LandScan Secures First Precision Ag Digital Twin Patent

Cindy Zimmerman

Precision ag technology company LandScan announces the industry’s first digital twin patent, involving the use of digital twin technology to revolutionize site characterization and precision farming practices.

The advent of digital twin technology in agriculture represents a significant leap forward in how farmers, agronomists, and researchers understand and manage cropping systems. Digital twins are virtual models that accurately replicate physical objects and/or environments, allowing for in-depth analysis, simulation, and modeling without interfering with real-world operations. By applying this technology to agriculture, LandScan is empowering decision support to optimize precision farm management, improve crop yields, and objectively and quantitatively measure the outcomes of regenerative agricultural practices.

“We are thrilled to have secured this patent, which solidifies our position as the pioneer in agricultural digital twin technology,” said Dan Rooney, CEO of LandScan. “Our technology for precision site characterization and analysis will provide unprecedented insights into agricultural environments, helping farmers make more informed decisions, reduce resource use, increase productivity, and provide objective metrics for soil health and sustainability baselining and monitoring”.

Rooney says the newly patented technology leverages a combination of advanced and unique soil and remote sensing technologies, machine learning and AI, and simulation techniques to create a virtual and objective representation of an agricultural site and farming system.

“We see this patent as just the beginning,” he adds. “Our goal is to further develop and integrate digital twin technology across all aspects of farming, creating a fully connected and intelligent agricultural ecosystem.”

Click here to read more about this new technology.

For more information about LandScan visit www.landscan.ai or connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/landscan/.

AgWired Precision, AI, Precision Agriculture, Technology

Grants Available for Climate Smart Sheep Producers

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Lamb Board (ALB) is offering grants for 150 sheep producers to participate in its Climate Smart Sheep program.

Producers enrolled in the program will be paid up to $7,000 to develop and implement Climate Smart Sheep management practices and measure and report emissions and life cycle analysis. Examples of Climate Smart practices to be implemented include prescribed grazing, cover crop planting, range planting, tree or shrub enhancement, silvopasture, cross-fencing and brush and pest (weed) management.

Producers will work with a technical assistance provider to establish operational plans, implement recommended changes and organize farm data necessary to estimate emissions using the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator developed by Michigan State University and ALB. Along with the on-farm portion of the program, Climate Smart Sheep utilizes a USDA Climate-Smart Commodities Grant to quantify the impacts of targeted sheep grazing at four universities on four sites in California, Texas, Montana and North Carolina. The university studies will monitor the impact of prescribed sheep grazing related to carbon sequestration, soil health, and other ecosystem factors. At least one site will be a solar grazing site.

ALB Sustainability Director Camren Maierle, PhD, leads the organization’s research and producer education initiatives, including developing and maintaining a nationally recognized solar grazing education program, cultivating other contract grazing opportunities, and working with industry partners to improve American Lamb sustainability. Maierle will also manage many aspects of the Climate Smart grant.

The producer program application can be found online at LambBoard.com. The application period ends on December 1. Accepted producers will be notified by December 15, and the program will begin on January 1, 2025.

AgWired Animal, American Lamb Board, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, climate, Sheep, USDA

