Precision Ag News 10/22

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • MyLand, a leading innovator in soil health, announced an expansion of its collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife Research, designed to accelerate the adoption of sustainable soil practices across Texas and beyond.
  • The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) is proud to announce its new role as the leading voice for crop biotechnology advocacy and regulation, following the dissolution of the Agriculture and Environment Section (BIO AE) of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) in July 2025.
  • AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc., a leading provider of advanced drone and aerial imaging solutions, is proud to announce the launch of the company’s MicaSense™ RedEdge-P™ Triple sensor package. This groundbreaking system, featuring each of the company’s three RedEdge-P camera models mounted simultaneously on a single drone, establishes a new standard for capability in precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, and geospatial mapping.
  • Traction Ag Inc., the first cloud-based farm accounting software delivering solutions to growers across the Midwest, has appointed Hannah Parsons as Chief Operating Officer.
  • Agriculture’s long-term sustainability will rest on its ability to attract the best and brightest among the next generation of college graduates to build long-term careers in the industry. This is the main driver behind the Gateway to Ag Careers program, hosted by AgGateway and sponsored by the AgCIO Roundtable, with additional support from Syngenta.
  • Agtonomy, a leading software and services company specializing in automation and physical AI solutions for agriculture and land management, announced a bold expansion in the United States with new deployments in the Southeast and its first international commercial operation in Australia. Following its mission to get AI-enabled autonomous fleets in growers’ hands faster, Agtonomy is accelerating adoption of advanced agriculture technology in diverse regions—unlocking efficiency and productivity for specialty crop producers and land managers worldwide.
  • Erin Roesler, deputy executive director of the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, received the UAS Sky Pioneer Award on Oct. 15 during the general session of the 19th annual UAS Summit & Expo, produced by UAS Magazine.
  • The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is taking proactive steps to enhance its AI solution for the fresh produce industry by leveraging Agtools‘ comprehensive dataset on global commodity prices, market trends, and trade activity. IFPA aims to provide its member companies with a more robust and accurate understanding of their business as Agtools provides current insights data on global commodity prices, volumes scraped, curated, and audited every 15 seconds.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    MyLand and Texas A&M Expand Soil Health Research

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Soil health innovator MyLand and Texas A&M AgriLife Research are expanding their collaboration designed to accelerate the adoption of sustainable soil practices across Texas and beyond. The new phase will focus research in Texas on microalgae’s impact on nutrient density, water efficiency, citrus greening, and sustainable farming practices

    This milestone builds on the success of the collaboration, which began in 2023. Over the past two years, MyLand and AgriLife Research have expanded soil research and data collection across 12,000 acres in Texas, representing multiple soil types, crops, and regions. Building on this momentum, the program’s microalgae expansion will add 10,000 more acres, deepen collaborative research, and explore new applications of MyLand’s microalgae-based Soil as a Service™ to drive agricultural success and sustainability. This expansion underscores the growing value of public-private collaboration in advancing economically resilient agriculture.

    The expanded research program includes studies such as nutrient density of food, water use efficiency, soil salinity, improving groves impacted by citrus greening, and studying microalgae’s impact on reduced water and inputs while maintaining turf quality for sports fields and golf courses.

    “Our collaboration with MyLand brings research out of the lab and into farmers’ fields, where results truly matter” said Dr. G. Cliff Lamb, Director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research. “It’s partnerships like this that show how soil health isn’t just about crops – it’s about people, communities, and the future of Texas agriculture.”

    With continued collaboration, MyLand and AgriLife Research are cultivating a future where healthy soils mean healthier farms, stronger food systems, and more resilient ecosystems.

    AgWired Precision, Citrus, land, Precision Agriculture, Research, Soil, specialty crops, Water

    Traction Ag Appoints Chief Operating Officer

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Cloud-based farm accounting software company Traction Ag has appointed Hannah Parsons as Chief Operating Officer.

    Parsons is an experienced operator known for building structure around innovation and aligning vision, people, and process to deliver results. At Barn Owl Technologies, she established the systems, teams, and culture that enabled the company’s evolution from an early-stage e-commerce startup to a respected name in agricultural technology through product development and government-backed research initiatives.

    As COO, Parsons will lead Traction Ag’s day-to-day operations, ensuring the company’s systems, teams, and customer experience scale in step with its growth. Her focus will be on translating strategic goals into clear execution across growth, customer success and operations. The appointment comes at a pivotal moment as more farms seek integrated financial platforms to manage increasingly complex operations and data-driven decisions.

    AgWired Precision, data, people, Precision Agriculture

    Animal Ag News 10/20

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) responded to comments from President Donald J. Trump that suggested importing Argentinian beef as a solution to lower beef prices. NCBA’s family farmers and ranchers are concerned that rewarding Argentina with this expanded access to the U.S. market harms American cattlemen and women, while also interfering with the free market.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is accepting nominations for the 2026 Environmental Stewardship Awards. Established in 1991, the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) annually recognizes outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of cattle producers across the country.
  • Michigan Milk Producers Association received the honor of Cooperative Communicator of the Year in the National Milk Producers Federation’s annual cooperative communications contest, winning five categories and a ‘Best of Show’ award in the Writing category. Dairy Farmers of America’s farmer-member Paul Windemuller received NMPF’s Farmer Communicator of the Year award.
  • Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative now ranks as the second-largest dairy cooperative in the nation, based on milk volume, according to Hoard’s Dairyman. The ranking moved Edge from third to second place due to an increase in member milk volume and growth in farm membership.
  • At the forefront of poultry production, USPOULTRY’s 2025 Live Production, Welfare and Biosecurity Seminar addressed critical challenges posed by avian diseases, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and avian metapneumovirus, while emphasizing the importance of housing in poultry practices. Industry leaders presented forward-thinking approaches to improving flock health and biosecurity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a careful balance between production efficiency and maintaining animal welfare best practices.
  • The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) is pleased to announce the 2026 Young Leaders Under 30 honorees. This award celebrates emerging talent within the industry and provides recipients with an opportunity to gain recognition at the world’s largest annual trade show dedicated to the production and processing of meat, poultry and egg products, as well as the production of animal food and pet food. Save the date and join us in celebrating the rising stars of the poultry, egg, meat and animal food industries. Register now here.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Students Selected For 2025 Gateway to Ag Careers Program

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    AgGateway’s Gateway to Ag Careers program, sponsored by the AgCIO Roundtable, with additional support from Syngenta, has selected six students to participate in the program this year.

    “We’re excited to be hosting these exceptional students at the 2025 Annual Meeting and Conference,” says Brent Kemp, AgGateway President and CEO. “Interest in the program has continued to grow over the years, and participants bring a wide range of interests and disciplines to the program.”

    The selected students will attend the annual meeting November 3-5 and be able to engage with attendees, sit in on educational sessions, and learn more about the many career opportunities that agriculture has to offer.

    The following students will be participating in the 2025 Gateway to Ag Careers program:
    · Omar Abdelmawgoud, Arizona State University
    · Tristan Cravens, Illinois State University
    · Jenna Kirkland, Arizona State University
    · Emma Koger, Mississippi State University
    · William Leiva-Mercaod, Iowa State University
    · Patton Simbeck, Mississippi State University

    “The AgCIO Roundtable is pleased to sponsor the Gateway to Ag Careers program annually to give exceptional students the opportunity to engage with agriculture professionals and learn about the many possible careers in our industry,” says Jeroen Hoogendoorn, AgCIO Roundtable Chairperson. “We look forward to welcoming them to this year’s conference and to making it a beneficial experience.”

    Registration is open for the upcoming AgGateway annual conference. Learn more about what is happening this year in this interview with President and CEO Brent Kemp:
    Interview with Brent Kemp, President/CEO, AgGateway

    AgGateway, Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, data, Education, Technology

    Agtonomy Accelerates Global Expansion

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Agriculture software and services company Agtonomy, today announced its expansion in the United States with new deployments in the Southeast and its first international commercial operation in Australia.

    Agtonomy’s latest expansion marks a pivotal moment for agricultural automation, with the company making its commercial debut in Australia. This initiative introduces an advanced physical AI platform to Australian growers, empowering them to meet growing labor and productivity challenges with scalable, autonomous solutions tailor-made for specialty and permanent crops. Simultaneously, Agtonomy’s rollout in the southeastern U.S. broadens access to Agtonomy-enabled equipment across key specialty crop and green space sectors, providing producers and land managers on both coasts with practical, field-proven automation.

    Former GM executive Michael Abbott joins Agtonomy’s Board of Directors

    To reinforce its trajectory for rapid growth, Agtonomy also announced the appointment of Michael Abbott, renowned technology executive, to its Board of Directors. “Agtonomy is building something truly transformative bringing physical AI to industrial markets that are desperate for more automation to make ends meet,” said Abbott. “I’m excited to join the board at such a pivotal moment in the company’s journey and to support a team that combines deep industry knowledge with the technical expertise needed to bring automation into the field in a practical, scalable way.”

    Abbott most recently served as GM’s Executive Vice President of Software and Services, overseeing key programs for Software-Defined Vehicles, OnStar, and autonomous driving. His prior experience includes leading Apple’s Cloud Services and holding senior roles at Twitter, Palm, and Microsoft. Abbott’s deep cloud infrastructure and enterprise platform expertise complement Agtonomy’s vision for scaling physical AI across agricultural and land management markets.

    “At Agtonomy, we know firsthand that practical experience in both farming and automation gives us a real edge,” said Tim Bucher, founder and CEO of Agtonomy. “We’ve thoughtfully built an executive team with the experience and focus to take us from innovation to real-world impact. Our team brings field-proven know-how from Silicon Valley, global ag OEMs, and specialty crop production. The result isn’t another flashy demo—it’s automation that growers can trust, use, and depend on, right now. Plus, Michael’s addition to our board further strengthens our ability to navigate the road ahead.”

    For more information about Agtonomy’s leadership team and mission, visit www.agtonomy.com.

    Agribusiness, Agronomy, AgWired Precision, AI, Precision Agriculture, Technology

    Industry Ag News 10/17

    Carrie Muehling

  • Significant downward revisions to monthly payroll estimates in August led many market observers to anticipate the Federal Reserve would begin cutting interest rate cuts more aggressively. However, recent economic data has generally been positive, tempering expectations for more significant cuts before the end of the year. According to a new quarterly report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, the most likely scenario is an additional four or five cuts of 25 basis points through 2026, leaving the overnight rate around 3.0 percent by the end of 2026. The actual outcome will depend heavily on how the economic data looks and how successful the White House is in influencing monetary policy.
  • A just-launched national Women in Agriculture Study is a comprehensive effort to capture women’s voices from across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The survey remains open through March 31 to gather insights from women working in production agriculture, agribusiness, education and advocacy, as well as from men and others in related fields who can offer perspectives on women’s roles in agriculture.
  • Farm Journal has launched a new ad insights tool, which is the agriculture industry’s first universal digital advertising analytics solution designed specifically for agrimarketers who want to measure, optimize and prove the impact of every digital dollar.
  • The Charleston Orwig Collective, comprised of Milwaukee-based full-service agencies C.O.nxt and Jigsaw, announced that President and CEO, Marcy Tessmann, has been named to the Wisconsin Titan 100 list for the second consecutive year. The 2026 Wisconsin Titan 100 honors the state’s top CEOs and C-Level Executives. Collectively, this year’s Titan 100 honorees oversee companies generating more than $14 billion in combined revenues and a workforce of over 64,000 employees.
  • Join the Livestock Publications Council for the next Coffee and Collaboration on Wednesday, October 22, at 12 p.m. CT. The program is titled “Building Relationships That Last” with speaker Leah Mindemann of Brock & Associates, National Sales Rep, Farm Journal and Lee AgriMedia. Register here.
  • Kent Hamilton has been named 2025 Southeastern Farmer of the Year. Hamilton is CEO of Southern Valley Fruit and Vegetable, Inc., based in Norman Park, Georgia. As the state winner of the Sunbelt Expo award, the Hamilton family will receive a $2,500 cash award and an expense-paid trip to the Sunbelt Expo from the sponsors.
  • Florida Farm Bureau has announced the top three finalists for its 2026 Florida Farmer of the Year award. This award recognizes outstanding agriculturists who demonstrate excellence in agriculture, leadership, innovation and stewardship of the land. The finalists for the award are Lucy Abell of Desoto County, Dr. Hal Phillips of Levy County and Woody Larson of Okeechobee County. These individuals will be recognized on stage, and the 2026 Florida Farmer of the Year recipient will be announced on October 29 at the Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s 84th State Annual Meeting in Daytona Beach.
  • The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is pleased to announce that the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) unanimously elected Constance Cullman, President & CEO of the AFIA, as chair for 2026–27 in Rome, Italy during the annual IFIF meeting last week. She will succeed Ruud Tijssens, who served as chair from 2022 to 2025.
  • Bimi® Baby Broccoli, the global sponsor of the World Food Photography Awards, is set to take center stage at next month’s International Fresh Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, California. Visitors to the Sakata America booth #4363 will be treated to live tastings from Chef Thai Dang of HaiSous Kitchen, acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and Bimi® brand ambassador. Chef Dang will prepare two signature dishes that highlight the versatility and stemsational flavor of Bimi® Baby Broccoli, giving buyers and industry partners the opportunity to experience the brand’s unique appeal firsthand. In addition to representing Bimi® in Anaheim, Chef Dang will also serve as a judge for the 2026 World Food Photography Awards — a natural connection that underscores the brand’s global commitment to celebrating food in all its forms.
  • In partnership with the National Agri-Marketing Association, Agoro Carbon will present an educational overview of the ag carbon landscape and why it’s an important leadership opportunity for agriculture amid the growing importance of sustainability and corporate net-zero commitments. Ag marketers will leave this session with an understanding of how ag carbon fits into broader sustainability trends and a working knowledge of opportunities that exist for farmers and ranchers today. Register here.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Precision Ag News 10/15

    Carrie Muehling

  • Farm Foundation, in partnership with The Mosaic Company Foundation for Sustainable Food Systems and the PepsiCo Foundation, proudly announces the launch of FarmPath, a national program designed to create a more resilient, diversified, and innovative farming community by strengthening rural economies, supporting food security, and promoting a flourishing future for American agriculture.
  • Rob-See-Co is proud to announce the addition of Ben Ford as Chief Technology Officer. In this new role, Ford will lead the company’s Product Team, overseeing product management for corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and sorghum and guide advancements in product development, allocation strategy, pricing, technical product marketing, and supply planning.
  • Thunderstruck Ag, a global leader in farmer-first innovation, announced that its Razors Edge Concaves have been named to TIME’s List of the Best Inventions of 2025, which spotlights 300 groundbreaking innovations changing the way we live, work, and thrive. The recognition underscores Thunderstruck’s commitment to delivering real-world solutions that make farming more efficient, sustainable, and profitable.
  • The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) has announced the final selection of fourteen Rising Stars as part of the 2025 Rising Stars Award Program, sponsored by Atticus. As part of this initiative, Atticus has also launched the Fan Favorite Video Contest to help highlight this year’s honorees. The Rising Stars Program provides ARA member companies with a valuable opportunity to recognize employees for their contributions to the industry. Selected individuals will be honored in front of hundreds of agricultural professionals at the annual ARA Conference & Expo, while also gaining opportunities to develop their leadership skills.
  • With this year’s Consider Corn Challenge, the National Corn Growers Association shined a spotlight on new innovations, while also incentivizing new research. This podcast features Curtis Firestone, the co-founder and CEO of Aerterra, an air filter manufacturer that sources its household and commercial products from corn that we grow in our fields. The filters are eco-friendly, and can be used interchangeably with the petroleum-based versions that are standard in homes and businesses. The episode also includes Chad Epler, a farmer from southeast Kansas who serves as the chair of the NCGA action team dedicated research and new uses for corn.
  • As the world prepares for COP30 in Brazil next month, agriculture is increasingly emerging as a crucial frontier in the global fight against climate change. Agriculture contributes 22 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). As part of Syngenta’s Sustainability Priorities, launched in 2024, the company aims to enable regenerative agriculture across millions of hectares of land across the globe.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Fusionware Expands Team to Support Produce Industry

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Fusionware, the leading cloud-based Digital Operations platform for the fresh produce industry, has responded to record growth and innovation over the past year by announcing several key hires to continue expansion and serve the operational needs of produce growers, packers, and shippers.

    “As we scale, it’s essential to bring in industry leaders who understand both agriculture and technology. These new team members are helping us deliver even greater value to our customers through expertise, innovation, and world-class support,” said Fusionware founder Creg Fielding.

    Abe Vanegas — Director of Implementations

    Abe Vanegas has been retained as Director of Implementations, bringing extensive experience in agriculture and ERP implementation to Fusionware, along with a deep connection to the farming community. He has led large-scale ERP deployments and digital transformation projects across major produce operations. His background includes leadership roles with Famous Software, GrubMarket, and his own consulting firm specializing in produce software solutions. At Fusionware, Abe oversees implementation strategy and execution, ensuring customers experience a seamless transition and measurable operational improvements.

    Bryce Jones, Senior Manager of Sales Engineering

    As Senior Manager of Sales Engineering, Bryce Jones comes to Fusionware with a proven track record in agriculture and ag technology, including experience spanning ag retail operations, precision agriculture, and enterprise software solutions. Starting his career in ag retail led him into the software sector to deliver enterprise solutions across sales, implementation, and professional services.

    Additionally, Michael Wright joins Fusionware as Business Intelligence & Data Analytics Architect with over a decade of experience in data science and business intelligence development, and Brittney McKenna as Software Engineer brings more than a decade of experience, including seven years focused specifically on agriculture software.

    AgWired Precision, data, people, Precision Agriculture, Produce, Technology

    Animal Ag News 10/15

    Carrie Muehling

  • The 2026 Redbook from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is now available. The pocket-sized booklet can help cattle producers effectively and efficiently record their daily production efforts by simplifying record keeping, which can enhance profitability and reduce stress levels.
  • If you were unable to attend one of the in-person Stockmanship and Stewardship events this year, you are in luck, because we are hosting a virtual event on Nov. 18 and 19 from 11am-2pm CST each day! Join easily within your home or office and participate in educational sessions on topics like succession planning, cattle handling techniques, animal health and a D.C. issues update. Registration is free for this event.
  • Don’t forget to visit Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia, earn Beef Quality Assurance credits for recertification when you attend one of the daily Stockmanship & Stewardship sessions in the Beef Pavilion at 2 PM. Curt Pate will present on effective cattle hauling and handling techniques that will help you create a calm environment as you manage your cattle herd. Learn about genomics, cattle health and welfare, and industry hot topics.
  • The Department of Animal Sciences in the Auburn University College of Agriculture recently announced a partnership with CERES TAG, a leading global animal health intelligence platform to improve livestock monitoring and grazing practices. CERES TAG is the world’s first satellite-enabled animal health intelligence platform that delivers real-time, research-backed data to support livestock management. Designed to support producers across the globe by providing insights into livestock location, behaviour and environmental impact, this technology empowers informed decision making that enhances productivity, sustainability and animal welfare.
  • Registration is now open for the American Feed Industry Association’s (AFIA) annual Pet Food Conference (PFC), happening Jan. 27, 2026, in conjunction with the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta, Ga. This event brings together 500 professionals working in the pet nutrition industry, offering insights into emerging trends, regulatory updates and the latest research.
  • The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and Feedstuffs named Westway Feed Products’ Houston, Texas, facility, as its 2025 Feed Facility of the Year. This prestigious award is presented annually to a feed facility demonstrating outstanding commitment to quality, safety, productivity, regulatory compliance, employee development and customer relations. Through the Feed Facility of the Year program, the AFIA also raised approximately $11,500 for the Equipment Manufacturers Committee (EMC) scholarship, supporting the development of future leaders in the industry.
  • The 2026 Latin American Poultry Summit is set for Monday, Jan. 26, in Atlanta, Ga., USA. This event will take place in combination with the International Poultry Expo, part of the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), and is co-hosted by the Latin American Poultry Association. The 2026 IPPE will run from Jan. 27-29 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga. For more details about the IPPE, visit ippexpo.org, and for information about the Latin American Poultry Summit, go to lacumbreavicolalatinoamericana.org.
  • During their 57th Annual Meeting, the Public Lands Council (PLC) honored two individuals who have made significant contributions to the federal lands ranching community. PLC Secretary and Colorado grazing permittee Robbie LeValley was selected for the 2025 President’s award and Dr. Karen Launchbaugh, a professor at the University of Idaho, was selected as the 2025 Friend of PLC.
  • Alltech is excited to introduce its latest evolution in mycotoxin management: Mycosorb® A+ Evo and Mycosorb® Evo. These new Alltech solutions build on the trusted Mycosorb® portfolio adding even greater efficacy and performance. To learn more about the Mycosorb Evo range, visit alltech.com/mycosorb-evo.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites