Perdue Reviews State of Farm Economy

Cindy Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue appeared before the House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday to update members on the current state of the farm economy and what USDA is doing about it.

Implementation of the 2018 farm bill, the Dairy Margin Program, immigration, trade negotiations with China and the new USMCA, were among the many topics that Secretary Perdue addresses. Importantly, he announced several sign up dates for the new farm bill programs, including June 17 for the dairy program, September 1 for ARC and PLC, and December 1 for conservation reserve.

Listen to Perdue’s opening remarks and questions from committee Chairman Colin Peterson (D-MN) and Minority Leader Mike Conaway (R-TX) – House Ag Committee hearing with Secy Sonny Perdue

Secretary Perdue is scheduled to speak to the 2019 Commodity Classic on Friday.

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, USDA

Alltech Spotlights Bio-Mos at #CattleCon19

Carrie Muehling

Bio-Mos® is a unique product derived from a special strain yeast using a proprietary process developed by Alltech, which is incorporated into animal diets to support overall animal performance. Effective during all phases of growth, Bio-Mos is designed to feed the gastrointestinal tract, thereby maximizing performance and profitability.

We learned more about how Bio-Mos works as a replacement for antibiotics from Alltech territory manager Sam Bates at the recent Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show.

Listen to Jamie’s interview with Sam here: Interview with Sam Bates, Alltech


2019 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album

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Bayer Explores the Future of Food

Cindy Zimmerman

The Bayer Agvocacy Forum yesterday explored the topic of how plant-based diets and cellular agriculture will impact the future of food.

A diverse group – including a researcher, a professor, a cattleman and a cellular meat company representative – discussed the touchy subject of lab grown “fake meat.”

Listen to the discussion between (LtoR) Lisa Lundy, Associate Professor, University of Florida; Kevin Kester, past president National Cattlemen’s Beef Association; John Reich, Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research; and Andrew Noyes with plant-based food maker JUST. Future of Food Plant-Based Diets & Cellular Agriculture

2019 Bayer AgVocacy Forum Photo Album

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Bayer Driving Innovation Forward

Cindy Zimmerman

The Crop Science division of Bayer is hosting its 14th AgVocacy Forum prior to Commodity Classic this week in Orlando, the first time since the completed acquisition of Monsanto, so one of the most interesting sessions for the media attending the event so far has been one with the executives leading the new company.

Bob Reiter is Global Head of Research and Development, Crop Science for Bayer. With a doctorate in plant science and genetics, he worked for Monsanto in a number of roles since 1998. He talked about the continuing need for innovation in food production, such as short stature corn which is in the Bayer pipeline.

“At the end of the day, corn yield is coming primarily from packing more plants per acre,” said Reiter. “Short statue corn sets us up for a whole new standard.”

Lisa Safarian, President and Head of Commercial Operations for Crop Science, North America also comes to the integrated company from Monsanto where she spent 25 years in leadership positions. She talked about change and possibility in agriculture and using data to help growers reduce risk and optimize performance on every acre.

“The innovation for tomorrow is not about a specific product, it’s about data and how we pull that data together,” said Safarian.

Both executives took questions from the audience after their remarks – listen to the whole session here:
Driving Innovation Forward Session

2019 Bayer AgVocacy Forum Photo Album

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Precision Ag Bytes 2/27

Carrie Muehling

  • Marrone Bio Innovations Inc. announced that Dr. Pamela Marrone, founder and CEO of MBI, was honored this week with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award by BioAg World and Bionema, a leading biopesticide product testing and technology development company.
  • Marrone Bio Innovations Inc. also announced that Venerate® CG has been approved for use in California.
  • This week marks 15-years in business for the ag software company, Agrian Inc.
  • The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers has named The Praxidyn Mixmate Fusion a winner of a 2019 AE50 award.
  • Registration for the 2019 Water for Food Global Conference is now open. The conference theme is “Water for a Hungry World: Innovation in Water and Food Security,” focusing on the next generation of research, smart technology, policy development and best practices that are achieving breakthroughs in this vitally important mission.
  • The Conservation Technology Information Center is seeking applicants interested in serving as its new Executive Director. Applications are due by 5:00 pm Eastern time on Friday, March 1. For more information or to submit an application, click here or visit ctic.org.
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Fendt IDEAL Combine Impresses at NFMS

Carrie Muehling

AGCO Corporation continues to show off its new Fendt IDEAL combine at events like the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky. The company first unveiled the machine at the 2018 Farm Progress Show.

“This is a “clean-sheet” of design combine,” said Caleb Schleder, tactical marketing manager for combines. “That means our engineers did not have any foundation other than what they gathered from voice of customers, so it truly is a combine that is built from our customers’ needs and wants in the marketplace today.”

Schleder said the machine connects necessary automation with visualization capabilities that help operators to make better decisions by using real-time information. He said new features like a larger, redesigned rotor and the industry’s largest grain tank have boosted productivity and capacity for farmers involved in the company’s demonstration program.

He encouraged growers to take a look at that opportunity for the coming growing season by visiting idealharvesting.com and exploring the IDEAL Elite program, an exclusive group for demonstration opportunities.

Listen to Laura Handke’s interview with Caleb here: Interview with Caleb Schleder, AGCO Corporation

2019 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Audio, Equipment, National Farm Machinery Show

Water for a Hungry World: Innovation in Water and Food Security

Cindy Zimmerman

The Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska (DWFI) will host the 2019 Water for Food Global Conference, April 29-30, at Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska. Registration is now open for the event.

The conference will convene leading international experts and organizations to discuss “Water for a Hungry World: Innovation in Water and Food Security,” focusing on the next generation of research, smart technology, policy development and best practices that are achieving breakthroughs in this vitally important mission. The conference headlines a week of water and food security-related presentations, side events, networking opportunities and tours.

Conference topics will focus on new approaches to overcome a host of interconnected challenges, such as climate change, water scarcity and pollution, economic disparity, shifting food preferences, food waste, soil degradation, ecosystem threats and competing demands for resources.

Learn more here.

Environment, Farming, Sustainability, Water, Water for Food

FMC Offers Seminars at NFMS

Cindy Zimmerman

FMC Agricultural Solutions held three learning sessions at this year’s National Farm Machinery Show to provide information to growers about some of the company’s new products like Lucento.

The sessions focused on disease, pest, and weed management and control and some of the solutions that FMC offers for growers.

In the first session, Bruce Stripling and Nick Hustedde discussed disease treatment and technology and Lucento –
NFMS19 FMC Learning Session 1 - disease treatment

The second session featured FMC subject matter expert Bob Hooten discussing root system protection and 3Rive technology –
NFMS19 FMC Learning Session 2 - root system protection

Last but not least, Drake Copeland and Matt Wiggins talk herbicide resistance and weed control –
NFMS19 FMC Learning Session 3 - weed control

Watch for more updates from FMC this week at Commodity Classic and the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show.

2019 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

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Kubota Introduces M7 Generation 2 Tractor

Carrie Muehling

Kubota Tractor Corporation showed off its new M7 Generation 2 deluxe tractor at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky.

“It’s got all of the simplicity and controls of our standard tractor, but now we’ve added a tractor with the Closed Center Load Sensing hydraulics,” said Kent Brown, senior product manager. “So, for farmers that have a value conscious need for a tractor but want a high performing hydraulic system, this tractor is going to be built for those customers.”

Brown said the front end loader on the M7 Gen 2 tractor is best in class. It’s good for baling hay, but this tractor can also pull a smaller planter or sprayer. Other improvements include a new semi-powershift transmission and an exceptionally clean diesel engine.

Production has already started, with expected delivery to dealers late first quarter and early second quarter of 2019. Learn more from local dealers or at www.kubotausa.com.

Listen to Laura Handke’s interview with Kent Brown here: Interview with Kent Brown, Kubota

2019 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

Audio, Equipment, National Farm Machinery Show, Tractor

Animal Ag Bites 2/25

Carrie Muehling

  • The Joint Poultry Industry Safety Award Program is currently accepting applications from poultry industry facilities with outstanding safety programs. The program is open to National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association members with poultry processing plants, further processing facilities, egg processing plants, hatcheries, feed mills and rendering facilities that, through the implementation of innovative and effective programs, have injury and illness rates below the industry average for three consecutive years. Award program rules, regulations and application forms are available by clicking here.
  • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Jennifer Houston issued the following statement regarding the appointment of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee: “Cattle producers applaud the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s commitment to ensuring the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans process is firmly grounded in the best available science and will ultimately result in nutritional policy that can measurably improve the health of Americans. Members of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee are leading experts in their fields who are tasked with evaluating the latest scientific evidence and then use that to make recommendations on what constitutes a healthy diet. Beef is a high-quality protein with essential nutrients like iron, zinc and B vitamins, and overwhelming scientific evidence consistently shows balanced diets with beef nourish and sustain good health. Cattle and beef producers are committed to providing a wholesome, nutritious food and communicating accurate information about beef, and we look forward to contributing to a transparent, public process.”
  • The National Corn Growers Association partnered with the U.S. Meat Export Federation to update a study on the value of red meat exports to domestic U.S. corn growers. In 2018, the study showed beef and pork exports used a combined total of 14.9 million tons of corn and DDGS, which equates to an additional 459.7 million bushels of corn produced – an increase of 29 percent over the 2015 projections.
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