ZimmCast 677 – Preview of the 2021 NAMA Fall Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

In this program we’re going to learn all about the 2021 NAMA Fall Conference from the head of the conference committee, Michele Tibodeau, CHS, Inc. Michele walks us through a preview of the program which includes the presentation of the annual Professional Development Awards of Excellence, network opportunities like on and off-site receptions and great speakers and sessions. It is an in-person event that will take place October 4-6 at the St. Louis Ritz Carlton.

You can get registered here.

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

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 677 - Preview of 2021 NAMA Fall Conference (12:50)

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.

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Audio, NAMA, ZimmCast

NK Seeds Field Forged Series™ at #FPS21

Cindy Zimmerman

Syngenta announced the first-ever Field Forged Series™ from NK Seeds earlier year. Now available for the 2022 growing season from retailers across the U.S., the inaugural Field Forged Series lineup features 26 total hybrids, including 10 new NK® corn hybrids and 4 new Enogen® corn hybrids, and 20 new NK soybean varieties, and farmers were definitely showing an interest at the Farm Progress Show last week.

In NK corn, Syngenta Seeds R&D has powered a portfolio of hybrids that reflect both yield and agronomic excellence. Each Field Forged hybrid had to meet a number of strict requirements to be included in the launch class, including strong root rot resistance, stalk strength, tolerance of critical diseases and broad adaptation.

“Our standards were high. To join the Field Forged Series, these NK hybrids had to outperform key competitors in their areas of adaptation not just once, but repeatedly across multiple years,” said Joe Bollman, NK corn product manager. “They’re proven winners.”

The new NK hybrids also offer industry-leading trait choice, with Agrisure Duracade®, Agrisure Viptera® and Agrisure Artesian® traits to help farmers meet a variety of needs in their fields. Similarly, the lineup of Field Forged soybean varieties features a diverse selection of the latest in-demand traits, including both proprietary Enlist E3® soybean and proprietary XtendFlex® soybean varieties.

Learn more in this interview with Bollman from Farm Progress Show.
FPS21 Interview with Joe Bollman, NK Seeds (3:12)

AgWired Precision, Audio, Corn, Farm Progress Show, Seed, Soybean, Syngenta

US Corn, Soybean, and Cotton Production Forecast Higher

Cindy Zimmerman

Corn, soybean, and cotton production is up from 2020, according to the latest Crop Production report issued Friday by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

According to the report, corn production is up 6% from last year, forecast at 15.0 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to increase their production 6% from 2020, forecast at 4.37 billion bushels; and cotton production is up 27% from 2020 at 18.5 million 480-pound bales.

The average U.S. corn yield is forecast at 176.3 bushels per acre, up 1.7 bushels from last month’s forecast and up 4.3 bushels from last year. NASS forecasts record high yields in California, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. Acres planted to corn, at 93.3 million, are up 3% from 2020. Area to be harvested for grain is forecast at 85.1 million acres, up 1% from last month and 3% more than was harvested last year. As of Aug. 29, 60% of this year’s corn crop was reported in good or excellent condition, 2 percentage points below the same time last year.

Area for soybean harvest is forecast at 86.4 million acres, down less than 1% from last month but 5% more than was harvested last year. Planted area for the nation, estimated at 87.2 million acres, is up 5% from last year. Soybean yields are expected to average 50.6 bushels per acre, up 0.6 bushel from last month’s forecast and up 0.4 bushel from 2020. If realized, the forecasted yields in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia will be record high.

NASS forecasts all cotton area to be harvested at 9.92 million acres, 4% below last month’s forecast but 20% more acres than were harvested last season. Yield is expected to average 895 pounds per harvested acre, up 95 pounds from last month’s forecast and up 48 pounds from 2020. Area planted to all cotton is estimated at 11.2 million acres, down 7% from last year.

Corn, Cotton, Soybean, USDA

Smart Glasses for the #AgNerd? Ray-Ban Stories

Chuck Zimmerman

Ray-Ban Stories FacebookOnce upon a time there was Google Glass. Remember that? I was in their Explorer program to try them out and created content that I published here on AgWired, like this post about a New Holland CR10.90 Combine. I still have my “ZimmGlass.” It’s on a shelf of older tech I’ve used that includes iPods and other items you used to be able to use with older iPhones. Actually, there is a Glass Enterprise Edition but it is targeted to companies that would develop their own applications and work force quantities.

Now we have Ray-Ban Stories, a partnership with Facebook.

Today, we’re excited to launch Ray-Ban Stories: smart glasses that give you a new way to capture photos and video, share your adventures and listen to music or take phone calls — so you can stay present with friends, family and the world around you. Built in partnership with Facebook and EssilorLuxottica, Ray-Ban Stories start at $299 USD and will be available for purchase in 20 style combinations online and in select retail stores in the US, as well as Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy and the UK.

I’ve already looked into these and priced them, including having my eyeglass prescription submitted. They’re not any more expensive than the new prescription sunglasses I just ordered. But that used my budget so I’m looking for a sponsor! Seriously. I can see on-location applications like farm shows, field days, product launches. If you are interested just let me know and I can provide great value for your investment as we do with all clients and sponsors.

So, what do you think? Do you see some applications like crop scouting and pest identification? Sure, you can do that with your mobile device but how about one that is on your face leaving your hands free?

AI, Technology

Industry Ag News 9/10

Carrie Muehling

  • CHS Inc. announced a major soybean refinery expansion and renovation project at the CHS Mankato, Minn., soybean processing plant, driven by global oil demand. The more than $60 million project is the second phase of CHS investments to capitalize on changing market dynamics and opportunities to grow market access. When upgrades are completed, annual refined soybean oil production at the Mankato facility will increase by more than 35%.
  • With the GROWMARK System’s geographic footprint growing rapidly over the last few years, the organization is excited to announce expanded eligibility for the 2022 GROWMARK FFA Essay Contest to the entire United States. Previously, it had been limited to FFA members in several Midwestern states. The theme for the 2022 GROWMARK Essay Contest is: “What, in your opinion, has changed for the better in the agricultural industry as a result of the pandemic?”
  • The NCGA Corn Board recently confirmed Kelly Harsh of Ohio as its newest director. Kelly grows corn and soybeans on her family operation in Delaware, Ohio.
  • The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol will present six, live enrollment webinars focusing on how the program helps U.S. growers meet the changing demands from their end customer while also better documenting and verifying the sustainability practices and advances already incorporated into their farms.
  • Don’t miss America’s largest seed industry conference, Dec. 6-9 in Chicago! The American Seed Trade Association’s (ASTA) CSS & Seed Expo 2021 will feature an all-new “Villages” concept, showcasing interactive programming in the following key areas: ag tech innovation, operations and logistics, career skills and research/lab facilities, and treated seed. The conference will offer both in-person and virtual attendance options.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation, along with 46 state Farm Bureaus and 280 organizations representing family-owned agribusinesses, sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to leave important tax policies in place as they draft legislation implementing President Biden’s “Build Back Better” agenda. The letter addresses four key tax provisions that make it possible for farmers and ranchers to survive and pass their businesses on to the next generation: estate taxes, stepped-up basis, 199A small business deduction and like-kind exchanges.
  • Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation President Jeff Aiken announced he will not seek reelection at the annual meeting in December. Aiken, a third-generation beef cattle, hay, corn and tobacco farmer from Washington County, has served as president for the past six years and is only the 8th president in the organization’s 100-year history.
  • Farms.com is pleased to announce the acquisition of Merston Peters, based in Bury St Edmunds, United Kingdom, to its growing portfolio of Talent Resource solutions.
  • MGEX reports the best fiscal year in its history with a total of 3,380,945 contracts. There was a 28% increase in volume compared to the previous fiscal year, and it was the first time in MGEX history where total exchange volume surpassed three million contracts in a fiscal year.
  • With skyrocketing commodity prices, drought conditions spreading across many parts of the country and export markets booming, there is a lot of concern about U.S. farmers being able to produce anything close to “normal” yields. At the same time, the new Biden Administration is working to retire at least 4 million more acres and put more conservation on 30% of working lands. How will all of these various factors influence the ag economy and agribusinesses? The annual Ag Outlook Forum is a chance to get a comprehensive preview of what lies ahead from leading experts. Presented by the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse, this “must attend” event brings together USDA’s Chief Economist and other industry experts to share key insights on existing and new market opportunities.
Zimfo Bytes

USDA Invests in Renewable Energy Infrastructure

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Thursday announced that USDA is investing $464 million to build or improve renewable energy infrastructure and to help rural communities, agricultural producers and businesses lower energy costs in 48 states and Puerto Rico.

USDA is financing $129 million of these investments through the Rural Energy for America Program and $335 million through the Electric Loan Program.

Secretary Vilsack was asked about aid for biofuel producers affected by the pandemic last year. “We are in the process of finalizing plans to provide $700 million assistance to the biofuel industry because they didn’t receive benefits under previous COVID packages,” said Vilsack. However, he explained, these things take time and he can’t commit to when it might happen because he is not in control of the whole process. He also commented on the White House goal to achieve 3 billion gallons of SAF production and reduce aviation-related emissions by 20 percent by 2030.

USDA Announces Renewable Energy Investments (14:55)

Audio, Biofuels, Energy, USDA

Enogen Corn Could Increase Beef Producer Sustainability

Cindy Zimmerman

A five percent increase in feed efficiency can not only help livestock producers save some money, it can also help increase their sustainability.

Syngenta Seeds has found through research around the country that using Enogen corn for feed delivers an average 5% increase in feed efficiency, according to Chris Cook, Head, Enogen at Syngenta Seeds. “Potential feed efficiency gains of around 5% are highly significant for beef and dairy producers when you consider there are nearly 100 million cattle in the U.S. alone. It helps maximize potential in their farm operations while also helping to deliver environmental benefits through reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and improvements in land, energy and water use efficiency.”

During an interview at last month’s Cattle Industry Convention, Cook said they started working with the University of Nebraska and Kansas State University where they first identified the five percent efficiency gains. Based on those studies, the University of Arkansas Resiliency Center (UARC) developed a life cycle assessment highlighting the potential for beef producers to reduce their environmental footprint by using Enogen® corn for feed.

The research found potential environmental benefits per 1,000 head of cattle include savings equivalent to removing 35 passenger cars from the road for one year and powering 22 homes for one year. “You might say, well, big deal,” said Cook. “On a 100 million cattle, that’s 3.5 million cars, that’s 2.2 million homes of electricity.”

Syngenta believes Enogen corn for feed technology could represent a significant opportunity for the agricultural industry to reduce its overall impact on the environment, which supports Syngenta Group’s $2 billion global commitment to reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint and help farmers fight climate change.

CIC21 interview with Chris Cook, Syngenta Enogen (8:55)

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, Corn, Dairy, Feed, Livestock, Syngenta

Precision Ag News 9/8

Carrie Muehling

  • Valley® Irrigation has announced the expansion of their solar solutions into the United States.
  • In response to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that it will offer Post Application Coverage Endorsement (PACE) in certain states for non-irrigated corn, National Corn Growers Association released the following statement: “PACE will play an extremely important role in helping farmers navigate changing weather conditions. We applaud the Illinois Corn Growers Association and our other partners for working to develop this new insurance product and are appreciative of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation for seeing its value and approving its use. We look forward to working with USDA as it rolls out this new product.”
  • Tropic Biosciences has joined the leadership team of The Center for Food Integrity (CFI) Coalition for Responsible Gene Editing in Agriculture, a group of leaders in food, agriculture and science collaborating around the vision of global acceptance and support for the responsible use of gene editing technology in agriculture and food.
  • Conference registration is now open for American Seed Trade Association‘s CSS & Seed Expo 2021, December 6-9 in Chicago! This year will feature an all-new “villages” design which will enable attendees to roam throughout the venue to areas where sessions and exhibitors match in content, with networking areas and a “Food Truck” small plates food festival throughout both towers of the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Field Notes from Koch Agronomic Services – Episode 14

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.

Development of ANVOL

In this episode, we’ll discuss how and why Koch Agronomic Services developed their ANVOL nitrogen stabilizer. Even with the well-accepted AGROTAIN nitrogen stabilizer already trusted by growers, Koch was listening to their customers on what improvements could be made. Hear from two Koch representatives, product marketing manager Eric Vogel and research and development manager Drew Bobeck, as they discuss how the company used the concept of creative destruction to bring a better stabilizer to market in ANVOL.

You can listen to the program here: Development of ANVOL (12:10)

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

For Spotify on your computer download the desktop app.

Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, Koch Agronomic Services, Podcasts, Soil

Golden Harvest Launches Gold Series Soybeans for 2022

Cindy Zimmerman

To help farmers achieve the highest yield potential, Golden Harvest has launched the Gold Series line of soybeans featuring exclusive genetics in high-demand trait platforms. Available for the 2022 season, the new lineup includes Enlist E3® soybeans and XtendFlex® soybeans.

Gold Series soybeans include exclusive genetics from Syngenta Seeds, which has one of the longest-running soybean breeding programs in the United States. Syngenta Seeds’ elite pool of exclusive genetics enables Golden Harvest to offer farmers many of the industry’s highest-yielding and leading defensive soybean varieties with flexibility in herbicide trait choice. The diversity of the Gold Series portfolio provides farmers with tailored solutions for their challenges.

“We’re thrilled to launch our first line of soybeans with exclusive Syngenta Seeds genetics,” said Stephanie Porter, Golden Harvest soybean product manager. “Our Gold Series soybean varieties offer farmers not only choice of trait platforms, but also choice of genetics. More choice means farmers have more ways to manage risk and diversify their operations.”

Porter was on-hand at the Farm Progress Show last week in Illinois to answer farmers’ questions about the new Gold Series. Learn more here and in the interview below.
FPS21 Interview with Stephanie Porter, Golden Harvest (4:00)

Audio, Farm Progress Show, Seed, Soybean, Syngenta