Industry Ag News 8/3

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) announced that Evan Dean has joined the association as vice president, government and legislative affairs, starting July 13. In this role, Dean will lead NGFA’s federal advocacy efforts and help advance the association’s policy priorities on behalf of the grain, feed, processing, and export industries.
  • Kubota Tractor Corporation announced the appointment of Charlie Kowalski as Vice President of Information Technology for its U.S. operations. In this role, he will lead the company’s enterprise technology strategy and IT organization, supporting continued growth and operational excellence.
  • Registration is now open for the 2026 Sustainable Agriculture Summit, November 18-19 at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, TX. Register now through August 31 to secure an Early Rate of $800 and our lowest rates of the year. Single day passes and discounted rates for farmers, government employees, academia, students, and breakout speakers are also available.
  • Several years of high inflation and low commodity prices, coupled with volatile production costs, are continuing to squeeze farmers financially. These forces are projected to hit farmers with $32 billion in losses for the major row crops in 2027 after a projected loss of $31 billion in 2026. Fruit, vegetable, nut and other specialty crop farmers faced billions of dollars in losses in 2025, with difficult market conditions continuing throughout 2026. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the losses felt across the farm economy in the latest Farm Bureau Intel.
  • The Georgia Peanut Commission announces a new award and cash prize for food entrepreneurs: The Georgia Peanut Innovation Award will recognize and reward the most unique and viable new product concept inspired by Georgia Peanuts. The $10,000 cash prize will be awarded at the Sunbelt Ag Expo on Oct. 22, 2026. The contest is open to any new and unique application of peanuts, whether the product idea is in the prototype phase or has been on the market for less than a year. While the product must be food-related, it can be intended for either human or animal consumption.
  • The United Soybean Board (USB) is pleased to announce that Courtney Knupp will join the organization as its chief executive officer starting October 1. Knupp currently serves as director of global supply chain at the National Security Council. USB’s board of farmer-leaders, representing more than 30 states, ratified the decision at its July board meeting in Indianapolis.
  • In the year ahead, the United Soybean Board (USB) will boost demand for U.S. Soy℠, drive on-farm resilience and bring value to the nearly half a million U.S. soybean farmers. Led by its 77 farmer-leaders, USB recently approved a $122.5 million budget for the 2027 fiscal year, strategically allocating funds across vital research, promotion and education investments. This spans the food, feed, fuel, industrial, exports and sustainable production market segments.
  • Lessiter Media has announced the addition of Dale Jackman as Senior Sales Representative for the company’s ag division, where he will work with customers to develop integrated marketing programs across the company’s industry-leading brands, digital platforms and live events.
  • Meyocks has been selected by the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) to design and produce marketing materials and communication assets across a global portfolio, spanning domestic markets and international audiences.
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    Biocontrol Technologies and Wilbur-Ellis Enter Distribution Agreement

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Biocontrol Technologies has entered into a distribution agreement with Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness for the distribution of T34 Biocontrol® in the U.S. market.

    T34 Biocontrol® is a biological control agent based on the beneficial microorganism Trichoderma asperellum strain T34. The product is designed to support the control of foliar and soil-borne fungal diseases while promoting root health and overall plant resilience. Its mode of action allows it to be integrated into broader crop management strategies, contributing to healthier crops and more balanced production systems.

    In agronomic terms, T34 Biocontrol® is intended for use across a range of high-value crops, where soil health and disease pressure represent critical challenges. The product is designed to be incorporated into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs and used alongside conventional agricultural practices, providing growers with additional flexibility in disease management strategies.

    “The U.S. is a key market for the future of biological crop protection, and partnering with a distributor of Wilbur-Ellis’ scale and technical strength provides a strong platform to support growers with T34 Biocontrol,” said Biocontrol Technologies General Manager Eduard Fernando. “We are confident in the product’s role as part of integrated disease management programs.”

    Biocontrol Technologies is a biological crop protection solutions headquartered in Barcelona, Spain.

    AgWired Precision, Crop Protection, Fungicide, Precision Agriculture, Technology

    Submit Nominations for NAMA Professional Dev. Awards

    Chuck Zimmerman

    NAMA Pro Development AwardsCelebrate Marketing Excellence and submit Your Nominations for the Professional Development Awards by August 1.

    Do you know someone moving the industry forward while making a significant, positive impact within NAMA? Take the time to recognize them and submit a nomination! The online nomination form is a simple process.

    These awards honor NAMA members based on outstanding achievement in each of the Professional Development areas:

    • Marketing Communications
    • Product/Species Management
    • Public Relations
    • Sales

    Awards are presented at the NAMA Nexus (formerly Fall Conference), October 13-15 at the Downtown Marriott in Des Moines. Award winners receive complimentary registration to the meeting.

    Nominating someone is easy–just fill out the online form. Don’t wait – nominations are due by August 1. Get complete details here.

    Ag Groups, Agencies, Agribusiness, Marketing, NAMA

    Precision Ag News 7/27

    Carrie Muehling

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an opportunity for the public to help shape a national innovation challenge with up to $30 million in total prize funding. The challenge will support practical, cost-effective alternatives to conventional chemical crop desiccation, the common practice of spraying pesticides to dry out crops in the final days before harvest. Grounded in gold standard science, this effort will help American farmers bring in their harvest with fewer conventional chemicals while protecting human health and the environment.
  • Pivot Bio launches the Year of One Million Thanks Buddy Seat Tour, a more than 1,500-mile tractor tour to celebrate America’s farmers and highlight the need for investment in America’s most important industry. CEO Chris Abbott will travel across America’s Heartland, thanking the farmers who feed the world while joining them and industry leaders to explore the innovations, technologies and partnerships helping strengthen the future of American agriculture.
  • The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced that Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Peters is resigning from his role, effective September 30, 2026, concluding a 15-year career with NACD, 11 of those years serving as CEO.
  • Register for the next installment of the Inside AgGateway Webinar Series on Embracing Digital Connectivity, August 3 at 2:00 pm central time. The panel will include three organizations that have successfully implemented AgGateway digital messages to streamline product ordering and other key business transactions.
  • InnerPlant, the company that converts invisible biological reactions inside crops to visible data, today announced CropVoice Whole Farm, the 2027 version of its disease detection network that alerts corn and soy growers to fungal disease before symptoms are visible.
  • As drought conditions intensify across the West, farmers and crop consultants are facing reduced irrigation allocations and potential water delivery cutbacks. Diamond K Gypsum introduces a new suite of agricultural water saving products and an online tool that improve irrigation water use efficiency, soil performance and crop resilience in drought conditions. Aqua-Drive Elite is designed to improve water infiltration and soil moisture distribution by reducing surface tension of the water droplet and the soil. It allows irrigation water and precipitation to penetrate deeper into the root zone rather than being lost to runoff or evaporation.
  • Rometron announced the establishment of WEED-IT USA, its newly formed U.S. subsidiary in Wellington, Colorado. WEED-IT USA will support the accelerating demand and growth of WEED-IT precision spraying and spot-spraying technology throughout the United States.
  • The Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) selected Sami Robotics, a startup developing a multifunctional robotic platform capable of performing a variety of field tasks to receive the first WGCIT-sponsored residency slot at Reservoir Farms. The startup’s initial focus will be on harvesting. The residency will allow Sami to refine and test its technology alongside growers in real-world conditions at Reservoir’s Salinas location.
  • Syngenta and Groundwork BioAg announced a strategic partnership to market Groundwork’s mycorrhizal technology. Syngenta, the global leader in biological crop protection, now offers a biological solution that enhances crop performance, provides resistance to plant stress while improving soil health with a carbon credit program, generating an additional revenue stream for farmers.
  • Radicle Agronomics announced GeoKnife, a revolutionary soil sampling device designed to simplify on-farm soil sampling. Announced during the Radicle Summit held July 22 at Precision Planting Headquarters, GeoKnife takes a cross section of the soil at a controlled depth, reducing the noise that can be created by nutrient stratification and hot zones created by banded fertilizer.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    DWFI Podcast 54 – Decoding water quality at the Water Sciences Lab

    Cindy Zimmerman

    In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the Water Sciences Laboratory at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Host Frances Hayes sits down with Research Lab Manager Jennah Duncan to explore the vital work of monitoring our water resources.

    From the advanced technology of mass spectrometry and isotopic analysis to the real-world impact of agricultural management, we discuss how lab data informs critical water quality decisions. Jennah also breaks down the complexities of emerging contaminants like PFAS—often called “forever chemicals”—and shares insights from her first year leading the lab. Join us as we examine how Nebraska’s water quality challenges offer lessons for agricultural regions worldwide and learn why understanding the journey of our water is more important than ever.

    Learn more about the Water Sciences Lab: https://watercenter.unl.edu/water-sciences-laboratory/

    Learn more about the Know Your Well program mentioned in this episode: https://waterforfood.nebraska.edu/news-and-events/news/2026/06/inside-classrooms-nebraska-students-learn-the-importance-of-groundwater-with-know-your-well-program

    DWFI podcast episode 54 14:42

    The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska was founded with the mission to have a lasting and significant impact on achieving more food security with less pressure on scarce water resources by conducting scientific and policy research, using the research results to inform policy makers, and sharing knowledge through education and communication.

    How to subscribe:

    Audio, Podcasts, Research, Water, Water for Food

    Animal Ag News 7/24

    Carrie Muehling

  • The White House announced it is taking action to impose 50 percent tariffs on dairy imports from Canada to defend the rights of U.S. dairy exporters. The administration indicated it is invoking Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to “…hold Canada accountable for its retaliation and discrimination…” The National Milk Producers Federation and U.S. Dairy Export Council support the administration’s efforts to identify all possible avenues to drive Canada to make the necessary changes to its protectionist dairy trade practices.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is launching a new resource to help start the discussion about succession planning. The online learning module guides families through the steps of transition and helps them create a succession plan unique to their operation.
  • With optimism for the cattle business remaining strong, nearly 700 cattle producers from across the country gathered in Aurora, Colorado, for the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting. This event helps shape the future of the industry through grassroots policy development and discussions that will guide research, education and promotion efforts.
  • The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is now accepting nominations for the 2027 Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award. This award recognizes family farmers who demonstrate exceptional environmental stewardship in poultry and egg production. Eligible nominees include family-owned poultry growers or egg producers who supply products to a USPOULTRY member or are independent producers that are USPOULTRY members. The deadline for nominations is Oct. 23.
  • Land O’Lakes, Inc. announced a strategic investment in its Tulare, California, dairy processing facility to expand capabilities into high-value dairy protein production, positioning the cooperative to meet rapidly growing global demand for protein-rich nutrition, while also creating new opportunities for its farmer-owners.
  • Lely North America is proud to launch the Lely Farmers Market, a new online destination that connects consumers directly with farms across the country producing dairy food and products with care, precision and purpose.
  • CowManager, a technology leader in smart cow monitoring solutions, is strengthening its herd management platform with the development of a Milk Sensor designed to deliver faster, more informed decision-making around mastitis detection and the milking process. The Milk Sensor is designed for simple installation and ease of use, featuring a wireless, low-maintenance setup compatible with a wide range of parlor brands. CowManager will take the first steps to introduce the system later in 2026, with wider-scale availability planned for 2027.
  • The Meat Institute announced a new economic analysis by Decision Innovation Solutions finds that reinstating Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (mCOOL) for beef and pork would impose significant costs, more than $1 billion annually, across the U.S. meat supply chain, increasing expenses for livestock producers, meat processors, retailers, and consumers while providing little evidence of increased consumer demand for labeled products.
  • Wisconsin cow cheese and dairy product makers once again demonstrate the depth of the state’s cheesemaking expertise, capturing 106 awards, including one of the competition’s highest honors at the 2026 American Cheese Society Judging & Competition, in one of North America’s premier showcases of artisan cheese and cultured dairy products. Leading Wisconsin’s standout cow’s milk showing, Marieke Gouda Golden Mature is named the Highest-Scoring American Original, and Marieke Gouda Mature earns a place among the competition’s Top 11 Best of Show, recognizing it as one of the best cheeses from more than 1,600 submissions across the Americas.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced that Elizabeth “Liz” Demorest has joined the organization as director of PAC & political affairs, further strengthening the association’s advocacy and political engagement efforts on behalf of the U.S. dairy industry.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Congrats to ACN Award Winners

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Pictured are some of the winners at this year’s Ag Media Summit (ACN photo)

    Congratulations to the outstanding agricultural communicators recognized during the 2026 Ag Media Summit held this past week in St. Louis.

    The Agricultural Communicators Network is proud to recognize this year’s top Communications Contest winners:
    Communicator of the Year: Julianna Langemeier, Zoetis
    Designer of the Year: Matt Strelecki, People, Inc.
    Writer of the Year: Lisa Foust Prater, Successful Farming
    Photographer of the Year: Betty Haynes, Midwestern Lens
    Story of the Year: “Small Groups, Big Outcomes” by Lisa Foust Prater, Successful Farming
    Photo of the Year: “Harvest Hugs” by Betty Haynes, Midwestern Lens

    ACN also celebrated the following members and agricultural leaders:
    Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Albert Culbreath, University of Georgia
    Lifetime Achievement Awards: Den Gardner, Gardner & Gardner Communications, and Pamela Smith, DTN/The Progressive Farmer
    Andy Markwart Horizon Award: Andrew Castillo, Farm Progress
    President’s Award: Elizabeth Hodges, Farm Progress
    Fellows of ACN: Pam Caraway, Chris Clayton, Jamie Cole, Martha Mintz, Holly Spangler and Bill Spiegel

    View the complete list of 2026 Communications Contest winners and honorees.

    ACN, Ag Media Summit, Agribusiness

    Huma Proud to Offer New 4-in-1 Control for Farmers

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Huma® is proud to offer its new PROUD 4™ to the marketplace during this challenging time for agriculture to provide farmers of various crops a four-in-one nematicide, miticide, fungicide and insecticide for broad-spectrum control of pests both above and below the ground.

    “So if you’ve got soil-borne pathogens or if you’ve got nematodes, it’s an excellent product to apply to the soil or through irrigation, and it will control those incredibly well,” says Huma Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Fred Nichols. “And then it also has great control of above ground pests, so soft bodied insects, thrips, mites. And then of course, a variety of various fungal diseases.”

    Fred Nichols, Huma

    Nichols says PROUD 4® is an OMRI-Listed® crop protection product and can be used on a wide variety of crops. “So farmers in central Illinois can utilize it right now to spray on their soybeans as is a great fungicide. Those in California can apply it to strawberries or potatoes,” said Nichols. “And it can also be applied anytime during the season… a lot of advantages there.”

    Nichols adds, “The level of control we’re seeing, along with an attractive price point, provides an unbeatable value for growers that’s OMRI-listed and safe for crops. Plus, ag retailers and farmers can stock just one product for multiple pest control needs.”

    Learn more about Huma and PROUD 4 at PROUD4.com, and hear more about it in this interview.
    Interview with Fred Nichols, Huma 9:00

    AgWired Precision, Audio, Crop Protection, Farming, Fungicide, Insecticides, Soil, Soybean, specialty crops

    Pivot Bio Launches Year of One Million Thanks Buddy Seat Tour

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Today at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Pivot Bio launched the “Year of One Million Thanks Buddy Seat Tour,” which will travel more than 1,500 miles around the country to celebrate America’s farmers and highlight the need for investment in the nation’s most critical industry.

    Pivot Bio CEO Chris Abbott will personally travel on the tour of America’s rural communities with a working family tractor, meeting with farmers in their fields and communities to listen to their experiences, celebrate their contributions and explore the ideas that will shape the next generation of agriculture. “Agriculture isn’t simply another industry, it’s absolutely foundational to every community and economy. Farmers are solving some of the world’s biggest challenges every day, yet their voices aren’t always part of the broader conversation,” said Abbott.

    Pivot Bio kicks off The Year of One Million Thanks Buddy Seat Tour in St. Louis

    During the tour, Abbott will be inviting innovators, technologists, business leaders, policymakers and academic leaders to take a turn in the buddy seat to raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges facing agriculture and the investment and technology needed to continue moving forward.

    Fourth generation Missouri farmer Tom Boedeker and 5th generation Alabama Farmer Kyle Bridgeforth are also part of the tour, joining Pivot Bio for the kickoff in St. Louis.

    “Our Founding Honorary Ambassadors remind us that every farm has a story,” Abbott said. “These two farm families represent the resiliency that is on display every day across rural America. Some stories are measured in generations. Others are measured by perseverance through adversity. Together, they represent the many faces of American agriculture and the people whose work makes life possible for all of us.”

    The Year of One Million Thanks Buddy Seat Tour will conclude at the A Million Thanks Festival – Live from the Heartland next year, where all 15 Founding Honorary Ambassadors will be recognized as part of Pivot Bio’s 15th anniversary celebration and a nationwide expression of gratitude to America’s farmers.

    Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Irrigation, Precision Agriculture, Technology, Tractor

    Industry Ag News 7/17

    Carrie Muehling

  • The Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year state winners have been announced for 2026.
  • AgCareers is calling on agriculture and food employers across the United States to help shape the 2026-2027 Agriculture and Food HR Review, one of the industry’s most comprehensive sources of human resources benchmarking data and workforce insights. The Agriculture and Food HR Review gathers information directly from employers to identify emerging workforce trends, hiring challenges, compensation practices, retention strategies, employee development initiatives, AI tools, and other critical human resources priorities impacting the agriculture and food sectors.
  • The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) recognized Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) with the President’s Award during its summer Corn Congress meeting in Washington.
  • The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol has announced that 2.34 million U.S. cotton planted acres now provide field-level data through the program for the 2026 crop year, representing nearly one in four of the 9.85 million total acres planted this season across the Cotton Belt.​
  • Bayer enters an exclusive licensing agreement with RAGT, a leading company in the European wheat seed market, advancing its plans to sell hybrid wheat seeds in Europe and North America simultaneously by the early 2030s. Hybrid wheat represents a large, untapped opportunity in the world’s most widely grown food crops and Bayer targets annual revenues of up to 1 billion euros after just over a decade after launch. The move is part of Bayer’s growth ambitions beyond its current blockbuster launches by expanding its core portfolio to hybrid wheat as a key franchise.
  • Syngenta Group announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Hengde Qin as Chief Executive Officer, effective August 1, 2026, following a thorough nomination and succession process. Qin, currently Chief Operating Officer and Head of Seeds, succeeds Jeff Rowe, who will remain in the role through August 1 before returning to the United States after nearly 10 years with the company.
  • The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) elected its 2026-27 officers at the 2026 ASTA Leadership Summit, which took place in Milwaukee, WI June 9-11, 2026. In his remarks during the ASTA Leadership Summit, Chair Bryan Gerard expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for the year ahead. He spoke about his hope for this year, with a theme of Back to the Future.
  • The Clean Fuels Alliance Foundation is pleased to announce the election of Chelsey Robinson to its board of directors.
  • United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) Executive Director Norma Ritz Johnson has informed the organization’s Board of Directors of her decision to retire from that role at the end of 2026, following a distinguished career in agriculture, organizational management and community leadership.
  • The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) announced that RJ Karney has joined the organization as Vice President, Head of Government Affairs, effective immediately.
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