Bayer R&D Supports Produce Growers

Carrie Muehling

Bayer continues to serve produce growers in the southeastern part of the country with the Seminis vegetable seed brand and a strong crop protection portfolio. Research and development continues to be a focus, according to Jonathan Mein, Eastern U.S. Commercial Lead.

“If you look at fruit and vegetable variety development, it requires a lot of work, a lot of data,” said Mein. “You look at advances in molecular technology, all these pieces that allow us to understand genetics a lot better have helped us to a degree and requires that R&D investment, but ultimately we still continue to maintain a very strong and robust connection to the field level.”

Mein said 19 different species of crops are available to the eastern United States under the Seminis brand, with peppers, sweet corn and watermelon getting the most focus in the southeast. He said growers attending the 2020 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference had specific questions about Bayer products as well as inquiries about markets, labor availability and water quality.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Jonathan here: Interview with Jonathan Mein, Bayer

2020 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference Photo Album

Audio, Bayer, Produce, Vegetables

Top Questions About Growing Industrial Hemp

Carrie Muehling

Potential hemp growers still have lots of questions about the product, how to raise it, and what the market looks like. James Bennett of Yeoman Farmers Brand presented on that topic at the 2020 Heart of America Agricultural Hemp Classic in Independence, Mo.

Bennett, who is a hemp grower himself, said the question he gets most often is what to do with the product after it is grown and harvested.

“Ideally, we need to educate society and the end consumer and that will create a larger market chain for us to get rid of the commodities we produce,” said Bennett. “But currently there is a lot of product that goes into extraction for cannabinoids which are then put into formulation and retail products for health and wellness or quality of life.”

Bennett said other common questions include how lucrative growing hemp can be, how much it costs to grow per acre, and how many acres a grower should plant. He described the hemp industry as the “Wild, Wild West” and stressed the importance of paying attention to the details when moving into this production opportunity.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with James here: Interview with James Bennett, Yeoman Farmers Brand

Listen to the full presentation here: Presentation by James Bennett, Yeoman Farmers Brand

2020 Heart of America Agricultural Hemp Classic Photo Album

Audio, Cannabis, hemp

Plasma Blue Debuts at Biodiesel Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

A novel process using electricity and liquid plasma to induce the transesterification process needed to produce biodiesel is generating a lot of interest at the National Biodiesel Conference this week in Tampa.

The Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council saw the potential for the technology, developed by scientists at the University of Minnesota, which could produce six gallons of biodiesel per hour. MSR&PC has since established a company, “Plasma Blue,” around the technology with CEO Tom Slunecka taking the lead on the project.

In this interview, Slunecka explains why Minnesota soybean growers have invested in this technology and the potential it has for the entire biodiesel industry.
NBB2020 Interview with Tom Slunecka, Plasma Blue (5:58)

2020 National Biodiesel Conference photo album

Audio, Biodiesel, Soybean

Getting Started with Industrial Hemp Production

Carrie Muehling

There are still lots of logistical questions about the process of growing industrial hemp, and Missouri Department of Agriculture Hemp Program Administrator Allen Freeman was on hand at the 2020 Heart of America Agricultural Hemp Classic to provide some answers.

“Our program has regulatory authority over viable industrial hemp. So if it is seed that is able to germinate, if it is a living plant, we have regulatory authority over that,” said Freeman.

Freeman pointed potential growers to the Missouri Department of Agriculture website to find more information about the two types of registration currently available in Missouri, required background checks, registering land parcels, and other topics.

Listen to Allen’s complete presentation here: Presentation by Allen Freemen, Missouri Department of Agriculture

2020 Heart of America Agricultural Hemp Classic Photo Album

Audio, hemp

Miravis Family Offers Long Residual Control

Carrie Muehling

The Miravis brand from Syngenta is one that is making an impact on growers in the southeastern region of the United States. Syngenta Agronomy Service Representative Wilson Faircloth was at the 2020 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference, where he shared information about three different Miravis products.

“2019 had a lot of challenges,” said Faircloth. “For those of us in the Deep South, we were recovering from a hurricane, and then beyond that we had drought and/or wet weather, so having products like the Miravis family that have extremely long residual activity gives growers a lot of flexibility. So if it’s raining too much, they’ve got the confidence to know that they can’t get back into the field, but my fungicide is still holding. These products certainly help out when our backs are against the wall.”

Faircloth said the advantages of the Miravis family of products include lengthened spray schedules and fewer spray applications due to extremely long residual control on foliar diseases. Miravis, Miravis Prime and Miravis Top are all registered and available for the 2020 growing season. Contact a local Syngenta representative for more information.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Wilson here: Interview with Wilson Faircloth, Syngenta

2020 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference Photo Album

Audio, Produce, Syngenta, Vegetables

National Biodiesel Board Shares “Vision 2020”

Cindy Zimmerman

The 2020 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo kicked off Tuesday in Tampa with a new industry vision for a new decade.

National Biodiesel Board CEO Donnell Rehagen unveiled the new industry vision statement in his state of the industry remarks to attendees.

Biodiesel, renewable diesel, and renewable jet fuel will be recognized as mainstream low-carbon fuel options with superior performance and emission characteristics. In on road, off road, air transportation, electricity generation, and home heating applications, use will exceed six billion gallons by 2030, eliminating over 35 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gas emissions annually. With advancements in feedstock, use will reach 15 billion gallons by 2050.

“Without a clear vision of the future – what we want to be, where we want to go, and how we’ll get there – we’ll never be more than we are today,” said Rehagen. “While the volumes in our new industry vision may seem ambitious, there is a very clear path to meeting this vision as long as we stay committed to working together and continuing to collaborate.”

The association’s plan includes a new tagline to go with the long-used biodiesel logo that emphasizes the benefits of the fuel in a succinct way – Better. Cleaner. Now!

Listen to Rehagen’s remarks:
NBB2020 Opening session - NBB CEO Donnell Rehagen (18:52)

Rehagen met with members of the media at the National Biodiesel Conference after his state of the industry address on Tuesday. Many of the questions dealt with the biodiesel tax credit extension and when it will provide some relief for the industry.

“Producers should be working on it as we speak to get those forms into the IRS,” said Rehagen. “Our understanding is 60 to 90 days they should be seeing refund checks. So hopefully that will start putting them back in a good position to make forward looking decisions.”

Rehagen also talked about the new biodiesel industry vision and working on increasing biodiesel’s space in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

NBB2020 NBB CEO Donnell Rehagen press gaggle (14:23)

2020 National Biodiesel Conference photo album

Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, National Biodiesel Conference

Association Leaders Advocate for Produce Industry

Carrie Muehling

A veteran of the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Bill Brim of Lewis Taylor Farms continues to feel passionate about engaging in the industry and helping fellow growers along the way.

“Board members put a lot of effort into it, and people don’t really realize what we do. And we’re doing it for them,” said Brim, who served as the first president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Association in 1996.

Brim said even after some difficult seasons from a growing standpoint and challenges on the trade front, produce farmers remain optimistic as they head into 2020. Brim believes the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will hurt the produce industry in the southeastern United States, and is hoping the USDA will provide marketing funds for labeling products as American grown or Georgia grown.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Bill here: Interview with Bill Brim, Lewis Taylor Farms

2020 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference Photo Album

Audio, Produce, Vegetables

Helping Hemp Farmers to Know What They Grow

Carrie Muehling

Companies like Phylos Bioscience are looking to partner with hemp distributors across the nation. That’s why the Portland-based company exhibited at the 2020 Heart of America Agricultural Hemp Classic in Independence, Mo.

Phylos Bioscience is a genetics testing company in the hemp and cannabis space, which identifies male and female plants and also hosts a 3D repository of all the DNA they’ve sampled over the years to provide transparency and help farmers to know exactly what they are growing.

“Take the time to really do the research on how to grow it, and make sure that whatever variety you do have is actually hemp,” said Aaron Jarvis with Phylos.

Jarvis said the company is already working with the Missouri Hemp Association and American Hemp Research, and they intend to develop more partnerships in the days to come.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Aaron here: Interview with Aaron Jarvis, Phylos Bioscience

Listen to Aaron’s presentation here: Presentation by Aaron Jarvis, Phylos Bioscience

2020 Heart of America Agricultural Hemp Classic Photo Album

Audio, Cannabis, hemp

American Hemp Research Offers Help for New Farmers

Carrie Muehling

The CEO of American Hemp Research is hoping hemp production can bring some stability to rural America.

“The main thing that I wanted to get out of hemp was maybe some economic stability for rural America to where we don’t have to wait for a China deal to get done, because the last three years, we’ve been pretty much at the mercy of the government, and I don’t know how you can risk manage politics. It’s almost impossible,” said Andy Huston, who farms with his brother in Roseville, Ill.

Huston said it is important for farmers forging into the area of hemp production to be cautious and to work with reputable people. He shared his experiences and commitment to being a credible resource with those gathered at the 2020 Heart of America Agricultural Hemp Classic in Independence, Mo.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Andy here:
Interview with Andy Huston, American Hemp Research

Listen to Andy’s full presentation here:
Presentation by Andy Huston, American Hemp Research

2020 Heart of America Agricultural Hemp Classic Photo Album

Audio, hemp

Produce Association Feels Like Family

Carrie Muehling

The president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Association said the association is strong and growing, which is important for producers as they maintain a voice within the industry.

“I just enjoy the atmosphere. I enjoy the people. The agriculture industry is made up of some unbelievable people. I enjoy being around them. I enjoy learning from them,” said Aries Haygood, who will lead the organization in the coming year. “I’m a family oriented guy, and that’s what it feels like.”

Haygood said he was drawn to the organization because of the chance to stay informed about how legislation or food safety laws may be changing, and by networking opportunities. He and his wife recently took over operation of the her family’s produce farm, where they grow Vidalia onions.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Aries here: Interview with Aries Haygood, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Association

2020 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference Photo Album

Audio, Produce, Vegetables