Animal Ag News 12/2

Carrie Muehling

  • Targeted livestock grazing is a successful and cost-efficient method to manage cheatgrass in the U.S. western Great Plains when timed to coincide with cheatgrass growth rather than based solely on the time of year, according to a recent study published by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL).
  • The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) issued a statement after the unveiling of Senate Democrats’ 2024 Farm Bill text by U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
  • Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA), the largest and oldest livestock association in the Southwest, opened the application window for the 2025 Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo internship held April 8-13, in Fort Worth. This internship program allows college students to gain experience and knowledge in the beef industry while making connections with some of the industry’s highest leaders. Students will build their communication and networking skills, acquaint themselves with a wide range of work departments and get a behind-the-scenes look at hosting the largest agricultural event in the Southwest. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume and letter of recommendation. Submissions are due Dec. 31, 2024, to education@tscra.org.
  • Americans consumed record amounts of dairy products in 2023 led by surging demand for butter and cheese. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that per capita consumption of dairy products reached 661 pounds per person in 2023, an increase of 7 pounds per person over the previous year and matching the all-time record set in 2021. Butter and cheese consumption each surpassed all previous records, reaching all-time highs of 6.5 pounds (butter) and 42.3 pounds (cheese) per person, respectively, in 2023. For context, a typical package of butter containing four sticks weighs 1 pound (16 ounces) and a standard bag of shredded cheese is half a pound (8 ounces).
  • Leading political analysts, ag experts, innovative farmers and business strategists will be among featured speakers at the Dairy Business Association’s 2025 Dairy Strong conference. The conference will be held at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay on January 15-16. It will kick-off with a party at Lambeau Field and conclude with the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin’s Master Cheese Reception and a special celebration for DBA’s 25th anniversary.
  • As dairies progress, so do their data and technology needs. Similarly, the dairy insights suite from Nedap, a global leader in automated dairy herd monitoring and management technology, is also advancing in depth and breadth. The SmartSort sort gate features one recognition point with an unmatched degree of accuracy, few moving parts to reduce cow stress, low maintenance and high-capacity operation. Based on specific goals, you can decide which cows need to be separated or routed and the location to where they need to be sent.
  • When Rosalind Kidwell said all she’s ever known is the beef industry, she really meant it. If the title of fifth-generation Angus breeder wasn’t enough, Kidwell recently earned the famous red blazer of Miss American Angus when she was crowned during the annual American Angus Association® Awards Dinner and Reception held Sunday, Nov. 3 in Fort Worth, Texas, as part of Angus Convention.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Syngenta’s Victrato® Getting Closer to Registration

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Syngenta Seedcare technical lead Dr. Dale Ireland has been working on developing TYMIRIUM technology for over a decade and it is finally approaching the finish line.

    “We’re nearing registration for soybeans and once it’s registered, it will be called Victrato®. And that’s for soybeans for nematodes, sudden death syndrome, red crown rot and several other early season diseases that it suppresses,” said Ireland during an interview at the recent NAFB Convention. “So we’re very excited about this product. It’s going to set a new standard of protection against nematodes as well as SDS and Red Crown rot of anything that’s on the market today.”

    Approval of Victrato® by EPA for both soybeans and cotton is anticipated by the 2025 growing season. Learn more in this interview.

    NAFB24 Dale Ireland, Syngenta (3:33)

    Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, Corn, Cotton, Crop Protection, Seed, Soybean, Syngenta, Technology

    AgGateway Latin America Outreach

    Cindy Zimmerman

    AgGateway Regional Director Jose Alexandre Loyola represented the Latin America region at the AgGateway North America Annual Meeting last month in Austin, Texas.

    Loyola, who is from Brazil, has been regional director since 2017. “Most of the people that participate in AgGateway in Latin America, especially in Brazil, they see a lot of value in the group that we form, the network, the discussions that we provide,” said Loyola in an interview at the meeting. “My goal now is to bring more people from Argentina, from Paraguay. We have a kind of barrier of language, but now with the technology we promote in our virtual meetings we have translation next year and this with this tool my expectation is to bring people in from other countries.”

    Loyola participated in several Working Group sessions to update members in the region on the status of ongoing projects, and accepted the AgGateway In Action Award for the Latin America region on behalf of member Flávio Barros of Proagrica.

    AgGateway Latin America Regional Director Jose Loyola (6:35)

    AgGateway, Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, cover crops, data, International

    Industry Ag News 11/29

    Carrie Muehling

  • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the creation of new programs that will help farmers who grow fruits, vegetables, and nuts overcome market barriers for their products, and help producers access necessary pre-market storage for their crops following severe weather events, including recent hurricanes. Specifically, the new Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops initiative will provide $2 billion to assist specialty crop growers in maintaining a strong domestic supply and expanding market opportunities for their crops. USDA is also creating the Commodity Storage Assistance Program, which will provide $140 million to help producers gain access to a packinghouse, grain elevator, or other facility necessary for the marketing of agricultural commodities. This program is designed for farmers nationwide due to disaster-related challenges, and USDA anticipates high signup rates in the Southeast due to the devastation caused by Hurricanes Debbie, Helene and Milton.
  • The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that registration is now open for the 101st Agricultural Outlook Forum. The event, titled “Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges, Today,” will be held at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott on February 27-28, 2025. Additionally, all Forum sessions will be livestreamed on a virtual platform.
  • American Farm Bureau Federation and other industry coalition members achieved a crucial win that will help farmers across the country. AFBF and its partners were granted a preliminary injunction by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi barring the Department of Labor (DOL) from enforcing its Worker Protection Rule extending unionization rights to H-2A visaholders.
  • Carah Hart, the elected 2024 National Association of Farm Broadcasting president, and her husband, Nick, welcomed a new baby to their family. Carah has started her maternity leave and her last day as NAFB president was on Wednesday. Jeff Nalley, the 2025 president-elect, is now acting president of NAFB through the end of this year.
  • The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) released its fourth-quarter Economic Update, reporting on everything from harvest season to the findings from a recent trade study.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture has appointed five new farmer-leaders to the United Soybean Board (USB) and reappointed 12 others. In total, 17 USB directors and alternates will begin three-year terms, and one director will begin a two-year term. These U.S. soybean farmers, representing 16 states, will be officially sworn in at the USB December Meeting in St. Charles, Missouri, on Dec. 11, 2024.
  • At their board meeting Nov. 14, 2024, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) directors elected Mike Spier, Vice President of Overseas Operations, as the export market organization’s next President and CEO, effective with the retirement of current President and CEO Vince Peterson on July 1, 2025.
  • The Make American Healthy Again (MAHA) movement is championing a return to traditional food practices which has been driving a renewed interest in tallow, a nutrient-rich and sustainable fat rendered from beef or sheep. This shift not only supports health-conscious consumers seeking alternatives to industrial seed oils but also offers significant benefits for the rendering industry. Renderers, who transform animal by-products into valuable products like tallow, play a crucial role in reducing waste and promoting sustainability within the agricultural sector.
  • Representatives from the U.S. Peanut Federation (USPF) traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for assistance needed before the end of this year. During the trip, USPF representatives met with Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, as well as senior agricultural staff, to engage in discussions on economic assistance, natural disaster assistance and the Farm Bill.
  • Join the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City on Wednesday, December 4, for the Council’s Annual Meeting at the Grand Street Café, featuring Mike Seyfert of the National Grain and Feed Association.
  • The Unexpected Acre, a docu-series featuring Bushel co-founder Ryan Raguse, has just released its latest episode, focused on harvest. The series, which launched in April 2024, follows Raguse as he takes over his family’s farm in Wheaton, MN. Now, with the release of the harvest episode, audiences are getting a firsthand look at the culmination of a season spent growing corn, soybeans, and alfalfa.
  • The Sustainable and Responsible Business team at Syngenta is excited to announce its collaboration with Ducks Unlimited (DU), highlighting employees’ commitment to conservation agriculture. In Spring 2024, Syngenta and DU developed a contest for sharing employee stories and recognizing their leadership in conservation. Qualifying employees had the opportunity to showcase a range of projects related to their personal, educational, on-farm, or operational projects, with the grand prize winner securing two tickets to experience a “Concert for Conservation” in Las Vegas, Nevada, a Ducks Unlimited exclusive event. Six other contest winners received a one-year DU membership and the opportunity to participate in a field tour with DU agriculture specialists – an experience for forging new relationships and deepening existing ones.
  • University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences announced the launch of a brand-new ACES Online website — a major step forward in making the exceptional educational opportunities from the College of ACES more accessible than ever before. ACES Online is designed with the needs of lifelong learners in mind, offering flexible and engaging programs that allow you to expand your skills and advance your career from anywhere in the world.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    DWFI Podcast 39 – Navigating Climate Change in Nebraska

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Navigating climate change: impacts on water stress and agricultural production in Nebraska

    Nebraska, located in the U.S. “Corn Belt,” is well known for its agricultural and livestock production, generating around $31.1 billion in agricultural cash receipts in 2023. But how will climate change impact long-term agricultural production, and how can we adapt to changes to ensure water security and food supply for future generations?

    In this episode, DWFI Communications Specialist Arianna Elnes talks to DWFI Research Assistant Professor Ivo Gonçalves, whose recent study explores the future of corn production in Nebraska. DWFI Senior Program Manager Renata Rimšaitė also joins to offer examples of sustainable water management strategies.

    Key takeaways from Ivo’s study, How can Future Climate Change Affect the Corn Production System in Nebraska, USA?

    • Climate change effects crop life cycle, growth and development
    • To adapt, new varieties will need to be developed (but they will likely require more water)
    • Efficient irrigation is essential to ensure consistent, high crop yields as temperatures and weather patterns change.
    • There is a need for innovation in water management for sustained food and water security

    Guests:
    Ivo Zuition Gonçalves, Ph.D, Research Assistant Professor, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute
    Renata Rimšaitė, Ph.D, Senior Program Manager, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute

    Listen here or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:
    DWFI podcast episode 39 20:59

    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.

    How to subscribe:

    Audio, climate, Corn, cover crops, Farming, Podcasts, Water, Water for Food

    AgGateway Tackles Environmental Reporting

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Environmental reporting was a big topic of discussion at the recent AgGateway annual meeting in Austin.

    The opening keynote session featured a panel discussion moderated by Executive Vice President Jeremy Wilson featuring three retail representatives working on the challenges and opportunities in data gathering for environmental reporting in sustainability and carbon programs. He was joined by Brian Henze from Growmark, Trey Colley from Greenpoint Ag, Caleb Smith from Keystone Cooperative, and Michael Gomes, Topcon vice president of sustainability.

    As a farmer, Wilson said he had just hoped he would not have to deal with environmental reporting. “I’ve got called about a carbon program, I’ve got called about a sustainability program. We’ve seen everything around climate, smart commodities, we’ve heard about regenerative AG. And for the longest time I took the approach that this stuff’s all going to go away,” said Wilson.

    But to take advantage of the high-value opportunities that will be available in the agriculture industry as we go forward, Wilson says we must overcome these data obstacles and be ready to deliver what companies and consumers are starting to demand.

    AgGateway Environmental Reporting panel (13:44)

    2024 AgGateway Annual Conference Photo Album

    AgGateway, AgWired Precision, Audio, carbon, climate, cover crops, Environment

    Thanksgiving Costs for Farmers and Consumers

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Thanksgiving dinner will cost less than it did last year, but still more
    expensive than before the pandemic, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual survey of the average cost of the classic holiday feast for 10, which is $58.08 or about $5.80 per person.

    This is a 5% decrease from 2023, which was 4.5% lower than 2022. Two years of declines don’t erase dramatic increases that led to a record high cost of $64.06 in 2022. Despite the encouraging momentum, a Thanksgiving meal is still 19% higher than it was in 2019, which highlights the impact inflation has had on food prices – and farmers’ costs – since the pandemic.

    The centerpiece on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey – helped bring down the overall cost of dinner. The average price for a 16-pound turkey is $25.67. That is $1.60 per pound, down 6% from last year.

    Meanwhile, National Farmers Union totaled up the costs of Thanksgiving dinner staples in the grocery store, compared to what farmers receive. NFU apparently shopped at a more expensive store than AFBF – they report a price of $2.42 per pound for a 16-20 lb turkey. But, NFU says the farmer’s share of that Butterball Frozen Turkey is only $0.06 – six cents a pound.

    “This Thanksgiving, as we celebrate with friends and family, we must also acknowledge the challenges our food producers face. Family farmers and ranchers deserve a fair share of the consumer dollar,” said NFU President Rob Larew.

    AFBF, Farming, Food

    Animal Ag News 11/25

    Carrie Muehling

  • The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is pleased to announce that Lara Moody, the Institute for Feed Education and Research’s (IFEEDER) executive director, has been appointed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Air Quality Task Force (AAQTF).
  • Livestock Publications Council (LPC) annually inducts one of its distinguished leaders into the Hall of Fame. This honor is reserved for those who have adhered to high standards of professionalism in all aspects of their endeavors. The award is open to anyone who has been listed on the masthead of a LPC member publication or a service member. Contributing editors who come from the ownership organization of a member publication are also eligible. Nominees may be persons who are currently active or those who have moved on to other endeavors. The award is open to persons in sales, circulation, production and editorial.
  • USPOULTRY will host its annual Poultry Market Intelligence Forum at the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta, Ga. This year’s forum will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, and is complimentary for all registered IPPE attendees. The program will feature economic industry experts offering their insights on the current state of the global poultry industry and their forecasts for 2025.
  • The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) will be hosting an educational program tackling hot topics facing the animal food industry at the upcoming International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), happening Jan. 28-30, 2025, in Atlanta, Ga. The program, “What’s Keeping the Feed Industry Up at Night?” will be held on Jan. 29, 2025, from 10 a.m. – noon ET.
  • The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) celebrated the U.S. Senate’s unanimous passage of S.759, the Beagle Brigade Act, which provides statutory authority and reliable funding to the National Detector Dog Training Center. The agriculture canine teams (Beagle Brigade) of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection bolster national security by performing critically important inspections at ports of entry. The Beagle Brigade Act will secure and strengthen the program.
  • Anah Higbie of Quenemo, Kansas, is the winner of the 12th annual NCBA National Anthem Contest, sponsored by Norbrook. Higbie will sing the “Star-Spangled Banner” at CattleCon 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.
  • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued a statement congratulating Brooke Rollins on her nomination as Secretary of Agriculture: “From her time as a college student studying agriculture development to her distinguished career in Texas and Washington, Brooke Rollins has a history of fighting for Main Street and rural America. America’s cattle producers need a Secretary of Agriculture who will protect family farms and ranches, roll back crushing regulations, and stand up for rural values—and we look forward to working with Secretary-Designate Rollins to make it happen.”
  • Established in 2009, the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame honors the exceptional visionary men and women who have made lasting contributions to the cattle-feeding industry. 2025 Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame honorees will be recognized during the 16th annual banquet on Feb. 5 during CattleCon 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. Hall of Fame inductees for 2025 include Joe Morgan with Poky Feeders in Scott City, Kansas, and Dan May with 4M Feeders in Stratton, Colorado. Tom Jensen of Nebraska will receive the Industry Leadership Award for his decades of banking experience and service to the cattle industry, and George “Frank” Littrell Jr., with Midwest Feeders, Inc., in Kansas, will receive the Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award.
  • Keystone Cooperative is pleased to announce a donation of 1,500 pounds of frozen pork to three food banks serving the northwest, northeast and central regions of Indiana. This contribution reinforces Keystone Cooperative’s commitment to strengthening food security.
  • The dairy checkoff partnered with General Mills to create YoBark, a yogurt-based snack designed to give families a tasty option and expand yogurt’s presence in the snacking category. YoBark is refrigerated and combines the creaminess of yogurt with the crunchy texture of Nature Valley Granola, offering a multi-sensory flavor experience. It is available at Albertson’s, Safeway and Walmart and will reach more retailers nationwide in the coming months.
  • The overall economic impact of Wisconsin’s dairy industry is bigger than ever, and dairy remains the leading sector of Wisconsin agriculture. This newly released data is from the Contribution of Agriculture to the Wisconsin Economy: An Update for 2022, conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics.
  • Vogelsang, the inventor of the rotary lobe pump with elastomer-coated lobes, announces the U.S. launch of the XSplit® Separator, an innovative solution that significantly enhances manure management for dairy, cow, and livestock operations. The XSplit Separator efficiently transforms manure into material ideal for animal bedding and simplifies the separation of liquids from solids, boosting overall efficiency.
  • ProEgg, a farmer-owned cooperative of experienced egg producers with farms across the United States, recently named Greg Bilobran as the organization’s new chief executive officer. With more than 22 years of experience in strategic planning, operations, finance, supply chain and logistics, Bilobran will lead the cooperative through improving cash conversion for ProEgg’s members, enhancing logistics and business operations, and creating raving fans through a customer-centric approach.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Ag Secretary Nominee Ready to Make Ag Great Again

    Cindy Zimmerman

    After a fake news rumor late Friday naming a former U.S. Senator from Georgia, President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday nominated Texas native Brooke Rollins, president and chief executive officer of the America First Policy Institute, to become the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

    “As our next Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke will spearhead the effort to protect American Farmers, who are truly the backbone of our Country,” said Trump in a statement, adding that her “commitment to support the American Farmer, defense of American Food Self-Sufficiency, and the restoration of Agriculture-dependent American Small Towns is second to none.”

    Rollins served in Trump’s previous administration as acting director of the Domestic Policy Council and oversaw the White House Office of American Innovation. She has a degree in agricultural development from Texas A&M University and a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

    Rollins thanked Trump on X, saying it will be the honor of her life “to fight for America’s farmers and our Nation’s agricultural communities…WHO’S READY TO MAKE AGRICULTURE GREAT AGAIN?” She also shared congrats from her high school ag teacher and photos of herself in FFA.

    Rollins has played an active role in the Trump 2024 presidential campaign and in work with the transition team. The day before she was nominated, Rollins sat down with talk show host Charlie Kirk to discuss the nomination of Florida’s Pam Bondi as Attorney General. She commented on this Trump presidency being an “inflection point in American history” and the team that he is assembling for his administration.

    “I’m not sure that either one of us could have ever hoped for this sort of team of Game changers, of transformational figures all coming together to meet the moment to live in this miracle that we find ourselves in, the opportunity to really govern and take our country back is remarkable,” she said to Kirk. “We’re living in the middle of history.”

    Brooke Rollins on Charlie Kirk Show (1:28)

    Audio, politics, USDA