DWFI Podcast 37 – Opportunities of Irrigation and Mechanization

Cindy Zimmerman

In November 2023, the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute announced a new USAID Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Irrigation and Mechanization Systems (ILIMS). ILIMS enhances global food security by generating research-based solutions to support the growth of vibrant irrigation and mechanization markets; develops strong institutions and local capacity for their sustainability; and fosters opportunities for equitable access for smallholder farmers.

In this episode, DWFI Communications Specialist Arianna Elnes speaks with the new ILIMS Deputy Director Jude Cobbing about his background and interest in ILIMS, the opportunities he sees with irrigation and mechanization, and upcoming projects for ILIMS. For more information, and to respond to RFA’s, visit: waterforfood.nebraska.edu/irrigandmech

Listen here or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:
DWFI podcast episode 37 28:59

The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska was founded with the mission to have a lasting and significant impact on achieving more food security with less pressure on scarce water resources by conducting scientific and policy research, using the research results to inform policy makers, and sharing knowledge through education and communication.

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Audio, Irrigation, Technology, Water, Water for Food

Peanut Industry Honors Bob Parker

Cindy Zimmerman

Valent’s John Alton presents Valor Award to Bob Parker

At the end of 2023, Bob Parker retired as President and CEO of the National Peanut Board after serving in that capacity for a decade. For his tenure and leadership, he was presented with the annual Valor Award by Valent at the 2024 Southern Peanut Growers Conference.

“I tell people if you cut my arm, instead of blood, peanut butter would come out of my veins,” said Parker as he accepted the award.

Parker has been heavily involved in the peanut industry for decades and has served as chairman of the American Peanut Council, American Peanut Shellers Association, the Peanut Institute and the Peanut Administrative Committee. He has served on the Boards of the Peanut Foundation and Peanut Standards Board.

He also served as the luncheon speaker at the conference on Thursday and gave his perspective on how far the industry has come and how far it could still yet go in the future. “When I started with the peanut board in 2012, the previous five years, the U.S. average production of peanuts was two million tons,” said Parker. “The last five years I was with the peanut board, the average production of peanuts in the U.S. was three million tons… I think within ten years we’re going to see four million ton production, I think it’s coming.”

The question, he says, is “What are you going to do with another million tons of peanuts?”

Listen below:
SPGC24 Valor award presentation 1:56
SPGC24 Bob Parker remarks 20:28

2024 Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Peanuts, SPGC

Amp Americas Partners with Dairy to Deliver Methane

Cindy Zimmerman

A new dairy RNG project on the Wisconsin farm will reduce methane emissions by converting 90,000 gallons of dairy waste per day to renewable energy.

Amp Americas, a leading dairy renewable natural gas (RNG) company, today announced the completion of a project that converts dairy waste into RNG at Darlington Ridge Farms in Darlington, WI. The facility, which is now fully operational, is the latest of Amp Americas’ 12 operating digesters across dairies in Wisconsin, Indiana, Idaho, and Minnesota.

The project at Darlington Ridge Farms utilizes continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) anaerobic digesters to convert 90,000 gallons of dairy cow waste per day into renewable energy. The project captures methane that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere, purifies it, and then injects it into the Alliant Energy natural gas pipeline. The RNG is used as clean, carbon-negative transportation fuel, reducing 27,000 metric tons (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions per year.

Click here to learn more.

Dairy, Energy, Technology

Sec. Vilsack Comments on Biden Dropping Out

Cindy Zimmerman

Secretary Vilsack and President Biden at the White House, July 2023

After news broke on Sunday that President Joe Biden was dropping out of the presidential race, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack issued the following statement:

“In the 38 years that I have known President Biden, he has consistently and selflessly put our country first—and today is no exception. As a result, he will go down in history as one of our most consequential American presidents.

“He has led us out of the pandemic and revived our struggling economy to achieve record job growth, real wage increases, record-breaking new business creation, and a record stock market. He avoided an economic collapse and is still taming inflation while creating millions of jobs, without causing a crippling recession. His leadership has led to a strengthened and expanded NATO while also supporting Ukraine’s fight for democracy, and he forged alliances to push back against China’s assertions. Finally, he brought to fruition a vision of a new and dynamic American economy built around clean energy and climate-smart and resilient industries, including the agriculture sector. I am immensely proud to play a role in the Biden-Harris Administration, under which USDA has advanced food and nutrition security for tens of millions, invested in new, better and more markets to create a fairer and better marketplace for all farmers, improved the health and resilience of our national forests and grasslands, made our food safer, and centered equity in all that we do.

“This is an administration that embraces hope, optimism, and a forward-looking view for America—and our work is not done.”

Both President Biden’s announcement and Sec. Vilsack’s statement were posted on X.

politics

Industry Ag News 7/19

Carrie Muehling

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the names of individuals who hold senior staff positions in Washington, D.C. Eric Deeble has been promoted to Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Cindy Long has been promoted to Deputy Under Secretary for Food and Nutrition Service and Sean Babington has been promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the Secretary.
  • Two of the most popular seed industry networking events of the year have recently opened for registration. ASTA‘s Forage, Turf and Conservation Seed Conference, which is co-located with the Western Seed Association’s 2024 Convention, will be held October 29 in Kansas City. Meanwhile, America’s largest seed industry convention, the ASTA Field Crop Seed Convention, has also opened for registration for attendees, exhibits, private meeting space, and sponsorships earlier than ever before.
  • Brownfield Ag News is pleased to announce Brandon Peoples has joined the Brownfield team as Anchor/Reporter for Nebraska and Kansas. Brandon graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Media from the University of Central Missouri in 2007. He’s worked in radio in both Kansas and Nebraska, including as News Director for KMAN in Manhattan, KVOE in Emporia and KHAS in Hastings, NE.
  • The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) recognized Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) with its prestigious President’s Award during its summer Corn Congress meeting in Washington, D.C.
  • The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) elected four new farmers to its corn board this week. The organization also re-elected a farmer currently serving on the board. Those elected were Jon Miller of Pleasantville, Ohio; Jason Lewis, of Henderson, Neb.; Dan Nerud, of Dorchester, Neb.; and Jay Schutte, of Benton City, Mo. Randy DeSutter, of Woodhull, Ill., was re-elected to the board.
  • The National FFA Organization has announced the 16 finalists for its 2024 top achievement awards: American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience.
  • If you are passionate about farming, ready to grow your leadership skills and connect with agricultural industry leaders committed to creating a better future for farmers, Young Leaders is the program for you! Sponsors American Soybean Association and Corteva seek farmers to apply for the 2025 ASA Corteva Agriscience Young Leader Program.
  • NAMA Boot Camp is next month! Be sure to register before it’s too late, and join us in Kansas City, August 20–22. Wherever you are in your career, #NAMACAMP24 has lessons and insights to help you rise to the next rank. It’s also one of the best agri-marketing networking events. You’ll have so many chances to meet colleagues, mentors and leaders to help you grow.
  • The next Ag Outlook Forum presented by Agri-Pulse and the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City is scheduled for September 16, 2024 from 8:00 am – 5:30 pm central. In-person and virtual registration options are available.

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    Zimfo Bytes

    House Ag Member Still Optimistic for 2024 Farm Bill

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Republican Congressman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma still thinks it’s possible to get a farm bill before the end of 2024.

    “I don’t want to wait personally for January to do the farm bill… I want to do the farm bill as soon as possible,” the senior member of the House Agriculture Committee told the Southern Peanut Growers Conference on Friday morning. “Let’s get it done now. Let’s get it done. The best we can. And with a new policy in place. We can tweak on things during the appropriations process next year.”

    Listen to his remarks and answers to questions from growers and the media.

    SPGC24 Rep. Lucas remarks 31:36
    SPGC24 Rep. Lucas interview 5:03
    SPGC24 Rep. Lucas press 6:00

    2024 Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album

    Audio, Farm Bill, Peanuts, SPGC

    Chancellor Perdue Seeks Grower Input

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The former Governor of Georgia and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture came before the Southern Peanut Growers Conference Thursday in his newest role as University System of Georgia Chancellor.

    Sonny Perdue was named UGA Chancellor in 2022, a role which provides leadership in higher education, extension, and research priorities within the state university system, so he wanted to hear what peanut growers think is important. “I need to hear from folks on the ground what’s going on out there from a Georgia perspective,” said Perdue. “As Chancellor, the land grant mission and extension model is one where we’re able to disseminate knowledge out to the field and I think that’s been one of the strengths of our agricultural productivity over the years.”

    Perdue said he often gets asked about Donald Trump and what he was like as president. “I didn’t understand fully how somebody that grew up in Queens could have such a genuine affection for people of the land like Donald Trump had,” said Perdue. “What I finally concluded was, in the American farmer and rancher he saw the embodiment of the American spirit.”

    Would he be willing to serve as agriculture secretary again if Donald Trump returns to the White House. “I flippantly tell people right now, if the opportunity occurred, I’d rather be married,” he joked.

    SPGC24 Chancellor Perdue listening session panel 33:57
    SPGC24 Chancellor Perdue press conf 4:42

    2024 Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album

    Ag Groups, Audio, Peanuts, SPGC

    House Ag Vice Chair Addresses Peanut Growers

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Many of his Republican colleagues are in Milwaukee this week for the convention, but Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia put peanut growers and his family ahead of attending his party’s big party.

    “It’s not that I don’t want to be there, it’s that I have a six year old and a ten year old and I had four other things scheduled in the district,” said Rep. Scott.

    Scott, who is Vice Chair of the House Agriculture Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, addressed the conference about the current state of the delayed farm bill. “It’s harder now to get anything done in Washington D.C.,” said Scott. “We’ve got to get a farm bill and that farm bill has got to take care of American production agriculture.”

    Several of Scott’s priorities to ensure a strong farm safety net were included in the House version of the farm bill, which passed out of committee in May, and he considers it the best bill for production agriculture. While there is a possibility a bill could pass before the end of the year, he expects it will be put off until 2025 when he is optimistic things might be better.

    “I certainly hope that President Trump becomes the president of the United States and he selects someone like Sonny Perdue to be the secretary of agriculture who actually cares about production agriculture,” said Scott.

    Listen to Scott’s remarks and press conference below.
    SPGC24 Rep. Scott remarks 12:44
    SPGC24 Rep. Scott press 5:18

    2024 Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album

    Ag Groups, Audio, Farm Bill, Food, Peanuts, SPGC

    Ready to Roll on the River

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Peanut growers and industry representatives from Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi are in Savannah, Georgia this week Rollin’ on the River for the 2024 Southern Peanut Growers Conference.

    The three-day event is sponsored by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Florida Peanut Producers Association, Georgia Peanut Commission, and Mississippi Peanut Growers Association. Leaders of the state organizations, pictured here, gave us an update on the condition of their crops this year and what they are expecting as far as a farm bill after the 2018 law was extended last year and looks to be delayed again this year.

    Listen to comments from each state director below.
    Libby Johnson, Executive Director, Alabama Peanut Producers Association
    SPGC24 Libby Johnson, AL 2:00
    Ken Barton, Executive Director, Florida Peanut Producers Association
    SPGC24 Ken Barton, FL 4:32
    Don Koehler, Executive Director, Georgia Peanut Commission
    SPGC24 Don Koehler, GA 6:26
    Malcolm Broome, Executive Director, Mississippi Peanut Growers Association
    SPGC24 Malcolm Broome, MS 4:05

    2024 Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album

    Check out all the content from the Southern Peanut Growers Conference on the SPGC Blog where you can also find past years events going back to 2008.

    Ag Groups, Audio, Food, Peanuts, SPGC

    Precision Ag News 7/17

    Carrie Muehling

  • Syngenta Crop Protection, a leader in agricultural innovation, and Ginkgo Bioworks, which is building the leading platform for cell programming and biosecurity, announced a new cooperation aimed at accelerating the launch of a new biological solution. The two companies have previously collaborated on next-generation seed technology.
  • Following the launch of the SpotOn Turf Soil Moisture Meter last July, Innoquest Inc., a leading designer and manufacturer of precision meters for the agriculture, turf and greenhouse industries, has announced the release of a compact, handheld meter. The SpotOn Pocket Soil Moisture is an innovative device designed to provide greenhouse growers and potted plant enthusiasts with quick and accurate readings of soil moisture, pore & bulk electrical conductivity (EC), and temperature, ensuring optimal plant health and growth. Delivering quick and accurate measurements, the meter links via Bluetooth technology to their SpotView Mobile App (available for download on Google Play and Apple Store).
  • Ecorobotix announced its participation in the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Congress 2024 August 14-18 in Interlaken, Switzerland. This event brings together agricultural journalists from around the world to explore the latest advancements in agricultural technology and journalism.
  • U.S. sales of Ag tractors and combines in June 2024 fell below reported sales from the same month a year ago, according to new data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). June sales of 2-wheel-drive tractors dropped 16.3 percent compared to 2023, while 4-wheel-drive tractors fell 1.3 percent within the same timeframe. Combines sales declined as well, finishing the month 31 percent below June 2023.
  • The Biostimulants World Congress is scheduled for November 13-15, 2024 in Miami, USA (with workshops on the 12th). The Strategic and Commercial Track will provide valuable knowledge and networking opportunities to enhance strategic initiatives and commercial success in the biostimulant industry.
  • Researchers and leaders from more than 40 nations will visit Manhattan, Kansas, to learn the latest significant research and information on precision agriculture at the International Conference on Precision Agriculture. ICPA brings together brightest minds from around the world, under one canopy to share and advance science and technologies of precision agriculture. The conference is in partnership with the International Society of Precision Agriculture and Kansas State University.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture