Secretary Perdue Tours Hurricane Sally Damage

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue took a tour of crop damage from Hurricane Sally in Alabama and Florida on Monday. He visited the Jenkins Farm in Jay, Florida and heard from farmers in the panhandle of the state who suffered damage to cotton and peanut crops.

“What I’ve seen is crops that have probably been cut in half,” said Sec. Perdue. “Cotton that was virtually ready to be harvested, peanuts that were ready to be harvested down to half a crop. And there’s not that kind of margin in agriculture.”

Sec. Perdue acknowledged that all of the ad hoc disaster aid lately for farmers and ranchers could be detrimental to farm policy going forward. “We would love to move away from any kind of ad hoc disaster (aid) but also building a robust program within USDA through crop insurance and other means,” said Perdue.

Talking about the latest round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2), the secretary confirmed that he believes Congress has to approve any aid for ethanol producers or meat processors because USDA does not have the authority to allocate payments through the Commodity Credit Corporation. “Collin Peterson is chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and it’s up to him,” said Perdue. “Congress through a majority vote could change it at any time.”

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who represents the 1st district of Florida, joined Secretary Perdue at the farm.

Secretary Perdue visits Florida panhandle photo album

Press availability with Secretary Perdue – comments on storm damage, disaster aid, CFAP2 and more
Secretary Perdue press avail (5:34)

Rep. Gaetz and Secretary Perdue hear from farmers and answer questions during roundtable discussion.
Secretary Perdue visits Florida panhandle (46:21)

Florida Peanut Producers Executive Director Ken Barton
Interview with Ken Barton, Florida Peanut Producers (2:40)

WUWF reporter Jennie McKeon interviews farm owner Ryan Jenkins about crop damage
Interview with Florida farmer Ryan Jenkins (5:48)

Audio, Cotton, Ethanol, Peanuts, Pork, USDA

Register Now for ASTA CSS & Seed Expo Discount

Cindy Zimmerman

Wednesday, September 30 is the final day to take advantage of an 80% “First Access” discount for the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Virtual CSS & Seed Expo Virtual, December 7-9.

ASTA is looking forward to the opportunity in 2020 to bring our membership and seed industry community together for a time-honored tradition this December. Come together with seed professionals from around the world for four days of networking and education – with the biggest audience we have convened in the show’s 70+ year history.

This year’s virtual conference offers the opportunity to:
• Network with match-made attendees and exhibitors through easy-to-schedule video business appointments;
• Visit and see the latest innovations from over 70 virtual exhibitors; and
• Keep current on the latest economic, policy and industry developments that will affect you and your business in 2021 and beyond

Find out more in this video


ASTA, Seed, Video

Ambassador Doud Proud of Trade Accomplishments

Cindy Zimmerman

The chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative gave an update on the phase one agreement with China, and talked about what he believes are the major trade accomplishments of the Trump administration for the nation’s farmers and ranchers during an appearance at the 2020 Agribusiness Council of Kansas City Ag Outlook Forum on Monday.

“How many of you have ever read the agricultural section of the China Phase One agreement?” Ambassador Gregg Doud asked the live and virtual audience for the event. “What you will see if you ever do read it is that there are some 57 different structural changes that (both countries) agreed to make…I’m here to report to you today – 50 of those are done.”

Listen to Ambassador Doud’s remarks:
KC Ag Outlook Forum - USTR Chief Agricultural Negotiator Gregg Doud (35:01)

Agri-Pulse, Audio, Exports, Trade

Animal Ag News 9/28

Carrie Muehling

  • Following a successful virtual annual meeting, the Public Lands Council announced Wyoming rancher Niels Hansen will lead the organization as the new president and Steve Osguthorpe will join the PLC Executive Committee as the organization’s secretary.
  • The Public Lands Council also announced that John Falen was selected as the 2020 PLC President’s Award. PLC leadership also announced they selected Aaron Schlagel as the 2020 Friend Of PLC. Both awards acknowledge individuals who have made significant contributions to the public lands ranching community.
  • Subway sandwich franchises nationwide will generate more money for GENYOUth’s Emergency School Meal Delivery Fund and build awareness about the checkoff’s support for youth wellness through Fuel Up to Play 60. First, the chain launched the “Tackle Hunger” endeavor through its Subway Cares program. Subway Cares allows customers to add to their purchase for local causes. The franchises will use these donations for GENYOUth’s fund to provide school meals and feeding efforts from October through Nov. 30. Second, Subway will unveil “60-cent 6-inch Sundays” to students who display their Fuel Up to Play 60 “Healthy Habits Tracker.”
  • The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) show management is working hard to provide an in-person trade show in January 2021 for attendees and exhibitors and is taking every measure to ensure a safe and successful show experience. Certainly, any significant pandemic changes in the coming weeks, along with attendee and exhibitor survey feedback, will guide the IPPE show management’s decision-making process. A decision regarding the occurrence of the 2021 IPPE will be made by Oct. 22.
  • Brownfield Ag News is celebrating the 4th anniversary of the Weekly Livestock Market Update with a new quarterly webinar series debuting September 30 at 9:30 AM CT.
  • While 2020 may be a year remembered for opportunities lost, Dairy Herd Management is giving the dairy industry an opportunity to celebrate Sept. 28 – Oct. 3, with the launch of Dairy Week — an unprecedented offering of free information and resources dedicated to dairy producers and those that support them.
  • Florida rancher Liesa Priddy testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on behalf of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council, to give her support to S.4589, the Endangered Species Act Amendments of 2020, and highlight why this bill is desperately needed to modernize ESA.
  • The team at Armor Animal Health is excited for the upcoming Virtual Dairy Expo Event. One of their live events being held at 3 p.m. on September 29 will be an Agriculture Opportunities Career Panel featuring five young adults involved in various sectors of the industry. This panel is brought to you by Armor Animal Health and the event sponsor, Zoetis.
  • Join Alltech on September 29–30 to explore pet and equine nutritional advances, sustainability efforts and more during this month’s Alltech ONE Virtual Experience featured sessions: EQUINE and PET.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

All Ag All Day Reports From DC

Cindy Zimmerman

Thanks to COVID, there have been few opportunities for in-person visits on Capitol Hill but farm broadcaster Tony Ricketts spent all last week on the 4th Annual All Ag, All Day DC Capitol Ag Tour. Ricketts met with members of Congress, including the House Ag Committee, and agricultural industry leaders to discuss important topics such as trade, infrastructure, broadband, and CFAP.

Here are links to a few of the reports he sent back and wanted to share. Click to listen, right click to download.
U.S. Grains Council’s Floyd Gaibler
National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Chandler Goule
National Corn Growers Association CEO John Doggett
Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) on rural STEM investment and Rep. GT Thompson (PA) on rural broadband
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) on trade
Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) on infrastructure, the Water Resource Development Act of 2020, and the future of agriculture

Audio, Media, NCGA, Trade, USGC, Wheat

Agri-Pulse and AEM Host Rural America Webinar

Cindy Zimmerman

As in 2016, voters in rural America are poised to have a significant impact on who will be the next president. Yet, many rural counties are still struggling with COVID-19, high unemployment and the environmental impact from natural disasters and wildfires. How will all of these competing and often complex factors affect choices when rural residents vote?

Those are some of the topics Agri-Pulse plans to explore during a webinar discussion Tuesday with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) on “The Intersection of Rural America & Manufacturing: A Preview of Election Issues.” Agri-Pulse Managing Editor Spencer Chase will serve as moderator for the webinar featuring Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, D-N.M, Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D. and AEM’s Kip Eideberg on Sept. 29 from 11 a.m. to noon CDT.

The webinar is part of Agri-Pulse’s in-depth Campaign 2020 coverage, which is sponsored by AEM.

Click here to register and for more information.

AEM, Agri-Pulse, webinar

Industry Ag News 9/25

Carrie Muehling

  • The Fertilizer Institute released the Fertilizer Industry Economic Impact Study, highlighting the importance and economic contributions of the U.S. fertilizer industry to the national, state and local economies. The study found that the fertilizer industry contributed over $130 billion and nearly 500,000 jobs to the U.S. economy in 2019.
  • The Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference held annually in Savannah, Georgia, announced that the 2021 conference will be held virtually this year January 5-7, 2021. This event is the largest educational conference and trade show in the Southeast that unites growers, vendors and suppliers from across the specialty crop industry.
  • Farmer Veteran Coalition announces new state chapters in Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
  • Delivering performance advantages built on its unique chemical structure, market leaders including Ford Motor Company, Sherwin-Williams, Rust-Oleum, John Deere, Columbia Forest Products and Goodyear have all realised better products from better chemistry with U.S. Soy. To learn about the potential of this renewable feedstock with more than 80 years of commercialization success, join the next free webinar – Sustainability & enhanced product performance: achieving both with U.S soy – in partnership with United Soybean Board, on Wednesday, September 30.
  • American Farmland Trust announces the winners of its 12th Annual Farmers Market Celebration – recognizing the leading market in each region of the country and awarding cash prizes to the winners of the “People’s Choice” awards for markets with the most endorsements nationwide. More than 1,250 markets participated in the celebration with the total number of votes up 350% over 2019, demonstrating the critical role farmers markets have continued to play in feeding Americas throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
  • After more than three decades of service, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and Missouri Corn Growers Association Chief Executive Officer Gary Marshall will be shifting into retirement effective April 2021.
  • For more than 52 years, World Ag Expo® has served agriculture by bringing buyers and sellers together to innovate, collaborate, and advance agriculture. In 2021, the show will not be held live for the first time in World Ag Expo® history. Attendees are encouraged to follow World Ag Expo® social media channels and watch their email inboxes for more information on World Ag Expo® projects throughout 2020 and 2021. They can join the World Ag Expo® email list to stay up-to-date at http://bit.ly/WAEupdates.
  • American Agri-Women Past President (1988-89) Mitzi Perdue recently installed the 2020-21 Officers of the Florida Agri-Women in Port Charlotte, Florida. They are President Ruth Jensen, Port Charlotte; Vice President Sonia Tighe, Tampa; Secretary Carol Harris, Homestead; Treasurer Jamie Lang, Wauchula and Immediate Past President Deborah Brady, Dunnellon.
  • Renewable Energy Group, Inc. broke ground for a single wind turbine that will provide power to the company’s biorefinery in Albert Lea, Minnesota. This project will provide locally sourced, clean electrical power, lowering the carbon footprint of the biodiesel plant.
  • The next Ag Outlook Forum is scheduled for September 28, 2020 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. CST in person at Kansas City Marriott Downtown or online. Register here.
  • Join Agri-Pulse for a webinar discussion about “The Intersection of Rural America & Manufacturing: A Preview of Election Issues with Rep. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, D-N.M, Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D. and AEM’s Kip Eideberg” on Sept. 29 from noon to 1 pm EST. Register here.
Zimfo Bytes

Agri-Pulse Hosts Infrastructure Conversation

Cindy Zimmerman

The United States exported 52 percent of its soybean crop in 2019, nearly 1.9 million bushels, so it is critical for producers to have a transportation system that delivers cost effective, reliable, and competitive service.

Agri-Pulse editor and publisher Sara Wyant hosted a timely discussion Thursday on transportation infrastructure with American Soybean Association Director of Government Affairs Alexa Combelic and Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek. Among the issues they discussed were WRDA legislation and the Waterway Trust Fund cost-share ratio, benefits of dredging, and how every aspect of the export supply chain benefits when products can move along our waterways.

Listen to the discussion below, or click to watch it:
Agri-Pulse ASA/USB Infrastructure Webinar (58:02)

Agri-Pulse, ASA, Audio, Soybean, transportation, USB

Precision Ag News 9/23

Carrie Muehling

  • Brightseed, a 2020 World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer, and developer of Forager™, the world’s first and only AI technology for phytonutrient discovery, has closed $27M in growth financing led by Lewis & Clark AgriFood.
  • Two global companies are combining forces to offer a full range of integrated product development and regulatory services to agriculture technology companies, multinational or regional crop protection companies, and biologic-based commercial entities. This strategic alliance brings together AgriThority®, a global agricultural product, market and business development company with focus on new technologies, and knoell, specialists in product regulatory compliance for a variety of industries with worldwide reach.
  • Syngenta Seeds and the Analytics Society of INFORMS launched the 2021 Syngenta Crop Challenge in Analytics, a competition that focuses on analytical approaches to improve complex crop breeding processes. The 2021 competition is aimed at optimizing year-round corn hybrid breeding processes. Data analytics, mathematics and statistics students, and professionals worldwide are invited to enter by Jan. 20, 2021.
  • Scientists from conservation and academic institutions have launched AgEvidence, a visualization dashboard of data from nearly 300 peer-reviewed research papers and curated expert insights derived from those studies. The research compiled in AgEvidence focuses on the environmental and agronomic impacts of cover crops, tillage management, pest management, and nutrient management practices used in growing corn and/or soybean crops in the Midwest.
  • The GROWMARK System is growing its endure sustainability initiative in 2020 and beyond to promote positive environmental change in all of the communities it serves.
  • Thank you to everyone who attended Soil Health: The Foundation for Regenerative Agriculture, the Soil Health Institute’s 5th Annual Meeting. Videos of the Keynote and Plenary Sessions are available now on the Soil Health Institute YouTube Channel.
  • Producers Cooperative Association, an agricultural supply cooperative serving the Brazos Valley and Central Texas, has joined the expanding CommoditAg network.
  • Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. announced that company President and Chief Financial Officer James Boyd will retire from his positions. A national search process for the new Chief Financial Officer is underway, and Mr. Boyd will continue as President and CFO during the search process.
  • The Agroview system has been recognized as the University of Florida Invention of the Year. The system utilizes images from drones and satellites and from the ground – along with artificial intelligence — to assess plant stress, count and categorize plants based on their height and canopy area and estimate plant nutrient content.
  • American Farmland Trust shares publicly its CaRPE Tool TM, a web-based interactive tool that allows users to quickly visualize and quantify net greenhouse gas, or GHG, emission reductions resulting from the implementation of cropland and grazing land management practices. The user can quantify the current use and impact of key regenerative practices and then estimate the potential to sequester more carbon if these practices are applied more broadly, given the specific farmland resources in a state or region.
  • BRANDT Specialty Formulations has added two new territory sales managers, Cody Massey and Nate Britt, to its North American Ag sales team, covering the US Pacific Northwest and Canada.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

USDA Grant Program for Producers to Use Propane

Cindy Zimmerman

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is encouraging farmers to apply soon for a limited-time offer from USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant to receive a 25 percent grant for replacing a diesel irrigation engine with a propane-powered engine.

The USDA REAP recently announced Nov. 2 as its fall deadline for the Renewable Energy systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Grant, so PERC encourages interested applicants to act quickly to save even more on propane-powered engines.

“With lower purchase costs and savings of up to 50 percent compared to diesel engines doing the same job, farmers are already saving big by switching to propane irrigation engines,” said Michael Newland, director of agriculture business development at PERC. “For anyone considering making these energy efficiency upgrades to their operation, now is the time to act and take advantage of additional savings with the USDA REAP program.”

Funds can be used for the purchase and installation of a new propane-powered irrigation engine, and any agricultural producer who makes over 50 percent of gross income from agriculture is eligible to apply. The grant is good for up to 25 percent of the total upgrade cost, with a $1,500 minimum and $250,000 maximum.

“There’s never been a better time to replace a diesel irrigation engine with a cleaner, more cost-effective propane alternative,” said Newland. “On top of cost savings, propane engines help meet strict emissions goals and can keep your ag operation running no matter where you live or what happens with the electric grid.”

Grant applications will be accepted at local USDA offices through Nov. 2. Get details from USDA.

Irrigation, PERC, Propane, USDA