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Industry Ag News 5/17

Carrie Muehling

  • Charleston Orwig, a collective of independent brands comprised of C.O.nxt and Jigsaw agencies recently welcomed Meghan Ebbe to its 100% employee-owned agency. She brings extensive digital marketing experience to the collective’s robust roster of purpose-driven brands in agriculture and food & beverage, as well as service industries and considered purchases clientele.
  • Orbia Netafim, the global leader in sustainable precision irrigation solutions and agricultural projects, announces the appointment of Aubrey Bettencourt as the company’s new Global Director of Government Relations and External Affairs.
  • Plans for the 2025 Commodity Classic are well underway as America’s largest farmer-led agricultural and educational experience takes place March 2–4, 2025 in Denver, CO. The theme for the 2025 show is “Elevating Excellence in Agriculture.”
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the Congressional District Profiles and Rankings from the 2022 Census of Agriculture. This summary presents data by congressional district from the 118th Congress that includes land, farms, market value of agricultural products sold, rankings and producer characteristics.
  • The Propane Education & Research Council announces its Double Propane Farm Incentive Program will now include farmers who have experienced devastation from the recent tornado activity across the Midwest. From now through December 31, 2024, impacted producers in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, or Ohio who apply for the Propane Farm Incentive Program can earn double the incentive amount for qualifying propane-powered equipment. Eligible equipment includes irrigation engines, building/water heating systems, power generators, and flame weeding systems.
  • Mark your calendars and make plans to join the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse for the Ag Outlook Forum September 16, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Central at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association is pleased to announce the addition of BKV Corporation to its esteemed roster of associate members. This partnership underscores RFA’s commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and its dedication to supporting the growth of the renewable fuels industry.
  • With the next Farm Bill on the horizon, two sugarbeet farmers recently took to the pages of their homestate papers to praise U.S. sugar policy for keeping our food supply secure and supporting their family farms. U.S. sugar policy must be preserved and strengthened in the next Farm Bill. Colorado farmer Paul Schlagel grows sugarbeets in Boulder County for Western Sugar Cooperative. His family farm has been in operation for more than 100 years. Paul wrote in his op-ed for the Colorado Springs Gazette that the economic pressures and significant cost increases facing farmers requires a stronger farm safety net.
  • The manufacture and discard of traditional superabsorbent materials — typically made from synthetic polymers, primarily polyacrylate-based compounds — are affecting the planet. Purdue University researchers are developing biodegradable materials that retain water in a cleaner, more sustainable way and have much less environmental impact. Senay Simsek leads a team of researchers in Purdue’s College of Agriculture using cellulose extracted from hemp and refined through a sequence of treatments to create the patent-pending, superabsorbent materials. Simsek is a professor in and the head of the Department of Food Science, and holds the Dean’s Chair in Food Science.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Agri-Pulse Announces Passing of Bill Tomson

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Agri-Pulse’s senior trade editor Bill Tomson passed away on May 12 following a battle with cancer. He was 55.

    “Bill was extremely dedicated to bringing our readers the very best insights on trade and any topic he covered. He worked tirelessly to get information from his vast network of sources,” said Agri-Pulse Founder and Publisher Sara Wyant. “We will miss him terribly.”

    Tomson joined Agri-Pulse in 2016 and quickly stood out for his ability to get scoops on trade topics. He traveled across Brazil in 2018 for Agri-Pulse, providing updates on the country’s growth in agriculture and infrastructure improvements. During a trip to Cuba in 2022, he met with President Raúl Castro to discuss expansion of agricultural trade with the island nation.

    Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack offered his condolences on X, “His contributions as a reporter gave voice to many important issues in agriculture, and he will be deeply missed both personally and as a professional across USDA.”

    Tomson was a native of Washington, D.C. and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Central Michigan University. He is survived by his wife Marcia and daughter Chloe; two siblings, Jeff and Amy; and his parents, Bill and Anne.

    A memorial service will be June 15th at 2:00 pm at the Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Dunn Loring, VA – www.holycrossepiscopal.org.

    Agri-Pulse, obituariess, people

    Precision Ag News 5/16

    Carrie Muehling

  • In response to President Biden’s Executive Order 14081, “Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have developed a plan to update, streamline, and clarify their regulations and oversight mechanisms for products of biotechnology.
  • The Daugherty Water for Food Institute is playing a key role in organizing the upcoming 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia, May 18-25 and ensuring that water for food is a key focus throughout the event. The Forum is held every three years by the World Water Council (WWC) and a hosting country. DWFI is a member organization of the WWC and DWFI Executive Director Peter McCornick is serving his second three-year term as one of 35 members of the WWC Board of Governors, with DWFI Director of Research Christopher Neale as an alternate.
  • The Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC) released its 2023 Annual Report. ESMC’s Eco-Harvest program compensates farmers and ranchers for reduced greenhouse gases, increased soil carbon, improved water quality, and other ecosystem services benefits.
  • When you think about the importance of using raw materials more efficiently and sustainably as part of the circular economy, do carrots and cows come to mind? You should, because it’s an important part of what California agriculture has to offer. For example, the nation’s largest organic carrot grower is also supplying culls and baby carrot peels to feed Santa Carota Beef. You can learn more about reuse and recycling on California farms during the Agri-Pulse Food & Ag Issues Summit. Enter promo code MEDIA24 at checkout for free registration.
  • Lindsay Corporation, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of irrigation and infrastructure equipment and technology, announced enhancements to FieldNET Advisor, its award-winning irrigation management solution. FieldNET Advisor simplifies irrigation decisions for growers, and now through advanced technology also improves the product’s return on investment with real-time data upgrades, whole farm management, and simplified subscriptions.
  • GROWMARK, Inc. has partnered with Optimus Technologies, Inc., to test biodiesel in five semi-tractors in GROWMARK’s Manito Transit fleet as a potential pathway for transitioning the entire fleet to low-carbon fuels as part of GROWMARK’s ongoing efforts to look for decarbonization opportunities within the GROWMARK System.
  • Two scientists who were instrumental in creating a back-up vault of the world’s crop seeds to protect global food security have been named the 2024 World Food Prize Laureates. Dr. Geoffrey Hawtin OBE, Founding Director and Executive Board member at the Global Crop Diversity Trust, and Dr. Cary Fowler, currently the U.S. Special Envoy for Global Food Security, were chosen by the World Food Prize Laureate Selection Committee for their longstanding contribution to seed conservation and crop biodiversity.
  • AMVAC, an American Vanguard Company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mason Bennett as Vice President, North American Crop. In his new role, Bennett is responsible for AMVAC’s national sales strategy while also overseeing multiple regional business units and AMVAC’s U.S. key account management team and customer service team.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    ZimmCast 731 – Celebration of Modern Ag in DC

    Cindy Zimmerman

    ZimmCastThe second Celebration of Modern Ag on the National Mall was bigger and better than the first in 2022 with over 50 exhibits spotlighting the Future of Food and Farming.

    The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) partnered with member companies and ag organizations to hold the three-day event which featured combine harvesters, milking equipment, sprayers and planters, irrigation equipment, tractors big and small, as well as dozens of interactive and hands-on exhibits.

    In this edition of the ZimmCast, we hear about the event from AEM President Megan Tanel; Netafim representatives Aubrey Bettencourt and Mike Bloomfield; Courtney Schlichte with John Deere and Joaquin Azocar from DeLaval; Rick Falconer, Rijk Zwaan USA, representing the American Seed Trade Association; and Jeremy Wilson of AgGateway.

    Listen to the episode here:
    ZimmCast 731 - Celebration of Modern Ag in DC (19:30)

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

    Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

    AEM, AgWired Precision, Audio, Equipment, Precision Agriculture, Sustainability, Technology, ZimmCast

    GRAINCO FS Offers App Developed with Intelinair

    Cindy Zimmerman

    This crop season, GRAINCO FS is offering myFS Agronomy as its latest digital agronomic tool for on-farm data-driven decision-making for its farmer customers in Kendall, LaSalle, and Grundy counties in Illinois.

    The new digital platform and app, developed with Intelinair, provides in-season and postseason actionable insights and analytics for improved operational efficiency and return on investment. For years, GRAINCO FS has been at the forefront of providing innovative digital solutions to its customers. The recently launched app available now brings new features and functionality for an improved experience.

    GRAINCO FS uses the tech platform to analyze the crop on every acre across their entire trade territory to ensure their crop specialists are given the best data to make the decisions during the season to maximize the crop and to understand what seed, inputs, and practices will bring the highest ROI for each acre and in each situation postseason. All of this being built on real, local data gives their customers access to information they have never been able to see.

    “Our goal is to make technology simple enough that anyone can utilize it with analytics that find the answers to two difficult questions – What is the problem and how do I fix it? Analyze is a big step in that direction that this feature will continue to evolve,” said Conner Schmidt, National Sales Leader for Intelinair. “GRAINCO FS has and will continue to play a large role in this innovation. I look forward to working together with GRAINCO FS to push the envelope further.”

    Learn more about the myFS Agronomy platform or request a demo by visiting www.graincofs.com/myfsagronomy

    AgWired Precision, Cooperatives, FS System, GROWMARK, Precision Agriculture, Technology

    2024 Student NAMA Winners

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Purdue NAMA celebrates big win

    Purdue University’s student NAMA chapter took home first place in the 2024 Student Marketing Competition at the National Agri-Marketing Conference last month in Kansas City. In addition, Brady Brewer with Purdue University received the Outstanding Advisor Award.

    This was the 48th year for the competition and 27 student chapters participated with six making it to the finals. The final six placed in order:
    1st place – Purdue University
    2nd place – University of Guelph
    3rd place – New Mexico State University
    4th place – University of Tennessee-Knoxville
    5th place – University of Missouri-Columbia
    6th place – Iowa State University

    See photos from the student competition here:
    2024 Student Competition – Agri-Marketing Conference

    Education, NAMA

    Animal Ag News 5/13

    Carrie Muehling

  • Kansas State University announced that ADM, a global leader in human and animal nutrition, has pledged $1 million to the university’s Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation, one of four new or renovated facilities included in the university’s visionary Agriculture Innovation Initiative led by the College of Agriculture. The ADM investment will support advances in food product development, food safety and food security, sparking industry innovation and elevating the academic experience for K-State students.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association Foundation and several leading dairy companies donated a truckload of milk and $10,000 to Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia food bank to address hunger in the greater Savannah area. The donations were announced at a three-hour service event at the food bank where more than 60 dairy food company executives packed lunches for food-insecure children in the Savannah area. Altogether, the donations from the IDFA Foundation and its partners will support more than 53,000 meals for people in need.
  • From National Milk Producers Federation President & CEO Gregg Doud: “NMPF thanks Secretary Vilsack and federal leadership for effectively using their existing authorities to offer necessary assistance for dairy farmers as they meet the challenges of H5N1 in dairy cattle. Care for farm workers and animals is critical for milk producers, as is protecting against potential human health risks and reassuring the public. We look forward to continued collaboration and consultation with USDA and other federal agencies as we monitor, understand, and contain this outbreak, and we will do what we can to help dairy farmers understand and benefit from these initiatives as swift implementation is put into motion.”
  • Leading dairy representatives from the United States and Mexico met this week in Chihuahua, Mexico to renew their commitment to collaborate and advocate on mutually beneficial dairy policies. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) steered the U.S. delegation, which consisted of more than 14 member companies, U.S. farmer representatives, and USDEC and NMPF staff.
  • Leaders of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Cattle Australia (CA) signed a joint statement at the Beef 2024 convention in Rockhampton, Australia to further the two organizations’ partnership on issues related to cattle health, lab-grown proteins, and sustainability.
  • As the 57th World Dairy Expo approaches, Expo is searching for college students passionate about the dairy industry to be part of the 2024 media team. Four students will be hired to experience the storied event as media interns. Under the direction of Expo’s communications specialist, media interns assist with media initiatives at World Dairy Expo and the management of the Media Room, Expo’s on-site resource for reporters, writers and photographers. This week-long internship in Madison, Wisconsin provides students with an active role in writing press releases, creating social media content through multiple platforms and contributing to Expo’s on-site newspaper while engaging with media professionals and dairy industry representatives from around the globe.
  • The 2024 World Pork Expo, hosted by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), invites attendees to engage with the latest insights across all facets of the pork industry. This year’s event features a new two-day schedule and the return of the world’s largest pork-specific trade show. Other highlights include the return of free educational seminars and the introduction of the Young Pork Advocates Issues Meet at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.
  • USPOULTRY hosted its inaugural Public Health Information System (PHIS) Workshop on April 17. Developed in partnership with the Food Safety Advisory Committee, the workshop assisted attendees with navigating the PHIS interface and appropriately responding to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) noncompliance records. Corporate and plant personnel from the broiler and duck industry were represented at the meeting, as PHIS allows for various scopes of access.
  • To help members drive continuous improvement in the meat industry, the Meat Institute has updated its Animal Handling Guidelines and Animal Welfare Audit to include scores for each criterion allowing members to set goals. The Meat Institute also released a new bison animal welfare audit. The guidelines and audit were authored by the Meat Institute’s Animal Welfare Committee, working with Colorado State University Professor of Animal Behavior Dr. Temple Grandin. The audit was certified by the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    AgGateway Joins Celebration of Modern Ag on the Mall

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Jeremy Wilson and Paul Schrimpf talk connectivity on National Mall

    AgGateway and the Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF), two global non-profit associations working to ensure the interoperability between agricultural brands and technology platforms, were among the groups that participated in the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) second “Celebration of Modern Ag on the National Mall” event last week.

    Paul Schrimpf, AgGateway Director of Marketing and Communications, says they participated in the 2022 event, so they already knew it was a good place to be. “We want to be part of anything our members are involved in,” said Shrimpf. “A lot of our members in AgGateway crossover with AEM and connectivity is a subject that they want to talk about and that we want to talk about.”
    AEM Ag on the Mall - Paul Schrimpf, AgGateway 4:03

    AgGateway Executive Vice President Jeremy Wilson says it was a really good event for them. “We’ve had a lot of opportunities to interact with our members and potential members about the work we’ve done,” Wilson said.

    Wilson moderated a panel on interoperability during the Ag on the Mall event, which focused on the future of food and farming, and he encouraged agricultural companies to get involved with AgGateway if they are not already. “Our whole mission is bringing complete industry-wide data interoperability so they can connect with those people in the industry they need to share data with.”

    The AgGateway Mid-Year Meeting is coming up June 10-12 in Altoona, Iowa, the meeting Wilson says is where the organization’s work of digital connectivity gets done. Learn more in this interview.
    AEM Ag on the Mall - Jeremy Wilson, AgGateway 4:34

    2024 Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the Mall

    AEM, Ag Groups, AgGateway, Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, Precision Agriculture

    Industry Ag News 5/10

    Carrie Muehling

  • In response to President Biden’s Executive Order 14081, “Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have developed a plan to update, streamline, and clarify their regulations and oversight mechanisms for products of biotechnology.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor will lead an agribusiness trade mission to Bogotá, Colombia, Aug. 13-15, 2024. USDA is now accepting applications from current and potential U.S. exporters who have interest in joining the delegation.
  • Two scientists who were instrumental in creating a back-up vault of the world’s crop seeds to protect global food security have been named the 2024 World Food Prize Laureates. Dr. Geoffrey Hawtin OBE, Founding Director and Executive Board member at the Global Crop Diversity Trust, and Dr. Cary Fowler, currently the U.S. Special Envoy for Global Food Security, were chosen by the World Food Prize Laureate Selection Committee for their longstanding contribution to seed conservation and crop biodiversity.
  • Registration is open for the largest gathering of ag communicators in the U.S. Join us in Kansas City, MO, from August 3-6 at Agricultural Media Summit to build connections, sharpen your skills and advance your career.
  • April witnessed a steep decline in U.S. farmer sentiment, as indicated by the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, which fell 15 points from March to a reading of 99.
  • The National Work Readiness Council (NWRC) has named Scott Stump, CEO of the National FFA Organization and Foundation, the newest member of its Board of Directors.
  • The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) hosted a celebration for women in agriculture on Tuesday, bringing together corn growers, Congresswomen, and women who work in agriculture policy in Washington, D.C.
  • Syngenta Crop Protection is proud to announce that it has been named a winner in the Employee Resource Group category at Ragan’s Employee Communications Awards for their creation and active involvement of the FFA Alumni & Supporters Business Resource Group. This award recognizes an organization that went above and beyond in their efforts to engage employee populations through building communities based on shared interests or goals.
  • The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has granted scholarships to 109 current and future college students looking to further their post-high school education within the agricultural industry. Twenty-seven scholarships were awarded to first-time recipients, and 78 scholarships were renewed for 2024.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    2nd Celebration of Modern Ag is a Success

    Cindy Zimmerman

    More than 15,000 people visited the National Mall this past week for the second Celebration of Modern Agriculture spotlighting the Future of Food and Farming.

    The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) partnered with member companies and ag organizations to hold the three-day event which featured combine harvesters, milking equipment, sprayers and planters, irrigation equipment, tractors big and small, as well as dozens of interactive and hands-on exhibits.

    “In 2022 we really had the proof of concept when we had 15 equipment manufacturers and 21 ag groups,” said Nick Tindall, AEM senior director of regulatory affairs and ag policy. “This year, even more, with 25 equipment manufacturers and 31 ag groups, just to tell that story of how production agriculture is able to provide for a growing world while keeping environmental stewardship at heart.”

    More than 80 pieces of equipment were displayed across the National Mall, including ground-breaking innovations such as self-propelled sprayers, robotic sensors, the next generation of alternative fuel tractors, an automated aerial crop protection system, and the world’s first fully automated soil laboratory.

    Learn more in this interview:
    AEM Ag on the Mall - Nick Tindall, AEM 3:29

    2024 Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the Mall

    AEM, Ag Groups, AgWired Precision, Audio, Equipment, Precision Agriculture