New Podcast Compares Corn Ethanol with Carbon Markets

Cindy Zimmerman

“Corn Saves America” is the captivating title of the second installation of the podcast series from AEI Premium, the online community for agricultural decision makers.

The new podcast explores agriculture’s role in environmental solutions, comparing and contrasting the rise of corn ethanol with today’s carbon markets.

This season, hosts Sarah Mock, Brent Gloy, and David Widmar are back, along with a team of carbon and ethanol experts, investors, and farmers. Together, they will unpack how corn-based fuel united farmers, energy companies, and environmentalists to transform markets and eventually became a political flashpoint. And do their best to answer a big question: are carbon markets on a similar trajectory?

“The old adage ‘history doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes’ is useful to consider during times of uncertainty, including today,” said AEI Premium co-founder and “Escaping 1980” co-host David Widmar. ”Our podcast shares lessons learned from the corn ethanol boom era to help strategic agriculture professionals better navigate what lies ahead for carbon markets in 2021.”

“Corn Saves America” builds on themes from AEI’s first podcast, “Escaping 1980.” Episodes are available to stream now at aei.ag/season2 and cornsavesamerica.com, along with additional reading about the topics discussed on the show. “Corn Saves America” is available for download on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Listeners can connect with AEI Premium on Twitter and Facebook to provide feedback.

carbon, Corn, Ethanol, Podcasts

USDA Secretary Vilsack from COP26

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack had a busy week at COP26 last week, participating in numerous events to underscore the administration’s commitment to climate action.

Vilsack held a media call Friday afternoon from COP26 in Glasgow, UK. He discussed COP26 events, the recently-announced partnership with the EU and the Agriculture Innovation Mission (AIM) for Climate.

Taking questions from reporters, Vilsack also commented on trade issues, importance of the Build Back Better act, “climate smart commodities,” methane emissions and livestock, biofuels talk at COP26, CSAF timeline now that comment period has ended, and where USDA is on federal vaccine mandate with upcoming deadlines this month. Today is the second dose deadline for Moderna and Pfizer vaccine and first (only) dose deadline for Johnson and Johnson, and federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated by November 22.

Vilsack media call from COP26 (25:33)

Audio, Environment, International, Trade, USDA

Industry Ag News 11/5

Carrie Muehling

  • A new report, funded by the United Soybean Board and conducted by the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, revealed that providing U.S. farmers and ranchers access to fast, affordable and reliable broadband will increase sustainability. It will also allow more reliable and efficient food production for a growing population and strengthen America’s rural communities.
  • The National Corn Growers Association joined four other agricultural groups in encouraging the U.S. Court of International Trade to overturn an earlier decision by the International Trade Commission, which imposed tariffs on imported phosphate fertilizers from Morocco.
  • The National FFA Organization awarded Kathy Eichlin, head of Internal Communications for Syngenta Crop Protection in North America, and Robin Thomas, Early Talent Acquisition manager for Syngenta in North America, Honorary American FFA Degrees at the 94th National FFA Convention and Expo on Oct. 29 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
  • Kyle Walker, director of asset management at Peoples Company in Indianola, Iowa, was named the 2021 Professional Farm Manager of the Year. The award, co-sponsored by Syngenta, Farm Journal’s The Scoop magazine and the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA), recognizes farm managers who display excellence in client service and a commitment to agriculture.
  • Beck Ag, Inc. is accelerating its focus on enabling execution excellence within client organizations. This approach addresses critical business initiatives for clients that will improve the performance of their organizations.
  • On the sidelines of the Group of 20 Summit, European Union officials and the Biden administration brokered a deal that will ease tariffs on E.U. steel and aluminum imports into the U.S. while eliminating retaliatory duties from the E.U. on several U.S. goods, including U.S. Corn.
  • European Union Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski and United States Secretary of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a statement on a newly created transatlantic collaboration platform on agriculture designed to take on the global challenges of sustainability and climate change.
  • On November 2, at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), the United States and United Arab Emirates officially launched the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) alongside 31 countries and over 48 non-government partners. In remarks at the World Leaders Summit, President Biden announced that the United States intends to mobilize $1 billion in investment in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation over five years (2021-2025).
  • GROWMARK, Inc. is honored to have received the Corporate Innovation Award during Plug and Play’s 2021 Fall Summit. Plug and Play is a global innovation platform that connects startups with their corporate partner network. The Corporate Innovation Award is presented to its most active and engaged partners who embrace Plug and Play’s mission of open innovation and cross-collaboration.
  • A National Corn Growers Association staff member was recently elected to a national organization focused on the inland waterways system. Anne Thompson, who has served as director of PAC and political strategy at NCGA since January of 2020, was elected as a trustee for the National Waterways Foundation. Her three-year term will begin immediately.
  • The ASA Soy Scholarship is a $5,000 one-time award presented to a high school senior who plans to pursue agriculture as an area of study at any accredited college or university in the 2022-23 academic year. The scholarship is made possible through a grant by BASF Corporation. High school seniors may apply online Oct. 27-Dec. 31, 2021. Click here to apply.
Zimfo Bytes

