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

    MyLand Adds Two New Directors of Grower Relations

    Cindy Zimmerman

    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.

    people, Soil

    Future of Food & Farming Focus on Farm Bill

    Cindy Zimmerman

    AEM’s Kip Eideberg with Reps. David Rouzer (R-NC) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD)

    “All Crop Rows Lead to Washington” was the title of a Wednesday panel discussion on the National Mall led by Kip Eideberg of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) with Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and David Rouzer (R-NC). The topic was the farm bill and its importance to rural America and the nation as a whole. The panel was part of this week’s Celebration of Modern Ag on the National Mall sponsored by AEM.

    “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

    2024 Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the Mall

    AEM, AgWired Precision, Audio, Farm Bill

    Precision Ag News 5/8

    Carrie Muehling

  • The United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) announces the recognition of three scientists as finalists for the 2024 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals. Research Leader Yan Ping (Judy) Chen and Research Entomologist Jay Evans, both of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, are recognized for their transformative efforts in revolutionizing bee disease diagnosis and treatment. Tara McHugh, Pacific West Area Director in Albany, California, is also recognized for her visionary leadership and pioneering contributions to the development of novel healthy processed food products. You can support ARS scientists by voting for Chen, Evans and McHugh online.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), and Nebraska Innovation Campus held a groundbreaking ceremony to launch the construction of the National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture. The state-of-the-art research center will be located on Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska. It will primarily focus on the challenges and opportunities in agricultural innovation for the 21st century.
  • Women in Ag Tech provides opportunities for women to engage both face-to-face and virtually by cultivating a collaborative community through access to mentorship programs, idea exchanges, and collaboration with professionals and organizations within our industry. Attend the next in-person meeting at Tech Hub LIVE and join us on July 29th for this important gathering of women across our industry.
  • For more than 15-years, the CropLife Ag Tech Awards of Excellence, sponsored by the Global Ag Tech Alliance, has honored individuals who demonstrate exceptional work in the use and adoption of precision and digital agriculture technologies and practices. There will be one winner from each of the following categories: Crop Advisor/Entrepreneur, Educator/Researcher, Precision Farmer, and Ag Technology Legacy. The award program has honored more than 60 individuals and organizations since the program commenced in 2007. View past recipients of the CropLife Ag Tech Awards of Excellence. The winners will be honored during the awards ceremony at the 2024 Tech Hub LIVE Conference and Expo July 29 – 31 in Des Moines, Iowa.
  • The Sustainability Consortium (TSC) announced the launch of its cutting-edge CommodityMap platform, a cloud-based tool designed to predict environmental and social priorities in agricultural supply chains. Available for free and open to the public, this innovative platform empowers businesses to make informed decisions and take action towards sustainability in their sourcing practices.
  • OPI, the global leader in grain storage management, is revolutionizing grain monitoring again, this time in reverse—with simplified handheld grain monitoring for tech-averse farmers who want to take a first step toward automated data collection.
  • GROWERS, a leading provider of agricultural technology to farmers, retailers, and manufacturers, is excited to announce a significant enhancement to its platform: an innovative rewards and loyalty program. This program is designed to streamline and improve the agricultural input supply chain. Now fully integrated into the GROWERS platform, this brand-agnostic, technology-enabled rewards and incentive program, aligns the interests of farmers, retailers, and manufacturers. It promotes true loyalty and more efficient operations throughout the agricultural sector.
  • Syngenta Group is extending its leadership in fungicides with the success of its patented ADEPIDYN technology (trademark for active ingredient: pydiflumetofen). Following its recent registration in Great Britain, farmers in more than 55 countries globally are now able to access this powerful fungicide, with strong sales across continents reflecting farmer demand for effective control of a broad range of crop diseases. The company is on track to achieve one billion US dollars in sales of products containing ADEPIDYN technology, marking the first time its active ingredient achieves this milestone in only eight years.
  • Celebrating a remarkable milestone, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) proudly announced the launch of its 60th annual Yield Contest on Wednesday, May 1. This iconic event—spanning six decades—has been a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of corn growers across the nation.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    AEM President Pleased to Promote Ag Technology

    Cindy Zimmerman

    AEM president Megan Tanel does media interviews on the Mall

    The Celebration of Modern Ag on the National Mall this week is the second time the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has coordinated this kind of event to showcase farming equipment and technology and AEM president Megan Tanel says it’s much bigger than in 2022.

    “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 4:22

    2024 Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the Mall

    AEM, Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, Equipment, Farm Journal, Farming

    Ag on the Mall Informs and Educates

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Ag on the Mall panel on sustainable water use

    The Association of Equipment Manufacturing (AEM) is celebrating Modern Ag on the National Mall this week with a showcase of equipment, technology, information and education about the Future of Food and Farming.

    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

    2024 Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the Mall

    AEM, AgWired Precision, Audio, Irrigation, Sustainability, Water

    Animal Ag News 5/6

    Carrie Muehling

  • At 1 p.m. EDT on May 8, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will host a free, public Agricultural Data Webinar to spotlight available data for recently discontinued programs. Speakers at the event include Lance Honig, Agricultural Statistics Board (ASB) chair, and Troy Joshua, ASB executive director and director of NASS’s Statistics Division. Data from other NASS products as well as from USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Risk Management Agency will be discussed. Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions during the Q&A section. Register to attend at www.nass.usda.gov/Education_and_Outreach/Meeting/index.php.
  • The Meat Institute has created a best practices document to help the meat and poultry industry prevent child labor and identity fraud. The document, the “Meat and Poultry Industry Best Practices: Workforce Age Verification” can be found here.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is announcing a staff change in their Washington, D.C. office. Sigrid Johannes, currently serving as Director of the Public Lands Council and NCBA Government Affairs, has been promoted to Senior Director of Government Affairs. Along with this promotion, Sigrid will take on a new portfolio including lab-grown meat, cattle health and welfare, food safety, and animal disease traceability.
  • With baseball and softball season underway and the kickoff to summer grilling season fast approaching, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand, funded by the Beef Checkoff, is excited to announce the perfect partnership between beef and baseball/softball as a proud partner of the Little League World Series this year.
  • U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, along with Representative Jim Costa (CA-21), Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), led 70 of their colleagues in penning a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, urging him to reverse the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to cancel or discontinue several National Agricultural Statistics Service reports.
  • New school meal standards announced by the USDA include major steps to promote the health of America’s children through school meals. The new standards will be gradually updated to include less sugar and more flexibility in menu planning between Fall 2025 and Fall 2027, according to the USDA announcement. Included in the updates was the continuation of allowing schools to offer flavored and unflavored milk to students. The new guidelines recognize the important role milk plays in providing the essential nutrients students need, such as calcium, vitamin D and potassium. The update did include a new limit on the amount of added sugar allowed in the milk, a requirement school milk processors have committed to meeting the limit on added sugar.
  • Tony Rice testified before USTR on how U.S. trade policy can strengthen supply chain resiliency and ensure that U.S. dairy continues to grow as a global leader. The U.S. dairy industry exported more than $8 billion worth of products in 2023, supporting thousands of jobs and contributing significantly to the national economy. Rice in his testimony highlighted the need for a more proactive U.S. trade policy agenda that aggressively tackles global trade barriers and enhances market access to key partners.
  • Nine universities recently participated in the 75th USPOULTRY Foundation Ted Cameron National Poultry Judging Contest, held at Louisiana State University (LSU). Texas A&M University won the high team overall category, and The Ohio State University took second place. Additionally, Cade Davis with Mississippi State University won the high individual overall category, with Marissa Askew from Auburn University finishing second.
  • Alltech announced that the company will serve as the primary importer and distributor of Agolin products in the United States and Canada beginning May 1, 2024. Agolin’s high-quality essential oil blends are scientifically proven to optimize feed intake and performance, including improved milk and meat production, for both ruminant and non-ruminant animals.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites