GROWMARK Welcomes Student Interns

Cindy Zimmerman

Forty-one college students are exploring agricultural career opportunities this summer as GROWMARK interns, and another 19 students are taking part in GROWMARK’s summer Exploring Agriculture Internship program.

​The interns are exposed to accounting, marketing, communications, and product and service-related activities. The group kicked off the program at the GROWMARK corporate office on Monday, May 21 and will reconvene in June for an agribusiness tour and professional development opportunities. Each intern will complete a business-related project and deliver a presentation on their project in August.

This is the 59th year for the GROWMARK internship program which began in 1959. Over the years, more than 1,100 students have been involved in the program.

The Exploring Agriculture Intern program was developed to help build relationships between students and faculty at colleges and technical school level and GROWMARK’s FS member companies.

The interns are exposed firsthand to the inner workings of retail energy and agribusinesses to help them evaluate future career aspirations. The students will be operating field research and crop monitoring equipment and technology for scouting, assisting with facility and equipment maintenance and repair, and building professional relationships with FS personnel and customers while learning the different products and services they offer.

Learn more about the GROWMARK 2018 interns here.

Cooperatives, Education, FS System, GROWMARK

DuPont Opens Industrial Biosciences Global Headquarters

Cindy Zimmerman

DuPont Industrial Biosciences officially opened the doors of its renovated global business headquarters last week in Wilmington, Delaware.

“At this new facility, we have hundreds of people working toward a more sustainable future by innovating biobased solutions that are better, safer and more renewable. These technologies go into products that are used in everyday life,” said William Feehery, president of DuPont Industrial Biosciences. “The redesigned and upgraded laboratories and office spaces are incubators for some of DuPont’s most groundbreaking work.”

The revitalization of Building E353 is part of a more than $200 million investment in the Experimental Station campus, which began in 2016 and encompasses about 50 buildings, with over 2 million square feet of space.

Read more from DuPont.

Agribusiness, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Biofuels

Animal Ag Bites 6/11

Carrie Muehling

  • McDonald’s USA presented Cargill Protein’s Egg Team with the 2017 U.S. Supplier of the Year award at its Lake Odessa, Mich., and Mason City, Ia., egg processing facilities on Friday, June 1. As a McDonald’s supplier for nearly 25 years, Cargill was selected for the U.S. Supplier of the Year award for its leadership in supporting the launch and execution of McDonald’s “All Day Breakfast,” and pledging to supply 100 percent cage-free eggs for dedicated supply by 2025.
  • USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation have approved approximately $500,000 in funding for five new research grants at five institutions through the Board Research Initiative program. The research funding was approved by the boards of directors of both organizations, based on recommendations from the Foundation Research Advisory Committee. The committee evaluates research proposals to determine their value to the industry and then makes recommendations to the boards for funding.
  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has announced the appointment of six members to serve on the National Pork Board. More information about the board is available on the AMS National Pork Board webpage and on the National Pork Board website.
  • Missed a speaker or want to watch a replay of ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference? The Alltech Idea Lab gives you the chance to hear talks from the inspiring leaders and future thinkers from ONE18. Access to the Alltech Idea Lab is complimentary, requiring only registration. Plenary sessions are now available. Interactive focus sessions will be available for viewing on June 29. Sign up now at http://ideas.alltech.com.
  • Allflex Livestock Intelligence, an Antelliq brand, is pleased to introduce the SenseTime Beef cow monitoring solution. This new monitoring solution designed exclusively for beef cattle farms delivers actionable information on the reproduction, health, and wellbeing status of individual cows and groups. A smart and modular solution, SenseTime Beef supports both AI and natural breeding farms (cow-calf operations), for both penned and grazing cows.
AgWired Animal, Animal Bites

#CornTech18 Poster Contest Winners

Chuck Zimmerman

A graduate student from Iowa State University took home the top prize in the National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Utilization and Technology Conference 2018 Poster contest held in St. Louis, Mo. this week. Joseph P. Polin, from Iowa State University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, received top honors in the Gary Lamie Student Poster Competition, sponsored by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council for his work on improving the process economics of making bio-renewable fuels and chemicals from corn stover. He is pictured with other general poster session winners included Tanvee Deshpande of South Dakota State, who received second place honors for a project entitled “Developing food quality standards for distillers dried grains- evaluating composition quality and safety.” Third place went to Jennifer Mobley of the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology for “Investigation of the production of long-chain dicarboxylic acids from distillers corn oil using candida viswanathii.” Presenting the awards are NCGA CEO, Chris Novak and NCGA CUTC Chairman Dennis Maple.

“Encouraging young researchers to consider a career in agriculture is a major focus for the National Corn Growers and their State Partners. Those recognized in the poster contest show our efforts are paying off and they provide another reason for optimism,” said Dennis Maple, chair of CUTC and the National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Productivity and Quality Action Team. “I think all of the conference attendees were very impressed with the quality of research and the level of enthusiasm the students exhibited. These are the people who will drive much needed new uses for corn in the future.”

CUTC also conducted a second poster session focused on mycotoxin research efforts which were sponsored by Biocognito. Mycotoxin contamination of corn or DDGs complicates the handling of corn and can reduce limit in marketability and value.

Claiming first place in the mycotoxin poster session was Weiran Li a graduate student in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Purdue University for a project titled “Characterization of ZMPK1 and its role in disease resistance to Goss’s Wilt.”

Also, recognized for their research work on mycotoxins were: Second place – Felipe Dalla Lana of The Ohio State University for “Weather factors associated with Gibberella ear rot and vomitoxin accumulation in corn grains.” Third place – Huijuan Yan: Texas A & M for “FRN1, a gene coding for putative GPCR protein, critical for ear rot and fumonisin biosynthesis in maize pathogen fusarium verticillioides.”

2018 Corn Utilization & Technology Conference

Corn, CUTC, NCGA, Technology, University

Filter Technology Key to Corn Milling Process

Carrie Muehling

The sifting and separation process is an important one when it comes to corn and wet milling.

Sefar is a global company headquartered in Switzerland, whose specialty is precision weaving synthetic fabrics used in a variety of applications primarily for filtration, including in corn and wet milling plants.

“We have a lot of partnerships and ongoing businesses with the corn and wet milling plants throughout the United States and we supply particular products that they need to keep their plants running,” said Curt Carstens, vice president of sales for the process filtration division at Sefar.

Carstens said the Corn Utilization & Technology Conference is a great place to interface with researchers who are not already familiar with the company, and to reconnect with those that are.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Curt here: Interview with Curt Carstens, Sefar

2018 Corn Utilization & Technology Conference

Audio, Corn, CUTC

Zimfo Bytes 6/8

Carrie Muehling

  • BRP redesigned its lineup of Can-Am ATVs and side-by-side vehicles for 2019. Redesigned Outlander ATVs heighten adventure with top-tier performance, world-class handling, incredible design, and friendlier price tag. Can-Am Defender vehicles get rugged upgrades and one-year limited warranty in the U.S. and Canada.
  • MGEX announced another historical month with 180,836 contracts recorded for May 2018. With an 11 percent increase between the now best and second-best May, recorded in 2014, 2018 has proven to be an all-around steady year for MGEX.
  • IDEAg Minnesota Farmfest announced its first national anthem contest for this year’s show, scheduled for Aug. 7-9, in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. The winner will be invited to sing the national anthem on the Wick Buildings Farmfest Center stage the opening day of Farmfest in front of 500 potential attendees. The winner will receive free entry to Farmfest for him/herself and up to three guests for Tuesday. The deadline to apply is July 6. Interested singers can visit the Farmfest website to apply.
  • Lindsay Corporation, a leading global manufacturer/distributor of irrigation and infrastructure equipment and technology, and Farmers Edge, a global leader in decision agriculture, today announced a new strategic partnership that will deliver an unmatched suite of ag tech and digital agronomy solutions for their customers.
  • FMC Corporation and Chr. Hansen have announced a five-year extension of their collaboration to develop and commercialize natural solutions for the agricultural industry. The collaboration, which has launched several natural products over the last five years, has enabled both Chr. Hansen and FMC to join resources and expertise to accelerate entry into the rapidly growing biological crop protection market.
  • The Farm Credit Administration has launched a redesign of its website, which includes a brief video about the agency’s mission.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation announced that Michael Nepveux has joined the organization as an economist in the Public Affairs Department. Nepveux will play an important role in conducting economic research and analysis on a broad range of factors related to agricultural commodity markets and policy.
Zimfo Bytes

Viligen™ is Alltech’s Newest Innovation for Pig Producers

Cindy Zimmerman

Alltech launched its latest technology for swine gut health at the recent ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference and producers got to learn more about Viligen™ at World Pork Expo this week.

Viligen™ focuses on enhancing gut form and function while optimizing the immune system to maintain health status. For producers with weaned pigs, Viligen promotes gut health by directly targeting the gut mucosa. When the technology is added to the diet of piglets, it prepares the immature gut for efficient nutrient absorption and rapid growth, and it encourages feed intake by providing fatty acids, prebiotic components and readily available mineral forms.

“So far, feedback from Viligen use on U.S. pig farms has been very positive,” said Russell Gilliam, Alltech U.S. swine business leader. “At Alltech, we understand that pig producers with weaned pigs are looking for technologies and solutions that lower production costs without compromising on performance.”

Read more about Viligen from Alltech and learn more in this interview with Gilliam from WPX: Interview with Russell Gilliam, Alltech, on Viligen

Coverage of World Pork Expo is sponsored by World Pork Expo virtual newsroom sponsored by AlltechWorld Pork Expo virtual newsroom sponsored by showriteWorld Pork Expo virtual newsroom sponsored by hubbard
AgWired Animal, Alltech, Animal Health, Audio, Swine, World Pork Expo

USDA’s BioPreferred Program Continues Growth

Carrie Muehling

USDA’s BioPreferred Program continues to grow as technology brings more and more new products to the market.

“We’ve seen tremendous growth in our part of the supply chain. I’m here today exhibiting and sharing information and education and outreach about the BioPreferred Program,” said Kate Lewis, deputy program manager. Lewis exhibited at the Corn Utilization and Technology Conference in St. Louis.

Lewis said the bio-based market continues to be small with about 50,000 products available right now. But she believes technological advances will spur more growth, making products more available and more affordable as time goes on.

“Given the current economic and political climate, this program is more relevant than ever,” said Lewis. “It enjoys bipartisan support because of the benefits that it brings back. Bio-based products can be more environmentally preferable as it relates to the attribute of carbon associated with it. They are definitely sustaining and bringing value to farmers who are mostly located in rural communities and contributing to the rural economy.”

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Kate here: Interview with Kate Lewis, USDA

2018 Corn Utilization & Technology Conference Photo Album

Audio, CUTC, USDA

Ibach Visits Pork Expo

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach addressed pork producers at a World Pork Expo luncheon Wednesday.

Topics Ibach addressed that are of particular interest to the pork industry included animal health, biotechnology, gene editing and trade issues. He also talked about farm bill negotiations and establishing a vaccine bank for livestock producers.

Listen to or download Ibach’s address: USDA Under Secretary Greg Ibach at 2018 World Pork Expo

2018 World Pork Expo photo album

Coverage of World Pork Expo is sponsored by World Pork Expo virtual newsroom sponsored by AlltechWorld Pork Expo virtual newsroom sponsored by showriteWorld Pork Expo virtual newsroom sponsored by hubbard
AgWired Animal, Audio, Pork, USDA, World Pork Expo

2018 CUTC is a Wrap

Cindy Zimmerman

The first Corn Utilization and Technology Conference was held 30 years ago. Since 1987, CUTC has brought together leading innovators to focus on new uses for corn with the goals of expanding markets and demand while improving quality and efficiency.

National Corn Growers Association CEO Chris Novak says this year’s conference this week was another great success for the future of the industry. “Corn can be at the forefront of a biobased economy,” said Novak. “We have the opportunity to use corn and corn products to replace petrochemicals in a way that will create additional demand for our farmers and create more sustainable products.”

Listen to Novak’s wrap up interview from CUTC: CUTC interview with NCGA CEO Chris Novak

2018 CUTC Photo Album

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Corn, CUTC, NCGA