Animal Ag News 4/19

Carrie Muehling

  • The Alltech ONE Ideas Conference (ONE) will launch virtually on May 25–27, 2021, and will feature tracks that will uncover the challenges and opportunities in the aqua, beef, crop science, dairy, equine, health and wellness, pet, pig, and poultry sectors.
  • The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs revealed details of its “Framework” — which is the first-ever, multi-stakeholder sustainability reporting framework for the full U.S. supply chains for chicken, turkey and eggs from producer to final customer.
  • The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), along with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Milk Producers Federation, National Pork Producers Council, United Egg Producers and the National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials (NASSTPO), released the first in a series of videos that assists farmers and ranchers with preparing an emergency action plan for their operation. In addition to identifying essential aspects of an emergency action plan, the video emphasizes the advantages of engaging with local emergency planning and response professionals.
  • AHV International is rapidly expanding their presence in the U.S. and is excited to announce the hiring of Jeff Brose, D.V.M., Laura Pires, Michael Cardoso and Andy Sears to key leadership positions.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announced that it will soon implement the $400 million Dairy Donation Program established by Congress in December 2020. The department provided details on program participation to dairy processors and cooperatives in order to ensure donations of nutritious dairy products continue to make their way to Americans struggling with hunger while USDA finalizes the program.
  • Expanding market access to Vietnam, visa reform to address a livestock agriculture labor shortage and foreign animal disease prevention were the focus of the National Pork Producers Council’s (NPPC) Legislative Action Conference (LAC).
  • For cattle producers that are feeding heifers, a recent approval from the Food and Drug Administration now allows cattle producers to feed MGA®, Bovatec® and Aureomycin® in combination for the first time. For more information on feed additive solutions from Zoetis, visit CattleFeedAdditives.com or consult with your veterinarian or nutritionist.
  • Marin Bozic, one of the leading dairy economists in the country, has joined Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative’s board of directors as an adviser, the cooperative announced.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Syngenta Donates on Behalf of Sunbelt Expo Farmer Winners

Chuck Zimmerman

Sunbelt Ag ExpoSyngenta just recently announced donations to 10 charities on behalf of the 2020 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award winners. This is now an annual donation and you can listen to Pam Caraway, Syngenta, tell us more in the interview below.

Long-known as a generous community, the farmers named as the 2020 Farmers of the Year in 10 states took the opportunity provided by Syngenta to offer a hand to the charity of their choice. Syngenta gave $5,000 in donations in $500 increments to the charity chosen by each farmer in the 2020 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year program.

“These farmers contribute to the health and well-being of their local communities day in and day out, so we found it fitting to express our gratitude by also giving back to their communities with a donation to service organizations near and dear to their hearts,” said Pam Caraway, Syngenta communications lead. “Agriculture is an industry of passion, dedication and sacrifice, characteristics exemplified by each of the winners selected, and we are proud to sponsor this award in recognition of their achievements.”

Chip Blalock, executive director of the Sunbelt Expo, agreed. “Agricultural producers are key to the success of our communities, industry, and nation. Their admirable dedication to their communities, spirit of perseverance and determination is what the Swisher Sweets Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award program looks to recognize.” Blalock said. “These charity donations are an appropriate extension of the leadership these growers provide every day.”

Listen to my interview with Pam here: Interview with Pam Caraway

Agribusiness, Sunbelt Ag Expo, Syngenta

Industry Ag News 4/16

Carrie Muehling

  • The Alltech ONE Ideas Conference (ONE) will launch virtually on May 25–27, 2021, and will feature tracks that will uncover the challenges and opportunities in the aqua, beef, crop science, dairy, equine, health and wellness, pet, pig, and poultry sectors. Now in its 37th year, Alltech’s global agri-food conference continues to be an invaluable resource, uniting thought-leaders and changemakers in an exploration of the power of science, sustainability and storytelling.
  • The Packer’s Global Organic Produce Expo (GOPEX) has been reinvented for 2021, offering organic fresh produce buyers and suppliers a chance to convene for business and pleasure at one of the most iconic courses in professional golf. This in-person networking opportunity is scheduled Aug. 5-6, 2021, at the renowned TPC Sawgrass Golf Course and Resort in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
  • CommoditAg continues to expand its retailer and fulfillment center network with the addition of Superior Ag. The partnership expands CommoditAg’s access and convenience to locations throughout Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, has opened online applications for the 2022 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. This national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies that are providing solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
  • As a testament to their commitment to fuel-efficient equipment, CLAAS is giving farmers a chance to fuel their fleet for free by entering to win $10,000 in farm diesel fuel. To register to win, eligible entrants can visit fuel.claas.com now through June 30, 2021, to submit their online entry form. One grand prize winner will be selected to win the $10,000 in farm diesel fuel. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.
Zimfo Bytes

ZimmCast 668 – Business Success and Food Fear

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

In this week’s program we’re going to talk about business success and food fear. How do those things fit together? We’re going to find out.

In fact, we’re going to find out in my conversation with a businessman, agriculturalist, speaker, podcaster, author and consultant who has been on the ZimmCast before – Damian Mason.

Damian Mason Food Fear BookDamian has a new book out called Food Fear and he’ll talk about what he wanted to accomplish with the book. Additionally, Damian will also discuss a product that’s an outshoot of his consultancy work called The Business of Agriculture Success Group. The photo is from this week’s Business of Ag Success Group Zoom meeting.

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

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 668 - Business Success and Food Fear (29:04)

If you like what you hear in the ZimmCast please subscribe in any of the major platforms. And you can also search for the ZimmComm Golden Mic Podcast too, which includes all the audio we produce.

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:

Audio, Food, ZimmCast

Precision Ag News 4/14

Carrie Muehling

  • Koch Agronomic Services, LLC reached agreement with Compass Minerals to purchase Compass Minerals‘ North American micronutrient assets, the global intellectual property rights, with trademarks and patents, and certain other assets associated with the Wolf Trax®, Rocket Seeds® and Hydro Bullet™ product platforms.
  • The Soil Health Institute recently concluded the Healthy Soils for Sustainable Cotton Farmer Showcase, a series of eight online discussions with U.S. cotton farmers and soil health experts highlighting the challenges and positive impact soil health management systems can have on agricultural productivity and farm profitability.
  • American Farmland Trust released “Agriculture’s Role in 30×30: Partnering with Farmers and Ranchers to Protect Land, Biodiversity, and the Climate” outlining agriculture’s critical role in the effort to “conserve at least 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030” as put forth in the Biden administration’s January 27, 2021, Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.
  • Strip-Till Farmer has announced the lineup of speakers and presentation topics for the 2021 National Strip-Tillage Conference. To be held at the award-winning Embassy Suites Omaha-La Vista Hotel & Conference Center, Aug. 5-6, the 8th annual event will provide actionable ideas and practices to put to work on your strip-till operation in 2021 and beyond. A $35.00 Early Bird Registration discount is available through May 31, and attendees who register their farm and family members receive additional savings.
  • Two scientists have earned a place in the Agricultural Research Service Science Hall of Fame for their pioneering and impactful research in small-fruits breeding and remote sensing for improved irrigation water scheduling. Chad E. Finn (posthumously) and William P. Kustas will be inducted in a virtual ceremony rather than a physical event due to ongoing COVID-19 safety precautions.
  • What do farmers, ranchers and stakeholders across the food and agriculture value chain need to know about the emerging world of carbon markets? Farm Journal’s next Farm Country Update, “The Three Biggest Trends in Carbon Markets,” will feature a panel of experts to discuss how carbon markets are changing what farmers and ranchers are doing at the grassroots level. The online event is set for Thursday, April 15, 2021, at 3 p.m. CDT.
  • U.S. farm tractor unit sales extend their growth streak to eleven straight months, while Canada also extends its own streak with a strong month of March according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. U.S. total farm tractor sales rose 84.1 percent in March compared to 2020 while U.S. self-propelled combine sales grew 6.7 percent. U.S. unit sales grew across every segment, with the biggest gains in the small sub-40hp segment (nearly doubling, growing 96.5 percent). The 100+hp row-crop units had were up 63.5 percent. Four-wheel-drive units grew as well, up 2.5 percent for the month, reversing February’s small decrease.
  • Douglas Plant Health is pleased to announce the appointment of experienced agriculture industry executive Mick Messman as the company’s new CEO. Douglas Plant Health provides nature-based biotechnology, soil fertility and other agronomic solutions for growers of row crops, fruits and vegetables, and turf and ornamental crops.
  • Trace Genomics announces the appointment of Dr. Robert (Robb) Fraley to its board of directors. Dr. Fraley, who served for nearly 40 years as chief technology officer at Monsanto and helped develop the first genetically modified seed, will provide guidance to the company as it advances its ground-breaking science and products in the field of soil DNA testing.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

A Car Thing for AgNerds

Chuck Zimmerman

Spotify Car ThingSeriously. There is a Car Thing coming from Spotify. Thank you Spotify for coming up with a new gadget for all the #AgNerds out there. And, especially a gadget that allows us podcasters to have our programs heard in another way.

Between work commutes, taking the kids to school, daily errands, and road trips, Americans spend countless hours on the road. It’s no surprise, then, that there are over 70 million user-generated driving-related playlists on Spotify. No matter where you’re headed, Spotify is the perfect companion in the car, thanks to the many ways to listen to Spotify and our curated playlists, like Daily Drive and Songs to Sing in the Car. And today, we’re excited to announce our newest exploration: a limited release of Car Thing, a new smart player that fills your car with music, news, entertainment, talk, and more.

Currently available to eligible users in the U.S., Car Thing enables you to play your favorite audio faster, so you’re already listening to that hit song or the latest podcast episode before you’ve even pulled out of the driveway. Switching between your favorite audio is effortless, allowing you to shift gears to something else as soon as the mood strikes. And when it comes to controlling the device, use it in the way that works best for you, whether that’s voice, touch, or physical controls.

Find out more from the press release.

Audio, Media, Podcasts, Technology

Animal Ag News 4/12

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program has partnered with Cargill to launch the Actionable Safety Review, a new online tool that enables dairy farmers to identify and review opportunities to improve safety on the farm.
  • Ten Wisconsin dairy calves taught their unique farm story to tens of thousands of school kids across the state thanks to Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and Discover Dairy’s Adopt a Cow program. From August – October 2020, Wisconsin classrooms registered to “adopt” a calf from one of three Wisconsin dairy farms as a classroom mascot or pet. Then, from November 2020 – April 2021, classrooms followed the calf through a series of updates and photos provided by their farm families. Supplemental lessons kept the students engaged in learning and exploring where their food comes from.
  • Dr. Scott Bascom, Senior Technical Services Manager – Dairy, Phibro Animal Health Corporation, explores the connection between mycotoxins and global food security in the webinar titled “Mycotoxins and Food Security: Looking Beyond the Impacts of Mycotoxins on Animal Agriculture.” The webinar is the second of Phibro’s seven-part MYCOmpass™ webinar series, is available for download on the Phibro Academy website, and can be accessed here.
  • Grain prices are projected to remain high this year. While this boon to crop producers is putting pressure on livestock feeders, the upswing presents an opportunity for savvy cattle grazers. Corteva AgriScience’s Jeff Clark shares tips for grazing at RangeAndPasture.com.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Industry Ag News 4/9

Carrie Muehling

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will hold its biannual Data Users’ Meeting virtually April 14 and 15 from noon-3 p.m. ET. This is the first time the event will span two afternoons. The meeting is free and open to the public. Anyone interested in participating in the Spring 2021 Virtual Data Users’ Meeting should register online at www.nass.usda.gov/Education_and_Outreach/Meeting/.
  • NCGA is pleased to announce a special session of the Corn Utilization and Technology Conference (CUTC) focused on funding for research, development, and commercialization of new uses for corn. This special session will bring together a panel of experts from both the public and private sectors to discuss funding across the RD&C spectrum from bench level to financing new capital at existing facilities. This free online event is scheduled for 10:00-11:30 Central Time on Thursday, May 13, 2021.
  • The 2nd Annual Florida Industrial Hemp Conference & Exhibition will be held May 18-20, 2021 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Attend in person or virtually.
  • The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City invites you to attend its annual Mizzou Showcase on April 22 featuring keynote remarks from Bayer Crop Science’s Brett Begemann.
  • Koch Agronomic Services, LLC reached agreement with Compass Minerals to purchase Compass Minerals’ North American micronutrient assets, the global intellectual property rights, with trademarks and patents, and certain other assets associated with the Wolf Trax®, Rocket Seeds® and Hydro Bullet™ product platforms.
  • With the start of spring, an agriculture industry collaboration led by Growing Matters wants everyone to be BeSure! when using neonicotinoid products on farms and urban landscapes – kicking off its third annual stewardship awareness campaign to promote best management practices. The BeSure! campaign uses a wide range of media channels including print, radio, digital and social media to remind farmers, crop protection applicators, agricultural supply retailers and others to ensure label directions and responsible stewardship measures are followed for neonicotinoid products, minimizing any potential impact on pollinators and other wildlife.
  • Celebrate the achievements and impressive careers of the very best in agriculture. NAMA has FOUR different award opportunities with upcoming deadlines. Winners of these prestigious awards will be honored at the 2021 Agri-Marketing Conference, July 20-22, in Kansas City, MO. The awards include: Ag Association Leader of the Year; Agribusiness Leader of the Year; NAMA Marketer of the Year; and the Next Gen NAMA Award.
  • The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture announced resource grants honoring the work of long-time AFBF staff member and former foundation executive director, Christy Lilja. The Christina Sue Lilja Resource Grants will provide 50 educators with $100 each to purchase agricultural literacy resources from the Foundation store for their classrooms. Lilja’s family established the CSL Foundation in her memory following her heroic battle with cancer in 2019. Lilja’s dedication to agricultural education lives on through the work of the Foundation and the resource grants in her name.
  • The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol announces membership in the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), a global, industry-wide nonprofit of over 250 members working to reduce environmental impact and promote social justice throughout the global value chain.
  • ASTA is pleased to announce the hiring of Payton Englert as the association’s new Director, Government Affairs. Payton comes to ASTA from the U.S. Senate, where she worked on Ag policy for Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO).
Zimfo Bytes

Transportation Secretary on Jobs Plan for Rural Areas

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Jobs Plan rolled out by the Biden Administration last week includes help for agriculture and rural communities, according to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

In an interview with a Texas radio station, Buttigieg talked about the importance of transportation and infrastructure such as roads, bridges and ports, for rural areas and agriculture, as well as universal broadband.

DOT Secy Buttegieg comments on Jobs Plan for rural areas (3:39)

Audio, Infrastructure

Southeastern Farmers and Syngenta Support Communities

Cindy Zimmerman

The 2020 Farmers of the Year in 10 Southeastern states were able to lend a helping hand to charities in their areas, thanks to an opportunity provided by Syngenta.

Syngenta gave $5,000 in donations in $500 increments to the charity chosen by each farmer in the 2020 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year program.

“These farmers contribute to the health and well-being of their local communities day in and day out, so we found it fitting to express our gratitude by also giving back to their communities with a donation to service organizations near and dear to their hearts,” said Pam Caraway, Syngenta communications lead. “Agriculture is an industry of passion, dedication and sacrifice, characteristics exemplified by each of the winners selected, and we are proud to sponsor this award in recognition of their achievements.”

Top farmers from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia are recognized each year at the Sunbelt Ag Expo, but the 2020 Expo was cancelled due to COVID. So the 2020 State Winners will be recognized, and an overall winner will be announced at the 2021 Sunbelt Ag Expo, which is scheduled to be live and in person Oct. 19-21 in Moultrie, Georgia.

The 2020 State winners are:
Thomas Ellis, Fort Deposit, Alabama
Jamie Anderson, Lonoke, Arkansas
Rick Roth, West Palm Beach, Florida
Lee Nunn of Madison, Georgia
Stephen Kelley of Bardwell, Kentucky
Joe Edmondson, Vardaman, Mississippi
James Lamb of Clinton, North Carolina
Bob Hall, York, South Carolina
Jay Yeargin of Greenfield, Tennessee
CJ Isabell, Rockville, Virginia

Read more from Syngenta.

Sunbelt Ag Expo, Syngenta