Animal Ag News 9/17

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) will host the 14th Annual Antibiotics Symposium in Denver, Colorado at the Colorado State University’s SPUR Campus from November 19-21, 2024. Led by NIAA’s Antibiotics Council co-chairs, Dr. Heather Fowler and Dr. Alexandra Medley, the planning team is preparing a Symposium program that continues to lead animal agriculture’s work in a One Health approach to antimicrobial stewardship and combatting antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The 2024 Symposium will focus on Combatting AMR Together: Shared Commitment, Shared Success.
  • The Meat Institute submitted comments documenting the many flaws and costs of the latest proposed rules change to the Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA) by the Biden Administration. In the proposed rule, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) attempts to circumvent Congress and the courts to reverse the longstanding legal standard that a plaintiff must demonstrate harm to competition to sue and win under the Packers and Stockyards Act Section 202(a) or (b).
  • U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) led a bipartisan group of colleagues in calling on the Biden administration to protect America’s dairy industry and ensure that plant-based imitation products are not equated in upcoming dietary guideline changes. Baldwin, joined by Senators James Risch (R-ID), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Peter Welch (D-VT), urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to carefully consider any changes to the upcoming Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) that could add plant-based imitation products into the dairy category, despite their nutritional differences.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) announced their strong support for the ESA Amendments Act of 2024, introduced by Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA) and Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR). This legislation would reform the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to provide more timely conservation efforts on America’s rangeland.
  • Certified Angus Beef seeks driven college students to support the brand’s marketing and communication efforts through its 2025 summer internship program. Applications are accepted through October 27, 2024.
  • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Senator John Boozman (R-AR) met with 120 pork producers at the National Pork Producers Council’s (NPPC) Fall Legislative Action Conference, discussing prospects for a 2024 Farm Bill and a federal solution to California’s Proposition 12.
  • The U.S. poultry industry is focused on improving protein conversion to ensure a more sustainable future. The USPOULTRY 2024 Poultry Protein & Fat Seminar, organized by a committee of leading experts in the rendering industry, will provide attendees with valuable insights into leadership, cutting-edge technology and best practices for safety and foreign material detection in rendering. This seminar offers a prime opportunity for rendering professionals to learn about modernizing their operations and improving efficiency. Sponsored by USPOULTRY and the Poultry Protein & Fat Council (PPFC), the event is scheduled for Oct. 16-17 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown in Nashville, Tenn.
  • Industry safety professionals recently gathered in Destin, Fla., for the National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry. The conference, sponsored by the Georgia Tech Research Institute/ATRP and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), brought together leaders who provided valuable insights into critical safety best practices.
  • Amp Americas, a leading dairy methane capture and renewable natural gas (RNG) company, announced that its projects have reduced more than 2,000,000 metric tons (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions since 2012 – equivalent to the emissions of more than five natural gas-fired power plants in one year.
  • The Wisconsin Dairy Products Association (WDPA) announced the Grand Champion winners of the 2024 World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest. Three Grand Champions were named in the categories of Cheese and Butter, Grade A, and Ice Cream, Sherbet, Frozen Yogurt, and Gelato.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Fall Ahead to the 2024 NAMA Fall Conference

    Chuck Zimmerman

    2024 NAMA Fall ConferenceWe’re counting down the days to the NAMA Fall Conference and can’t wait to see you there! Be sure to book your room at the Lofton Hotel in Minneapolis by October 1 to secure the best rate. Rooms are expected to sell out, so don’t miss the savings.

    Got your room booked? Now all that’s left to do is gear up for the exclusive agribusiness insights, exciting experiences and valuable connections awaiting you at this year’s Fall Conference!

    • Speakers to Inspire and Spark New Ideas
    • Keynote sessions to teach you to refine your brand, embrace modern leadership and master the art of impactful leadership
    • Panel discussions on how ag industry leaders are pioneering AI technology and transforming their companies for the future
    • Breakouts to Tackle Your Toughest Questions

    Today’s agri-marketers juggle many challenges in crafting effective strategies and adapting to new technologies. Breakout sessions dive into a variety of crucial topics to help you stay ahead, including:

    • A How-To Training for ChatGPT
    • Q&A Sit-Down with Ag Influencer Brandi Buzzard
    • Utilizing Proprietary AI Apps — Panel Discussion
    • Marketing Case Study: Minnesota Pork & the Paris Olympics

    From start to end, #NAMAFALL24 will serve up must-have ag insights, leadership tips and agribusiness best practices.

    Register for the 2024 NAMA Fall Conference today!

    Sponsorship Opportunities at Fall Conference – Take advantage of sponsorship opportunities available for Fall Conference! For more information, please contact Jenny Pickett at (913) 491-6500.

    NAMA

    CIRB Announces Tenth Class of Emerging Leaders

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) has named 19 industry professionals to its 2024-2025 Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) class.

    The 2024-2025 CIRB Emerging Leaders Program class includes:

    Anthony Kubik, American Farm Bureau Insurance Services
    Sara Hamm, American Farm Bureau Insurance Services
    Tanner Schroder, AgriSompo North America
    Shay Foster, AgriSompo North America
    Craig Fenster, Aon
    Carissa Lozier, COUNTRY Financial
    Luke Aupperle, COUNTRY Financial
    Kasey Engel, Farm Bureau Financial Services
    Candy Magee, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa
    Billy Meade, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa
    Connor Scharfe, Gallagher Re
    Brian Johnson, Great American Insurance Group
    Sarah McEachern, Guy Carpenter
    Mike Weber, Hudson Crop
    Ronnetta Rountree, Hudson Crop
    Landon Svennes, Precision Risk Management
    Jon Clarke, Rural Community Insurance Services
    Sandy Johnson, Rural Community Insurance Services
    Kyle Jore, Watts and Associates

    The ELP is designed to build the next generation of crop insurance and reinsurance leaders through a year-long program where they receive media training, learn strategies for effective advocacy for the crop insurance industry, and have the opportunity to build their professional network by joining CIRB Executive Committee Meetings.

    The 2023-24 ELP class boasted 20 members and all of them were able to attend the annual meeting earlier this year in Scottsdale.

    CIRB, Crop Insurance

    AgGateway Annual in Austin

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Registration is underway for the 2024 AgGateway Annual Conference, November 11-13, at the Downright Austin Hotel in Austin, TX.

    This event combines real working sessions on advanced initiatives, meet-ups and committee gatherings to discuss new and longer-term projects, and a host of conference sessions designed to create discussion and infuse enthusiasm for the AgGateway Mission. Along with learning and working sessions, the conference features multiple networking breaks and receptions, as well as a welcome luncheon for first-time attendees.

    Annual Conference attendees include leading agribusiness managers, IT professionals, and other representatives from the entire crop production channel, including input and equipment manufacturing, software and data service providers, ag retailers and distributors, in addition to professionals in precision ag, academia, agricultural organizations, students, and ag media.

    The 2024 AgGateway Annual Conference will discuss work being done on Environmental Reporting and provide experts and outside perspectives on programs and initiatives that have put Environmental Reporting in the spotlight.

    AgGateway Executive Vice President Jeremy Wilson talked about some of the organization’s current priorities in this interview from Tech Hub LIVE in July.

    2024 THL Jeremy Wilson, AgGateway 4:56

    ag retailers, AgGateway, Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio

    Industry Ag News 9/13

    Carrie Muehling

  • Corn production is down, while soybean and cotton production is up from 2023, according to the Crop Production report issued by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Corn production is down 1 percent from last year, forecast at 15.2 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to increase their production 10 percent from 2023, forecast at 4.59 billion bushels; cotton production is up 20 percent from 2023 at 14.5 million 480-pound bales.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced an investment of nearly $121 million to advance research and Extension activities that aim to solve key challenges facing specialty crop and organic agriculture producers. The investment includes $70.4 million to support specialty crop production research across the United States and $50.5 million to support farmers and ranchers who grow and market high-quality organic food, fiber and organic products. This investment is part of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Specialty Crop Research Initiative.
  • Register here for the National Agri-Marketing Association’s webinar on Experiential Storytelling: Tapping into what matters to your audience. Shannon Peel will peel back the layers between brand and ideal customer to find common threads to weave relatable stories. Your audience will receive a deeper understanding of their ideal customer and a story structure that talks directly to their needs, desires, and experiences.
  • Tractor Tuesday, a new online auction platform for agriculture machinery, proudly presents Farm Athletes, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to supporting NCAA college athletes from farm and ranch backgrounds. This initiative is set to provide NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals that will empower these hardworking student-athletes to excel both on the field and in the classroom while honoring their agricultural roots.
  • Join the 2024 NAMA Fall Conference! Learn from industry experts and business leaders who will share fresh perspectives and insights on the state of ag today. #NAMAFALL24 is also the perfect place to catch up with familiar faces and make new connections before the year is out.
  • li>Farm Credit System institutions made 132,890 loans to young, beginning, or small U.S. producers in 2023, delivering on their critical mission to support rural communities and agriculture, according to a new Farm Credit Administration (FCA) report. The report underscores Farm Credit’s commitment to the next generation of agricultural producers through strategic lending and support initiatives.
  • Time is running out to secure a spot at a discounted rate for AgGateway’s 2024 Annual Conference to be held November 11-13 in Austin, Texas. Monday, September 16th is the last day for early bird registration prices, so register today!
  • National Farmers Union (NFU) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to address staffing levels and improve customer service at USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county-level offices.
  • Nearly 300 Farmers Union members from across the United States converged in Washington to meet with lawmakers and advocate for the timely passage of a comprehensive five-year farm bill before the end of 2024, emphasizing its importance given current challenges faced by America’s family farmers and ranchers.
  • Representatives from the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation (SPFF) traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in a multi-commodity fly-in with over 50 other representatives from crop production and agricultural lending organizations. During the trip, SPFF representatives met with Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, as well as senior agricultural staff, to discuss the critical need for passing a Farm Bill before the end of 2024. Over 300 national and state groups sent a letter to congressional leaders on September 9 calling on them to pass the farm bill before year’s end.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    LUCI Brings Food Value Chain Consensus

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Steve Reinhard

    Steve Reinhard, USB Board Chair and Ohio farmer

    A new multi-stakeholder Land Use Change Initiative (LUCI) is leading efforts to unite the food value chain in developing definitions, metrics and methodologies for quantifying land use change.

    The initiative is funded by the United Soybean Board (USB) in partnership with Carbon A List, and USB Board Chair Steve Reinhard, an Ohio farmer who presented keynote remarks at a recent Land Use Change Summit, said the purpose is to have farmers at the table for land use change discussions as corporations consider their sustainability programs.

    “We know that we have a lot of urbanization out there where a lot of good farmland is being taken up for either homes or maybe a warehouse, so that’s another definition of land use change that actually wasn’t even considered before we had this particular meeting,” said Reinhard. “It’s great being able to have farmers there to have a conversation around the table when basically before we didn’t have that option, so we kind of had to start it on our own.”

    The Land Use Change Summit was held during July at McDonald’s International Headquarters in Chicago, and gathered nearly 100 experts across the food and agriculture value chain. Reinhard says the summit set out to accomplish three goals: 1) find common ground 2) set a strategic course, and 3) prepare to engage.

    We’re going to continue on with our conversations that we had and a lot of good discussion that was taken from some of the breakout sessions,” said Reinhard. “And that will all be put into a next steps type program and we’ll look forward then to having another in person conference in the future.”

    You can listen to learn more in this interview with Steve Reinhard:
    Interview with Steve Reinhard

    To receive updates or get involved, visit the Land Use Change Initiative webpage where you can find a white paper describing critical issues and gaps, and identifies where the opportunities exist for implementing change. In addition, there is a primer report and proceedings report available that were prepared for LUCI’s workshop sessions.

    Audio, carbon, Food, land, Soybean, USB

    Pivot Bio at Farm Progress Show

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Customers using Pivot Bio sustainable agriculture products have reduced carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions by over 932,000 metric tons (MT) since the beginning of 2022, and now the company is offering zero percent financing for growers through December 2025.

    Pivot Bio agronomist Karen Zuver was talking with farmers at the recent Farm Progress Show about what Pivot Bio has to offer. “Our pivot bio products give you this opportunity to have that foundation product in your nitrogen plan for your grain crops,” said Zuver. “So with corn we have our PROVEN® 40 product that gives you that foundation to replace some of that synthetic nitrogen and make sure that you have that nitrogen there through the season.”

    Learn more in this interview:
    FPS24 - Interview with Karen Zuver, Pivot Bio 4:30

    2024 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

    AgWired Precision, Audio, carbon, Farm Progress Show, Nutrient Management, Precision Agriculture

    Syngenta Continues Work With EPA on Atrazine

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Syngenta continues to work with the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that farmers can keep using the crop protection products they need, like Atrazine.

    Dave Flakne, Syngenta head of U.S. state affairs, provided the latest update at the recent Farm Progress Show. “July 7th of this year, the EPA put out an update that was somewhat favorable, but there’s still some work that needs to be done,” said Flakne. “They increased the level of concern from 3.4 parts per billion to 9.7 parts per billion in streams on a 60 day rolling average, which was a directionally correct improvement in the level of concern, but there are still issues with respect to the models that they’re using to determine where mitigation might be required.”

    Flakne says right now the entire ag community is focused on the Endangered Species Act, which is being used to try and vacate registrations. “So right now there’s a lot of work going on by EPA to come up with a framework,” said Flakne. “And what that means is the agency is going to be looking at and evaluating registrations and re-registration to make sure that they’re being responsive and protective of endangered species. So that process and how that strategy is implemented is very important.”

    Learn more in this interview.
    FPS24 - Interview with Dave Flakne, Syngenta 7:45

    2024 Farm Progress Show Photo Album

    AgWired Precision, Audio, Farm Progress Show, Precision Agriculture, Syngenta, Technology