RFA Ethanol Podcast

Animal Ag News 7/1

Carrie Muehling

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting applications starting on Monday, July 1 through its updated Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) to provide financial assistance to eligible dairy producers who incur milk losses due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as H5N1infection in their dairy herds. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) expanded ELAP through the rule-making process to assist with a portion of financial losses resulting from reduced milk production when cattle are removed from commercial milking in dairy herds having a confirmed positive H5N1 test. Positive test results must be confirmed through the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL).
  • As of June 1, there were 74.5 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up one percent from June 2023 and up slightly from March 1, 2024, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced new action to support the Biden-Harris Administration’s plan for a fairer, more competitive, and more resilient meat and poultry supply chain. USDA’s Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets proposed rule would tackle longstanding challenges around interpretations of unfairness and competitive injury for the livestock, meat, and poultry sectors. This will support farmers and growers, and continues President Biden’s work to lower food costs for consumers.
  • Since the bird flu was first reported in dairy cows on March 25, farmers and ranchers have been looking for more ways to protect their animals and understand the spread of the virus. Agri-Pulse is pleased to host a webinar on July 11 at 1 pm Eastern time that’s focused on what can be done to protect against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and other zoonotic diseases that have the potential to disrupt not only our food supply but the entire agriculture economy.
  • A nutrition incentive program that helps low-income families purchase healthy milk is expanding in more than 500 stores across six states. Midwest retailer Meijer recently doubled the Add Milk! program discount it offers to SNAP-eligible participants – upping it to 40 percent off any brand or size of low-fat or non-fat milk. A community event held at Meijer store in East Lansing, Mich., marked the expansion of the program. U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) was in attendance. The Add Milk! program is made possible by a $4 million cooperative agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Auburn University’s College of Human Sciences Hunger Solutions Institute (HSI) through a program named Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives (HFMI) Projects. The HFMI pilot program was established as part of the 2018 Farm Bill to promote milk as part of a healthy, balanced diet consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
  • Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative announced Sammi Nunez as the newest addition to its communication team. As the digital marketing specialist, Nunez will oversee social media strategy and digital marketing efforts for the cooperative and its affiliate organizations.
  • With more than $2.5 million, the Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture (M-AAA) will invest in 23 new research and outreach projects led by Michigan State University researchers and MSU Extension educators. The funding is available through the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) budget.
  • The National Pork Board (NPB) welcomes Patrick Fleming as vice president of demand development. In his new role, Fleming will lead the marketing and domestic demand team on a revolutionary, data-driven approach to make pork more relevant to more Americans. His return to NPB coincides with the culmination of an 18-month effort funded by the Pork Checkoff to develop and deploy new consumer market research and insights across the pork industry.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision in the case Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo—a decision that reins in the legal concept of Chevron deference and reduces overreaching regulations from federal agencies that lack congressional authority. NCBA previously joined other national agricultural and business organizations in submitting an amicus brief to the Supreme Court arguing for the overruling of Chevron deference.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Cotton Council Announces Don Parker Memorial Scholarship

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Don Parker at 2022 Beltwide Cotton Conferences

    The National Cotton Council (NCC), in collaboration with The Cotton Foundation and Mississippi State University, has established the Don Parker Memorial Cotton Foundation Endowed Scholarship to honor the memory of Dr. Parker who passed away in 2023 after serving NCC since 2007.

    Parker first served as Manager of Integrated Pest Management and later as Vice President, Technical Services and Executive Director of the Cotton Foundation. He dedicated his career to advancing agricultural education, promotion, and inclusivity within the agriculture industry. As a visionary leader, he championed the cause of underrepresented minorities, recognizing their immense potential to shape the future of farming. This scholarship seeks to provide permanent financial support to deserving students who aspire to achieve degrees in agricultural-related programs.