NAFB Announces Passing of Jim Coyle

Cindy Zimmerman

Former KRES Radio farm broadcaster Jim Coyle passed away October 31 in Moberly, Missouri, according to the National Association of Farm Broadcasting.

Jim Coyle arrived at KRES Radio in 1972 and began his career as sports director. He made the change to farm broadcasting in 1982, and his membership in NAFB began in 1983. Even though he didn’t have a background in farming, Jim quickly learned the players and immersed himself in the job.

While he never served as an officer, Jim was involved with NAFB, winning an Oscar in Agriculture Merit Award in 1989 and the DuPont Environmental Respect award in 1991. Additionally, he was recognized multiple times by state and national commodity groups and organizations; he received his Honorary FFA Degree in 1990.

Those who knew Jim remember his jovial conversations, his willingness to connect to those at whatever event he was covering, and his love for listeners. Those who shared a room with Jim during travels share stories about what a good roommate he was and how his wife, Arlene, always packed a pig in his luggage that he proudly added to his collection.

According to his obituary, Jim retired in 2000 and played golf nearly every day until 2010 when he suffered a stroke. Listen to an interview with Jim by Mike Adams from earlier this year.

The family suggests donations in Jim’s memory to the NAFB Foundation.

NAFB

Precision Ag News 11/4

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Wheat Foundation is announcing the state winners for the 2021 Contest which includes 64 growers from 21 states.
  • Bayer signals its commitment to delivering high quality cucumber, melon, pepper and eggplant seeds faster to growers around the world with the announced expansion of its Vegetable Seeds R&D Product Design Center in San Nicolás, Spain. The San Nicolás site supports Bayer’s global vegetable seeds R&D pipeline for varieties sold to customers in more than 130 countries and territories under the Seminis® and De Ruiter® brands, both united under Vegetables by Bayer.
  • Indigo Agriculture announced a deepened commitment to advancing discovery in soil carbon science, enabled by the acquisition of Soil Metrics — an industry-leading technology for comprehensive soil carbon and greenhouse gas (ghg) assessment in agricultural soils.
  • AgGateway has announced that President and CEO Wendy Smith is retiring effective December 31, 2021, and that current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Brent Kemp will move into the role of AgGateway President and CEO beginning January 1, 2022.
  • Elizabeth Escobar has joined Nichino America, Inc. as Manager of Strategic Planning and Business Development, effective November 1, 2021.
  • Change of leadership at the top of Novihum Technologies: Alexa Hergenröther, member of Novihum Technologies’ Advisory Board, was elected its new Chairperson as of September 23, 2021. Former Chairperson Dr. Rolf Nagel will act as her deputy. He was one of Novihum Technologies GmbH’s first investors and played a significant role in the successful development of the company during its founding years.
  • JLG Industries, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company and leading global manufacturer of mobile elevating work platforms and telehandlers, announced that Cody Rainer has been named as Director of Channel Development to lead the company’s expanding initiatives within the agricultural sector.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Interview with New Alltech Crop Science CEO

Chuck Zimmerman

Andrew Thomas, AlltechThe newly created CEO position for Alltech Crop Science has been filled by Andrew Thomas. He has been appointed to lead the global team and further cultivate the strategic growth of the business.

I spoke with Andrew to get to know him and what his mission is in this new position. I know we’ll be hearing a lot more from him in the future.

“Alltech has a long history of providing sustainable solutions to the agriculture industry through scientific excellence and visionary innovation,” said Thomas. “I am thrilled to join the Alltech Crop Science team as we continue our commitment to helping producers optimize crop health and performance while protecting the environment.”

Supporting Thomas will be Steve Borst, vice president of Alltech Crop Science. Borst played a central role in the launch of a new partnership between Alltech Crop Science and HELM Agro in the U.S. and will continue collaborating with the HELM team to activate the commercial potential of the partnership. Borst and Thomas will work closely together with the Alltech Crop Science global team to advance a new era of sustainable growth.

Listen to my interview with Andrew here: Andrew Thomas, CEO, Alltech Crop Science (4:23)

Agribusiness, Alltech, Audio, Crop Science

Field Notes from Koch Agronomic Services – Episode 15

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.

Fall Nutrient Management Plans and Soil Sampling

In this episode, our experts will focus on the key components in developing a fall nutrient management plan, including the role played by soil sample results. Koch’s technical agronomist Derek Rapp and senior agronomist Edwin Suarez talk through the important steps growers need to make after harvest to prepare for the next planting season and the difference in taking soil samples in fall compared to collecting them in the spring.

You can listen to the program here: Fall Nutrient Management Plans and Soil Sampling (14:30)

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

For Spotify on your computer download the desktop app.

Audio, Koch Agronomic Services, Podcasts, Soil

Novihum Technologies Appoints New Chairperson

Cindy Zimmerman

Novihum Technologies has announced that Alexa Hergenröther was elected its new Chairperson of its advisory board.

The business administration graduate, who has been a member of the Advisory Board since 2020, began her career in 1997 at Deloitte Germany and joined the K+S Group in 2002. Until recently she was the managing director of K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, the largest potash producer in Western Europe and among the five largest in the world. She will support the management team of Novihum Technologies with her deep expertise and broad network in the fertilizer industry, accelerating the successful scaling of the company.

“Farmers are demanding answers to the increasing challenges posed by climate change, the need to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions and new fertilizer regulations,” said Hergenröther, “The fertilizer industry must now offer farmers innovations that go beyond traditional nutrient management systems. I look forward to scaling Novihum Technologies’ world-class innovation to improve soil health and nutrient efficiency.”

Novihum Technologies produces and markets NOVIHUM® soil enhancement products which increase soil fertility by adding high-value organic matter to the soil

AgWired Precision, Precision Agriculture, Soil, Technology

Animal Ag News 11/1

Carrie Muehling

  • Registration for #CattleCon22 opens November 1st! Registration and Housing are available beginning at 12:00 p.m. Mountain Time and never closes. Register early for best rates.
  • Four finalists have been selected for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) 9th annual National Anthem Singing Contest, sponsored by Norbrook®. The winner will receive a trip to the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in Houston, Texas, to perform the “Star-Spangled Banner” at the Opening General Session on Feb. 1 as well as the evening event on Feb. 3.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) submitted comments recently on the 2022 National Trade Estimate Report, which details U.S. concerns with foreign barriers to trade for Congress annually. This year, IDFA’s submission included a range of concerns including newly emerging barriers related to impending halal certification in Egypt to long-standing trade concerns such as Canada’s milk class policies.
  • Saddle up and get ready for a weekend full of passion, innovation, and achievement in Cowtown. The 2021 National Angus Convention & Trade Show will be held in Fort Worth, Texas, November 6-8.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

ZimmCast 679 – Public Relations Professionals

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast. I’m Chuck Zimmerman.

After missing it for a few years I was able to attend the Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) Annual Meeting which took place in Richmond, VA. We had a good turnout with some great sessions. I interviewed several of the attendees. More on that in a moment.

The Golden ARC Awards, which were started in 1990 as the pre-eminent ag public relations awards, had many entries and awards were announced during the meeting. The awards themselves did not get to the hotel on time so they will be sent to the winners. You can find a list of all the winners on the ARC website.

So, let’s get started with a conversation I had with Lynn Henderson, AgriMarketing, who was inducted into the ARC Public Relations Hall of Fame. Next up, I spoke with Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse, who participated in an editor panel which had the job of talking about reaching editors with news and information. Also participating on the editor panel was Jessica Johnson, NewsWise.

There was an ag panel discussion on the “Beneficial Swamp Dwellers.” I spoke with Bethany Shively, ASTA, who talked about the value of those fighting the good public relations fight for ag and food in Washington, DC. She also gets in a plug for the upcoming ASTA CSS & Seed Expo in Chicago in December.

I also spoke with Erin Nash, NAFB. NAFB was a sponsor at the ARC Annual Meeting. Erin talks about services NAFB offers to ag public relations professionals.

Lastly in the program for this week, I spoke with conference attendee, Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Animal Ag Alliance. This was her first ARC Annual Meeting. Hannah also provides a plug for the organizations annual Stakeholders meeting.

I’m really glad I was able to go to the ARC meeting this year and spend some face to face time with so many friends in the industry. Next on my schedule is the NAFB annual meeting in Kansas City. I’ll be there all day for Trade Talk, so maybe I’ll see you then.

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

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 679 - Public Relations Professionals (19:42)

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:

ARC, Audio, Marketing, Media, Public Relations, ZimmCast