ZimmCast 732 – New Executive Director of NAFB

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCastI’m getting a break from the agriblogging highway after last week’s AgGateway Mid-Year Meeting in Altoona, IA. Cindy and I have worked on our calendar through the end of the year and there are quite a few more places to be around the USA.

In this episode I have a conversation with Gardner Hatch, the new Executive Director of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB). We have known Gardner for a long time and he is a card carrying member of the ZimmComm Golden Mic Club and was the recipient of one of the first Golden Mic Awards at the Agri-Marketing Conference.

Gardner talks about why he chose to make this career move and the NAFB 10 year strategic plan and priorities.

Listen to the episode here:
ZimmCast 732 - Conversation with new Executive Director of NAFB (12:51)

That’s the ZimmCast for this week. I hope you enjoyed it and thank you for listening.

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Audio, Media, NAFB, ZimmCast

AgGateway Publishes ADAPT Standard 1.0

Cindy Zimmerman

Members of AgGateway at the Mid-Year Meeting in Iowa last week were excited about the recent publication of the ADAPT Standard 1.0, a data model designed for the business-to-business transfer of agricultural production data.

ADAPT stands for Ag Data Application Programming Toolkit and ADAPT Standard 1.0 is the successor to the AgGateway ADAPT Framework released in 2015 that served as a software plugin toolkit to read proprietary files. Unlike the earlier toolkit, the ADAPT Standard is data only and has no software dependencies.

Stuart Rhea, Endless Wonder Consulting, has been working on the standard with AgGateway. “We simplified that model and made it language agnostic,” said Rhea. “It’s a very exciting development because it will take the already global footprint of the ADAPT framework and make it available to even more people.”

AgGateway Chief Technology Officer Jim Wilson says the new standard sets them up for continued development. “We have an incredible set of tools, processes, production methods, ways to get developers the resources they need to get the job done in ways that make them most productive.”

Learn more about what the publication of ADAPT Standard 1.0 means and what the future could hold in these interviews from last week’s AgGateway Mid-Year Meeting.

Stuart Rhea, Endless Wonder Consulting 10:48

Jim Wilson, AgGateway 5:13

2024 AgGateway Mid-Year Meeting Photo Album

ag retailers, AgGateway, Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, data, Precision Agriculture

AgGateway Tackling Environmental Reporting

Cindy Zimmerman

Environmental reporting is becoming a major challenge for the agricultural industry and AgGateway is planning to take on that challenge at the annual meeting in November.

“We’re putting a real focus on the next six months of identifying the people doing this environmental reporting and helping growers,” said AgGateway Executive VP & COO Jeremy Wilson. “We’re going to have at least one session to talk about the core data we have to collect … and how do we help growers get all that reporting completed.”

Wilson says that will probably lead to the formation of a working group to help streamline the process and make it easier to collect the data.

Learn more in this interview with Wilson from last week’s AgGateway Mid-Year Meeting.

Jeremy Wilson, Interview 4:16

2024 AgGateway Mid-Year Meeting Photo Album

ag retailers, AgGateway, AgWired Precision, Audio, data

Industry Ag News 6/14

Carrie Muehling

  • G&S, an award-winning independent agency, has acquired Morgan & Myers, Inc., dba MorganMyers, expanding its leading position in agribusiness marketing and increasing its portfolio of food and CPG brands. The MorganMyers team brings significant expertise and relationships with industry-leading clients in agricultural production and technology, farm and commodity organizations, as well as food and beverage. The firm has a 42-year history of success that reflects the team’s passion for award-winning strategy, creativity, innovation and the ability to help clients create meaningful brand connections. Moving forward, it will be a wholly owned subsidiary of G&S and go to market as MorganMyers, a G&S Agency.
  • The World Food Prize Foundation announced the selection of six interns for the prestigious George Washington Carver (GWC) Internship program for the Summer of 2024. Since its inception in 2001, the GWC Internship program has impacted over 350 students worldwide.
  • Agri-Pulse is pleased to announce that Chloe Lovejoy is joining the media company’s editorial team as an associate editor, based in Sacramento. She will work with Brad Hooker to expand daily, weekly and special project coverage in California.
  • The International Agri-Center, World Ag Expo, and the Central Valley Toyota Dealers presented a check in the amount of $101,457.32 to Valley Children’s Healthcare during the All Guild Picnic held on May 22nd, in Madera, California. The donation marks another impactful milestone in the ongoing partnership, which began in 2015. Since then, over $730,000 has been raised to support Valley Children’s Healthcare.
  • From June 25-28, the National FFA Organization will be hosting its summer Next Gen Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The topic of the conference is “Food Products and Processing Systems” and high school student attendees will learn through informational sessions, panels and tours.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association is excited to welcome CF Industries and Separator Technology Solutions (STS) to its expanding group of associate members. The new members reflect RFA’s continuous commitment to growing its network of leading organizations and businesses driving technological innovation and environmental progress in the renewable fuels sector.
  • Rollin’ on the River is the theme for the 2024 Southern Peanut Growers Conference in Savannah, Georgia July 17-19. The three-day event provides farmers with information about peanut production, legislative issues, marketing and promotions.
  • The next 30 days is the last opportunity to lock in your early bird pricing and hotel block rate for Agricultural Media Summit. Join us in Kansas City, MO, from August 3-6 to build connections, sharpen your skills and advance your career.
  • The National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Corn Board has elected Jed Bower, of Washington Court House, Ohio, as the organization’s next first vice president for the new fiscal year, which begins October 1, 2024.
  • The American Sugar Alliance joined together with Ducks Unlimited, National Cotton Council, U.S. Rice Producers Association, Farm Credit Council, and Purina ahead of the Congressional Baseball Game to celebrate the strength and resilience of the winning team of farm families who help feed our nation. Founded in 1909, the Congressional Baseball Game brings together members of Congress and fans for a bipartisan game that raises money for local charities.
  • The 2024 American Agri-Women (AAW) Fly-In, a groundbreaking event that brought together women from across the agricultural and natural resource industries, took place in the nation’s capital. The AAW Fly-In was opened to all women in these fields for the first time in its history, offering a unique platform to engage with legislators, agencies, and professionals on critical agricultural issues and policies.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    AgGateway and ICAR Working Together

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Daniel Lefebvre, President, ICAR, and Brent Kemp, President and CEO, AgGateway

    Representatives from AgGateway and the International Committee on Animal Recording (ICAR) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) designed to improve digital interoperability in animal agriculture applications. ICAR is a leader in livestock identification and associated data exchange.

    AgGateway has been facilitating a member working group around traceability data needs for feed inputs to dairy herds and member Phil Kibosh with Vita Plus says the MOU will allow the working group to maximize member value and build upon work already done. “ICAR does a lot of standards in Europe from a production animal standpoint,” said Kibosh. “Obviously AgGateway does standards in the U.S. and it was a good idea for the two entities to join forces.”

    Learn more in this interview.
    Phil Kubesh Interview 2:12

    2024 AgGateway Mid-Year Meeting Photo Album

    AgGateway, AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, data, Livestock

    Farmers, Car Dealers and Oil Companies Sue Over EV Push

    Cindy Zimmerman

    An unlikely coalition of farmers, car dealers, and the oil industry have joined together to push back against the push for mandated electric vehicles.

    The National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation and six auto dealers representing 16 brands and collectively operating dozens of dealerships in major markets across the country joined the American Petroleum Institute today in filing a lawsuit in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s light-duty and medium-duty vehicle emissions standards for model years 2027-2032. The groups said EPA exceeded its congressional authority with the regulation and rendered a decision that values one tool for fighting climate change over others.

    NCGA and AFBF argue that the emissions standards, which require 68% of new passenger vehicles and 43% of new medium-duty trucks and vans to be electric by 2032, “ignore the proven benefits corn ethanol offers in reducing greenhouse gas emissions” and will hurt farmers by driving up the cost of farm vehicles and forcing farmers to “rely on a charging network that does not yet exist in rural areas.”

    AFBF, Corn, EPA, Ethanol, NCGA

    Jason Minton Joins Taranis as Chief Commercial Officer

    Cindy Zimmerman

    AI-powered crop intelligence company Taranis announces the appointment of former Bayer lead Jason Minton as Chief Commercial Officer.

    “Jason’s diverse leadership background within some of the most well-known agriculture companies will position him well to serve and lead Taranis’ commercial endeavors,” said Taranis Chief Executive Officer Opher Flohr. “His expertise in the field, along with his commitment to customer experience, will help advance the adoption and application of AI-powered insights within the agriculture sector. With the recent appointment of Syngenta’s Vern Hawkins to our Board of Directors in February, Taranis continues to bring on the industry’s best leadership and expertise.”

    Minton holds a degree in biology from Millikin University and says that a love of science and technology combined with a desire to advance crop health has helped drive his career. Beginning his career in the agriculture sector with Monsanto, Minton led operations for the company’s US Customer Centricity Program and managed both sales teams and dealer networks. During his career with Bayer Crop Science, he held pivotal roles in area business management and strategic account management with a focus on crop protection, seed portfolio management and customer experience. Most recently, he served as the Regional Business Lead for the Midwest.

    Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, AI, people, Precision Agriculture

    Precision Ag News 6/12

    Carrie Muehling

  • The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) announced the winners of the organization’s 2024 Leadership in Agri-Biotechnology Awards — honoring Dr. Annette Kleiser, CEO of Dalan Animal Health, as the recipient of the George Washington Carver Award and Sylvia Wulf, president and CEO of AquaBounty Technologies, as the recipient of the Rosalind Franklin Award. The two awards recognize biotechnology leaders who are driving cutting-edge breakthroughs in agricultural, environmental, and industrial biotechnology.
  • The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) opened registration with a rejuvenated schedule for its annual Conference & Expo, to be held Dec. 3-5 in Houston, Texas.
  • Discover how a digital agronomy approach can help your company thrive in a competitive landscape and position itself as a go-to partner for farmers seeking cutting-edge digital expertise and guidance. Work smarter, not harder and unlock digitally-driven business growth in your retail operation. Secure your spot for a live webinar on Thursday, June 20 at 2:00 p.m. EDT now.
  • The members of trade association CropLife International have issued an Industry Declaration renewing and reaffirming their commitment to the principles and standards of the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management. The Declaration marks the first anniversary of the publication of their Guide to Industry on the Code’s implementation.
  • Campbell Tractor Co., a long-standing John Deere dealer since 1940, has partnered with Ecorobotix to introduce the ARA ultra-high precision sprayer to Idaho and Oregon. With six locations across these states, Campbell Tractor continues its legacy of offering quality agricultural products and services by incorporating this cutting-edge technology into its lineup.
  • A new genetically engineered potato developed by Michigan State University potato breeder Dave Douches has been granted exemption from the biotechnology regulations placed on genetically modified products by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS). The Kal91.3 potato is bred from an MSU potato variety named Kalkaska. The newly developed potato can be stored in cool temperatures for long periods of time without sucrose, the compound that sugar is typically stored in potatoes as, converting into reducing sugars such as fructose and glucose. Without as many reducing sugars, off-color browning and caramelization can be minimized in the Kal91.3 potato, leading to healthier and higher-quality products, including potato chips. The Kal91.3 potato can also reduce the environmental impact of the growing process without as many fertilizers and pesticides needed to maintain the potato during storage.
  • Emergent Connext announced the launch of its groundbreaking Internet-of-Things (IoT) network solution for AgTech in California’s Central Valley, revolutionizing the way farming is done. In a new strategic partnership with Cal.net, headquartered in Shingle Springs, Calif., Emergent and Cal.net are closing the connectivity gap that exists in agricultural fields and rural communities with its low-cost network that enables smart IoT sensors & devices for AgTech. This will improve farm and ranch profitability by reducing labor costs, minimizing farm inputs and protecting against overuse of precious natural resources.
  • BASF Agricultural Solutions has introduced Nemasphere nematode resistance trait, the most groundbreaking innovation in soybean cyst nematode (SCN) management in over 60 years. Nemasphere is the first and only biotechnology trait for SCN, the number one yield-robbing pest in soybeans in the United States. Harnessing a completely novel mode of action, Nemasphere will be stacked with the Enlist E3 technology and available in a full range of the top-performing and best-yielding soybean seed varieties, allowing farmers unmatched SCN resistance without compromising yield potential.
  • Sollum Technologies, the pioneer behind the only 100 percent full programmable dynamic lighting solution, proudly announces a strategic partnership with Leaficient, a leader in precision plant measurement and lighting control technologies. The collaboration aims to advance lighting strategies and recipes by integrating precise plant growth data in Sollum’s advanced algorithms in order to learn, adapt, and optimize cultivation in real time.
  • In response to the severe challenges wrought by the ongoing war in Ukraine, EOS Data Analytics has unveiled ‘Harvesting Hope,’ an initiative designed to spotlight the crisis engulfing Ukraine’s agricultural sector. This comprehensive webpage features an interactive map that showcases historical and forecasted yields of main crops in Ukraine in 2021-2024. Additionally, the initiative contextualizes the current state of Ukraine’s agriculture and its impact on global food security.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    AgGateway Update at Mid-Year Meeting

    Cindy Zimmerman

    AgGateway President and CEO Brent Kemp provided a positive update on organization activities at the Mid-Year Meeting in Altoona, Iowa this week.

    “AgGateway’s been around the world this year,” said Kemp. “At the Wisconsin Dairy Expo, at the VISION Conference, at IPPE, at ASABE’s annual meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, we’ve been at Commodity Classic, at the ADSA Discovery Conference…we’ve been at the ICAR annual conference in Bled, Slovenia, and we’ve been at Agrishow in Brazil.”

    Kemp noted that AgGateway is heading into the final year of the current five year strategic plan. “I’m proud to say we are meeting or exceeding most of those goals,” said Kemp. “But this isn’t the close for AgGateway, we’ve kicked off our 2026 to 2030 strategic planning process.”

    Representatives from AgGateway and ICAR, which is the International Committee on Animal Recording, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last month designed to allow both organizations to better utilize existing resources and more rapidly develop projects that improve digital interoperability in animal agriculture applications.

    Listen to Kemp’s report and interview below.
    Brent Kemp, CEO Report 16:42

    Brent Kemp, Interview 5:16

    2024 AgGateway Mid-Year Meeting Photo Album

    AgGateway, AgWired Precision, Audio, data

    DPH Biologicals Launches Microbial Nutrient Enhancer

    Cindy Zimmerman

    DPH Biologicals has launched EnvelixTM Prime, a patented, biological nutrient enhancer designed to uniformly cover bulk dry fertilizer in a single application.

    “Envelix Prime enables both retailers and growers to seamlessly unlock the value of biologicals on a broader scale,” said Mick Messman, DPH Bio President & CEO. “Just one pound of Envelix Prime evenly covers a ton of dry fertilizer, giving retailers a way to differentiate their fertilizer blends with biology while giving growers a single-purchase, single application route to enhanced performance and an increased return on their fertilizer investment.”

    Envelix Prime is applied with dry fertilizer across broad acre fields.

    Envelix Prime is DPH Bio’s first product to be powered by recently announced Prime™ technology to accelerate the germination of bacteria spores. In a recent corn trial, Prime enabled more than 70% of spores to germinate at temperatures as high as 98.6 degrees, while those without Prime germinated less than 10%.

    “We are excited to get Envelix Prime out on the broad acre this fall enabling many growers the opportunity to experience the benefits of biologicals for the first time. This integrated approach requires no change in practice for the grower and, with the addition of Prime, we are confident that growers will consistently see the benefits this dynamic product unlocks both in the field and to their bottom line,” said Messman.

    Envelix Prime is available now to retail partners and fertilizer blending facilities. For more information about DPH Bio’s technology platforms – RegenAphex™ and Prime, as well as DPH Bio’s expanded product portfolio, visit www.dphbio.com.

    AgWired Precision, Biologicals, Fertilizer, Precision Agriculture