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

ZimmCast 688 – National Ag Day Activities Preview

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

In this week’s program we’ll get a preview of National Ag Day activities in Washington, DC from Amy Bradford, GROWMARK, and Chair of the Agriculture Council of America.

2022 Ag DayMarch 22 is the offical Ag Day but there will be activities on the 21st and 22nd. These include on Monday, a Celebration of Ag with company and association exhibits on the National Mall, the annual Agri-Pulse Ag and Food Policy Summit, a joint reception at the National Press Club and then on Tuesday the exhibits are open again, Sec. of Ag Tom Vilsack will sign a declaration for Ag Day and there will be a virtual event with several speakers including the Outstanding Young Farmers and the Ag Day Essay Contest Winners. You can go to AgDay.org to register now.

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

Listen to the ZimmCast here:
ZimmCast 688 - Ag Day Preview (14:05)

So, that’s the ZimmCast for this week. I hope you like it and thank you for listening.

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:

Ag Day, Ag Groups, Audio, Farm Policy, ZimmCast

Animal Ag News 3/21

Cindy Zimmerman

  • FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative scholarships for 2022 are once again available to membership youth pursuing a post-secondary education. The scholarship application deadline is March 31, 2022.
  • The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) awarded scholarships to 10 college students who intend to pursue careers in the U.S. pork industry. The Lois Britt Memorial Pork Industry Scholarship program is sponsored by CME Group and the National Pork Industry Foundation and managed and administered by NPPC. The scholarships were announced the recent National Pork Industry Forum.
  • Registration is now open for three Stockmanship & Stewardship regional events – Blacksburg, Va., May 20-22; Leavenworth, Kan., June 16-18; and Auburn University, Auburn, Ala., Aug. 12-13
  • World Dairy Expo® is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Expo Recognition Awards. Dairy Producer of the Year – John Ruedinger, Van Dyne, Wis., Ruedinger Farms, Inc.; Industry Person of the Year – Shelly Mayer, Slinger, Wis., Professional Dairy Producers; International Person of the Year – Mark Comfort, Cardinal, Ontario, Canada, Udder Comfort.
  • The American Feed Industry Association, in partnership with Feedstuffs and the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association (USPOULTRY), named Sanderson Farms’ Collins, Miss., plant as its 2021 Integrator Feed Facility of the Year (FFY).
  • USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has modified the Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program (SMHPP) eligibility requirements. The program — announced last year — provides payments to pork producers who made spot market transactions between April 16 and Sept. 1, 2020. Hog producers will also now be required to submit documentation to support information provided on their SMHPP application, which will now be accepted through April 29, 2022, a two week extension from the previous deadline.
  • In an effort to continue bringing current cattle industry issues into the spotlight and better serve its membership, R-CALF USA has released the R-CALF USA Round Up podcast and announced the True Grit magazine. The R-CALF USA Round Up podcast, launched in October 2021, features approximately 45-minute-long, biweekly episodes with guests from around the cattle industry. The True Grit magazine will be delivered quarterly to R-CALF USA members as a new perk of R-CALF USA membership benefits.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture

2022 Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit Underway

Chuck Zimmerman

2022 Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy SummitSara Wyant, Agri-Pulse President, kicked off the 2022 live event this morning at the National Press Club. Jamie Johansen, Honey Creek Media, is on location taking photos throughout the Summit, this evenings joint reception with Ag Day and National Ag Day activities tomorrow on the Mall. There are many companies with displays on the Mall and that includes big farm equipment.

You can follow along on social media with the #AgandFood22 hashtag for more information. And if you’re looking for photos there are plenty being added to this online album: 2022 Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit Photo Album

Ag Day, Agri-Pulse, Farm Policy