RFA Ethanol Podcast

Industry Ag News 7/9

Carrie Muehling

  • The Georgia Peanut Commission will return to support Anthony Alfredo and the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports team this weekend at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Commission returns after running their colors with Alfredo earlier this year at the same track. The Georgia Peanut Commission will also make a second donation to Canine Assistants, a non-profit organization, dedicated to educating people and dogs so they may enhance the lives of one another. Canine Assistants will receive 1,440 sixteen-ounce jars of creamy peanut butter with Alfredo helping to make the donation.
  • The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol welcomes new members Levi Strauss & Co, one of the most recognizable denim companies worldwide, and their legacy brands Levi’s®, Dockers®, Denizen® by Levi’s®, and Signature by Levi Strauss & Co.™
  • The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) launched a new identity for propane that signals a seismic change in how to view this reliable energy source. The new brand, PROPANE Energy for Everyone™, highlights propane’s role in ensuring energy equity and reducing carbon emissions.
  • CommoditAg continues to expand its retailer and fulfillment center network with the addition of Triangle Chemical Company. The partnership expands CommoditAg’s access and convenience to fulfillment centers in the Southeast including Georgia, Florida, Mississippi and North Carolina.
  • Agri-Pulse will discuss challenges to California’s agriculture at this year’s Food & Agriculture Policy Summit. This event will focus not only on assessing the current ‘state of play,’ but allow you to hear from state lawmakers, industry experts, growers, farmers and ranchers who are trying to collaborate, innovate and make climate-smart investments.
  • AgCareers.com launched the new HR ABOVE & BEYOND AWARD to recognize an outstanding human resource and talent recruitment professional in the agriculture and food industry. To nominate an outstanding individual, submit the HR ABOVE & BEYOND AWARD nomination form or email marketing@agcareers.com. Nominations are due by July 22, 2021. The winner will be announced during the virtual North American Ag & Food HR Roundtable in August and awarded a $250 Amazon gift card.
  • Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute Executive Director Peter McCornick has led the institute since 2016 and has been reappointed for a second five-year term. Under McCornick’s leadership, DWFI has made huge strides in fulfilling its mission to improve agricultural water management to ensure sustainable food and water security.
  • The Hershey Company, Land O’Lakes, Inc., and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay have partnered to implement on-farm best management practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Initial funding for Sustainable Dairy PA comes from The Hershey Company’s $300,000 commitment to support the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and Land O’Lakes in helping install agricultural conservation practices on Land O’Lakes member dairy farms. The partnership includes 119 Land O’Lakes member-owners in Central Pennsylvania that ship 50% or more of their milk supply to Hershey.
  • The National Corn Growers Association hosted the first-ever in-person meeting of the Women and Mentors program through the generous sponsorship of Bayer and Syngenta. The 15 attendees, who learn invaluable skills through this retreat to help them make an impact on not only the agricultural industry but also in their other endeavors as well.
Zimfo Bytes

ZimmCast 674 – Live Event Previews – Tech Hub & SPGC

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

Cindy and I have been making travel plans for work! That’s something pretty rare since early last year. So we’ve got flights scheduled, hotel reservations and conferences registered. I guess it’s kind of like riding a bike. Pretty simple list of things that are needed so it has been just like we only missed a long beat.

So, speaking of travel for work, this week’s episode will provide previews of two events that take us out on the agriblogging highway. The first is the Meister Media inaugural Tech Hub Live conference in Des Moines. Also included is the Southern Peanut Growers Conference where we create content for the conference blog, something we’ve done since 2008.

We will have virtual ag newsrooms from these events on AgNewsWire.com which provide free content for publications, websites, social media, newsletters and more. And we’ll also be sharing individual stories on AgWired.com.

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

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 674 - Live Conference Previews (27:51)

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.

If you would like to advertise in the ZimmCast or become an on-going sponsor please let me know and we’ll work out a plan just for you.

Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

Ag Groups, Audio, Media, Peanuts, ZimmCast

Precision Ag News 7/7

Carrie Muehling

  • The 6th Soil Health Institute Annual Meeting is an engaging virtual event bringing together the leading voices in soil science and the agriculture industry to share research and insights for advancing the adoption of soil health systems that are the foundation for regenerative agriculture. Registration is free but required to attend. The virtual annual meeting is scheduled for August 11-12.
  • Cibus, a leader in precision gene editing in agriculture, and GDM, a leading global soybean research company, announced a strategic collaboration focused on developing and delivering new solutions for challenges faced by soybean farmers.
  • DataConnect, the global initiative to enable viewing mixed-brand fleets in a single platform, is now live with an expanded line of six major digital platforms and available to farm operations around the world. Case IH, STEYR and New Holland now join John Deere, CLAAS and the European farm management platform 365FarmNet, which launched the feature late last fall.
  • Sakata Seed America recently announced the further expansion of its robust tomato breeding team to include accomplished industry veteran, Jeremy Sisson, in a new, specialized role. Jeremy joins Sakata as Senior Tomato Breeder with an emphasis on the saladette tomato segment.
  • The regenerative agriculture consulting firm, Understanding Ag (UA), LLC, announced that Eric Fuchs, a Missouri farmer and water quality expert, has become its newest on-farm consultant.
  • Nufarm Americas Inc. announced the EPA registration of Precinct™ Seed Treatment, for control of downy mildew, Pythium spp., and Phytopthora spp on more than 50 labeled crops, including corn, cotton, and soybeans.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Excitement Growing for Tech Hub LIVE 2021

Cindy Zimmerman

Live events are finally coming back and the excitement is high for the inaugural Tech Hub LIVE 2021 being held July 20-21 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, IA.

The intersection of agriculture and technology will come alive at this new, innovative conference and trade show that addresses digital and precision agriculture from all angles, exploring how products and systems integrate into existing programs and businesses to improve crop production, efficiency, and profitability.

“We’ve designed Tech Hub LIVE to demonstrate and celebrate how innovation gets put into practice,” says Paul Schrimpf, conference chair of Tech Hub LIVE and group editor of CropLife Media Group at Meister Media Worldwide. “We took a different approach to the sessions, taking full advantage of our return to in-person events. The panel-centric approach is designed to utilize interaction and minimize the use of PowerPoint presentations, with active moderation and audience participation.”

Attendees are welcome to arrive a day early and participate in a limited-capacity field day at Couser Cattle Company at Modern Ag Farm. Field day participants will see firsthand how a fully-integrated farming operation utilizes technology to maximize productivity and efficiency in its row crop, animal, and ethanol programs. And leading ag-tech companies will share their latest products and systems in a demo area.

The event officially kicks off with a Welcome to Iowa Party at Exile Brewing Co., allowing attendees to reconnect with industry friends, meet new leaders, share ideas, and socialize with others focused on advancing their agronomic programs. Then rolls into a full slate of engaging education, including a keynote session: The Top 10 Technology Innovations You Need to Know Right Now. The two-day event provides ongoing opportunities to engage, learn, network, build relationships, and find out how leaders across the ag-retail and the tech spectrum are adopting innovation to improve their businesses.

More information and registration can be found at TechHubLive.com.

Learn more about the event from Paul Schrimpf and Eric Davis with Meister Media in this interview.
TechHub LIVE preview interview (14:47)

AgWired Precision, Audio, Precision Agriculture, Technology

Animal Ag News 7/6

Carrie Muehling

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a top-to-bottom review of the “Product of the USA” (POTUSA) label, which will inform a forthcoming rulemaking on this topic. NCBA has long-advocated for voluntary labels that meet consumer demand and allow producers to distinguish their products in the marketplace, and recently filed a petition with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) to eliminate the use of POTUSA and other broad U.S. origin labeling claims for beef products. NCBA commends USDA for the prompt action to address industry concerns regarding the misleading nature of this generic label.
  • Dairy communities nationwide rallied in June to support the veterinarians they depend on, helping lead an effort by Zoetis that donated $10,000 for mental health and wellness in the veterinary profession. The grassroots effort aims to help reverse an alarming rise in veterinarian suicides among those who work difficult, tiring hours while protecting and caring for cattle. Through the website HonorDairyVets.com, Zoetis solicited nominations from communities to celebrate dairy veterinarians, donating $5 for each person honored and randomly selecting three veterinarians every week in June to receive a personalized all-weather work jacket. The money raised will be donated to Not One More Vet®, a 32,000-member-strong nonprofit organization committed to safeguarding the mental health and well-being of veterinarian professionals and students.
  • The National Pork Producers Council introduced a campaign, “Year-Round Pork Needs Year-Round Workers,” highlighting the vital role of foreign-born workers across the U.S. pork industry and the critical need for comprehensive labor reform to address a labor shortage.
  • The last installment of Phibro’s MYCOmpass™ webinar series, designed to arm producers with tips and information to better understand and mitigate mycotoxin contamination, provides a nutritionist’s perspective on the complex subject. Dr. Todd Applegate, Poultry Science Department Head and Professor, University of Georgia, looks ahead at the new and upcoming technologies shaping physical, chemical and biological methods for controlling mycotoxins. The webinar is available at academy.pahc.com.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association announced that Carrie Behlke is the winner of the 8th annual National Anthem Contest, sponsored by Norbrook. Behlke will sing the National Anthem at the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville, Tenn., during the Opening General Session on Aug. 10, as well as at the Cowboy’s Night at the Opry event on Aug. 12. For convention information and to register, visit https://convention.ncba.org/.
  • As of June 1, there were 75.7 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, down 2% from June 2020 but up 1% from March 1, 2021, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
  • Dairy Specialists LLC of Evans, Colorado, has finalized an agreement to acquire the assets of Priority Robotics of Tillamook Inc., effective July 1, 2021. Priority Robotics, which was founded in 2015, specializes in the distribution, installation and service of robotic dairy milking equipment and holds an exclusive territory dealership for Oregon and Washington with Lely North America, the worldwide leader in dairy robotics.
  • AgriDigital has announced a partnership with Genesis Feed Technologies (GFT) Seed to Feed supply chain and traceability project. Over summer and harvest 2021, GFT is bringing together nine global partners from across the supply chain to trace premium soybeans from seed to animal feed, with the ultimate aim of defining how farmers can be more profitable through production.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Industry Ag News 7/2

Carrie Muehling

  • U.S. consumers will pay just a few cents less for their favorite Independence Day cookout foods compared to last year, including cheeseburgers, pork chops, chicken breasts, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, says the American Farm Bureau Federation. Farm Bureau analysis reveals the average cost of a summer cookout for 10 people remains affordable at $59.50, or less than $6 per person. The cost for the cookout is down 16 cents (less than 1%) from last year, but 8% higher compared to 2019.
  • Farmer Veteran Coalition is getting an extra boost from Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, this Fourth of July holiday. On Sunday July 4th, Tractor Supply stores will honor the men and women of the Armed Forces with a biannual 15% discount to all active military, veterans and dependents. Additionally, the Company donated $100,000 to FVC, including awarding $1,000 gift cards to 50 military veterans nationwide to support their agriculture businesses and $50,000 from the Tractor Supply Company Foundation to support additional programming and Fellowship Fund grants.
  • The 2021 Sustainable Produce Summit will equip the fresh produce industry with the knowledge and ability to sustain our industry’s – and the world’s – future. The online event is presented by The Packer and Trust In Food and will feature enhanced educational content as well as opportunities to collaborate and connect with others around ideas for greater sustainability in our food system.
  • The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol welcomes the UK’s leading retailer, Tesco, as a member of the system that brings quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurement to more sustainable cotton production. Tesco joins the Trust Protocol as part of its commitment to sourcing 100% sustainable cotton by 2025.
  • The National Corn Growers Association announced that five Research Ambassadors have been selected for the 2021-2022 academic year: Claire Menard, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; Alden Perkins, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Matthew J. Runyon, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Dylan L. Schoemaker, University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Corey Schultz, University of Georgia.
  • Gathering together in person for the first time in more than a year, the Northern Soy Marketing board of directors met in Brookings, South Dakota, on Tuesday, June 29. The board elected new officers and approving projects for the upcoming fiscal year. Patrick O’Leary, a director with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, was elected as NSM’s chair. He succeeds Mike Langseth.
  • The American Soybean Association (ASA) and Corteva Agriscience are seeking applicants for the 2021-22 ASA Corteva Young Leader Program. Applications are being accepted online now. Interested applicants should click here for additional program information and to apply.
  • MachineryPete.com, the fastest-growing used farm equipment marketplace, announced the expansion of its position in the used equipment market with the launch of Machinery Pete Auctions. This new venture is in partnership with BigIron Auctions, rural America’s premier unreserved online auction service provider.
  • C.O.nxt is excited to welcome three employee-owners to its flourishing team. Brandon Maly and Paris Monaghan join C.O.nxt as account executives. Michael Bleach joins the creative team as a copywriter.
  • Veteran agribusiness marketer and strategist Chris Drake has joined FLM Harvest as vice president, Management Consulting.
Zimfo Bytes

Corn and Soybean Acres Up

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimates 92.7 million acres of corn planted in the United States for 2021, up 2% from last year, and soybean area planted is estimated at 87.6 million acres, up 5% from last year. Harvested area for both crops are estimated to also be higher by the same percentages.

The 2021 Acreage report released this week also estimates all cotton planted area for 2021 at 11.7 million acres, 3% below last year. All wheat planted area for 2021 is estimated at 46.7 million acres, up 5% from last year but the fourth lowest all wheat planted area on record since records began in 1919. Winter wheat planted area is estimated at 33.7 million acres, up 11% from 2020. This marks the first year of increasing acreage since 2013.

NASS also released the quarterly Grain Stocks report to provide estimates of on-farm and off-farm stocks as of June 1. Corn stocks totaled 4.11 billion bushels, down 18% from the same time last year. Soybeans stored totaled 767 million bushels, down 44% from last year and all wheat stored totaled 844 million bushels, down 18%.

Corn, Cotton, Soybean, USDA, Wheat

Precision Ag News 6/30

Carrie Muehling

  • CHS Inc. has announced its commitment to agricultural innovation through financial support for and participation in Grand Farm Research and Education Initiative, Horace, N.D. The 130-acre Grand Farm Innovation Site, located 10 miles south of Fargo, N.D., features demonstration fields and research plots that will eventually surround an innovation center and collaboration spaces for agricultural startups and entrepreneurs.
  • Case IH is launching enhancements to its Puma® series tractor lineup to provide operators with greater efficiency, convenience and operational flexibility. These updates include longer service intervals and new styling features for greater productivity and a more comfortable in-cab experience. Case IH announced updates to Puma models 185 to 240 in October 2020 — and now Puma models 150 and 165 incorporate these productivity-enhancing updates.
  • Nufarm Americas Inc. announced the launch of Longbow™ EC. Longbow EC is the latest in Nufarm’s versatile portfolio of herbicides and harvest aids, helping growers achieve with cleaner crops at harvest time and providing weed management by controlling more than 60 broadleaf weed species, such as various pigweeds, lambsquarters and waterhemp.
  • Bioheuris, an agbiotech startup that uses synthetic biology and gene editing for improved crop management, and GDM, a leading global soybeans genetics powerhouse, announced a collaboration agreement to develop high yielding varieties using gene editing technology. Through this collaboration, both companies will be engaged to precisely modify soybean genes to obtain elite varieties with a novel crop management system.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast Episode 9

Cindy Zimmerman

This episode of the Daugherty Water for Food podcast features Babak Safa, a postdoctoral research associate with the Water for Food Global Institute who specializes in agricultural meteorology, micro-meteorology and vegetation-atmosphere interaction.

Safa analyzes eddy covariance flux data from installed systems to support remote sensing based model verification and water productivity estimates for several agricultural and natural ecosystems and projects around the world. He works with partnering researchers at LI-COR Biogeosciences, USDA-ARS and University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Safa also supports satellite based water productivity estimates in Nebraska and other countries using satellite based remote sensing models. Additionally, he helps train graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in satellite image processing methods, flux data processing and micrometeorological methods.

Learn about Safa’s work in this episode.

Daugherty Water for Food Podcast Episode 9 25:08

How to subscribe:

AgWired Precision, Audio, Farming, Food, Irrigation, Water, Water for Food

Preview of 2021 Southern Peanut Growers Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Southern Peanut Growers ConferenceThe recent rains in the southeast have made field work challenging for peanut growers. In a preview interview for the upcoming Southern Peanut Growers Conference with Florida Peanut Producers Association Executive Director Ken Barton, that’s one of the the things we talked about. Last year the conference was canceled to this year and it is a go in Panama City Beach, FL once again.

Ken starts out talking about the theme of this year’s conference, “Bringing Vision to Peanuts.” After that we go over the schedule which is similar to past conferences. Things will start out on the first day with a unique check-in that includes fresh grilled PBJ sandwiches and lots of ice cream and toppings, including peanuts. This is very much a family conference so this start allows a lot of people to visit with the full families. Then we have an evening welcome reception and dinner. The opening general session on day two is followed by another session, lunch and a free afternoon with family oriented activities. We’ll get into the “State of Peanut Policy” on the final day after awards and then lunch and the annual conference golf tournament. This is my kind of conference!

I’ll be on-site taking photos, doing interviews and sharing whatever goes on. Cindy and I have been doing this since the start of the Conference Blog back in 2008!

You can listen to the conference preview here: Interview with Ken Barton, FPPA

Ag Groups, Audio, Peanuts