Ethanol Report on RFA Leadership Succession

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has announced a change in leadership for the ethanol industry’s leading trade association. Executive Vice President Geoff Cooper will assume the position of president and CEO in October 2018, while current President and CEO Bob Dinneen will transition into the role of RFA’s Senior Strategic Advisor.

In this edition of The Ethanol Report, Dinneen talks about why he made the decision to step down after 30 years, and Cooper discusses how the organization will transition to new leadership.

Ethanol Report on RFA Changes

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Audio, Ethanol, RFA

Zimfo Bytes 7/20

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Cotton Council has scheduled tour dates and locations for the 2018 Producer Information Exchange (P.I.E.) Program. Now in its 30th year, the program has enabled more than 1,100 U.S. cotton producers to go to Cotton Belt regions different than their own where they learn about their peers’ innovative production practices.
  • Clover Chang, the longtime director of the U.S. Grains Council’s office in Taiwan, will retire effective Aug. 10, with Michael Lu hired to take on the role as of Aug. 6.
  • The IDEAg Group LLC recently announced John Hendel as director, event sales. In this sales leadership role, Hendel is responsible for leading exhibit sales, sponsorships and marketing programs for all IDEAg events including the Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show, Dakotafest, Minnesota Farmfest, Northern Illinois Farm Show and the IDEAg Trade Show at the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention.
  • Save the date for the 2018 Ag Outlook Forum September 27, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Visit the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City website for event registration.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation has announced two staff promotions, for Dr. John Newton and Sarah Brown Dirkes. Newton has been promoted from director, market intelligence to chief economist. Dirkes has been promoted to a new role, executive director of industry relations.
  • Agri-Pulse announces the promotion of Paige Dye to Circulation Manager. Dye had been serving as Assistant Marketing Manager for the company.
  • BRANDT has opened a 42,000 square foot production facility for specialty formulations products in Visalia, CA. The new location will expand production capabilities, serve as another hub for formulation development and testing, and house BRANDT Hydrology water quality analysis.
  • Michelin and Camso join forces to create the leader in off-the-road (OTR) mobility solutions. The result of a genuine strategic partnership in the OTR segment, the new division will be managed from Quebec, Canada.
  • Syngenta announces the five finalists in its #RootedinAg contest. These finalists, who will each receive a mini touch-screen tablet, will now compete for the grand prize – $500, plus a $1,000 donation to the winner’s favorite local charity or civic organization. The competition, which began in April, invited growers and other ag professionals to describe the person who helped inspire their agricultural roots. Syngenta will feature the winning story in an upcoming issue of its Thrive magazine.
  • Kindergarten through fifth-grade educators working in schools are encouraged to apply by Aug. 15 for resource kit grants courtesy of sponsor John Deere and the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. John Deere is sponsoring the distribution of 300 kits, each containing one copy of the Foundation’s 2018 Book of the Year, “John Deere, That’s Who!,” an educator guide and a classroom set (30-pack) of Ag Innovation ag mags.
  • Conference registration and hotel block reservations for the American Seed Trade Association‘s CSS 2018 & Seed Expo are opening August 1. Make plans to attend America’s largest seed industry convention, December 3-6 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. For more information, click here.
AFBF, Agri-Pulse, ASTA, John Deere, Syngenta, USGC, Zimfo Bytes

ZimmCast 592 – Comedian Tim The Dairy Farmer

Chuck Zimmerman

This week let’s meet Comedian, Tim The Dairy Farmer. Humor and dairy are near and dear to my heart and I hope you’ll enjoy the program as Tim talks about how he got into a comedy career. He also has some big news!

Blue Collar meets Green Acres. That’s how comedian, Tim the Dairy Farmer, describes the release of his first album through a production company owned by famed comics Larry “The Cable Guy” and Jeff Foxworthy.

The 50-minute album is called ‘Farm Raised’ and will be released by Git-R-Done Records on July 20th.  ‘Farm Raised’ will be available through iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, Spotify, and Pandora.  To purchase an actual hard copy CD of the album ‘Farm Raised’ visit Tim’s website.
 
I talked with Tim who says the album naturally focuses a lot on farm life and his experiences as a dairy farmer. “There’s a lot of humor on the farm,” Tim said.  “If you’ve ever been on a farm or even just driven by a farm, you’re gonna get it.”
 
Tim, who is a third-generation farmer and maintains an ownership stake in a Florida dairy, has been performing standup comedy for over 16 years, including for numerous agriculture organizations and companies.

I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening. BTW. I have pre-ordered Tim’s new album.

Listen to the ZimmCast here to learn more about the show: ZimmCast 592 - Tim The Dairy Farmer

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here. Use this url in iTunes or your favorite news reader program/app.

The ZimmCast

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Audio, Dairy, Farming, ZimmCast

Seasonal Lamb Production White Paper Released

Cindy Zimmerman

A new white paper addresses the seasonality of lamb production so members of the industry can understand it in more depth and make informed decisions about management alterations to better supply a more consistently available product.

“Seasonality of the US Lamb Industry: A Review of Current Information” is now available for download at LambResourceCenter.com in the Production Resources section.

The white paper states that an estimated 80 percent of the US lamb crop is born in the first five months of the calendar year. As a result, there are periods throughout the year when the supply of lamb is inconsistent, which creates industry issues including market price volatility, inadequate supply of market-ready lambs, and irregular supply of carcass size and quality.

Lamb retail sales are greatest during the Christmas and Easter holiday seasons with strong demand for legs and racks, as well as a considerable increase in sales of ground lamb at retail – nearly doubling in four years.

According to the white paper, if surplus lambs in the feedlot during winter and spring cannot be harvested on time, they remain in the feedlot until supplies diminish. These lambs are harvested at much heavier weights than ideal for their frame size. Volatility in carcass size makes it challenging to supply a fresh, consistent product to the consumer.

Learn more from ALB.

AgWired Animal, Lamb, Livestock, Meat

Looking Ahead to IFAJ Congress/Ag Media Summit 2019

Chuck Zimmerman

The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress 2018 may have concluded for this group of members from the United States but now we can look ahead to 2019. Guess where it’s going to be? The USA! The IFAJ Congress will overlap with Ag Media Summit in Minneapolis/Bloomington, MN at the end of July. The theme is “Global Connections in America’s Heartland.”

Lots of plans are being made now. A starting website is already live at ifaj2019.org. All participants for both organizations will be in the same hotel too. Here’s some information (pdf) that was presented at the conclusion of this year’s Congress.

  • An excellent program that will feature experts on news topics like trade, sustainability, crop and livestock issues, University research, water quality and more.
  • A wide variety of tours to showcase livestock, crops, bees, fruits, vegetables, precision tech, energy, seed research, transportation.
  • Gain professional development during Ag Media Summit sessions on writing, photography, social media, videography, ethics and more.
  • Attend fun-filled networking events like a lake cruise, craft brewery tour, Famous AMS Welcome Party, IFAJ band night, Twin Cities tour, Agritourism event, and experience fabulous Midwest hospitality.
  • Unique opportunity to network with 600+ AAEA (U.S. Guild) ag communications members and attend our InfoExpo trade show.
  • Reside with everyone in the same hotel for duration of July 26-30, 2019 Congress.
  • Pre-Tour: one small family-farm based pre-tour (10-15 people) in Northeast Iowa led by long-time IFAJ member Harlen Persinger.
  • Post-Tours: 1) Visit California to experience the state’s crop and livestock diversity; 2) Visit neighboring state Wisconsin for an amazing dairy adventure; and 3) Experience Minnesota/Iowa/South Dakota large precision grain and livestock farms, university and private research, energy and more. All tours begin July 31st, and will be loaded with fun stops as well.
  • Watch for details on www.ifaj2019.org and on Facebook: AMS IFAJ 2019

ACN, IFAJ, International, LPC, Media

Biofuels Advocates Testify at EPA Hearing

Cindy Zimmerman

Biofuels advocates brought their concerns about damage to the industry caused by former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to a hearing on the proposed 2019 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Wednesday in Michigan.

The proposed rule raises the total 2019 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) by 3 percent over the 2018 requirement, and maintains a 15-billion-gallon requirement for conventional biofuels like corn ethanol, but does nothing to address the 2.25 billion gallons worth of small refinery exemptions granted by EPA in the past year under the leadership of Pruitt who resigned July 5.

“The numbers themselves are good, but those numbers are meaningless if you’re going to waive billions of gallons (of biofuels),” said Growth Energy Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley, who testified on behalf of the organization.

In its proposed rule, the agency declined to accept comments on the controversial waiver program or Reid Vapor Pressure restrictions on E15, but that did not stop ethanol stakeholders from bringing it up in comments. “We thought that was absolutely absurd,” said Bliley. “There’s no way they can’t take comment. This is a public forum and people can comment as they wish.”

In this interview, Bliley also says they are hoping Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler “provides a fair forum for biofuel producers and for farmers.” Interview with Chris Bliley, Growth Energy, on EPA hearing testimony

In her testimony, Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Government Affairs Samantha Slater said the proposed rule is “superficial and toothless and undermines President Trump’s commitment on the RFS.”

“Administrative cuts to the RFS have resulted in significantly lower RIN prices, reduced corn and ethanol demand, avoided legal obligations for highly profitable businesses, and provided windfall profits for certain oil refiners,” said Slater. “The final rule should do less to cater to the whims of the oil industry in implementing the nation’s renewable fuel program, and more to create demand for ethanol, lowering prices at the pump for consumers and creating economic opportunities for farmers across the country.”

Listen to Slater’s testimony here: RFA testimony on EPA 2019 RVO proposal

Representatives of the biodiesel industry testified today at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Public Hearing for Proposed Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) for 2019 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2020.

Executives from the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and its member companies are asking EPA to set the 2020 Biomass-based Diesel volume at 2.8 billion gallons, based on the agency’s own analysis in the proposed rule showing that volume is achievable next year. The agency must also reduce the uncertainty it has caused by issuing retroactive small refiner hardship exemptions, the industry told EPA staff.

Listen to testimony from NBB chair Kent Engelbrecht of ADM and NBB CEO Donnell Rehagen. National Biodiesel Board testimony on EPA 2019 RVO proposal

Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Ethanol

Dinneen to Step Down as RFA CEO

Cindy Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is marking the beginning of a new era. The Reverend of Renewables is climbing into the backseat of the ethanol organization and allowing Executive Vice President Geoff Cooper to drive. Cooper will assume the position of president and CEO in October 2018, while current President and CEO Bob Dinneen will transition into the role of RFA’s Senior Strategic Advisor.

Dinneen has been with RFA for more than 30 years, including serving as the organization’s president and CEO since 2001. During his tenure, Dinneen led the industry and achieved a number of landmark legislative and regulatory victories for ethanol, including passage of the original Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2005 and significant expansion and extension of the RFS program in 2007. Dinneen also played a crucial role in the creation of the reformulated gasoline and oxygenated fuels requirements; securing the RVP waiver for E10; working with states to adopt bans on MTBE; and multiple extensions of the ethanol blender’s tax credit and secondary tariff on imported ethanol, among other important victories.

“For more than three decades, I have had the privilege of working for an industry whose mission inspires me, a Board of Directors that supports me, and an organization that exemplifies the highest degree of professionalism, creativity, and competence,” Dinneen stated. “I have borne witness to phenomenal growth, seen rural economies transformed and gotten to know and work side-by-side with the people who made this industry the success it is today. Every day I am thankful for our accomplishments and still enthusiastic to tackle the challenges ahead. Without a doubt, I have been truly blessed.”

“But 30 years is a long time and I believe now is the right time for new leadership, new ideas, and new energy at the helm of the Renewable Fuels Association. I am going to keep working at RFA in a different capacity but with the same goal; to assure RFA and the industry I care about so deeply continue to grow and realize their full potential,” Dinneen continued. “At the very least, I have great confidence that under Geoff’s leadership, the RFA will develop into an even more effective and authoritative voice for the U.S. ethanol industry, and that may be my greatest blessing.”

Ethanol, RFA

FDA Considering Fake Meat and Milk

Cindy Zimmerman

The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is spending time this month discussing meat and milk.

Last week, FDA held a public meeting to discuss foods produced using animal cell culture technology – mainly lab-grown fake meat products – and which agency should be in charge of regulating. The meat industry believes fake meat should be regulated by USDA.

“Any fair reading of the law places lab-grown meat food products within the primary jurisdiction of the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service,” said Danielle Beck, director of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, during the meeting last week.

Speaking at a POLITICO summit this week, FDA administrator Scott Gottlieb said he believes his agency has a role in regulating. “The regulations speak about slaughtered meat,” said Gottlieb. “This is obviously different.”

Audio – FDA administrator Scott Gottlieb comments on regulating fake meat

Next week, July 26, FDA will be holding a public hearing on nutrition and labeling that will include whether non-dairy beverages derived from almonds or soy products should be able to call themselves milk. The American Dairy Coalition (ADC) has rolled out a new initiative to advocate for the proper use of federally standardized terms established for the word “milk” on product labels called the Protecting Milk Integrity Initiative.

Gottlieb says FDA has probably not been enforcing the standard of identity for milk. “There is a reference in the standard of identity to a lactating animal,” said Gottlieb. “An almond doesn’t lactate.”

Audio – FDA administrator Scott Gottlieb comments milk labeling

AgWired Animal, Audio, Dairy, Meat

Inari Aims to Transform Agriculture

Cindy Zimmerman

A new plant breeding technology company called Inari Agriculture is being introduced today with the mission to transform agriculture and its impact on society and the environment by developing a more personalized plant breeding approach.

Inari is a Flagship Pioneering company headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., which started in early 2016 and has since recruited more than 80 leading research scientists and academic advisors from a range of diverse disciplines, including plant biology and medical research.

Ponsi Trivisvavet

Ponsi Trivisvavet was named CEO of Inari in April 2018. Prior to that she was COO at Flagship Pioneering company Indigo Agriculture, and before that she was with Syngenta for eight years and served as President of Syngenta Seeds, Inc.

“We have assembled a world-class team to execute on Inari’s mission and believe we have a unique opportunity to change the culture of agriculture,” said Trivisvavet. “Over the coming months our priority is to accelerate the deployment of our technologies into crops whilst increasing our cutting-edge technology and patent pool.”

Learn more about Inari from Trivisvavet. Interview with Inari CEO Ponsi Trivisvavet

Julie Borlaug, who inherited her desire to feed the world from her famous grandfather Norman, is the Vice President of Communications and Public Relations for Inari. “Our overall goal is to develop ‘personalized seeds’ to help growers meet specific challenges,” says Borlaug.

She says that working in a start up is different for her but she is very excited about it and believes it fits in with her goal of changing the conversation and creating a communications revolution for agriculture. “It might be a little unconventional but when my grandfather received the Nobel Peace Prize he was called a ‘refreshing, unconventional scientist’ so hopefully that’s where we are leading,” Borlaug said.

Learn more in this interview. Interview with Julie Borlaug, Inari Agriculture

AgWired Precision, Audio, Research, Seed

Precision Ag Bytes 7/18

Carrie Muehling

  • Teralytic released a limited number of the world’s first wireless NPK soil probes for pre-ordering on July 17. The in-ground wireless probe measures soil quality every 15 minutes using 26 different sensors, analyzing the data on an easy-to-use platform so farmers can save time and money on inputs as well as access insights into their soil’s fertility.
  • Buckwheat researchers from Japan now have access to the most accurate genome available, thanks to NRGene. The project was done with Dr. Yasuo Yasui, a renowned buckwheat scientist, in cooperation with GeneBay, NRGene’s partner in Japan.
  • Soil health policies are growing in number and importance across the United States but are widely dispersed across a variety of academic institutions, state agencies and legislative bodies. Developed by the Soil Health Institute Policy Action Team, this comprehensive online catalog of soil health policies will help agricultural leaders find action-focused resources quickly.
  • Agriculture’s Clean Water Alliance (ACWA) reaffirmed its commitment to improving Iowa water quality with the approval of the organization’s 2018 work plan during its March board of directors meeting. ACWA is comprised of 11 agricultural retailers and five associate members with business operations in the Des Moines River and Raccoon River watersheds in Iowa. ACWA aligned with the 4R Plus program as one of the key elements of their work plan, especially for the purposes of training agronomy teams on conservation practices.
  • Raven Industries, Inc. has announced several new services available on the Slingshot® and Viper® 4 platforms: Job Generator and Job Sync. A new tool, called Job Generator, helps increase efficiency and reduce the risk of costly mistakes. Users are now able to prepopulate important job data, including field attributes and location, products, rates and other useful information that can be sent to compatible Raven field computers instantly using Slingshot.
  • Nutrien Ltd. announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Agrible, Inc. for total consideration of $63-million. Agrible is a digital agriculture company with an advanced platform and product offering that includes a broad set of agronomic and on-farm advisory tools, data science capabilities, predictive analytics and a global sustainability business that connects growers with leading agricultural, food and consumer products companies to measure, benchmark and empower sustainable crop production.
  • Legend Seeds announces the promotion of Tim Bratland to president, effective August 1, 2018. Bratland’s appointment is part of an executive transition that includes prior president, Glen Davis, moving into the role of CEO.
  • Nominate a farmer friend, neighbor or family member who epitomizes the title “Good Steward” for the National Corn Growers Association’s Good Steward Recognition Program. Every profession has its early adopters that point the way for others, and National Corn Growers Association thinks these good stewards of the land are special people who deserve to be recognized. Nominations are due 5:00 p.m. CDT August 6, 2018.
  • Farm Market iD announces the launch of MarketView: a platform to provide strategic analysis and business intelligence to agribusiness.
  • Proagrica announced it will be bringing together its F4F, DBT and SST Software businesses under the Proagrica brand. This comprehensive move will integrate the varied offerings from Proagrica, and in turn deliver more connected solutions for customers.
AgWired Precision, NCGA, Precision Ag Bytes