Syngenta Seeds Creates COVID Connections with Customers

Cindy Zimmerman

With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to make larger, in-person gatherings a challenge across the world, Syngenta Seeds has come up with more personal ways of working with farmers and resellers that could remain beyond the pandemic. For example, NK Seeds hosted 400+ customer events during the course of the 2021 season, five times the amount they normally host in a season.

G.W. Fuhr, head of U.S. sales for Syngenta Seeds, says he and his team of agronomists and sales representatives had to find different ways to connect. “Whether it’s keeping social distance, doing small group tailgate tours instead of the big customer meetings, or more digital communications,” said Fuhr during an interview at Farm Progress Show.

Fuhr says they’ve also been able to use drones to connect with customers. “I think we had over 30,000 visits this summer with drone flights,” he said.

FPS21 Interview with G.W. Fuhr, Syngenta Seeds (4:29)

Audio, Farm Progress Show, Seed, Syngenta

Precision Ag News 10/6

Carrie Muehling

  • UPL Ltd. has announced that it has joined The Climate Pledge. UPL joins as the first signatory from the agricultural inputs, solutions, and technologies sector. The Climate Pledge was co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism in 2019, and it’s a commitment to reach net-zero carbon by 2040, and meet The Paris Agreement 10 years early. As of September 2021, The Climate Pledge has more than 200 signatories across 26 industries and 21 countries.
  • Join U.S. and EU government leaders for a transatlantic dialogue on the role of agricultural innovation in sustainable food systems. The event, hosted by the American Seed Trade Association and Euroseeds, will take place virtually on October 12.
  • New research from The Center for Food Integrity identifies driving factors of consumer acceptance or rejection of technology, providing farmers and other organizations with insights to advance the innovation crucial to U.S. agriculture and a safe, sustainable food supply.
  • Mercaris announced updates to the 2021 acreage analyzer for non-GMO and organic crops. The tool, which was released earlier in 2021, helps users track organic and non-GMO crops including corn and soybeans, as well as other organic crops such as wheat and oats.
  • National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Peters announced the installment of Jen Nelligan as the organization’s Chief Program Officer (CPO) and Karla Maldonado as its Chief Operations Officer (COO). These newly created positions reflect a realigned organization chart, effective October 1 with NACD’s 2022 Fiscal Year, to bolster support for NACD’s substantial portfolio of programs and membership services.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Mizzou Students Help Support NAMA Foundation

Cindy Zimmerman

Mizzou students Kate Thompson and Sophia Liefer

University of Missouri students Kate Thompson and Sophia Liefer are enjoying their time this week at the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) Fall Conference in St. Louis while helping out the NAMA Foundation.

“The best thing about NAMA is that we are all super competitive,” said Thompson, who talked about the foundation fundraiser they were doing at the conference. “It’s a really great opportunity to connect the professional side with the student side.”

The NAMA Foundation is the backbone of Student NAMA, helping to provide students with the tools they need to succeed through scholarships, networking and competitions. Thompson and Liefer said Mizzou NAMA is planning to participate in the live conference next April and were disappointed the competition was cancelled this year due to the pandemic.

Student NAMA interviews (3:25)

2021 NAMA Fall Conference Photo Album

Audio, Education, NAMA

SD Senator Speaks Out on Policy Impacting Agriculture

Cindy Zimmerman

Sen. John Thune (R-SD) spoke out on the Senate floor this week about Democrat policies that he says are harmful to farmers and ranchers.

“For starters, I’m worried that Democrats’ bill could mean the end of some family farms thanks to the bill’s expansion of the death tax,” said Thune. “Death should not be a taxable event.”

Sen. Thune also criticized Democrats for focusing on electric vehicles at the expense of biofuels when it comes to climate policy and manipulating farm policy.

“Democrats are extending farm programs without bipartisan input and without real involvement from many in the agriculture community,” Thune said. “And of course they’re not extending all farm bill programs. They’re not, for example, extending – or providing money for – the farm safety net. Instead they’re targeting money at programs that they feel will allow them to advance their climate agenda.”

Sen. John Thune (R-SD) floor speech (7:50)

Audio, politics

New NCGA President Meets the Media

Cindy Zimmerman

Chris Edgington of St. Ansgar, Iowa, became president of the Corn Board of the National Corn Growers Association as of October 1.

Edgington raises corn and soybeans along with his dad, brother and son. Chris and his wife, Vanessa, have two children, Alex and Elizabeth. In addition to his row crop operation, he gains insight into livestock through a small business run by his son. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from Iowa State University.

As NCGA President, he also serves as president of the National Corn Growers Association Foundation, an executive committee member of NCGA’s Allied Industry Council, and as the association’s delegate to the U.S. Grains Council. He also serves as the liaison to the Agriculture Markets Advisory Council and the Renewable Fuels Association.

Edgington held a Zoom call with members of the media Tuesday to discuss issues of importance to corn growers.

NCGA president Chris Edgington, Iowa (18:18)

Audio, Corn, NCGA

2021 NAMA Fall Conference Underway

Chuck Zimmerman

2021 NAMA Fall ConferenceThe National Agri-Marketing Association is holding it’s 2021 Fall Conference in St. Louis, MO. Attendance is normal for this conference and everyone seems to really be enjoying being in-person!

After a reception last night, sessions are underway this morning, starting with the General Session with Karen Post, Turn Chaos into Competitive Edge. There are a number of breakout sessions and networking breaks throughout the day. At the end of the day a reception will be held offsite at Brighton.

Of course you can see photos here and on the NAMA Flickr account and the session audio is being recorded for attendees to listen to after the conference is over.

2021 NAMA Fall Conference Photo Album

NAMA

Administration Plans to Press China on Trade Agreement

Cindy Zimmerman

United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai delivered remarks Monday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) “outlining the Biden-Harris Administration’s new approach to the U.S.-China bilateral trade relationship.”

Ambassador Tai said they will begin by having discussions with China about its performance under the Phase One Agreement and commitments made “that benefit certain American industries, including agriculture, that we must enforce.”

USTR Katherine Tai comments related to agriculture (5:46)

During a press availability Monday, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was asked about the administration’s “new approach” and the ambassador’s characterization of China’s market as “unpredictable” for U.S. farmers and ranchers.

USDA Secretary Vilsack comments on trade approach to China (4:00)

Audio, Exports, Trade, USDA

Animal Ag News 10/4

Carrie Muehling

  • The MILK Business Conference, the only event that focuses exclusively on every business aspect of dairy operations, is set for Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, 2021, at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. The event will offer educational and networking opportunities for dairy industry leaders, live and in person, and will take place prior to the start of the National Finals Rodeo.
  • The National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to take their case against California’s Proposition 12, which would ban the sale of pork from hogs that don’t meet the state’s “arbitrary” production standards.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship. Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to outstanding students pursuing careers in the beef industry.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its annual per-capita dairy consumption data and the story, despite major shocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, remains America’s growing love for dairy products of all shapes and sizes. The information from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) adds 2020 data to an accounting of per capita dairy consumption dating back to 1975 when the average American consumed just 539 pounds of dairy foods per year. Last year, the average American consumed 655 pounds of dairy in milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, butter, and other wholesome and nutritious dairy foods, demonstrating a resilient and growing love for all things dairy. The 2020 figure represents an increase of 3 pounds per person over the previous year.
  • The Public Lands Council honored individuals who have demonstrated an exceptional dedication to the industry and partnership with public lands ranchers during PLC’s 53rd Annual Meeting.
  • Attendee registration and general housing for the 2022 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) opens Monday, Oct. 4. With more than 520,000 square feet of exhibit space and 1,046 exhibitors, the IPPE trade show floor continues to grow with four months remaining to the Expo. Be sure to register online to receive a discounted price of $75 through Jan. 7, 2022. Beginning Jan. 8, the registration rate will increase to $125.
  • GEA unveiled six new products at the 2021 World Dairy Expo. GEA is one of the world’s largest systems suppliers for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. The international industrial technology group specializes in machinery and facilities as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Industry Ag News 10/1

Carrie Muehling

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will hold its biannual Data Users’ Meeting virtually Oct. 13 and 14 from noon-3 p.m. ET. The meeting is free and open to the public.
  • ResponsibleAg, a voluntary and industry-led safety and stewardship initiative, reached another major milestone when the 4,000th facility audit was completed at Rutherford Farmers Cooperative in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, a Tennessee Farmers Cooperative-affiliated facility.
  • The Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced that Division of Market Oversight (DMO) Director Dorothy DeWitt will step down from her role as Director. Ms. DeWitt has led DMO since joining the agency in September 2019.
  • StilL 630 of St. Louis took top honors with their Monon Bell Bourbon Cask Strength at the Heartland Whiskey Competition held in Louisville, KY, earlier this summer. The distillery’s ‘cornfield to glass’ creation was named Missouri’s top craft whiskey in a blind judging competition, sponsored in part by the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, which drew entries from 17 states.
  • Tillable, Inc. and Compeer Financial have partnered to launch a new online loan application, enabling anyone to purchase or refinance farmland directly from a smartphone.
Zimfo Bytes

ZimmCast 678 – Preview of the 2021 ARC Annual Meeting

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

It is #InternationalPodcastDay today. A lovely day to publish a podcast. This will be the second podcast we’ve published an episode of today!

In this program we’re going to get a preview of the 2021 Agricultural Relations Council Annual Meeting. Providing the details is Kristy Mach, Corner Window Communications and Executive Director of ARC.

2021 ARC Annual MeetingKristy walks us through the program and speakers as well as the annual business meeting and awards program. The second day will be tour day to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Colonial Williamsburg. There will be lots of networking opportunities as well.

The meeting if for agricultural public relations professionals of all kinds and levels of experience. You can get registered here. Hotel early price deadline is October 3 btw.

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

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 678 - Preview of the 2021 ARC Annual Meeting (11:58)

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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ARC, Audio, Public Relations, ZimmCast