ACES, IFAJ commit to launching a Certificate in Global Ag Comm

Chuck Zimmerman

ASES and IFAJGreat news for international ag journalists. Find all the details here.

The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has announced a new international education partnership between the college’s Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications (ALEC) program and the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ). The agreement formalizes plans to launch a Certificate in Global Agricultural Communications, a milestone initiative of the proposed James F. Evans Global Center for Food and Agricultural Communications.

The partnership was unveiled recently at a ceremonial signing between ACES Dean Germán Bollero and IFAJ Vice President Adalberto Rossi. Signing together in the photo.

The certificate — which will be delivered online and available broadly — is being developed by ALEC faculty and is informed by research conducted with IFAJ members. It is designed to be globally accessible, career-relevant, and aligned with the needs of agricultural communicators working across languages, geographies, and media platforms.
Read More

IFAJ, Media

Precision Ag News 5/21

Carrie Muehling

  • The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 9 for the 2026 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its 12th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
  • An estimated 14 percent of produce is lost between harvest and retail, in part due to spoilage from mold and rot. To help address this global challenge, Biotalys, an agricultural technology company developing protein-based biocontrol solutions for sustainable crop protection, and AgroFresh Solutions, Inc., a global leader in post-harvest solutions for fresh produce, announced a new collaboration to develop and commercialize sustainable biological fungicides for post-harvest use. Fungicides are already essential to protect fresh produce after harvest, and this collaboration will expand the industry’s toolbox with environmentally friendly biological solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of markets around the world.
  • The 2025 Horizon Ag Field Day, scheduled for June 23 at Richard Farms in Kaplan, is the place to be for updates on the top rice varieties planted in Louisiana this season as well as new Provisia lines expected to be available in 2026. Farmers can hear from industry and university specialists how high-yielding Clearfield and Provisia varieties, like CLL19, PVL03 and CLL16, are faring this year and best practices for maximizing yield potential the last weeks of the season.
  • As part of U.S. Sugar’s commitment to sustainably producing sugar for American consumers over the next 100 years, the Company announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with Everglades Equipment Group, one of the nation’s leading provider of John Deere equipment and precision agriculture technology solutions. The partnership includes the use of the latest John Deere solutions on sugarcane harvesters and tractors used by U.S. Sugar farmers and technicians across the company’s South Florida farms.
  • CNH announces that it has signed an agreement with Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, to bring industry-leading satellite connectivity to farmers. This collaboration will provide customers of CNH brands, Case IH, New Holland and STEYR, with robust and affordable high-speed connectivity – further unlocking the benefits of a fully connected fleet – even in the most remote rural locations around the world.
  • The National Corn Growers Association proudly kicked off the 61st annual Yield Contest. For six decades, this landmark event has celebrated the ingenuity, resilience, and drive of America’s corn growers— those who continuously push the limits of what’s possible in modern agriculture.
  • As part of its ongoing commitment to support dealerships and grow its retail footprint, Stine Seed Company is proud to announce the structure of its retail development leadership team. This strategic alignment is designed to deliver enhanced support and resources to Stine’s expanding network of retail partners across the United States.
  • Ethanol Producer Magazine announced the six companies selected to pitch to a group of angel investors and venture capital firms at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo, taking place June 9-11, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Land O’Lakes CEO on Fortune’s 2025 Top Powerful Women List

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Fortune released its Most Powerful Women of 2025 list Tuesday and named Land O’Lakes, Inc. President and CEO Beth Ford as number 12 on the annual compilation of the 100 most influential women in global business who are recognized for their leadership, impact and the strength of the organizations they oversee.

    This year’s recognition highlights Ford’s steadfast commitment to strengthening America’s food system by tackling the complex challenges facing the agriculture industry. From advocating for legal immigration reform and advancing trade efforts, to improving access to healthcare and supporting the vitality of rural communities, Ford’s leadership reflects a deep dedication to working Americans. For example, in her role as chair of the Business Roundtable’s immigration committee, she is a leading voice in discussing policies critical to the future of our workforce in the agriculture industry and beyond.

    “This recognition is an honor and showcases the strength of Land O’Lakes’ entire cooperative network,” Ford commented. “My Land O’Lakes team and I are honored to represent our cooperative members and their communities who inspire our mission to strengthen America’s food system together.”

    Ford has served as president and CEO of Land O’Lakes, Inc. since 2018, leading the cooperative that operates in all 50 states and more than 60 countries.

    Agribusiness, Cooperatives

    Animal Ag News 5/19

    Carrie Muehling

  • Livestock markets and dealers strongly support recent efforts to stop the spread of the New World Screwworm (NWS) into the U.S. The introduction of the bipartisan and bicameral Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms (STOP Screwworms) Act, which would authorize funds for and direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to begin construction on a new sterile fly production facility to combat the growing NWS outbreak, was welcomed by livestock marketers and dealers.
  • As the threat posed by the New World screwworm rises, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association joined affiliate state associations in urging Congress to pass the STOP Screwworms Act to fund the opening of a new sterile fly facility in the United States. Introduced by Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), this bill would help protect both livestock and human health from the New World screwworm.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) urged Congress to swiftly pass the House reconciliation package, which contains crucial tax relief and agricultural policy priorities that support America’s hardworking family farmers and ranchers.
  • The National Milk Producers Federation lauded the inclusion of critical resources in the House Agriculture Committee’s reconciliation proposal that would boost the agricultural economy and provide farmers certainty.
  • In the face of mounting challenges, 40 leaders from across the livestock industry convened at the Common Ground Summit April 21-23 at Denver’s Brown Palace Hotel. Their shared mission: to safeguard rural communities, ensure America’s food independence and preserve a way of life central to the nation’s agricultural heritage.
  • U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is accepting applications for the 2025 Clean Water Awards. The awards honor the outstanding performance of wastewater treatment plants serving poultry and egg processing facilities. Winners will be announced at USPOULTRY’s Environmental Management Seminar to be held Sept. 18 – 19, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Fla.
  • World Pork Expo 2025 is just around the corner, taking place June 4-5 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. With a lineup of must-see seminars and hands-on learning, this is where the pork industry gathers to grow.
  • National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio, released a statement on the recently released reconciliation package from the House Agriculture Committee.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Alltech ONE Heading Home to Kentucky in 2026

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The Alltech ONE Conference is heading back to its old Kentucky home next year, welcoming global thought leaders and innovators to the Central Bank Center in Lexington, May 18–20, 2026, for an immersive exploration of the bold ideas shaping the future of agri-food.

    “Over the last 40 years, Alltech has created a truly unique event, the only one of its kind, which many hail as the premier international agri-food event,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, a global leader in animal health and nutrition. “ONE 2026 will again congregate thought and action leaders, scientists, food producers, entrepreneurs and storytellers in a spirit of open collaboration to explore what’s next for our industry — and our planet.”

    In 1985, Alltech held its first iteration of the conference in Lexington, welcoming guests from around the world to engage with experts on trending topics in the agriculture industry. Since then, ONE has become a catalyst for inspiration, innovation and collaboration across the agriculture industry and beyond. The conference was held in Lexington until 2023, when Alltech took the ideas and inspiration of ONE on the road to six countries and four continents as the Alltech ONE World Tour.

    “After years of connecting virtually and exploring the world together through regional experiences, we’re bringing the Alltech ONE Conference home to Lexington,” said Lyons. “This event has brought tens of thousands of business leaders to the Bluegrass from almost 100 different countries over the years. The connections and conversations they have had here have led to new innovations, business ventures and the creation of a community that spans the globe. So many are making their plans to join us in 2026, and the buzz is already building.”

    With the theme “Together, bright becomes brilliant,” ONE 2026 will spotlight the power of connection, collaboration and bold thinking to address agriculture’s most significant challenges and unlock its greatest opportunities. Find out more at one.alltech.com.

    AgWired Animal, Alltech, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health

    Industry Ag News 5/16

    Carrie Muehling

  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the appointment of Erin Morris as the next Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), which operates under the Department’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs mission area.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2025 Communications Award winners named at this year’s Communications Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, include 16 standout states. The competition recognizes state Farm Bureau professionals from across the country for their exceptional work in communications.
  • The president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) said his organization fully supports the Trump administration’s effort to forge a new trade relationship with India, and corn growers urge the administration to include corn and corn co-products, such as ethanol and its byproducts, in any final agreement with the South Asian country.
  • The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has announced a new international education partnership between the college’s Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications (ALEC) program and the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ). The agreement formalizes plans to launch a Certificate in Global Agricultural Communications, a milestone initiative of the proposed James F. Evans Global Center for Food and Agricultural Communications.
  • National Farmers Union Foundation (NFUF) announced this year’s recipients of its prestigious annual scholarship awards. Applications for the 2026 scholarship awards will open in December 2025. For more information about the scholarships, visit the NFU website at nfu.org/scholarships.
  • The Ag Media Council earlier this year created a “state of the industry,” report to measure producer sentiment as we move into the second half of 2025. The survey asked a series of essential questions, including expected levels of growth, areas of investment, technology adoption, risk management, debt, and much more. The survey results will be presented on May 22 at 1 p.m. central. This webinar is free to NAMA members and non-members. ​Register here.
  • The Auburn University College of Agriculture and Campus Dining recently added four new container farms to its vertical farming operation. The four new farms, outfitted in shipping containers, are from AmplifiedAg, a leader in indoor agriculture. Auburn now has six container farms in operation year-round, each designated either for growing, propagation or short-term cold storage. Together, the facilities can yield 25 times more than field production.
  • The United States Peanut Federation (USPF) applauds the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture for passing Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson’s budget legislation that focuses on Investment in Rural America. Chairman Thompson’s proposed bill contained several important provisions for the U.S. peanut industry, including an increase in the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) reference price, an update for base acres, marketing loan increase, and payment limitations that reflect increased costs of production. This legislation was passed by the House Agriculture Committee last night and will soon be considered on the House floor.
  • The Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) is pleased to announce the addition of Sydney Van de Meulebroecke as its new Manager of Bioproducts Policy. In this role, Van de Meulebroecke will support the advancement of PBPC’s federal policy agenda, bringing valuable expertise in sustainability, regulatory affairs, and stakeholder engagement to PBPC’s growing advocacy efforts. She will work closely with PBPC members to address policy challenges and promote the growth of the plant-based products industry.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association announced the addition of two innovative companies, Nelson Baker Biotech and Verdova, as new associate members. Their expertise in biotech engineering solutions and field-level agricultural data will further strengthen RFA’s efforts to advance renewable fuels through technology, sustainability, and continuous improvement.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    ZimmCast 746 – ZimmComm Plans For Future

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

    The ZimmComm Team is enjoying some time in paradise right near the Gulf of America. The weather has been great and we’ve had enough rain so that everything is green and growing.

    In this episode Cindy and I discuss the changes we’re making to ZimmComm. We recently announced that we are going to retire from business travel starting Jan. 1, 2026. That has been a very big part of the work we pioneered along with the use of social media in agricultural marketing.

    But we’ve got plenty to do as we continue to distribute news releases with our AgNewsWire service. In fact, we started out with the idea of including audio files in news releases for our clients. We called them Talking News Releases and because of our background in farm radio we knew the frustration of not being able to get an interview or sound bite. When you want to have an audio interview included in your news release we will produce it and publish it with no extra cost. We’ll work with you on the interview and can also add your own audio file if you would like, including logos, photos or other images. Here is an example of our latest news release for AgTech PR for their client, PowerPollen, that includes an interview.

    To have us distribute your release to our contact list all you have to do is use your credit card on the AgNewsWire form here and then just email your release and any multi-media content to include.

    In addition to news releases we will continue to produce podcast like this one, The ZimmCast, as well as The Ethanol Report and the Daugherty Water For Food Podcast. If you would like to start a podcast just give us a call.

    We’ve still got several trips planned this year including these in July. Tech Hub Live in Des Moines, IA, Southern Peanut Growers Conference in Panama City, FL and Ag Media Summit in Rogers, AK.

    So, keep ZimmComm’s in your plans. And that’s the ZimmCast for now.

    Listen to the episode here:
    ZimmCast 746 - ZimmComm Plans for Future (24:38)

    That’s the ZimmCast for now. Please let us know if you have ideas for a future podcast. Just email Chuck at chuck@zimmcomm.biz.

    We hope you enjoyed it and thank you for listening.

    Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

    Audio, ZimmCast, ZimmComm Announcement

    Livestock Markets and Dealers Support NWS Prevention Efforts

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Livestock markets and dealers are in strong support of recent efforts to stop the spread of the New World Screwworm (NWS) into the U.S. NWS has been recently detected in remote farms with minimal cattle movement as far north as Oaxaca and Veracruz, about 700 miles away from the U.S. border.

    This week, the Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms (STOP Screwworms) Act was introduced in both the House and Senate to authorize funds for and direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to begin construction on a new sterile fly production facility to combat the growing NWS outbreak.

    “We are grateful to U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales (R-TX) for introducing this legislation,” said Bryan Forester, Chair of the American Livestock Markets and Dealers Association (ALMDA). Forester noted, “The sterile fly production facility and related appropriations authorized by this legislation is critical to protect the U.S. livestock industry.”

    Livestock marketers and dealers also support action taken by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins on Sunday to temporarily suspend live animal imports at ports of entry along the Mexican border in response to the emerging threat of NWS.

    “While we acknowledge the temporary market challenges this decision may create, we stand behind the efforts of USDA and state animal health officials to safeguard domestic livestock production,” said Kenny Mingus, President of the Livestock Marketing Association of Texas (LMAT). Mingus added, “If halting imports is necessary to protect the U.S. livestock industry, we fully support this action.”

    ALMDA and LMAT represent the majority of Texas livestock markets and dealers which provide marketing channels for cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and other species which could be impacted by NWS. Both organizations have supported efforts to fund sterile fly production and work within state and national coalitions to educate others on NWS impacts and will continue to work closely with animal health officials for the health and security of the livestock industry.

    AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, Livestock, Markets

    Precision Ag News 5/14

    Carrie Muehling

  • Bayer is reorganizing its Crop Science division’s activities in the areas of crop protection production and research and development in Germany. As a result of the changes, Bayer will discontinue its activities in Frankfurt am Main after the end of 2028. The company aims to sell parts of the activities, while others will be relocated. Production at the Dormagen site will be streamlined to ensure its competitiveness for the future.
  • A scientist whose discoveries helped Brazil become a global agricultural powerhouse has been named the 2025 World Food Prize Laureate. Dr. Mariangela Hungria, a microbiologist from São Paulo, has developed dozens of biological seed and soil treatments that help crops source nutrients through soil bacteria, significantly increasing yields of major crops while also reducing the need for synthetic fertilizer. Her products are estimated to have been used across more than 40 million hectares in Brazil, saving farmers up to US$40 billion a year in input costs while avoiding more than 180 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions per year.
  • Ceres AI and Bayer Climate FieldView announced a groundbreaking partnership that will integrate CeresAI’s advanced data analytics with FieldView’s leading digital farming platform. This collaboration creates a unified data ecosystem that delivers actionable risk intelligence to farmers, insurance carriers and capital management groups, fundamentally transforming how agricultural risk is assessed and managed.
  • CropLife America (CLA) is pleased to announce that Paul Rea, senior vice president of Agriculture Solutions North America at BASF, has been appointed as chair of the CLA board of directors.
  • EarthOptics, a leader in soil intelligence technology, announced the commercial launch of its mid-infrared (MIR) carbon analysis solution—the first at-scale, registry-quality carbon test using MIR technology. This innovation slashes the cost of traditional carbon testing while delivering fast, reliable results that meet the high-integrity data needs of carbon markets, sustainability initiatives, and Scope 3 reporting.
  • GEA, one of the world’s leading providers of milking, feeding, and manure management solutions for dairy farms, will be featured in Farming Simulator 25 starting June 3, 2025, through the brand-new Plains & Prairies Pack. In collaboration with developer and publisher GIANTS Software, GEA brings cutting-edge agricultural technology to the virtual farming world for the first time. The pack includes a range of GEA machinery – including the largest manure tanker ever introduced in the game.
  • Through a new partnership with CNH, researchers and students at the Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) will have access to the innovative New Holland T6.180 Methane tractor. A rare piece of equipment, usage of this tractor will further solidify CANR’s position as a leader in agricultural innovation.
  • Microsoft Corp. and the National FFA Organization announced the national expansion of FarmBeats for Students, a cutting-edge educational program integrating smart sensors, data science and artificial intelligence (AI) to teach precision agriculture in classrooms. Starting today, FFA teachers and students throughout the United States, including FFA chapters in 185 middle and high schools, will receive a classroom set of FarmBeats for Students kits free of charge. The kits include ready-to-use sensor systems along with curriculum for teachers and are designed for classrooms of all kinds; no prior technical experience is required. Teachers, students, or parents interested in FarmBeats for Students can purchase a kit for $35 at this link and receive free training at aka.ms/FBFS-MSLearn.
  • AgGateway and its member organizations have been setting building blocks that will enable the digitization of scale tickets across the crop production channel. In an informative 45-minute webinar, learn more about AgGateway’s work on digitized scale tickets and how to get involved.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Animal Ag News 5/13

    Carrie Muehling

  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the suspension of live cattle, horse, and bison imports through U.S. ports of entry along the southern border due to the continued and rapid northward spread of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Mexico, effective immediately. NWS has been recently detected in remote farms with minimal cattle movement as far north as Oaxaca and Veracruz, about 700 miles away from the U.S. border.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced support for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to close the U.S. southern border to shipments of cattle, bison, and horses, due to the continued spread of New World screwworm beyond the phytosanitary border put in place to stop its advance. Today’s announcement is the latest move to halt the spread of this invasive pest that puts the entire U.S. livestock industry at risk.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) submitted comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging the agency to toughen up guidance for fake meat companies that would prevent them from using misleading labels on plant-based products.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced that applications are open for three unique internship experiences for the fall 2025 semester. To learn more about these internships or apply, visit NCBA.org. Applications are due by June 30, 2025.
  • The 2025 World Pork Expo, hosted by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), invites pork professionals to connect, collaborate, and grow together. Set for June 4 and 5 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, this year’s event will once again offer industry-shaping insights, engaging sessions, and the largest pork-specific trade show in the world.
  • National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio, released a supportive statement after the Trump administration announced a 90-day temporary tariff de-escalation on U.S. exports.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) 41st Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party on June 11 will bring together thousands of guests, including members of Congress and officials from the executive branch, for a fun event showcasing America’s favorite frozen treats.
  • Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA, and Kansas Governor Laura Kelly jointly announced the $895 million expansion of Merck Animal Health’s manufacturing facility in De Soto, Kansas.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites