2019 National Ag Day Announced

Carrie Muehling

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) will host the 46th anniversary of National Agriculture Day on March 14, 2019. This year’s theme is “Agriculture: Food for Life.”

Major events happening in conjunction with National Ag Day will include a program at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. and a Taste of Agriculture Celebration in the nation’s capitol.

These events honor National Agriculture Day and mark a nationwide effort to tell the true story of American agriculture and remind citizens that agriculture is a part of all of us. A number of agricultural associations, corporations, students and government organizations involved in agriculture are expected to participate.

National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America. The ACA is a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food and fiber community, dedicating its efforts to increasing the public’s awareness of agriculture’s role in modern society.

The National Ag Day program encourages every American to:

· Understand how food and fiber products are produced
· Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products
· Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy
· Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry

In addition to the events in Washington, DC on March 14, the ACA will once again feature the Ag Day Essay Contest. The winning essay will be presented on National Ag Day.

Visit www.agday.org for more information on National Ag Day in 2019.

Ag Day, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision

Preview of Export Exchange 2018

Cindy Zimmerman

Around 500 attendees from at least 38 countries are expected to be at Export Exchange 2018, coming up October 22-24 in Minneapolis. The event, which brings together international buyers and U.S. sellers of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), was started in 2019 by the U.S. Grains Council and the Renewable Fuels Association.

In this edition of The Ethanol Report podcast, RFA Executive Vice President Geoff Cooper previews this year’s event and the impact trade negotiations with some of the biggest markets for U.S. DDGS might have on exports.

Ethanol Report Preview of Export Exchange

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Audio, Ethanol, Exports, Feed, RFA, USGC

Precision Ag Bytes 9/19

Carrie Muehling

  • Registration is now open for AgGateway’s Annual Conference, “Get Plugged In”, coming November 12-14 to the Sheraton Austin Hotel at The Capitol, Austin, Texas. More information is available on AgGateway’s 2018 Annual Conference webpage, found under “Events” at www.AgGateway.org.
  • Sakata Seed America announces phase one completion of the Sakata Seed America Woodland Innovation Center: a new research and production facility in Woodland, California. The Sakata Seed America Woodland Innovation Center is an $18.5M investment comprised of 219 acres in Yolo county.
  • Registration is open for the 30th Independent Professional Seed Association Annual Conference in Indian Wells, CA for January 8-10, 2018. The 2019 IPSA Conference will host over 400 independent professional seed providers, representing nearly 100 seed companies from more than 25 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico.
  • The Plant Genomics & Gene Editing Congress: USA takes place in just two weeks time and will be closing registrations soon. Discover more about the meeting in Philadelphia here: www.global-engage.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Plant-Genomics-Biocontrol-USA-2018-Agenda.pdf.
  • U.S. sales of tractors and combines remained positive in August, according to the latest report from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Here is a link to the full report online.
  • The latest English edition of New AG International magazine is now available online.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes

GROWMARK Announces 2019 Essay Contest Theme

Carrie Muehling

High school FFA members in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin can compete in the 2019 GROWMARK Essay Contest.

The theme for the 26th year of the essay contest is: “What does the future of agriculture look like to you, and what skills will you need to play a part in it?”

GROWMARK and its FS member cooperatives, along with state FFA leaders, sponsor the essay contest each year to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues affecting agriculture, and understand the unique role of cooperatives.

Essays will be submitted online. The deadline for all submissions is midnight Central time on November 9, 2018. Additional program details have been sent to agriculture teachers and are online at www.growmark.com/company/youth-young-farmers/pages/essay-contest.aspx.

Each state’s winner earns a $500 award and the winner’s FFA chapter receives a $300 award. Four runners-up per state each win $125 awards.

Cooperatives, FFA, GROWMARK

Bayer Outlines Vision for Future of Farming

Cindy Zimmerman

Joined by farmers, reporters, influencers and other agricultural stakeholders from around the globe, Bayer outlined its vision for the future of agriculture at the 2018 Future of Farming Dialogue, focusing on its commitment to innovation, sustainability and digital transformation.

In the global company’s first major event since the finalization of its acquisition of Monsanto on August 21st, the Future of Farming Dialogue is discussing ways to make the world’s food system more sustainable for the benefit of farmers, consumers and the planet.

“Farmers are hungry for innovation that will help them grow more with less and help ensure adequate access to safe, nutritious and affordable food now and in the future,” said Liam Condon, a member of the Bayer Board of Management and President of the Crop Science Division, during his presentation at the Future of Farming Dialogue 2018.

“We now have thousands of employees dedicated to research and development around the world with market-leading expertise in breeding, biology, chemistry and data science,” said Bob Reiter, the new Head of Research & Development for the Crop Science Division. “I know their combined creativity, collaborative spirit and passion for discovery will help drive tailored solutions for farmers while also driving our business. Breakthrough innovation always happens at the intersection of various scientific disciplines.”

Listen to remarks from both Condon and Reiter here –Bayer executives Liam Condon and Bob Reiter

Bayer Future of Farming Dialogue 2018 Photo Album

Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, Bayer, Sustainability

#Harvest18 Reminders from ASTA

Cindy Zimmerman

As #Harvest18 gets into full swing, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) reminds farmers about the importance of taking precautions to keep any treated seed from entering the grain supply.

“Seed treatments provide farmers with an economical means of protecting seeds and seedlings against early-season insect pests and diseases—resulting in stronger and more uniform stands, healthier plants and higher crop yields,” said ASTA President & CEO Andrew LaVigne. “Farmers and applicators know the importance of proper management to minimize the risk of pesticide exposure to humans and the environment. This includes removing all treated seed left in containers and equipment used to handle harvested grain, and disposing of it properly.”

ASTA and other stakeholder groups have developed resources to assist those involved in the process of treating, handling, transporting, or planting treated seeds, which can be found on the Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship website.

In this interview, LaVigne talks about the importance of taking proper precautions at harvest to avoid any potential grain shipment contamination. Interview with ASTA CEO Andy LaVigne on Harvest18 reminders

AgWired Precision, ASTA, Audio, Harvest, Seed

ILeVO Seed Treatment in BASF Portfolio

Cindy Zimmerman

One of the new products to join the BASF portfolio is ILeVO® seed treatment which offers effective protection against sudden death syndrome (SDS) and soybean cyst nematode (SCN), two of the top pests in soybean production.

On hand at the Farm Progress Show to talk about ILeVO was Jeremiah Mullock, BASF Product Development Manager, so he sat down with Chuck in the portable ZimmComm outdoor studio – otherwise known as a golf cart.

“ILeVO provides yield potential protection from SDS as well as nematodes throughout the growing season,” said Mullock. “SDS is a disease that we can’t always predict the severity of later on in the season, but it’s important to pair that tolerant SDS variety with ILeVO seed treatment, which has that direct efficacy against the disease early on in the season.”

Learn more about ILeVO in this interview with Jeremiah – FPS18 BASF interview with Jeremiah Mullock, ILeVO seed treatment

BASF at the 2018 Farm Progress Show

AgWired Precision, Audio, BASF, Farm Progress Show, Seed

Plant Biotech Pioneer Retires from Syngenta

Cindy Zimmerman

Syngenta recently celebrated the remarkable career of Mary-Dell Chilton during a recognition event on her retirement at age 79 after a 35-year career with the company.

Chilton is widely recognized as a founder of modern plant biotechnology, after she and her research teams demonstrated that Agrobacterium is an effective vehicle for DNA transfer and produced the first transgenic plant. Her ground-breaking work in academia and the private sector ultimately led to the development and commercialization of biotech crops, which help farmers effectively manage damaging insects, disease complexes, weed pressure and abiotic stress — resulting in greater yields, profitability and efficiency.

Chilton’s significant contributions to agriculture have resulted in numerous accolades, including the prestigious World Food Prize in 2013 recognizing individuals who have “increased the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world.” She was honored at the same time as Dr. Robert Fraley of Monsanto, who also recently retired as the company was being acquired by Bayer.

We first interviewed Chilton in 2006 during a Syngenta media day and she said at the time she was already way past retirement but still excited about going to work every day. Listen to that here: 2006 Interview with Mary-Dell Chilton, Syngenta

Watch the video Syngenta produced to honor Chilton’s achievements below:


Biotech, GMO, Syngenta, Video

BASF Celebrates Cotton with Texas Tech

Chuck Zimmerman

The annual Celebrate Cotton Texas Tech football game provided the perfect opportunity for BASF to show off its branded BASF Seed Innovation Center.

Attendees were provided with tours that included both the Trait Development Building and the BASF Crop Analytics laboratory. After the tours media were able to meet with BASF leadership for one on one interviews. Then it was on to the game which was preceded by a FiberMax Tailgate.

Here are my interviews from the event.

Monty Christian, Head of Global Cotton, BASF – Interview with Monty Christian, BASF

Margaret Shields, US Cotton Breeding Manager, BASF – Interview with Margaret Shields, BASF

Malin Westfall, US Cotton Lead, BASF – Interview with Malin Westfall, BASF

Prior to the game start BASF received on-field and scoreboard recognition as sponsors. You can watch the video here:


Of course I’ve got lots of photos for your viewing/sharing pleasure: BASF Celebrate Cotton 2018 Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, BASF, Cotton, Video

AMVAC’s Roots Run Deep

Cindy Zimmerman

Visitors to the Farm Progress Show were able to see how AMVAC Chemical products like AZTEC and INDEX help improve corn root systems.

AMVAC Crop Marketing Manager for Corn and Soy Jim Lappin explained results of trials on how different products perform on various corn trait hybrids and seed treatments. “Our products, added to your trait packages, can give you bigger root mass and ultimately higher yields,” said Lappin. “Our ten year average is close to 10 bushel per acre advantage.”

Listen here or watch the video below as Lappin walks us through their corn root trial display. FPS18 Jim Lappin discusses AMVAC offerings

 


Click here to find more photos, videos and audio from AMVAC at the 2018 Farm Progress Show

AgWired Precision, AMVAC, Audio, Corn, Crop Protection, Farm Progress Show