Bayer Enters Partnership to Combat Citrus Greening

Chuck Zimmerman

This morning Bayer teamed up with the Citrus Research and Development Foundation to find solutions to the devastating Citrus Greening disease. During the partnership press conference the organizations signed a research collaboration agreement. Pictured are (l-r) Adrian Percy, Head of R&D, Bayer, Tom Jerkins, citrus grower & President of CRDF and Dr. Harold Browning, COO, CRDF.

Citrus Greening disease currently threatens the global citrus production and juice industry. Currently no effective treatment against the bacterium Candidatus liberibacter, the causal agent of Citrus Greening, is available. Under the long-term research agreement, Bayer will provide access to its Disease Control know-how and will coordinate public and private research to find novel solutions for Citrus Greening in Florida and beyond. CRDF is organizing the financing of this project, combining public funds with contributions from the citrus growers and the juice industry. The partnership is financially supported by PepsiCo and The Coca-Cola Company, two leaders in the juice industry.

The research activities will focus on a broad set of possible tools against Citrus Greening, mainly to identify biological disease control solutions or molecules that modulate the plants’ innate immune defense system. The objective of this joint effort is to discover one or more solutions that would be available to Florida citrus growers as soon as possible. Any potential treatment resulting from this research project would be further developed and commercialized by Bayer.

Florida is the second-largest producer of orange juice globally and is seeing rapid decline in production due to the disease. According to the Florida Department of Citrus, from 2015-2016, Florida produced just 81.5 million boxes of oranges, compared with 147 million boxes in 2005-2006, and 205 million boxes in 1995-1996.

“Without advanced tools to control Citrus Greening, the citrus industry in Florida could be out of business within 10 to 15 years,” said Adrian Percy, Head of Research & Development at the Crop Science division of Bayer. “This research project will address key elements of a holistic agronomic solution for citrus growers to help battle this devastating disease.”

Harold Browning, COO of CRDF, added: “Anti-bacterial solutions are considered to be crucial by the industry to preserve citrus in Florida until disease-tolerant citrus trees will be available. This agreement is an important step to ensure the survival and competitiveness of Florida´s citrus growers through innovation.”

You can listen to the press conference here or watch the live video from Facebook below: Bayer/CRDF Press Conference

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


Audio, Bayer, Citrus, Video

Relationships Drive U.S. Soy Exports

Kelly Marshall

The U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange & Midwest Specialty Grains Conference and Trade Show in Omaha, Nebraska is running full tilt and Jamie Johansen has it covered.  In her interview with U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) CEO Jim Sutter, the two addressed the relationship building essential to trade and the reasons the global market chooses U.S. soy.

“This [event] is just kind of a great opportunity to showcase what USSEC does in terms of networking and building relationships between buyers from around the world and our U.S. export industry and of course the U.S. growers that grow the crop that we help market.  Whether a person is buying seed on their farm or buying a tractor or a car, whatever it is, I always think there’s this personal connection and this event is all about helping to build that personal connection,” Sutter shares.

Sutter also spoke to the future of soy.  “It’s a growth industry,” he explains.  Everyone from around the world is seeing growth, and that’s a reassuring thing, even with low prices.  U.S. soy is also sustainable, which is a great story for the United States to tell to the many foreign visitors at the event.

Learn more in Jamie’s full interview with Sutter here: Interview with Jim Sutter, CEO U.S. Soybean Export Council

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

AgWired Precision, Exports, Soybean, USSEC

Precision Ag Bytes 8/16

Kelly Marshall

  • The Soil Health Institute in Research Triangle Park (RTP) near Raleigh, NC is seeking an experienced, professional Soil Scientist/Agronomist with expertise in both fields for a 1-3 year term appointment.
  • Agri-tech company, Inocucor, has added two agriculture bioscience leaders, Carole Cobb and Gregg Bogosian, Ph.D., to its Manufacturing Advisory Board.
  • The Soil Health Institute announced five researchers will receive Soil Health Literature and Information Review Grants designated to foster soil health promoting research.  The $40,000 in total grant funds were supplied by a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes

30th Annual ACE Conference Underway

Cindy Zimmerman

Members of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) have gathered in Omaha for the organization’s 30th annual conference this week, with the theme “Tested. Proven. Driven.”

Executive Vice President Brian Jennings says the industry has a lot to celebrate. “We are on the precipice of opportunity in a lot of areas,” he said. “We’ve made as much progress as this industry ever has.”

This morning, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, who is a strong supporter of ethanol, is addressing the group, and Jennings says they are very happy to have him. “Governor Ricketts is so articulate, so passionate, so energetic, and he has a great rapport with the White House.”

Listen to the interview with Jennings here and stay tuned for more coverage.

Audio file: Interview with Brian Jennings, 30th ACE annual conference

2017 ACE Conference Photo Album

ACE, Audio, Corn, Ethanol

ZimmCast with Abe Hughes, Trimble – Agriculture

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 556I thoroughly enjoyed working with Abe Hughes when he worked for New Holland and now he has just been appointed to worldwide general manager for Trimble’s Agriculture Division within the Resources and Utilities segment. So congratulations Abe! Abe has only been on the job a little while but I bothered him for a phone interview for this week’s ZimmCast.

“I see Trimble’s innovation in precision agriculture, global presence, Vantage distribution network and OEM customers as key assets in Trimble’s success,” said Abe Hughes. “I’m excited to work with the Trimble team and our channel partners to drive the next phase of growth for the business.”

When you listen to our conversation you’ll hear that excitement in Abe’s voice. We discussed the recent acquisition announcement by Trimble of Müller-Elektronik to extend its precision agriculture capabilities from the vehicle to the implement. Abe explains what that means and from my perspective it is a pretty major step by Trimble. You’ll learn more about what’s going on with Trimble if you take a listen to the program.

I hope you enjoy the program and thank you for listening!

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast with Abe Hughes, Trimble

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.
Agribusiness, Audio, Precision Agriculture, ZimmCast

Ethanol and Motorcycles Mix at Sturgis Rally

Cindy Zimmerman

At the 2017 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally last week, the Renewable Fuels Association stepped up its efforts to provide motorcycle owners with the facts about the use of ethanol their engines – mainly that ten percent ethanol is approved by every major motorcycle manufacturer.

This was ninth year for the ethanol sponsorship at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Campground and it just keeps getting better. This edition of the Ethanol Report includes comments from RFA VP of Industry Relations Robert White, Buffalo Chip Campground owner Rod Woodruff, RFA chairman Mick Henderson and some bikers who filled up during Free Fuel Happy Hours.

Learn what was new at the Ethanol Report from 2017 Sturgis Rally

2017 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally photo album

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Audio, Ethanol, Podcasts, RFA

Drive to Feed Kids Combats Childhood Food Insecurity

Jamie Johansen

The Missouri Farmers Care (MFC) launched the Drive to Feed Kids on the opening day of the Missouri State Fair in an effort to combat childhood food insecurity and showcase Missouri agriculture. Funds from the Drive will leverage food bank distribution networks to deliver kid-friendly meals to hungry children across Missouri. The Drive is led by Missouri Farmers Care, Feeding Missouri, Brownfield Ag News, the Missouri State Fair and Missouri FFA.

“Hunger isn’t an issue that only happens somewhere else,” said Alan Wessler D.V.M, chairman of MFC, “it is a pervasive concern across Missouri’s rural communities. All of us in agriculture are focused on doing our best to produce food. We’re also focused on making our communities the best they can be. When children face hunger, it presents challenges in coming to school able to learn and thrive. It is time to consider what we can do to help. The good news is that regional food banks, affiliated through Feeding Missouri, have a proven and efficient way to deliver food to those who need it most.”

On opening day a screening of “Where the Fast Lane Ends”, a film showing the responsible use of agricultural science and technology, also took place. The screening was followed by a concert featuring Sawyer Brown with Royal Wade Kimes. Sawyer Brown lead singer, Mark Miller, wrote and produced “Where the Fast Lane Ends.” A check for $165,284 was presented to Feeding Missouri during the concert, but it’s not over. More is in the works and you can do your part.

To continue the efforts, the Missouri FFA Association hosted a food packing event and food drive as part of the Drive and in partnership with Monsanto and Brownfield Ag News.

Tim Steever, Brownfield Ag News, was on the ground for opening day and shared some conversations he had with key leaders of the event.

Interview with Dr. Alan Wessler, Chairman of MFC
Interview with Monica Palmer, Feeding Missouri
Interview with Mark Miller, Lead Singer, Sawyer Brown

Ag Groups, Audio, Food

Miss South Dakota Pumps Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Probably no other contestant at the 2017 Miss America pageant September 10 can say that they have pumped 10 percent ethanol fuel for bikers at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. But Miss South Dakota can.

Miranda Mack is from Redfield, home to Redfield Energy and the South Dakota Ethanol Producers Association, (SDEPA) which is a big sponsor of Miss South Dakota. “They sponsor my fuel costs as I travel all over the state this year,” she said, as she helped pump fuel and hand out t-shirts, looking only slightly out of place in her heels and tiara!

SDEPA president and Redfield Chief Administrative Officer Dana Siefkes-Lewis arranged for Miranda’s appearance at the Free Fuel Happy Hours sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Campground.

Audio file: Interview with Miss South Dakota Miranda Mack

2017 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally photo album

Audio, Ethanol, RFA

SMART Farmer Phil Borgic

Cindy Zimmerman

Meet the Illinois hog farmer whose family farm is the star of the 360 video the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance has been sharing around the country this year. You can watch the video without effects below – and if you have a VR viewer or headset take a look in 360.

Phil Borgic has a family farm in Nokomis, Illinois where he raises hogs, corn, soybeans and wheat. He also serves on the board of directors for the National Pork Producers Council and the USFRA. In this podcast, he talks about how today’s production methods are both humane and sustainable, in addition to being smart.

Learn more about Phil in this episode – SMART Farmer Podcast with Illinois hog farmer Phil Borgic

Subscribe to the SMART Farmer podcast

Learn more about USFRA and SMART Farm


AgWired Animal, Audio, USFRA

Iowa Farmer is 1st Woman to Chair USGC

Cindy Zimmerman

Iowa farmer Deb Keller was elected as U.S. Grains Council (USGC) chairman at the organization’s 57th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in Vancouver, Washington earlier this month. She is the first female selected for the role in the organization’s nearly 60 year history.

Keller’s experience as a strong advocate for trade will amplify the Council’s mission of developing markets, enabling trade and improving lives. “Thinking ahead, I see so many areas for growth, but I also see challenges that will take much time and patience to see through,” Keller said in her incoming chairman’s remarks. “After working with our delegates, the board and our staff both internationally and domestically, I know we can be successful together.”

Keller has a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Purdue University and has farmed in Wright County, Iowa, for more than 25 years with her husband, Gary, whom she met while working in a corn field.

Learn more about the new chair in this interview from Tony St. James – All Ag, All Day. Thanks Tony!

Interview with USGC chair Deb Keller
AgWired Precision, Audio, Corn, Ethanol, USGC