ZimmCast 727 – Syngenta at Commodity Classic 2024

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

Once again I learned all about what’s new in the world of agribusiness for Syngenta during the Commodity Classic which was just held in Houston, TX. So this episode will feature interviews I did in the Syngenta booth.

Between Cindy and myself this was our 7th conference of the year. You can find virtual newsrooms from them all on AgNewsWire.com. In there are photos and lots of interviews.

Syngenta Seeds North AmericaSo, these are some interview I picked out to provide a good selection of topics from Syngenta: Eric Boeck, Regional Director North America Seeds at Syngenta; Liz Hunt, Sustainable & Responsible Business Head, Syngenta; Jim Shertzer, Head of Branded Marketing, Syngenta North America Seeds; Matt Dolch and Jared Benson, NK corn and soybean product managers; Kramer Farney, Golden Harvest head of marketing

Next on the AgriBlogging Highway Cindy will be at the ACE DC Fly-in. I will be at the Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit and National Ag Day activities. Then we will both be at the Agri-Marketing Conference in Kansas City, MO with a booth in the Connection Point. We launched ZimmComm publicly at the 2004 Agri-Marketing Conference.

We are already celebrating 20 years since we created ZimmComm and “What a long, strange trip it’s been.” BTW. I did see Grateful Dead live and in concert many, many years ago.

Listen to the episode here:ZimmCast 727 - Syngenta at Commodity Classic (26:80)

That’s the ZimmCast for this week. I hope you enjoyed it and thank you for listening.

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Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, Crop Protection, Golden Harvest, NK Seeds, Sustainability, Syngenta, ZimmCast

Study Finds Higher Corn Yield with Pivot Bio Microbial Nitrogen

Cindy Zimmerman

A recent study at the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment found that replacing 40 pounds of synthetic nitrogen with Pivot Bio PROVEN® 40 can increase corn yields while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizer. The study showed an average corn yield of 195 bushels per acre across nitrogen rates, and plots treated with PROVEN 40 yielded an average of 11 bushels per acre more than the control plots.

Higher yields also suggest that applying microbial nitrogen in furrow can help bridge the nitrogen gap that can occur in fields with cover crop rotations. This occurs because the nitrogen is delivered directly to the roots, avoiding competition with cover crop residue. The increase is particularly noteworthy given the use of cereal rye cover crops and the lack of rainfall during various parts of the growing season. Under normal conditions, cereal rye competes with corn for available nitrogen.

Similarly, studies at North Carolina State University found that replacing 40 pounds of synthetic nitrogen with PROVEN 40 resulted in increased nitrogen and potassium uptake, resulting in greater biomass. Other results from the studies indicated higher corn yields.

“The study’s findings underscore the potential of microbial nitrogen fertilizer to maintain and even increase crop yields while reducing dependency on synthetic fertilizers,” said Clayton Nevins, senior agronomic scientist for Pivot Bio. “Not only are you replacing 40 pounds of synthetic nitrogen, but you are also delivering nitrogen straight to the roots, boosting plant health earlier in the season.”

Corn, Fertilizer, Nutrient Management, Soil

Commodity #Classic24 Was a Record Breaker

Cindy Zimmerman

The 2024 Commodity Classic blasted off into a new galaxy last week in Houston with the largest attendance ever at 11,500 attendees, smashing the previous record of 10,400 last year in Orlando. There were more than 4,600 farmers at the February 28-March 2 event this year along with exhibitors, industry stakeholders, and ag media.

This year’s event featured more than 30 educational sessions, two sold-out trade show floors with over 435 exhibitors, a keynote address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, and policy meetings of the sponsoring commodity associations. Established in 1996, Commodity Classic is presented annually by the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers, and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

One of the highlights of the event is hearing from Commodity Classic organization leaders on stage – listen here.
Classic24 Organization leaders 43:16

2024 Commodity Classic Photo Album

AEM, Ag Groups, ASA, Audio, Commodity Classic, Corn, NAWG, NCGA, NSP

Precision Ag News 3/6

Carrie Muehling

  • The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) presented the seventh-annual Davidson Prize to the top three innovative products, selected from the AE50 honorees on Friday, March 1, at Commodity Classic in Houston, TX.
  • With their crop consulting and plant breeding backgrounds, Brad and Joyce Doyle are continuing a family conservation legacy by using innovative solutions on their Arkansas farm. The Doyles have challenged the status quo for 30 years to make impressive strides, and that’s cause for celebration among the farm family’s fellow growers and conservationists. The American Soybean Association presented the Doyles with the 2024 National Conservation Legacy Award during the annual ASA Awards Celebration event at Commodity Classic in Houston.
  • Join the Nebraska Water Center and Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District on June 17 and 18 for the 2024 Water and Natural Resources Tour as we get up close and personal with water and natural resources in southeast Nebraska.
  • The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the report, Intent to Establish the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program, authorized under the Growing Climate Solutions Act (GCSA). The GCSA was signed into law on December 29, 2022, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. This report justifying the Secretary’s intent to establish the program follows USDA’s earlier publication of A General Assessment of the Role of Agriculture and Forestry in U.S. Carbon Markets, which found that voluntary carbon markets offer a promising tool to achieve greenhouse gas reductions from the agriculture and forest sectors and support producer livelihoods. By adopting science-based practices to reduce emissions or sequester carbon on their land, farmers, ranchers, and private landowners can access a new income stream through carbon credit sales while also combatting climate change.
  • The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) convened member company executives from leading seed companies for a weeklong trip to Japan. The group, led by Dr. Fan-Li Chou, ASTA’s Senior Vice President, Scientific Affairs and Policy, included representatives from GDM, J.R. Simplot Company, and Pairwise, and packed in several days of intense and productive engagement with government and industry partners, with the goal of supporting ongoing bilateral collaboration with our Japanese counterparts. During the trip, the executives participated in a technical seminar at the U.S. Embassy in Japan and a media outreach webinar hosted by the Network for Breeding by Genome Editing on the use of genome editing in plant breeding to support both a healthy planet and its inhabitants.
  • To instill confidence and foster innovation in the agricultural biologicals sector, DPH Biologicals announced the expansion of its science-first, data-verified approach with a multi-year effort to quantify the comprehensive value potential of biologicals.
  • AcreShield, the company that provides revolutionary seed selection with seed performance guarantees, announces its leadership team. Comprised of proven agricultural entrepreneurs adept at solving farmers’ problems, the team includes Billy Rose, chairman and CEO; Jim Rouse, executive vice president of seed trials program; Kevin McNew, chief data officer and Ryan Budnik, COO of seed trial program.
  • Sollum Technologies, the leader in dynamic LED grow light solution, is thrilled to announce that it is marking a key step forward with the expansion of its sales team in North America. The company is poised, more than ever, to meet the growing demand for supplemental lighting in controlled environment agriculture with the most advanced, intuitive and fully customizable dynamic LED lighting solution.
  • Global ag biologicals company Biolevel Ltd. announced the North American launch of two bionutrition products—MaizeNP for corn and PhosN for soybeans—to provide farmers more consistent results and convenient application options. Unlike other bionutrition products, the array of microbes in Biolevel products fix nitrogen and release crop-available phosphorous, potassium and micronutrients locked in soils.
  • Syngenta Crop Protection, a leader in agricultural innovation, is to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its logistics operations by using Maersk’s ECO Delivery solution for its ocean shipments. This follows the finalization of an agreement for the transport of containers using biofuel for a Europe-US shipping route in 2024.
  • Building on 50 years of leadership and innovation in soybean research and variety development, Pioneer announces the commercial availability of Pioneer brand Z-Series soybeans in the United States and Canada. This new class of soybeans offers farmers a significant yield advantage and better disease resistance.
  • Corteva continues its drive to deliver farmer-focused solutions with the launch of Enversa herbicide. The new versatile solution received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration in December 2023. Pending state registrations, Enversa herbicide is expected to be available for use on soybeans, cotton, corn, sorghum, peanuts and sugar beets in the 2025 growing season.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Meister Media Worldwide Announces CEAg World

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Meister Media Worldwide announces the launch of CEAg World, the new and innovative multi-media global business “Advancing Food Under Cover.” The new global brand will strive to represent all segments of crops grown in controlled environments, including greenhouses, hoop houses and high tunnels, operations using shading or netting, vertical farms, container farms, and more.

    The new CEAgWorld.com is the central hub for growers, produce companies, food retailers, academia, private industry, and other allies for insights and intelligence to advance this new generation of food grown under cover. “Local, fresh produce grown in controlled environments connects the food value chain from growers to final consumers and offers many economic, sustainability-related and consumer advantages,” Karen Varga, CEAg World Content Lead said. “Our mission is to fully connect and engage all these innovators, online and in person, to lead this new industry forward.”

    CEAg World’s initial focus will be on greenhouse-grown produce, the largest and most rapidly expanding controlled environment industry segment, in the United States and Canada, under the brand CEAg World Greenhouse Produce. With support from Charter Partners Berger, BioSafe Systems, BioTherm, Greener Solutions International, Legacy Labor and Philips, CEAg World Greenhouse Produce is mobilizing the industry to help it fully realize the unique opportunities for greenhouse-grown produce.

    Media, Meister Media, Produce, specialty crops, Sustainability

    ASTA Survey Finds 10.5 Million New Cover Crop Acres

    Cindy Zimmerman

    ASTA’s Jordan Gregory, Janae Brady, and Katrina Bishop at Commodity Classic

    Representatives of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) were at the Commodity Classic last week with member GO Seed to talk about cover crops.

    A recent ASTA survey found that an added 10.5 million acres of cover crops will be planted in the next five years as a result of USDA’s Partnerships for Climate Smart-Commodities projects. The program, announced in February of 2022, was established to support conservation practices, particularly for small and underserved producers. ASTA’s survey focused on cover crop acres through the lifespan of the projects, using numbers provided by the respective projects leads.

    “We’ve been paying close attention to the practice of cover crops and what that means for the seed industry and our ability to meet what is clearly a growing demand,” said Janae Brady, ASTA Vice President of Government Affairs. “As you look at sustainability practices, seed is a very important part of that solution.”

    Cover crops provide a myriad of benefits – both economic and environmental – and are primarily used to slow erosion, improve soil health, help control pests and diseases, and offer many other benefits to producers. While helping farmers care for their land in between planting seasons, cover crops also enhance carbon sequestration and sustainability. The seed industry plays a critical role in supporting conservation programs by developing diverse, locally, and broadly adapted, high-quality seed.

    Classic24 Janae Brady, ASTA 3:05

    ASTA, Audio, Commodity Classic, cover crops, Seed

    Truterra Talks Climate Smart Programs at #Classic24

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Land O’Lakes sustainability subsidiary Truterra recently announced its 2024 sustainability programs and they were at Commodity Classic last week to talk to farmers about what they have to offer.

    “The financial assistance program is one of the first we’re able to roll out under the climate smart funding,” said Amber Leusink, Senior Manager for Programs and Grants with Truterra. “What Truterra is founded on is meeting the farmer where they’re at in their sustainable journey…and so we want to work with the farmer and provide that technical assistance. But now we’re also able to offer financial assistance.”

    Leusink says they are looking at roughly 80,000 acres of financial assistance opportunity. “Another funding opportunity that’s really exciting is our early adopter. So those early adopters are those farmers that have been doing the right thing, and until recently, there haven’t been opportunities for those farmers.”

    Learn more in this interview with Leusink from Commodity Classic.

    Classic24 Amber Leusink, Truterra 7:06

    2024 Commodity Classic Photo Album

    Audio, carbon, Commodity Classic, Sustainability, USDA

    Intelinair Launches New Postseason Data Analytics Suite

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Ag data analytics company Intelinair, makers of AGMRI, has announced the latest addition to its suite of data analytics for the 2024 crop season – AGMRI Analyze. AGMRI Insights, the in-season analytics suite, will continue to be available to inform real-time data-driven decision-making.

    AGMRI Analyze monitors nine common yield-limited factors, enabling farmers to pinpoint and understand potential issues that have impacted their yield during the season. This data-driven approach helps farmers make informed decisions for the upcoming crop season, ultimately contributing to improved efficiency and yield potential.

    “With the addition of Analyze, we have created a more complete data analytics package that farmers can rely on for both in-season monitoring and postseason analytics,” said Tim Hassinger, Intelinair president and CEO. “By consolidating in-season and postseason analytics into a unified platform, we’re taking real-time and postseason data-driven decision-making to the next level.”

    For more information about Intelinair, AGMRI Insights and AGMRI Analyze, or how to sign up for the 2024 season, visit https://www.intelinair.com/agmri.

    AgWired Precision, data, Precision Agriculture

    Animal Ag News 3/4

    Carrie Muehling

  • The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is thrilled to unveil the highly anticipated 2024 World Pork Expo, set to take place on June 5-6 at the iconic Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.
  • The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for again extending the New Swine Inspection System line speed trials through Jan. 15, 2025. Processing facilities will enroll in a modified time limited trial, which will include a study to evaluate the impact of increased line speeds on worker safety.
  • A new resource developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and CattleFax helps cattle producers maximize profitability from their culling decisions. “Right Way. Right Time. – A Guide to Cull Cattle Management” is now available at www.ncba.org.
  • Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is urging donors to give to the TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund amid widespread wildfires impacting the Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma. Donations will go on to aid victims of the ongoing natural disasters.
  • Farmers throughout the Upper Midwest will have an opportunity to participate in a multi-year climate-smart sustainability program that uses data to inform new farming practices and potentially generate added value for the food the farms produce. Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative and partner Farmers for Sustainable Food announced that the groups will begin accepting farmer enrollment in the program, called the Farmers for Sustainable Food Climate-Smart Project.
  • Checkoff-founded GENYOUth teamed with the Dairy Council of Nevada, the NFL and other partners to increase access to and participation in healthy school meals by providing grants for Grab and Go school meal equipment packages, including milk coolers and mobile meal carts, for 73 high-need Nevada schools. Before each Super Bowl, state and regional checkoff teams collaborate with GENYOUth and purpose-minded partners on GENYOUth’s Super School Meals community initiative to improve the student health and wellness experience, including increased dairy consumption. This year’s program focused on Super Bowl host market Las Vegas and throughout Nevada.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is pleased with the decision published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve the first-ever qualified health claim for yogurt, recognizing a potential link between its regular consumption and a reduced risk of type-2 diabetes. The FDA’s decision came in response to a petition submitted by Danone North America. The new claim is available for all yogurt makers.
  • The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced the opening of registration for its 2024 Stakeholders Summit, themed “Ready, Set, Solve! Advancing Animal Agriculture.” The 2024 Summit is set for May 8-9 in Kansas City, Mo. Register by March 8 for the lowest rates offering savings up to $100. Register here!
  • The Gold winning teams of the National FFA Poultry Evaluation and Food Science and Technology Career Development Events (CDEs) were invited to attend the International Poultry Expo (IPE), part of the 2024 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). As a result of the USPOULTRY Foundation’s continued initiative to attract students to the poultry and egg industry, the teams that attended received an all-expenses paid trip and had the opportunity to visit IPPE’s record-breaking trade show floor.
  • IHT Group, a division of Decisive Dividend Corp. based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is bringing patented cooling pad technology for hogs to the North American market in spring 2024. The pads are 2-foot-by-4-foot aluminum tread plates on top of copper pipes that circulate water. Sensors in the pads determine if the hog is too hot and circulate new water to keep the pad cool. The technology was designed by researchers in Purdue University’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Department of Animal Sciences.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Syngenta Announces Upcoming Seed Treatment Addition

    Cindy Zimmerman

    At the Commodity Classic last week, Syngenta had a new seed treatment in development for soybeans and cotton to talk about called Victrato®.

    Upon approval by the Environmental Protection Agency for registration, which is anticipated by the 2025 growing season, the new seed treatment will introduce targeted technology to stop nematodes, Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) and Cotton Root Rot (CRR) without harming beneficial organisms.

    “Victrato will protect against adults, juveniles and eggs from multiple nematode species, including Soybean Cyst (SCN), root knot, reniform, lance and lesion,” said Katie Jaeger, Soybean Seedcare Product Lead. “It will also help defend against Fusarium virguliforme, and provide early-season suppression of foliar diseases, such as frogeye leaf spot, target spot and Septoria brown spot.”

    Featuring a novel SDHI active ingredient, TYMIRIUM® technology, Victrato will deliver targeted protection in the root zone. Upon registration, Victrato will be the newest edition to the Syngenta Seedcare portfolio and will help growers protect their crops from some of the most damaging early-season yield threats, while also offering crop safety.

    Jaeger explains more about Victrato in this interview.
    Classic24 Katie Jaeger, Syngenta Seedcare 2:55

    Audio, Commodity Classic, Seed, Soybean, Syngenta