The VISION Conference 2022 Preview

Cindy Zimmerman

The way we produce and supply food around the world is changing fast and the voices driving this change are gathering at The 2022 VISION Conference, January 18 -19, at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa in Arizona. The conference is now in its fifth year and the world of data and technology has grown rapidly since VISION last convened in 2020.

“The development and adoption of regenerative agriculture practices, responsive to consumer and societal demand, are accelerating. New capabilities to aggregate and curate data to create a ‘proof of practice’ for cropping systems to document stewardship, regenerative practices, carbon capture and more offer great promise. Autonomous equipment, along with expansion of rural broadband and power of handheld devices, will accelerate real progress,” says Eric Davis, Managing Director. “The 2022 VISION Conference provides an in-person forum to connect and engage with the innovators leading these industry advancements.

Consumers are driving food trends, and manufacturers are responding with new best practices, technologies, and production systems. “A couple years ago, the industry was focused on technologies that could be deployed to boost efficiencies within ag production. Today, the landscape has expanded significantly as agribusiness has moved into the mainstream media and new voices now have a direct impact. The entire food value chain needs to be responsive, integrating new systems and capabilities, to meet heightened consumer expectations,” says Richard Jones, Meister Media Worldwide Corporate Content Director and VISION Conference Chair.

Consumers want to know how their food was grown, tracking it from farm to fork. Major food retailers implementing technologies to meet these demands on quality assurance and traceability now require agribusiness to have the new capabilities to meet and prove they are compliant with these new, high standards. “Eyes are on the agribusiness industry now more than ever, and the 2022 VISION Conference will address this whole new world with an expanded perspective, from crop production to the consumer,” Jones says.

Learn more about the conference from Davis and Jones in the preview interview below, and register at TheVisionConference.com/Register.

2022 VISION Conference preview 13:28

Agribusiness, Audio, Events, Media

Agri-Pulse and Apex-Brasil Hosting Free Webinar

Cindy Zimmerman

Agri-Pulse is hosting a webinar Wednesday, December 1, entitiled “AgriTalks Brazil/USA – Green technologies in agribusiness for a sustainable future.” The free program is part of a series created by Apex-Brasil and includes the participation of high-level Brazilian and U.S. spokespersons, including ministers, CEOs and others.

“AgriTalks Brazil/USA” will consist of two panel discussions. The first will cover green agriculture policies and investments in Brazil and U.S. The second will discuss Agritech: startups and the innovation bridge. You can sign up for this free webinar by clicking on this link. Agri-Pulse Senior Trade Editor Bill Tomson will serve as moderator for the event which begins at 11 a.m. EST.

The webinar is organized by Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc. and Apex-Brasil. The event is also supported by Brazil-U.S. Business Council, Embassy of Brazil Washington D.C., EMBRAPA and the Brazilian Government: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications (MCTI) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE).

Registration for the webinar is free.

Agri-Pulse, International, webinar

Industry Ag News 11/24

Carrie Muehling

  • Farm Journal announced that Cliff Becker has been promoted to executive vice president of the company’s Livestock Division. In this role, Becker will continue to provide leadership to a broad portfolio of best-in-class livestock media brands while also launching new initiatives for beef, dairy and swine audiences.
  • Roquette celebrated the opening of the world’s largest pea protein plant, further extending its leadership position to meet surging global demand for alternative proteins. The new “Plant for the Future” gives Roquette the largest pea protein supply in the world alongside some of the world’s best experts in developing new plant-based foods.
  • Guided by feedback from the latest Women in Food & Agriculture Survey, Alltech is converting insight into action by partnering with WFA to connect women from across the agri-food sector with mentors to champion their professional success. The Women in Food & Agriculture Mentorship Program will facilitate meaningful conversations and professional development while also providing a valuable networking experience.
  • The Georgia Peanut Commission hosted a photo contest May 12-Oct. 1, 2021, to fill the pages of the 2022 Georgia Peanut Calendar, “The Farm – The Natural Providence.” Peanut farmers from across Georgia were encouraged to submit their best, high-resolution photo of peanut production on their farm for a chance to feature the photo in the 2022 calendar. For more information on GPC programs and to view the winning photos, visit www.gapeanuts.com.
  • Kyle Walker, AFM, AAC, with Peoples Company in Indianola, Iowa, has been presented with the 2021 Professional Farm Manager of the Year award from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.
  • Applications are now open for the 2022 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders Award. If you are an individual who wants to be considered as your guild’s nominee, don’t delay! Each of IFAJ’s member guilds may submit one nominee for the prestigious award, which recognizes outstanding young journalists who demonstrate great potential to become leaders in the agricultural journalism industry.
  • The Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska has released its 2021 annual report online, showcasing the institute’s work over the past year — both local and global — related to water and food security.
Zimfo Bytes

Mike Adams Retiring

Cindy Zimmerman

Mike Adams interviews Ted McKinney at 2020 National Ethanol Conference

The ageless Mike Adams is hanging up his microphone and heading out to pasture at the end of this year.

Adams made the announcement during his Adams on Agriculture broadcast last Friday. “As I mentioned on the air today, I’ll be retiring on December 23, wrapping up a nearly 48 year career on the air,” Adams tweeted after the show. “I can never say thank you enough to everyone who has helped and supported me over the years. I appreciate it more than you know.”

Adams is past president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting and recipient of the national Farm Broadcaster of the Year award, among many other accolades in his career.

Effective January 3rd, Mike Pearson will take over as host of the syndicated daily radio program, which will be called Agriculture Of America (AOA). Mike is a 10+ year broadcast veteran, hosting “Market to Market” on Public Television, producing the Ag News Daily podcast and most recently on This Week in Agribusiness with Max Armstrong.

Media

Precision Ag News 11/23

Carrie Muehling

  • Overall unit sales of both ag tractors and combines continue their growth above an already-hot pace set in 2020, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. U.S. total farm tractor sales climbed 4.8 percent in October compared to 2020, while U.S. self-propelled combine sales jumped 72.9 percent, the fourth month in a row of growth near or above 20 percent for harvesters.
  • FarmLogs, a farm management software for growers from Bushel, now offers key equipment integrations to reduce manual entry into farm operations. FarmLogs subscribers can now connect their account to their John Deere Operations Center account to automatically create Activities. This new capability allows the seamless transfer of field work captured by equipment monitors. By doing so, subscribers can reduce the amount of time spent entering data, keep accurate records across systems, automatically calculate cost of production, and more easily determine their farm’s Profit & Loss down to the acre.
  • Case IH is adding the Patriot® 50 series sprayer to its lineup of self-propelled application equipment. With an exceptional operator environment, complete vehicle control, enhanced connectivity solutions and integrated spray technology, the Patriot 50 series sprayer is designed to help operators work more productively and achieve high-efficiency spraying. Three new models — the Patriot 3250, 4350 and 4450 — are available to order for fall 2022.
  • Recognizing that less than 5% of U.S. farmers participate in carbon farming programs, Locus Agricultural Solutions® addresses growers’ top concerns by adding new incentives to its globally recognized CarbonNOW® program. These upgrades help eliminate uncertainties and make it easier than ever to participate, with guaranteed payments twice per year, earning the landowner a minimum of $48/acre over the four-year commitment, plus extra performance bonuses.
  • The Heinz Family Foundation named Jacqueline Patterson, M.S.W., M.P.H., environmental justice advocate and founder of the Chisholm Legacy Project, and Gabe Brown, a pioneer in regenerative agriculture and soil health, the recipients of the prestigious 26th Heinz Awards for the Environment. As part of the accolade, Ms. Patterson and Mr. Brown will each receive an unrestricted cash award of $250,000.
  • AgGateway hosted more than 125 attendees in Nashville this month for its Annual Conference, its first in-person event in two years and an opportunity for the industry to collectively move the ball forward on digital connectivity efforts, as well as to honor outstanding individuals in digital agriculture.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Syngenta Accelerating a Generation with Scholarships

Cindy Zimmerman

Students studying agriculture have a chance to win a $2,500 scholarship and a donation to the charity of their choice through the 2022 Accelerating a Generation Syngenta Scholarship Program.

Through the scholarship program, which is run by the National FFA organization (FFA), Syngenta will give a total of six scholarships to college students from across the country who are pursuing an education in agricultural or farm studies. The objective of the scholarships is to help advance those winners’ knowledge of the industry.

“Making sure students feel supported is the first and most important step in ensuring a strong future in our agricultural community, and this program does just that,” says Linda Arnold Whaley, head of marketing communications for Syngenta Seeds. “Our scholarship is the perfect tool for empowering students.”

The application period runs until Jan. 11, 2022. Applicants must be U.S. residents and those in higher-education institutes must be enrolled as of fall 2021 in an accredited agriculture program at a land-grant university. FFA membership is not required.

Along with the scholarship money, each winner designates an agriculture-related non-profit organization to receive a $500 donation from Syngenta.
“Every year we are honored to receive applications from some of the best and brightest students across the country, and I anticipate this year will be the same,” says Syngenta marketing communications lead Pam Caraway.

Click here to apply for the scholarship, visit https://www.ffa.org/participate/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/.

For information on official rules and application guidelines, visit www.Syngenta-US.com/Scholarships.

Education, Syngenta

Update on SIMPAS from AMVAC

Cindy Zimmerman

AMVAC’s SIMPAS™ (Smart Integrated Multi-Product Prescription Application System) continues to grow the number of products that can be used with the prescriptive application equipment.

“Last year we started with just a handful of products, so this year we’re introducing several more products,” said Jim Lappin, SIMPAS Commercial Manager, during an interview at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk.

AMVAC partners with Trimble® on the proprietary SIMPAS system, which enables farmers to precisely and variably apply up to three SIMPAS-applied SolutionsTM (SaS) in-furrow in one simple pass while planting. SIMPAS was developed to deliver the exact rate of each SaS product within targeted management zones.

“The way we’ve built the system is you only get charged for those areas you’re actually treating,” said Lappin. “Only apply what’s prescribed and only pay for what you apply.”

Learn more in this interview.
AMVAC Interview with Jim Lappin, SIMPAS (5:03)

AMVAC, Audio, NAFB

Animal Ag News 11/22

Carrie Muehling

  • US Representatives Cindy Axne (IA-03) and Randy Feenstra (IA-04) – both members of the House Agriculture Committee – led the introduction of bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that will return fairness to the cattle marketplace dominated by four major meat packers. Identical legislation was introduced in the Senate by Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst along with Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and is also supported by Sens. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.). The following groups have endorsed the bill: American Farm Bureau, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, National Farmers Union, and National Grange. A one-pager summary of the bill is available HERE. A section-by-section summary is available HERE.
  • Congratulations to the 2022 National Anthem singing contest winner Stephanie Nash from Tennessee! Join us February 1-3, 2022 in Houston, Texas to hear Stephanie sing the National Anthem during the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Opening General Session AND the NCBA Thursday Night Event.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association criticized the Biden administration’s repeal of the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, which provided regulatory certainty to farmers and ranchers and limited federal overreach.
  • Driving the demand for beef starts at the grassroots with a strong network of advocates willing to share beef’s positive message. The new Trailblazers program, developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, takes advocacy to the next level by giving participants the tools and training they need to promote beef to new audiences while addressing and correcting myths.
  • Purdue University’s Department of Animal Sciences in the College of Agriculture will provide a home and care for the National Thanksgiving Turkey and alternate following this week’s National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation at the White House. The turkeys will live at Purdue’s Animal Science Research and Education Center, where they will reside in a separate enclosed indoor setting with access to a shaded grassy area.
  • Vietnam has confirmed it will lower its Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff on imported frozen pork to 10 from 15 percent. The reduction is expected to be implemented on July 1, 2022. Getting better market access to Vietnam, a major pork-consuming country, has been a top trade priority for the National Pork Producers Council.
  • The National Dairy Promotion and Research Board honored Kenton Holle as the 2021 recipient of the Richard E. Lyng Award for his contributions and distinguished service to dairy promotion.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Helena Offers Soil Health Solution to Rising Fertilizer Costs

Cindy Zimmerman

With fertilizer prices hitting record highs this month, it’s not surprising that was a major topic of discussion last week at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual Trade Talk.

Helena Agri-Enterprises had a message to take home to farmers that the solution to high fertilizer prices lies beneath the surface. Since soil health is one of the main factors influencing fertilizer efficiency, making it a priority will help farmers with fertilizer efficiency.

“Any time you make a financial investment, you’re looking for quality and a positive return,” says Mike Powell, Senior Brand Manager of Helena’s BioScience Portfolio. “It’s the same when you buy fertilizer. The difference is, for fertilizer to work, it has to get to the crop, and there are a variety of soil quality issues that can get in the way of that.”

Powell says now’s the time to solve that problem. He recommends blending a high-quality humic granule with dry fertilizer, and with good reason. Past research in corn showed Helena’s humic ore source combined with urea increased productivity even with a 15% reduction in nitrogen. While Helena encourages farmers to use optimal fertilizer rates, this creates options for those tightening their budgets. Its ability to provide greater benefits from early-season nutrition also helps farmers tailor fertility programs throughout the season.

Derek Emerine, Helena’s National Agronomist, credits this gain in efficiency to the high concentration of humic acids in Helena’s exclusive ore source. He says it takes more than just an increase in soil nutrient availability to boost growth and yield potential. “In a typical dry fertilizer application, not all of the nutrients that go out are going to make it into the plant on their own,” says Emerine. “Our plants can’t absorb them, they get tied up in the soil or they’re lost to leaching. By delivering the right humic compounds to the soil, we not only protect fertilizer and hold it in the root zone longer, but we also deliver vital elements to help plants take up more nutrients.”

Emerine is hopeful the renewed focus on soil health will continue far beyond this critical moment to improve efficiency for years to come. Through routine soil testing, farmers can identify deficiencies in the field and target the true needs of their crop. For additional information and fertility recommendations, farmers can visit helenaagri.com to learn more and to find their local Helena retailer.

Listen to interviews with Emerine and Powell recorded at NAFB last week.
Helena interview with Derek Emerine (3:35)

Helena interview with Mike Powell (5:13)

Audio, Fertilizer, NAFB, Soil

Industry Ag News 11/19

Carrie Muehling

  • The American Farm Bureau Federation sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives stating its opposition to the Build Back Better Act, also known as the reconciliation package.
  • With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, it’s time to give thanks for each other and what we have…and to show our gratitude for the farmer veterans who once protected us and now put food on our plates. This Thanksgiving season, the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) wants Americans to support farmer veterans by including one Homegrown By Heroes branded item in their Thanksgiving dinner. The logo is used to designate veteran-produced commodities across the country.
  • GROWMARK, Inc. announced that Mark Orr will become Chief Executive Officer of the North American agriculture and energy cooperative effective March 1, 2022. Orr will succeed Jim Spradlin, CEO since September 2014, who retires February 28, 2022.
  • GROWMARK and CHS announced the formation of Cooperative Ventures, a new capital fund that will focus on creating advancements in breakthrough technologies for the agriculture industry. The fund will provide differentiated value to startups in the agricultural ecosystem by leveraging the expansive, connected networks, unparalleled access to the farmgate and proven success of the two agricultural cooperatives.
  • The Northern Soy Marketing group has announced that Katelyn Engquist has been elevated to serve as the organization’s Market Development Program Manager. Engquist assumes the role after serving as Communications Specialist for NSM and Ag Management Solutions (AMS), which oversees NSM’s daily operations. Engquist has also worked with other AMS clients, including the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association welcomed Clariant as its newest associate member. The global company recently completed a biorefinery in Romania that will use its sunliquid technology to convert straw into cellulosic ethanol.
  • CHS Inc. announced the appointment of Kirstie Foster as senior vice president, marketing communications.
  • The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is expanding the lineup of popular educational games on its My American Farm platform with a new game that introduces players to how cotton is planted, grown, cared for, harvested and turned into clothes. The game, titled “From Seed to Shirt,” is generously sponsored by Nichino America and encourages players to solve math problems to earn clothes for their in-game character. From Seed to Shirt is best for students in third through fifth grade.
  • Bayer announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft to build a new cloud-based set of digital tools and data science solutions for use in agriculture and adjacent industries, bringing new infrastructure and foundational capabilities to accelerate innovation, boost efficiency and support sustainability across value chains.
  • UPL has named Bryan Brochin as Commercial Head of U.S. Agriculture, leading the U.S. Agriculture sales team.
  • National Farmers Union has announced the 2022 Women’s Conference to connect women in agriculture and provide education on applicable business skills and innovative marketing tactics.
Zimfo Bytes