National Ag Day Celebrated in DC

Cindy Zimmerman

The 51st National Ag Day celebration took place in Washington D.C. Tuesday with groups gathering at USDA headquarters to recognize the individuals who feed, fuel, and clothe our nation and the world.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke in particular to the young people in attendance. “Every person who wakes up in the morning and doesn’t have to grow or harvest their own food gets to do that thanks to the small percentage of our population who work the land day in and day out,” Vilsack said. “You can choose to do whatever it is you want to do with your life because we delegated the responsibility of feeding our families and ourselves.”

2024 Ag Day Vilsack remarks 15:04

Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America (ACA), which is a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agriculture, food and fiber communities.

ACA Chair Jenni Badding, John Deere, says the Ag Day activities target student participation. “Each year we encourage 9th through 12th graders to submit video essays and this year the theme was ‘If you could talk to a farmer for two minutes,'” said Badding. “We had over 100 applicants and we ran the videos of the top three winners as part of the USDA event.”

Learn more about Ag Day in this interview.
2024 Ag Day Jenni Badding interview 2:59

A panel of students representing four different agricultural youth organizations spoke on the topic of “Agriculture: Growing the Climate for Tomorrow.”

Shelby Bashum, Southern Illinois Univ., Agriculture Future of America
Allison Walbrecht, Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, National 4H
Kanyon Huntington, Iowa State University, National FFA
Anushka Tandon, Univ. of Maryland, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS)

2024 Ag Day Student Panel 20:19

Other speakers at the event included American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, and Curt Blades with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

2024 National Ag Day Photo Album

Ag Day, Audio, USDA

Agri-Pulse Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Cindy Zimmerman

This week’s Agri-Pulse 2024 Ag & Food Policy Summit was a good time to celebrate the news organization’s 20th anniversary of shining light on farm and food policy.

Twenty years ago, the concept of an all-digital, paid subscription publication was almost unheard of in agricultural publishing. Agri-Pulse Editor and Founder Sara Wyant believed it was not only possible, but represented the future for high-quality journalism. Thanks to so many subscribers, advertisers and sponsors who also believed in the firm’s commitment to balanced reporting and trusted insights, Agri-Pulse has grown into the largest media company devoted to covering farm and food policy in Washington, D.C. and across the country.

“It was clear to me that we could serve people in agriculture with information about what is happening in Washington, D.C., and other parts of the country, and they can make their own decisions on how to advocate,” said Wyant.

Since 2004, Agri-Pulse has grown from a single, weekly newsletter to a full-time staff from coast-to-coast, developing daily online content, audio newscasts and interviews, daily digests of aggregated news articles on agricultural and energy topics, frequent webinars and special issues podcasts, three annual in-person policy summits, and a weekly video news program.

Many who attended the Ag and Food Policy Summit Monday had well-wishes for Agri-Pulse celebrating two decades. “Sara, let me use a couple minutes you would have used to introduce me to acknowledge the great work that you and Agri-Pulse have done over the last 20 years,” said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack at the Summit. “It’s really phenomenal.”

Chuck Zimmerman caught up with several other long time Agri-Pulse fans to get their comments, including former Congressman Collin Peterson; NASDA CEO Ted McKinney; former NRCS Chief Bruce Knight, Strategic Conservation Solutions; Mary Kay Thatcher, Syngenta; Daren Coppock, Ag Retailers; Tim Trotter, Edge Dairy Cooperative; Tara Smith, Torrey Advisory Group; and Curt Blades, AEM.

Listen to what they had to say:
Agri-Pulse 20th anniversary comments 11:25

Agri-Pulse 2024 Ag & Food Policy Summit Photo Album

Agri-Pulse, Audio

New USSEC Chair Sees Export Opportunities

Carrie Muehling

During its annual meeting prior to Commodity Classic in Houston, the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) seated its new Board of Directors for 2024/2025, with Kansas farmer Lance Rezac, representing the United Soybean Board, elected to serve as chairman for the next year.

Rezac said with 150 people working in 82 countries, USSEC continues to promote U.S. soy and the advantages it brings to markets around the world.

“They need our protein. We want to be a reliable supplier. We want to let them know that we’ll be here,” said Rezac. “The U.S. has some advantages. We can store beans. We can ship them year-round. We do a lot of work with developing countries just to help them increase the protein available for their diets.”

Rezac said China continues to be an important market, but as demand there levels off and Brazil picks up their supply, the United States needs to diversify. He gave examples of places like Pakistan and Kenya where USSEC continues to build and sustain market share for U.S. soy.

Lance Rezac, USSEC Chairman, United Soybean Board, Onaga, Kansas
Classic24 Lance Rezac, USSEC Chairman 4:25

Audio, Commodity Classic, Exports, Soybean, Trade, USSEC

Senate Ag Committee Leaders Say Farm Bill is Possible

Cindy Zimmerman

The Ranking Member and Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee are still holding out hope for a new farm bill this year.

A Slido poll at the beginning of the Agri-Pulse Ag and Food Policy Summit Monday showed more than 80 percent of attendees believed there would not be a farm bill this year. Ranking Member Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) said he hopes that is wrong. “If you talk to the average person in Congress, most members on both sides very much want to get a farm bill done,” said Boozman. “I know how important it is for rural America to give our farmers stability.”

Listen to his comments:
Agri-Pulse Summit Sen. Boozman 13:34

Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) stressed that the only way to get a farm bill is by building coalitions, not by pitting one title against another. “What does not work is playing politics of food assistance and nutrition against everything else in the farm bill,” said Stabenow.

The chairwoman noted that since coming to the Senate in 2001, she has worked on six bills, leading three of them. “Shoot me now!” she exclaimed. “The same fights come up every time and they never work. If we abandon the coalition, we don’t get a farm bill.”

Listen to her comments:
Agri-Pulse Summit Sen. Stabenow 24:00

Agri-Pulse 2024 Ag & Food Policy Summit Photo Album

Agri-Pulse, Audio, Farm Bill, politics

Zeakal PhotoSeed Breakthrough Delivers Higher Energy Corn

Cindy Zimmerman

ZeaKal today announces its groundbreaking PhotoSeed™ technology in corn, designed to improve the crop’s oil and sustainability profile without compromising yield or protein.

In first year replicated field trials, PhotoSeed increased corn oil composition by an average of 23 percent. PhotoSeed enhances a plant’s photosynthetic capacity, capturing more CO2 and sunlight. This additional carbon capture increases oil production without taking away the energy necessary to maintain modern yields. Despite tremendous demand, previous efforts to boost oil content without compromising yield have eluded agribusinesses. ZeaKal now introduces the first viable solution.

ZeaKal’s PhotoSeed hybrid corn, grown in collaboration with the Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center in a glasshouse setting.

Han Chen, co-founder and CEO of ZeaKal, emphasized the imperative for accelerated innovation to meet the escalating demand for sustainable corn oil production. “This trait technology allows us to elevate the overall value of U.S. corn and creates a differentiated, value-added product that addresses industry demand,” said Chen. “U.S. farmers need innovation faster if we hope to compete in a challenging global commodity market. While we cannot change sunlight availability and geography for our growers, we can bring a latitude advantage to them through genetics.”

ZeaKal created the NewType model in 2022 to restore value across the soy supply chain. PhotoSeed corn follows that model’s success by expanding its partnership with Gro Alliance’s extensive germplasm collection, breeding program, and fully integrated seed production.

“Starting with the grower, our vision is to leverage trait technology and replicate our NewType model to ensure value creation and sharing across the entire supply chain,” said Chen.

PhotoSeed corn commercialization is expected in the 2027 growing season. For more information about ZeaKal and PhotoSeed technology, or to become part of the NewType model, visit zeakal.com.

Learn more in this interview with Chen:
Zeakal CEO Han Chen interview 10:55

AgWired Precision, Audio, Biofuels, Corn

Animal Ag News 3/18

Carrie Muehling

  • Cattle raisers impacted by wildfires in the Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma can apply for financial aid through the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Disaster Relief Fund. The TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting ranchers and landowners impacted by natural disasters, will distribute financial assistance to reduce the financial burdens incurred by cattle raisers from recent wildfire damages that were not covered through insurance or other means of aid. To learn more about the TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund, including information on how to donate or apply for funds, visit tscra.org/disaster-relief-fund/.
  • Celebrating nearly 120 years of leadership on behalf of America’s meat companies, the Meat Institute (formerly the “North American Meat Institute”) unveiled a new logo and brand identity reflecting its dynamic, forward-looking approach to ensuring meat remains at the heart of nourishing the present and sustaining the future.
  • The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) announced the induction of Bill Prestage into the NPPC Hall of Fame during the 2024 National Pork Industry Forum. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have devoted their lives to advancing the pork industry.
  • The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) announced Anne Miller as winner of the prestigious Paulson-Whitmore State Executive Award. This award, jointly developed by NPPC and the National Pork Board (NPB), honors exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment exhibited by state executives within the pork industry. Miller served as the Montana Pork Producers Council executive director from 2004-2022.
  • To help consumers better identify yogurt, frozen yogurt, and other cultured dairy products containing live and active yogurt cultures, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is relaunching its Live & Active Cultures (LAC) Seal for manufacturers. IDFA’s LAC Seal is the only widely recognized, independent verification that a dairy product contains significant levels of live and active yogurt cultures. Recently, IDFA updated the policies and guidelines around use of the LAC Seal and is broadening the availability of the logo to the full yogurt and cultured dairy products industry.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced new roles and responsibilities for three members of the association’s executive, as well as the retirement of IDFA’s longtime senior vice president of finance and administration, Neil Moran. IDFA adds Becky Rasdall to the Executive Team and expands the responsibilities of Tom Wojno and Colin Newman.
  • The dairy checkoff hosted more than 100 national and international health and wellness experts for a two-day scientific conference addressing the dairy matrix, the concept of exploring the unique nutrient, non-nutrient and molecular compositions of dairy foods. The farmer-funded National Dairy Council (NDC) organized the meeting, titled “Undercover Nutrition: A Symposium Decrypting Food and Dairy Matrix Science,” in Washington D.C., Feb. 21-22.
  • In response to growing domestic and international demand, Phibro Animal Health Corporation is expanding its manufacturing facility to support Animate. Animate nutritional specialty product is a patented anionic mineral supplement for prepartum dairy cattle, which, when fed as recommended, may help to reduce the incidence of clinical and subclinical hypocalcemia, leading to enhanced cow health and milk production.
  • Purina Animal Nutrition, along with the Land O’Lakes Foundation, has opened its scholarship program designed to assist students with experience in agriculture and livestock production in pursuing their passions and furthering their educations. Now, along with undergraduate students, current high school seniors who have experience raising and caring for small or large livestock, equine and/or poultry, are eligible to apply for one of four $5,000 scholarships.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Industry Ag News 3/18

