Beltwide Cotton Awards

Cindy Zimmerman

Several awards were presented at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences last week. Here are two of them.

Each year the University Extension Cotton Specialists select a colleague to recognize as the Beltwide Extension Cotton Specialist of the Year. Camp Hand, University of Georgia assistant professor in Crop & Soil Sciences, received this annual award for his leadership, dedication and exceptional service in developing and conducting educational programs to meet the needs of cotton producers and the U.S. cotton industry.

Dr. David Fang, geneticist for USDA-ARS at the Cotton Fiber Bioscience Research Unit in New Orleans, is the 2023 Cotton Genetics Research Award recipient.

Dr. Fang has made tremendous contributions to the development of molecular markers which have been made publicly available and are utilized in practical cotton breeding and realized potential in a population derived from crosses made by USDA-ARS colleagues. Dr. Fang also has constructed numerous genomic maps of cotton and identified numerous markers for various agronomic traits.

2024 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

Beltwide Cotton, Cotton

Animal Ag News 1/8

Carrie Muehling

  • The annual Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit will once again be held at the 2024 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta. Sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and the Meat Institute, the Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in room B-405/406 on Tuesday, Jan. 30, and is offered free of charge to all registered IPPE attendees.
  • The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) offers attendees access to the latest in protein and feed technology through exhibits and educational programing. TECHTalks are free, 20-minute technical presentations, offered each day at IPPE. For the 2024 IPPE, 97 presentations will be given in the TECHTalks theaters in the A-Hall at Booth A244, in the B-Hall at Booth B48027 and in the C-Hall at Booth C14185.
  • At the upcoming International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), WATT Global Media will host two live events and showcase its current publications and upcoming events scheduled for the 2024 year. IPPE will take place on January 30 – February 1, at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in Atlanta, GA.
  • FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative welcomes all dairy farmers to attend the cooperative’s Producer Discovery Workshop series as part of its 2024 Annual Meeting taking place on Friday, February 9, 2024, at the Wintergreen Conference Center and Clarion Suites in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
  • Dairy Management Inc., which manages the national dairy checkoff program, recently announced significant outcomes in 2023 on behalf of America’s dairy farmers and importers.
  • The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the National Pork Board (NPB) proudly unveil the dynamic lineup for the Pork Leadership Institute‘s (PLI) class of 2024. Each year, the PLI program selects a distinguished group of pork producers, and 2024 is no exception. Collaborating closely with state pork association executives and field representatives, NPPC and NPB have identified 19 outstanding individuals from across the nation to join this esteemed group.
  • The Nebraska Water Center, in partnership with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s School of Natural Resources, will begin its annual Spring Water Seminar Series in January.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    2024 Cotton Economic Outlook

    Cindy Zimmerman

    One of the drawbacks of having a conference right after the holidays is that you may have some presenters end up sick. But not usually four in the same session.

    That’s what happened at the Economics and Marketing part of the National Cotton Conferences last week in Fort Worth, but Dale Cougot of Olam Agri, who serves as the National Cotton Council Southwest Region Merchant Delegate, bravely stepped forward to fill all four roles and provide the cotton market outlook, world cotton outlook, and cotton policy update.

    Cougot stressed that consistent supply is crucial for the industry to maintain its market share. “The last three years when the U.S. had a fairly low crop, from a global cotton perspective, thank God Australia had a crop,” he said. “In the retail world, if you lose a product line, you never get it back. So you’ve got to have that consistent supply to our retailers.”

    Listen to Cougot’s outlook presentation.
    BWCC Economic Outlook - Dale Cougot, Olam Agri 40:02

    2024 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

    Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton

    broadhead Acquires Filament

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Broadheadbroadhead has acquired Filament which makes it one of the nation’s largest agencies serving industry-leading food and agriculture clients.

    broadhead, an employee-owned, data-driven, creative agency powering brands that transform how we eat, move and live, has acquired Filament, a Madison, Wisconsin-based agency specializing in production and recreational agriculture.

    With a segment-leading client portfolio, Filament has a strong history in helping client brands resonate with the end-user and influencer audiences they know well. The agency was founded in 2004 and currently employs 50 people.

    “At broadhead, we’ve long respected Filament’s work, their people and its role as a thought leader in the agricultural marketing space,” said Dean Broadhead, founder and CEO of broadhead. “Together, we’ll have added depth across teams that will help us build opportunities for our clients and for our people.”
    Read More

    Agencies

    Industry Ag News 1/5

    Carrie Muehling

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announced that starting Dec. 18 they will mail the 2023 Census of Aquaculture to all producers who indicated in their 2022 Census of Agriculture that they produce and sell aquaculture products. The deadline to respond is Jan. 15, 2024.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Alexis Taylor, will lead the agribusiness trade mission to Seoul, South Korea on March 25 – 28, 2024. USDA is currently inviting U.S. exporters who wish to participate in this trade mission to submit their application. U.S. exporters who wish to participate in this agribusiness trade mission must apply by December 18, 2023. Click to apply online.
  • Farm Foundation, an accelerator of practical solutions for agriculture, has announced its 2024 Agricultural Scholars recipients. This annual program is sponsored in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS). Twenty applied or agricultural economics graduate students were selected to join the program for inspiration and training in agricultural policy, commodity market analysis, agricultural finance, and other applied fields. This is the 5th cohort since the program began in 2020.
  • The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) announced that Becca Smith has been promoted to Senior Director of Member and Industry Relations. In this role, Smith will play a crucial role developing and maintaining strong relationships with both current and potential members and the broader industry.
  • Early bird registration closes Jan. 11, 2024, for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s 2024 Winter Policy Conference. The conference will take place at the Conrad Washington, D.C., and the conference hotel rooming block will close Jan 11, 2024.
  • The annual MN Ag Expo returns in January 2024 and features a special guest who is sure to put the farming community in position to succeed in the year ahead. Join the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) and the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) for the 2024 MN Ag Expo Jan. 17-18 at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato.
  • Northern Soy Marketing (NSM), a farmer-led board comprising the soybean checkoff boards of Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Minnesota, is sending a delegation of farmers and industry experts to Vietnam and Cambodia, Jan. 6-19, 2024.
  • National Fisheries Institute welcomes Kayla Bennett to its staff. She will serve as Media and Communications Manager.
  • The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) has named Colleen Callahan as its interim executive director. She will lead from the Platte City home office, with flexibility to commute. Callahan will serve in the role until a permanent executive director is hired.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is amending the Florida Citrus Marketing Order to reduce membership of the Florida Citrus Administrative Committee and to update quorum requirements. The final rule for this action was published in the Federal Register on Dec. 27, 2023. The rule will be effective on Jan. 26, 2024.
  • The American Soybean Association is now accepting applications for the Valent Ag Voices of the Future program, which will be held July 15-18, 2024, in conjunction with the summer ASA board meeting and Soy Issues Forum in Washington, D.C. The Ag Voices of the Future program is for students interested in improving their understanding of major agricultural policy issues and the importance of advocacy, along with those who wish to improve their understanding of various agriculture policy career paths. To apply for the Ag Voices of the Future program and be considered for an AFA Leaders Conference scholarship, students should visit the Ag Voices of the Future section of the ASA website and follow the link to the AFA website to submit their application by March 6.
  • The Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) is uniquely positioned to advance water management for greater food security. By leveraging the world-class research at the University of Nebraska; the state’s expertise in agricultural and water resource management; and private sector partnerships, DWFI is making real progress on a more water- and food-secure future. In its recent annual report, DWFI demonstrates the impact this effective combination has achieved in the state of Nebraska and around the world.
  • The 2024 Women Managing the Farm Conference will be held February 14th-16th, 2024, in Manhattan, Kansas. The early bird deadline for registration in Jan. 18.
  • With one in every five U.S. potatoes destined for foreign markets, federal trade partners are essential for the continued health of U.S. potato growers and the entire supply chain. U.S. Chief Agricultural Negotiator Doug McKalip will speak at Potato Expo 2024 about how the Office of the U.S. Trade Representatives is working with the National Potato Council and industry partners to expand reach into foreign marketplaces and maximize impact with foreign consumers.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Update

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The Beltwide Cotton Conferences Sustainability Conference included an update on the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol by new executive director Daren Abney who assumed that position in July 2023.

    Abney says membership in the program continues to increase. “We work with the entire cotton supply chain so we take memberships from growers all the way up to retailers and brands,” said Abney. “The first year of the protocol had just over 300 or so growers but as of this season we are now over 970 growers participating.”

    The protocol saw an increase of 25% compared to 2022 in the total area of planted cotton acres enrolled in the program, reaching 1.6 million acres in 2023.

    Interview with Daren Abney, US Cotton Trust Protocol Executive Director 4:37

    Chad Brewer, who worked on the protocol since December 2022, says growers were able to sign up this year for the Climate Smart Cotton Program. “April 25 we began the program and we began staffing up and building out our enrollment interface,” said Brewer. “Of the 978 farmers that enrolled in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, 778 of them submitted applications for the Climate Smart Cotton Program, which far exceeded our milestone for year one.”

    The Trust Protocol’s vision is to set a new standard in sustainable cotton production where full transparency is a reality and continuous improvement is the central goal. The program’s core values include a commitment to U.S. cotton’s legacy of authenticity, innovation and excellence, environmental stewardship, caring of people, and personal and corporate integrity. The program currently has more than 1,800 supplier members over 40 companies and brands including global brands and retailers such as Ralph Lauren, Gap, Levi Strauss & Co. and J.Crew. 

    Interview with Chad Brewer, US Cotton Trust Protocol/NCC 4:26

    2024 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

    Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton, Sustainability

    Cotton Consultants Kick Off Beltwide

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The Consultants Conference kicked off three days of Beltwide Cotton Conferences Wednesday in Fort Worth, Texas.

    Louisiana consultant Hank Jones says the committee works to include lots of topics of interest to cotton consultants. “We try to cover a wide range of topics and certainly we want to stay current, and want to address topics that are going to provide value for us and our customers,” said Jones. Some of those topics this year included new cottonseed varieties and how to best manage them, new technology and products, and a regulatory update on the Endangered Species Act.

    Interview with Hank Jones, cotton consultant 6:31

    The conference also included a panel discussion about Bayer’s ThryvOn Technology, the first biotech trait for tarnished plant bug and thrips species, which was fully approved for commercial use in 2023.

    Arkansas cotton consultant Tyler Hydrik says it has been very successful. “It has completely eliminated the need to spray for thrips and I think we can cut back on plant bug applications as well,” said Hydrik. “Overall, I think everybody’s really happy with it and the percent of acres that it’s going to take up in ’24 is definitely going to increase.”

    Listen to the interview with Hydrik and panel discussion to learn more.

    Interview with Tyler Hydrik, cotton consultant 4:49

    Consultants Conference Thryvon panel
    2024 BWCC Thryvon panel 47:42

    2024 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

    Audio, Bayer, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton

    Second Women in Ag Tech℠ Meeting This Month

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Women in Ag Tech℠ (WiAT) will hold its second in-person meeting January 21-22, co-located with The VISION Conference at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa. WiAT continues to champion opportunities for women in agricultural technology and fostering a vibrant community through mentorship, idea exchanges, and collaboration.

    The event promises an enriching experience for attendees, featuring a keynote address, panel discussions, and interactive sessions led by industry professionals. Lara L. Sowinski of CropLife Media Group will lead the meeting and a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation will deliver the keynote “Cultivating Resilience: A Woman in Ag Tech’s Insights on Food Safety, Cybersecurity, and Leadership in STEM.” Lara shares, “Women in Ag Tech meetings aren’t about just sitting and listening. Here, we come together as women to actively learn, engage, and support one another. It’s a fresh and dynamic approach, setting us apart from the usual conference experience.”

    Women in Ag Tech offers various registration options. Attendees can opt for the Women in Ag Tech meeting only or combine it with The VISION Conference taking place on January 22-24. To learn more visit: https://www.thevisionconference.com/women-in-ag-tech/

    Support for WiAT comes from leading organizations and sponsors committed to advancing women in ag technology, according to Chris Pernell, WiAT Business Director. “This gathering is more than a conference; it’s a movement. By amplifying the voices and contributions of women in agricultural technology, we are driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and shaping a more inclusive future.”

    For more information and registration details, visit the WiAT website or contact Chris Pernell.

    AgWired Precision, Events, Precision Agriculture, Technology

    2024 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Kick Off

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The National Cotton Council (NCC) and its cooperating partners are starting the new year with the 2024 Beltwide Cotton Conferences getting underway today in Fort Worth, Texas.

    Conferences coordinator Lauren Krogman says attendance is back to pre-COVID levels. “Right now our registration numbers are close to 800 so we are really happy to see everyone here,” said Krogman, who adds that people are welcome to register on site through Friday.

    The Beltwide features a number of different conferences rolled into one for members of the cotton industry. “The goal of the Beltwide conferences is to help industry members, producers, and ginners make informed decisions aimed at improving productivity, sustainability, and profitability,” Krogman said. Three days of individual reports, panel discussions, hands on workshops and seminars are designed to provide attendees with information they need to help producers make key cotton production/marketing-related decisions.

    Learn more in this preview interview with Krogman.
    Interview with Lauren Krogman, NCC 4:20

    2024 Beltwide Cotton Conferences Photo Album

    Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton

    Precision Ag News 1/3

    Carrie Muehling

  • Midwestern corn and soybean growers earned more than $140,000 in 2023 for reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased soil carbon through implementing regenerative agriculture practices. These producers received both payments and technical assistance from Nutrien Ag Solutions as part of their participation in Eco-Harvest pilot projects.
  • The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) brought its well-known and widely attended Field Crop Seed Convention to Orlando for the first time in December. Highlights from the event included a streamlined schedule of sessions and panels, 112 exhibitors, a 14 percent increase from 2022, six large equipment displays, attendees and exhibitors representing 27 countries and 493 companies.
  • Andy Lavigne, President & CEO of the American Seed Trade Association, issued the following statement after New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an amended version of S1856-A/A7460, the “Birds and Bees Protection Act.” Even though the legislation overrides existing EPA regulations, as amended, it establishes a process to continue to allow New York farmers access to vital management tools critical for food production in the state.
  • Agrimatics, an industry leader in mobile-based agricultural technology, announced an integration in partnership with Case IH and New Holland, both of which are brands of CNH Industrial. This integration enables users of the Case IH platform, AFS Connect, and users of the New Holland platform, MyPLM Connect, to interact with the Agrimatics Libra Cart system, as well as the Agrimatics Cloud Service.
  • Wyman Meinzer — state photographer of Texas — will keynote the joint 2024 Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) and Southern Weed Science Society (SWSS) meeting January 22-25, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. In addition to Meinzer, the joint meeting will also include four symposia, three graduate student events, tours that range from botanical gardens to tequila tasting, plus a host of posters and presentations on the latest weed science topics and technologies.
  • Ana Davis, head of health, safety and environment in North America at Syngenta, has been appointed to a three-year term as treasurer and member of the executive board at American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).
  • The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) recognized a group of top performers and emerging leaders as part of its Rising Stars award program at the 2023 ARA Conference & Expo in front of more than 600 attendees.
  • Women in Ag Tech (WiAT) announced its second in-person meeting January 21-22, 2024, co-located with The VISION Conference at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa. WiAT continues to champion opportunities for women in agricultural technology and fostering a vibrant community through mentorship, idea exchanges, and collaboration. Click here to register for both VISION and WiAT.
  • EarthOptics, a next-generation soil mapping and measurement company, announced it has mapped and physically measured one million acres of farmland and ranchland. The important milestone places the company and its SoilMapper platform in the top market position, demonstrating a growing demand amongst farmers and ranchers for comprehensive soil intelligence.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture