Ag Secretary at Ag Outlook Forum

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins headlined the 11th annual Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City this week, highlighting how the Trump Administration is taking action to address the crisis in American agriculture.

Rollins outlined the administration’s five point plan to help farmers and ranchers. “Number one, prioritizing farmers by delivering relief. Eight weeks into my tenure as Secretary, we rolled out the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program, the ECAP, which is helping farmers recover from the economic hardships of 2024….and today, I’m excited to announce that the remaining $2 billion of ECAP funding will be delivered within the week.”

Rollins’ second point is working to drive down farmer input costs. “To that end, USDA and the Department of Justice signed a memorandum of understanding…to protect American farmers and ranchers from the burdens imposed by a high and volatile input costs, such as feed, fertilizer, fuels, seed equipment, and other essential goods, while ensuring competitive supply chains, lowering consumer prices, and the resilience of U.S. agriculture and the food supply. The antitrust division of DOJ will work hand in hand with USDA, effective immediately, to take a hard look and scrutinize competitive conditions in the agricultural marketplace, including antitrust enforcement that promotes free market competition.”

The third point is expanding markets, including through new trade agreements. “The Philippines and South Korea, for the first time, opening their markets to our ag products. The EU, finally, amongst other things, agreeing to address restrictive non-tariff barriers on American pork and dairy. Indonesia, removing 99% of tariffs on American exports, including for all agricultural products. Japan, where I’ll be next week, agreed to increase U.S. rice imports by 75% and spend $8 billion in American agricultural products…And of course, reaching the deal with the UK where we were last week, committing some great ethanol business that will move into effect very quickly (and) better access for our American beef.”

The fourth point is strengthening domestic demand and new uses for biofuels, and fifth, secure and protect U.S. farmland. In addition, Rollins gave an update on the New World Screwworm in Mexico and the cattle inventory issue. “We are developing a robust plan to revitalize and diversify the U.S. beef industry alongside our great partners in that industry,” said Rollins. “But to be clear, and there’s been a lot of speculation about this in the news in the last couple of days, we have no current plans to offer any payment to beef producers. We see how the government getting involved can completely distort the markets. And so currently there will be no plan, no plan is even under consideration to insert ourselves through payments into the beef cattle industry.”

Listen to Rollins’ full comments at the event presented by the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse here:
USDA Sec. Brooke Rollins at KC Ag Outlook Forum (35:04)

Agri-Pulse, Agribusiness, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio

ADM and Alltech Form Animal Feed Joint Venture

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

Two global agribusiness leaders – ADM and Alltech – signed an agreement this week to launch a North American animal feed joint venture, bringing together their decades of experience to create new advantages for customers.

Alltech will contribute its U.S.-based Hubbard Feeds and Canada-based Masterfeeds businesses, including 18 feed mills in the U.S and 15 in Canada, and ADM will contribute its 11 U.S. feed mills. The joint venture will be majority-owned by Alltech and governed by a board with equal representation from each parent company.

“As the animal nutrition industry continues to reshape itself to support a growing global population, Alltech and ADM are bringing together passionate teams, proven products and shared values to ensure enhanced advantages for our customers,” the companies said in a joint statement. “We’re evolving with purpose to offer an industry-leading range of products and solutions for livestock, equine, backyard and leisure animals.”

ADM and Alltech have a longstanding relationship, tracing back to ADM being Alltech’s first customer. The new venture will offer an opportunity to align their complementary North American feed strengths, including the expertise of their teams, extensive manufacturing capabilities, deep experience in nutrition science, and well-recognized and respected existing product portfolios. The venture will be supported and strengthened by the parent companies’ leading-edge technology and R&D, broad logistical capabilities, and connections across the broader ag and feed value chains.

AgWired Animal, Alltech, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, Feed

Precision Ag News 9/23

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • Registration is now open for the 37th Independent Professional Seed Association Annual Conference set for January 12–14, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. This year’s theme, SHIFT, is all about moving perspectives, strategies, and innovations forward in the independent seed industry. Click here to register.
  • Corn growers will soon benefit from more accurate species data that helps guide EPA’s new pesticide strategies. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is working with experts to submit new “core maps” to the EPA that show where endangered species are actually found today, not everywhere they’ve ever been seen.
  • New Holland was a winner at the 2025 Agritechnica Innovation Awards, receiving two silver medals for its Corn Header Automation and ForageCam™ – both industry-first technologies. These awards recognize the most innovative industry solutions and will be given out this November at Agritechnica, the world’s leading agricultural trade fair in Hanover, Germany.
  • Syngenta Vegetable Seeds and Heritable Agriculture announced the signing of a collaboration to harness artificial intelligence (AI) technology to determine the best vegetable varieties to offer growers. Leveraging historical data on geographical conditions and crop trialing, Heritable will use AI-tools with Syngenta’s global product portfolio, with the goal of better predicting the best-performing commercial varieties in different regions to ensure growers have the best possible product offering from Syngenta.
  • Intelinair, a leading provider of AI-powered crop intelligence, announced that it has been named the winner of the 2025 IoT AgTech Advancement Award by IoThinkTank for its innovative AGMRI platform.
  • Now in its 43rd year, Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) is proud to welcome 12 new corporate members to our growing coalition of leading organizations and changemakers. They join CTIC’s coalition of 50+ member organizations, partners, and individuals who are working toward our shared mission to accelerate the adoption of conservation management practices across America’s farmlands.
  • At the Bio Innovations Midwest Event in Omaha, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced the winners of the Consider Corn Challenge V and the $300,000 prize pool. Three winners were chosen, each with a unique way to improve a product or process using corn to produce biobased materials.
  • Farmers put in long hours and endless dedication to feed and support their communities, and Shell Rotella is proud to spotlight these farmers with the fifth annual SuperTractors competition. Coinciding with National Farmer’s Day, the virtual event invites farmers across North America to share photos of their most impressive tractors for a chance to win prizes and recognition. Inspired by the long-running Shell Rotella SuperRigs® truck beauty contest, SuperTractors has become an exhilarating way to showcase the pride farmers take in their equipment and work. From September 15–25, farmers across North America can enter their unique farm equipment in the SuperTractors competition for a chance to win $250, 10,000 MyMilesMatter points, and a custom Shell Rotella-branded Carhartt jacket. To participate, farmers can submit a photo along with a brief explanation of why their tractor deserves to win at super-tractors.mymilesmatter.com/peopleschoice.
  • Keystone Cooperative, Inc. is proud to announce the full acquisition of the Whitesville Fertilizer Hub located in west-central Indiana. Previously operated as a joint venture between Keystone, its predecessors, and CHS Inc. for the past 14 years, this strategic move marks a significant milestone in Keystone’s commitment to enhancing service and value for its farmer-owners.
  • Biobest’s new portable mite and insect dispenser, the Entomatic™ Handheld, is engineered for precision, speed, and user comfort – offering growers an efficient new tool for targeted biological applications. Developed in partnership with Hortiworld, the Entomatic™ Handheld has been designed for use in confined or irregular growing environments. Its compact and ergonomic design makes it ideal for linear crops such as strawberries, greenhouses with narrow paths or rolling benches, ornamental nurseries with variable layouts, and small-scale operations ranging from high-tech facilities to low-tech systems.
  • John Deere will showcase its next generation of autonomous and precision ag technologies at FIRA USA 2025 October 21-23 in Woodland, California,. From orchard tractors to intelligent spray systems, John Deere is helping growers tackle labor challenges, reduce input costs and increase efficiency, all while improving productivity and profitability.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Intelinair Wins 2025 IoT AgTech Advancement Award

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    AI-powered crop intelligence provider Intelinair has been named winner of the 2025 IoT AgTech Advancement Award by IoThinkTank for its innovative AGMRI platform. The award annually recognizes companies shaping the future of connected technologies that deliver measurable impact at the field level.

    “AGMRI is a category-defining, data-rich platform that clearly demonstrates how IoT and AI can drive better, faster, and more sustainable decisions in agriculture,” said Jordan Hayes, IoThinkTank Awards Coordinator. “Intelinair has delivered a solution that brings true operational clarity to the farm, and we’re proud to recognize them as the 2025 IoT AgTech Advancement Award winner.”

    AGMRI provides growers with field-level insights to make timely, informed decisions that protect yields and optimize resources. By integrating advanced IoT and AI technologies, the platform enhances efficiency and sustainability across farming operations.

    “This award underscores the impact AGMRI delivers in shaping on-farm decisions,” said Tim Hassinger, CEO of Intelinair. “By not only identifying issues but also revealing how factors like planting dates, hybrid selection, and input timing influence yield, our platform enables growers and ag retailers to fine-tune strategies and achieve stronger, more consistent results.”

    AgWired Precision, AI, Precision Agriculture, Technology

    Animal Ag News 9/17

    Carrie Muehling

  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced eligible livestock producers will receive disaster recovery assistance through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program for 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire (ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW) to help offset increased supplemental feed costs due to a qualifying flood or qualifying wildfire in calendar years 2023 and 2024. The program is expected to provide approximately $1 billion in recovery benefits. Sign-up begins on Monday, September 15. Livestock producers have until October 31, 2025, to apply for assistance. A list of approved counties is available at fsa.usda.gov/elrp.
  • CattleCon 2026 registration, sponsored by Merck Animal Health, is open! Register early for best hotel selection with CattleCon’s housing blocks. Register here.
  • J. David Carlin, senior vice president of legislative affairs and economic policy for the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), recently announced his plans to retire at the end of 2025 following nearly four decades in leadership positions across the food and agriculture sector, including 11 years with IDFA. The association has begun a national search for Mr. Carlin’s successor to lead IDFA’s Government Relations team.
  • More than 100 pork producers from 20 states traveled to Washington, D.C., this week to call on Congress to deliver an urgent legislative fix to California’s Proposition 12, which is driving up costs for consumers, threatening small family farms, and disrupting interstate commerce. During their time on Capitol Hill, producers met with Members of Congress and staff to share firsthand accounts of how Prop. 12’s costly requirements are forcing sweeping changes across the pork supply chain. Producers emphasized that without federal action, family farms will be left behind, and pork prices could continue to rise. As part of the fly-in, the National Pork Producers Council rolled out a food truck on Capitol Hill, serving breakfast to lawmakers, staff, and media. Branded with the message “Breakfast is Essential. So is Fixing Prop 12,” the truck spotlighted how a patchwork of state laws, spurred by Prop. 12, threatens affordable access to everyday staples like bacon, ham and sausage.
  • The organizations within the Voice of Milk — Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Dairy Business Association and Minnesota Milk Producers Association — along with Farmers for Sustainable Food have embarked on a new strategic plan to provide more relevant, reliable and innovative programs and resources to their members and other stakeholders.
  • The Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) and American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) are excited to welcome two new staff members who will support both organizations in their respective roles. Yuan-Tai Hung, Ph.D., joins the IFEEDER team as the senior manager of research, and Marisa Halbstein joins the communications team as the marketing and program development specialist.
  • The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have started the process to rescind the illegal, Biden-era “Public Lands” rule. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) challenged the rule in a 2024 lawsuit because it violated the multiple use mandate and would have paved the way for the federal government to remove family ranching operations and other uses from these working lands.
  • The International Poultry Welfare Alliance (IPWA) invites students from aroundnthe world to submit their original research for the 2026 Student Award of Excellence, a competition designed to showcase innovation and leadership in poultry welfare.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has opened applications for spring 2026 semester internships in the association’s Colorado headquarters and Washington, D.C. office. Internships are available for public policy, producer education and sustainability, and meetings and events. All internships run from January to May 2026 and are paid positions. Applications are due by October 6, 2025. For more information and to apply, please visit ncba.org and click on the careers tab.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    California Rancher Kevin Kester Remarks at Republican Press Event

    Chuck Zimmerman

    House Republican Conference Press EventNCBA Past-President and California rancher Kevin Kester, spoke at a House Republican Conference press event yesterday on the importance of the One Big Beautiful Bill for America’s cattle farmers and ranchers. Kester thanked House Leadership and President Donald J. Trump for securing tax relief and Farm Bill provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill. The items Kester speaks to include the estate tax exemption, the death tax, the Section 197A of the Income Tax Act and 199A, as well as some farm bill provisions and the funding of conservation programs. He says that all these have helped keep his ranch viable and is good for the environment, ranchers and for tax payers.

    Kester was joined at the press conference by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and Congressman Tony Wied. California ranchers and NCBA members Tony Toso and Mike Williams, along with Iowa cattle producer Eythan Blair attended the press conference as well. You can find the full event here. Kester spoke after Congressman Wied.

    You can listen to Kester’s remarks here: Kevin Kester, California Rancher Remarks at Press Event (1:44)

    Ag Groups, Audio, Beef, NCBA, politics

    Syngenta Cropwise AI

    Carrie Muehling

    Those attending the 2025 Farm Progress Show had the opportunity to learn more about Cropwise AI from Syngenta.

    “It’s like putting a Rolodex of agronomic information about our products right in the palm of their hands,” said Justin Welch, head of agronomy for Syngenta Seeds.

    The uniqueness is around predictive product placement that will help service providers to recommend products that will best serve their customers. This technology helps protect the performance of products with real time answers to questions that will arise throughout the course of the growing season.

    “This is an integrative farm management technology platform that offers tools and services that enable you and your advisors to optimize your operation. You’re going to boost efficiency across the operation. It’s going to help you track field observations and react to economic challenges, but really it’s more than that,” said Kirt Durand, Syngenta North American Digital R&D Manager. “Cropwise is designed to allow you to make timely management decisions across your operation.”

    Durand said there are well established tools already available to growers, but the effort will be ongoing as Syngenta enhances and further develops Cropwise AI.

    Syngenta Seeds Agronomy Head Justin Welch – Cropwise AI
    FPS25 Interview with Justin Welch, Syngenta Seeds (4:36)

    Syngenta North American Digital R&D Manager Kirt Durand – Cropwise AI
    FPS25 Interview with Kirt Durand, Syngenta (4:13)

    AgWired Precision, AI, Audio, Farm Progress Show, Syngenta

    Industry Ag News 9/16

    Carrie Muehling

  • Corn production is up, while soybean and cotton production is down from 2024, according to the Crop Production report issued by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Corn production is up 13 percent from last year, forecast at 16.8 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to decrease their production 2 percent from 2024, forecast at 4.30 billion bushels; cotton production is down 8 percent from 2024 at 13.2 million 480-pound bales.
  • More than 260 agriculture organizations, representing constituencies in all fifty states and Puerto Rico, signed a letter urging Congress to further support America’s farmers and ranchers through the passage of a Farm Bill 2.0.
  • Kim Chipman, an award-winning journalist with more than two decades of experience covering markets, companies, policy and politics with Bloomberg News, is joining Agri-Pulse as congressional editor.
  • The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) welcomes Brandon Pachman as the organization’s new Director, Government Affairs. Pachman joins ASTA from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, where he served as a Legislative Analyst.
  • National Farmers Union (NFU) concluded its annual Legislative Fly-In, which brought more than 250 family farmers and ranchers to Washington to meet with members of Congress and demand quick, decisive action to reverse the crisis in farm country.
  • Farm Credit Bank of Texas, a cooperatively owned wholesale bank for agricultural and rural financing, announced that chief executive officer, Amie Pala, has decided to retire after 38 years of dedicated service to the bank. Pala has agreed to remain in her role as chief executive officer as long as necessary to ensure a smooth and effective transition to her successor.
  • Join Colson Steber, Co-CEO of Ag Access, as he shares groundbreaking insights into the power of emotional intelligence in food marketing. The National Agri-Marketing Association webinar is called Shaping Tomorrow’s Plate: Driving Market Leadership with Emotional Intelligence Research in Food Marketing and it is scheduled for September 25, 2025 11 a.m. central. Register here.
  • Keystone Cooperative announced that Kevin Still has informed the Board of Directors of his intention to retire as Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2026. The Board has initiated the search for the next CEO and will consider highly qualified candidates from both within and outside the organization. Until a successor is appointed, Mr. Still will continue to lead Keystone, overseeing its strategic direction, profitability, and growth. Once a successor is named, Mr. Still will work closely with the new CEO to ensure a smooth and effective leadership transition.
  • Denali, the nation’s leading recycler of organics, announced that it collected and transformed organic materials into 12 billion pounds of high-quality agriculture-grade products, which helped build resilience for American agriculture, supporting healthy soils, nourishing livestock, and reducing dependency on synthetic fertilizers, according to its 2024 Sustainability Report.
  • From its roots in China to commercial fame in New Zealand, kiwifruit has landed in Clanton, Ala. where researchers are now digging into its potential as a specialty crop. Kiwifruit is a high-value specialty crop with great potential to work for Alabama commercial fruit producers or even small-scale cultivation. Jay Spiers, Auburn University associate professor in horticulture leads the project and has high hopes for the future of kiwifruit production in the state.
  • Sixteen farmers were recently recognized by the University of Georgia Peanut Team for their high yielding peanuts in 2024. The high yields ranged from 4,145 to 6,095 pounds per acre. The winners were recognized at a dinner in August which was sponsored by the University of Georgia Peanut Team, the Georgia Peanut Commission, American Peanut Shellers Association, National Peanut Buying Points Association, AMVAC, Bayer, BASF, Fine Americas and Nichino America.
  • Illinois Agri-Women has established the “Generations of Women in Agriculture Across America” event and awards. This nationwide initiative will honor three families involved in production agriculture and the agriculture industry for three or more generations. Monetary awards of $5,000, $2,500, and $1,000 have been established to recognize the remarkable family legacy of the best three families respectively based on their application scores.
  • Prominent national leaders in food and agriculture, including Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden, will speak at the 11th Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City Sept. 24-25. In addition, we’ve invited Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas to discuss the Make America Healthy Again movement.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Cotton Council Promotes Plant Not Plastic for Clothing

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The National Cotton Council (NCC) has just kicked off a new campaign called “Plant Not Plastic” Campaign in an effort to educate consumers on how to choose natural fibers in their clothing to reduce microplastic pollution and its potential health implications.

    NCC Vice President of Council Operations Marjory Walker says a survey conducted for the Council revealed that consumers are largely unaware of microplastic pollution, particularly in their clothing. “Our research clearly indicates that while consumers are concerned about microplastic pollution, they are largely unaware of the significant role their clothing can play in this issue, and crucially, they don’t know what specific actions to take,” says Walked. “The survey revealed that ‘lack of clear information/guidance’ (34%) and being ‘unsure what specific actions to take’ (32%) are the biggest barriers preventing consumers from taking more action.”

    Recent studies have found that microplastics have been detected in critical organs, including the brain, kidneys, lungs, and uterus, and that people inhale or ingest on average 74,000 to 121,000 microplastic particles per year. Some research suggests individuals can accumulate up to 130 microplastics per day in their lungs from inhalation.

    “When consumers realize that the tiny plastic fibers shedding from their clothes can end up in the food they eat, the water they drink, and even within their own organs, the issue becomes incredibly personal,” Walker added. “This direct health dimension is a powerful motivator, but it also amplifies the need for clear, actionable solutions that empower individuals to protect themselves and their families.”

    Walker says the “Plant Not Plastic” campaign will enhance consumer knowledge of microplastic and empower them to choose clothing made from natural fibers like cotton as an easy, effective way to reduce microplastic pollution and its potential health impacts.

    Learn more about the new campaign in this interview.
    Marjory Walker, National Cotton Council (7:12)

    Audio, Cotton

    Precision Ag News 9/12

    Carrie Muehling

  • As the agricultural industry continues to navigate complex market fluctuations and shifting weather patterns, Agtools is proud to announce its latest innovation: Crop Shoulder Insights. This cutting-edge technology harnesses the power of real-time data analysis to provide market stakeholders with unparalleled accuracy and precision.
  • The Yield Lab Institute announced the launch of a new platform called H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech, the next generation of a proven incubator that will further accelerate technical resources and funding for the global agtech startup community. H.A.R.V.E.S.T. (Harnessing Agricultural Research and Venture Ecosystems for Sustainable Technology) builds on the strong foundation of the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator’s (IN2) agtech track. IN2 is funded by Wells Fargo & Company and co-administered by NREL, a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory.
  • Four start-up companies offering agricultural innovations have advanced to compete for a top prize of $100,000 in the 2026 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, continues to elevate the importance of entrepreneurship in agriculture through the contest.
  • Nutrien Ag Solutions celebrated the completion of its new infrastructure project at its Tipton, Indiana, retail facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 9, 2025. The Tipton location is one of many Nutrien Ag Solutions retail facilities across North America included in the company’s capital improvement initiative, designed to modernize operations and enhance service in regions experiencing rapid agricultural growth.
  • T-L Irrigation Co. takes their commitment to continuous movement and convenience in irrigation to the next level with the new Auto-Reverse Hose Drag Linear System for single-tractor, 4-wheel T-L Irrigation units. The sturdy upgrade fully automates a labor-intensive and time-consuming linear irrigation task—reversing direction at the end of the field. Available on new units or as a retrofit kit, the design positions the hose on the side of the linear tractor at a slight angle. At the end of the field, a rotating mechanism forces the hose to push away from the tractor, creating a loop that clears the path for the tractor to reverse direction.
  • The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), in collaboration with the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, CropLife America and National Corn Growers Association, announced the release of an updated study highlighting the wide-ranging benefits of precision agriculture across the United States. The new report, The Benefits of Precision Ag in the United States, published on AEM’s Insights page, underscores how technology adoption on farms is improving yields, reducing inputs, and strengthening the resiliency of America’s food supply chain. The updated analysis expands on AEM’s landmark 2020 study and provides quantifiable evidence of how farmers using precision ag technologies are achieving significant gains in productivity, input efficiency, and environmental stewardship.
  • Seitec Genetics, an independent seed company dedicated to delivering rare and uncompromising value to farmers, is pleased to announce that long-time Nebraska seed professional Brian Kopecky has joined the company’s management team. Kopecky, who will be based in the Seitec Genetics headquarters in Fremont, Nebraska, was at the 2025 Husker Harvest Days farm show; to meet with farmers and bring his deep seed industry and Nebraska farming expertise to bear to as they plan for a successful 2026 season.
  • The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) is proud to announce the launch of the Conservation Connector, available now at Connector.ag. This innovative online platform is the first and only tool that allows farmers, ranchers, and farm advisers to easily evaluate conservation incentive programs and connect with technical support in one place.
  • The Sustainable Agriculture Summit is where the entire value chain comes together—from producers to retailers, innovators to NGOs, manufacturers to researchers, and everyone in between—to tackle the future of ag sustainability. Don’t miss your chance to join us November 19-20 in Anaheim, California, to learn from world-class experts and fellow attendees as you explore new ideas and approaches to advance shared action toward a more sustainable and resilient U.S. food system.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture