American Agri-Women Honors Amanda Radke
Amanda Radke (L) receives award from AAW first vice president Kim Bremmer
The Veritas Award, one of AAW’s highest honors, is given to individuals who have demonstrated public witness to the “pursuit of truth.” Amanda Radke, a fifth-generation rancher from Mitchell, South Dakota, was recognized for her extraordinary commitment to advancing agriculture, rural communities, and food security. Radke, alongside her husband, Tyler, and their four children operate Radke Land & Cattle, an Angus seedstock operation. Her work exemplifies the resilience and passion of American agriculturalists.
A seasoned advocate for agriculture, Radke has spent nearly two decades traveling nationwide to defend the livelihood of farming families, promote rural business vitality, and ensure access to safe, abundant food. A former National FFA Extemporaneous Speaking Champion and National Beef Ambassador, she continues to educate and inspire through her writing, speaking, and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Amanda is also a podcast and radio show host, syndicated columnist, and children’s book author focused on fostering agricultural understanding among youth, as well as an industry consultant with CK6 and co-founder of the auction platform Bid On Beef. Before all that, she was an intern right here on AgWired while she was a senior at South Dakota State.
Congrats and well deserved, Amanda!
Industry Ag News 12/13
VISION Conference to Return in 2026
Meister Media Worldwide’s The VISION Conference is moving to a biennial event, starting with the next conference in 2026.
According to Show Director Amy Reddington, while the Vision Conference has grown into an important gathering for leaders, innovators, and decision-makers, the ag tech landscape has evolved at an unprecedented rate, resulting in ever-increasing, complex decision-making for the industry. “The surge in significant technology disruptions (including AI, autonomy, and data platforms), coupled with the substantial investments required to implement these advances, has considerably extended the timelines for adoption. Given these dynamics, we are shifting The VISION Conference to bi-annual to deliver the most relevant insights, facilitate deeper collaborations and offer a more impactful experience,” said Reddington.
Meanwhile, Meister’s fifth annual Tech Hub LIVE event for the ag retail space, will be taking place July 21-23, 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa, and registration is already open! Take advantage of early holiday discounts and register early!
Precision Ag News 12/11
Golden Harvest Hybrids Built for the North
Golden Harvest and GHX are offering new corn hybrids specifically gred for those northern farmers who take pride in their ability to produce corn in a challenging environment every year.
Each of the individual Hybrids Built for the North product is named for apex predators adapted for success there:
· Hybrid G00A97-AA – The Hawk: Like a Hawk, G00A97-AA Brand is agile and able to thrive in diverse conditions. It precisely zeroes in on its prey at the right moment, with the right seeding rate.
· Hybrid G01U74-AA – The Grizzly: A force of nature, G01U74-AA Brand embodies raw power and unwavering strength. Like a Grizzly bear, it adapts to any environment and stands strong all season long.
· Hybrid G03U08-D – The Wolf: Leading the pack, The Wolf is fiercely protective and resilient. Like the northern predator, G03U08-D Brand thrives in tough terrains and challenges, delivering powerful results.
According to Rex Gray, Golden Harvest and GHX corn product manager, “To thrive in the North, a farmer needs products built specifically for their environment, with unique characteristics that provide a competitive edge. Our Hybrids Built for the North are strong, fierce and up to the challenge.”
In an interview at Farm Progress Show this year, Gray talked about the 14 new Golden Harvest corn hybrids for 2025. “So when you have these new varieties, hybrids plus others that are already established, this is just giving your customers a whole lot more options for their specific farm or geography,” said Gray. “Everybody wants more yield, but … it’s really about that consistent yield and harvestable yield. Because what’s in their grain tank at the end of the day is what pays the bills. So each year we continue to bring out new hybrids to meet those needs, but also make sure that we’re continuing to advance a portfolio from a disease or agonomic standpoint as well.”
The Hybrids Built for the North branding effort focuses specifically on farmers in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan with products to meet their challenges best and have the potential for higher yields.
FPS24 - Interview with Rex Gray, Golden Harvest 3:03New Tech Provides Non-Invasive In-Ovo Sexing
Say hello to Cheggy, the first non-invasive in-ovo technology of its kind to determine the sex of a chick before hatching.
In a groundbreaking development for the United States egg industry, an Iowa hatchery has become the first site to offer an automated in-ovo sex determining solution in the nation. An identical machine is also operational at a hatchery in Texas. Chicks from the hatchery are expected to go to their first customer—NestFresh Eggs—by December 13, 2024, putting eggs sourced from in-ovo sexed hens into the marketplace by June 2, 2025.
The technology was created by Germany-based company Agri Advanced Technologies (AAT). “We are thrilled to introduce this revolutionary non-invasive in-ovo sexing technology to the United States,” said Jörg Hurlin, Managing Director of AAT. “The high accuracy rate and unparalleled efficiency of this machine will undoubtedly transform the egg production industry with growing demand for welfare and sustainability practices in the poultry industry.”
In-Ovo Sexed Eggs
The unveiling event for the Cheggy technology took place on Tuesday, December 10, bringing together industry leaders from the AAT and NestFresh teams to witness a live demonstration of the machine, showcasing the innovative sorting process. Cheggy is the fastest machine of its kind and has the capability to sort up to 25,000 brown layer hatching eggs per hour and unit, significantly increasing efficiency and productivity for hatcheries. In 2019, AAT started the transformation process with its Cheggy in Germany and France and is now the market leader for in-ovo sex determination of brown layer lines in Europe with 12 units in 7 countries.
Learn more about Cheggy at cheggy.com.
Animal Ag News 12/9
DWFI Shares Annual Report
The Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska recently released its 2024 Annual Report celebrating 15 years of progress toward global water and food security.
DWFI continues to focus on ensuring a sustainable future with access to nutritious food and clean water and is uniquely positioned to advance water management for greater food security. Throughout its 15-year history, the institute has leveraged the world-class research at the University of Nebraska; the state’s expertise in agricultural and water resource management; and private sector partnerships to make real progress toward a water- and food-secure future for all.
Among this year’s accomplishments, DWFI launched its new USAID-funded Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Irrigation and Mechanization Systems (ILIMS) providing $40 million over the next five years to support the growth of vibrant irrigation and mechanization markets in the Global South. DWFI also welcomed 14 new members to its Faculty Fellow cohort and funded 11 new students working on mission-related research this year, in addition to the 20 returning students who continued their research with the help of DWFI funding.
The institute is celebrating its 15th anniversary year, culminating in its Water for Food Global Conference April 28-May 2, 2025 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
“Together, we can create a more water and food secure world, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come,” said Peter G. McCornick, executive director of DWFI.
Industry Ag News 12/6