Syngenta Chooses Site for NA Crop Protection

Cindy Zimmerman

Syngenta has chosen to redevelop its North American Crop Protection headquarters on the current campus location in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The company intends to construct a more than 100,000 square-foot office building to connect with its existing laboratory facility on the north side of the 70-acre campus. Plans also include a complete renovation of the lab facilities. The new workspaces will support about 650 employees and 100 contract workers.

Construction is expected to begin on the new building later this year and the entire project is expected take about three years to complete. Syngenta is assessing options for the south side of its campus.

In early January 2020, Syngenta announced it had engaged in a comprehensive assessment of is current facilities on Swing Road. The large campus, with 17 structures, was established in the mid-1960’s and was later acquired by a Syngenta legacy company, Ciba-Geigy. Syngenta was formed in 2000 and this site has remained one of the company’s major workplaces in the U.S.

Agribusiness, Syngenta

Animal Ag News 3/15

Carrie Muehling

  • U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is accepting applications for the 2021 Clean Water Awards. The awards recognize outstanding performance of wastewater treatment plants that operate at poultry and egg processing facilities. Winners will be announced at USPOULTRY’s 2021 Environmental Management Seminar to be held Sept. 16 – 17, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Florida.
  • Working with National Football League (NFL) players and Discovery Education, the dairy checkoff is unveiling initiatives that provide fresh opportunities for consumers and youth to engage with dairy and learn about the industry’s sustainability story. The efforts include the Smoothie Blitz, created in partnership with the checkoff-led Fuel Up to Play 60 program, and a new Undeniably Dairy “Farming to the Future” Virtual Field Trip with Discovery Education. Both programs seek to highlight dairy’s unique health and wellness benefits, as well as farmers’ commitment to the planet.
  • Farmers Business Network announces the acquisition of two outstanding animal health and nutrition businesses – Prairie Livestock Supply and ProPig/ProCattle all based in Worthington, Minnesota.
  • Precision livestock company, Vytelle, is reshaping how cattle producers worldwide optimize their herds. Vytelle has assembled the first integrated technology platform built to accelerate genetic progress in cattle. This allows producers to sustainably deliver more protein with fewer inputs, helping to ensure meat and milk are viable, competitive food choices for future generations.
  • The Quesalupa is making a comeback to Taco Bell’s menu and this version is cheesier than its predecessor, thanks to dairy checkoff scientists. It will roll out nationally on March 11 as a limited-time-only offering for 10 weeks.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

CNH Presents First Digital Ag Machinery Fair – YOUNIVERSE

Chuck Zimmerman

YouniverseCNH has created a unique digital machinery show called YOUNIVERSE and it runs April 9-18, 2021.

In a rapidly changing landscape, where the worldwide agricultural trade fair program has been seriously disrupted, CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE: CNHI / MI: CNHI) has devised an exceptionally innovative way of reconnecting with its customers, the world’s farmers and the wider public. YOUNIVERSE, the first digital agricultural machinery fair designed around the protagonist “you” is not just another live streaming event or virtual showroom, rather a totally immersive, infotainment experience like no other.

YOUNIVERSE is a bespoke platform which uses cutting-edge technology, designed specifically for farmers, contractors and dealers – you – to provide a virtual gateway to CNH Industrial’s global agricultural brands: Case IH, STEYR and New Holland Agriculture as well as sister powertrain brand FPT Industrial and CNH Industrial’s accelerator for tech startups, AgXtend. YOUNIVERSE is easily accessible through both an interactive website and all mobile devices enabling “you” to stay connected, cultivate and grow networks.

Free registration opens starting on April 9, 2021 at youniverse.cnhindustrial.com. The event is open from April 9 to 18, 2021.

You can read more here.

Agribusiness, Equipment, Farm Shows, New Holland, Tractor

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.
Zimfo Bytes

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