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

    Industry Ag News 6/21

    Carrie Muehling

  • The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service’s (NASS) announced Joseph L. Parsons as its new Administrator as of June 16; this follows Administrator Hubert Hamer’s retirement in March. Parsons, who was Acting Administrator and before that Associate Administrator, has been serving American agriculture through NASS for more than 37 years, since joining the federal service in 1985.
  • NAMA Boot Camp features the latest tips, trends and best practices to take you forward in your career—at any level. It’s the event to learn about modern agriculture and our industry, grow your network and prepare to be a leader. NAMA members receive a discounted rate. Non-members receive a year of NAMA membership when they register. Sign up for Boot Camp today and prepare to join us in Kansas City, August 20–22!
  • The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) names Meyocks, a marketing and branding firm, as its agency partner to lead research and nutrition-focused advertising and creative strategy promoting the benefits of avocados to health professionals.
  • The American Soybean Association would like to recognize exceptional soy volunteers and leaders and requests your help with candidate nominations. During the 2025 Commodity Classic, individuals will be honored for state association volunteerism, distinguished leadership achievements, and long-term, significant contributions to the soybean industry. The nomination period is open through Oct. 25. For more information and to submit nominations, click here.
  • The World Food Prize Foundation announced that Angeline Neo has joined its staff as a Program Coordinator. As a Program Coordinator, Ms. Neo will work closely with the Senior Director of Strategic Communications and assist with the facilitation of the World Food Prize Foundation’s social media channels, press releases, newsletters, graphic design and many other communications projects. Ms. Neo will assist with upholding the reputation and brand identity of the World Food Prize Foundation through print and online mediums.
  • Six students are recipients of the 2024 scholarships offered by the Canadian Agri-Business Education Foundation. The $2,500 scholarships are awarded to students entering or currently pursuing an agricultural or agri-food related program at a Canadian college, university or technical institution.
  • Who do you know moving the industry forward while making a significant, positive impact within NAMA? Take the time to recognize them and submit a nomination for the NAMA Professional Development Awards by August 1. The online nomination form is a simple process.
  • COFCO International, Ltd. and GROWMARK Inc. have entered into definitive agreements whereby, COFCO International has agreed to purchase GROWMARK’s minority stake in the transloading facility located in Cahokia, Illinois, and, at the same time, GROWMARK has agreed to purchase from COFCO International its ownership in the Chicago grain warehouse facility.
  • Join us on October 22-24, 2024, in Chicago for The Center for Food Integrity Transparency Summit where CFI and industry leaders come together to create actionable strategies for operationalizing transparency across the food and agriculture value chain. Register here.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Pathogens Identified as Cause of Citrus Fruit Drop

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Research conducted in the European Union by KeyPlex at the University of Torino in Italy have determined causes of fruit drop on citrus, and the results will help to guide the citrus industry into the future.

    While fruit drop was thought to be caused by physiological conditions and other pathogens such as huang long bing (HLB), the research has clearly identified Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and further fungal pathogens as playing a major role.

    Since fruit drop causes significant crop loss in oranges, lemons, grapefruit, limes, and other types of citrus, it is a major concern for the industry. Dr. Vladimiro Guarnaccia, associate professor of Plant pathology at the University of Torino and a lead researcher on this project, will present the methods and results of his team’s two years of work at the third and final KeyPlex Citrus Symposium on July 25, 2024, at Seven Sebring Raceway Hotel in Sebring, Florida. Most importantly, he will present solutions to aid citrus growers, such as agronomic practices and control methods based on his observations and preliminary tested conclusions.

    “We started hypothesizing that Glomerella cingulata — the sexual phase of C. gloeosporioides — was the main cause of early fruit drop in citrus, not HLB, as has been long presumed,” says Gerald O’Connor, CEO of KeyPlex. “We scoured the world looking for information on this and came across Dr. Guarnaccia, who was already working on it at the University of Torino. We are excited to present the results of this groundbreaking research — the result of many years of work — that will help the citrus industry.”

    Contact O’Connor at GOC@KeyPlex.com for a personal invitation.

    Citrus, Research

    Precision Ag News 6/19

    Carrie Muehling

  • At the 17th annual Conservation in Action Tour, Dr. Linda Prokopy, department head and professor at Purdue University, was honored with induction into the CTIC (Conservation Technology Information Center) Hall of Fame. Prokopy’s dedication to advancing conservation agriculture and her contributions to the field have earned her this recognition as only the fifth conservation leader to ever receive this prestigious recognition from CTIC. Her research, more than 140 publications and commitment to sustainability are making a significant impact on the conservation community.
  • U.S. sales of 4-Wheel-Drive tractors increased 9.4 percent in May compared to 2023, according to new data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). This increase follows April 2024’s uptick of 24 percent compared to the year before. The data also indicates U.S. year-to-date sales of 4-Wheel-Drive tractors are up 3.2 percent. Total U.S. agriculture tractor sales dropped 11.5 percent compared to May 2023, while combine sales dropped 17.7 percent compared to last year.
  • During the week of June 17-23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is recognizing and celebrating National Pollinator Week. Pollinator species, such as bees, other insects, birds and bats play a critical role in producing more than 100 crops grown in the United States. Learn more about USDA pollinator work at www.usda.gov/pollinators.
  • Pearl millet, an annual grass used for grain and forage, can be a good food source for honey bees and hover flies, according to a recent study. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences researchers studied the impact of pearl millet as a source of insect food by surveying insects collecting and consuming the sucrose-rich pollen of this crop. Researchers planted Tift Long-Headed Bulk, a type of pearl millet known for its long candlestick-like heads, at a research farm in Tifton, Georgia, during the past summer.
  • AgGateway announced the release of ADAPT Standard version 1.0 (ADAPT Standard), another high-value tool in the ADAPT set of resources alongside the ADAPT Framework, ADAPT plugins, and the ADAPT Serialization Specification. It is freely available for download with a business-friendly license.
  • Cropler has introduced what is believed to be the world’s first agri-camera designed for remote real-time plant monitoring. Unlike traditional plant monitoring systems, Cropler utilizes plants as a primary data source, revolutionizing the way agricultural insights are obtained.
  • Nutrien Ag Solutions announces the acquisition of Suncor Energy’s AgroScience assets, which consists of several patented and patent pending technologies in the area of biocontrol. The acquisition is aligned with Nutrien Ag Solutions’ strategy to invest in novel, patented, and effective biocontrol technologies through its Loveland Products business. The proprietary technology for use in the global agriculture industry aims to offer a new mode of action, plus advantages in resistance management. Categorized as a biocontrol tool, research and field-trial data show the technology as having market-competing potential in delivering efficacy, stability, and economic value comparable to traditional synthetic crop protection inputs.
  • AgriThority, an agricultural product, business and market development company, welcomes regulatory affairs expert, George Fountas to the leadership team. Specializing in accelerating new technologies to commercialization around the world, AgriThority expands regulatory expertise with the addition of Fountas.
  • Yield10 Bioscience, Inc. announced that U.K.-based Rothamsted Research Limited has granted to the Company an exclusive global, commercial license to advanced technology for producing sustainable omega-3 products in Camelina sativa. Yield10 is executing a plan to use engineered Camelina to commercially produce omega-3 oil and meal products targeting the aquafeed, pet food, and nutritional markets for omega-3 fatty acids. In consideration for the commercial license, Yield10 is expected to pay certain license fees, future milestone payments, and royalties based on commercialization of Rothamsted’s omega-3 technology.
  • Syngenta Seeds, one of the world’s leading global agriculture technology companies, announced a collaboration with AI company, InstaDeep, to bring Syngenta’s proprietary trait research and development capabilities together with InstaDeep’s Large Language Model (LLM) platform to accelerate the development of solution-providing crop traits for farmers.

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    AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture