Biofuels Interests Urge President to Protect RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

Biofuel and agricultural organizations are up in arms over news reports out late Thursday saying President Trump is now planning to appeal the 10th Circuit Court decision regarding EPA’s granting of Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs). Oil state interests, led by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), have been pressuring the White House to fight the unanimous court ruling that threatens to completely change the waiver program under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

The National Corn Growers Association, Renewable Fuels Association, American Soybean Association, National Farmers Union, Growth Energy, American Coalition for Ethanol, National Biodiesel Board, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, and Fuels America issued a joint statement regarding the news reports:

“The president needs to understand that Ted Cruz doesn’t care about this administration or families across the heartland who are counting on the White House to keep its promises. Just days ago, thousands of farmers rallied behind Secretary Perdue, who expressed his confidence that we had finally reached the end of a long and painful fight against EPA demand destruction. Tearing open that wound, against the advice of rural champions and the president’s own advisors, would be viewed as a stunning betrayal of America’s rural workers and farmers. We cannot stress enough how important this decision is to the future of the rural economy and to President Trump’s relationship with leaders and voters across the heartland. Ted Cruz comes back year after year with the same lies about refinery profits, disproven over and over by economists, the EPA, and even by Big Oil. We urge the president to stand up now against this misguided effort to torpedo the rural recovery.”

Earlier this week, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said USDA legal counsel believes the case is solid and he doesn’t “think it would be worthwhile for the U.S. government to appeal that and I hope we won’t.”

Ag Groups, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Ethanol

Industry Ag News 3/6

Carrie Muehling

  • MGEX, a Designated Contract Market and Derivatives Clearing Organization, announced its best February in history with a total volume of 261,762 contracts. Alongside this accomplishment, this past month also entered the record book as the 10th best month of all time at the Exchange.
  • BRANDT has created a new global environment, health and safety function. Rick Cathcart, formerly BRANDT’s Director of Manufacturing/Process Development, has been tabbed to lead the new function and has been promoted to VP, EH&S.
  • For her work investigating the effects of consolidation and monopolization in the food and agriculture sectors, National Farmers Union awarded Leah Douglas with its 2020 Milt Hakel Agriculture Communications Award.
  • National Farmers Union also presented Dr. Neil E. Harl of Iowa and Dennis Sjodin of Minnesota with the Meritorious Service Award to Farmers Union and to American Agriculture.
  • The National Farmers Union 118th Anniversary Convention concluded following the adoption of the organization’s policy book and special orders of business. More than 500 family farmers and ranchers convened in Savannah, Georgia, to set policy positions and priorities that support American farm and ranch families and strengthen rural communities.
  • BASF announced an increased projected peak sales potential for its innovation pipeline of agricultural solutions of more than €7.5 billion. By 2029, the company will launch more than 30 key projects, including novel seeds and traits, chemical and biological crop protection, digital products and new formulations broadening its offer.
  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced Bette Brand will serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary following the retirement of Donald “DJ” LaVoy.
  • The Center for Food Integrity has assembled a diverse panel of experts to offer insights into the tradeoffs between animal and plant-based diets during a free webinar, “Experts Weigh In: Evaluating Tradeoffs of Plant and Animal Proteins.”
  • Only a small fraction of farmers is aware of “right to repair” legislation that has been considered by state legislatures in recent years, according to a recent survey commissioned by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. The legislation would provide unfettered access to proprietary embedded code, jeopardizing the safety and sustainability of modern agricultural equipment, including tractors and combines. Out of more than 500 farmers surveyed, only 28% are aware of “right to repair” legislation. However, a majority of farmers believe that they should be able to repair their own equipment.
  • The World Food Prize Foundation has announced a Request for Proposals for a logo and visual brand identity refresh that depict their mission and values in a pronounced and distinguished way. Potential candidates must notify The World Food Prize Foundation of their interest to participate by March 20, 2020. All final proposals must be submitted to Nicole Barreca no later than 5 p.m. CDT on April 1, 2020.
Zimfo Bytes

Climate FieldView Guarantees Success

Carrie Muehling

Farmers heading into the 2020 growing season might want to consider using Climate FieldView’s Seed Scripts program to help develop a variable rate planting prescription for each field.

“We’ve shown through research that farms and fields that use variable rate prescriptions have a better yield performance and ultimately revenue performance than fields that focus just on a static rate planting plan,” said Joe Nail, Climate FieldView brand manager.

Nail said the program takes planting and harvest information from the farms historically and adds that to weather and soil data, as well as information about the field like slope and elevation.

“The more data points that you have to measure success on your farm, the clearer picture you have about what’s happening on you farm, and the better decisions you can make going forward,” said Nail.

Nail said the company is offering a risk free satisfaction guarantee for farmers to try Seed Scripts in 2020. Contact a local Climate FieldView or Bayer representative for more information. Nail was sharing details at the 2020 Commodity Classic in San Antonio.

Joe Nail, Climate FieldView brand manager
Interview with Joe Nail, Climate FieldView 5:59

2020 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Bayer, Commodity Classic

Propane Farm Incentive Program Expands

Cindy Zimmerman

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) recently announced the addition of an agronomic heat treatment systems equipment category for its 2020 Propane Farm Incentive Program, which offers up to $5,000 off of qualifying propane-powered equipment. This year’s list of equipment includes irrigation engines, generators, water heating systems, building heating systems, flame weed control systems, and agronomic heat treatment systems.

“This year’s program is similar to those of the past, but we’re excited to introduce a new category of qualifying equipment with agronomic heat treatment systems—which use heat to reduce pesticide use, improving crop quality and offering a new organic, sustainable solution for farmers,” said Mike Newland, Director of Ag Business Development at PERC. “We hope these incentives will help more producers take advantage of the many benefits of new propane-powered equipment, and we appreciate the valuable feedback they provide to help us continue to make improvements. We have a limited amount of funds available for this program, so we encourage producers to apply as soon as possible to take advantage of these savings.”

Newland was at the Commodity Classic last week in San Antonio talking to farmers about how they can make propane power work for them.
Interview with Michael Newland, PERC 6:14

2020 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, PERC, Propane

Rep. Yoho Introduces Bipartisan Ag Labor Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

House Agriculture Committee member Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL) has introduced the “Labor Certainty for Food Security Act” (HR 6083) to “bring relief to America’s farmers and ranchers who are struggling to find steady, reliable labor.”

“Without a steady, reliable workforce, food prices will increase, and Americans will feel the effects at their local checkout line. If congress does not address this need in a bipartisan, meaningful way, we will either import our labor or import our food,” said Rep. Yoho.

Cosponsors of the bill include Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA), Andy Barr (R-KY), Neal Dunn (R-FL), David Rouzer (R-NC), Ted Bud (R-NC), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Mike McCaul (R-TX), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Ralph Norman (R-SC) and Ed Case (D-HI).

Listen to Rep. Yoho discuss the importance of a reliable workforce for agriculture and how this legislation would help.
Rep. Ted Yoho discusses ag labor bill 7:58

Audio, labor

Bayer’s Channel Seedsmen Can Help in 2020

Carrie Muehling

After a very difficult growing season in 2019, many farmers want to forget that year altogether. But Bayer‘s Whitney Monin said that would be a critical mistake.

“There were many things that happened in 2019 that really need to govern and dictate our actions moving into 2020, whether that be our response to disease, our response to pests, and even making sure we choose the right product for the right acre given some of the stressors we encountered in 2019,” said Monin, who is a technical agronomist with Channel Seed.

Monin said acres that were not planted last year or were not treated in a timely fashion because of weather challenges will need extra attention in 2020 to ensure weed management is successful. Monin said Channel Seedsmen are prepared to work with growers locally to help them make a plan and execute that well throughout the 2020 growing season. Monin was at the 2020 Commodity Classic in San Antonio.

Whitney Monin, Technical Agronomist, Channel Seed
Interview with Whitney Monin, Channel Seed 4:20

2020 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Bayer, Commodity Classic

Agricultural Relations Council Seeks Golden ARC Entries

Cindy Zimmerman

Entries are now being accepted for the Agricultural Relations Council Golden ARC Awards.

“The Golden ARC Awards program provides an excellent opportunity for public relations (PR) professionals to get feedback on their work and find out how their work stacks up against the others in the business of ag PR,” said ARC Executive Director Kristy Mach. “Contest categories range from crisis communications to special events to feature writing to public service announcement to podcasts.”

The contest is open to both ARC members and non-members and entries must be completed in full or partially in 2019. A complete list of the revised categories, reflecting the evolution of agricultural public relations and with an added focus on social media, can be found at: https://www.agrelationscouncil.org/categories.

Entries close May 4, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. Winners will be announced June 24, in conjunction with ARC’s Annual Meeting, slated for June 23-25, in Richmond, Va. The awards program culminates with the announcement of the Golden ARC de Excellence award – the best all-around entry in the Campaigns Division.

Started in 1990, the Golden ARC Awards program recognizes the stellar work created by professionals in the agricultural industry. The format and requirements for the Golden ARC Awards are similar to other leading PR awards programs, based on best practices for public relations and public affairs campaigns and tactics.

ARC, Public Relations

AMVAC Picks First Products for SmartCartridge™

Cindy Zimmerman

AMVAC®, an American Vanguard® company, has selected COUNTER® Insecticide/Nematicide, broad spectrum AZTEC® HC Insecticide and zinc, a key micronutrient in corn, as the first products to be packaged in SmartCartridge™ containers and offered as part of SIMPAS™ Applied Solutions, pending EPA registration. SIMPAS (Smart Integrated Multi-Product Application System) is being introduced in a few select markets this year with a full launch planned in 2021.

The announcement was one of many made by AMVAC at the 2020 Commodity Classic.

Jim Lappin, SIMPAS Director, says the SmartCartridge™ containers provide flexibility for farmers. “A grower’s going to be able to really focus on problem zones in his field…and the SIMPAS system is going to keep track of what he applies and where he applies it,” said Lappin.

Interview with Jim Lappin, Director - SIMPAS 3:56

Corey Ritter, Sales Support Technician provides a look at the SIMPAS system and how the SmartCartridge™ containers work in it.


AgWired Precision, AMVAC, Audio, Commodity Classic, Crop Protection, Precision Agriculture

Precision Ag News 3/4

Carrie Muehling

  • As farmers are cleaning up their shops, Pioneer is cleaning up their smart phones by consolidating the suite of Pioneer digital tools into one app – the Pioneer Seeds app. Download the Pioneer Seeds app at the in the Apple App Store® or on Google Play®.
  • Registration is now open for Soil Health: The Foundation for Regenerative Agriculture. The fifth annual Soil Health Institute meeting will be held July 29-31 in Des Moines, Iowa.
  • Cotton growers who grew Stoneville® cotton seed were recognized for their hard-earned harvests at the annual Stoneville Legacy Club™ celebration held in Destin, Florida. Now in its fourth year, the Stoneville Legacy Club honors cotton growers for their advanced knowledge and skill used to maximize yields and profit potential, along with producing high-quality fiber. New this year, growers that farm without irrigation were given the opportunity to enter the club.
  • North American producers in need of a high-horsepower, highly connected tractor now have the next generation solution in the new T9 with PLM IntelligenceTM from New Holland. Today the global equipment leader announced its new T9 lineup, featuring seven horsepower levels, track or wheel options, and a choice of two transmissions to suit the unique needs of large operations.
  • AGCO Corporation introduced the Fendt® IDEALDrive™ steering system to North American producers during the 2020 Commodity Classic. IDEALDrive is the first joystick steering system on a combine from a major manufacturer. It gives the operator an unobstructed, end-to-end view of the combine header for less stress and fatigue during long hours harvesting.
  • Register today to take part in the upcoming March 10, 2020, Farm Foundation Forum, Consumer Attitudes about Gene Editing.
  • SureFire Ag Systems and Kinze Manufacturing have reached an agreement that will allow SureFire to install its industry-leading liquid fertilizer planter solutions on Kinze planters before they leave the factory.
  • Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC introduced new herbicides for corn and soybeans at the 2020 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas. Empyros™ for corn and Antares® Complete for soybeans are innovative, pre-emergence herbicides designed to manage weed threats earlier when valuable resources are at stake. As weed resistance grows, Empyros and Antares Complete will empower crop protection programs with new active ingredients and unrivaled herbicide combinations.
  • BASF and AGCO have announced that they will join forces for BASF’s Operation Weed Eradication initiative. The collaboration will provide farmers with agronomic expertise to help promote best practices for on-farm eradication of pigweed.
  • NewLeaf Symbiotics has initiated a partnership with IN10T® to test its M-troph microbial product line Terrasym® with farmers. The company will tap into IN10T’s extensive FarmerTrials Network to analyze the Terrasym® product line’s impact on root development, plant health, yield and other agronomic benefits in corn and soybeans.
  • Following the EPA registration of its newest fungicides – Veltyma™ fungicide in corn and Revytek™ fungicide in soybeans – BASF worked with more than 1,200 growers across the country as part of the RevX Fields program. The program allowed growers to experience the newest BASF Plant Health fungicide offerings in their own backyards. RevX Fields is designed to provide local, relevant and transparent yield results.
  • Golden Harvest released its Agronomy in Action 2020 Research Review to farmers nationwide, showcasing a commitment to delivering best-in-class agronomy and service. The book features 2019 Golden Harvest® Agronomy in Action research studies with more than 100 pages of agronomic knowledge to help farmers plan for and navigate the upcoming season.
  • The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) and the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC) announced at Commodity Classic plans to test improved nutrient stewardship as a means of increasing farmer profitability through the ecosystem services market being developed by the ESMC.
  • The American Soybean Association (ASA) presented Nancy Kavazanjian, from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, with the 2020 National Conservation Legacy Award during the annual ASA Awards Banquet at Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas. Nancy and her husband Charles Hammer, a fourth-generation farmer, grow corn, soybeans and wheat.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes

Bayer Plus Rewards Program Now Available

Carrie Muehling

Bayer Plus Rewards is a brand new program for the 2020 growing season.

“Farmers really have a wide choice of high performance products to choose from in herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. And what makes Bayer Plus Rewards unique is that farmers will be able to see all of their purchases in one place through the online portal, and actually earn rewards based on their purchases,” said Josh VanDeWalle, grower marketing manager.

Farmers who purchase any two approved products earn three dollars per acre when they are part of the program. Adding another product earns them an additional three dollars per acre, and the rewards increase from there. A full list of approved products and enrollment information are available at mybayerplus.com.

VanDeWalle was at the 2020 Commodity Classic in San Antonio.

Josh VanDeWalle, Grower Marketing Manager
Interview with Josh VanDeWalle, Bayer Plus 2:46

2020 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Bayer, Commodity Classic