The newest Peterson Farm Bros video takes Queen’s “We Will Rock You” to the dairy farm for “We Will Milk Cows.” A little break from the coronavirus news and a reminder that farmers will still be working no matter what to make sure everyone has milk to drink and food to eat on lock down!
Syngenta News from Commodity Classic
Syngenta had a couple of big announcements at the 2020 Commodity Classic, including a collaboration with Truterra (formerly Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN) to offer a “step-change in stewardship and conservation best practices for U.S. growers while helping them focus on maximizing acre-by-acre productivity and profitability.”
This technology-based alliance will make use of data analytics from both the Truterra™ Insights Engine and the Syngenta AgriEdge® platform. The combined power of insights and expertise will help assess and improve soil health, carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions, livestock lifecycle assessment and water management on American farms.
In addition, Syngenta is releasing 11 new NK® corn hybrids and 21 new NK soybean varieties for the 2021 growing season. And the company announced it will assist growers with corn rootworm beetle tracking during the 2020 growing season to help them plan for 2021.
Syngenta representatives discussed these announcements and other topics such as atrazine during a press conference at Commodity Classic.
Syngenta press conference 19:36
CommoditAg Launches App for Simplified Product Purchasing
CommoditAg has just launched a new app for iOS and Android mobile devices. The app provides the opportunity for agricultural producers and farmers to research and order products anytime, anywhere with their mobile devices.
“As the farm community’s leading online agriculture retailer, we know that introducing a user-friendly, easy-to-navigate app is essential to assure that our customers can make purchasing decisions effortlessly and quickly,” said John Demerly, CEO, CommoditAg. “We want our customers to have direct access to the products they need from the palm of their hand, whether they’re in their tractor, barn, home or office. The launch of this app further streamlines our buying process, making it a convenient and accessible experience for CommoditAg customers.”
CommoditAg offers a broad range of crop protection, lubricants and plant nutrition products, with delivery or same-day pick-up options available at one of more than 40 local retail fulfillment centers. The app features easy navigation, a simplified ordering process and a warehouse locator for customers to find the location closest to them.
To download the app, go to the Apple App Store for iOS devices and the Google Play Store for Android devices. To learn more about CommoditAg, visit commoditag.com.
Full release here.
Industry Ag News 3/13
- 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.
Agri-Pulse Postpones Ag & Food Policy Summit
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.
Liberty Brings Back Women’s Bibs
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.
USB Puts Protein First
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
Precision Ag News 3/11
- 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.
Rural Leaders Urge Trump to Support Farmers
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
Herbicide Acquisitions Enhance AMVAC Portfolio
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