Industry Ag News 4/12
ZimmCast 729 – Preview of the 2024 Agri-Marketing Conference
Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast.
It’s almost time for the 2024 Agri-Marketing Conference that is put on by the National Agri-Marketing Association. ZimmComm will be there to celebrate our 20th anniversary in our Connection Point booth. We’ve got more to come on this when we get to the conference later this month.
In this episode I’m talking with Lori Kruger, Signal Theory, and Chair for the Agri-Marketing Conference committee. We’ll do a preview of what you’ll find.
In case you haven’t registered it’s easy to go to the NAMA website and get it done.
Listen to the episode here:ZimmCast 729 - Preview of the 2024 Agri-Marketing Conference (12:14)
That’s the ZimmCast for this week. I hope you enjoyed it and thank you for listening.
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Custom Agronomics Appoints New CEO
Custom Agronomics, a leading provider of private-label liquid plant nutrition and other specialty products for the agriculture, turf, and ornamental markets, announced today that Tom Snipes has been appointed CEO.
“Tom brings a valuable combination of agricultural experience and business expertise to Custom Agronomics. He has a track record of innovation and growth that will enable us to continue expanding our presence and product line,” said Greg Thompson, chair of Custom Agronomics’ Board of Directors.
Snipes most recently served as CEO of Plant Response Inc., a global plant biotechnology company specializing in nutrient use efficiency, plant innate immunity and plant physiology. Under his leadership, the company successfully completed substantial fundraising and portfolio expansion and experienced rapid growth as a result of aggressive commercialization efforts and strategic acquisitions. Plant Response was acquired by The Mosaic Company in 2022 and is now part of Mosaic Biosciences.
“The emphasis on sustainability and improving plant health has presented strong market opportunities for Custom Agronomics. The company is already an industry leader in liquid nutrients and custom formulations, and I’m excited about capitalizing on opportunities to drive its next stage of growth,” Snipes said. Read More
Precision Ag News 4/10
Grassley Urges Schumer to Put Farm Bill on the Agenda
Senate Agriculture Committee member Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is calling on Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Democrats to put the farm bill on the Senate agenda.
In a letter to Schumer, Grassley pointed out that of the 17 items Schumer outlined for Senate action, the Farm Bill was missing. Grassley is urging the Majority Leader to hold true to his commitment to seek compromise with Republicans by passing a five-year Farm Bill reauthorization this year.
“A one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill is going to expire on September 30. The Senate must work to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill before that deadline,” Grassley said. “Farmers across the United States deserve the stability of a new five-year Farm Bill. A one-year extension increases uncertainty in markets and uncertainty for farmers who must make decisions today that will affect their operations for years to come.”
On this House side, In an exclusive interview with Agri-Pulse this week, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson said he plans to move a bipartisan farm bill through the panel next month and that he has “identified a way to pay for changes to commodity programs that have been sought by ag groups.”
Grassley talked about the need for a new farm bill in his weekly call with reporters on Tuesday.
Sen. Grassley press call 4-9-24 16:58NCBA Concerned About Loss of USDA Report
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announced this week that it is canceling the July Cattle report as well as all County Estimates for Crops and Livestock beginning with the 2024 production year.
“The decision to discontinue these surveys and reports was not made lightly, but was necessary, given appropriated budget levels,” NASS said in its official statement.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) criticized the decision because the reports “provide critical data and the decision to end them is completely misguided.”
“It is disingenuous for the same agency which touts its commitment to transparency in livestock markets to arbitrarily cease publication of reports which provide just that. While it may be politically expedient to blame appropriators in Congress for today’s decision, cattle producers know better than to believe discontinuing a handful of reports will result in substantive cost savings for the Department,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “NCBA calls on USDA-NASS to immediately reverse this decision and continue delivering on its stated mission of providing timely, accurate, and useful statistics in service to U.S. agriculture.”
NCBA is urging USDA to reverse the decision. NASS also announced cancellation of the Cotton Objective Yield Survey.
Celebration of Modern Ag on the National Mall
In case you missed it.
The second Celebration of Modern Ag on the National Mall will take place Monday, May 6 – Wednesday, May 8 between the Smithsonian Museums in the heart of Washington, DC.
The 2024 theme of the Future of Food and Farming aims to highlight the benefits of today’s agricultural equipment technology along with gains achieved by producers, agri-business, food processors, and retailers. AEM is striving to have the full spectrum of agricultural equipment represented, including livestock, specialty and row crops.
“We are taking lessons from the inaugural Ag and CE events to make 2024 the best yet,” said AEM Senior Vice President Curt Blades. “Showcasing the sustainability of our food system on the National Mall is an unparalleled opportunity to influence regulations and legislation.”
Blades spoke about the event during the National Ag Day celebration in Washington DC. Learn more in this interview. 2024 Ag Day Curt Blades interview 2:21
Animal Ag News 4/8
MyLand Welcomes Nicole Small
Soil health company MyLand welcomes Nicole Small to the team as Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications.
Charged with driving comprehensive marketing campaigns, Small will lead efforts to enhance brand visibility, amplify research and development results, and emphasize MyLand’s commitment to Exceptional Service for growers. Small oversees the marketing team and reports to Shelley Baugh, MyLand Vice President, Marketing & Culture.
“We are delighted to welcome Nicole to the MyLand team,” expressed Baugh. “Nicole will play a pivotal role in our marketing activities and is what we need to propel our marketing efforts forward. We are confident that Nicole will make an immediate impact and help us to connect with our customers in new and meaningful ways.”
Small will lead initiatives to optimize campaign management, attract new growers, and enhance customer engagement. As part of MyLand’s ongoing collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Small will contribute to greater access to soil health education.