Congratulations to Ted McKinney – CEO, NASDA

Chuck Zimmerman

NASDA Ted McKinneyWe are glad to see that our friend Ted McKinney has been selected as Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

He will lead NASDA in amplifying the voice of state departments of agriculture in Washington, D.C., seeking policy solutions for our food system and expanding and deepening NASDA’s partnerships.

“Representing a unified voice from all 50 states and four territories, NASDA is a leader and problem solver on our nation’s most important agricultural issues. I am honored to be chosen for this position, and I am delighted to continue serving our country through advocating for state departments of agriculture,” NASDA Incoming CEO Ted McKinney said. “Moving forward, I’m excited to set new horizons for NASDA and ensure agriculture thrives in our states and territories.”

McKinney most recently served as the U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. He led the development and implementation of the department’s trade policy, facilitated foreign market access and promoted opportunities for U.S. agriculture through various trade programs and high-level government negotiations. Prior to USDA, McKinney held the position of Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, and during his time as a NASDA member, he served on multiple committees for the NASDA Foundation. He also brings over 30 years of experience to NASDA from agriculture’s private industry, including 19 years of experience from NASDA’s partner Dow AgroSciences (now Corteva Agriscience) and 14 years from NASDA’s partner Elanco Animal Health. Prior to his career in agriculture, McKinney grew up on a family farm in Tipton, Indiana.

Ag Groups

Industry Ag News 9/17

Carrie Muehling

  • “Renewal and Rebirth” is the theme for the 2021 American Agri-Women (AAW) convention. Women in agriculture from around the country will convene in Phoenix for the AAW 47th annual convention.
  • The National Biodiesel Foundation warmly welcomes newly elected Director Todd Ellis to the NBF Board. Ellis currently is the Executive Director, North American Sales, for Renewable Energy Group, Inc.
  • More sessions have been announced for the NAMA Fall Conference, October 4-6 in St. Louis. Join NAMA to hear from industry leaders, hear about the latest agri-marketing trends and leave with a fresh perspective to finish out the year. Something’s Brewing, so sign up today!
  • National Farm Safety and Health Week has been recognized during the third week of September for seventy-seven years to help bring attention to the risks of working agriculture. This year, AgriSafe has daily webinars for agricultural health and safety professionals, healthcare providers, producers and farmworkers. Our partners at the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) coined this year’s theme “Farm Safety Yields Real Results,” reminding all of us that safety is a vital part of agriculture.
  • Dr. Roger Cryan will join the American Farm Bureau Federation on October 4th as chief economist.
  • The American Society of Agricultural Consultants (ASAC) selected Corner Window Communications (CWC), owned by Kristy Mach, to serve as its interim management company – from Sept. 1-Dec. 31, 2021. CWC, an association management/marketing firm based in New Prague, Minn., will carry out ASAC’s day-to-day management needs. Renee Brod, a member of the CWC team, will serve as the ASAC executive vice president.
  • The board of directors of the Global Farmer Network is growing with the addition of farmer members from Iowa and the United Kingdom. Mark Heckman grows corn and soybeans and raises cattle and hogs in a family partnership that places a strong focus on soil health, carbon sequestration and sustainability. Paul Temple farms in the north of England in the United Kingdom. The farm practices conservation agriculture on a mixed beef and arable family farm. Paul grows wheat for seed, barley, oilseed rape, vining peas and beans, recently adding grass leys back into the arable rotation.
  • On behalf of all of the World Food Prize Laureates and our Council of Advisors, the World Food Prize Foundation extends its deepest condolences to Janis Ruan and the entire Ruan family for the loss of John Ruan III, the Foundation’s Chairman, who passed away on September 11, 2021.
  • The Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference returns to Savannah, Ga. January 6-9, 2022 and will celebrate its 20th anniversary. In 2020, the educational event and trade show hosted more than 3,300 attendees and 290 vendor companies.
  • A new children’s book is now available for families searching for a captivating agriculture story to share. “Barn at Night,” featuring lyrical poetry and glowing watercolors, is now available from Feeding Minds Press, the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s publishing venture.
  • The Mid America CropLife Association recognized Pamela Smith, Crops Technology Editor, DTN & Progressive Farmer, with the Ruth White Media Award.
  • The Mid America CropLife Association (MACA) honored Dr. Samuel Markell of North Dakota State University with the MACA Educator of the Year Award.
Zimfo Bytes

Precision Ag News 9/15

Carrie Muehling

  • Registration is open for AgGateway’s 2021 Annual Conference, November 8-10, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. The in-person conference will feature an array of sessions and networking opportunities for companies seeking to realize the many benefits of digital agriculture. Details are available on the Annual Conference meeting page at www.AgGateway.org.
  • Indigo Ag announced the disbursement of initial payments to the inaugural cohort of Carbon by Indigo participants. The 267 paid growers are the first to implement on-farm practice changes and provide the data required to ensure the rigorous measurement and validation of resulting emissions reduction and removals according to registry protocols. In doing so, they have helped pave a path for the scaled production of carbon credits as a new income stream for farmers, demonstrating the emerging market’s potential as a real and meaningful instrument for mitigating the drivers of climate change.
  • Purdue University’s Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) undergraduate program has earned the No. 1 ranking in its category in the annual U.S. News & World Report undergraduate program rankings for the 11th consecutive year. U.S. News also ranked Purdue’s ABE graduate program No. 1 earlier this year. The department includes 382 undergraduate and 191 graduate students.
  • All segments return to the black for August in the U.S., while Canada ekes out small gains according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). U.S. total farm tractor sales climbed 9.9 percent in August compared to 2020, while U.S. self-propelled combine sales jumped 19.8 percent, the second month in a row of growth near 20 percent for harvesters.
  • Ingredion Incorporated and S&W Seed Company announced the companies have entered into an exclusive U.S. stevia pilot production supply agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, S&W will leverage its proprietary stevia plant portfolio and production techniques to supply Ingredion and its PureCircle by Ingredion group of companies, with high-quality, U.S.-sourced stevia plants.
  • CLAAS has launched the next generation of center-delivery rakes with various models ranging from 20 feet 4 inches to 49 feet 2 inches and a completely new 13 foot 9 inch rear-mounted mower. The distinctive features of this new range include a low transport height, excellent ground-contour following and ease of handling.
  • California specialty crop growers and trusted advisers are invited to a free virtual event exploring practical and economical ways they can apply sustainability practices to address local conservation needs. The event is set for Thursday, Sept. 23, from 9 to 11 a.m. PDT, and will include growers and other experts sharing tips and insights on topics such as fire-risk management, improving water quality, irrigation efficiency and advancing nutrient management. To learn more or to register for the event, go to https://events.farmjournal.com/calleguas-creek-2021.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Animal Ag News 9/13

Carrie Muehling

  • Trust In Beef is a new effort to empower beef producers on their sustainability journey and provide consumers with real-life proof of the continuously improving environmental performance of American beef. The program is led by Farm Journal‘s social purpose initiative, Trust In Food, and its industry-leading beef brand, Drovers.
  • Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mike Rounds, (R-S.D.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) jointly announced they are introducing a bill in the U.S. Senate to reestablish mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef. The legislation will reinsert “beef” and “ground beef” into the current MCOOL law that requires country-of-origin labels on many food commodities, including meat from chickens, sheep, goats, and deer.
  • In response to the severe drought conditions in the West and Great Plains, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its plans to help cover the cost of transporting feed for livestock that rely on grazing. USDA is updating the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) to immediately cover feed transportation costs for drought impacted ranchers. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will provide more details and tools to help ranchers get ready to apply at their local USDA Service Center later this month at fsa.usda.gov/elap.
  • Jim Monroe be joining Smithfield Foods on September 20 as vice president of corporate affairs. Monroe’s responsibilities will include corporate communications and working with media covering the U.S. pork industry, agriculture and food.
  • The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) is celebrating the 10th year of the annual IPPE Young Leaders Under 30 Program with the launch of the 2022 program. Interested applicants must apply to the program by Oct. 1 and meet select requirements, including being a member of at least one of the following IPPE sponsor organizations: the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), North American Meat Institute (NAMI) or U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY). No more than two applicants from a single member organization may be nominated.
  • National Pork Board is launching a mythbusting campaign featuring Emmy Award-winning actor Eric Stonestreet. The new video series introduces consumers to the “Rural Dictionary,” which redefines common pig-related idioms and phrases to showcase the innovation of modern pork production. The inaugural video, When Pigs Fly, launched earlier this week online and on NPB’s social media channels.
  • As Co-Chair of the Tax Aggie Coalition, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association spearheaded a letter to House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committee leadership urging them to consider the implications that changes to federal tax policy will have on family-owned agricultural businesses. Nearly 330 trade associations representing family-owned food, agriculture and related businesses agree that, when drafting legislation to implement President Biden’s “Build Back Better” agenda, it is critical that the “American Families Plan” must also support family farms and ranches.
  • The North American Meat Institute issued the following statement about inflammatory statements regarding the meat and poultry industry and the price of consumer goods during a labor shortage and a pandemic. “As with almost every industry, meat and poultry packers and processors of all sizes have been, and continue to be, affected by the global pandemic and the inflationary trends that challenge the U.S. economy,” said Mark Dopp, Chief Operating Officer for the North American Meat Institute. “American consumers of most goods and services are seeing higher costs, largely due to a persistent and widespread labor shortage. The meat and poultry industry is no different. Issuing inflammatory statements that ignore the fundamentals of how supply and demand affects markets accomplishes nothing. Meat and poultry markets are competitive and dynamic with no one sector of the industry consistently dominating the market at the expense of another.”
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

ZimmCast 677 – Preview of the 2021 NAMA Fall Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

In this program we’re going to learn all about the 2021 NAMA Fall Conference from the head of the conference committee, Michele Tibodeau, CHS, Inc. Michele walks us through a preview of the program which includes the presentation of the annual Professional Development Awards of Excellence, network opportunities like on and off-site receptions and great speakers and sessions. It is an in-person event that will take place October 4-6 at the St. Louis Ritz Carlton.

You can get registered here.

That’s the ZimmCast for this week. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 677 - Preview of 2021 NAMA Fall Conference (12:50)

In case you didn’t know it you can find more podcasts we produce in all your favorite podcast apps. That includes the Golden ZimmComm Mic Podcast, The Ethanol Report, Field Notes from Koch Agronomic Services and the Daugherty Water for Food Podcast. We hope you enjoy listening to them.

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:

Audio, NAMA, ZimmCast

NK Seeds Field Forged Series™ at #FPS21

Cindy Zimmerman

Syngenta announced the first-ever Field Forged Series™ from NK Seeds earlier year. Now available for the 2022 growing season from retailers across the U.S., the inaugural Field Forged Series lineup features 26 total hybrids, including 10 new NK® corn hybrids and 4 new Enogen® corn hybrids, and 20 new NK soybean varieties, and farmers were definitely showing an interest at the Farm Progress Show last week.

In NK corn, Syngenta Seeds R&D has powered a portfolio of hybrids that reflect both yield and agronomic excellence. Each Field Forged hybrid had to meet a number of strict requirements to be included in the launch class, including strong root rot resistance, stalk strength, tolerance of critical diseases and broad adaptation.

“Our standards were high. To join the Field Forged Series, these NK hybrids had to outperform key competitors in their areas of adaptation not just once, but repeatedly across multiple years,” said Joe Bollman, NK corn product manager. “They’re proven winners.”

The new NK hybrids also offer industry-leading trait choice, with Agrisure Duracade®, Agrisure Viptera® and Agrisure Artesian® traits to help farmers meet a variety of needs in their fields. Similarly, the lineup of Field Forged soybean varieties features a diverse selection of the latest in-demand traits, including both proprietary Enlist E3® soybean and proprietary XtendFlex® soybean varieties.

Learn more in this interview with Bollman from Farm Progress Show.
FPS21 Interview with Joe Bollman, NK Seeds (3:12)

AgWired Precision, Audio, Corn, Farm Progress Show, Seed, Soybean, Syngenta

US Corn, Soybean, and Cotton Production Forecast Higher

Cindy Zimmerman

Corn, soybean, and cotton production is up from 2020, according to the latest Crop Production report issued Friday by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

According to the report, corn production is up 6% from last year, forecast at 15.0 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to increase their production 6% from 2020, forecast at 4.37 billion bushels; and cotton production is up 27% from 2020 at 18.5 million 480-pound bales.

The average U.S. corn yield is forecast at 176.3 bushels per acre, up 1.7 bushels from last month’s forecast and up 4.3 bushels from last year. NASS forecasts record high yields in California, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. Acres planted to corn, at 93.3 million, are up 3% from 2020. Area to be harvested for grain is forecast at 85.1 million acres, up 1% from last month and 3% more than was harvested last year. As of Aug. 29, 60% of this year’s corn crop was reported in good or excellent condition, 2 percentage points below the same time last year.

Area for soybean harvest is forecast at 86.4 million acres, down less than 1% from last month but 5% more than was harvested last year. Planted area for the nation, estimated at 87.2 million acres, is up 5% from last year. Soybean yields are expected to average 50.6 bushels per acre, up 0.6 bushel from last month’s forecast and up 0.4 bushel from 2020. If realized, the forecasted yields in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia will be record high.

NASS forecasts all cotton area to be harvested at 9.92 million acres, 4% below last month’s forecast but 20% more acres than were harvested last season. Yield is expected to average 895 pounds per harvested acre, up 95 pounds from last month’s forecast and up 48 pounds from 2020. Area planted to all cotton is estimated at 11.2 million acres, down 7% from last year.

Corn, Cotton, Soybean, USDA

Smart Glasses for the #AgNerd? Ray-Ban Stories

Chuck Zimmerman

Ray-Ban Stories FacebookOnce upon a time there was Google Glass. Remember that? I was in their Explorer program to try them out and created content that I published here on AgWired, like this post about a New Holland CR10.90 Combine. I still have my “ZimmGlass.” It’s on a shelf of older tech I’ve used that includes iPods and other items you used to be able to use with older iPhones. Actually, there is a Glass Enterprise Edition but it is targeted to companies that would develop their own applications and work force quantities.

Now we have Ray-Ban Stories, a partnership with Facebook.

Today, we’re excited to launch Ray-Ban Stories: smart glasses that give you a new way to capture photos and video, share your adventures and listen to music or take phone calls — so you can stay present with friends, family and the world around you. Built in partnership with Facebook and EssilorLuxottica, Ray-Ban Stories start at $299 USD and will be available for purchase in 20 style combinations online and in select retail stores in the US, as well as Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy and the UK.

I’ve already looked into these and priced them, including having my eyeglass prescription submitted. They’re not any more expensive than the new prescription sunglasses I just ordered. But that used my budget so I’m looking for a sponsor! Seriously. I can see on-location applications like farm shows, field days, product launches. If you are interested just let me know and I can provide great value for your investment as we do with all clients and sponsors.

So, what do you think? Do you see some applications like crop scouting and pest identification? Sure, you can do that with your mobile device but how about one that is on your face leaving your hands free?

AI, Technology

Industry Ag News 9/10

Carrie Muehling

  • CHS Inc. announced a major soybean refinery expansion and renovation project at the CHS Mankato, Minn., soybean processing plant, driven by global oil demand. The more than $60 million project is the second phase of CHS investments to capitalize on changing market dynamics and opportunities to grow market access. When upgrades are completed, annual refined soybean oil production at the Mankato facility will increase by more than 35%.
  • With the GROWMARK System’s geographic footprint growing rapidly over the last few years, the organization is excited to announce expanded eligibility for the 2022 GROWMARK FFA Essay Contest to the entire United States. Previously, it had been limited to FFA members in several Midwestern states. The theme for the 2022 GROWMARK Essay Contest is: “What, in your opinion, has changed for the better in the agricultural industry as a result of the pandemic?”
  • The NCGA Corn Board recently confirmed Kelly Harsh of Ohio as its newest director. Kelly grows corn and soybeans on her family operation in Delaware, Ohio.
  • The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol will present six, live enrollment webinars focusing on how the program helps U.S. growers meet the changing demands from their end customer while also better documenting and verifying the sustainability practices and advances already incorporated into their farms.
  • Don’t miss America’s largest seed industry conference, Dec. 6-9 in Chicago! The American Seed Trade Association’s (ASTA) CSS & Seed Expo 2021 will feature an all-new “Villages” concept, showcasing interactive programming in the following key areas: ag tech innovation, operations and logistics, career skills and research/lab facilities, and treated seed. The conference will offer both in-person and virtual attendance options.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation, along with 46 state Farm Bureaus and 280 organizations representing family-owned agribusinesses, sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to leave important tax policies in place as they draft legislation implementing President Biden’s “Build Back Better” agenda. The letter addresses four key tax provisions that make it possible for farmers and ranchers to survive and pass their businesses on to the next generation: estate taxes, stepped-up basis, 199A small business deduction and like-kind exchanges.
  • Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation President Jeff Aiken announced he will not seek reelection at the annual meeting in December. Aiken, a third-generation beef cattle, hay, corn and tobacco farmer from Washington County, has served as president for the past six years and is only the 8th president in the organization’s 100-year history.
  • Farms.com is pleased to announce the acquisition of Merston Peters, based in Bury St Edmunds, United Kingdom, to its growing portfolio of Talent Resource solutions.
  • MGEX reports the best fiscal year in its history with a total of 3,380,945 contracts. There was a 28% increase in volume compared to the previous fiscal year, and it was the first time in MGEX history where total exchange volume surpassed three million contracts in a fiscal year.
  • With skyrocketing commodity prices, drought conditions spreading across many parts of the country and export markets booming, there is a lot of concern about U.S. farmers being able to produce anything close to “normal” yields. At the same time, the new Biden Administration is working to retire at least 4 million more acres and put more conservation on 30% of working lands. How will all of these various factors influence the ag economy and agribusinesses? The annual Ag Outlook Forum is a chance to get a comprehensive preview of what lies ahead from leading experts. Presented by the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse, this “must attend” event brings together USDA’s Chief Economist and other industry experts to share key insights on existing and new market opportunities.
Zimfo Bytes

USDA Invests in Renewable Energy Infrastructure

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Thursday announced that USDA is investing $464 million to build or improve renewable energy infrastructure and to help rural communities, agricultural producers and businesses lower energy costs in 48 states and Puerto Rico.

USDA is financing $129 million of these investments through the Rural Energy for America Program and $335 million through the Electric Loan Program.

Secretary Vilsack was asked about aid for biofuel producers affected by the pandemic last year. “We are in the process of finalizing plans to provide $700 million assistance to the biofuel industry because they didn’t receive benefits under previous COVID packages,” said Vilsack. However, he explained, these things take time and he can’t commit to when it might happen because he is not in control of the whole process. He also commented on the White House goal to achieve 3 billion gallons of SAF production and reduce aviation-related emissions by 20 percent by 2030.

USDA Announces Renewable Energy Investments (14:55)

Audio, Biofuels, Energy, USDA