Global Launch of Agoro Carbon Alliance

Chuck Zimmerman

Agoro Carbon AllianceJust recently Yara announced the commercial launch of the Agoro Carbon Alliance, a global business created for farmers to earn additional revenue through positive climate action.

The company held a virtual launch event today which with participants from all over the world. The event featured speakers from all parts of the alliance including farmers who are adopting carbon cropping practices to add new revenue streams, technology providers who are enabling the efficient and accurate collection of data, climate-smart agriculture experts who are helping develop the practices, and investors who are helping the alliance get started.

Speakers included:

Moderator: Agoro CEO, Alex Bell. Additional speakers: Yebin Zhao, Global Agronomist at Agoro Carbon Alliance; Anastasia Pavlovic, Director of Operations at Agoro Carbon Alliance; Sean Donovan, Global Markets Expert at Agoro Carbon Alliance and Terje Knutsen, Executive Vice President Farming Solutions at Yara International.

You can listen to the presentation here: Virtual Global Launch of Agoro Carbon Alliance

The Agoro Carbon Alliance is Yara’s new global business created for farmers to earn additional revenue through positive climate action. By leveraging Yara’s deep agronomic knowledge and credibility, Agoro Carbon makes it possible for every farm to transition to climate-positive farming practices, restoring carbon to the world’s soils, and reversing the effects of climate change.

Agribusiness, carbon, Environment, Sustainability

KC Mayor Welcomes NAMA Back

Chuck Zimmerman

Even the Mayor of KC, MO is excited about having the Agri-Marketing Conference back live and in person this year. I’ll be there and hope you will too.

Kansas City is looking forward to hosting you and NAMA in July. The city is rolling out the red carpet so you can break new ground in your career — and have a great time!

We’re excited that Mayor Q took time out of his busy schedule to record a very special message to welcome NAMA — and you — back to KC.

Watch Mayor Q’s welcome, and if you haven’t already, register today to uncover proven strategies for agri-marketing excellence with NAMA this summer.


NAMA, Video

Animal Ag News 6/7

Carrie Muehling

  • The World Pork Expo makes its return to the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, June 9-11. The Expo is presented by the National Pork Producers Council and this will mark the year’s 33rd annual event. Thousands of producers and industry professionals will gather to learn the latest technologies, innovations, enjoy free pork and more.
  • The Public Lands Council (PLC) has renewed the call for responsible, proactive management of horses and burros managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Recent activist efforts to undermine the truth about overpopulated rangelands seek to exploit political transitions and undermine progress that has been made toward improved management of wild horse and burro populations on federal lands in the West.
  • Four finalists have been selected for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) 8th annual National Anthem Singing Contest. The winner will receive a trip to the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in Nashville, Tenn., to perform the “Star-Spangled Banner” at the Opening General Session on Aug. 10 as well as the Cowboy’s Night at the Opry event on Aug. 12. The contest is sponsored by Norbrook. The four finalists are: Carrie Behlke, Benkelman, Neb.; Karna Dam, Hooper, Neb.; Franki Moscato, Oshkosh, Wis.; and Kenli Twitchell, Rexburg, Idaho. Videos of the finalists are available for voting on the convention website at https://convention.ncba.org. The public can vote for their favorite singer once per day per person through June 18, and the winner will be announced June 21, 2021.
  • A new era in bison research formally began this week as the recently established Center of Excellence for Bison Studies funded eight projects to study topics ranging from ecosystem impact to meat quality. The Center awarded more than $300,000 in funding to support the first year of each project, some of which may extend for up to three years. The National Bison Association’s Science and Research Committee formally reviewed the proposals and identified the top applications for funding. The funding for the proposals was provided by the National Buffalo Foundation, which is engaged in a major fundraising effort to support the center’s work.
  • Entries are open for the 38th annual World Forage Analysis Superbowl. The 2021 contest, held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo, is set to award over $26,000 in cash prizes, made possible by generous award sponsors. The World Forage Analysis Superbowl is open to all forage producers across North America. The deadline to submit corn silage samples is July 15, while all other entries must be submitted by August 26. The $35 entry fee provides entry into the contest along with a detailed sample analysis that will be emailed or mailed to entrants after all samples have been judged. Entry forms are available by visiting foragesuperbowl.org or by calling 920-336-4521.
  • After 31 years of distinguished service with the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), including the last 20 as CEO, Neil Dierks has announced his plan to retire from NPPC by the end of the year. The NPPC Board of Directors has initiated a search for a new CEO. Dierks will remain in his role as CEO until the search process is completed and will serve as a strategic counselor during a transition period.
  • The annual Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show brings together cattlemen and women from across the country for education, entertainment and excitement. This year the importance of gathering in person is even more evident after the uncertainties in 2020. It is time to “Tune in to Tennessee” Aug. 10-12, 2021, for a convention filled with activities for the entire family. Registration and housing for the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade show is now open.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Industry Ag News 6/4

Carrie Muehling

  • Register today for the June 7 webinar, “Sustainability in Agriculture: Moving from promise to practice.” This webinar will enable will take a closer look at the incredible progress that’s been made to date and the numerous challenges that remain. Plus, the webinar will explore what types of new federal programs and funding might be needed. Agri-Pulse is hosting this webinar which is sponsored by Corteva.
  • The National Biodiesel Board welcomes Jeff Earl as director of state regulatory affairs.
  • The USDA National Agricultural Statistic Service (NASS) has published the 2020 estimated peanut production for Alabama. NASS has estimated that Alabama peanut growers produced 637 million pounds of peanuts in 2020. That makes Alabama 2nd in the nation in peanut production, with Georgia ranking first. The U.S. produced 6.13 billion pounds of peanuts in 2020.
  • Signal Group announced the addition of five new hires to meet the demands of the firm’s growing Strategic Communications practice, including Chris Ortman, Executive Vice President; Jess McCarron, Vice President; Aisha Dukule, Senior Manager; Shane McCarthy, Senior Associate; and Will Burdulis, Communications Associate. The firm also announced that Managing Director Chelsea Koski, who has been with the firm for more than eight years, has been elevated to Chair of the Strategic Communications Practice.
  • Nufarm Americas Inc. announced that Tracy Rich has been appointed Vice President, Customer & Brand Marketing.
  • MGEX reports that this past month was the best May in MGEX history with a total of 261,078 contracts, which is 44% higher than the previous record holder, May 2018. This past month also entered the total monthly volume top-25 record book in the 17th position. Electronically, 242,120 contracts were traded in May 2021, which is the 13th best overall electronic month in MGEX history. Additionally, this was the best month for SPIKES Futures volume, closing at 4,256 contracts.
Zimfo Bytes

ZimmCast 672 – Farmers Edge Smart Carbon Program

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

Carbon seems to be the big (C) buzzword lately. In the last couple weeks I’ve lost count of how many announcements I’ve received on this subject in my inbox. One of those was from Farmers Edge that announced the company’s new Smart Carbon program. You can find the announcement and more about this program on their website. This week’s program features a discussion with Wade Barnes, founder/CEO, Farmers Edge.

Farmers Edge Smart Carbon ProgramI asked Wade where things stand on the subject of carbon in farming today and how this new program will help customers become more profitable. For starters, the availability of the new program is in Canada and California. But that will change as farmers start generating high-quality carbon credits and buyers become more available to purchase carbon offsets as part of their strategy to become carbon neutral. Other factors come into play too, like carbon taxes. Wade sees a bright future for their Smart Carbon program.

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 672 - Farmers Edge Smart Carbon Program (22:13)

That’s the ZimmCast for this week. In case you didn’t know it you can find more podcasts we produce in all your favorite podcast apps. That includes the Golden ZimmComm Mic Podcast, The Ethanol Report, Field Notes from Koch Agronomic Services and the Daugherty Water for Food Podcast. We hope you enjoy listening to them.

If you would like to advertise in the ZimmCast or become an on-going sponsor please let me know and we’ll work out a plan just for you.

Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

Agribusiness, Agronomy, Audio, Environment, Soil, ZimmCast

Precision Ag News 6/2

Carrie Muehling

  • HOMESTRETCH HARVESTSHIELD™ is the new, unique biological and foliar nutrition product announced by Meristem Crop Performance as the latest addition to their robust HOMESTRETCH family of foliar nutrition products.
  • Register today for the June 7 webinar, “Sustainability in Agriculture: Moving from promise to practice.” This webinar will enable will take a closer look at the incredible progress that’s been made to date and the numerous challenges that remain. Plus, the webinar will explore what types of new federal programs and funding might be needed. Agri-Pulse is hosting this webinar which is sponsored by Corteva.
  • AGCO announced it has entered into a proof of concept collaboration agreement with Robert Bosch GmbH, BASF Digital Farming GmbH and Raven Industries Inc., with the objective of evaluating targeted spraying technology to make the application of crop protection products more effective and efficient by reducing crop input costs while driving farm and environmental sustainability.
  • Impetus Agriculture, Inc. has closed a $1 million follow-on equity investment seed round to continue development of a platform technology delivering proteins that enhance biological insect control. The company has demonstrated in the laboratory an ability to enhance the control of multiple economically important insects with multiple proteins. A co-development agreement is in place with a major multi-national agricultural company to advance the first concepts through product development and commercialization.
  • Bushel launched Bushel Fulfillment™ to its platform. Backed by the powerful Bushel platform, grain elevators now can receive accurate, same-day scale ticket information in the format needed to import into their accounting system for reconciliation. Commercial grain buyers will spend less time fielding clerical phone calls or emails and get down to business faster by streamlining paper-based processes.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Animal Ag News 6/1

Carrie Muehling

  • While nearly all livestock producers must contend with mycotoxin challenges, the prevalence of specific mycotoxins differs greatly by location. New technologies are available to help producers evaluate their feed for mycotoxins. Dr. Carlos Mallmann, Ph.D., MSc, MV and Professor, Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil, is hosting a free webinar titled “New Methods Available for Evaluating Mycotoxin Mitigation Strategies,” which is now available at Phibro Academy.
  • Dairy West has hired Marissa Watson as its first vice president of sustainability, a position that underscores the importance of sustainability within the dairy community and all of agriculture, according to CEO Karianne Fallow.
  • Wes Ishmael, long-time cattle business journalist and communicator recently joined the American Hereford Association as Executive Editor of Hereford World magazine.
  • Dr. Roselina Angel, professor of monogastric nutrition at the University of Maryland, was recognized with the 2021 Poultry Science Association Distinguished Poultry Industry Career Award, sponsored by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. The Distinguished Poultry Industry Career Award recognizes distinctive, outstanding contributions by an industry leader. In addition to sponsoring the award, USPOULTRY also makes an annual contribution to the Poultry Science Association Foundation on behalf of the award recipient.
  • The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), in coordination with Feedstuffs, is relaunching its Feed Facility of the Year (FFY) program after a brief hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic with new changes expected to enhance the program for the future. Of note, the AFIA will be providing awards for each program category, to be recognized at AFIA events in front of industry colleagues, and discontinuing the overall award.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association led a letter with the support of 37 affiliate state cattle organizations, urging the leadership of the U.S. Senate and House Agriculture Committees to address critical areas of concern in the cattle and beef industry. Read the full text of the letter here.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Industry Ag News 5/28

Carrie Muehling

  • Claire Dailey has joined FLM Harvest as vice president of public relations, leading the agency’s growing team of PR professionals while also serving as the senior PR strategist for clients.
  • Annie Deckey, a student at Claremont McKenna College with a background and interest in agribusiness and farm policy, is the newest member of the Agri-Pulse team.
  • The National Corn Growers Association welcomes two interns this summer thanks to the generous support of the Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. Chloe Higgins, an ag economics major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will be working in the NCGA office in Washington, D.C. Danie Brandl is interning with the NCGA office in St. Louis, Missouri. Brandl is majoring in agricultural education at UNL.
  • The National FFA Organization announced that they would hold their annual in-person convention this fall in the city of Indianapolis. The event, which traditionally brings more than 65,000 attendees, will take place Oct. 27-30.
  • Major League Baseball announced that the National Corn Growers Association has agreed to become an official partner of this summer’s MLB at Field of Dreams presented by GEICO event. The game will be played at a newly constructed ballpark adjacent to the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, Iowa on Thursday, August 12th and will be broadcast nationally on FOX.
  • The American Seed Trade Association’s (ASTA) Policy & Leadership Development Conference will be June 20-23 at the Grand Hyatt Washington. With all Washington, D.C. COVID-19 restrictions set to be lifted just in time for the conference, ASTA is excited to offer both in-person and virtual options for attendees. Sessions will showcase policy and industry experts providing the latest updates and analysis of the critical current issues impacting seed, including trade, innovation, and domestic and international policy.
Zimfo Bytes

The Passing of Steve Drake

Chuck Zimmerman

Steve DrakeIt was with a great deal of sadness that I learned of the passing of Steve Drake. I considered him a good friend and someone I could easily talk to any time. He was always happy to offer ideas and suggestions. I’m going to miss him as so many people in the agricultural marketing business will. This is one of my photos of Steve from the Ag Media Summit in 2010.

You can learn more about Steve in a post on AgriMarketing.com which includes a tribute written by Den Gardner, Agricultural Relations Council senior consultant.

I had the opportunity to interview Steve on several occasions over the years. Here’s one from my ZimmCast podcast back in 2010 when he talked about his company, Drake & Company.

Ag Media Summit, Agencies, ARC

MN Soybean Council Promotes Superhero Biodiesel

Cindy Zimmerman

Biodiesel is on a mission to save the planet from carbon and other evil greenhouse gases and the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotional Council (MSR&PC) has kicked off a new campaign that highlights the super powers of biodiesel.

Throughout the spring and summer, biodiesel’s carbon-reduction message will be splashed across dozens of Minneapolis Metro Transit buses in a colorful comic book-themed campaign sponsored by MSR&PC. Earlier this spring, the Metropolitan Council approved a measure to invest $122 million in adding 143 new biodiesel buses to the Metro Transit’s fleet, or about 15% of the fleet. A total of 46 buses will be wrapped with the biodiesel superhero message.

MSR&PC CEO Tom Sluencka says the intent of the biodiesel bus wraps is to show Minnesotans that renewable fuels are already packing a serious punch when it comes to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. “Biodiesel is reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 80 percent, reducing particulate matter by over 47 percent, and that’s what we consider smog, and we’re doing it with a fuel that’s raised and produced right here in Minnesota,” said Slunecka.

At a time when there is a strong push for electric vehicles, Slunecka says they are proud that the Metro Transit system chose biodiesel to reduce emissions. “They realized that with the cold temperatures in Minnesota and the length of some of their routes that big, heavy batteries in their buses were just not going to get the job done,” he said. “So, instead they decided to use the original advanced biofuel, which is biodiesel.”

Slunecka discusses the new campaign and the superhero benefits of biodiesel in this interview.
MN Biodiesel Superhero Campaign - MSR&PC CEO Tom Slunecka (9:33)

Learn more about this super new campaign.

Audio, Biodiesel, Soybean