Preview of the 2026 AgGateway Annual Mtg. & Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

AgGateway Annual Meeting & Conference 2026The 2026 AgGateway Annual Meeting & Conference is coming up November 9-11 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The theme of the meeting this year is Driving The Future of Connected Agriculture and the key words are Implement, Impact and Advocate, according to AgGateway President and CEO Brent Kemp. “Our members and Ag Gateway don’t just develop standards. We implement standards and resources, Member companies implement them within their businesses and among their trading partners. And when they do, they produce real measurable efficiencies and savings,” said Kemp.

Kemp says the annual meeting is the one place where digital connectivity stakeholders from across the agriculture value chain come together to share ideas, work on key projects, assess the state of connected agriculture, and set a course for the future of the organization.

Learn more about what’s in store at the meeting in this interview.

Interview with Brent Kemp, AgGateway 10:46

As AgGateway’s many digital connectivity and interoperability projects continue to move forward, the constantly evolving impact of artificial intelligence technology presents myriad challenges to the work of our member volunteers and staff. How can the organization harness this powerful tool to improve how standards are developed and implemented, and what role will the organization play to help members successfully navigate their own internal AI development?

This and many other critical industry topics around digital connectivity and interoperability will be in focus at the 2026 AgGateway Annual Meeting and Conference this November in Nashville, TN.

AgGateway, AgWired Precision, AI, Audio, Technology

Syngenta Seeds Showcases Durastak at FPS 26

Cindy Zimmerman

At the recent 2026 Farm Progress Show in Iowa, Syngenta highlighted its new Durastak corn rootworm trait technology available for the 2027 growing season.

Stefan Swenson, Syngenta Corn Product Manager, says Durastak is the industry’s first three-Bt-protein stack specifically designed for corn rootworm control. “As compared to the other corn rootworm offerings, the unique part about Durastak is that it brings two unique mode of actions from their protein perspective,” said Swenson. “So if you’re thinking about rotating modes of action, rotating proteins on your farm, Durastak brings something different to help you combat that pest.”

Stefan Swenson, Syngenta Corn Product Manager

Swenson says corn rootworm damage can cost farmers up to $1 billion annually, with yield losses associated with rootworm injury. “Well, we call it a billion dollar pest commonly in the industry and I think probably the thing that’s most interesting about it and unfortunate is that corn rootworm is expanding its range so it’s becoming a problem to folks who maybe haven’t had to deal with it before.”

Syngenta featured five Durastak hybrids available for 2027 at the Farm Progress Show and Swenson says some of the hybrids also combine Durastak with Viptera trait technology for broader lepidopteran control. “The best way to find out more is to reach out to your local Golden Harvest sales representative or dealer in the area and they can help you out in placement because traits are one thing, but putting the right genetics on your farm is almost as important.”

Learn more in this interview.
FPS26 Stefan Swenson, Syngenta 2:16

2026 Farm Progress Show photo album

Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, Corn, Farm Progress Show, Seed, Syngenta, Technology

Farm Bill Reported Out of Senate Ag Committee

Cindy Zimmerman

The Senate Agriculture Committee met again Wednesday for the first time in over a month to re-vote on the Agriculture Act of 2026 – the farm bill, including E15 – and pass it along party lines by a vote of 12 to 11. Republicans prevailed on the vote this time with the presence of both Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Sen. Tom Tuberville (R-AL) who were absent during the last meeting. In response, all farm and biofuel groups sent out press releases applauding the action.

As he opened the meeting, Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) called for a vote immediately without any discussion and was surprised by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) bringing up an amendment she wanted to make to Title 12 of the bill that would protect livestock producers from state legislation like California’s Proposition 12. “I didn’t expect this,” said Boozman, as Sen. Ernst repeatedly called for a ruling from the chair. “It was a timely amendment. It is not out of order,” said Ernst. Ultimately, both Ernst and fellow Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley voted in favor of reporting the bill out of committee, despite their differences with the chairman.

Boozman argued that since the committee recessed instead of adjourned in August, it was understood they would come back to where they were at recess. “Then we could vote again without reopening the entirety of the bill. And if we did… the reality is we would have to start the whole committee to be fair. And we’re not prepared to do that,” said Boozman.

It was clear that the path forward with the farm bill on the Senate floor will hinge on SNAP and the Democrats demand for a a two-year delay of the SNAP cost share, but Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) stressed the need for getting the bill passed. “This bill has many other bipartisan provisions, including the year-round E15 that we’re really we’ve been working on – and I’m looking at Senator Ernst, Senator Fisher, Senator Grassley, Senator Thune, Senator Moran – for so long, and a stronger farm and ranch stress assistant network. All of this shows that there’s a lot we agree on this bill and that we really can’t afford to not get this done by the end of the year,” said Klobuchar.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) agreed. “Our farmers need certainty. And one of the things that’s included in here is E15, which is something I think a lot of us have fought long and hard for, and which is really important to a lot of producers across this country, and I would argue to help lower gas prices.”

Among the provisions included in the Senate bill is mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef added in August as a bipartisan amendment from Sen. Thune. The language directs USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative to develop a WTO-compliant path to restore labeling, rather than immediately reinstating the pre-2015 system. However, the House version does not include MCOOL, so the provision would still have to survive conference if both chambers pass their bills.

Listen to the committee meeting proceedings here:
Senate ag committee farm bill vote 40:14

Audio, Ethanol, Farm Bill

Animal Ag News 9/16

Carrie Muehling

  • It’s not too early to start getting involved in CattleCon 2027, which is returning to downtown Nashville, Tennessee, for an encore performance, Feb. 2-4, 2027, with business meetings beginning Feb. 1. Applications are being accepted for the NCBA National Anthem Contest, sponsored by Norbrook®, Beef’s Got Talent, internships and scholarships. The 14th annual NCBA National Anthem Contest, sponsored by Norbrook®, is accepting entries through Oct. 15.
  • The Voice of Milk announced its 2027 Dairy Strong conference is set to take place at a new location: Lambeau Field in Green Bay. It will kick off at the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame on Jan. 13, followed by a full day of programming on Jan. 14.
  • Poultry industry safety professionals gathered at the 2026 National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry to explore strategies for to continue to promote safe workplaces through prevention, early intervention and greater employee engagement. Across the various discussions, one message remained consistent: effective safety programs depend on recognizing potential risks early and turning that information into meaningful action. The conference also celebrated industry achievements in workplace safety, recognizing a record 272 poultry facilities for outstanding safety performance.
  • After nearly two decades building one of the most extensive scientific foundations in animal nutrition, the United Soybean Board (USB) is launching a new advisory structure designed to accelerate the adoption of soy-based solutions across animal agriculture. The new framework transitions USB’s longstanding Animal Nutrition Working Group (ANWG) into four advisory teams representing swine, poultry, dairy and beef production.
  • The producer-led boards of the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) and National Pork Board (NPB) have approved an agreement to integrate SHIC into NPB by the end of 2026. For pork producers, the integration is designed to preserve SHIC’s emerging-disease capabilities while connecting them more directly to the industry’s broader swine health priorities.
  • The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has released “Our Industry, Our Promise,” its 2025–26 State of the U.S. Animal Food Industry Report, highlighting how the animal food industry continued feeding animals, supporting communities and driving innovation amid political, regulatory and global market changes.
  • Nofence, the company that pioneered virtual fencing for livestock, launches the N3 cattle collar, which is lighter, stronger and has additional features compared to its predecessors. The N3 is the foundation of a precision livestock management platform that brings containment, herd health monitoring and land management together in a single system. Producers using the N3 stay connected to their herds through cellular, satellite and HerdNet™ collar-to-collar communication networks.
  • Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) is accepting entries for its 2027 New Product Competition, challenging undergraduate and graduate students across the United States to develop innovative dairy-based products for consumers seeking sustained energy.
  • The leader in intelligent nutrition announced the launch of the NOVUS® Ingredient Assessment Service (NIAS), giving poultry and swine customers a new resource to evaluate the quality of a key feed ingredient.
  • Students pursuing careers in the beef industry are encouraged to apply for the 2027 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship through the National Cattlemen’s Foundation. Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded. The application deadline is Oct. 9, 2026. For more information and to apply, visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org.
  • The National Pork Producers Council is looking for the next generation of pork industry leaders. Applications are now open for the 2027 Lois Britt Memorial Pork Industry Scholarship, which will award ten $2,500 scholarships to college students pursuing careers in the pork industry. The program is supported by CME Group and the National Pork Industry Foundation. Applications are due Friday, December 11.
  • A new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange shows U.S. milk protein production began outpacing butterfat last August, when protein values surpassed butterfat for the first time in recent years. The report notes that a more balanced composition of butterfat and protein will help keep the U.S. competitive with the world’s other leading dairy exporters in addition to supporting domestic cheesemakers.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    ZimmCast 764 – Syngenta at the Farm Progress Show 2026

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

    In this episode I’m going to share several interviews that Laura McNamara conducted with Syngenta during the 2026 Farm Progress Show. You can find many more along with photos in our AgNewsWire virtual newsroom for the show.

    Let’s start with Eddie Kahle, Golden Harvest, Head of Marketing. Next will be Matt Dolch, Syngenta Corn Products Manager. Then ending with Ryan Dunsbergen, Golden Harvest Soybean Product Manager. Lots of new products and more will be coming from Syngenta.

    Listen to the episode here:
    ZimmCast 764 - Syngenta at the Farm Progress Show 2026 (12:43)

    That’s the ZimmCast for now. I hope you enjoyed it and thank for listening.

    Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

    Agribusiness, Audio, Corn, Farm Progress Show, Golden Harvest, Soybean, ZimmCast

    Industry Ag News 9/9

    Carrie Muehling

  • The Field Crop Seed Convention (FCSC) is back in Chicago this winter. Registration is now open for the American Seed Trade Association’s (ASTA) premier annual gathering, taking place December 7-10, 2026, at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk. Following extensive feedback from member companies, exhibitors, and attendees, FCSC is returning to Chicago.
  • Kubota North America announced its support of a new four-part docuseries “Farm School’d,” produced by FARMUSE and hosted by Taylor Moran, a content creator, homeschool educator, and founder of The Natural State School in Arkansas. The series, underwritten by Kubota, explores farm-based learning through the stories of families and educators connecting students to the land through animal care, growing food, tending gardens, and hands-on projects at multiple farm school locations.
  • As soybean harvest approaches, farmers have a narrow, high-value window to uncover a hidden yield thief. Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and other parasitic nematodes can cut yields sharply with no visible symptoms, and fall, right after harvest, is the best time to test soil and find out what’s lurking. To help farmers act on that window, the Soy Checkoffsm is directing growers to the Soybean Nematode Management Guides, a set of science-based tools it helped fund to identify and manage four yield-robbing nematode species.
  • Bourgault Industries Ltd., a Linamar company, is pleased to announce a strategic alliance with CNH, bringing together Bourgault’s industry-leading seeding expertise with the global reach and strong dealer networks of Case IH and New Holland. Through this collaboration, Bourgault will supply co-branded seeding solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of farming operations across North America, Australia, and other key international markets.
  • The World Food Prize Foundation announced it will attempt to break the world record for the most hunger relief meals packaged in one hour on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, during the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue in Des Moines. The Foundation will gather volunteers at the Iowa Events Center’s EMC Expo Center with a goal to package 600,000 meals. The current world record is 530,064 meals, but the Foundation, working in partnership with Meals from the Heartland, aims to unite thousands of individuals to surpass this number.
  • The American Soybean Association welcomed David Johanson, former chairman and commissioner of the U.S. International Trade Commission, to its government affairs team as ASA international trade advisor. Johanson has extensive international trade experience, with much of his career focused on agriculture.
  • The Nebraska Ag Expo, December 8-10, is kicking off its 20th anniversary celebration with a bold new look, unveiling a completely redesigned NebraskaAgExpo.com and a powerful new logo—launching an exciting new chapter for one of the nation’s premier indoor agricultural shows. Brighter, bolder, and built to capture the energy of the show, the new website gives attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and agricultural professionals a front-row look at everything the Nebraska Ag Expo has to offer. Expanded content, vibrant photography, featured exhibitors, event facts, and prominent ticket access make it easier than ever to plan for the Expo and discover what is ahead.
  • Fifteen farm families were recently announced by the University of Georgia Peanut Team for their high yielding peanuts in 2025. The high yields ranged from 4,156 to 6,794 pounds per acre.
  • The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Law Center announced the launch of Data on Economic and Bankruptcy Trends in Agriculture (DEBT), a data project that aims to provide a more comprehensive view of bankruptcy trends across the agricultural sector. The project compiles agricultural bankruptcy filings under both Chapter 11 and Chapter 12.
  • Western Growers will present D.M. Camp & Sons CEO Edwin Camp with the 2026 Award of Honor at the organization’s 100th Annual Meeting in November. The Award of Honor is Western Growers’ highest recognition of achievement and is given annually to individuals who have contributed extensively to the agricultural community.
  • The United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) has named Dr. Jourdan Bell as its next director of agronomy. Bell will join the Sorghum Checkoff on Oct. 1, succeeding Dr. Brent Bean, who will retire Sept. 30 after a distinguished career advancing sorghum production, research and producer education.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Golden Harvest® Xperience Gives Farmers a Plan

    Cindy Zimmerman

    At Farm Progress Show last week, Golden Harvest representatives were giving farmers a taste of GHX, the Golden Harvest® Xperience.

    “It’s our digital platform that helps farmers place products on the best acre possible, gives them management tips and also agronomic insights throughout the year,” said Golden Harvest Marketing Head Eddie Kahle. “So it uses some AI to help understand what diseases pests might come in at different times a year, alerts the seed advisor and the farmer of the issues, and proposes possible solutions.”

    Kahle says AI is giving farmers a new way to get ahead of yield-robbing problems. “So in the past, we scout the field, we see a pest, and then we spray or we change a management technique. With AI, what we’re doing is taking weather patterns and different environmental factors and trying to predict what pests will introduce themselves at different times of the year so that we can be ahead of the curve rather than being reactive like we are in the past.”

    Learn more in this interview.
    FPS26 Eddie Kahle, Golden Harvest 5:19

    2026 Farm Progress Show photo album

    Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, AI, Audio, Farm Progress Show, Golden Harvest, Syngenta, Technology

    Precision Ag News 9/8

    Carrie Muehling

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking steps to speed up progress in plant science by calling on universities and stakeholders to help build new AI tools that can translate the huge amount of germplasm data the agency collects. Through the Genesis Mission and the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA), USDA is expected to launch an Agricultural National Science & Technology Challenge later this year. The Challenge will ask innovators to create practical solutions that pull together different types of information—like images, field data, and lab results—so scientists can quickly spot important plant and seed traits and develop crops that are more resilient and productive.
  • CHS, America’s leading farmer-owned cooperative, and OCP North America, a subsidiary of the OCP Group, are taking a major step to strengthen domestic fertilizer production in the United States. Through a proposed joint venture, the two companies are preparing to build and operate a phosphate fertilizer production facility at the Cornerstone Energy Park located in Waggaman, Louisiana. The new plant is expected to produce over 1 million metric tonnes of phosphate-based fertilizer annually and would be the first of its kind constructed in the United States since 1984. For more about the project, visit chsinc.com/FertilizerforAmericanFarmers or ocpna.com/FertilizerforAmericanFarmers
  • Ouster, Inc, a leader in sensing and perception for Physical AI, has announced that GUSS Automation, a wholly owned John Deere Subsidiary and a pioneer in autonomous high-value crop operations, plans to incorporate Ouster’s Rev8 OS0 native color digital lidar sensors, powered by the breakthrough L4 Ouster Silicon, into the next generation of its Autonomous Orchard Machine Fleet. The integration is expected to further expand machine capabilities while underscoring the role of advanced sensing technologies in helping autonomous agricultural machines operate in complex outdoor environments.
  • AGCO opened a new, expanded Parts Distribution Center in Visalia, Calif., on September 1, 2026, significantly increasing the range of parts stocked for farmers and dealers across the western United States. Located in the heart of West Coast agriculture, the modern facility replaces AGCO’s existing Visalia location and is designed to improve parts availability, accelerate delivery times and strengthen service for farmers and dealers across the western United States. A grand opening of the facility is planned for the first quarter of 2027.
  • Switch Bioworks, the deep tech pioneer programming microbes to solve humanity’s toughest manufacturing challenges, starting with nitrogen fertilizer produced on the plant root, announced the appointment of Gordana M. Djordjevic, Ph.D., PMP, as Chief Scientific Officer and Eric Bartels, Ph.D., to its Board of Advisors. These appointments arrive at a pivotal moment for Switch as the company expands its operations and advances its genetic-switch platform toward commercialization.
  • The new Case IH WD6 series windrower features a first-of-its-kind Relative Yield Mapping technology. Producers can now view a map of relative in-field yield variations while harvesting. This unlocked data is seamlessly viewable through Case IH FieldOps, providing actionable agronomic insights for year-over-year optimization. With Connectivity Included, producers can connect to FieldOps and access yield-specific data with no annual subscription costs.
  • Learnard Seed Services is celebrating 90 years of serving farmers across Vermilion County, Illinois, and surrounding areas, marking a milestone that reflects decades of trusted relationships, agronomic expertise and commitment to agriculture. To celebrate the 90-year milestone, the dealership is promoting the anniversary through apparel, advertising and a planned customer appreciation event later this summer.
  • Reinke Manufacturing, a global leader in irrigation systems and technology, has been selected as winner of the “Irrigation Innovation of the Year” award for the E3™ center pivot. The 7th annual AgTech Breakthrough Awards honors innovators driving sustainable solutions in the global agricultural and food technology markets today.
  • Camilla Corsi, Head of Crop Protection Research & Development at Syngenta, is the winner of the prestigious 2026 American Chemical Society (ACS) International Award for Research in Agrochemicals. The ACS Fall Meeting held a symposium in her honor to recognize her influential leadership and contributions to the discovery of the fungicide pydiflumetofen (ADEPIDYN® technology); the insecticides isocycloseram (PLINAZOLIN® technology) and spiropidion (TINIVION® technology); as well as the novel SDHI (succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor) nematicide cyclobutrifluram (TYMIRIUM® technology).
  • Biotalys announced the formal appointment of Dr. Carlo Boutton as Chief Executive Officer, following his successful leadership as CEO ad interim since March 2026.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    The Passing of Ray Gaesser

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Ray Gaesser at 2018 Bayer AgVocacy Forum

    We are sad to learn that Iowa farmer Ray Gaesser passed away September 5 following a farm accident. He was always so friendly and it was fun to talk with him over the years. He was a former Iowa Soybean Association and American Soybean Association president and was just shy of turning 74 years old on September 14.

    Ray was an advocate for conservation and strong trade relationships and was well known in the agricultural community. An outpouring of sympathy was posted on his Facebook page Saturday within minutes of the first news of his passing. Media outlets DTN and Agri-Pulse paid tribute in stories about him and reaction to his passing.

    Like many in the farm media, we interviewed Ray on several occasions over the years. Here is one from back in March 2018 at Commodity Classic when he received the Distinguished Leadership Award from the American Soybean Association and was running for Iowa agriculture secretary.

    Listen to that interview here: Interview with Ray Gaesser, Iowa farmer

    Mass of Christian Burial for Ray Gaesser, 73, of the Corning/Lenox area will be held Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Lenox. Visitation will be held Friday, September 18, 2026 at St Patrick’s Catholic Church Parish Center from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed towards Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund OR The Ray Gaesser Choir Scholarship Fund.

    Ag Groups, ASA, Audio, people, Soybean

    President Trump Reinforces Commitment to Ranchers

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Flanked by beef producers from around the country, President Donald Trump signed Executive Orders on Friday and USDA made additional announcements supporting America’s ranchers and protecting our nation’s cattle herd.

    The orders and announcements include efforts to allow on-farm meat processing, stricter enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, protecting herds from gray wolves, and studying implementation of mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL). Much of what is outlined in the EOs is in the form of studies and reports to be done, or requires additional action at the state or federal level, such as MCOOL, which was authorized in the 2002 and 2008 farm bills but was challenged by Canada and Mexico when it was finally implemented and ultimately ended in 2015. When President Trump was asked about implementing labeling, he said, “I understand Congress has something to do with that one, so we’re putting it in front of Congress right away. It should be no problem.”

    Among those who joined President Trump in the White House for the announcement were American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, R-CALF USA President Dave Hyde, ranchers Jim Mundorf, Casey Murph, and Amanda Radke, and former NFL Hall of Famer and first generation Wisconsin rancher Joe Thomas.

    “I had the important opportunity today to speak with President Trump after the Oval Office event to let him know that the plan to increase beef imports is hurting farm families,” said Duvall in a statement after the Oval Office event. “I shared with him that we have witnessed significant price drops for cattle across the country. It has caused a setback to rebuilding the U.S. herd. We’ll continue to urge the administration to reverse the decision to increase imports before cattle prices fall further.”

    President Trump was asked what countries were importing beef under the recently announced plan. “It’s coming from Argentina, it’s coming from Brazil, it’s coming from a couple of other places, we have our inspectors down, it’s very clean, it’s very good,” said Trump. “And we’re doing it in a very limited fashion because our ranchers can handle it. But our ranchers really needed a little bit of help. And our ranchers want the prices to be down too. They want to see the prices come down.”

    “Since 1980, we’ve lost 600,000 ranchers in this country,” said Sec. Rollins. “We cannot continue freedom in America without those who feed and fuel us. And so today, this signal to our ranchers, the signal to rural America, but really the signal to the world is that American ranching and American farmers are back.”

    Amanda Radke, a sixth generation rancher from South Dakota who was at the Oval Office event, said the president’s actions are a great start to restoring confidence for the nation’s cattle ranchers to retain heifers and rebuild the herd. “These actions aren’t an overnight fix to the broken system that American beef cattle producers have had to operate under for so many years, but it’s a historic step in the right direction that we should all celebrate,” Radke said on her social media accounts.

    Listen to the President and others at the signing.
    President Trump and beef producers 28:27

    AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Livestock