Animal Ag News 5/18

Carrie Muehling

  • The Animal Agriculture Alliance recently hired Emily Solis as communications specialist, beginning May 11. In this role, Solis will work to execute the Alliance’s issues management and communications strategy.
  • The U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division provided guidance for collaboration among U.S. hog farmers to effectively address unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The favorable decision is in response to a “business review” letter submitted to the DOJ by the National Pork Producers Council seeking permission to allow hog farmers greater flexibility in working to maximize the number of hogs entering the food supply, minimize the tragic need to euthanize hogs, and, facilitate the safe and orderly euthanization of those hogs which are not able to enter the food supply.
  • A bipartisan group of eight U.S. Senators, led by U.S. Sens. Tina Smith (D-MN) and Mike Rounds (R-SD), urged U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Purdue to assure that bison producers will be included in the agricultural assistance package that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is developing under the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
  • Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, released a statement on the Recourse Loan Program for Commercial Processors of Dairy Products in the HEROES Act legislation as proposed by the House of Representatives.
  • Metritis can have a devastating impact on a dairy farm, reducing reproductive performance and decreasing milk production. To provide farmers with a quality, affordable way to treat metritis with zero milk discard, Norbrook, Inc., has launched Cefenil® RTU – the industry’s first ready-to-use, veterinary-prescription, generic ceftiofur hydrochloride injectable.
  • As Americans start to enjoy the warmer weather and fire up their grills, Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. is continuing to ensure beef cravings are satisfied with a quick guide for simple steak swaps. To help consumers make the most out of grilling season, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. culinary team, funded by the Beef Checkoff, has developed a chart of simple steak swaps for top grilling cuts that make it easy to get beef on the table, regardless of what cut of beef consumers have on hand.
  • The Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative applauded the Agriculture Department for awarding $317 million in contracts to purchase milk and other dairy foods for struggling Americans.
  • A more condensed version of the Beef Quality Assurance Manual is now available to BQA followers in digital or print form. Both the digital and print versions of the BQA Field Guide are now available. To find out more about them or the BQA Manual, or to become BQA certified, visit BQA.org.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Alltech ONE Virtual Experience Begins Today

Cindy Zimmerman

The Alltech ONE Virtual Experience kicks off today at precisely 9:00 a.m. Eastern time, or whatever time that is wherever you are.

The week-long event begins with a welcome address from Alltech President and CEO Dr. Mark Lyons, followed by keynote presenter Cady Coleman, Retired NASA Astronaut and STEM Advocate. Live question and answer sessions with attendees will be part of the experience, and on-demand presentations on a variety of focus session topics will be available immediately for attendees.

Focus sessions include presentations on some of the latest beef, dairy, poultry and pig research for producers. One example is a new solution to help reduce vice behaviors, like tail biting, in pigs called AllBite™.

Dr. Andrew Bents, Swine Technical Veterinarian for Hubbard Feeds, talks about the possibilities of the AllBite block’s unique delivery system, which makes it a cost-effective solution for certain vice behaviors.

Listen to an interview with Dr. Bents here – and if you have not yet registered for the Alltech ONE Virtual Experience, it’s just a click away!

Alltech ONE interview with Dr. Andrew Bents, Hubbard Feeds (5:48)

AgWired Animal, Alltech, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Pork, Swine

Industry Ag News 5/15

Carrie Muehling

  • Brian Ahrens has been named UPL Head of U.S. Ag Sales. In this role he will oversee all divisions of the U.S. sales division and identify new market strategies to further UPL’s growing U.S. manufacturing business.
  • The Missouri Hemp Association LLC has announced a collaboration with Bela Vida Nurseries, Inc. Through the collaboration, MHA and Bela Vida will be working to research and develop hemp genetics, as well as working on propagation, planting, and harvesting techniques. The mutual goal of the collaboration is to further develop the hemp industry in the state of Missouri and beyond and to help farmers be successful.
  • Iron Solutions is adding an “Other Equipment” feature to its popular IronGuides® equipment appraisal platform, adding more than 600 new types of equipment to its valuation software, based on actual sales reports from dealers and auctions across North America.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association is pleased to welcome ClearFlame Engine Technologies as the organization’s newest Associate Member.
  • The American Soybean Association has hired Virginia Houston as the newest member of its Washington, D.C.-based government affairs team. She will start June 1 with the industry’s national policy organization.
  • For many FFA members, the academic year is coming to an unforeseen end as schools have moved online across the nation to mitigate COVID-19’s spread in the U.S. This means that in-person events like chapter banquets and state FFA conventions are not happening as planned this spring. However, state FFA associations are adapting to the issue by moving convention sessions and activities online. To see how other state FFA associations are handling their conventions, visit the state association webpage on FFA.org and click on a state to visit the association’s website.
  • U.S. farmers are expected to produce 1.25 billion bushels of winter wheat this year, according to the Crop Production report released by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Also in the Crop Production report are updates to the Jan. 10 estimates for corn and soybeans. The 2019 corn production estimate was reduced from 13.69 billion bushels to 13.66 billion bushels, and the 2019 soybean production estimate was reduced fractionally from the previous estimate. The Crop Production and other reports are available at www.nass.usda.gov/Publications.
  • UnitedAg announced the 2020 recipients of the Agribusiness Education Foundation’s educational scholarship. The member-owned agricultural trade association awarded sixty students from agricultural communities across California and Arizona a combined $75,000.
  • he American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, has opened online applications for the 2021 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Detailed eligibility guidelines, the competition timeline, videos and profiles of past winners are available at fb.org/challenge. Applications must be received by midnight Eastern Daylight Time on July 31, 2020.
  • The Animal Agriculture Alliance recently hired Emily Solis as communications specialist, beginning May 11. In this role, Solis will work to execute the Alliance’s issues management and communications strategy.
  • The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol has selected Control Union Certifications North America (CUC) to implement an independent, third-party verification program for the Trust Protocol system. CUC was chosen from six applicants following a thorough selection process. The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol will launch in June 2020. Ahead of the June launch date, the Trust Protocol was recently added to Textile Exchange’s list of preferred fibers and materials. For more information, please visit https://TrustUsCotton.org.
Zimfo Bytes

USDA SECURE Rule Paves Way for Agricultural Innovation

Cindy Zimmerman

The final rule updating and modernizing USDA’s biotechnology regulations under the Plant Protection Act was approved this week.

The Sustainable, Ecological, Consistent, Uniform, Responsible, Efficient (SECURE) rule will bring USDA’s plant biotechnology regulations into the 21st century by removing duplicative and antiquated processes in order to facilitate the development and availability of these technologies through a transparent, consistent, science-based, and risk-proportionate regulatory system. This new rule will help provide America’s farmers access to these critical tools to help increase agricultural productivity and sustainability, improve the nutritional value and quality of crops, combat pests and diseases, and enhance food safety.

American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) President & CEO Andy LaVigne says plant breeding innovations like gene editing hold tremendous potential not just for American agriculture, but for the future of our environment and the entire food value chain.

“All of our nation’s agricultural producers deserve choice and access when it comes to the latest tools available to support the economic and environmental sustainability of their operations,” said LaVigne. “In order to foster an environment that supports continued innovation, it is critical that USDA works closely with FDA and EPA to ensure consistent, science-and risk-based policies across the U.S. Government, while continuing to take a leadership role in working towards alignment at the international level.”

LaVigne says ASTA is analyzing the full details of the SECURE rule, he did note that it acknowledges that some applications of gene editing result in the development of plant varieties that are essentially equivalent to varieties developed through more traditional breeding methods and would thus treat these varieties in the same way from a policy standpoint.

ASTA, Seed, Technology, USDA

ZimmCast 645 – AgCareers in a COVID-19 World

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

This week I’m sharing a conversation with Erika Osmundson, Director of Marketing and Communications, AgCareers.com. Erika and I talk about how the pandemic situation has affected job seekers and ag companies looking for employees. She shares some information from industry surveys they have conducted. I really appreciate her time and outlook for people who would like to work in the ag industry and the companies looking for people right now.

Here’s to a near term future when things do get back to normal!

That’s the ZimmCast for this week. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and thank you for listening.

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 645 - AgCareers in a COVID-19 World

Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

AgCareers, Agribusiness, Audio, ZimmCast

Alltech ONE Virtual to Offer COVID-19 Insight

Cindy Zimmerman

The Alltech One Virtual Experience gets underway on May 18 bringing live, on-demand keynote addresses, presentations and interactive sessions on a variety of timely topics to thousands of participants around the world.

Of course, COVID19 will frame much of the discussion, and one presentation will feature South Dakota cattle rancher and BEEF Daily blogger Amanda Radke who will be discussing how this crisis is shifting our mindset and creating new opportunities in the livestock industry.

Radke says she will be talking about how the livestock industry adapts to this crisis could lead to some really positive changes. “Different businesses right off the bat started doing charitable work,” she said. “I think long term they might be able to find new opportunities just because they were willing to adapt and meet the needs of people right where they are.”

Radke will also discuss the importance of taking care of your mental health and talking to other people about your fears, frustrations, and anger. Her presentation will be available on the Alltech One Virtual Experience website on-demand May 18 with live Q&A scheduled for May 20 @ 1 p.m. EST.

Listen to my interview with her below, and if you have not yet registered for the Alltech One Virtual Experience – click right here.

Alltech ONE interview with Amanda Radke, BEEF Daily (7:15)

AgWired Animal, Alltech, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef

Benson Hill Contracts 30,000 Premium Soybean Acres

Cindy Zimmerman

St. Louis-based crop improvement company Benson Hill has contracted 30,000 acres to advance its non-GMO soybean varieties through partnerships in the consumer food, animal feed and aquaculture markets.

“The consumer food, animal feed and aquaculture markets are demanding innovation that improves the health and sustainability profile of their ingredients,” said Chris Wilkins, Chief Operating Officer of Benson Hill. “Our portfolio of high-quality soybean varieties delivers this innovation through a full range of in-demand, premium attributes, including better digestibility, heart-healthy omega fatty acids and higher protein that benefit farmers, producers and consumers and further allow Benson Hill to deepen its relationships across the entire value chain.”

Released through the Benson Hill Seeds division, the varieties deliver quality traits like lower anti-nutrients, high oleic and low linolenic oil, and higher protein content, while maintaining competitive yields.

“More than ever, farmers are looking for new opportunities to improve the profitability and predictability of their operation beyond the traditional commodity landscape,” said Kevin Van Trump, CEO of Farm Direction. “Benson Hill understands how to serve these markets and how to serve the farmer. Their dual focus unlocks a massive opportunity for those who want to be part of the evolution underway in food and agriculture.”

In addition to the premium meal and oil ingredients these acres will deliver, Benson Hill recently announced the first commercially available soybean varieties that can effectively replace soy protein concentrate via typical soybean crushing. Available in the 2021 crop year, this innovation will enable food companies to eliminate costly energy and water-intensive processing steps across the consumer food, animal feed and aquaculture markets.

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Feed, Food, Seed, Soybean, Technology

Regenerative Agriculture Expands Into New Regions

Cindy Zimmerman

Heliae® Agriculture continues to expand as it builds its efforts on promoting regenerative agriculture and soil health to the Delmarva, Kentucky, and Carolina regions. Chris Templeton will work with distributors to implement the PhycoTerra® product line into their recommended grower applications.

“We have learned how to stimulate the microbiome and improve the soil structure while seeing a dramatic effect on crops nationwide,” stated Heliae President and CEO, Eric Lichtenheld. “Building our regenerative agriculture story with a best-in-class team ensures us that growers nationwide will get the attention they need for immediate results and long term success.”

Templeton joins the team with over 15 years plus of experience in turf and agriculture sales and management. Norm Davy, Chief Revenue Officer said, “Templeton is going to be an immediate resource to our growers in the southern and east coast markets, providing them custom application recommendations and dedicated soil health recommendations.”

Templeton will be joining the growing agronomy and sales team that is introducing regenerative agriculture practices to growers nationwide.

Agronomy, AgWired Precision, Precision Agriculture, Soil

Precision Ag News 5/13

Carrie Muehling

  • HELM Agro US, Inc., a global manufacturer of high-quality crop protection and fertilizer products, announces the hiring of Brock Waggoner as Sales Agronomist for the Midwest region.
  • Through a Conservation Innovation Grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Nature Conservancy provided essential support for Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency and project partner California Lutheran University in their effort to establish a market-driven and producer-led approach to reduce groundwater pumping. Under a cap-and-trade style system, agricultural producers in the Fox Canyon area have fixed groundwater allocations based on historical use and can then purchase or sell their unused allocation and realize income from their water savings.
  • With technology powering more of our professional and personal lives in this new age of social distancing, GROWMARK’s AgValidity program is more vital than ever. This month, the AgValidity team is celebrating its first year of delivering value to GROWMARK/FS customers.
  • Bill Page of Insight FS has worked with specialty crop producers across Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for more than 40 years. It’s this dedication to customer service and agronomy expertise that has earned Page the 2020 Wisconsin Certified Crop Adviser of the Year Award.
  • This week the National Corn Growers Association submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency regarding the importance of neonicotinoids as part of the registration review process for three products. The comments reinforced the importance of the neonicotinoid products being considered for reregistration – Clothianidin, Thiamethoxam and Imidacloprid – which are found in common corn seed treatments to combat early-season pests that attack seeds and seedlings when they are at their most vulnerable.
  • Roquette, a global leader in plant-based ingredients and a pioneer of plant proteins, announced the development of a new brand identity for its range of NUTRALYS® plant proteins, a sustainable source of innovative plant proteins of the highest quality.
  • Farm Market iD announces the launch of new field-level irrigation data which provides deeper insights for agribusinesses to better understand and serve their farmers.
  • Limagrain Cereal Seeds is one of the breeding programs leading the wheat portfolio charge, with four CoAXium hard red winter wheats in its portfolio. All four varieties provide excellent grassy weed control, and each one offers additional distinct advantages for Central Plains farmers.
  • Join a Zoom webinar on Friday, May 29 at noon Eastern/11:00 Central to learn about a new, free, online data tool that uses satellite imagery to study trends in the adoption of conservation agriculture practices. The Operational Tillage Information System (OpTIS) offers a range of applications for government agencies, researchers, carbon market administrators, conservationists and businesses. Register for the free webinar now at https://bit.ly/OpTISwebinar.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Alexa Lamm Receives Borlaug CAST Communication Award

Chuck Zimmerman

CAST Borlaug Communication Award 2020Today the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) used Zoom to announced that the 2020 Borlaug CAST Communication Award goes to Alexa Lamm, an Associate Professor of Science Communication at the University of Georgia.

With a long list of accomplishments as a scientist, educator, and writer, Dr. Lamm is recognized nationally and internationally as an acclaimed research scholar. Colleagues and associates praise her intelligence and hard work, and they note that she is a “skilled translator”—Lamm has a way of making tech and science accessible for all, from policymakers to the general public.

An award presentation will occur during World Food Prize Symposium week in October, 2020. The Borlaug CAST Communication Award honors the legacies of Nobel Prize winner Dr. Norman Borlaug and Dr. Charles A. Black, the first president of CAST.

You can hear the presentation below by Juan Tricarico, Ph.D., VP Sustainability Research, Dairy Management Inc. and CAST President, followed by remarks from the Julie Borlaug, the CropLife Foundation award sponsor and closing remarks from Kent Schescke, Executive Vice President, CAST.

Borlaug CAST Communication Award
Ag Groups, Audio, Technology