Sen. Fischer Addresses Farm Crisis on Senate Floor

Cindy Zimmerman

During a speech on the Senate floor Monday, Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) addressed the economic crisis facing ag producers across America, stressing the need for long-term solutions for farmers and ranchers.

“Producers of corn, soybeans, and other top commodities are under crushing pressure. Rising input costs and uncertainty have driven farm finances to levels reminiscent of the 1980s crisis, which bankrupted thousands and hollowed out rural communities,” said Fischer.

Fischer highlighted that Congress must work to build new markets through both increased exports and the year-round, nationwide sale of E15. “That’s why I reintroduced my Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act earlier this year. When I first introduced this bill nearly a decade ago, it felt like an uphill climb. Today, momentum is finally on our side.”

Listen to Fischer’s comments here:
Sen. Deb Fischer - senate floor speech 6:56

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Ethanol, Exports, Farming

Summit Agro USA Unveils BioPowered™ Portfolio

Cindy Zimmerman

Summit Agro USA today announced the launch of its BioPowered™ product portfolio, marking a major evolution in the company’s lineup of innovative crop protection and field health solutions.

“Today’s action aligns with our mission to help growers maximize profitability by improving both crop and field health,” said Justin Gayliard, CEO of Summit Agro USA. “This forward-looking strategy was honed through extensive conversations with customers and partners across the U.S., and it will guide our team as we continue building a portfolio of next-generation biological technologies combined with cutting-edge synthetic ones.”

Summit Agro’s BioPowered products leverage the power of biological chemistries to achieve higher yields, reduce risk, maintain healthier fields and improve profitability. They easily fit into existing programs, complementing diverse production practices while addressing key grower challenges such as resistance management, chemical load, residue levels and sustainability. Above all, they have been proven highly effective in hundreds of field trials over several years.

“This is a new era of agricultural chemistry,” Gayliard added. “We have reached a point where we have biologically derived active ingredients able to be combined with lower volumes of conventional actives to bring consistency and performance in a way growers expect. With our BioPowered products, growers gain impactful solutions backed by science, not speculation.”

The current Summit Agro BioPowered portfolio includes the BioPowered fungicides Regev and Regev HBX. Summit Agro has other biologically derived actives which perform exceedingly well and are being developed into future BioPowered Chemistry. These include fungicides Timorex ACT and Aviv; Seican insecticide; and biostimulants Tarma and Spurt.

More information on BioPowered products can be found at www.summitagro-usa.com.

AgWired Precision, Biologicals, Crop Protection

Industry Ag News 10/6

Carrie Muehling

  • Old crop corn stocks on hand as of Sept. 1, 2025, totaled 1.53 billion bushels, down 13 percent from Sept. 1, 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Grain Stocks report released today. Old crop soybeans stored in all positions were down 8 percent from Sept. 1, 2024, and all wheat stocks were up 6 percent from a year earlier.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will hold its biannual Data Users’ Meeting in West Des Moines, Iowa, on October 21, starting at 1 p.m. CT. The free and open-to-the-public event will also have a virtual attendance option. For both methods, registration is required.
  • As world leaders prepare to convene at COP30 in Belém, Brazil this November, American agriculture stands at a pivotal moment to demonstrate its leadership in sustainable food systems innovation. The Agri-Pulse and JBS forum on October 21 in Washington, D.C., will spotlight how U.S. farmers, ranchers, and their supply chain partners are already delivering the solutions the world needs. Join us at the National Press Club from 2-5 p.m. ET for “U.S. Agriculture and Food Systems on the Global Stage,” followed by a networking reception from 5-6 p.m. This timely forum will showcase real-world success stories and policy recommendations from the Sustainable Business COP (SB COP)—a global collaborative of private-sector companies—demonstrating how American agriculture is proving that productivity and sustainability go hand-in-hand. Complimentary registration is available here.
  • The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) announced that Sam Kieffer has been selected to serve as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer starting November 1, bringing more than 20 years of experience in agricultural leadership and farm policy to the role.
  • World Ag Expo, the largest annual outdoor agricultural exposition, is gearing up to make its return in February, naming Ron Clark as the 2026 Show Chairman.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation announced the opening of general registration today for the 2026 American Farm Bureau Convention. The convention will be held Jan. 9-14, 2026, in Anaheim, California. The theme of the 107th consecutive American Farm Bureau Convention is “Imagine. Grow. Lead.” It will empower attendees with forward-thinking perspectives and policy insights to navigate the future of agriculture.
  • As concern for energy reliability surges nationwide, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) celebrates National Propane Day by encouraging farmers to explore propane as a reliable, on-site energy solution that can support greater peace of mind in uncertain times. October 7 marks the fourth annual National Propane Day, and this year’s theme, “Prepare with Propane,” is a reminder of propane’s reliability when other systems may fail. A recent report from the U.S. Department of Energy warns that blackouts in the United States could increase 100-fold by 2030 as the electric grid struggles to meet growing demand. Because propane is stored on site and never degrades, it remains ready even during widespread power disruptions. To help producers prepare, PERC offers planning resources, equipment incentives, and connections to local propane suppliers at Propane.com/Agriculture.
  • Jed Bower, a fifth-generation corn and soybean farmer from Washington Court House, Ohio, began his term as president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) saying the challenging rural economy will be his top priority in the year ahead.
  • The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Global Foundation for Agricultural Journalism (GFAJ) will be held on October 15 from 16:00 to 17:00 Eastern Africa Time (13:00–14:00 GMT) as part of the IFAJ Congress in Kenya. We welcome all IFAJ members and interested participants to join. Click here to register for online participation.
  • The Agricultural Communicators Network Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF) is now accepting proposals for 2026 grant funds. The submission deadline is October 31.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Precision Ag News 10/3

    Carrie Muehling

  • Global agriculture technology leader Corteva announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved a plan to separate the company into two independent, publicly traded companies, one comprising its current Crop Protection business and the other comprising its current Seed business.
  • GreenLight Biosciences announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s registration of Norroa, the first-ever nature-based treatment specifically designed to combat varroamites, the leading threat to honey bee colonies. This groundbreaking innovation provides beekeepers with a powerful new tool proven to protect these pollinators, which are critical to U.S. agriculture.
  • John Deere announced it is expanding its iconic Gator™ utility vehicle lineup with the introduction of the all-electric Gator GX and GX Crew, built for reliable and quiet performance across residential, rural and light-duty commercial jobs.
  • InnerPlant, the seed technology company engineering crops that communicate their needs, announced the world’s first real-time detection of an early fungal infection in soybeans through its CropVoice™ disease alert network currently deployed across Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.
  • Nutrien Ag Solutions has expanded the capabilities of its Nutrien HUB, an online portal designed to bring retail services, agronomic recommendations, environmental insights, and financing together in one streamlined platform for U.S. farmers. This innovative tool offers a faster, simpler, and more connected way for farmers to manage their operations.
  • Corn rootworms, pests responsible for billions of dollars in yearly crop losses, are evolving resistance that weakens even the latest biotechnology controls, according to a new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Drawing on decades of data across multiple states, University of Arizona entomologists found that field-evolved resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, is undermining the effectiveness of corn that targets rootworms with the combination of Bt and RNA interference, or RNAi, a new biotech control that turns the rootworms’ own genetic instructions against them.
  • Registration is now open for the ARA Management Academy, happening January 20-22, 2026, at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. Offered in partnership with the Agricultural Retailers Associations and ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business, this three-day program provides ag retail professionals with the tools to lead with confidence, create value and deliver results.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Preview of the AgGateway Annual Meeting

    Chuck Zimmerman

    2025 AgGateway Annual Meeting and ConferenceTo get a preview of this year’s AgGateway Annual Meeting and Conference, I talked with Brent Kemp, President and CEO. The event will be held November 3-5 at the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

    Throughout 2025, AgGateway has been celebrating two decades of achievement in fulfilling its core mission: To develop the resources and relationships that drive digital connectivity in global agriculture and related industries.

    This celebration concludes at the North America Annual Conference, where the industry gathers to understand the state of interconnectivity in agriculture, what the association and its membership has accomplished over the past year, and the core initiatives on deck for the year ahead.

    The Annual Meeting and Conference combines real working sessions on advanced initiatives, meet- ups and committee gatherings to discuss new and longer-term projects, and a host of conference sessions designed to create discussion and infuse enthusiasm for the AgGateway Mission.

    Along with learning and working sessions, the conference features multiple networking breaks and receptions, as well as a welcome luncheon for first-time attendees.

    Annual Conference attendees include leading agribusiness managers, IT professionals, and other representatives from the entire crop production channel, including input and equipment manufacturing, software and data service providers, ag retailers and distributors, in addition to professionals in precision ag, academia, agricultural organizations, students, and ag media.

    Listen to my interview with Brent here to get all the details: Interview with Brent Kemp, President/CEO, AgGateway

    AgGateway, Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, Technology

    Tendovo Redefines Soybean Weed Management

    Carrie Muehling

    At the 2025 Farm Progress Show, Syngenta Crop Protection Agronomist Matt Geiger shared information about Tendovo, the flagship pre-emergent soybean herbicide for that area.

    “You need to start clean. You don’t want to have weeds at the time you plant or right after the beans come up. You want to stay clean early. Then you put that residual down to prevent new weed emergence,” said Geiger. “Herbicides in general are there so your weeds don’t compete with the crop. You don’t want competition at any point in the season.”

    Geiger said weed prevention is key to maximizing yield. While post-emergence chemistries can be inconsistent, using a broad spectrum product like Tendovo that activates easily and lasts long enough that you can overlap your second residual before more weeds come up is a more reliable approach.

    Geiger said complementary ingredients mean the product can activate with very little rainfall, but also with more rainfall. Varying solubilities provide consistency, while also ensuring an admirable crop safety profile.

    Syngenta Crop Protection Agronomist Matt Geiger – Tendovo broad-spectrum residual soybean herbicide
    FPS25 Interview with Matt Geiger, Syngenta Crop Protection (5:16)

    Agribusiness, Agronomy, AgWired Precision, Audio, Farm Progress Show, Herbicide, Syngenta, weed management

    ZimmCast 751 – Preview of the NAMA NEXUS

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast. I’m Chuck Zimmerman.

    In this episode we’re going to get an in-depth preview of the new NAMA NEXUS event that will be taking place in Milwaukee, WI, October 14-16. I spoke with committee chair Kasie Garcia.

    We’ll start with what the NAMA NEXUS means as well as the Economies of Ag. From there it’s on to the agenda and how it is different from the NAMA Fall Conference of the past.

    You can still register on the NAMA website.

    Listen to the episode here:
    ZimmCast 751 - Preview of the NAMA NEXUS (20:37)

    That’s the ZimmCast for now. Please let us know if you have ideas for a future podcast. Just email Chuck at chuck@zimmcomm.biz.

    We hope you enjoyed it and thank you for listening.

    Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

    Ag Groups, Agencies, Agribusiness, Audio, NAMA

    Forum to Focus on Global Impact of U.S. Ag and Food

    Cindy Zimmerman

    As world leaders prepare to convene at COP30 in Brazil next month, Agri-Pulse and JBS will be hosting a forum on October 21 in Washington, D.C., to spotlight how U.S. farmers, ranchers, and their supply chain partners are already delivering the solutions the world needs.

    “U.S. Agriculture and Food Systems on the Global Stage” will showcase real-world success stories and policy recommendations from the global collaborative Sustainable Business COP (SB COP) demonstrating how American agriculture is proving that productivity and sustainability go hand-in-hand. “From regenerative grain production to resilient livestock systems, American farmers and ranchers are leading the way in addressing the intertwined challenges of food security and climate stability,” said Agri-Pulse Founder and Publisher Sara Wyant. “This forum provides a critical platform to share these innovations with policymakers and industry leaders as we approach COP30.”

    The forum will be held at the National Press Club from 2-5 p.m. ET, followed by a networking reception from 5-6 p.m. Registration is complimentary.

    The forum will feature dynamic panel discussions showcasing American agricultural innovation in action. “Scaling Regenerative Agriculture” will bring together grain producers and their supply chain partners to share strategies that strengthen both economic and environmental sustainability, while “Advancing Livestock Productivity and Resiliency” will highlight innovations that enhance production efficiency while building climate resilience. The afternoon concludes with a bipartisan fireside chat featuring Members of Congress discussing how agricultural innovation drives America’s global competitiveness and food security, exploring how policy can support the continued advancement of sustainable practices that benefit both producers and consumers worldwide.

    Agri-Pulse, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, regenerative ag

    GHX Golden Harvest MaxScript

    Carrie Muehling

    Visitors to the 2025 Farm Progress Show had the opportunity to learn more about GHX Golden Harvest MaxScript, a personalized seed placement tool that not only gives a field by field seed recommendation, but also a planting population recommendation that’s tailored to the farmer’s preferences.

    “We’ll be blending that local agronomic expertise of Golden Harvest with the digital agronomy insight tools of GHX,” said Andy Lee with Golden Harvest.

    Lee explained that MaxScript provides a planting plan or seed placement recommendation that helps growers get off to the best start possible. The company will be scaling that across all of Golden Harvest for the coming growing seasons. That includes the GHX app, which is a full suite of digital agronomy tools that provides scouting reports, weather reports and everything a grower needs to manage a crop throughout the growing season.

    “That tool grows and gets better every single year, and as we scale that across Golden Harvest and make that more available to every grower within our system, we’re excited to see how that help growers be successful across the board,” said Lee.

    Lee said coupling these digital tools with innovations like the new Durastak trait – available for growers to plant in 2027 – is cause for excitement, especially in an economic environment where every bushel counts.

    Golden Harvest Head Andy Lee – blending of GHX and Golden Harvest, MaxScript Custom Seed recommendation
    FPS25 Interview with Andy Lee, Golden Harvest (3:41)

    AgWired Precision, Audio, Farm Progress Show, Golden Harvest, Seed, Syngenta

    Animal Ag News 9/30

    Carrie Muehling

  • Consumer demand for products like cheese, butter and yogurt that rely on protein and butterfat content continues to drive dairy sales growth in the U.S. and abroad. Over the past decade, milk delivered to U.S. dairy processing plants has become more nutrient-dense with higher levels of the two key components to meet rising demand. However, the pace of growth in butterfat content has far exceeded protein, which creates challenges for U.S. cheddar and American-style cheesemakers that rely on a more balanced ratio of the two. According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, excessive butterfat levels can impact cheese quality. In the EU and New Zealand, the two largest dairy exporters, the protein-to-fat ratio has remained far steadier, averting the issues U.S. cheese makers are facing.
  • The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) began accepting nominations for the fifth Cohort of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders. NIAA will begin accepting applications and nominations on October 1 until January 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
  • As of Sept.1, there were 74.5 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, down one percent from September 2024 but up one percent from June 1, 2025, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is set to begin data collection efforts for the quarterly Milk Production survey. The information collected in this survey allows NASS to accurately measure and report conditions and trends in the U.S. milk industry over the course of the year.
  • CattleCon 2026, the largest cattle industry event of the year, is heading to the heart of downtown Nashville, Tennessee, Feb. 3-5. New for 2026: all registration options include access to Cattlemen’s College education sessions and demonstrations.
  • The dairy checkoff has introduced “Smart Swaps,” a dairy-focused initiative designed to help schools meet evolving nutrition standards and student expectations. The farmer-founded National Dairy Council (NDC) created Smart Swaps for school nutrition professionals to include dairy on breakfast menus and adapt to evolving meal standards. The program offers training resources along with kid approved breakfast recipes featuring dairy.
  • The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has opened registration for its annual Equipment Manufacturers Conference (EMC), to be held Nov. 5-7 in Rancho Mirage, Calif. This year’s theme is “Winning Strategies for Workforce Protection and Management.”
  • At the Public Lands Council (PLC) Annual Meeting, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced winners of the 2025 Rangeland Stewardship and Rangeland Innovation awards to recognize exemplary management and outstanding accomplishments in restoring and maintaining the health of public rangelands. The bureau will present the awards on Sept. 17, at a ceremony during PLC’s 57th Annual Meeting, held this year in Flagstaff, Ariz., and via Zoom from 12-1:30 p.m. Mountain Time.
  • The Meat Institute announced it has joined the Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness, expanding its access to food safety best practices and other efforts to prevent foodborne illness on behalf of meat and poultry companies. The Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness is a nonprofit program of Stop Foodborne Illness. It brings together consumer advocates, leading companies, and like-minded organizations committed to the goal of preventing foodborne disease. The Alliance comprises 20+ members from around the globe working together to share best practices and advance food safety culture.
  • The National Pork Producers Council is accepting applications for the 2026 Lois Britt Memorial Pork Industry Scholarship. Each year, ten $2,500 scholarships are awarded to college students preparing for careers in the pork industry and aspiring to become future industry leaders. The program is made possible through support from CME Group and the National Pork Industry Foundation. The application deadline for this year is December 12. Full eligibility and application requirements can be found here.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites