Industry Ag News 3/12

Carrie Muehling

  • Brownfield Ag News is pleased to announce Kellan Heavican has joined the Brownfield team as Anchor/Reporter. He is based in Nebraska.
  • Dr. Barb Glenn, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, announced that she will retire from her position this fall. Serving as a champion for state agriculture departments over the last seven years, Glenn has marshaled NASDA as the unified voice for agriculture, but her profound influence on the industry stretches over her entire 40-year career.
  • To celebrate National Peanut Month, Georgia’s 4,500 peanut farmers are donating 10,080 jars of peanut butter to DC Central Kitchen. The donation is made possible by the Georgia Peanut Commission through Peanut Proud, which is the peanut industry’s humanitarian relief organization. Georgia based truckload carrier, SouthernAG Carriers, graciously donated their truck carrier service to deliver the peanut butter.
  • Farm broadcaster George Gatley passed away Feb. 24, 2021. Gatley joined the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) at KGNO Radio in 1974 and immediately became active in the association, serving as West Region Vice President in 1978 and Chats editor from 1982-83. He hosted multiple regional meetings, served as a convention photographer starting in the 1980s, and was named the 1993 West Region Farm Broadcaster of the Year.
  • Sydney Hefty of Auburn, Indiana, is the recipient of the 2021-22 Soy Scholarship award, sponsored by BASF and the American Soybean Association (ASA).
  • The Steve and Laurie Henry family, including sons Scott and Eric, are the 2021 winners of Farm Journal’s annual Top Producer of the Year award. Their operation, LongView Farms, is based in Nevada, Iowa, and includes 10,000 acres of corn and soybeans as well as hog and cattle enterprises. Matt Splitter, owner of Splitter Farms in Lyons, Kan., is the 2021 Tomorrow’s Top Producer Horizon award winner. Jennie Schmidt of Schmidt Farms in Sudlersville, Md., is the 2021 EWA Trailblazer award winner. Learn more about Top Producer Summit at TPSummit.com.
  • You’re invited to the National Ag Day Virtual Celebration on March 23 at 8:30 a.m. (CST). Sign up for this FREE event and join us in recognizing the hard work and contributions of America’s agriculture.
  • J. Frank McGill passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2021. Mr. Frank, or Mr. Peanut as many called him, was dedicated to advocating for Georgia’s peanut industry. His career began as a county agent for the University of Georgia’s Cooperative Extension Service. From there, he became the very first Peanut Extension Specialist, working at the Coastal Plains Experiment Station, here in Tifton, Georgia. For nearly 30 years, he worked closely with other scientists to establish the “Peanut Team” to help Georgia’s peanut producers nearly quadruple their yields per acre. After his retirement, he continued advocating for peanuts grown in Georgia and across the U.S. He was honored as the first inductee into the Georgia Peanut Hall of Fame at the Georgia Peanut Commission in 1982.
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World Pork Expo Plans 2021 Return

Cindy Zimmerman

Remember World Pork Expo? That big event that was always held at the beginning of June in Des Moines? The last time it was held was 2018, but officials say it will be back this year.

The 2021 World Pork Expo will take place at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. Professionals in the pork industry can expect three days of networking, education, and innovation from June 9-11.

“We’re more than thrilled to be hosting World Pork Expo this year,” said NPPC President Jen Sorenson, communications director for Iowa Select Farms in West Des Moines, Iowa. “We look forward to connecting with our fellow producers, business partners and others who contribute to our nation’s essential pork production system.”

NPPC will continue to monitor developments in COVID-19 guidelines (local, state, federal) for the World Pork Expo to ensure the health and safety of all participants. NPPC will provide guidance to exhibitors and attendees.

NPPC, Pork, World Pork Expo

Precision Ag News 3/10

Carrie Muehling

AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Summit Agro USA and Seipasa Announce Agreement

Cindy Zimmerman

Two leading players in the biologicals crop protection space have announced an exclusive distributorship arrangement. The agreement means Summit Agro USA will now have the sole rights to products from Seipasa S.A. for sale in the United States.

“This partnership between the two companies is based on Seipasa recognizing the strength of Summit Agro and its commitment to providing our partners with innovative crop production solutions to meet the needs of growers across the United States. Alignment with Summit Agro also provides Seipasa access to the strong global opportunities and network that Summit Agro possesses. In addition, it will streamline Seipasa business activities,” said Bill Lewis, president and CEO of Summit Agro USA.

“The infusion of Summit Agro’s resources for these products will be an exciting development for both conventional and organic growers across the U.S. Customers can expect a seamless experience with this distributor agreement in place,” Lewis added. “Summit Agro will work to ensure customers have no disruption of AVIV and Seican”.

Pedro Peleato, CEO of Seipasa, expressed his satisfaction with this partnership agreement with Summit-Agro for the distribution of Seican and AVIV products. “Summit Agro is perfectly aligned with the main values of our Natural Technology model applied to agriculture. Seican and AVIV are two exponents of that model as biological, effective and highly technical solutions for pest and disease control,” said Peleato.

AgWired Precision, Biologicals, Crop Protection, Precision Agriculture

Animal Ag News 3/8

Carrie Muehling

  • Plans for the 54th World Dairy Expo®, set for September 28 through October 2, continue to progress at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Expo recognizes that uncertainty remains surrounding future health regulations that may govern Madison this fall at the time of WDE 2021. For the latest Expo news, follow WDE on social media and visit www.worlddairyexpo.com.
  • The National Pork Producers Council elected new officers and members to its board of directors at its National Pork Industry Forum. Jen Sorenson was introduced as the 2021-2022 NPPC president. For the past decade, Sorenson has been with Iowa Select Farms, an Iowa farming business that markets more than five million hogs per year. She grew up on a livestock farm, raising pigs and row crops. In addition to serving on NPPC’s board, Sorenson chairs NPPC’s Labor Security Task Force.
  • Al Deutsch, a longtime pork-industry stalwart who was instrumental in building the NPPC’s Pork Alliance membership, was inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame during the recent National Pork Industry Forum. Also at the forum, Missouri Pork Producers Association Executive Vice President Don Nikodim was presented with the Paulson-Whitmore State Executive Award.
  • The Beef Alliance is pleased to announce the ten finalist companies selected to present in the new initiative, Feeding Innovation: The 2021 Startup Challenge. The Startup Challenge is a virtual pitch competition for innovators with solutions related to the cattle feeding industry. Information about the Startup Challenge is available at beefalliance.com/startupchallenge/.
  • The U.S. Dairy Export Council, National Milk Producers Federation and International Dairy Foods Association issued joint comments on Canada’s Phase II Consultations on its Comprehensive Review of the Allocation and Administration of Tariff Rate Quotas for Dairy, Poultry, and Egg Products. The three organizations, which have repeatedly expressed concerns about Canada’s failure to align its TRQ conditions with its commitments in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, are united in their insistence that Canada must dramatically reform its policies regarding the administration and allocation of its TRQs.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Ethanol’s Role in a Net-Zero Future

Cindy Zimmerman

This edition of the Ethanol Report explores ethanol’s role as a “net-zero hero” with highlights from the 26th annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC).

The report includes remarks from David MacIntosh, Environmental Health & Engineering Inc.; Stefan Unnasch with Life Cycle Associates; and Michael Berube, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation, who all spoke at the 2021 NEC. In addition, we have comments from Renewable Fuels Association CEO Geoff Cooper, Chief Economist Scott Richman, and VP of Industry Relations Robert White.

Ethanol Report 3-4-21 (21:54)

The Ethanol Report is a podcast about the latest news and information in the ethanol industry that has been sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association since 2008.

Choose an option to subscribe

Audio, Corn, Environment, Ethanol, RFA

Digital Commodity Classic Attracts Thousands

Cindy Zimmerman

2021 Commodity ClassicThe 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic last week appears to have been a virtual success.

