Ethanol Coalition Suing EPA Over Refinery Waivers

Cindy Zimmerman

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.

ACE, Corn, EPA, Ethanol, NCGA, RFA

Precision Ag Bytes 5/30

Carrie Muehling

  • 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.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes

China’s Impact on U.S. Beef Demand

Carrie Muehling

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

2018 ONE 18: The Alltech Ideas Conference Photo Album

AgWired Animal, Alltech, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Trade

DOJ Conditionally Approves Bayer-Monsanto

Cindy Zimmerman

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.

Agribusiness, Bayer

GROWMARK: Agriculture Background Not Required

Carrie Muehling

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

AgWired Precision, Audio, GROWMARK

Animal Ag Bites 5/29

Carrie Muehling

  • 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.
AgWired Animal, Animal Bites

Crops & Chemicals USA 18 to Feature Regulatory Updates

Cindy Zimmerman

Federal regulators from EPA, FDA and USDA are among the presenters at this year’s Crops & Chemicals USA meeting, July 23-25, 2018 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The agenda for this year’s meeting provides attendees with the critical science, technologies and contacts needed to accelerate the development and regulatory approval of biostimulant, biopesticide and agrochemical products.

U.S. regulatory updates for the industry will be provided by:

Robert Merker, PhD. Supervisory Consumer Safety Officer, US FDA
Neil Hoffman, PhD, Chief Scientific Advisor, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, USDA
Robert McNally, Director, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention, US EPA

Industry insight will also be provided by many other speakers representing companies such as DowDupont and Verdesian, as well as university experts.

More information and registration details for Crops & Chemicals USA is available online. Save an extra 10% when you register here using the VIP code AGNEWSWIRE (new registrations only).

Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Biologicals, Biotech, Events

ZimmCast 585 – ONE 18, Alltech Ideas Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

In this week’s program I’m sharing several interviews from the ONE 18, Alltech Ideas Conference.

First up is Aidan Connolly, Alltech VP, who talks about technology and what he hopes to convey to attendees this year.

Next up is USDA Under Secretary Bill Northey. Bill talks Farm Bill, RFS and his department, Farm and Foreign Agriculture Service.

Finally, you will hear from @TheFarmBabe, Michelle Miller, who talks about how she became interested in agvocating and is now considered a top social media influencer for agriculture.

There is a lot more you can listen to from ONE 18 by visiting our virtual ag newsroom on AgNewsWire.com.

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 585 - ONE 18, Alltech Ideas Conference

I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

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

The ZimmCast

sponsored by
The ZimmCast podcast is sponsored by GROWMARK
Locally owned, globally strong.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, ZimmCast

Four Alltech Global Accelerator Internal Startups

Carrie Muehling

Eight Pearse Lyons Accelerator startup companies were introduced at the recent ONE Ideas Conference, including four that are internal to Alltech.

Rebecca Noble works in Alltech’s business development for crop science division. She describes Adentro as a crop protection brand of the future, using new science and new research. The name of the company translates to “inside” or “within.” Noble and her colleagues are looking inside the plant to make it a better version of itself, using technology that naturally activates bio-immunity in a plant by switching on its defense genes. It’s a different approach than the conventional external plant protection.

Rebecca Noble, Adentro - an Alltech company

Alltech’s North American Brand Manager Brian Lawless is working on a startup called PenPoint, which is tackling Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD). Lawless said BRD represents over 70 percent of animal deaths in feed yards. The company has developed a wearable activity tracker for cows to monitor eating and drinking habits as well as other movement. Lawless said providing producers with more information about the health of their animals helps them make better decisions about animal nutrition.

Brian Lawless, PenPoint - an Alltech company

Focusing on human nutrition, Alltech’s truly brand is taking the guesswork out of supplements. Alltech Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist Nikki Putnam works on the truly brand, which provides online consultation to help consumers identify dietary and supplement needs. The folks at truly then personalize packs of supplements and provide those to the consumer through a monthly subscription service.

Nikki Putnam, truly - an Alltech company

Canada-based Smart Dairy is helping dairy farmers to improve efficiencies on the farm. Alltech’s Stuart McGregor explained the program’s goal is a 20 percent improvement in efficiency based on looking at factors like farm management, labor, herd health, and nutrition management. The program is designed to deploy Alltech’s nutrition and ag-tech breakthroughs to farms via nutritionists.

Stuart McGregor, Smart Dairy - an Alltech company

A clear route to market remains a challenge within the industry, and the Alltech program provides startups with accelerated access to the global market, with a comprehensive package of support to help them navigate the challenge of scaling their operations to service large corporate customers. The program is run in conjunction with Dogpatch Labs, a leading startup organization based in Dublin, Ireland, and culminated at ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference, where the startups pitched to leading agribusiness leaders, high-profile investors and the press.

ONE 18: The Alltech Ideas Conference Photo Album

AgWired Animal, Alltech, Animal Agriculture, Apps, Audio, Crop Science, Dairy, Livestock, Technology

Four Alltech Global Accelerator External Startups

Carrie Muehling

In its second year of existence, The Pearse Lyons Accelerator is adding eight new agriculture startups, featured at this year’s ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference. Four internal and four external companies make up this year’s participants.

Israel-based eggXYt provides technology that allows hatcheries and chicken breeders to detect the gender of chicken embryos. The goal is to stop the unnecessary killing of male chicks not needed by the poultry industry each year. Co-Founder and CEO Yehuda Elram said the technology has both ethical and economic implications.

Interview with Yehuda Elram, eggXYt

Another external company in this year’s accelerator is Vence, based in the United States. The virtual fencing idea enables management and monitoring of livestock via smartphones. CEO Frank Wooten said virtual fencing can be an answer when traditional fences present a challenge.

Interview with Frank Wooten, Vence

SmartBow CEO and Founder Wolfgang Auer said his Austria-based company saves livestock farmers money by helping with early detection of sickness in animals, thanks to the SMART eartag sensor. The sensor can detect early signs of sickness based on changes in behavior, appetite, social interactions. This happens up to five days before the animal shows clinical signs of being sick.

Interview with Wolfgang Auer, SmartBow

The final external company is farming three million insects in the heart of London, United Kingdom. Entocycle Chief Commercial Officer James Millar described the first environmentally controlled, fully automated system to produce industrial levels of Black Soldier Fly protein. These flies don’t have a mouth, which means they are non-disease and non-pests. Millar said the life cycle from baby larvae to adult larvae is just six days. The long term goal is to use the protein for human consumption in staple foods like pasta and bread. But in the short term, the company is looking to provide protein to livestock like poultry and cattle.

Interview with James Millar, Entocycle

The Pearse Lyons Accelerator is a unique late-stage, agri-tech accelerator run by Alltech and Dogpatch Labs that aims to address a diverse set of challenges facing agriculture today. Backed by the late Irish entrepreneur Dr. Pearse Lyons, last year’s startups collectively added $50 million in new qualified sales leads across 28 international markets by the end of the accelerator.

ONE 18: The Alltech Ideas Conference Photo Album

AgWired Animal, Alltech, Animal Agriculture, Apps, Audio, Livestock, Technology