Precision Ag News 11/11

Carrie Muehling

  • USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has completed and published updates to its set of national conservation practice standards, which offer guidelines for planning, installing, operating and maintaining conservation practices used by farmers, ranchers and private forest landowners nationwide. Fifty-eight standards have been updated or revised since August.
  • A new agricultural app makes it easier for farmers to keep barn equipment running efficiently, saving time and money on unexpected repairs and production downtime. The Rakr application is a free app that manages, schedules and tracks preventative maintenance on all barn equipment, and calculates the cost savings when recommended maintenance is complete.
  • This fall, Salford is releasing HALO, a next generation tillage product line that adds to Salford’s extensive line of tillage and application equipment. HALO is a new Salford tillage platform, which allows for new combinations of ground engaging equipment, narrow transport, and single point adjustments, which make for faster, easier field setting.
  • GSI is introducing the addition of either a 30-degree or 45-degree bend section to its VersaLoop round tube chain conveyor that provides more flexibility to maximize the space and efficiency of grain handling systems.
  • Increased corn rootworm pressure on corn crops throughout the Central and Northwest Midwest in 2020 suggests there will be a need for more application of corn soil insecticides in 2021, according to an extensive survey of agricultural retailers conducted in September by AMVAC®, an American Vanguard® company. Respondents, surveyed both online and in phone interviews, compared this year’s CRW pressure to that of 2012, after which, use of soil-applied insecticides was elevated for the three seasons of 2013-2015.
  • CommoditAg, the agriculture industry’s premier, trusted online retailer of high-quality farm products, has added Topcon as its newest supplier offering precision management tools to bring efficiency and productivity to nearly every phase of the farming operation. CommoditAg offers three precision feed management hardware and software tools, including Digi-Star Connected TMR, Digi-Star Pro Feeder TMR, and Digi-Star Expert TMR.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

USDA Lowers Forecast for Corn and Soybeans

Cindy Zimmerman

The November World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates from USDA show lower forecasts for domestic production of both corn and soybeans.

This month’s 2020/21 U.S. corn outlook is for lower production, reduced feed and residual use, larger exports, and smaller ending stocks. Corn production is forecast at 14.507 billion bushels, down 215 million with a reduction in yield to 175.8 bushels per acre. Corn exports are raised 325 million bushels to 2.650 billion, which if realized would be record high. Projected feed and residual use is lowered 75 million bushels based on a smaller crop and higher expected prices. With supply falling and use increasing, corn ending stocks for 2020/21 are down 465 million bushels to 1.7 billion, which if realized would be the lowest since 2013/14. The corn price is raised 40 cents to $4.00 per bushel

The U.S. soybean outlook for 2020/21 is for lower production and ending stocks. Soybean production is forecast at 4.17 billion bushels, down 98 million on lower yields. Lower yields are reported for several major producing states, including Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, and Nebraska. With reduced production, soybean ending stocks are projected at 190 million bushels, down 100 million from last month. If realized, soybean ending stocks would be at the lowest level in the past seven years.

Corn, Soybean, USDA

Nebraska Farmer Beats Own Dryland Soybeans Record

Cindy Zimmerman

For the second time in three years, Jimmy Frederick of Rulo, Nebraska has set a new world record for rain-fed soybeans, producing 148.8 bu/acre over a five acre area on his farm, topping his previous record of 138 bu/A set in 2018 in the very same field.

Supported by root systems resembling those of “baby trees,” Frederick described a typical plant as being waist high, with 5-7 lateral branches, and producing 450-500 pods.

Despite a rough start, taking three weeks to emerge, the plants shot up uniformly and maintained strong vigor, aided by a biological seed treatment package from Biovante that included BioCore and Invade 5G seed inoculants. Once plants reached the V5 stage, they showed excellent plant health with a near perfect stand count.

While yield-breaking growers are often associated with using high levels of crop inputs, Frederick takes the opposite approach. He’s found that less is more. That starts with population rates that vary between 30,000 to 90,000 seeds per acre. If this sounds more like corn planting, that was purely his intent in 2020.

“I basically used the same settings to plant both my corn and soybeans,” says Frederick, who runs a John Deere 1770 on 30-inch rows. “This year I used 27-hole planter plates and kept the depth at two inches. In the past, I used 76-, then 56-hole soybean plates, but to achieve the consistently wider spacing I was looking for, I gave this a try.”

While Frederick said his record yield was achieved at 70,000 spa, most of the field was planted at far lower rates. The entire 204-acre field averaged better than 90 bu/A.

“BioRed is a microbial product that really improves nitrogen fixation,” says Frederick. “Even on these high yielded fields, I’ve never applied any additional nitrogen to my soybeans. Six years ago I came to the realization that I needed to adopt a different system for farming, one that focused on soil health, crop rotation, low plant populations and less dependence on synthetic products.”

Read more about Frederick’s record yield.

Agronomy, AgWired Precision, Farming, Precision Agriculture, Soil, Soybean

Animal Ag News 11/9

Carrie Muehling

  • As a celebration of dairy farmers’ commitment to communities, Dairy Management Inc. is joining checkoff partner Domino’s Pizza and Wounded Warrior Project to honor, support and feed veterans and their families on Veterans Day. DMI and Domino’s Pizza are partnering to honor veterans and their families by offering 50 percent off pizzas for new Domino’s app users during Veterans Day week, Nov. 9-15. DMI will help Domino’s market the promotion across key social media and digital platforms.
  • In an effort to continue to highlight beef’s place on the plate, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, has partnered with the Produce for Better Health Foundation to celebrate how beef, vegetables and fruits are #UnitedOnThePlate. The #UnitedOnThePlate campaign focuses on rallying food and health experts on social media and educating consumers about how delicious, nutrient-rich beef brings more to the plate, when paired with fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
  • U.S. pork exports to China have skyrocketed this year as African Swine Fever eroded two-thirds of China’s hog herd and drove its hog prices to record highs. Greater China now accounts for nearly 8% of U.S. pork production, compared to around just 2% in 2018. However, according to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, China is making progress rebuilding its hog herd, jeopardizing the U.S. export picture over the next 3 to 5 years.
  • North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge® recently elected new leadership, including one new board member, reelected three more and are announcing a new Executive Committee. Newly elected to the 15-person volunteer NAIDC Board of Directors is Cornell Kasbergen of Tulare, Calif.
  • The Extension Risk Management Education Program and U.S. Department of Agriculture are hosting a webinar on Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. ET for agricultural producers and professionals focused on livestock risk management. The webinar is free and will provide information on livestock markets, price risk and risk management options available through USDA.
  • The USA Poultry and Egg Export Council has launched new and improved buyer’s guides for chicken, turkey and eggs. The Market Development Action Team approved funding to collaborate with USAPEEC to update the previously existing buyer guides. The funding updated the chicken, turkey, and egg buyer guides and is available on both computer and mobile-enabled browsers.
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler signed a first-time Memorandum of Understanding with the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, furthering the Trump Administration’s focus on engaging with agriculture communities to support better environmental outcomes.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Ag and Biofuels Groups Congratulate President-Elect Biden

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Farm Bureau Federation was one of the first agricultural organizations to congratulate President-elect Biden on his election as called by news organizations over the weekend.

“President-elect Biden’s term and a new Congress begin a new chapter in America’s story. Agriculture has been part of that story since the very first chapter, and we stand ready to work with our elected leaders to ensure farmers and ranchers regain their footing so they can help make America stronger and more prosperous,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall in a statement.

Mary Kay Thatcher, who is Senior Manager of Federal Government and Industry Relations for Syngenta, served as AFBF’s primary policy adviser for 30 years. In an interview last week, Thatcher talked about what a Biden presidency could mean for issues important to agriculture biofuels, regulation, and trade issues. “I think that farmers are more concerned about EPA and the rules that might be overturned with a Biden presidency than any other issue,” said Thatcher.

Here is that part of the interview
Syngenta's Mary Kay Thatcher on ag issues (4:59)

RFA LogoRenewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper also offered his congratulations to President-Elect Joe Biden and says they look forward to working with the Biden administration on issues important to the ethanol industry. “Mr. Biden made it clear as he was campaigning that he would put a stop to the abuse at EPA of the small refinery exemption program on day one,” said Cooper. “We’ve got a promise, we have a pledge from Mr. Biden that he will put a stop to these exemptions.”

RFA also congratulates the House and Senate members who won their races and Cooper says the ethanol industry has plenty of allies on the Democrat side in Congress who will have the ear of the new president.

Listen to comments from Cooper on a Biden presidency.
RFA CEO Geoff Cooper comments on Biden presidency (4:07)

AFBF, Ag Groups, Audio, Ethanol, RFA

Industry Ag News 11/6

Carrie Muehling

  • Syngenta Group has been recognized as one of the world’s top five leading biotech employers – and the top agriculture employer – in the 2020 Science Careers Top Employers Survey. The company ranked fourth on the annual ranking of top employers in biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical and related industries, marking its highest ranking ever and the 11th time in 12 years of recognition by the prestigious global survey.
  • Swanson Russell announces the promotion of Lisa Lorraine, Katie Sands and Tony Sattler to executive vice presidents. They have been added to Swanson Russell’s Executive Leadership Team.
  • Join NAMA on Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. CST for the last installment in the Remote Control series. This producer panel, moderated by Cyndi Young with Brownfield, will address issues including: how to better engage customers using web tools; impact of pandemic on farmer purchasing decisions; how can marketers best reach farmers during pandemic; sales techniques during Covid; how farmers are consuming media during Covid; how growers spend their money; and the farmer’s outlook. Register here.
  • According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, current challenges may be a catalyst for farm supply cooperatives to rethink their business model. The report outlines several ideas for them to explore in their annual strategic planning process.
  • Don’t miss out on the 45th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show & Conference, set for Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 20-21, 2021, at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center.
  • The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose 27 points to a reading of 183 in October and set an all-time high for the index. Farmers were more optimistic about both the future and current financial situation on their farms as the Current Conditions Index rose 36 points to a reading of 178 and the Future Expectations Index rose 23 points to a reading of 186. The Ag Economy Barometer is based on survey responses from 400 U.S. agricultural producers and was conducted Oct. 19-23.
  • Now at FarmlandFinder.com landowners are able to buy and sell farmland, entirely online. Through the FarmlandFinder Offers Platform, a landowner can request an offer on their land and receive offers from a private network of verified buyers in as little as a week. Once an offer is accepted, FarmlandFinder helps to navigate the rest of the process to ensure a seamless and stress-free transaction.
  • Farmer Veteran Coalition announces their 2020 National Stakeholders Virtual Conference will be held Nov. 18-19, 2020.
  • Agri-Pulse Communications is looking for an intern who is passionate about reporting on farm, food and rural policy issues and serving a growing audience.
  • Sakata Seed America teamed up with Kitayama Brothers, KB Farms, to join dozens of floral industry businesses nationwide to surprise unsuspecting passersby with two free flower bouquets each — one to keep and one to give to a friend, family member, colleague, or even a stranger. The random-acts-of-kindness effort — called Petal It Forward and organized by the Society of American Florists is designed to help people start their day with more smiles and less stress.
  • The next Farm Foundation Forum is titled “Creating Supply Chain Agility Through Data Innovation.” Join via Zoom from the comfort of your home or office on Tuesday, Nov. 17 from 10:00 a.m. to noon CST. Register here.
  • Aimpoint Research®, a global strategic intelligence firm serving the agri-food value chain, recently welcomed Jennifer Coleman as Director of Communications.
  • MGEX, a Designated Contract Market and Derivatives Clearing Organization, finished October 2020 as the 11th best month for total monthly volume in history of the Exchange with a total of 268,611 contracts. This past month became the new record for the best October in history, decimating the previous record, October 2007, by 68,163 contracts.
  • Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture on Wednesday (Nov. 11) will host a free Corn and Soybean Outlook webinar for the month of November. The webinar will be at 11:30 a.m. ET. Register here.
Zimfo Bytes

ZimmCast 659 – Communications and Research Innovations

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

In this edition of the ZimmCast, Cindy and I share a couple of feature interviews we did recently on new innovations in communications and research.

First, Cindy talked with Frances Hayes, Communications Specialist for the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska, about how they have adapted their communications strategy this year to reach a diverse group of stakeholders around the world in the middle of a pandemic. One of those new strategies is the Daugherty Water for Food podcast.

We recently sent out a news release on AgNewsWire about a company called C-Lock, which developed technology to help improve animal management, profits, and sustainability in their livestock systems and awarded Research Equipment Grants to find new ways to use their tools.

The founder of C-Lock is Dr. Patrick Zimmerman – so since we shared a surname I thought I would give him a call and find out more about it.

I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 659 - Innovations in Communications and Research (44:08)

Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

Agribusiness, Audio, Technology, University, ZimmCast

Syngenta’s Thatcher Provides Post-Election Insight

Cindy Zimmerman

Mary Kay Thatcher has been providing farm policy insight for more than 30 years, so she knows what she is talking about when it comes to election outcomes, even if this one is unusual.

As Senior Manager of Federal Government and Industry Relations for Syngenta, Thatcher provided her perspective on the “churn of the election” during the company’s media summit today. She does expect the presidential outcome to drag on for a while, but during her presentation, Thatcher used the assumption of a Biden presidency for her outlook.

Here is the full presentation, which refers to slides and includes media questions at the end.
Syngenta Media Summit presentation on election impacts (50:27)

In this interview, Thatcher comments on how the rural vote went, what to expect for House and Senate Agriculture Committee leadership, and how a Biden presidency might impact biofuels, regulation, and trade issues.
Post election interview with Mary Kay Thatcher, Syngenta (10:25)

Audio, Farm Policy, Syngenta

Precision Ag News 11/4

Carrie Muehling

  • American Farmland Trust has launched online access to the methods, tools, and training resources it used in developing case studies featuring soil health successful farmers in its Quantifying the Economic and Environmental Benefits of Soil Health project funded by a USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service Conservation Innovation Grant.
  • AgroLiquid announced Nick Bancroft stepped into the role of chief executive officer, effective November 1, 2020. Nick’s promotion comes as current CEO and AgroLiquid founder, Troy Bancroft announces his plan to transition to a more strategic role as president of the AgroLiquid Board of Directors and member of the company’s leadership team.
  • Trimble announced it will match donations up to $100,000 USD in support of global poverty-fighting non-profit organization CARE and their She Feeds the World program during the month of November, 2020. Aiming to improve access to food and nutrition for 50 million women and youth, small-scale producers and their families, She Feeds the World supports programs and projects in more than 76 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
  • Ag Leader announced enhancements to InCommand displays and its launch of guidance and steering products designed and built in-house to its year-round precision farming line-up.
  • Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. announced the appointment of prominent business leader Lara L. Lee to the Board of Directors.
  • The Natural Resources Conservation Service announced more than $14.6 million will be awarded to 24 projects to support the development of new systems, tools and technologies for production and conservation on agricultural lands.
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Administrator Kurt Thiede signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Illinois Farm Bureau President Rich Guebert, Jr. that commits to continuing collaborative efforts that recognize agricultural environmental stewardship through improved communications and outreach.
  • Radicle Growth announced that MycoTechnology, Inc. has won the Radicle Protein Challenge by Syngenta and secured a $1 million investment and BlueNalu, Inc. was named the runner-up and has secured a $250,000 investment. Radicle and Syngenta Group, a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security, constructed this Challenge to uncover innovation and invest in two technology companies that are transforming the future of protein. The Challenge saw interest from across the globe with over 150 impressive applicants.
  • Due to scheduling changes, we will no longer offer the Nov. 5 or 19 session of the Water for Food Global Webinar Series. The “Innovations in Irrigation” session has been moved to Nov. 12. Register here.
  • The cloud-based DataConnect system that enables the exchange of machinery data between CLAAS, 365FarmNet and John Deere is now commercially available, with further partners to follow soon.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

2020 Syngenta Media Summit – U.S. Crop Protection

Chuck Zimmerman

Syngenta Crop ProtectionThe 2020 Syngenta Virtual Media Summit featured the company’s U.S. crop protection products and updates today. Here is the panel for the presentation.

Corporate Communications Lead Paul Minehart moderated the discussion:
Jeff Cecil, North America Crop Protection Marketing Head
Shawn Potter, Head of Marketing, Seedcare
Lisa Moricle, Head of Fungicides and Insecticides Product Marketing
Kevin Gesse, Head, Herbicide Product Marketing

Each presenter provided an update on Syngenta products with the media summit theme, “Leading The Way In A New Decade.”
Syngenta media summit - U.S. Crop Protection Products/Updates (39:06)

Agribusiness, Audio, Crop Protection, Syngenta