ISPA Definition for Precision Agriculture

Chuck Zimmerman

ISPA LogoThe International Society for Precision Agriculture has publised their official definition of the term, precision agriculture. This is from the ISPA newsletter.

“Precision Agriculture is a management strategy that gathers, processes and analyzes temporal, spatial and individual data and combines it with other information to support management decisions according to estimated variability for improved resource use efficiency, productivity, quality, profitability and sustainability of agricultural production.”

The definition was recently recognized by the Board of directors as the official definition of the International Society for Precision Agriculture (ISPA).

There was clearly a need to clarify what Precision Agriculture really is. A non-exhaustive list (http://www.grap.udl.cat/en/presentation/pa_definitions.html) of definitions assembled by the Research Group in AgroICT & Precision Agriculture reported 27 different contributions from the very beginning of PA to date. As the sole international scientific society completely devoted to Precision Agriculture, the ISPA could not avoid the need to provide clarity and guidance on this important concept. The Precision Agriculture concept emerged in the early ‘90s and was then totally focused on the study and management of spatial variability in crop production. Since then, other components of variability and other sectors of agriculture related to the concept in a duly manner.

The ISPA is proud of both the definition that emerged and the process by which it was achieved. The ISPA Board wants to thank all people who contributed their time and expertise for this important endeavour, and particularly Dr. Alex Escolà from Lleida University and Dr. Viacheslav Adamchuk from McGill University.

AgWired Precision, Precision Agriculture

Nomination Time for NAFB Awards

Chuck Zimmerman

NAFB AwardsIt’s time to nominate for the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Farm Broadcaster of the Year, the Horizon Award, and the Dix Harper Meritorious Service Award. The process is starting earlier this year to allow all members more time to consider the applicants you deem worthy of these high honors. Your nominations should be carefully chosen, using the criteria listed below.

Farm Broadcaster of the Year
Horizon Award*
Sponsored by Syngenta

These two awards are given based on professional excellence demonstrated in these specific areas:
On-air broadcasting (including news, markets, weather, or special reports)
Leadership in broadcast programming, promotion, and marketing at station/network
Community involvement and leadership
NAFB involvement

* Broadcast Council members with five years or less experience are eligible for the Horizon Award.

Nominate a deserving Broadcast Council member or yourself for either award by filling out the online form by Friday, July 26, 2019.
Winners will be announced Friday, November 15, at the 2019 NAFB Convention Awards Luncheon.

Dix Harper Meritorious Service Award

This is the highest honor NAFB presents an Allied Industry or Management & Sales Council member who has demonstrated exemplary and committed service to NAFB. The award will be presented Thursday, November 14, at the 2019 NAFB Convention Night of Honors Celebration banquet.

Media, NAFB

Soil Health Institute Releases Progress Report

Chuck Zimmerman

Soil Health Institute StudyBased on data from the 2017 U.S. Census of Agriculture, the Soil Health Institute (SHI) has released PROGRESS REPORT: Adoption of Soil Health Systems.

The analysis includes a state-by-state breakdown of changes in adoption from 2012 to 2017 for cover crops and no-till production. Cover crop and no-till practices both support biological activity in the soil. Cover crops are particularly effective at protecting water quality, and no-till is particularly effective at increasing carbon sequestration in soils.

The report was developed by Rob Myers, Ph.D., a University of Missouri agronomist and Co-chair of the Soil Health Institute Policy Action Team, and Joe LaRose, a University of Missouri extension associate.

For further information, visit the Soil Health Institute website.

Ag Groups, AgWired Precision, Soil

Precision Ag Bytes 7/10

Carrie Muehling

  • Bayer CropScience, The Mosaic Company, Syngenta and the Conservation Infrastructure Initiative co-led by the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance and Iowa’s Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship have signed on as a Diamond-level sponsors of the Conservation Technology Information Center Conservation in Action Tour. The tour, which will be held August 20 and 21 in Des Moines, Iowa, is CTIC’s 12th annual program of its type. Online registration for the tour is quick and easy at https://www.ctic.org/cia_tour/registration.
  • Through the Illinois Corn Growers Association, local farmers are taking a small step with potentially big implications to address food security and crop efficiency and it starts at the farm level. The farmer-led group is working with NASA and University of Illinois researchers to develop a Farmer Data Cooperative that brings together practical farmer knowledge, internationally recognized scientists and the most advanced technology available.
  • Marrone Bio Innovations Inc., a leading developer of bio-based products for pest management and plant health, announced that California almond and grape growers are gaining an edge as they address mid-season pest control issues through the implementation of the company’s novel BioUnite program.
  • Over the last four years, Stuart and Cedar Anderson – second and third generation father-son beekeepers from Australia – have revolutionized the beekeeping industry, making a positive impact on the plight of struggling pollinators through their Flow Hive invention. Regarded as the most significant advancement in beekeeping since 1852, the innovative beehive makes it much easier to harvest honey. For more information about Stuart’s U.S. tour visit http://bit.ly/flow-in-the-usa.
  • At the BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and AgTech in Des Moines, the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) will present an update on the plant-based bioplastic, MonoEthylene Glycol (MEG). For more information on ICPB research, click here.
  • Mercaris, the market data and online trading platform supporting the growth of organic and non-GMO agriculture in the U.S., released a Spring Planting Special Report. The report focuses specifically on organic agriculture and details how organic field crop acreage has been impacted by unprecedented cold and wet springtime weather this year, limiting farm management options. To request the Spring Planting Special Report, please email jason.farrell@mercaris.com.
  • AgJunction Inc. has announced that it has received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a patent titled “Integrated Multi-Sensor Control System and Method.”
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes

NAFB Unveils 2019 Convention Logo

Chuck Zimmerman

NAFB 2019 ConventionHere’s the logo for this year’s National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention. The theme is, “Farm Broadcasting: The Engine That Drives Agriculture.”

This verbiage and logo will be used throughout November’s 76th convention to showcase how farm broadcasting plays a vital role in American agriculture each and every day. NAFB will have more information later this summer about the convention. The dates/location are: November 13-15, 2019, at the Westin Crown Center (Kansas City, Missouri). Registration will open Thursday, August 1.

Looking forward to another opportunity to network with so many friends and clients!

Media, NAFB

Consider Corn Challenge Winners Announced

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced the winners of the Consider Corn Challenge II this week at the BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and AgTech in Des Moines, Iowa. Three winners were chosen, each with a unique technology to improve a product or process using field corn to produce biobased materials.

ExoPolymer, Inc. intends to create a new profile of customizable, polysaccharide-based hydrocolloids that are domestically produced by microbial fermentation using corn sugar as a feedstock. These new hydrocolloids will meet the growing needs and performance gaps in the healthcare, personal care, food, pharmaceutical and energy industries.

Sumatra Biorenewables, LLC develops and produces novel monomers that are incorporated into polyamides and polyesters to provide uniquely valuable properties: notably tensile strength and low water absorption. These superior performance-advantaged materials have wide-ranging applications in the specialty nylon’s industry. Opportunities include improved hydrophobicity, anti-static, flame-retardant, or have tuned mechanical strength to meet customer specifications.

USDA Agricultural Research Service – National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, IL plans to use emulsifiers, polymer films and coatings made from corn starch and vegetable oil rather than petroleum, which could open the door to new products with a smaller environmental “footprint.” The lab continued research on starch-based emulsifiers, positioning America’s corn farmers to grab a share of a global food emulsifiers market.

Each of the three winners received $50,000.

AgWired Precision, Corn, NCGA

Animal Ag Bites 7/8

Carrie Muehling

  • USPOULTRY’s Women’s Leadership Conference will focus on effective leadership, professional communication and mental health and wellness to assist women leaders with challenges and develop skills for becoming more successful leaders. The Conference, held Aug. 15-16 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Florida, will include professional women from all levels of the industry who will provide their perspectives and insights on a variety of topics. To register for the Women’s Leadership Conference and to view the full agenda, click here or visit www.uspoultry.org.
  • Dairy producers can now add Aureomycin® from Zoetis to replacement heifer feed for control of bacterial pneumonia. This expanded label provides another option against costly pneumonia for veterinarians and dairy producers. Dairy producers are encouraged to contact their veterinarian for more information about Aureomycin. You also can learn more about the product here.
  • Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is teaming up with the Milwaukee Brewers all season long to build trust in dairy farmers, dairy products and dairy farming practices. The partnership highlights the importance of Wisconsin’s signature industry for consumers and honors Wisconsin dairy farmers, including an August 11th Farmers Appreciation Day and pre-game tailgate.
  • The American Feed Industry Association congratulates Adam Lock, Ph.D., of Michigan State University, for receiving the 2019 AFIA-American Dairy Science Association Nutrition Research Award.
  • Bazooka Farmstar, a manufacturer in the manure and ag industry for 44 years, will hold the first LET’S TALK SH** event for manure applicators and farmers. The event will be held July 16-17 in Washington, Iowa.
  • ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (ONE19) brought together more than 3,500 producers and industry experts from 68 countries to share insights and explore solutions for today’s most pressing issues in agriculture and beyond. The 35th annual symposium featured more than 100 speakers providing their unique perspectives on over 60 topics. Their presentations are now available on the Alltech Idea Lab.
AgWired Animal, Animal Bites

Biofuels Groups Blast EPA for RFS Proposed Volumes

Cindy Zimmerman

The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday (EPA) issued proposed volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard program for calendar year 2020, leaving them basically unchanged and not reallocating gallons lost due to small refinery exemptions.

Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Geoff Cooper says the proposal “completely betrays President Trump’s commitment” to uphold the integrity of the RFS by neglecting to prospectively reallocate small refinery exemptions and blatantly ignoring a court order to restore improperly waived gallons.

EPA has proposed a total renewable fuel volume of 20.04 billion gallons, of which 5.04 billion gallons are advanced biofuel, including 540 million gallons of cellulosic biofuel. That leaves, on paper, a 15-billion-gallon requirement for conventional renewable fuels like corn ethanol, unchanged from 2019.

Most notably, EPA failed to prospectively account for any expected small refinery exemptions in the 2020 proposal, even though it is almost a foregone conclusion at this point that the Agency will continue to grant more exemptions.

Cooper discusses the shortcomings of the proposal in this interview: RFA CEO Geoff Cooper interview on EPA RVO proposal

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings says the proposal “fails to restore a 500-million-gallon shortfall the D.C. Circuit Court ordered EPA to handle following the Americans for Clean Energy et al v. EPA lawsuit, which recently resigned EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation William Wehrum told ACE members EPA intended to address in the 2020 proposed rule at our D.C. fly-in in April.”

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) criticized the proposed rule for both the 2020 advanced biofuel standards, which is 0.12 billion gallons higher than 2019, and 2021 Biomass-based Diesel Volume, saying it undermines market growth for biodiesel and renewable diesel.

The agency’s proposed advanced biofuel volume of 5.04 billion gallons provides no additional market growth for biomass-based diesel. Similarly, the proposal to set the 2021 biomass-based diesel volume at 2.43 billion gallons — the same as the 2020 volume — flatlines growth for the industry. EPA’s proposal could actually reduce market space for biodiesel and renewable diesel compared to this year, because it does not account for small refinery exemptions.

Lynn Chrisp, President of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), said. “If the EPA continues to grant retroactive waivers, the RVO numbers are meaningless and the EPA is not following the law. Farmers are facing a very tough economic environment and the continued waiver abuse chips away at farmers’ bottom line.”

EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said the proposal release puts the agency on target to issue the final rule in the fall. “Unlike the previous administration, we have consistently issued the annual renewable volume obligations rule on time, which is critically important to America’s farmers and all stakeholders impacted by the Renewable Fuel Standard program,” Wheeler said. “We are on track to meet the deadline on time for the third year in a row and continue to provide greater regulatory certainty to farmers and refiners across the country.”

Audio, Biodiesel, Corn, EPA, Ethanol, RFA

Zimfo Bytes 7/5

Carrie Muehling

  • American Agri-Women Foundation and CHS Foundation are joining forces to promote the “Growing Leaders” project to help develop young leaders in agriculture. CHS Foundation has pledged scholarships $10,000 to help 10 women to travel to American Agri-Women’s annual convention Nov. 8-9 in Tigard, Ore. The deadline is Aug. 15th. Download the scholarship application here. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 25 and be a member of American Agri-Women. (Here is the link to join.)
  • The American Soybean Association and Corteva Agriscience are seeking applicants for the 2019-20 Young Leader Program. Phase I of the 2019-20 Young Leader program takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana Dec. 3-6, 2019. The program continues Feb. 25–29, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show. Applications are being accepted online now. Interested applicants should click here for additional program information and to apply.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association announced Florida-based MoistTech has recently joined the organization as an Associate Member. The company offers technical equipment that uses near-infrared technology to measure a wide range of product attributes, such as moisture, oil and fat content, coatings and adhesives. For the ethanol industry, MoistTech’s sensors are typically used to measure and control moisture in the distillers grains drying process.
  • Farm Market iD released its annual farmer, crop and farmland database update on June 28, 2019, providing powerful insights from the 2018 crop year. Insights gathered from the 2018 crop year data include 2,867,449 active farmers (includes both owners and operators); 323,552,517 planted acres; average age is 63.1 years old; average Gross Farm Income is $168,368; 64.3 percent have a phone number and 49.9 percent have an email address. For companies who want to use this data to gain more industry insights, visit http://farmmarketid.com/.
  • After decades chasing the enormous China market, a sale of U.S. rice was confirmed here last week. The deal occurred on the margins of the first U.S. rice trade seminar in China that was conducted with funds from the new U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) program. Five U.S. companies had the opportunity to meet with 15 of China’s top rice importers who expressed a great deal of interest in U.S. rice.
Zimfo Bytes

Veteran Farm Broadcaster Going Part Time

Cindy Zimmerman

Tom Steever has won pretty much every award a farm broadcaster can win, he’s been a member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) for 45 years and served as president more than once, and he has been anchor/reporter for the biggest farm network in the country for over 15 years – so it’s time to slow it down a little.

On September 30, 2019 the veteran farm broadcaster is retiring from his full-time role as Anchor/Reporter and easing into a part-time position with Brownfield.

Tom Steever is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a degree in broadcast journalism. His career in journalism began as a photographer for student-run publications in high school and college and continued with part-time on-air work for the campus radio station and commercial stations in Brookings and Sioux Falls.

“My farm upbringing in southeastern South Dakota prepared me to begin my farm broadcast career at KSOO in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, followed by livestock market reporting on dozens of Upper Midwest radio stations and on CBS affiliate KELO-TV in Sioux Falls,” said Steever.

Steever left South Dakota for a brief stint anchoring Channel Earth on DirecTV. He went on to do news part time at WLS in Chicago before joining AFBF.

During his farm broadcast tenure, Steever traveled extensively, covering stories in 15 countries, including Germany, China, Cuba and Brazil. He has been honored by farm and commodity organizations in South Dakota, Missouri and Illinois and awarded FFA Honorary Farmer Degrees at the chapter, state and national levels.
Steever has been member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting since 1976, serving as Regional Vice President (two different regions), National Vice President, President Elect and President (2012).

Tom’s wife Lori is a retired surgical technologist. Son Brian is a musician in Kansas City and daughter-in-law Katie, a dentist in Kansas City.

Brownfield will begin seeking applications for a full-time Anchor/Reporter in mid-July with plans to have someone hired and ready to assume those responsibilities on October 1, 2019.

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