Syngenta, Technology

Secretary Vilsack Addresses #Classic22

Cindy Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has made very few in-person appearances since becoming the head of USDA for a second president last year, but he did make it a point to attend the 2022 Commodity Classic in New Orleans Friday and address thousands of corn, sorghum, soybean, and wheat farmers.

“I’m here today to talk about the opportunities and challenges facing American agriculture and how confident I am in a bright, hopeful and optimistic future,” Vilsack began.

He talked about the situation in Ukraine and being able to hear from the agriculture minister from that country who was speaking to them from a bunker. “As I listened to him, it impressed upon me the importance of all of us who live in a free and democratic country never to take that privilege for granted,” Vilsack said to applause.

The secretary got a standing ovation when he talked about the role biofuels can play in lowering record high fuel costs. “We know and I know and you know that E15 can do that and B20 can do that,” he said.

Vilsack also announced that USDA will support additional fertilizer production for American farmers to address rising costs by making available $250 million through a new grant program this summer to support independent, innovative and sustainable American fertilizer production to supply American farmers. Additionally, USDA will launch a public inquiry seeking information regarding seeds and agricultural inputs, fertilizer, and retail markets.

Secretary Vilsack remarks (32:11)

Vilsack press conference (24:24)

Audio, Commodity Classic, USDA

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