According to the organizers, by Thursday, the total number of attendees was nearly 6,000, with more than 4,000 farms represented from 49 states and 24 countries. The online event concluded Friday with a live keynote address from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.

If you missed it last week, you can still register by March 12 and watch more than 50 archived sessions on-demand until April 30, 2021.

Commodity Classic, Corn

Virtual Agri-Pulse Summit Has Packed Agenda

Cindy Zimmerman

The agenda for the virtual 2021 Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit offers insight from members of Congress, political appointees, food and agricultural leaders from coast to coast, along with industry and academic experts with the theme: “Climate Risks, Rewards and Uncertainties.”

Leaders of both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees are headlining the three day event March 22-24. House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott (D-GA) and Ranking Member Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) will all provide their perspectives over the course of the Summit.

This year’s summit will feature three virtual half-day sessions and discussions will focus on research needs, potential costs, carbon payments, federal policy options, proposed regulatory changes and more. Registration and other information can be found on the Agri-Pulse website.

Agri-Pulse

Vilsack Speaks at 2021 Commodity Classic

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom VilsackThe 2021 Commodity Classic Special Edition ended today with a closing general session featuring U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Moderating was National Association of Farm Broadcasting president Gale Cunningham, WYXY, who posed questions to the Secretary after his opening remarks.

Secretary Vilsack addressed a number of topics, including COVID relief, trade with China, renewable fuels, and conservation and carbon sequestration.
Remarks from Secretary Vilsack (48:53)

Audio, Commodity Classic, USDA

Industry Ag News 3/5

Carrie Muehling

  • Bayer announced a series of decisions to accelerate the strategy implementation of its Crop Science division. In order to focus on its core agricultural business, this includes the intent to divest the company’s Environmental Science Professional business.
  • National Sorghum Producers launched a new podcast Sorghum Smart Talk: Policy Edition. The spin off of the original Sorghum Checkoff Sorghum Smart Talk podcast will focus on legislative and regulatory matters impacting sorghum farmers, answering a call for more information that can be accessed easily at home, on the road or in the tractor cab.
  • For his seminal coverage of farm stress and rural mental health, National Farmers Union awarded farm broadcaster Don Wick of the Red River Farm Network with its 2021 Milt Hakel Agriculture Communications Award.
  • Register now for the next Farm Foundation Forum, titled Emerging Carbon Markets in Agriculture: Issues and Opportunities. The Zoom forum is scheduled for Tuesday, March 16 from 9-11 a.m. CST.
  • The Agriculture Council of America has announced the 2021 National Ag Day video and written essay winners. The winners were chosen based on the theme: How American Agriculture Brings Food to the Table. The theme presented an opportunity for high school students to address how agriculture brings everyone together by feeding a growing population. Entrants chose to either write an essay or create a video. A first-place written winner and a video winner were selected.
  • Farm Journal announced that Craig Heimbuch joins the company as chief creative officer. In this new role, he will guide Farm Journal’s multi-layered content ecosystem to extend reach and engagement with audiences across agriculture.
  • The Yield Lab Institute, in partnership with the United Soybean Board, Syngenta, Amazon Web Services and the ICL Group, is proud to announce the winners of the Soy Innovation Challenge. Seven finalists were selected from nearly 90 worldwide applicants.
  • IFAJ Star Prize entries are due March 15. You will find the rules and registration forms on the IFAJ website or by clicking here.
  • Big Idea Ventures LLC announces the appointment of Bette Brand, former Deputy Under Secretary for USDA Rural Development and Bill Northey, former Under Secretary for USDA Farm Production and Conservation as senior advisors to the General Food Rural Partners fund.
  • John Deere unveiled new tractors, sprayers and other equipment for the coming year. Deere updated its 8 Series and 9 Series tractors, as well as introducing the industry’s first factory-installed, integrated tractor and planter solution. John Deere also unveiled new 400 and 600 Series sprayers with See and Spray Select technology, as well as a new lineup of Hagie self-propelled sprayers. The company has also made key updates for model year 2022 to its lineup of air seeding tools.
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