#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

FLM Harvest Will Represent Oregon Hazelnut Industry

Carrie Muehling

The Oregon Hazelnut Marketing Board (OHMB) has chosen FLM Harvest as its marketing-communications agency as the Oregon hazelnut industry experiences significant growth.

Oregon growers produce 99 percent of U.S. hazelnuts. Their acreage has more than doubled in the past five years and continues to increase by at least 8,000 acres each year. OHMB selected FLM Harvest after a competitive search to cultivate new demand within the foodservice, manufacturing, retail and consumer markets.

“As our industry expands, it is important that we continue to broaden awareness and understanding of Oregon hazelnuts’ benefits and versatility while maintaining a premium price for our growers,” said Meredith Nagely, OHMB manager. “FLM Harvest uniquely understands the food industry value chain, as well as the consumer food landscape.”

FLM Harvest also represents the Mushroom Council, National Watermelon Promotion Board and Southern Peanut Growers.

Agencies, FLM Harvest

Using Digital Agriculture to Enable a Reliable Supply Chain

Carrie Muehling

Technology is here to stay, and digital agriculture is helping farmers of all ages to better serve the processors and consumers they are supplying.

“I think we sometimes discount how well some of the older generation actually uses the technology. I think some of the older generations have grasped the technology. They are utilizing it,” said Roger Theisen, business manager for specialty corn with Corteva Agriscience. “I believe some of the younger generations are going to be able to take that information, take that technology, and maybe use it a little more specific to acre profitability, just the different things that they want to do with those acres or for their farming operation.”

Theisen said digital agriculture is helping all aspects of agriculture, from the producer to the processor to the consumer. He said using that technology can not only help farmers to realize more profit when margins are tight, but it can also help them to be better stewards of the resources they have on the farm. That same information can better serve consumers as they strive to learn more about where their food comes from and how it is being produced. Theisen moderated a panel at the 2018 Corn Utilization & Technology Conference in St. Louis.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Roger here: Interview with Roger Theisen, Corteva Agriscience

2018 Corn Utilization & Technology Conference Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, CUTC, Precision Agriculture

Ethanol and Trade Center Stage for NCGA

Cindy Zimmerman

National Corn Growers Association president Kevin Skunes of North Dakota says he expected to be focused mainly on the farm bill this year, but trade and ethanol have “taken a lot of oxygen out of the room.”

During an interview at the Corn Utilization and Technology Conference (CUTC) this week, Skunes saiede they are disappointed that the House version of the farm bill was defeated as a result of a “non-agriculture issue” because farmers are really struggling right now. “The number one priority in a farm bill for us is a robust crop insurance program,” he said.

In this interview, Skunes also comments on trade issues, ethanol, the Bayer Monsanto closing, and more.

Interview with NCGA president Kevin Skunes

2018 CUTC Photo Album

Audio, Corn, CUTC, NCGA