Precision Ag News 8/21

Carrie Muehling

  • On Aug. 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its final Herbicide Strategy, an unprecedented step in protecting over 900 federally endangered and threatened (listed) species from the potential impacts of herbicide, which are chemicals used to control weeds. EPA will use the strategy to identify measures to reduce the amount of herbicides exposure to these species when it registers new herbicides and when it reevaluates registered herbicides under a process called registration review. The final strategy incorporates a wide range of stakeholder input, ensuring EPA not only protects species but also preserves a wide range of pesticides for farmers and growers.
  • Scouts are traveling across the Corn Belt to measure this year’s corn and soybean yield potential during the 32nd annual Pro Farmer Crop Tour. The tour runs Aug.19-22, covering seven states and capturing the attention of the agriculture industry and national media. Observations and results of the Pro Farmer Crop Tour will be shared nightly at in-person events throughout the tour and streamed live online at AgWeb.com.
  • Intelinair, an ag data analytics company, announced it has garnered “AgTech Data Analytics Company of the Year” in the 5th annual AgTech Breakthrough Awards program conducted by AgTech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies, and products in the global agricultural and food technology markets today. This is the second time in three years the company has been recognized with this prestigious award.
  • Bushel, the leading digital platform connecting farmers and agribusinesses, announced it has been awarded “AgTech Finance Platform of the Year ” in the fifth annual AgTech Breakthrough Awards program conducted by AgTech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global agricultural and food technology markets today.
  • The Mid America CropLife Association (MACA) announced the launch of its new logo, symbolizing a fresh chapter in the association’s storied history. Founded in 1958, MACA has been a cornerstone in the crop protection industry, bringing together manufacturers, distributors, formulators, warehousers, and seed companies to inform and educate members on policy issues, create educational opportunities, and advance agricultural practices across the Midwest.
  • Beck’s and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) announce the election of Scott Beck as the central regional vice president. Scott will represent Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin during his three-year term in this role. He is one of seven regional vice presidents serving ASTA, contributing to the organization’s mission of advocating for the seed industry’s interests.
  • Terra Vera, an agriculture technology company leading the charge towards a more food-secure future with amino acid-based crop management solutions, is launching ApiVera, a new division and brand to address the critical issue of declining bee populations.
  • Evergreen FS was recently awarded a U.S. patent (no. 12,029,147) for its Crop Disease Prediction and Associated Methods and Systems tool that uses direct-to-machine learning systems that predict crop diseases. The patent leverages data science and artificial intelligence to predict and manage plant diseases. The technology collects and analyzes various data points, such as weather conditions, soil, and pathogen pressure, to develop predictive models.
  • Ecorobotix Inc., the North American division of the Swiss AgTech and AI company, appointed Cameron Holbrook as the new CEO of the company’s North America business. Cameron, a passionate AgTech enthusiast, brings extensive industry knowledge and a global perspective from his previous leadership roles at Nutrien, John Deere, and Amazon.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture, Uncategorized

    Intelinair Named 2024 AgTech Data Analytics Company

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Intelinair has been named “AgTech Data Analytics Company of the Year” in the 5th annual AgTech Breakthrough awards program. This is the second time in three years the company has been recognized with this prestigious award.

    Intelinair’s ag tech platform, AGMRI, has recently been enhanced with AGMRI Analyze – alongside its established in-season analytics suite, AGMRI Insights. AGMRI Insights focuses on the data and information used to make decisions during the crop growing season to protect yield. AGMRI Analyze complements the real-time insights and actionable alerts of AGMRI Insights by offering a retrospective data analysis of the entire crop season to enhance decision making.

    The annual AgTech Breakthrough Awards program is the industry’s most comprehensive analysis and evaluation of agricultural and food technology categories and this year attracted thousands of nominations from over 15 different countries.

    AgWired Precision, data, Precision Agriculture, Technology

    Animal Ag News 8/20

    Carrie Muehling

  • The Meat Institute issued the following statement from Meat Institute President and CEO, Julie Anna Potts, in response to news reporting of a Harris Campaign proposal to place a federal ban on price gouging: “Consumers have been impacted by high prices due to inflation on everything from services to rent to automobiles, not just at the grocery store. A federal ban on price gouging does not address the real causes of inflation. The Harris campaign rhetoric unfairly targets the meat and poultry industry and does not match the facts. Food prices continue to come down from the highs of the pandemic. Prices for meat are based on supply and demand. Avian Influenza, a shortage of beef cattle and high input prices like energy and labor are all factors that determine prices at the meat case. Prices that livestock producers receive for their animals are also heavily influenced by supply and demand. Prices for cattle producers especially are at record highs, surpassing the 2014-2015 previous record highs. Today, well into 2024, cattle prices remain at record levels because the US has the lowest cattle inventory since Harry Truman was President. Major meat companies have reported losses during the Biden-Harris Administration, with some closing facilities and laying off workers.”
  • Truterra, a leading agricultural sustainability business that works with farmers to help improve the environmental impact of agricultural production while working to create incremental financial benefits for famers, today announced its first-ever programs specifically for dairy producers. The 2024 Truterra dairy soils carbon programs reward pre-qualified dairy producers who adopt sustainable farming practices on the crops they use for dairy feed – including silage and alfalfa. Sustainable practices include the use of cover crops, strip-till or no-till to improve soil health and increase soil carbon levels.
  • The first 1,000 days of a baby’s life – encompassing pregnancy through the child’s second birthday – is a critical period for brain development. During this time, a baby’s brain grows from about 10,000 brain cells in the first month of pregnancy to a staggering 10 billion by the sixth month. Nutrition is a key driver of this incredible development and dairy can significantly impact a child’s cognitive development and overall success in life, thanks to nutrients including iodine and choline. Expecting mothers and new parents are seeking guidance on how to best nourish their child and lay the foundation for lifelong health, particularly regarding cognitive development. To address this, the dairy checkoff is launching several strategies to highlight another benefit of dairy consumption.
  • Applications are now being accepted for the annual W.D. Farr Scholarship program. Established in 2007 by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF), the scholarship recognizes outstanding graduate students pursuing careers in meat science and animal agriculture. Graduate students must apply online by submitting a cover letter, curriculum vitae, description of applicant’s goals and experience, a short essay, statement of belief in the industry, as well as a review of the applicant’s graduate research and three letters of recommendation by Sept. 20, 2024. The 2024 scholarship recipients will be recognized at CattleCon 2025, Feb. 4-6, in San Antonio, Texas.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is seeking nominations for four top awards presented annually to leaders in the dairy industry. Nominations open today and will close on Friday, Oct. 25. Winners will be announced and recognized at Dairy Forum 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. Nominations are now open for the following awards: The IDFA Laureate Award, the Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year Award, the IDFA Food Safety Leadership Award, and the IDFA Workplace of the Year Award.
  • More than 50 contestants competed along the Grand Concourse for $4,600 in cash prizes during Iowa Farm Bureau’s 60th annual Iowa State Fair Cookout Contest, with Matt Ouverson of Norwalk crowned champion. Ouverson’s smoked and sliced rack of lamb topped with chimichurri sauce was favored by the judges over a wide array of entries from some of the state’s best backyard chefs.
  • Beef cattle producers across the state will gain valuable insight on how to overcome bottom-line sustainability challenges in the cattle business during the Auburn University Department of Animal Sciences’ 2024 Beef Cattle Conference, October 3-4. The conference registration cost is $50 before Sept. 1 and $65 before Sept. 20, and it includes conference presentation summaries, content for afternoon workshops, the dinner reception and lunch. If Alabama county cattlemen chapter presidents register at least three paid members for the conference, registration for the president (or their designee) will be waived.
  • Animal health vaccine manufacturer Medgene announces that it is ready to address critical disease challenges facing the animal health industry – Avian Influenza virus H5N1, Porcine Circovirus PCV-4 andAvian Metapneumovirus aMPV. Utilizing its production platform process, Medgene has unlocked the genetic information needed to create vaccines to address H5N1 in dairy cattle, PCV-4 in swine and aMPV in turkey production. As with all licensed veterinary vaccines, Medgene only needs USDA permission to add H5N1, PCV-4 and aMPV to its list of products and begin distribution.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Industry Ag News 8/19

    Carrie Muehling

  • Register here for Experiential Storytelling:Tapping into what matters to your audience with ​Shannon Peel on September 19 at 11 a.m. central. This webinar is free to members of the National Agri-Marketing Association and $50 for non-members.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor will lead an agribusiness trade mission to Casablanca, Morocco, Dec. 2-5, 2024. Current and potential U.S. exporters interested in participating should apply for consideration by Aug. 28.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of 20 new members to the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. This committee is part of USDA’s support for equitable access to USDA’s services and programs and creating more market opportunities for local and regional production.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association is excited to announce that MISTRAS Group has joined as a new associate member. This collaboration highlights RFA’s dedication to enhancing the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of the renewable fuels industry.
  • The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) invites you to submit your entries for the 2024 Plambeck Award for Creative Excellence. Named in honor of NAFB Past President and Hall of Fame Member Herb Plambeck, this award gives recognition for the best single and series radio commercials that air on NAFB stations and networks. It is the goal of NAFB to promote and recognize commercials that are designed to inform, influence, and motivate target audiences. Submissions will be judged by a panel of farmers, agency representatives, and past NAFB presidents, and they are due by close of business (Central), Monday, October 21, 2024.
  • The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) announces the addition of broadcast veteran Chad Smith as NAFB News Service editor. Smith joins NAFB after serving as a contract editor and reporter for the News Service for more than 10 years.
  • American Agri-Women (AAW) is thrilled to announce that Curious Plot has selected the organization as the 2024 Seed to Succeed grant program recipient. This generous partnership will provide us with $75,000 of in-kind marketing services, allowing us to further our mission of uniting and amplifying the voices of women in agriculture across the nation.
  • Andy Neuhofer, Florida Farm Bureau Federation; Curt Covington, AgAmerica; Steve Johnson, chair, Florida Citrus Commission; Andrew Muhammad, Ph.D., University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture; Corey Geiger, Lead Economist for Dairy at CoBank, and Paige Gilligan, CAC, Risk Mitigators & Advisors, are rounding out the slate of speakers for 2024 Annual Conference of the American Society of Agricultural Consultants (ASAC) in Fort Myers, Fla., November 3-5.
  • Potatoes USA, the national marketing, research, and promotion board for the potato industry, elected Shelley R. Olsen as Chair of the Board at its annual meeting. Potatoes USA also announced its Executive Committee members to lead the organization through 2024-2025.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Vilsack Hopeful for 45Z Guidance by 2025

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed members of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) last week and thanked them for the work they have been doing on the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which is helping to set the stage for 45Z tax credit guidance.

    The RCCP started in South Dakota in 2021 and recently received a $35 million investment through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) which has helped it expand to 10 states.

    “You’re providing resources to help farmers reduce tillage to manage nutrients and to utilize cover crops,” said Vilsack. “You are creating a database that will be verified and measured…And you’re setting the stage for us to make, I think a more powerful case that ethanol needs to be part of the sustainable aviation fuel future.”

    Vilsack said during his remarks that USDA has taken the comments received in a recent request for information and will be working with the other agencies involved to get guidance from the Treasury Department by the time the 45Z tax credit becomes effective in 2025. “Things can change and timelines can slip as they have from time to time, but I think the goal here, I think everybody’s working towards that goal of the end of the year, beginning of next year’s focus,” Vilsack told reporters.

    Listen to Vilsack’s remarks here:

    ACE 24 Sec. Vilsack remarks 48:40

    ACE 24 Sec. Vilsack presser 15:17

    2024 ACE Annual Conference Photo Album

    ACE, Audio, Ethanol, SAF, USDA

    2024 IFAJ Congress – Switzerland

    Chuck Zimmerman

    SWITZERLAND – INTERLAKEN – Group picture of the IFAJ2024 Congress – August 15th 2024 © Raphael Hünerfauth – https://www.huenerfauth.ch

    The 2024 IFAJ Congress was held in Switzerland this year and has just ended. Back in 2005 Cindy and I went to our first IFAJ Congress in 2005 which was in Switzerland. It is one of my favorite countries of the 40 I’ve traveled to.

    I miss seeing so many of our international journalist friends. The gavel was passed from Lena Johansson, the first woman IFAJ President to Steve Werblow, Steve Werblow Communications. Lots of awards were presented, great speakers, tours, cheese, good wine, and cheese!

    You can find out a lot more on the 2024 IFAJ Congress website and the IFAJ website.

    You can find lots of pictures from the Congress in the photo album: 2024 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

    IFAJ, International, Media

    Would Vilsack Serve Another Term?

    Cindy Zimmerman

    James Wilson, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1897-1913

    At the end of the current administration, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will have served in that role for 12 years under two different presidents. But that’s only second best.

    The record – actually for any cabinet member – is held by James “Tama Jim” Wilson, the fourth secretary of agriculture who served for 16 years under three presidents. First nominated in 1897, Wilson served sixteen consecutive years of Republican administrations under Presidents McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.

    Secretary Vilsack served eight full years in the Obama administration and was brought back to the job by President Biden.

    If Vice President Kamala Harris were to win the presidency, would Vilsack be willing to continue to serve? I asked him that during a press availability at last week’s American Coalition for Ethanol annual conference:

    “I love this job. That’s why I came back to it. But it’s not my choice. I can’t answer that question. It’s not my choice,” said Vilsak. “I’m proud of the fact that I’ve had this level of service for as long as I’ve had it. I think we’re making a difference. I’m really proud of the work we’re doing. To really create a whole new set of avenues and opportunities for small and mid sized producers to stay in business, I am deeply concerned about this. I don’t think it’s acceptable in a country that we should have lost that many farms in a lifetime. I think we can do better and I think we are doing better. So that’s what I’m focused on, you know. I have learned in my life every day is a gift. You don’t know if you’re going to be here tomorrow, much less 2025.”

    But he didn’t say no.

    In the press conference, Vilsack also comments on 45Z tax credit work, farm bill, and food prices.
    ACE 24 Sec. Vilsack presser 15:17

    ACE, Audio, Ethanol, USDA

    USB Launches New Land Use Change Initiative

    Cindy Zimmerman

    As agriculture’s role in climate solutions becomes more critical, a new Land Use Change Initiative (LUCI), funded by the United Soybean Board (USB) in partnership with Carbon A List, is leading efforts to standardize definitions, metrics and methodologies for quantifying land use change.

    LUCI hosted its first Land Use Change Summit at McDonald’s International Headquarters in Chicago on July 29-30, gathering nearly 100 experts across the food and agriculture value chain.

    “Farmers have often been left out of conversations regarding land use change and its collective impact on agriculture. We weren’t at the table, so we had to build our own table through this land use change initiative,” said Steve Reinhard, USB Chair and Ohio farmer who presented keynote remarks at the summit. “North American agriculture and the half-million soybean farmers who represent 90 million acres can have a huge impact on climate solutions.”

    Attendees at the summit came from a diverse group of stakeholders, including farmer and rancher organizations, environmental groups, food corporations, academia, and government. The LUCI summit included presentations, panels, and breakout sessions, as well as remarks from Robert Bonnie, USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation. LUCI participants discussed ways to find common ground, set a strategic course, and plan the next steps forward.

    More information is available on the Land Use Change Initiative webpage.

    Environment, Soybean, Sustainability, USB

    RaboResearch Talks Sustainability at Ag Media Summit

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Rabo AgriFinance During the Ag Media Summit I visited with Eric Gibson, RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness – Sustainability Analyst for Farm Inputs & Crop Production. You can see him in the picture with the Rabo team talking to ag media members.

    Since Eric is a sustainability analyst that was the topic of our conversation. In addition to sustainability another key word was innovation which he says is a priority. Eric says the intelligence team supplies information for clients to help them make sound business decisions. “What I’m really focusing on is help our clients and our team members to understand the products, the practices and the principals behind what sustainability means for downstream demand and regulatory function.”

    You can listen to my interview with Eric here:
    Interview with Eric Gibson (3:14)

    2024 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

    Ag Media Summit, Agribusiness, Audio

    Precision Ag News 8/15

    Carrie Muehling

  • Mark your calendars and make plans to join the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse for the Ag Outlook Forum on September 16. Register here.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it intends to establish the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program Advisory Council (informally known as the Growing Climate Solutions Act Advisory Council) and is seeking nominations for Council membership. USDA made the announcement in a Federal Register notice.
  • U.S. sales of 4-wheel-drive tractors increased 18.6 percent in July 2024 compared to the year before and are up 5.2 percent year-to-date according to new data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Total sales of Ag tractors dropped 14.1 percent in July compared to the year before and are down 11.9 percent year-to-date. Combine sales dipped 19.1 percent in July compared to 2023 and are down 17.6 percent year-to-date.
  • The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and Trust In Food™ (TIF), a sustainability initiative of Farm Journal, signed a letter of agreement during NACD’s Summer Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. This letter of agreement affirms partnership between NACD and TIF and builds on recent collaborations. Both organizations share common ground championing a locally led approach to natural resources conservation and the importance of partnerships and continuous improvement. Farm Journal was recently named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in the agriculture category for TIF’s work identifying strategies to accelerate farmer engagement in regenerative agriculture practices.
  • The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) held its 2024 Summer Conservation Forum and Tours in Boston, Massachusetts with the NACD Northeast Region Meeting. Hosted in partnership with the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Districts, this summer’s meeting gathered conservation leaders from across the country to discuss natural resource concerns and solutions. The meeting included a discussion panel on water quality and climate resilience with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Dr. David W. Cash, Massachusetts’ first Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer, and Cape Cod Conservation District Program Manager Martha Craig.
  • Registration for 2024 the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Field Crop Seed Convention is open! Register now for four days full of premier programming and networking with row crop professionals from over 27 countries.
  • Cargill is partnering with Australian company Goanna Ag on a new pilot project focused on advancing irrigation efficiency on cotton fields in the Mississippi Delta. The project will introduce a state-of-the art technology that aims to transform how and when farmers water their fields, optimizing crop yields, reducing water withdrawals and lowering operational costs. The program is initially available to a select number of cotton growers in Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi.
  • BRANDT, a leading agriculture retailer and manufacturer of specialty agriculture products, has again helped Alex Harrell set another world record soybean yield. Harrell, an innovative farmer from Smithville, Georgia, has shattered his previous world record by achieving an incredible 218.2856 bushels per acre, establishing a new global benchmark. Harrell’s achievement comes just one year after he set the previous record of 206.8 bushels per acre.
  • Michigan State University researchers have developed and are testing a low-cost irrigation monitoring system called LOCOMOS. The work is led by Younsuk Dong, an assistant professor and irrigation specialist in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. With LOCOMOS, the in-field sensors measure soil moisture, leaf wetness and other environmental conditions. The data is then analyzed by software that generates precise irrigation recommendations and delivers them to growers via an easy-to-use smartphone app. The development of the system and app was facilitated through a partnership with the MSU Innovation Center.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture