Industry Ag News 3/13

Carrie Muehling

  • The American Soybean Association recognized outstanding volunteers and leaders at its annual awards banquet in San Antonio on Feb. 28, honoring individuals for state association volunteerism, distinguished leadership achievements and long-term, significant contributions to the soybean industry. The Pinnacle Award Winner was Kenlon Johannes from Kansas. Recognized with the Distinguished Leadership Award was Steve Wellman of Nebraska, and the Outstanding State Volunteer Award Winner was Neal Bredehoeft of Missouri.
  • Emma Kuhns of Mason City, Illinois, is the recipient of the 2020-21 Soy Scholarship award, sponsored by BASF and the American Soybean Association.
  • Nominations are now open for the biggest accolade in agriculture. Called the “Nobel Prize for food and agriculture,” the World Food Prize is presented to an individual who has made an exceptional achievement in making hunger history. Nominate an inspiring individual making a measurable impact on reducing world hunger, and they could be the 2021 recipient of this USD $250,000 award. To learn more about awardee qualifications, visit www.worldfoodprize.org/nominate.
  • As part of the organization’s broader initiative to address a growing farm stress crisis, National Farmers Union last week hosted a two-day, in-person session to train community mental health advocates across the country. More than 30 Farmers Union members from 19 states completed the training, which was held in conjunction with NFU’s 118th Anniversary Convention in Savannah, Georgia.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand announced USDA has extended the deadline for ReConnect Pilot Program applications to March 31.
Zimfo Bytes

Agri-Pulse Postpones Ag & Food Policy Summit

Cindy Zimmerman

Agri-Pulse has announced its annual Ag & Food Policy Summit at the National Press Club has been postponed from March 23 to June 22 due to the evolving situation in the nation’s Capitol regarding coronavirus.

“We have been looking forward to seeing you at our Ag & Food Policy Summit on March 23 while actively monitoring events related to the coronavirus (Covid-19) unfold. We have listened carefully to advice about the need to practice social distancing, along with taking other preventative measures,” said Agri-Pulse Editor and Publisher Sara Wyant. “However, the virus continues to spread, increasing the risk of face-to-face meetings that make events like ours so valuable. This morning, the Sergeant at Arms announced that access will be limited to the Capitol Complex until April 1 and some offices are already starting to shut down in light of the discovery that a Senate staff member tested positive for the coronavirus.”

Those already registered for the March 23 event will have their reservation maintained but those who are unable to make the June 22 date should contact Agri-Pulse.

Agri-Pulse

Liberty Brings Back Women’s Bibs

Cindy Zimmerman

Liberty bibs for women are back!

Liberty, an iconic American brand and manufacturer of bib overalls since 1912, has reintroduced its line of women’s bibs after discontinuing the female-focused products 18 years ago. The new line includes both denim and duck bib overalls that offer the unwavering quality and craftsmanship Liberty is known for, while featuring female-specific fits and all-new flexible fabric technology.

“Bringing back our women’s line has been a top priority for Liberty,” said Brad Bromstead, Vice President of Marketing, Merchandising and Design for Liberty. “Hard-working women have worn our men’s products for years. We believe they deserve workwear that is not only durable and dependable, but also fits comfortably. Our new women’s bibs are designed to fill that void.”

The new flexible fabric technology in the denim bibs incorporates a cotton, polyester and spandex blend for increased mobility and comfort. The duck bibs utilize a cotton/spandex blend to offer added durability while maintaining fabric flexibility.

Both styles are constructed with triple-stitched seams, adjustable straps, reinforced front and back pockets, and a washed-for-comfort finish to create durable pieces of workwear perfect for tackling outdoor tasks and labor.

The bibs are available now at selected retailers and online at LibertyBibs.com.

Uncategorized

USB Puts Protein First

Carrie Muehling

A panel at the 2020 Commodity Classic in San Antonio discussed the role played by all types of protein when it comes to global nutrition efforts.

“We know that worldwide we are going to have an extreme need for protein by the year 2050,” said Polly Ruhland, United Soybean Board (USB) CEO. “We know that protein is one of the best and most nutritious foods that anyone can choose.”

Joining Ruhland were USB Directors Todd Hanten and Andy Fabin, as well as Greg Tyler with the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC). The United Soybean Board announced its “Protein First” initiative at the World Food Prize event in Des Moines last year to encourage industry collaboration across all protein types — plant- or animal-based — to strengthen agriculture and to nourish a growing population.

United Soybean Board CEO Polly Ruhland, USB Directors Todd Hanten and Andy Fabin, and Greg Tyler, USAPEEC
USB press conference 34:42

2020 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, Soybean, USB

Precision Ag News 3/11

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Association of Conservation Districts announced the release of a free, first-of-its-kind curriculum, “A Guide to Conducting a Pollinator Conservation Field Day,” available for download through NACD’s new Conservation Education Hub.
  • Aerobotics technology has processed more than 5 million trees, 50,000 acres of groves and 15% of all citrus in Florida. These numbers are climbing ahead of the approaching mid-April deadline for growers to have their tree census data submitted for ‘2020 tree and crop insurance’ submissions.
  • Nominations are now open for the biggest accolade in agriculture. Called the “Nobel Prize for food and agriculture,” the World Food Prize is presented to an individual who has made an exceptional achievement in making hunger history. Nominate an inspiring individual making a measurable impact on reducing world hunger, and they could be the 2021 recipient of this USD $250,000 award. To learn more about awardee qualifications, visit www.worldfoodprize.org/nominate.
  • Agrisel USA, Inc., an emerging leader in the formulation and distribution of value-added products to dealers and distributors in the agricultural, poultry, turf and ornamental, golf course, home and garden, and specialty pest control markets, announced two new staffing appointments: Bob Forreider and Bobby Hopkins as Sales Representatives for the Southern U.S. territory.
  • IntelinAir announced it has joined the NVIDIA Inception program as a community member. IntelinAir is an analytics company that delivers crop intelligence to farmers through aerial imagery, computer vision, machine learning, agronomic science, and intelligent user interfaces. IntelinAir’s goal is to organize and digitize the world’s crop information and performance – making it universally accessible and useful to deliver high yields, greater efficiencies, and sustainable farming to feed the human race.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes

Rural Leaders Urge Trump to Support Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman

Farmer leaders and biofuel producers from the Midwest today expressed their concerns about news that the Trump administration has reversed course and decided to side with oil companies in their court battle against biofuels.

The debate centers around a unanimous court decision that would halt the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) abuse of Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which have destroyed demand for billions of gallons of homegrown biofuels. Days ago, more than 20 farm and biofuel groups sent a letter asking President Trump to reject “an appeal of the court decision, given the clarity, unanimity, and strength of the ruling.” In a blow to rural communities, the White House now appears ready to defend those exemptions, ensuring continued uncertainty for farm families and jeopardizing jobs for biofuels workers across the Midwest. An extension granted by the court this week gives the administration until March 24 to file a formal appeal.

Speaking for corn, soybean, ethanol and biodiesel producers, as well as rural communities around the Midwest that have been adversely impacted by EPA’s waiver policy, the presidents of the National Corn Growers Association and American Soybean Association, and two biofuel producers held a press call on Wednesday.

Kevin Ross, a corn farmer near Minden, Iowa
Dave Walton, a soybean farmer in Wilton, Iowa
Erik Huschitt, CEO & general manager of Badger State Ethanol in Monroe, Wisconsin
Mitch Miller, CEO of Carbon Green BioEnergy in Lake Odessa, Michigan

Listen to the call here:
SRE case appeal call 50:32

Ag Groups, ASA, Audio, Corn, Ethanol, NCGA

Herbicide Acquisitions Enhance AMVAC Portfolio

Cindy Zimmerman

AMVAC was pleased to announce 10 new products at the 2020 Commodity Classic, including the recent acquisition of four herbicide brands from Corteva Agriscience™.

These products are complementary tank-mix partners for a variety of primary herbicides used in the U.S agricultural market. They are particularly valuable for enhancing weed control performance against increasing numbers of troublesome weed species. The products include:

• Classic® Herbicide: Expands the postemergence weed control spectrum in soybeans.
• FirstRate® Herbicide: Provides preemergence and postemergence control of key broadleaf weeds in soybeans.
• Hornet® Herbicide: Delivers postemergence broadleaf weed control of glyphosate resistant weeds in field corn.
• Python® Herbicide: Allows flexible broadleaf weed control in soybeans and field corn.

AMVAC Marketing Manager Nathaniel Quinn explains more in this interview.

Interview with Nathaniel Quinn, AMVAC Marketing Mgr. 2:28

2020 AMVAC Product Launch photo album

AMVAC, Audio, Commodity Classic, Corn, Herbicide

Ethanol Case Groups Disappointed in Appeal Extension

Cindy Zimmerman

The four organizations involved in the case against the Environmental Protection Agency over granting of small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) are disappointed the Trump Administration has been granted more time to consider an appeal of the court decision siding with the plaintiffs.

The petitioners in the case—the Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association, American Coalition for Ethanol, and National Farmers Union—offered the following statement:

On March 9, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit approved requests by the U.S. Department of Justice, HollyFrontier, and CVR Energy for an extension of the deadline to file motions asking for a rehearing en banc of Renewable Fuels Association et al. v. EPA, in which the Court found EPA vastly exceeded its authority in granting compliance exemptions to three refineries from 2016 and 2018 Renewable Fuel Standard obligations. The new deadline for requesting a rehearing in the Tenth Circuit is March 24.
Read more.

ACE, Corn, EPA, Ethanol, NCGA, RFA

Alltech ONE Goes Virtual Over COVID-19 Concerns

Cindy Zimmerman

ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (ONE) will go virtual for its 36th year conference due to global health concerns related to coronavirus.

Alltech has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak, with particular consideration for ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (ONE). The annual event was scheduled for May 17–19 in Lexington, Kentucky, and typically assembles more than 3,500 attendees from 70 countries for an exploration of innovative solutions across the global food supply chain. In light of rising health concerns related to coronavirus, Alltech will present ONE session topics online, transitioning to a virtual experience instead of a live event in 2020.

“Our first priority remains the health and safety of attendees, our colleagues and the communities in which we live and work,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “With that in mind, we have decided to host this year’s international conference on a virtual platform, allowing registrants from around the world to engage in industry-leading content in a way that is accessible for everyone.”

The Alltech ONE Virtual Experience will provide access to agricultural topics, including agri-business, aquaculture, beef, crop science, dairy, the future of food, pig and poultry. Live-streamed keynote presentations and on-demand video content from some of the world’s leading industry experts, including the most impactful presentations from past years’ events, will be available beginning May 18, 2020.

Learn more and register here.

Alltech, Events

Animal Ag News 3/9

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Pork Producers Council elected new officers and members to its board of directors at its National Pork Industry Forum. Howard AV Roth, a hog farmer from Wauzeka, Wis., was elected NPPC president.
  • At the National Pork Producers Council’s National Pork Industry Forum, delegates adopted several important resolutions, including those that call on NPPC to: strengthen efforts to prevent African swine fever; advocate for accurate and truthful labeling of plant-based and cell-cultured products, while supporting enforcement of fair labeling by the Food and Drug Administration and USDA; support reauthorization of and increased export data transparency in the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act; and reaffirm plans to increase the contribution rate of NPPC’s strategic investment program from 10 cents to 20 cents per $100 of hogs marketed, effective July 1, 2021.
  • The National Pork Board presented its Distinguished Service Award to Bret Marsh, DVM, during the National Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City. Marsh is the state veterinarian at the Indiana Board of Animal Health.
  • The pork industry announced that nearly 40,000 servings of pork will be donated to Harvesters – The Community Food Network. The donation, made by Prairie Fresh® Pork on behalf of attendees at the industry’s annual meeting, will help fight food insecurity in the Kansas City area.
  • The World Cheese Championship Contest, held in Madison Wisconsin this past week, announced results featuring the top 20 final candidates in the running for the top prize out of a record 3,667 international entries. Jasper Hill Farm is pleased to announce that they made two of these winning cheeses.
  • Liz Miles recently joined Dairy West as innovation partnerships manager.
  • As part of the USPOULTRY Foundation’s continued efforts to support the recruitment and training of the brightest students and to promote careers in the poultry and egg industry, the National FFA Officer Candidates were invited to the 2020 International Poultry Expo, part of the International Production & Processing Expo. The opportunity for them to participate was made possible in part by an endowing Foundation gift from Tyson Foods.
AgWired Animal, Animal Bites