Precision Ag Bytes 8/23

Kelly Marshall

  • The application deadline for the Award for Conservation Excellence (ACE) is August 31, 2017.  This non-profit award acknowledges exceptional contribution to wildlife conservation and is presented by Banovich Wildscapes Foundation and Southeastern Wildlife Exposition and sponsored by Cabela’s Outdoor Fund and the Cabela Family Foundation.
  • Monsanto Company has reached a global licensing agreement with biotechnology company, ToolGen, Inc., The agreement includes the use of ToolGen’s CRISPR technology platform to develop agricultural products.
  • NRGene, the worldwide leader in genomic assembly and analysis, has provided scientists with the complete genome of Italian ryegrass, one of the most important forage crops in temperate regions worldwide.  This task was previously impossible but was accomplished with DeNovoMAGICTM 3.0.
  • Vermeer is pleased to introduce the latest 5 ft by 4 ft balers, the 504R Classic and the 504R Premium. These introductions complete the brand’s 504R baler platform by adding an economical, entry-level option, as well as a top-of-the line baler.
  • AgBiome announced that Howler fungicide received registration from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Howler is a biological fungicide that is highly effective against fungal diseases common to high-value crops.

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AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes

Midwest Seed Genetics Humbled By Reception

Jamie Johansen

Just a few weeks ago we announced the comeback of seedsmen Don Funk, who is leading a team of entrepreneurs in the launch of Midwest Seed Genetics. While attending the 2017 U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange, I ran into Wayne Hoener, Midwest Seed Genetics, we sat down to learn what’s happened since their debut.

“It has been overwhelming and we are so humbled by this reception. I can hardly keep up whether it’s a text, email or phone call. That just tells us that the grower today is looking for a change. What we are doing isn’t rocket science. We are just trying to match really good, elite products with a component story and option for growers that’s best for them. We also want to be surrounded by great people. It’s that simple.” Hoener said.

Midwest Seed Genetics has taken on an outward focus. They do the things that growers tell them they want, not what they decide is good for them.

“We believe our seed industry has forgotten there is a use for every bit of this grain we produce in this world,” Hoener said. They want to equally focus on the consumer, the poultry and hog integrators, etc. What are they wanting in the products?

Listen to my complete conversation here: Interview with Wayne Hoener, Midwest Seed Genetics

You can find photos from the event here: U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange Photo Album

Agribusiness, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Grains, Soybean, USSEC

Commerce Finds Unfairly Subsidized Biodiesel Exports

Cindy Zimmerman

The preliminary determination of the U.S. Department of Commerce is that exporters of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia did receive “countervailable subsidies” and may allow for collection of retroactive duties.

“The U.S. values its relationships with Argentina and Indonesia, but even friendly nations must play by the rules,” said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. The department determined that both countries subsidized exports by as much as 68 percent, and that “critical circumstances exist” that would pave the way for imposing duties going back to May 2017.

“The Commerce Department has recognized what this industry has known all along—that foreign biodiesel producers have benefited from massive subsidies that have severely injured U.S. biodiesel producers,” said Doug Whitehead, chief operating officer of the National Biodiesel Board, on behalf of the NBB Fair Trade Coalition.

As a result of Commerce’s ruling, importers of Argentinian and Indonesian biodiesel will be required to pay cash deposits on biodiesel imported from those countries once the preliminary determination is published in the Federal Register sometime next week and rates for Argentina will apply retroactively 90 days from the date of the notice. Imports of biodiesel from Argentina again jumped 144.5 percent following the filing of the petitions.

Biodiesel, Trade

Nebraska USFRA Food Dialogues to Focus on GMOs

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) is joining with the Nebraska Soybean Board to host a “Food Dialogues: Pivoting the GMO Conversation” at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln September 6 from 1:00-2:30 pm.

Among the Dialogue participants will be Hilary Maricle, a Nebraska cattle, corn, pig and soybean farmer and CommonGround volunteer; and USFRA Face of Farming & Ranching Jeremy Brown, an organic cotton farmer from Texas.

The Dialogue will be livestreamed on USFRA’s Facebook page for those unable to be there in person. Find out more here.

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Soybean, USFRA

Bayer at Work to Combat Citrus Greening

Chuck Zimmerman

During the 2017 Citrus Expo I visited with Adrian Percy, Bayer, about the partnership announcement between Bayer and the Citrus Research and Development Foundation to combat citrus greening disease. Adrian says that Bayer is uniquely qualified to take on the disease because of its long history in disease control and a great range of fungicide products and also work in the biologicals space.

The need to find a solution is significant according to Adrian since the Florida citrus industry has seen a fifty percent drop in production in the last ten years due to the effects of the disease. He says there will probably be a number of elements to a final solution that will come out of the project which is in an initial three year agreement period.

You can listen to my interview with Adrian here to learn more: Interview with Adrian Percy, Bayer

You can find photos from the event here: Bayer/CRDF Press Conference Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer, Citrus

U.S. Grain Inspection – What to Expect

Jamie Johansen

One of the breakout sessions during the 2017 U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange provided an overview on how the soy and grain inspection system operated. This gave U.S. growers a better understanding of how their grain was managed once it left the farm and more importantly provided international buyers with the information needed to ensure they were getting a quality product.

Director, USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) Office of Dept. Initiatives and International Affairs, Byron Reilly, said, “The federal grain inspection service is an impartial third party to the sale of a contract. We don’t see the particulars of the contract. We only look at the grain quality requirements that the buyers want us to look for.”

Reilly also reminds parties involved that the cost of these services is included in the price per ton. His office also helps organizations like U.S. Soy Export Council (USSEC) with their market development activities in other countries holding hands-on grain inspection seminars with attendees.

Listen to my complete interview with Reilly here: Interview with Byron Reilly, USDA, GIPSA

You can find photos from the event here: U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange Photo Album

Ag Groups, AgWired Precision, Audio, Exports, GIPSA, Grains, Soybean, Trade, USDA, USSEC

Shifting to High Octane Ethanol Future

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) annual conference last week included a panel on shifting to high-octane fuel.

First, Trey Binford, product manager of North America Dispensers at Wayne Fueling Systems, discussed the infrastructure component. He explained why Wayne differentiated itself as the first equipment manufacturer to exclusively offer fuel dispensers UL-listed for E25 to gasoline retailers in North America.

Brian West with the Fuels, Engines and Emissions Research Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory shared the testing underway on engines to help demonstrate the benefits of high-octane fuel to help automakers meet fuel economy and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets.

Finally ACE members heard from Adam Gustafson, partner at Boyden Gray & Associates, who is helping lead an effort to enable automakers and consumers to experience the benefits of high-octane fuel.

ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings moderated the panel discussion – listen to it here: ACE Conference Octane Panel

2017 ACE Conference Photo Album

ACE, Audio, Ethanol

Nebraska Proudly Hosts #USSoyExchange

Jamie Johansen

To kick off the 2017 U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange, Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Mike Foley provided opening remarks to the international and domestic soybean audience. I was able to speak with the Lt. Governor who shared how proud the state is of its agricultural industry. He said, “It’s really the backbone of our economy. We like to grow things.”

“It’s a big deal for us to have so many importers, people from a variety of countries here to learn more about agriculture in Nebraska. We want them to learn about the safety and quality we have in the production of our goods. I think as they spend more time here, they will want to buy more and more of our goods,” said Lt. Governor Foley.

The state’s water supply and growing conditions are also something to brag about. Finding more international markets helps Nebraska build its economy and hosting conferences like this gives a voice to the farmers and ranchers throughout the state.

Listen to our complete conversation with Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Mike Foley here: Interview with Nebraska Lt. Gov. Mike Foley

You can find photos from the event here: U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange Photo Album

Ag Groups, AgWired Precision, Audio, Exports, Markets, Soybean, Trade, USSEC

Animal Ag Bites 8/21

Kelly Marshall

AgWired Animal, Animal Bites

Moving More Ethanol Exports

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. ethanol exports are setting records this year and that is due at least in part to the efforts of the U.S. Grains Council ethanol advisory team, chaired this year by Jim Glavin, CEO of Lakeview Energy.

Galvin spoke at the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) annual conference last week in Omaha about some of the global headwinds and tailwinds for exports. “Number one, we’re looking at trying to double exports,” said Galvin, noting the industry is expanding at a rate of about three percent a year.

At the same time, Galvin says the U.S. ethanol industry has lately become a victim of its own export success, with major markets like China and Brazil restricting imports this year.

Listen to Galvin’s presentation and interview below.

Audio files:
Interview with Jim Galvin, Lakeview Energy
Jim Galvin, Lakeview Energy, remarks

2017 ACE Conference Photo Album

ACE, Audio, Corn, Ethanol, USGC