2nd Celebration of Modern Ag is a Success
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
MyLand Adds Two New Directors of Grower Relations
Soil health company MyLand has added two new Directors of Grower Relations to enhance support for an increasing number of growers across Texas, California, and Washington State.
Landon Gheer will partner with MyLand’s valued growers throughout Texas, and Gilbert (Gil) Rodriguez will join the California team for growers across the state and the Pacific Northwest. Both report to Dave Booher, MyLand’s Senior Vice President, Sales.
“Landon and Gil will be valuable additions to our team and for our growers across Texas and California,” said Booher. “With more growers turning to MyLand to support their soil health, we remain committed to our promise of Exceptional Service. Landon and Gil will help ensure that our growers receive the best service in the industry.”
The Directors, Grower Relations at MyLand are primarily focused on building and expanding relationships with current growers, potential new customers, and industry leaders to drive the growth of the organization. Their efforts will ensure MyLand’s commitment to Exceptional Service is achieved, and they will act as the voice of the customer within the organization, ensuring continuous optimization of the MyLand Service.
Future of Food & Farming Focus on Farm Bill
AEM’s Kip Eideberg with Reps. David Rouzer (R-NC) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD)
“It’s not just food security, it’s also national security,” said Rep. Rouzer of North Carolina. “I would argue that Title I, the commodity title, is really the most critical component of a good and strong farm bill.”
Rep, Johnson, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, said he expects the next farm bill to have a bigger focus on conservation. “I think this farm bill is going to acknowledge the importance of working lands conservation even more than past farm bills have,” he said.
The House Ag Committee is hoping for a markup by the end of this month yet.
Listen to their discussion here:
AEM Ag on the Mall - Reps. Dusty Johnson, SD & David Rouzer 39:40
Precision Ag News 5/8
AEM President Pleased to Promote Ag Technology
AEM president Megan Tanel does media interviews on the Mall
“I think we made a bit of an impact the first year,” said Tanel. “People … really enjoyed being able to come out, have some conversations, climb on some equipment and learn something new.”
In addition to agricultural equipment and exhibits from ag organizations, the event has featured panel discussions on a variety of topics. This morning, Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and David Rouzer (R-NC) will discuss the Farm Bill and impacts on Rural America during a panel discussion moderated by Kip Eideberg, Executive Vice President of Government & Industry Relations and Global Public Policy for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
Tanel says they hope to continue these kinds of educational events in the future. Listen to an interview with her below:
AEM Ag on the Mall - Megan Tanel, AEM President 4:22Ag on the Mall Informs and Educates
Ag on the Mall panel on sustainable water use
In addition to displays from over 25 equipment manufacturers and 30 organizations, there are panels each day on the main stage devoted to important topics related to agricultural production, such as autonomous equipment, precision crop protection use, and sustainability through technology.
The first panel on Monday tackled the topic of sustainable water use with representatives from irrigation companies Valley, Netafim, and Lindsay. Listen to their conversation below.
Valley – Tyler Fields; Netafim – Jim Ed Beach; Lindsay – Jason Parker
AEM Ag on the Mall - Sustainable water use panel 39:47
Animal Ag News 5/6
Ag on the Mall Showcases Future of Food and Farming
The Future of Food and Farming on the National Mall kicked off today on the National Mall to showcase America’s equipment manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, and innovators, working together to drive the tradition of producing more with less environmental impact.
The event is coordinated by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and is held the National Mall to allow the public, lawmakers, and federal employees to interact with the equipment and get an up-close look at the machines that are often only seen on America’s farm fields. “The real intent of this event is to bring the message of the innovation that is occurring in the ag industry today to Washington,” said AEM Ag Chair Bill Hurley, AGCO vice president, global government affairs.
USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small welcomed visitors to the event on Monday and talked some about how agriculture has changed since USDA was created in 1862. “For one thing, there were a lot more farmers in terms of the population of the United States, and that’s part of the reason why it was called ‘The People’s Department,'” said Torres Small. “We’ve been able to feed the world with the innovation that farmers have brought to food production.”
The Future of Food and Farming takes place today through Wednesday, May 8, with exhibits open from 9am – 5pm on the National Mall near the Smithsonian Metro. Over 50 agricultural equipment manufacturers, associations and trade groups on hand to talk about how they help produce food, fiber and fuel for the nation and the world.
AEM Ag Chair Bill Hurley, AGCO vice president, global government affairs
AEM Ag on the Mall - Bill Hurley, AGCO 4:34
Remarks from USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small
AEM Ag on the Mall - USDA Deputy Secretary Torres Small 7:45
Rabo AgriFinance Names New Head of Rural Business Economics, NA
Rabobank subsidiary Rabo AgriFinance has named John Steeves as its new Head of Rural Business Economics, North America, effective May 1, 2024.
Steeves, a financial services veteran with more than thirty years of experience, will relocate from Edmonton, Canada, to Rabo AgriFinance’s headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. He succeeds the current Head of Rural Banking, Shawn Smeins, who retires on May 15 after 31 years with Rabobank in several North American roles.
Most recently, Steeves served as the Executive Vice-President of Banking at Canadian Western Bank following his role as Senior Vice-President for Prairies / Northern Alberta Regions. He led the commercial, personal and cash management business for Northern Alberta and later oversaw all banking activities across Canada. His transformative leadership revamped the sales force and personal banking teams, launched a broad agriculture banking business and initiated revenue optimization strategies.
Steeves said, “Rabo AgriFinance’s reputation of leadership across the entire food value chain starts with our people and I look forward to driving a differentiated employee experience while nurturing a pipeline of future talent.”