The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has launched an update to the My American Farm game, “Ag Across America.” The updated version features 100 new questions highlighting agricultural diversity across the nation, including videos of real American farmers asking questions. The Ag Across America app is available for free download in the iTunes App Store and in the Google Play Store. It can also be played online at www.myamericanfarm.org.- Tractor Supply’s “Follow Us to the Fair” Tour is once again embarking on an 11,000-mile cross-country journey to state and county fairs, making 24 stops in 14 states over the next six months. Now in its fourth year, the nation’s largest rural lifestyle retailer is sending its road team on an excursion that begins June 1 in Kentucky and concludes Nov. 10 in Nevada. The “Follow Us to the Fair” Tour will also celebrate local 4-H and FFA youth through Tractor Supply’s second annual “Great Neighbor” Essay Contest.
- Following publication on May 25 of the final commitments given by Bayer to the EU Commission, KWS SAAT SE issued a non-binding offer to Bayer AG for its global vegetable seed business, which operates primarily under the name Nunhems. KWS is thus renewing a non-binding bid it made in January 2018 and is offering Bayer and its shareholders attractive terms and conditions for the sale of the vegetable seed business. In order to complete the transaction with Monsanto, Bayer AG had assured the antitrust authorities that it would sell crop science businesses, including its vegetable seed business.
- The American Soybean Association announced the selection of Wendy Brannen as director of policy communication, based in its Washington, D.C. office. Brannen comes to ASA after two years serving as executive director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission in California. She previously directed consumer health marketing and public relations at the U.S. Apple Association and also served as executive director of the Vidalia® Onion Committee.
- Textron Off Road has introduced the all-new, pure-utility 2018 Prowler Pro and Prowler Pro XT. Built in Thief River Falls, Minn., both models deliver quiet gas power and unmatched reliability for tackling the toughest jobs and handling the most-extreme hunts.
- Farmers Business Network, Inc. announced the launch of its Commodity Crop Marketing platform to help farmers make better decisions when marketing their grain. FBN Commodity Crop Marketing offers the following products and services to help make the grain marketing process simpler, more efficient, and transparent: FBN Cash Grain Management, FBN Market Intelligence, FBN Brokerage, and FBN Cash Contracts.
John Deere Introducing Updated Harvest Equipment
A new track system and a new draper lineup are among updates to harvest equipment coming from John Deere.
A new track system is now fully suspended, offering the ability to transport up to 25 miles per hour from field to field. Track widths are available in 30-inch or 36-inch options. The company now also offers seven draper headers to better serve farmers, especially those harvesting higher volume crops like canola or other small grains.
“It really is just adding additional versatility to this draper,” said Matt Badding, technical marketing manager for harvesting equipment. “A lot of producers want to cut both on and off the ground. Perhaps they have both wheat, and then they have some lentils, or some soybeans or edible beans, and so they want that versatility of having one head to be able to go on and off the ground, and that’s really what we focused on.”
Badding said the company continues to enhance the MyOperations app and encouraged users to look for updates this summer and fall. He said 2019 combine models will be on display at 2018 fall farm shows with full production beginning on the combine and the draper line in fall 2018.
Listen to Chuck’s interview with Matt here: Interview with Matt Badding, John Deere
Poultry Researchers Tackle Woody Breast Syndrome
A growing problem for the poultry industry is woody breast syndrome, a muscle myopathy that affects the most popular cut of poultry.
While it doesn’t pose any harm to the consumer or the bird, it results in a product that is not palatable. In 2017, woody breast syndrome cost the U.S. poultry industry an estimated $200 million. Due to changes in government regulations, that number could grow to $500 million in losses in 2018. The problem is even more prevalent in European countries and in Brazil. Researchers are still trying to identify a cause.
“We need to look at this issue from a multi-faceted approach,” said Dr. Rebecca Delles, an Alltech research scientist who presented at ONE 18: The Alltech Ideas Conference. “I think everybody has been hoping for this silver bullet to solve every single issue, but we’re not going to see it. It’s probably not going to happen. We need geneticists to work with us, we need the managers of these poultry farms to work with us, and ultimately, we also need to reexamine the nutrition and what we’re feeding these birds and how we’re raising them to solve this issue.”
Delles said meat scientists are collaborating across the globe to address woody breast syndrome, as poultry is now the number one meat consumed worldwide. They believe genetics play a part, but are not the sole cause of the problem. Other factors may include hatchery conditions, management, and diet.
Listen to Chuck’s interview with Dr. Delles here: Interview with Dr. Rebecca Delles, Alltech
Bytes: Tech That Feeds Us
KEENAN CEO Robert Walker explored the future of technology and data as it relates to agriculture and the food chain at ONE 18: The Alltech Ideas Conference.
“Ag tech is shrinking the food chain,” said Walker. “It’s making communication up and down the food chain a lot better, quicker, and ultimately that is going to be to the benefit of every member of that food chain, and especially to the consumer at the very end.”
While KEENAN mixer wagons already feature technologies that help farmers to work with nutritionists as they ensure they are feeding the correct rations for optimum performance from their cattle, Walker said there are more capabilities to come. He said data collection right now is focused at the farm level, and used primarily by the farmer. But Walker believes stakeholders up and down the food chain from feed mills to processors to retailers and even consumers could benefit from data collection and analysis that is already taking place on many farms. It appears digital technologies like blockchain might even further shorten the food chain.
Walker said farmers are passionate about what they do and will collaborate if there is benefit to doing so. He said data sharing needs to happen only with the farmer’s permission, but also pointed out that others might share the in the costs of data collection. He said Alltech companies want to move from a descriptive approach to a predictive approach when it comes to collecting data as they work to better meet the needs of their customers.
Listen to Chuck’s interview with Robert Walker here: Interview with Robert Walker, KEENAN
Ethanol Coalition Suing EPA Over Refinery Waivers
A coalition of farm and ethanol organizations has filed a lawsuit over the Environmental Protection Agency’s “secretive small refinery exemptions.”
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and National Farmers Union (NFU), with support of Farmers Union Enterprises, filed the suit late Tuesday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit to challenge several waivers from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) EPA granted to profitable refining companies.
The petitioners are challenging three EPA decisions, made under unusually clandestine proceedings, to exempt refineries in Wynnewood, Oklahoma; Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Woods Cross, Utah from the RFS requirements of the Clean Air Act. The Wynnewood refinery is owned by Wynnewood Refining Company, a subsidiary of CVR Energy, and the Cheyenne and Woods Cross refineries are owned by Holly Frontier Corporation. The companies have since estimated in financial disclosures that the exemptions have saved them a collective $170 million in compliance costs.
“America’s corn farmers, who are expecting their fifth consecutive year of low commodity prices and who are experiencing the lowest net farm incomes since 2006, understand economic challenges. When refineries are reporting profit increases and repurchasing stock shares, we expect EPA to explain why these refineries were granted exemptions from their RFS volume obligations,” says NCGA president Kevin Skunes.
The petition also notes that EPA has consistently rejected all attempts to bring greater transparency to the small refinery exemption extension process. EPA has refused to provide even the most basic information requested in Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests from RFA and other parties. More surprisingly, the Agency has also ignored demands from members of Congress for the same essential facts.
Precision Ag Bytes 5/30
The InfoAg 2018 program begins at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel on July 17. An optional pre-conference tour is offered for an additional fee on July 16. The event is organized by the International Plant Nutrition Institute. Register now thru July 1, 2018 and receive an Early Bird Discount.- Syngenta announced its latest carboxamide fungicide (SDHI mode of action) – Adepidyn – has been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Formulated in five products under the Miravis brand family, Syngenta will make Adepidyn fungicide broadly available in the U.S. in late 2018 and 2019, subject to state approvals.
- Agrible, Inc. has launched an improved website featuring a new look and feel, upgraded technology, and new features designed to help growers and retailers with proactive decision-making both during and in between growing seasons. The Illinois-based company specializes in providing detailed agronomic information using science and technology to transform field-level data into actionable decisions. New interactions with the Nutrient Engine, Yield Engine, Tractor Time, and Field Forecast platform tools allow a bird’s eye view of any farm operation, regardless of size.
China’s Impact on U.S. Beef Demand
China reopened its borders to United States beef in 2017, but that historic decision sparked both challenges and opportunities for American beef producers, according to Ian Lahiffe, Lead of Operations, Allflex Livestock Intelligence.
Lahiffe said beef consumption has almost doubled in China over the past 10-15 years, but Chinese consumers are accustomed to grass-fed beef primarily from Brazil or Australia that costs 30 percent less than beef from the United States. He said U.S. beef producers will have to reintroduce Chinese consumers to grain-fed beef and carcass quality.
The good news is that the younger generation in China is consuming much more beef than their older counterparts, especially when they eat out. Lahiffe said research shows a clear generational divide between those consumption habits. Additionally, the a younger Chinese generation has more available income and many are chasing the “Chinese Dream” and are willing to pay for what they perceive to be the best product, at whatever cost.
However, Lahiffe warned that current trade wars are having a significant impact.
“This tariff affects confidence,” Lahiffe said. “The fear is when the relationship between the two countries isn’t so good, the Chinese mightn’t ban U.S. beef, but it might be sitting in the port for awhile.”
Lahiffe sees Chinese consumption and demand as an incredible opportunity. He believes those who are willing to invest in the best supply chain, and who can adapt to and understand the needs of Chinese consumers will reap the benefits in the long run.
Listen to Jamie’s interview with Ian here: Interview with Ian Lahiffe, Allflex Livestock Intelligence
DOJ Conditionally Approves Bayer-Monsanto
Bayer has obtained conditional approval from the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) for the proposed acquisition of Monsanto.
“Receipt of the DOJ’s approval brings us close to our goal of creating a leading company in agriculture,” said Bayer CEO Werner Baumann. “We want to help farmers across the world grow more nutritious food in a more sustainable way.” Bayer has now obtained almost all clearances which are conditions for closing the transaction. The company expects to receive any outstanding approvals required for completing the transaction very shortly.
Bayer will become the sole shareholder of Monsanto Company following the receipt of outstanding approvals. According to the DOJ’s conditional approval, the integration of Monsanto into Bayer can take place as soon as the divestments to BASF have been accomplished. This is expected to be in approximately two months.
GROWMARK: Agriculture Background Not Required
Although GROWMARK and its FS Member companies are clearly rooted in agriculture, a farming or agribusiness background is not required to thrive as an employee there.
GROWMARK’s Director of Talent Management Tom Swearingen is a prime example of that. Originally a commercial airline pilot, Swearingen left that industry after the events of 9/11/2001 changed it forever, and came back to his hometown to work as a corporate pilot for GROWMARK and Country Financial. He eventually became the chief pilot for those companies, and then grew into the position of Director of Corporate Services before taking on his current job. Along the way, Swearingen took advantage of tuition assistance and completed his MBA while working at GROWMARK. He said the training and development the company offers to all 6,000 system-wide employees is unparalleled.
“We genuinely believe that our employees are our greatest resource, so why would you not invest in your greatest resource to continually make them better, both personally and professionally?” asked Swearingen.
He said it’s important not to discount agriculture as a career path, even if you didn’t grow up with it. Companies like GROWMARK want specialists in a variety of areas to bring their skills and an open mind.
“Eventually, when someone comes to work here, we want them to get a better understanding of agriculture, but that’s not a prerequisite when they come in the door,” Swearingen said, noting there is another great reason to work in agriculture. “I think in today’s world, now more than ever, employees are looking for a cause or something larger than themselves to be a part of, and I know for me, I personally can’t think of a better thing to be part of than to help farmers feed the world.”
Hear more with Tom Swearingen here: Tom Swearingen, GROWMARK
Animal Ag Bites 5/29
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is releasing a video that demonstrates what poultry and egg farms can expect if their farms are inspected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To ensure the information is accurate and beneficial, USPOULTRY collaborated with EPA personnel to develop and produce the video.- A new study funded by National Dairy Council (NDC) shows that healthy, pre-menopausal women who consumed low-fat yogurt before meals reduced their risk for inflammation following the meal. The research was conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- Dave Chamberlin recently joined Vita Plus as the swine technical sales manager for the eastern region swine team. Chamberlin will play a key role in developing the swine team in the eastern region by providing nutritional programming, product development, and brand awareness of Vita Plus products and services.
- The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association applauded the introduction of the Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act, saying it would reform federal Hours of Service rules in a way that ensures animal welfare, highway safety, and the well-being of livestock haulers.
- U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is now accepting nominations for the 2019 Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award. The award recognizes exemplary environmental stewardship by family farmers engaged in poultry and egg production. Those eligible for the award include any family-owned poultry grower or egg producer supplying product to a USPOULTRY member or an independent producer who is a USPOULTRY member. Nominations are due Oct. 1.
- Ambassador Gregg Doud, chief agricultural negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and Greg Ibach, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, will address investors of the National Pork Producers Council at World Pork Expo on June 6 and 7. Under Secretary Ibach speaks on June 6; Ambassador Doud speaks on June 7.
- Brookside Agra has developed an effective, simple protocol for using Advanced Bio Pro Concentrate to compost animal carcasses. A video explaining the process can be viewed online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2_bysyZoXY.