    Carrie Muehling

  • Farm and ranch families from across the nation donated 31 million pounds of food and raised $425,879 to help fight hunger and assist in other community service outreach in 2023 through Farm Bureau’s “Harvest for All” program. Combined, the monetary and food donations totaled the equivalent of 26 million meals.
  • The winner of the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Collegiate Discussion Meet is Ella McLerran of Tennessee. She was awarded the top prize following a discussion on Farm Bureau’s role and future direction in welcoming and engaging diverse agricultural communities. McLerran is a senior studying animal science – animal industries at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She will receive her degree in December.
  • President Joe Biden released a proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget that fully funds the Federal crop insurance program in recognition of the indispensable role that crop insurance plays in the farm safety net. The budget states that the “administration supports improvements to crop insurance, proactively managing risk from natural hazards, including the permanent authorization of the cover crop incentive program.”
  • The World Food Prize Foundation has announced a new series titled DialogueNEXT which will be held at the U.S. Institute of Peace on March 26, 2024. The entire day will be dedicated to highlighting the critical role of women in global food security under the theme Seeds of Equity: Women Driving Growth and Innovation in Agriculture and feature a special collaboration with Roots of Peace, the organization of 2023 World Food Prize Laureate Heidi Kühn.
  • Join the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute on April 3 for the 10th annual Womack Agricultural Outlook Conference and FAPRI’s 40th anniversary. The conference will include discussions on the agricultural market outlook, policy issues, and other topics important to Missouri agriculture. There is no cost to attend, however registration is required.
  • It’s time for the 2024 Livestock Publication Council awards contest! Find rules, fees, deadlines, entry instructions and other information here. Response to the new categories in 2023 was excellent and hope you’ll take a look at all available categories before entering to see all of the categories that might fit your work. Entries open March 8, 2024. Early entries are due by Friday, April 12, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. CT. Late entry deadline is Friday, May 3, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. CDT.
  • The Propane Education & Research Council announces a new Double Propane Farm Incentive Program, offering up to $10,000 in savings on eligible propane-powered farm equipment for agricultural operations impacted by the recent Texas wildfires. From now through December 31, 2024, affected producers in Texas and parts of Oklahoma who apply for the Propane Farm Incentive Program can earn double the incentive amount for qualifying propane-powered equipment. Eligible equipment includes irrigation engines, building/water heating systems, power generators, and flame weeding systems. Applications will be verified by zip code and National Weather Service data. Apply now at Propane.com/FarmIncentive.
  • Delegates to National Farmers Union’s 122nd Anniversary Convention cast a unanimous ballot to reelect Rob Larew and Jeff Kippley as the organization’s President and Vice President, respectively. Each will serve another two-year term. The organization also awarded Bill Zortman of radio station KELO-AM, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the 2024 Milt Hakel Award for Excellence in Agricultural Journalism. Zortman is the host of It’s Your Business, covering business issues for the Sioux Falls community with a strong focus on agriculture. Zortman’s radio program regularly includes a long-running segment featuring South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke, NFU President Rob Larew, NFU Vice President Jeff Kippley and other Farmers Union leaders.
  • March is National Peanut Month, a time to celebrate one of America’s favorite foods! The Georgia peanut industry kicked off the celebration this week by hosting the 2024 Georgia PB&J Day in Atlanta, Georgia. During the event, the Georgia Peanut Commission and Peanut Proud donated 10,080 jars of peanut butter to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
  • Representatives from the U.S. Peanut Federation (USPF) traveled to Washington, D.C. this week for their annual Spring Fly-In. During the trip, USPF representatives met with key members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, as well as senior agricultural staff to discuss issues facing the peanut industry today. The USPF Fly-In is essential to connect with Congress about peanut industry priorities, especially since Farm Bill programs are up for reauthorization in 2024.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Pivot Bio N-OVATOR™ Paying Off for Farmers

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Pivot Bio and its sustainability program N-OVATOR™ generated a lot of interest at the recent Commodity Classic in Houston since they have paid over $6 million to growers for implementing better nitrogen management practices since launching in 2022.

    This year, downstream companies participating in N-OVATOR™’s insetting partnerships made payments to reward Pivot Bio growers for their practice change following the 2023 harvest. “All of these downstream customers have sustainability goals they are trying to hit,” said Jim Kelly, Sustainability Programs Director for Pivot Bio, during an interview at Classic. “So what we do is take that data from the farmer cutting 30-40 pounds of nitrogen and replacing it with our microbe, document what that environmental benefit is, and we pass that down to the customer…they in turn incentivize and pay that farmer for that practice change.”

    Kelly says their largest transaction to date was the sale of 100,000 nitrogen credits to a global food and beverage company. The credits from this transaction represent 100,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent that was avoided by over 450 farmers across 300,000 acres within the company’s supply shed. In total, the growers in this insetting partnership replaced over 10 million pounds of synthetic fertilizer.

    Learn more in this interview –
    Classic24 Jim Kelly, Pivot Bio 4:37

    2024 Commodity Classic Photo Album

    Audio, Commodity Classic, Sustainability

    New EPA Ag Office Head Addresses Ethanol Issues

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The head of EPA’s new Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Rod Snyder addressed the 13th American Coalition for Ethanol DC Fly-in last week and had a lot to talk about of interest to ethanol stakeholders, not the least of which was updates to the GREET model for implementation of Inflation Reduction Act tax credits.

    “It’s better to do something right than do to something fast,” said Snyder. “We’re looking at ways we can integrate additional greenhouse gas reducing activities as part of that modeling so I think for everyone in the room who is interested in getting this right and providing as many pathways as possible for qualification of the tax credit, this extra time is I think good news.”

    Snyder said they still expect to have that guidance, as Secretary Vilsack said at Commodity Classic, within “weeks, not months” but ultimately the decision will be made by the Treasury Department.

    Regarding retail sales of E15 this summer, “It is too early for me to speculate on what we can or should do for 2024 but I want to reassure you we are already talking with the Department of Energy about market conditions and how they compare to prior years and what sort of case can be made for what needs to be done for summer of 2024.”

    Listen to Snyder’s comments here:
    ACE DC 24 remarks from Rod Snyder, EPA 31:24

    In a brief interview, Snyder comments on the GREET model update release expectation and what EPA may do going forward about dicamba.
    Interview with Rod Snyder, EPA 3:10

    2024 ACE DC Fly-in Photo Album

    Audio, EPA, Ethanol

    Denali Takes Action to Send Critical Aid to Texas Producers

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Organic recycler Denali is taking action to get hay sent to a Texas A&M livestock supply point where it will be distributed to cattle producers in need.

    Following devastating wildfires, ranchers in the Texas panhandle face dire conditions. The largest wildfire in state history destroyed more than 1 million acres of land and property, leaving surviving livestock without adequate forage. Recognizing the critical need, Denali is working with their farmers to provide support to Texas producers. More than 700 bales of hay – totaling more than 385 tons – are en route to the Texas Panhandle, where farmers and ranchers now face critical feed shortages.

    Denali regional manager Mark Fisher landowner Lawana Gill, farmer Jamie Marion, and JB Hunt driver Jeff Johnson with a truckload of hay that is enroute to support ranchers in the Texas Panhandle.

    Organic material repurposed by Denali as fertilizer delivers beneficial nutrients to farmland and improves farmer outcomes. The boost in plant nutrition increased forage yields enough to create a surplus. Farmers Jerry Evans of Fairview, Missouri, Jamie Marion of Alma, Arkansas, and Hunt Farms of Dardanelle, Arkansas, donated hay and Denali purchased additional hay from farmers to bolster the donation to Texas producers. JB Hunt also contributed transportation support.

    For more information about Denali and their efforts to support farmers and ranchers for a more resilient food system, please visit DenaliCorp.com. Donations to Texas producers impacted by the wildfires can be made to Texas A&M Service here: AgrilifeExtension.tamu.edu/2024-panhandle-wildfires.

    Feed, Livestock