RFA Ethanol Podcast

Animal Ag News 1/13

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Institute for Animal Agriculture will host animal agriculture leaders will discuss the current state of research and treatment for lameness across food animal species before the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta, Georgia, January 27-28. Registration for the Roundtable will include a complementary code to attend IPPE.
  • National FFA Officer Candidates will be attending the International Poultry Expo (IPE), part of the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), as a result of the USPOULTRY Foundation’s ongoing initiative to further attract the best and brightest students to the poultry and egg industries. The students will receive an all-expense paid trip to IPE in Atlanta, Georgia.
  • A new study from USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Iowa State University (ISU) reveals that generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help expedite the search for solutions to reduce enteric methane emissions caused by cows in animal agriculture, which accounts for about 33 percent of U.S. agriculture and three percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
  • While CattleCon 2025 is just around the corner, Feb. 4-6, in San Antonio, Texas, it isn’t too late to register. Whether flying or driving, make plans to join thousands of cattlemen and women for the largest cattle industry event in the country. Register in advance at convention.ncba.org or in person on-site.
  • Join the Livestock Publications Council for a luncheon at CattleCon in San Antonio, Texas! Catch up with old friends and meet new ones while learning about the 2025 LPC Hall of Fame and Headliner honorees.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) condemned the Biden Administration’s irresponsible use of the Antiquities Act to create the Chuckwalla and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments. The groups also denounced the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) revised grizzly bear listing and their rejection of state petitions to delist grizzly bears under the Endangered Species Act in the Northern Continental Divide and Greater Yellowstone Ecosystems.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Trade Representative announced the reappointment of Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), and Becky Rasdall Vargas, IDFA senior vice president of trade and workforce policy, to the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) for Trade and the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Processed Foods, respectively.
  • Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative announced its priorities for the next congressional session, focusing on rural workforce accessibility, trade and supply chain opportunities, the 2025 farm bill and climate and environmentally sustainable efforts.
  • In a win for efficiency in feeding a growing population and alleviating supply issues, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) celebrated the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service’s (FSIS) decision to extend the New Swine Inspection System (NSIS) increased line speed trials through May 15, 2025.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Regev Hybrid Fungicide Receives California Registration

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Summit Agro has announced the use of Regev hybrid fungicide has been approved by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, giving California growers a unique new tool in their battle against many fungal and bacterial diseases.

    Regev is the first hybrid fungicide in that it unites the disease fighting power of botanical and conventional chemistries. Specifically, the product combines Tea Tree Extract (FRAC BM01) with difenoconazole (FRAC 3). This combination will provide California growers remarkable disease control from nine powerful mechanisms of activity, with only one MRL.

    Regev is approved for use on a broad number of crops, including grapes, almonds, brassica leafy vegetables, fruiting vegetables and berries. California growers and PCAs wanting to learn more about Regev can view two videos posted to the Summit Agro website.

    Audio from the videos can be downloaded below:
    Dr. Jim Adaskaveg discusses Regev on almonds 1:13

    Dr. Eric Tedford gives overview of Regev 1:28

    AgWired Precision, Audio, Fungicide, specialty crops

    Treasury 45Z Guidance Offers Little Clarity for Farmers

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The biggest piece of the puzzle for the 45Z Clean Fuels Production Credit implementation was left out of the guidance issued last week by U.S. Treasury, leaving farmers still uncertain about what practices they would need to implement this year for the crops to qualify.

    The guidance includes both a notice of intent to propose regulations on the section 45Z credit and a notice providing the annual emissions rate table for section 45Z, which refers taxpayers to the appropriate methodologies for determining the lifecycle GHG emissions of their fuel. In conjunction with today’s guidance, the Department of Energy will release the 45ZCF-GREET model for use in determining emissions rates for 45Z in the coming days.

    American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings said without key details essential for biofuel producers to capitalize on 45Z, including how climate-smart agriculture practices will be incorporated, the job is unfinished.

    “Since ag-based feedstocks represent about half of ethanol’s carbon footprint, it is critical to allow farmers and ethanol producers to realize the full value of sustainable farm practices through this tax credit,” said Jennings. “We have strongly urged both Treasury and USDA to update 45Z guidance for ag practice credit values on a routine basis by incorporating the best available science and results from real-world activities, such as the two USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Programs (RCPPs) currently being led by ACE. These projects are specifically designed to address the perceived need for more empirical data on the GHG benefits of ag practices and help improve the accuracy of the GREET model, and we look forward to the release of the 45ZCF-GREET model for use in determining emissions rates for 45Z in the coming days.”

    According to the guidance, Treasury “intends to propose rules for incorporating the emissions benefits from climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices.”

    These options would be available to taxpayers after Treasury and the IRS propose regulations for the section 45Z credit, including rules for CSA, and the 45ZCF-GREET model is updated to enable calculation of the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions rates for CSA crops, taking into account one or more CSA practices.

    ACE, Ethanol, Farming

    Industry Ag News 1/10

    Carrie Muehling

  • Ranking Member Angie Craig applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture after it announced that an additional $650 million would be made available to support struggling specialty crop producers. On December 18, 2024, the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance sent a letter to the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate Agricultural Committees requesting additional economic assistance for specialty crop producers. Bicameral Agriculture Democrats responded with a letter that same day to USDA and the Office of Management and Budget, conveying the need to make additional funding available to producers via the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced the appointment or reappointment of 53 members to serve on seven agricultural trade advisory committees. The appointees will serve until December 2028. A complete roster of members and additional information about the committees is available at www.fas.usda.gov/atacs.
  • Nominate the cream of the crop for the National Agri-Marketing Association Agribusiness Leader of the Year, NAMA Marketer of the Year, Ag Association Leader, or Next Gen NAMA awards. These prestigious awards will be presented at the 2025 Agri-Marketing Conference, April 9-11 in Kansas City. Submit online nomination(s) by January 31, 2025.
  • AgCareers.com awarded their third annual U.S. Feed Your Future Scholarship to Gabryele Carter, a University of Kentucky student. Carter is a Junior from Delaware studying Agricultural Economics. AgCareers.com created the Feed Your Future $1,000 Scholarship to financially assist a post-secondary student studying agriculture or intending to pursue a career in agriculture. AgCareers.com is committed to Feeding the World with Talent by supporting education and career opportunities in agriculture and food.
  • Farmers nationwide can maximize savings with the Propane Education & Research Council’s (PERC) latest initiative, the 2025 Propane Farm Research Program (PFRP). Designed to address the evolving challenges of modern agriculture, the program empowers farmers with innovative propane-powered solutions to increase productivity, reduce costs, and promote sustainability. Building on the former Propane Farm Incentive Program, the new PFRP introduces expanded opportunities for agricultural professionals to integrate cutting-edge technology into their operations. With increases of up to $10,000, additional equipment eligibility, and a streamlined application process, the program is more accessible than ever before.
  • There are more motivated land buyers in today’s market than there are willing sellers, according to Farmers National Company. Despite the pressures created by lower net farm income, declining commodity markets, higher interest rates and increased input costs, land values have remained quite stable across the Midwest. While most university and industry land value reports published at year’s end reflect a flat or slight downward trend compared to production expenses, the stability in those values reveals the resiliency of the land market and its ability to maintain the high values set over the past five years.
  • Keystone Cooperative, Inc., an Indiana-based leader in agriculture and energy, announces a $68 million patronage distribution to eligible farmer-members who conducted business with the cooperative in 2024. Keystone membership will receive between 80-90 percent of this patronage payment in cash, based on their legacy membership. The remaining percentage will go towards their equity in Keystone. In addition to the cash patronage payout, Keystone will also be redeeming $3.8 million in equity to its farmer-members. This exceptional cash return of over $60 million underscores the cooperative’s strong financial performance and commitment to delivering value to its members.
  • On January 6, 2025, the Illinois Legislature passed HB 4439 which designates the soybean as Illinois’ official state bean. HB 4439 recognizes the importance of soybeans to the state’s economy and agricultural heritage. Illinois is the No. 1 soybean-producing state in the nation with over 10 million acres of soybeans planted each year, accounting for 16 percent of the total U.S. soy production. HB 4439 acknowledges the contribution of the 43,000 hardworking soybean farmers across the state who feed and fuel the world.
  • The Georgia Peanut Commission will be promoting peanuts as a poultry feed ingredient at the International Production and Processing Expo hosted at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, Jan. 28-30, 2025.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    2025 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Preview

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The National Cotton Council is ready to welcome all to the 2025 Beltwide Cotton Conferences next week, January 14-16, at the New Orleans Marriott, New Orleans, LA. Three days of individual reports, panel discussions, hands on workshops and seminars are designed to provide attendees with information they need to help producers make key cotton production/marketing-related decisions.

    Conferences coordinator Lauren Krogman says they have another dynamic program planned, along with the opportunity to network with peers from across the Cotton Belt. “The Beltwide actually has 11 technical conferences that are running all concurrently which really provide findings from current research and updates on emerging technology and programs aimed at elevating US cotton production and processing efficiency,” said Krogman.

    One of the most popular conferences of the event is the Cotton Consultants Conference. “Topics being considered include a panel discussion on the vulnerable species pilot program, insecticide strategy and mitigation identification and management. We also include some EPA regulatory updates and cotton pathology updates,” Krogman said. There will also be an economic outlook, information on ag lending, and crop insurance, and a report on the farm bill.”

    Registration is still open on-line and there will also be registration on-site.

    Beltwide Cotton Conferences preview - Lauren Krogman 4:23

    Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton

    Precision Ag News 1/9

    Carrie Muehling

  • The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), and the ARS’s Partnership for Data Innovations (PDI) have launched a new web-based application to facilitate digital soil mapping and optimize soil sampling. The Soil Sample Planning Organizer Tool, or SSPOT, can be accessed at https://sspot.scinet.usda.gov.
  • Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC and Gowan SeedTech LLC announced they have entered into a sale agreement with Gowan acquiring Syngenta’s FarMore® Technology Vegetable Seed Treatment Platform in the United States. The FarMore Technology Platform is a precise on-seed application of separately registered seed protection products combined into proprietary recipes for use on vegetable crops. The transaction includes the divestment of certain specific Syngenta trademarks, recipes, registrations, and other assets used in the FarMore Technology Platform in the United States. Syngenta also has agreed to supply its proprietary vegetable seed treatment products to Gowan for its use in FarMore Technology offerings.
  • Kubota North America announced during a media briefing at CES® 2025 its vision for the future that includes offering more customer solutions across its entire equipment portfolio and providing greater choice—offering diverse powertrain options, seamless access to data and analytics, improved connectivity, and advanced automation. This approach ensures that Kubota meets increasing complexities and challenges with more certainty and simplicity and empowers its customers like never before.
  • Scott Sanders, general manager of Peterson Farms Seed, was named president of the Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA) at the organization’s annual conference. IPSA represents nearly 100 seed companies from more than 25 states, Canada and Mexico, who produce corn, soybeans, small grain and forage seeds. The association also has over 100 associate and affiliate members, representing all facets of the seed industry.
  • Valley View Agri-Systems is pleased to announce the addition of Dylan Sutton as Chief Financial Officer. Sutton’s career includes time in agriculture, manufacturing, public and corporate accounting. Most recently he served as controller for Ritter Agribusiness Holdings, Inc.
  • John Deere revealed several new autonomous machines during a press conference at CES 2025 to support customers in agriculture, construction, and commercial landscaping. Building on Deere’s autonomous technology first revealed at CES 2022, the company’s second-generation autonomy kit combines advanced computer vision, AI, and cameras to help the machines navigate their environments.
  • Nutrien Ag Solutions is excited to announce a collaboration with Mossy Oak, along with their conservation arm, the GameKeepers. Mossy Oak is recognized in the outdoor lifestyle community for their dedication to land stewardship, conservation, and love of wildlife. Together, they are united in working toward a shared goal to care for the land and create a lasting legacy for future generations. This collaboration underscores our focus on farmers’ sustainable agricultural practices and conservation efforts, aiming to educate and inspire communities engaged with farming and the outdoors.
  • Traitology, a leading U.S.-based agricultural biotechnology company specializing in soybean trait discovery and development, has announced its rebranding as The Traits Company. This new name and brand identity reflect the company’s remarkable technical and operational progress achieved in less than two years since its founding.
  • UPL Corp, a provider of comprehensive and sustainable agricultural solutions announces U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration of NIMAXXA™ bionematicide, the only triple-strain bionematicide seed treatment for season-long nematode protection in soybeans and corn. It is effective against the most damaging nematodes, including soybean cyst nematode (SCN), root knot nematode (RKN) and reniform nematode.
  • Pivot Bio is proud to announce a strategic distribution partnership with Hefty Seed Company, one of the largest independent ag retailers in the U.S. Beginning in 2025, PROVEN® 40, a microbial nitrogen source powered by Pivot Bio’s patented gene-edited technology, will be available at all Hefty Seed Co. locations, offering corn farmers a new mode of nitrogen delivery that complements Hefty’s trusted lineup of crop input offerings.
  • The Nebraska Ag Expo hosted its third Innovation After Hours event last month. Over 150 start-ups, investors, and executives from innovative ag companies and partners from across the country and beyond shared an evening of networking and innovation. This year, 6 companies competed for cash prizes during the Startup Showcase. Grain Weevil was named the Startup Showcase Winner and received a $5000 cash award from the Iowa Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (INEDA). AgZen was named the “People’s Choice Award” and received a $1000 cash award from The Combine.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    MyLand and Texas A&M AgriLife Offer Soil Health Courses

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Soil health innovation leader MyLand is launching a new Educational Hub in collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife Research, featuring six online courses designed to educate individuals on the importance of soil health.

    The Educational Hub will offer courses that address critical soil health topics, including:
    1. Introduction to Soil Health
    2. Chemical Traits of Soil
    3. Physical Traits of Soil
    3. Biological Traits of Soil
    4. Saline and Sodic Soils
    5. Soil Testing

    The first course, “Introduction to Soil Health,” is now available with the remaining courses to follow. Each course will be open to anyone with an interest in learning about optimal soil health — from growers and ranchers to educators and environmental advocates.

    The collaboration between MyLand and Texas A&M AgriLife Research is aimed at advancing agriculture and addressing global challenges. This statewide initiative focuses on soil health across 12,000 acres of commercial farmland, covering over 20 unique crops. By researching MyLand’s impact on water availability, salinity, nutrient use efficiency, and carbon cycling, the partnership seeks to improve both the quality of life and economic returns for farmers and communities.

    For more information about the Educational Hub and to enroll, visit Course 1: Introduction to Soil Health.

    AgWired Precision, land, Soil

    DWFI Podcast 40 – Irrigation’s Role in Agricultural Productivity

    Cindy Zimmerman

    In the 40th episode of the Water for Food Podcast, Daugherty Water for Food Institute (DWFI) Director of Communications and Public Relations Frances Hayes sits down with Darren Siekman at the Valmont Industries headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. Darren is the Vice President of Policy and Industry Strategy at Valley Agriculture, a Valmont Company. The two discuss Valmont’s history and global presence and the importance of center pivot irrigation in agricultural productivity, as well as current challenges and future innovations in achieving global water and food security.

    Listen here or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:
    DWFI podcast episode 40 29:09

    The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska was founded with the mission to have a lasting and significant impact on achieving more food security with less pressure on scarce water resources by conducting scientific and policy research, using the research results to inform policy makers, and sharing knowledge through education and communication.

    How to subscribe:

    Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Farming, Food, Irrigation, Water, Water for Food

    Agrauxine by Lesaffre Announces New Microbial Bio-nematicide

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Agrauxine by Lesaffre announces the launch of its new bio-nematicide Atroforce to the marketplace for use on soybeans, corn, cotton and potatoes as well as other cereal grains, brassicas, cucurbits and fiber type plants.

    Atroforce is a broad spectrum bio-nematicide that reduces damage caused by nematodes including lesion, dagger, root know, reniform, spiral, lance and soybean cyst and minimizes egg laying reducing populations in the field. The Trichoderma fungi grow into and with the plant roots as they develop and induce systemic changes in plant physiology. The active ingredient in Atroforce is Trichoderma atroviride strain K5 and it can be applied as a seed treatment as well as in-furrow, drip or sub irrigation.

    Atroforce is registered with the EPA as both a bio-nematicide and bio-fungicide and launch is expected in this first quarter of 2025.

    Biologicals, Corn, Crop Protection, Fungicide

    Animal Ag News 1/7

    Carrie Muehling

  • The 2025 International Livestock Congress will be held March 4-5, 2025, in Houston, Texas, during the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. This year’s topic will be “Effectively Communicating Sound Science and the Value of Animal Agriculture to Society.” The ILC provides a unique opportunity through the International Stockmen’s Educational Foundation’s Student Travel Fellowship Program. This program introduces attendees to a group of outstanding students from international and domestic agriculture colleges and universities.
  • The American Feed Industry Association is pleased to see the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) establish a new framework for the review of animal food ingredients under the Animal Food Ingredient Consultation (AFIC) program through the issuance of Guidance for Industry (GFI) 294. The FDA’s action marks a major shift for the regulation of animal food, providing animal food innovators an alternative pathway to the recently ended process facilitated in coordination with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
  • Due to the National Day of Mourning for President James Earl Carter, Jr., USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has rescheduled the Weekly Slaughter data release from Jan. 9 to Jan. 10 at 3 p.m. ET. Other reports scheduled for release on Jan. 10 such as Crop Production and Grain Stocks reports will be published as scheduled.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) congratulated Speaker Mike Johnson (LA) for his successful reelection campaign as Speaker of the House for the 119th Congress: “Congratulations to Speaker Johnson on successfully navigating a narrow margin and being elected as Speaker of the House by his peers once again. Speaker Johnson has always been a strong supporter of U.S. cattle producers, and we look forward to continuing to work with him in the new Congress,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “There is a lot of work that needs to get done this year, including extending the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passing a long-term Farm Bill, and providing regulatory relief to producers that have been squeezed by government overreach over the past four years. We are confident Speaker Johnson is the leader to get these policy priorities across the finish line.”
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, announces the release of the updated Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) National Manual, which serves as a resource for science-based cattle production information. The manual is available for free at www.bqa.org/resources/manuals.
  • The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) commended President Biden for signing into law the Beagle Brigade Act, which provides statutory authority and reliable funding to the National Detector Dog Training Center. NPPC led a coalition of 50+ groups in pressing Congress to pass this bipartisan legislation
  • The poultry industry consistently invests in research to enhance its understanding and expertise in avian care, while exploring methods and techniques to boost its overall success. These advancements and related subjects will be highlighted at the International Poultry Scientific Forum (IPSF), held in conjunction with the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites