Spencer Chase Moves to Corn Refiners Association

Cindy Zimmerman

Spencer Chase has spent the last decade helping farmers and ranchers better understand the policy process as one of the lead journalists with Agri-Pulse Communications. Now he is moving on to a new challenge as Senior Director of Communications for the Corn Refiners Association (CRA).

In his new position, Chase will also lead the external communications and media relations efforts for the Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) with the goal of elevating the profile of both organizations.

“Spencer brings a wealth of knowledge about the critical intersection of agriculture and journalism, and we look forward to putting that expertise to work for CRA,” said John Bode, CEO of CRA. “After working with Spencer in his previous role as a journalist for many years, we are confident he will help us grow our outreach and expand the breadth and depth of CRA’s influence.”

“We’re excited to welcome Spencer to the PBPC team and put his talents to work to grow the advanced bioproducts industry,” said PBPC Executive Director James Glueck. “Spencer’s efforts will be critical in driving awareness of our industry and the work of the PBPC, including events like our upcoming conference.”

Most people in the industry have gotten to know Chase as a recognized voice in Agri-Pulse content, anchoring the weekly Newsmakers video broadcast and daily DriveTime podcast. In addition, Chase has been an active leader in the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, serving as president in 2022.

Spencer said farewell to the Agri-Pulse audience and colleagues in Friday’s episode of Newsmakers.

(Note to Spencer: I just couldn’t decide which of the wacky photos we have of you to use, so I went with boring.)

Ag Groups, Agri-Pulse, Agribusiness, NAFB

Feedstocks in Focus at #Classic24

Cindy Zimmerman

L-R: Courtney Lawrenson, AGP; Greg Anderson, Nebraska Soybean Board; Scott Hedderich, Nuseed; Mike DeCamp, CoverCress; Alan Weber, M4; Doug Whitehead, Clean Fuels

It was over 30 years ago that soybean farmers found a new market for their product in fuel made from soybean oil that was eventually called biodiesel, but the market for that clean fuel has expanded to include new feedstocks and opportunities.

Clean Fuels Alliance America, formally known as the National Biodiesel Board, hosted a Learning Center Session at the recent 2024 Commodity Classic to discuss the rapid growth of biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel demand and coordinated growth of feedstocks, including new oilseed crops.

Panelists included Doug Whitehead, Clean Fuels COO; Greg Anderson, Nebraska Soybean Board and Clean Fuels Board Member; Courtney Lawrenson, AGP and Clean Fuels Board Member; Mike DeCamp, CEO, CoverCress Inc; Scott Hedderich, Director, Nuseed; and Alan Weber, Partner, M4.

Listen to their discussion here:
Classic24 Clean Fuels learning session 33:56

In an interview, CoverCress CEO Mike DeCamp said these kinds of alternative feedstocks are essential to meet the the capacity coming on line for renewable fuel production such as renewable diesel and SAF. “We need crops that can grow in between these fallow periods (that are) not in competition with corn or beans,” he said, admitting that it is going to take time to develop these crops. “At the end of the day, if we can’t give value to the grower, it’s not going to work.”

Classic24 Mike DeCamp, CoverCress 8:58

2024 Commodity Classic Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Clean Fuels Alliance, Commodity Classic, cover crops, SAF

Illinois Announces Center for Food and Ag Communications

Cindy Zimmerman

The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign last week unveiled plans for a global center for food and agricultural communications as part of the National Ag Day celebration.

Named after the storied agricultural communications pioneer and Illinois professor emeritus, the James F. Evans Global Center for Food and Agricultural Communications will continue to advance excellence in this space through outreach, professional development, research, convenings, and degree programs.

To kickstart the more than $5 million fundraising campaign that is required to establish the Evans Center, a sizable donation has been made in Evans’ name by an anonymous alumnus. An initial phase for the Evans Center will start this year in a dedicated space adjacent to a new learning innovation lab being constructed in the lower level of the College of ACES Library, Information and Alumni Center, commonly known as the Funk Library.

The University and the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists have conducted needs assessments showing significant communications demand in areas such as strategic and critical thinking, knowledge mobilization, multi-media production processes, and leadership training. Priorities for the Evans Center will include professional development events, skills training, visiting global agricultural journalist programs, unbiased media research, executive seminars, consumer outreach efforts, and more.

Contributions can be made online at go.aces.illinois.edu/GivetoEvansCenter.

Education, IFAJ, Journalism

Precision Ag News 3/27

Carrie Muehling

  • In a move to bolster safety by users of off-highway equipment in the agriculture, construction, utility, forestry and mining industries, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) introduces a free online safety toolkit tailored to promote safety awareness, education, and training for operators of the equipment. AEM’s Safety Toolkit delivers a comprehensive suite of resources aimed at enhancing safety awareness, education, and training including: Digital Safety Manuals, Action Plans, and Training Resources.
  • Applications are now being accepted for “The Radicle Corn Value Chain Challenge sponsored by US Corn Farmers.” The Challenge sets out to invest a minimum of US $1.5M in start-up and growth companies whose innovative technologies and business models create new uses for corn and long-term sustainable demand for corn production.
  • In February GO Seed welcomed Jack Pieper as a Research Agronomist. Jack, an agronomy professional with a background in sustainable agriculture research, joined to spearhead the Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities program led by GO Seed, “Cover Crop Seed Production Grown with Climate Smart Wheat.”
  • Rantizo unveiled AcreConnect – new productivity software to help save time, bill faster, and verify work was done correctly. Available on phone and laptop, it can help to minimize downtime, office time and manual note-taking.
  • AgBiome, Inc., a leader in agricultural innovation and developer of novel biological and trait products from the Earth’s microbial communities, has announced sale of its products to Certis Biologicals. Certis, possessing global expertise, infrastructure and scale in biological crop protection, will provide the products with new opportunities, enabling them to realize fully their transformative potential.
  • Biolevel Ltd. announced it has received notification from the Organic Materials Review Institute that MaizeNP soluble powder is certified for organic corn production in the U.S. MaizeNP is a new multistrain, stress-tolerant bionutrition product that fixes nitrogen and releases phosphorous, potassium and micronutrients from the soil to make more balanced nutrition readily available to corn.
  • Huma announced the appointment of Lyndon W. Smith as the new Chairman of The Fertilizer Institute’s Biostimulant Council, effective January 1, 2024. Bringing decades of industry expertise and a profound understanding of the fertilizer and biostimulant sector, Smith is set to lead the council toward new heights.
  • Ceradis Crop Protection B.V., a global developer and marketer of environmentally friendly plant nutrition and crop protection solutions, announced that its CeraMax biological seed treatment has secured a position in WinField United’s BioVerfied program.
  • Lavie Bio and Bayer AG recently announced plans to extend joint validation trials for Lavie Bio’s biofungicides after the first year of results showed positive outcomes in addressing oomycetes – some of the most devastating plant diseases affecting crop yields worldwide.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Intelinair Successfully Completes SOC 2 Compliance

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Ag data analytics company Intelinair today announced the achievement of Systems and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2 Type 1) compliance certification, a widely recognized framework comprising standards of data security, privacy, and operational integrity.

    Ag retailer and farmer customers rely on Intelinair’s digital platforms for in-season and postseason data-driven decision-making for crop production. Current platform users can now have even greater confidence in the security and integrity from this next level of data security. Using AI and machine learning, Intelinair tracks several factors – emergence, weeds, disease, nutrient deficiency, yield and more – to provide the insights to help protect yield potential and identify sustainability opportunities.

    The SOC 2 standard was developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts (AICPA). As part of the certification process, a SOC 2 audit is performed by an accredited CPA firm and verifies that safeguards are in place to protect customer data, such as internal controls, policies and procedures and that safeguards are operational per the SOC 2 security criteria over an extended period of time.

    AgWired Precision, data, Precision Agriculture

    Huma® CEO Named Chair of TFI Biostimulant Council

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Huma® CEO Lyndon Smith was recently named chairman of The Fertilizer Institute’s Biostimulant Council.

    Smith has been involved in the humic space and with TFI since the mid-90s. “Huma®’s long-standing participation with TFI has provided me an opportunity to understand the intricacies, challenges, and untapped potentials of the fertilizer and biostimulant industry. It’s a unique privilege to be part of an organization that encourages collaboration over competition, where industry players unite for a common cause – to elevate ourselves, the industry, and to collectively address challenges on both governmental and industry fronts.”

    The Biostimulant Council’s mission is to advocate for regulatory reform in the U.S. biostimulant industry, aiming to separate it from the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This move would facilitate state regulation under The Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO), ensuring a standardized approach and recognition of biostimulants.

    “Lyndon steps into this role during an incredibly exciting time for biostimulants. Growers are increasingly being asked to do more with less and biostimulants can play an important role in maximizing crop yields while minimizing environmental impacts,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “More growers are looking to include biostimulants into their nutrient management plans and the TFI Biostimulant Council is working hard to increase grower adoption, as well as grower confidence through the Certified Biostimulant Program.”

    Ag Groups, Biologicals, Fertilizer, people

    Animal Ag News 3/26

    Carrie Muehling

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state veterinary and public health officials, are investigating an illness among primarily older dairy cows in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico that is causing decreased lactation, low appetite, and other symptoms. As of Monday, March 25, unpasteurized, clinical samples of milk from sick cattle collected from two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas, as well as an oropharyngeal swab from another dairy in Texas, have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). At this stage, there is no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply or that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is aware that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in samples collected from dairy cattle in the United States. Importantly, the agency confirmed there is no threat to human health, and milk and meat remains safe to consume. USDA has confirmed that affected dairy cows do not appear to be transmitting the virus to other cattle within the same herd.
  • The number of Americans who describe themselves as meat eaters (80 percent) and the number of households that purchase meat (98 percent) remain steady from 2023, while the number seeking to decrease meat consumption has fallen by 20 percent since 2020, according to the 19th annual Power of Meat report released by the Meat Institute and FMI—The Food Industry Association.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative have reopened the Colombian market for U.S. poultry and egg product exports, culminating several months of collaborations with the Colombian Institute of Agriculture to resolve this trade barrier. U.S. Trade Representative’s office has reopened the Colombian market for U.S. poultry and egg product exports, culminating several months of collaborations with the Colombian Institute of Agriculture to resolve this trade barrier.
  • After years of product development and field testing, AgBoost announced the global commercial expansion of its cloud-based data analysis platform that helps cattle producers interpret genomic data for selective breeding, health, market value and nutrition management.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) responded to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) release of the updated greater sage ground management plans. These plans will shape public land use across 10 different states and tens of millions of Western acres. After completing revisions to the plans in 2015 and again in 2019, the agency is currently amending 77 separate land use plans across the West, and could potentially designate millions of acres as new Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs). Despite this incredibly expansive scope, the BLM provided only 90 days to comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and only 60 days to comment on proposed ACECs.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) thanked the U.S. Senate for passing a resolution to block Paraguayan beef imports. The resolution comes in response to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule that lifted the longstanding ban on Paraguayan beef imports despite the country’s concerning animal health track record.
  • Continuing to support the next generation of leaders in the beef industry, Certified Angus Beef (CAB) will give a record amount of $100,000 in scholarships across three categories this year. College students with a passion for agriculture and a drive to innovate are encouraged to apply for this scholarship opportunity. Applications for the 2024 Colvin Scholarship are now open and will close April 30. Interested students can learn more about eligibility criteria and apply by visiting https://www.certifiedangusbeef.com/recruiting/.
  • The 147th Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo drew to a close on Sunday, wrapping up the three-day event packed with industry updates, awards, entertainment and the welcoming of new Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association leadership. The Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo drew 4,300 attendees to downtown Fort Worth March 22 – 24. The agenda featured three prominent main-stage sessions addressing pivotal topics such as agricultural policy, a 2024 weather forecast and a market outlook.
  • dsm-firmenich, the leading innovator in nutrition, health and beauty, and Agrifirm, a leading agricultural cooperative, announce their strategic partnership to create a platform for poultry performance optimization, focused on health and sustainability.
  • Zoetis celebrated a contributory milestone in 2023 with its continuation of support to Folds of Honor. Rounding out the second half of 2023, Zoetis exceeded $1 million in donations in its two years of support for the organization. Proceeds from the sales of select Zoetis products continue to raise funds for Folds of Honor scholarships.
  • USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation are accepting nominations for the Dr. Charles Beard Research Excellence Award through July 1. The goal of the award, which has been presented since 2013, is to recognize outstanding completed research projects, funded by USPOULTRY or the USPOULTRY Foundation, that have made a significant positive impact on the poultry industry.
  • The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) announced Anne Miller as winner of the prestigious Paulson-Whitmore State Executive Award. This award, jointly developed by NPPC and the National Pork Board (NPB), honors exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment exhibited by state executives within the pork industry. Miller served as the Montana Pork Producers Council executive director from 2004-2022.
  • Applications are being accepted for college scholarships that are awarded by America’s dairy farmers and importers through the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB). Eleven scholarships worth $2,500 each will be awarded, in addition to a $3,500 James H. Loper Jr. Memorial Scholarship to one outstanding recipient. NDB funds, in part, Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), which manages the national dairy checkoff program. Applications can be found at usdairy.com/about-us/dmi/scholarship. Completed applications must be received no later than May 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. CST.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Entrepreneurs Help Revitalize Rural Revenues

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Agri-Pulse moderator Spencer Chase (left) and AgButler founder Kevin Johansen

    The topic for the recent Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit was Revitalizing Rural Revenues, exploring a wide variety of options, including a panel on rural entrepreneurs like Kevin Johansen who founded AgButler, a gig economy platform that serves as a solution to a rural labor shortage in America.

    Johansen says the company, which launched in 2020, has grown exponentially. “We have a little bit under 3,000 users on the platform and that represents 42 states,” he said. “The platform is easy to use. You can get connected with farmers and ranchers in your area but you can also search for laborers who have experience in multiple industries throughout agriculture.”

    “Everybody talks about sustainable practices and protocols, but nobody addresses the real sustainable piece in agriculture and that’s the people,” said Johansen. “AgButler wants to be that sustainable piece for people in agriculture.”

    Agri-Pulse Summit - Kevin Johansen interview 6:57

    Agri-Pulse 2024 Ag & Food Policy Summit Photo Album

    Agri-Pulse, Apps, Audio, labor, people

    EPA Committee Gives Ag Seat at the Table

    Cindy Zimmerman

    EPA Administrator Michael Regan recently responded to recommendations from the agency’s Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC) on how EPA can best support the agriculture sector’s climate mitigation and adaptation goals.

    FRRCC consists of representatives appointed by the agency that provide independent policy advice and information on a range of environmental issues that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities and among the results of their recommendations to EPA is the recent creation of EPA’s Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, headed by the agency’s agricultural advisor Rod Snyder.

    One of the 30 members of the FRRCC is Iowa cattle producer Bill Couser, who was selected out of more than 560 applicants. “We basically get three or four challenges every year and our job is to come together with a white paper to help EPA improve its methods of reaching out to rural America,” said Couser in a recent interview.

    Couser says he was pleased to be able to host both Administrator Regan and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack together on his ranch shortly after both were appointed to the current administration. “It’s the first time in my career that I saw the heads of those two offices in the same room together. We always met with the staff,” Couser said. “We finally have a seat at the table.”

    Listen to this interview with Couser from the recent American Coalition for Ethanol DC Fly-in.
    Bill Couser, Iowa 5:34

    ACE, Animal Agriculture, Environment, EPA, Ethanol, Livestock

    DWFI Podcast 34 – Impacts of Climate Change in the US

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The Fifth National Climate Assessment is federally mandated by Congress and released every four years to serve as the foremost review of research on the current and future impacts of climate change in the United States.

    In this episode of the Water for Food Podcast, DWFI Director of Communications and Public Relations Frances Hayes discusses key findings of the report with three of its co-authors. DWFI Faculty Fellows Andrea Basche and Tonya Haigh co-authored the Northern Great Plains chapter, which includes Nebraska. DWFI Director of Water, Climate and Health Jesse Bell, who leads the Water, Climate and Health Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, co-authored the chapter on human health. The authors share their take on regional differences related to climate change, who is most affected by its impacts and what bright spots exist.

    View the full assessment here. Find webinars on each topic hosted by the U.S. Global Change Research Program here.

    Listen here or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:
    DWFI podcast episode 34 57:53

    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, climate, Food, Podcasts, Water, Water for Food