Field Notes from Koch Agronomic Services – Episode 32
The Field Notes podcast series from Koch Agronomic Services (KAS) breaks down the science and technology behind agronomy to help growers do more with less.
Research Helping Growers Feed the World
In this episode, we’ll discuss the importance of research in agronomic inputs. Two scientists with KAS, Stacey Wertz and Harjot Dhaliwal will talk about the challenges and rewards of working behind the scenes to maximize yields. They’ll tell us what grower feedback has meant to two products, CENTURO and PROTIVATE, as they are out in the fields actively helping growers feed the world.
You can listen to the program here: Research Helping Growers Feed the World (20:48)
And to make sure you don’t miss an episode, choose an option to subscribe
For Spotify on your computer download the desktop app
Teaching Agriculture With Sprout the Elf on the Shelf
Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) is helping teachers integrate agriculture into their holiday lesson plans with the introduction of Sprout the Elf on the Shelf.
“Each year teachers and families make new memories through the ever-popular Elf on the Shelf tradition during the holiday season,” said Kevin Daugherty, IAITC education director. “We wanted to put our own twist on this holiday favorite while providing access to free resources to teach kids the value of agriculture.”
The complete Elf on the Shelf with IAITC resource booklet contains ideas for 20 agriculture-themed Elf on the Shelf scenes. Teacher can also access a full list of materials to plan for Sprout the Elf’s activities.
Follow along with Sprout on the IAITC Facebook page or Instagram @ilaitc.
VISION 2024 Shaping the Future of Ag Tech
The VISION Conference, now in its seventh year, is set to start the new year January 22-24 at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa with a transformative event focused on building a sustainable value system in food, feed, fiber, and fuel.
The conference will address critical topics such as as data-driven decision-making, barriers to adoption, cross-industry insights, and more. Interactive groups will allow attendees to select from challenges including AI + Data Usage, Overcoming Infrastructure and Support Barriers, and Ag Tech Adoption.
Throughout the event, sessions will delve into the latest data management technologies and processes, proving ROI, and the power of interoperability in ag tech solutions. Leaders with a variety of backgrounds and experience will share their perspectives on the future of ag technology.
Co-locating with The VISION Conference and kicking off on January 21, the second in-person meeting for Women in Ag Tech will provide a vital platform for women in the industry to connect, engage, and build a community. The Global Ag Tech Initiative is committed to advancing and advocating the women in our industry.
The conference will conclude with a panel from the Global Ag Tech Initiative, presenting key insights and takeaways that will shape the industry in the years to come.
For more information and to register for VISION 2024, visit TheVISIONConference.com.
AgGateway Wraps Up Successful Annual Meeting
AgGateway wrapped up another successful annual meeting last week in Nashville with strong attendance despite the conflict with Agritechnica this year.
“Our attendance numbers were up over last year, which were up over the year before,” said AgGateway President and CEO Brent Kemp at the end of the meeting. “We’re on a great trajectory, we’ve had great speakers, great engagement.”
Embracing a Data-Driven Future was the theme of the conference this year and Kemp says it’s more than just a tag line. “All of this conference we’ve talked about the ways data is going to change our lives more than it already has,” said Kemp.
Listen to Kemp’s opening remarks and closing interview:
2023 AgGateway CEO Brent Kemp opening remarks 25:07
2023 AgGateway wrap up with Brent Kemp 22:08
Industry Ag News 11/17
Farm Bill Extension and Funding Reaction
Congress this week passed a continuing resolution that includes an extension of the 2018 Farm Bill until Sept. 30, 2024. Agriculture groups and companies at the NAFB Convention gave their reactions to the move and what it will mean for negotiations next year.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) praised the government funding package that also extends the Livestock Mandatory Reporting program until January 19, 2024.
NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane says the continuing resolution splits funding packages into two different expiration dates next year, January 19 and February 2. “It give everybody in DC a little bit more of a spread out range of targets,” said Lane. “By and large really good news.”
2023 NAFB Trade Talk - Ethan Lane, NCBA 3:24
Mary Kay Thatcher, Syngenta Federal Government and Industry Relations, says Congress is just kicking the can down the road on everything. “On the farm bill, on approps, on not shutting the government down… it’s a real question on whether those things will get done in 2024,” she said.
Thatcher, who has working on many farm bills over the years, says the farm bill extension through next September may make passage even tougher. “The Congressional Budget Office is going to tell us what kind of numbers do we have to work with in the funding of the farm bill… and there’s better than a 50 percent chance there’s less money then we have now.”
2023 NAFB Trade Talk - Mary Kay Thatcher, Syngenta 4:14Thanksgiving Meal Costs Less Than Last Year
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 38th annual survey says the average cost of this year’s Thanksgiving feast is $61.17. That’s less than $6.20 per person, down 4.5 percent from last year’s record high prices.
The survey accounts for the cost of a meal for 10 people including turkey, stuffing mix, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, peas, dinner rolls, sweet potatoes, a veggie tray, fresh cranberries, and other miscellaneous ingredients.
The cost of the meal’s main course fell by more than five percent, thanks to supplies rebounding after last year’s challenges with avian influenza.
“Traditionally, the turkey is the most expensive item on the Thanksgiving dinner table,” said AFBF Senior Economist Veronica Nigh. “Turkey prices have fallen thanks to a sharp reduction in cases of avian influenza, which have allowed production to increase in time for the holiday.”
While consumers will welcome lower prices than they saw last year, inflation continues to be a factor as this year’s holiday meal still costs 25 percent more than it did in 2019.
Land O’Lakes CEO Beth Ford on First TIME100 Climate List
Land O’Lakes, Inc. President and CEO Beth Ford was included on the inaugural TIME100 Climate list announced this week, recognizing the 100 most innovative leaders driving business climate action.
The list was curated from nominations and recommendations made by industry leaders and partner organizations, assessing the candidates on a variety of factors, including recency of action, measurable results, and influence.
“Thank you, TIME, for including Land O’Lakes on the list. It’s an important recognition that agriculture can be a powerful climate solution,” said Beth Ford, Land O’Lakes President and CEO. “Our Truterra team is doing incredible things alongside our farmer-owners.”
The news of the Land O’Lakes honor came as Josiah McClellan, Head of Carbon Assets for Land O’Lakes Truterra, was at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting meeting in Kansas City doing interviews about some of the work Truterra has been doing to help farmers transitioning to regenerative practices. “We’ve had $9 million that we’ve been able to deliver to farmers over the last two years for sequestering 462,000 tons of carbon and aligning that with corporate sustainability goals is something that was recognized by TIME,” said McClellan.
Learn more in this interview.
2023 NAFB Trade Talk - Josiah McClellan, Truterra 3:32
Gateway to Ag Careers Students Excel at Annual Meeting
Eight outstanding college students were able to attend the AgGateway Annual Conference this week in Nashville through the Gateway to Ag Careers program, sponsored by the AgCIO Roundtable.
The eight students represented a variety of different disciplines and academic institutions from across the country. In order of appearance in the photo, they are:
• Clara Cobb, Mississippi State University
• Jake Dempsey, Arizona State University
• Kelsey Vourazeris, Arizona State University
• Cole Byers, University of Georgia
• Fei Xyza Asuncion, Kansas State University
• Justin Allange, Purdue University
• Ryanna Tiejie, The Ohio State University
• Phillip Lanza, Cornell University
The students made individual presentations during a special session during the conference to share their work, ambitions, and interests in the agriculture industry and all of them made a positive impression on the attendees with their active involvement and willingness to network and learn. Here is a brief interview with them as a group:
2023 AgGateway interview with GTAC students 10:56