    Two tax deductible opportunities exist to honor the work of Dr. Don Parker. Larger group or corporate donors may prefer to choose the permanent endowed scholarship, while individuals may wish to make an immediate impact in Fall 2025. Follow the respective links below for the two opportunities:

    Fall 2025 Scholarship
    Permanent Endowed Scholarship

    Cotton, people

    USDA Estimates Corn Acres Down 3%, Soybeans Up 3%

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The planted acres report out Friday from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimates 91.5 million acres of corn planted in the United States for 2024, down 3% from last year, with soybean acres estimated at 86.1 million acres, up 3% from last year.

    The estimate for all cotton planted area for 2024 is 11.7 million acres, 14% above 2023. Upland cotton planted is estimated at 11.5 million acres, up 14% from last year. American Pima planted area is estimated at 182,000 acres, up 24% from 2023.

    Corn, Cotton, Soybean, USDA

    Industry Ag News 6/28

    Carrie Muehling

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new state-of-the-art USDA grape research facility on the Cornell AgriTech campus.
  • America’s Largest Seed Industry Convention is now open for attendee registration and hotel reservations. Join the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) this December 10-13 in Orlando for the Field Crop Seed Convention, an unparalleled seed business networking and educational opportunity.
  • The 2024 Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Research Days are scheduled for July 10-24, and farmers are invited to join us at their convenience during this two week period to learn practical information about the newest technologies that they can use to improve their operations. The Sunbelt team looks forward to welcoming farmers and professionals in the ag industry to a self-guided driving tour of the Darrell Williams Research Farm located at the Expo show site at Spence Field in Moultrie, Ga.
  • The American Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA) joined the Brazilian Cotton Shippers Association (ANEA) and the Australian Cotton Shippers Association by signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement focuses our organizations on collectively addressing matters of efficiency in the global supply chain, collaboration to enhance security within the cotton trade, and recognition of cotton’s comparative sustainability to manmade fiber.
  • Register now for the Southern Peanut Growers Conference on July 17-19 at Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah, Georgia. View the full conference schedule here.
  • Jawbone Holler, the debut novel of veteran agricultural communicator Mace Thornton, is officially being released for retail sales on July 9. The compelling historical fiction tale recounts the adventures of Perry Adams, an ambitious, flawed and misunderstood young pioneer.
  • On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, the National Wheat Foundation and Maryland wheat grower Eric Spates, hosted a wheat farm tour for congressional staff and USDA employees. The attendees had the opportunity to explore the farm, witness the wheat harvesting process, and listen to speakers who specialize in the agriculture industry. The discussions centered around crucial topics such as risk management, conservation, pesticide programs, environmental issues, and what happens to the wheat when it leaves Eric’s farm.
  • Curious Plot, a Minneapolis-based marketing, communications and consulting agency serving the food, agriculture and companion animal care markets, won the Agricultural Relations Council’s (ARC) 2024 Golden ARC de Excellence Award. This award recognizes the best all-around entry in ARC’s Communications Contest Campaigns Division. Curious Plot’s “Curious Plot Food Thought Leadership Campaign” organization and corporate reputation campaign entry achieved this top honor. All Golden ARC Award winners were announced during ARC’s Annual Meeting, held June 18-20, in Cincinnati. The Golden ARC Awards contest has recognized exceptional work created by public relations professionals in the agricultural industry since 1990.
  • In a deal that closed Thursday, June 27, with COFCO International, GROWMARK became the sole owner of one of the most influential grain warehouses in the state of Illinois due to its connection with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). The purchase also marks the first time the facility will be owned by an American agricultural cooperative.
  • As Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day with family gatherings and festive cookouts, National Farmers Union (NFU) released the updated “Farmer’s Share of the Food Dollar” for items typically enjoyed during a Fourth of July cookout. These figures reveal how much family farmers earn compared to the amount consumers pay at the grocery store.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    DWFI Podcast 36 – Impacts of Drought on Human Health

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Drought is a prolonged dry period that can occur anywhere in the world and results in a water shortage. Unlike some other disasters, drought has a slow onset and a prolonged impact on health, agriculture, economies, energy and the environment.

    An estimated 55 million people globally are affected by droughts every year and as many as 700 million people are at-risk of being displaced as a result of drought by 2030. As of June 4, 2024, more than 10 percent of the U.S. is experiencing a drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. In fact, drought is one of the costliest and deadliest climate-related disasters in the United States.

    In this episode of the Water for Food Podcast, DWFI Director of Communications and Public Relations Frances Hayes chats with experts in drought and health who shed light on this complex topic, including the areas of respiratory concerns, stress among farmers, engagement with the public health community through the Drought and Public Health Roadmap and a global public health perspective. Guests include Dr. Yeongjin Gwon, Rachel Lookadoo, JD and Dr. Jesse Bell of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and affiliated with DWFI, as well as Dr. Jesse Berman of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.

    If you or a loved one is experiencing or affected by a mental health, substance use, or suicidal crisis, please call or text “988” (or chat online on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website) for free, confidential, and immediate help.

    Listen here or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:
    DWFI podcast episode 36 35:37

    The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska was founded with the mission to have a lasting and significant impact on achieving more food security with less pressure on scarce water resources by conducting scientific and policy research, using the research results to inform policy makers, and sharing knowledge through education and communication.

    How to subscribe:

    Audio, Podcasts, Water for Food, Weather

    Precision Ag News 6/27

    Carrie Muehling

  • A team of Michigan State University researchers has received a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to investigate the climate change mitigation potential of switchgrass cropping systems.
  • Sky Power International, one of the leading providers of innovative propulsion solutions for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), announced the launch of its new online shop. The new shop provides a user-friendly platform for customers worldwide.
  • A new article researched and co-authored by American Soybean Association staff explores how farmers can potentially benefit from new biotechnology innovations. The piece offers promising options for America’s half a million soy growers and was recently reviewed and published in the journal Frontiers in Plant Sciences. The article by ASA Director of Government Affairs Kyle Kunkler and Chief Economist Scott Gerlt, Ph.D., is part of a research topic symposium hosted by the journal. It considers how plant molecular farming can benefit U.S. soybean farmers and create new markets for consumers and the most successful ways to launch these varieties.
  • Nutrien, a leading crop inputs and services provider, recently committed $1 million over four years to support sustainable agriculture practices for rice growers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Texas and California. Through the USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited decade-long Rice Stewardship Program, we have built a field team of partners who have worked on more than 1,000 rice farms spanning nearly one million acres, improving agricultural and environmental performances.
  • Syngenta has introduced four new sustainability priorities, each with a clear set of targets, to drive farmer success and positive environmental outcomes in agriculture:
    Higher Yields, Lower Impact: This priority focuses on accelerating crop productivity while reducing the impact on the planet through more sustainable technologies.
    Regenerate Soil and Nature: This priority will help us enable the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices to help farmers improve productivity, soil health, biodiversity and climate.
    Improve Rural Prosperity: This priority drives us to improve the prosperity of low-income and under-served farmers by improving their access to inputs, knowledge, finance and markets.
    Sustainable Operations: This priority centers on reducing the environmental impact of our operations and supply chain, strengthening our diverse and inclusive culture, and ensuring the health and safety of our people.
  • Tampa Bay Sun FC, the first professional women’s soccer team in Tampa, has inked a multi-year partnership with BRANDT, an innovator in agricultural solutions. The new official ‘Plant Health Partner’ will work with the Club on educating fans about ways to reduce food waste through community programming and gameday activities.
  • BeeHero, the pioneer of data-driven precision pollination, revealed its ESG data from 2023. The data showcases how the company’s Precision Pollination as a Service (PPaaS) solution, which is operational globally including across Australia and North America, has resulted in 629 million bees saved, 1,174 tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided, and an over 240 percent increase in acres pollinated. In doing so, BeeHero has contributed to SDG goals of food security, reduced emissions, and the protection of the ecosystem.
  • Biolevel Ltd., a global biological nutrition company dedicated to developing and delivering a new generation of products that benefit farmers, has appointed Bill Cordingley as Chief Executive Officer. A senior executive of 19 years at Rabobank Group in both New York and Sydney, Cordingley most recently served as the bank’s Global Head of Grains, Oilseeds and Sugar in its Corporate Finance Group. His wealth of global agribusiness finance experience, and leadership expertise, positions Biolevel for a new phase of rapid growth to become a global biologicals market leader.
  • Bayer aims to launch ten blockbuster products in the next ten years to support farmers worldwide, the company announced at its 2024 Crop Science innovation update in Chicago. Each blockbuster is expected to contribute more than 500 million euros of the over 32-billion-euros peak sales potential in the R&D pipeline – unparalleled across the global agricultural industry. Farmers will benefit from new technologies that will help them produce more while restoring nature through innovations that power regenerative agriculture.
  • Veteran ag industry seedsman and business leader Nathan Louiso has joined the management team at Meristem Crop Performance as Vice President and National Sales Manager. In the new role, Louiso will focus near-term on building the sales organization to better serve the growing number of farm businesses benefiting from Meristem’s innovative product portfolio, including the game-changing Bio-Capsule seed fluency delivery system.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Rabobank BBQ Index is Hotter Than Ever

    Cindy Zimmerman

    At a cost of $99, the latest Rabobank BBQ Index is hotter than ever this year and consumers are feeling the heat.

    The 2024 Rabobank BBQ Index, which measures the cost of staple ingredients for a 10-person barbecue, shows that it will cost $99 to host a cookout on the Fourth of July this year, up from $97 last year and $73 in 2018. This year, beer, beef, soda and lettuce account for a hefty 64% of total barbecue cost. That brings the inflation gain for a Fourth of July barbecue up to 32% since 2019.

    Food inflation jumped 25% from 2019 to the end of 2023. But it has been the little bit of additional inflation in the first half of 2024 that has been the tipping point.

    “The consumer is waving the white flag on food inflation,” said Tom Bailey, senior consumer foods analyst at Rabobank. “With an added 2% in price hikes in 2024 coupled with the cost disparity between dining out and cooking at home at its widest margin in history, we’re seeing heightened fatigue and frugality.”

    Bailey, along with Rabobank senior beef analyst Lance Zimmerman, and senior poultry analyst Christine McCracken, took a look at the numbers and how consumers are adjusting their spending habits to cope during the BBQ Index presentation on Wednesday.

    Learn more here.

    Beef, Food

    UFA Co-operative and MyLand Announce Commercial Pilot

    Cindy Zimmerman

    MyLand UFA ReleaseUFA Co-operative (UFA) and soil health company MyLand are excited to announce a three-year collaboration on a commercial pilot with various growers in Alberta, Canada. The goal of the initiative is to transform responsible farming practices and soil health management, leveraging advanced microbial technologies to benefit farmers and the environment.

    The commercial pilot will be integrating MyLand’s proprietary technology and Soil as a Service to enhance the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the soil. This integration aims to result in enhanced soil fertility, optimized crop yields, and the promotion of eco-friendly farming practices through the MyLand Service.

    The key objective of the commercial pilot is to evaluate the impact of the MyLand Service on farming operations within Alberta.

    “We are thrilled to collaborate with MyLand on this commercial pilot,” said Janay Meisser, Director of Innovation at UFA. “Combining our agricultural expertise with MyLand’s innovative soil health solution will enable us to deliver significant benefits to our farmers and demonstrates UFA’s commitment to advancing innovation and technology in Alberta’s agricultural sector.”

    “We are excited to partner with UFA in this groundbreaking initiative,” said Dane Hague, CEO & Co-Founder of MyLand. “This collaboration will not only enhance soil health and crop yields but also promote sustainable and responsible farming practices, benefiting farmers and the environment.”

    This announcement marks a significant step forward in the collaboration between UFA and MyLand, showcasing a commitment to innovation and regenerative solutions in support of Alberta’s agricultural sector.

    AgWired Precision, Precision Agriculture, Soil, Technology

    AMVAC® Promotes Rick Rice to Business Unit Leader

    Cindy Zimmerman

    AMVAC®, an American Vanguard® Company, announces the promotion of Rick Rice to business unit leader, application technologies.

    In his new role, Rice leads the company’s application technology business unit (ATBU) which oversees the commercial aspects of AMVAC’s legacy systems SmartBox® and Lock’N Load® as well as SIMPAS® technologies (SIMPAS, SmartBox+/SIMPAS Solo), SIMPAS-applied Solutions® and ULTIMUS®.

    Under Rice’s leadership, AMVAC’s ATBU will continue its commitment to positioning the company’s innovative precision ag technologies as tailored solutions to address evolving market demands.

    Rice has enjoyed a long career in sales and marketing in the crop protection, seed genetics, biotechnology and application technology sectors. He holds a B.S. in agricultural economics and business development from Arkansas State University and joined AMVAC in 2015 as director, application technology, demonstrating exceptional leadership qualities and a deep understanding of the agriculture landscape.

    AMVAC, people

    Animal Ag News 6/24

    Carrie Muehling

  • The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) has released the white paper from the 13th Annual Antibiotics Symposium – Thriving in a Changing Landscape. The White Paper provides a summary of the science-based information presented regarding the use of antibiotics in food-animals, public and environmental health implications, and the next steps of stewardship.
  • Registration is now open for the Public Lands Council’s (PLC) 56th Annual Meeting that will be held in Grand Junction, Colorado from September 17-19.
  • Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative announced a first-of-its-kind program providing dairy farmers with the tools and resources needed to navigate the permitting process. The Maestro program assists farmers in orchestrating the many steps and processes of obtaining and maintaining a permit. It will also include a proprietary technology platform to help farmers capture their on-farm data.
  • Florida Conservation Group proudly announces the appointment of Don Quincey to its esteemed Board of Directors. With his wealth of experience and passion for environmental preservation, Quincy is set to make a significant impact on the organization’s mission.
  • On June 1, CK6 Consulting, along with strategic partners Texas Beefhouse, launched the first-of-its-kind auction platform for beef sales. Bid on Beef is the vision of Chris Earl, owner of Reverse Rocking R Ranch and CK6 Consulting in New Mexico. Working with beef cattle producers across the nation. CK6 Consulting has conducted $150 million in sales through price discovery in auctions, and now the team is taking that same concept directly to the consumer.
  • Twenty students will receive a total of $22,250 in scholarships from FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative this year. 2024 marks the twelfth year that the cooperative has been providing scholarships, for a grand total of 261 recipients totaling $248,500.
  • When Wade Leist first came back to the family’s stockyards from auctioneer school in 2004, his dad didn’t exactly turn the auctions over to him — and he says that’s a good thing. Instead, the elder Leist started his son out selling a few baby calves here and there, and spending plenty of time working in the back. The tactic paid off, as 20 years later, Leist came out on top in the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship, hosted by Livestock Marketing Association. It was the ninth time to compete for the auctioneer who regularly sells at Mitchell Livestock Marketing, Mitchell, South Dakota, United Producers Inc., St. Louis, Michigan, and his family’s Northern Michigan Livestock, Gaylord, Michigan.
  • A University of Minnesota team took first place in the Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) New Product Competition with a cheese spread that meets the contest’s guidelines of creating innovative dairy-based products for consumers’ health and wellness needs. The students created Yay-tost, a creamy Norwegian-style, brown, whey-based cheese spread that offers health-conscious consumers a good source of protein, contains 3 grams of dietary fiber and is an excellent source of calcium. The product comes in an aluminum squeeze tube that is recyclable.
  • Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative announced efforts, in partnership with several other dairy supporters, to codify the protection of timely payments and accurate testing as legislative text in the next farm bill. The request to move these specific FMMO provisions into legislation was prompted by the uncertainty created when volumes of milk are de-pooled, leaving farmers outside of the FMMO and oversight of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service. This action aims to extend these protections, currently granted when a processor is pooled, to all farmers and processors regardless of their participation in the FMMO.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites