Precision Ag News 8/18

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • The rapid advancement of data-driven technologies in agriculture offers immense potential to enhance productivity, sustainability, and economic resilience. However, this increasing reliance on data also brings ethical, legal, and stewardship challenges that must be addressed to ensure responsible use and equitable benefits for all stakeholders. These trends, along with encouragement from its member leadership, were the impetus for AgGateway to review and refresh its White Paper on Data Ethics and Stewardship. Following two years of work, the document is now available for review by any interested data stakeholder. In this webinar, you’ll learn more about key aspects of the white paper from industry experts who contributed their time, talent, and expertise to the document. Join on Thursday, August 28 at 9:00 a.m. Central.
  • AGCO, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, announced the appointment of Brian Sorbe as President of PTx, effective August 25, 2025. With nearly three decades of experience in precision agriculture, global sales and product development, Sorbe brings a wealth of expertise to this pivotal role.
  • AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc., a leading provider of advanced drone and aerial imaging solutions, proudly announces the launch of the RedEdge-P™ Green, a groundbreaking multispectral camera designed to revolutionize precision agriculture from planting to harvest.
  • The World Food Prize Foundation announced Derek Barchenger, Senior Scientist and head of the Global Pepper Breeding Program at the World Vegetable Center, has been named the 2025 Recipient of the Norman E. Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application, Endowed by the Rockefeller Foundation.
  • World Ag Expo offers a look into the latest in innovation and education through the return of the Top-10 New Products competition and seminar sessions. Exhibitors and industry experts can now apply to put their mark on the 2026 show. The Top-10 New Products Competition information and application can be found at bit.ly/WAE26TOP-10. Applicants must be exhibitors at the 2026 World Ag Expo and products released anywhere in the world between February 9, 2025 and February 10, 2026 are eligible. The application deadline is October 31, 2025 and winners will be announced in December.
  • Without key pesticides corn growers could see a significant reduction in production and ability to continue conservation tillage and cover cropping practices, which are critical for reducing soil erosion, improving water quality and enhancing soil health, according to one of the nation’s top farmer advocates. The comment, made by Illinois farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman Jr. in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., comes as the Make America Healthy Again Commission prepares to release policy recommendations to address childhood chronic disease this month.
  • AgLaunch has officially opened applications for the 2026 AgLaunch365 Accelerator, a bold, multi-stage challenge designed to catapult the next generation of agtech startups—not in a lab or a pitch room, but in the field, shoulder-to- shoulder with farmers. Applications are due by September 15, 2025.
  • Ceradis B.V., a global developer and marketer of environmentally friendly plant nutrition and crop protection solutions, today announced the appointment of two senior executives to lead operations in the Americas and Oceania, and the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) regions.
  • Meristem Crop Performance is taking a bold step forward in its mission to serve growers worldwide with the appointment of Guillermo Bort as Vice President of International Business Development. With decades of leadership across multiple continents, Bort brings deep global expertise and a passion for serving those who steward the land.
  • Solinftec, a global leader in artificial intelligence and sustainable agricultural practices, announces its latest technological advancements in autonomous field operations at Farm Progress 2025. The company also celebrates a significant expansion into key U.S. agricultural regions, reinforcing its mission to bring sustainable, data-driven automation to farmers across the country. After establishing strong operations in Illinois and Indiana, Solinftec is now expanding its footprint to Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin and Texas for the 2025 season. This growth reflects increasing demand for Solinftec’s innovative, autonomous solutions among forward-thinking growers.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    DWFI Executive Director to Stay Through 2025

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Peter McCornick will extend his tenure as executive director of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska through the end of this year to ensure a smooth transition with the incoming executive director.

    McCornick was originally scheduled to step down in August 2025 but will remain in his leadership position until the end of 2025. McCornick has led the institute since August 2016, significantly expanding its research footprint, fostering global collaborations, and strengthening smallholder agriculture initiatives, including securing a $3.5 million Gates Foundation grant. His leadership has cemented DWFI’s position as a global thought leader in sustainable water management for agriculture.

    The search committee is currently reviewing applications for a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as the next executive director of the institute. This pivotal role offers a unique opportunity to spearhead a globally impactful institute dedicated to ensuring water and food security for all. The application period will remain open until the position is filled and those interested are encouraged to apply.

    Water, Water for Food

    Ag Outlook Forum Coming up in Kansas City

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Prominent national leaders in food and agriculture, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, are invited to speak at the 11th Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City, coming up September 24-25.

    The lineup of speakers for this year’s event will focus on ag innovation, tax planning, the farm economy and animal health challenges.

    Seth Meyer, Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Agriculture
    John Newton, Terrain Ag
    Alex Sayago, Vice President, Ag & Turf Sales & Marketing, Deere
    Harrison Pittman, National Agricultural Law Center
    Roger McEowen, Washburn University School of Law
    Paul Neiffer, Farm CPA Report
    Steve Boren, Vice President, Livestock, Boehringer Ingelheim

    “This is a great time to explore the rural economic impacts of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ that was recently signed into law, the prospects for a scaled down farm bill and the continued economic pressures on many farmers and ranchers,” said Agri-Pulse Founder & CEO Sara Wyant. “It’s a great opportunity to learn and network with other leaders.”

    The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse Communications will host the Forum at the Marriott Downtown Kansas City in Kansas City, MO. For more Ag Outlook Forum information and registration, click here. Early registration discounts expire August 22.

    Agri-Pulse, Events

    AgGateway Revises Data Ethics and Stewardship White Paper

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    After two years of work, AgGateway has released its revised White Paper on Data Ethics and Stewardship, accounting for the increasing reliance on data in agriculture that brings ethical, legal, and stewardship challenges.

    “The substantial work and commitment of volunteer members and staff to update and improve this document has been staggering, and now we are at last ready to share it with the agriculture community at large,” says Jeremy Wilson, Executive Vice President/COO and North American Director for AgGateway.

    Organization leaders are encouraged to review and use the white paper as a guide for current approaches to data ethics and stewardship. And, because this is intended to be a “living” document any suggestions for further revision or updates are welcomed.

    Key themes in the report include: Data ethics by design, Understanding agricultural data, Standardization & interoperability, Ethical considerations, Stewardship challenges, Legal & regulatory compliance, and Best practices and frameworks.

    The White Paper is available for download on the AgGateway website in either ANSI or A4 format as a pdf. Please direct any comments, concerns, or questions about the document to Ben Craker, Portfolio Manager, at ben.craker@aggateway.org.

    Individuals interested in the White Paper can learn more by attending a 45-minute webinar on 28 August at 9:00 AM Chicago/16:00 Paris. More details and registration information are available on the Inside AgGateway Webinar home page.

    Learn more about the new white paper in this interview with Jeremy Wilson:
    AgGateway White Paper interview with Jeremy Wilson 9:32

    AgGateway, AgWired Precision, Audio, data, Precision Agriculture, Technology

    Animal Ag News 8/13

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) notched a legal victory in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia affirming protections for cattle farmers and ranchers from onerous and unnecessary air emissions reporting requirements. NCBA, along with a coalition of other livestock and farm groups, has engaged in this litigation for years to ensure that family farmers and ranchers were not forced to file complex, overreaching reports with the federal government about emissions under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
  • Environmental managers in the poultry and egg industry face increasing pressure to meet regulatory demands while advancing sustainability and operational efficiency. USPOULTRY’s 2025 Environmental Management Seminar, taking place Sept. 18–19 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Fla., will offer practical insights and forward-thinking strategies to help navigate today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
  • Researchers at Auburn University recently developed new methods for safely using poultry processing wastewater for food-grade hydroponic crop production. By eliminating pathogens, like salmonella, the research team was able to use wastewater from a poultry processing plant to grow romaine lettuce safe for human consumption. The breakthrough promises not only a cost-effective means of irrigating crops with poultry byproduct water, but also better water conservation.
  • On Thursday, Aug. 7, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued an order that confirmed a reporting exemption for air emissions from the natural breakdown of animal waste at a farm. The court affirmed that the reporting exemption under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in June 2019, is appropriate because of the relationship between the reporting mandates under EPCRA and the Comprehensive Emergency Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as the federal Superfund law. This decision comes more than 20 years after USPOULTRY, the National Turkey Federation and the National Chicken Council formally requested that EPA exempt poultry farms from the requirement to report the emission of ammonia under CERCLA and EPCRA.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced the selection of 30 outstanding professionals from IDFA member companies to join the seventh cohort of the NextGen Leadership Program, a premier, year-long program designed to develop the dairy industry’s next generation of senior leadership. Cohort 7 was selected based on their experience and scope of responsibility within their organizations. Representing a wide cross-section of the dairy industry, including all segments and geographic regions, these individuals reflect the diversity and strength of the industry’s emerging leadership.
  • The nation’s school milk processors have reduced added sugars by nearly 60% in flavored milk products sold at schools as a result of a voluntary, industry-led effort. The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced the results of the Healthy School Milk Commitment launched in April 2023 by 37 school milk processors representing approximately 95 percent of the school milk volume in the United States. The Commitment calls on dairy companies to provide healthy, nutritious school milk options with fewer calories and no more than 10 grams of added sugar per 8-ounce serving by the 2025-2026 school year. The latest survey by IDFA shows the current level of added sugar in flavored milk is 7.2 grams per serving on average, demonstrating that all companies have met or exceeded the pledge.
  • Dairy Calf and Heifer Association’s August 21 webinar focuses on calf-rearing protocols. “Why do protocols fail? Setting up on-farm processes for success” – set for Aug. 21, at 2 p.m. Central time (U.S./Canada). Marisol Orellana, Diamond V calf and heifer field product specialist, will lead this free, one-hour educational offering.
  • Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) and Discover Dairy are inviting educators to register for the popular Adopt a Cow program, now open for the 2025–26 school year. This udderly delightful—and completely free—experience connects students with a real Wisconsin calf and her farm family, turning agriculture education into an unforgettable adventure.
  • 4-H and FFA members from across the state have joined with Missouri Farmers Care to make a difference far beyond the showring this year. After competing at the Missouri State Fair, they chose to donate their market hogs through Hogs for Hunger, a program that turns livestock projects into high quality protein for Missouri families facing hunger.
  • New soybean research and commercial learnings are available that evolve soy use as a feed ingredient in poultry, swine, dairy and beef diets. To share these important insights, the United Soybean Board is launching a new website called U.S. Soy Center for Animal Nutrition and Health (U.S. Soy CAN) to provide the latest research and information to livestock industries.
  • The South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC) is proud to announce Jon Dilworth as its new Executive Director. In this key leadership position, Jon will oversee the Council’s statewide beef promotion, education, and research programs funded through the Beef Checkoff. He will serve as a primary voice for South Dakota’s cattle producers while leading strategic outreach, retail and foodservice collaboration, and producer engagement initiatives that strengthen beef demand from pasture to plate.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Arkion Life Sciences Announces Promotions

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Arkion Life Sciences announces the promotion of two executives in its EgCel® IgY Technology business unit. Both are key executives within the business unit and will drive adoption and growth of the EgCel portfolio of products (EggTek® and ActivEgg®), pipeline innovations and new services brought to market.

    Shawn W. Jones, PhD, has been promoted to Director of Innovation & Manufacturing, EgCel IgY Technology. Jones is a published researcher and microbiologist who oversees production, research and development on the EgCel line of immune support products. He joined Arkion in 2020 and was most recently the Process and Development Manager. Prior to coming to Arkion, he worked to develop and scale-up novel fermentation and microbial processes for biomaterials and nutrition products.

    Michelle Tollefson has been promoted to Director of Commercialization, EgCel IgY Technology. Former Business Director for EgCel IgY, Tollefsonjoined Arkion in 2021. In her new role, she will bring new products and services to market and ensure their commercial success. Prior to Arkion, she held senior brand and marketing roles at Elanco, Bayer Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Pfizer, with a track record of delivering growth across dairy, swine, poultry, and pet health segments.

    EgCel IgY products provide a blanket of specific IgY antibodies to help close “the gap” between passive immunity provided by colostrum and the animal’s active immunity provided by vaccines.

    AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, people, Technology

    USDA Forecasts Record Corn Crop

    Cindy Zimmerman

    USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is forecasting a record corn crop this year, up 13% from last year, forecast at 16.7 billion bushels. Meanwhile, soybean growers are expected to decrease their production by two percent from 2024 to 4.29 billion bushels.

    Average corn yield is forecast at a record high 188.8 bushels per acre, up 9.5 bushels from last year. NASS also forecasts record high yields in Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin. As of Aug. 3, 73% of this year’s corn crop was reported in good or excellent condition, 6 percentage points above the same time last year.

    Soybean yields are expected to average a record high 53.6 bushels per acre, up 2.9 bushels from 2024. If realized, the forecasted yields in Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, and Virginia will be record highs.

    All wheat production is forecast at 1.93 billion bushels, down 2% from 2024, and NASS forecasts all cotton production at 13.2 million 480-pound bales, down 8% from last year.

    Corn, Cotton, Soybean, USDA, Wheat

    ACN and LPC Awards

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Agricultural Communicators NetworkLooking for the winners from the Agricultural Communicators Network (ACN) and Livestock Publications Council?

    Let’s get started with ACN. The winners were announced at the 2025 Ag Media Summit on July 29, 2025. Here is a complete list of all the winners.

    Livestock Publications CouncilHere are the Skill Excellence Award Winners. And a full list of Contest Results.

    For photos of awards that were presented on stage, look in the 2025 AMS Photo Album.

    ACN, Ag Media Summit, LPC, Media

    Industry Ag News 8/11

    Carrie Muehling

  • The National FFA Organization announced that its new membership number reflects more than one million FFA members nationwide, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Membership reached 1,042,245 this year with 9,407 chapters.
  • The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) released numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture today showing there are 526,263 farmers in the U.S. growing corn. NCGA has long said it represents the interest of over 300,000 corn growers. But that number, published by USDA, is the number of farms in the country, not the number of farmers making the decisions on the farm.
  • The Farm Progress Show launches an exclusive American Lager in partnership with Illinois-based Riggs Beer Company, available now at the brewery and select locations, ahead of the show’s 20th anniversary at its permanent biennial Decatur site. The beer features Illinois-grown grains and hops and will be available at the 2025 Farm Progress Show, scheduled for Aug. 26-28 in Decatur. Advance tickets cost $15 plus fees, with gate admission priced at $25.
  • Farm Journal Foundation is launching a new partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to bring its Voice of the Farmer Garden exhibit to USDA’s headquarters on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
  • The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) applauds the bipartisan, bicameral reintroduction of the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act, led by Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE). A companion house measure is led by Reps. Mark Alford (R-MO), Angie Craig (D-MN), Mark Messmer (R-IN), and Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI). This legislation will strengthen America’s leadership in biomanufacturing, expand markets for corn-based bioproducts, and support job creation across rural America.
  • Rusty Rumley, JD, LL.M, National Ag Law Center; James Mintert, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University; and Donald Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, are among the speakers confirmed to make presentations at the 2025 Annual Conference of the American Society of Agricultural Consultants (ASAC) in Indianapolis, Ind., November 2-4.
  • Dr. Temple Grandin, world-renowned animal behaviorist, author, and autism advocate, will keynote the upcoming Livestock Publications Council regional workshop. Learn from one of the most influential voices in agriculture, livestock handling, and neurodiversity. Her insights are practical, powerful, and unforgettable. Registration is now open!
  • Join a special University of Illinois Homecoming Huddle on Friday, September 26, to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Jim Evans and those helping bring the vision of the James F. Evans Global Center for Food and Agricultural Communications to life. Special programming for Evans Center donors will be part of this year’s event — more details to come!
  • Auburn University Professor Charles Chen was recently recognized for outstanding contributions to his field of peanut breeding and genetics. At the 57th annual meeting of the American Peanut Research & Education Society (APRES) July 15-17 in Richmond, Virginia, Chen was awarded the APRES Fellow award. APRES Fellows are active members of the society who have made outstanding contributions in an area of specialization, whether in research, extension or administration.
  • It’s not just about conversions anymore. This webinar explores how to read between the lines of your paid media data — tracking impressions, engagement and assisted conversions to uncover meaningful insights. Learn how to connect the dots between platforms, campaigns and business goals to get a true picture of your brand’s digital momentum. Join the upcoming National Agri-Marketing Association webinar From Clicks to Clarity: Using Analytics to Gauge Brand Momentum with Laura Baumhover and Shannon Hughes from Lessing-Flynn on August 14, 2025 at 11 a.m. central. Register here.
  • VANE Agricultural Insurance Solutions, a leading provider of custom agricultural insurance, announced the appointment of Clayton Becker as Chief Operating Officer. Becker will be responsible for overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations, driving business development, and accelerating sales growth while ensuring operational excellence.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Onward to the NAMA Nexus – Economies of Ag

    Chuck Zimmerman

    2025 NAMA NexusThe NAMA Boot Camp is complete and you can find some photos here. Now it’s time to look ahead for the new NAMA Nexus.

    The NAMA Fall Conference is evolving into … *drumroll please* … NAMA Nexus!

    This elevated, workshop-style event is designed to spark collaboration and drive real-world impact.

    Rather than traditional lecture-style sessions, you’ll engage directly with peers and industry experts in dynamic, discussion-based sessions. Bring your curiosity and individual experience to the table for the best, most engaging experience.

    These focused sessions will explore today’s most pressing topics and challenges — and deliver takeaways you can apply right away.

    You can see the schedule here. There are great sponsorship opportunities available for NAMA Nexus! For more information, contact Jenny Pickett at (913) 491-6500 or email.

    NAMA