Precision Ag News 2/21

Carrie Muehling

  • USDA announced a new effort to train the next generation of conservation and climate leaders. As part of President Biden’s historic American Climate Corps initiative, the Working Lands Climate Corps will provide technical training and career pathway opportunities for young people, helping them deliver economic benefits through climate-smart agriculture solutions for farmers and ranchers across the country, now and in the future.
  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the latest steps to incorporate stakeholder feedback and collaboration with federal partners, ensuring the Agency’s work to protect endangered species from pesticides is practical, flexible, and supports the agricultural community. Assistant Administrator Michal Freedhoff described these steps in a speech to the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.
  • The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced the winners of the 2023 Photo and Poster Contests during the association’s 78th Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA. The winners will receive cash prizes and all contest participants will receive a certificate of participation. View all of the winning photos and posters on NACD’s Flickr page.
  • The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Board of Directors elected Gary Blair of Starkville, MS to serve as the association’s President-Elect. He will serve a one-year term as President-Elect alongside current NACD President Kim LaFleur and will assume the role of NACD President in 2025.
  • Unit sales of 4-wheel-drive agriculture tractors grew slightly in the U.S. during the first month of 2024, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). In the U.S., January data shows 4-wheel-drive tractors increased year-over-year 1.4 percent, the only segment to show growth in the month. In Canada, 4-wheel-drive tractor sales remained unchanged at 49 units in January compared to 2023.
  • Case IH is introducing new tractor models for specialty crop producers that will integrate seamlessly into orchard operations of any size, delivering improved operator comfort, minimizing crop damage and enhancing productivity. Featured new products and options at the World Ag Expo include new Farmall CL Series tractors, new upgrades for Farmall Utility A tractors, and cost effective flexibility with Farmall 140A Pro.
  • Biotalys, an agricultural technology company developing protein-based biocontrol solutions for crop protection, announced that the company has entered into several academic collaborations with leading researchers in plant pathology in both Europe and the U.S.
  • AMVAC Chemical Corporation, an American Vanguard Company, continues to launch new products for broadacre crops to meet growers’ needs. The company announced that ZALO herbicide, enabled by ProLease technology, has received federal registration.
  • Estes Performance Concaves, a leading innovator in precision harvesting technology, announces the launch of their groundbreaking XPR3 Concave System for John Deere, Case IH and Fendt combine harvesters. This revolutionary concave system sets a new standard in harvesting efficiency and yield optimization, providing farmers with unprecedented performance and profitability.
  • Valley View Agri-Systems (VVA) announced that Marc Wilson has joined Team VVA as Account Manager, Farm and Commercial Bins and Buildings.
  • Syngenta Crop Protection and Lavie Bio Ltd., a subsidiary of Evogene Ltd., and a leading ag-biologicals company, announced an agreement for the discovery and development of new biological insecticidal solutions.
  • CropX Technologies, a global leader in digital farm management, and Syngenta are teaming up to improve the sustainability and yield strength of Syngenta’s seed suppliers in the American Midwest.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Virtual & Live Ag Day Activities Scheduled

    Chuck Zimmerman

    2024 National AgDayIt is almost time for Virtual & Live Ag Day Activities on March 19. You can be part of the experience as we celebrate the American farmers who work and preserve the land to feed millions. Visit agday.org for more details.

    VIRTUAL CELEBRATION – MARCH 19

    Virtual Celebration
    Tuesday, March 19
    Ag Day Virtual Event
    9 a.m. Eastern

    REGISTER HERE
    Event is free but registration is required.

    EVENTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. – MARCH 19

    Ag Day at USDA
    USDA Whitten Patio
    14th St. SW (btwn 12th & 14th)
    8:30–10 a.m. Eastern

    REGISTER HERE
    Event is free but registration is required.

    Ag Day on the Hill
    Capitol Visitor Center
    HVC-201
    11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
    Lunch will be served.

    REGISTER HERE
    Event is free but registration is required.

    OTHER EVENTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. – MARCH 18

    March 18, 2024
    2024 Ag & Food Policy Summit:
    Revitalizing Rural Revenues
    Hosted by Agri-Pulse

    REGISTER HERE

    Follow Ag Day on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest information! #AgDay24

    Ag Day, Agri-Pulse

    Secretary Vilsack Addresses Ethanol Producers

    Cindy Zimmerman

    USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack visited the National Ethanol Conference in San Diego Tuesday addressing a number of critical issues facing the ethanol industry right now, including nationwide approval of year-round E15 sales and the use of the GREET model to determine the ability of ethanol to be used for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

    Following his remarks, the Renewable Fuels Association presented its 2024 Industry Award to Secretary Vilsack in recognition of his many years championing renewable fuels both in Washington and at home in Iowa.

    Vilsack spoke to attendees at the conference about the opportunities for the ethanol industry in the future with sustainable aviation fuel, and he confirmed a news report out today that E15 will be approved for use nationwide in 2025, while waivers will be once again needed for sales this summer.

    Listen to his remarks here:
    NEC24 Secretary Tom Vilsack Address 32:19

    Vilsack press availability
    NEC24 Secretary Tom Vilsack press availability 12:19

    2024 National Ethanol Conference Preview Activities Photo Album

    Audio, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA, USDA

    Partnerships Move the Ethanol Industry

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper this week addressed the biggest crowd for the National Ethanol Conference since before 2020, stressing the importance of partnerships and the need for critical questions to be answered soon.

    The theme of this year’s NEC is “Powered by Partnerships” and Cooper reflected on the ethanol industry’s many victories and advancements over the past 50 years and noted that “None of those successes would have been possible without the industry’s valuable partnerships and ability to work together with a diverse group of stakeholders.”

    However, he noted that several critical policy decisions expected in next three to six months “will shape the future course of the ethanol industry for years—and perhaps decades—to come.”

    Specifically, Cooper addressed looming questions about the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and clean fuel production tax credits, year-round E15, light-duty vehicle tailpipe GHG standards, and other important policy issues.

    Listen to Cooper’s remarks here:
    NEC24 RFA CEO Geoff Cooper address 32:15

    2024 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

    Audio, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

    Huma® Acquires Gro-Power, Expands Team

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Agricultural humic solutions company Huma®, Inc. has acquired global granular fertilizer company Gro-Power, Inc., effective immediately. The acquisition comes as the result of a long term partnership with Huma® supplying high-quality humates for Gro-Power humus-based fertilizer and soil conditioner products.

    In addition to Huma® Plant & Soil products encompassing liquid nutrients, plant protection and growth managers, the company now has the ownership rights to a suite of granular, humic-based fertilizers and soil conditioners. Such conditioners increase fertility by adding organic matter and beneficial microorganisms to the soil.

    In addition, Huma® has made leadership appointments to bolster a growing regional company focus. Those appointments include:
    Executive Vice President, Global Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Fred Nichols
    Executive Vice President, Business Development Justin Smith
    Midwest Sales Manager Cory Ritter
    Director of Huma® Turf & Ornamental Michael Gardner

    Through company-owned humate mining rights, along with a proprietary extraction and development process, Huma® provides groundbreaking technology to boost beneficial soil microbial activity, helping lead to premium crops, healthy soils and clean water. Micro Carbon Technology® is the foundational building block of Huma®, resulting in innovative biostimulant products that naturally increase nutrient availability and uptake, improve soil and plant health, and offer zero-residue crop protection against pests and diseases.

    AgWired Precision, Fertilizer, Nutrient Management, Precision Agriculture

    Animal Ag News 2/20

    Carrie Muehling

  • The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has opened registration for its Feed Industry Institute, happening June 17-20 in Minneapolis, Minn. This biennial event brings together emerging professionals in the animal feed industry to learn more about the ingredients, processes and regulations used within the industry to manufacture and sell animal feed.
  • The deadline for FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative scholarships for 2024 is fast approaching and membership youth pursuing a post-secondary education in any field of study are encouraged to apply. The scholarship application deadline is March 31, 2024.
  • District 3 Director John Rettler of Neosho, Wis. was re-elected president of the FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative’s board of directors following the cooperative’s 12th annual meeting held on February 10, 2024. District 1 Director Steve Brock of Daggett, Mich. was re-elected vice-president, District 5 Director Stephanie Hughes of Pittsville, Wis. was re-elected secretary, and District 6 Director Bob Dietzel of East Dubuque, Ill. was re-elected treasurer. Newly elected to serve as the District 2 Director is Mark Leichtfuss of Two Rivers, Wis.
  • A dairy checkoff partnership is putting hot chocolate milk into the hands of students during a pilot with a leading school foodservice company. National Dairy Council (NDC) and Chartwells K12, which serves more than two million meals daily at 700 U.S. school districts, have launched the Hot Chocolate Milk program in 58 schools. The pilot, which will run through the end of the school year, features chocolate milk – with toppings such as cinnamon and peppermint – served hot during breakfast and lunch.
  • Smithfield Foods has named Brendan Smith as its chief marketing officer and Allyson Bouldon as its chief ethics and compliance officer.
  • Smithfield Foods has named Kraig Westerbeek as president of its hog production operations effective Feb. 29, reporting to President and Chief Executive Officer Shane Smith.
  • Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) is a disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes that infects pigs, horses and humans. In swine, this virus causes reproductive failure, delayed farrowing, stillbirths, mummified fetuses and weak piglets. While this virus has not been detected in the U.S., it is recently spreading, increasing the potential it could reach the U.S. To address this threat, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) are funding a $1 million Japanese Encephalitis Virus Research Program to enhance U.S. prevention, preparedness and response capabilities.
  • dsm-firmenich received market authorization for Bovaer in Canada for use with dairy and beef cattle. Bovaer is a feed ingredient which immediately and effectively reduces methane emissions from cattle. This feed ingredient is an important tool for the nearly 10,000 dairy farmers in Canada, and will enable them to make a substantial step forward towards their net zero ambitions. Bovaer reduces methane emissions by 30 percent on average for dairy cows, and thereby lowers the overall greenhouse gas footprint per liter of milk by 10-15 percent.
  • Vytelle announced a strategic collaboration with Blocktrust Network, an innovative, API driven platform to enhance transparency and efficiency in the beef supply chain. This collaboration marks the first of its kind aimed to leverage their respective strengths targeting the feeder cattle market.
  • Nearly 500 pet food industry professionals came together Jan. 31 to hear the latest in pet food innovation, sustainability and emerging trends impacting the industry at the American Feed Industry Association’s (AFIA) 17th annual Pet Food Conference, held during the 2024 International Production & Processing Expo.
  • The 2024 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) had a terrific year with 1,432 exhibitors covering 620,850 square feet of exhibit space, setting two new records. IPPE is the world’s largest annual feed, meat, and poultry and egg industry event of its kind and is one of the 25 largest trade shows in the United States. IPPE is sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, American Feed Industry Association and the Meat Institute.
  • Veterinarians and animal health distributors continue to show support to the next generation of agriculture through the Zoetis Industry Support Program. From Feb. 1 through April 30, 2024, customers may designate a portion of sales from eligible Zoetis Cattle and Equine products to their local FFA chapters. Last year, more than $375,000 was donated to 1,175 FFA chapters with over 25,000 students benefiting from the contributions.
  • Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association announced student opportunities available during the 2024 Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo including a graduate research poster showcase and a youth photo contest. Application deadline for both the graduate poster showcase and youth photo contest is March 1, 2024. To learn more about contest, student opportunities and to register, visit cattleraisersconvention.com/student-opportunities.
  • National Farmers Union (NFU) sent a letter to Appropriations Committee leadership opposing harmful restrictions that would undo important work to revitalize the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act) to better protect family farmers and ranchers. The letter, signed by national, regional, and state organizations, points out that “opponents of competitive agricultural markets are seeking to roll back the work USDA has already completed, prevent USDA from making additional progress on these rules, and prevent any similar effort in the future.”
  • The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) and Competitive Markets Action (CMA), publicly announced the recipients of their 2023 Congressional Leadership Awards and their Competitive Markets Legislator of the Year Award recipient, U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-WV. The groups measured recognition by three actions in the U.S. House: Leaders of a letter to the House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson, R-PA, and Ranking Member David Scott, D-GA, with staunch opposition to the Ending Agriculture Trade Suppression (EATS) Act, H.R. 4417/S. 2018, led by Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-IA, and Sen. Roger Marshall, R-KS, that would nullify more than a thousand state and local laws that provide certainty and security in the marketplace for independent family farmers and ranchers. Those who received the award include Reps. Andrew Garbarino, R-NY, David Valadao, R-CA, Nancy Mace, R-SC, and Michael Waltz, R-FL.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Pivot Bio Program Pays Off for Growers

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Sustainable agriculture company Pivot Bio today announced that its sustainability program, N-OVATOR™, has paid over $6 million to growers for implementing better nitrogen management practices since its launch in 2022. N-OVATOR™ is the first insetting program to focus on nitrous oxide emissions.

    Repeatable by design and flexible by nature, the Pivot Bio N-OVATOR™ program compensates farmers every crop cycle for using a more reliable form of nitrogen by connecting them with companies looking to achieve Scope 3 emissions reduction goals. The growing list of N-OVATOR™ partners includes major consumer packaged goods companies, ingredient suppliers, spirit producers and grain buyers who are working to improve the sustainability of their agricultural supply chains.

    This year, downstream companies participating in N-OVATOR™’s insetting partnerships made payments to reward Pivot Bio growers for their practice change following the 2023 harvest.

    The largest transaction to date was the sale of 100,000 nitrogen credits to a global food and beverage company. The credits from this transaction represent 100,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent that was avoided by over 450 farmers across 300,000 acres within the company’s supply shed. In total, the growers in this insetting partnership replaced over 10 million pounds of synthetic fertilizer.

    Learn more about how to participate in the N-OVATOR™ program by visiting www.pivotbio.com/novator-program.

    AgWired Precision, Nutrient Management, Precision Agriculture, Sustainability

    Taranis Board Welcomes Syngenta Executive

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Taranis is pleased to announce the appointment of Vern Hawkins to its Board of Directors. Hawkins, currently serving as Syngenta’s President of Crop Protection and Regional Director of North America, brings extensive international agricultural leadership to Taranis.

    Taranis is at the forefront of agricultural innovation, creating engagement and transparency between ag retailers and growers to unlock opportunity on every acre. To do so, the company looks to its Board of Directors for the vision and guidance needed to meet the demands of rapid acreage expansion while ensuring the company continues to develop products and services that meet the needs of the entire agricultural value chain, including machinery companies, seed and chemistry manufacturers, ag retailers and their growers. Hawkins’ extensive understanding of the crop production sector both domestically and internationally makes him a tremendous asset to the team of industry leaders on Taranis’ Board of Directors.

    “Taranis’ commitment to providing leaf-level insights to ag retailers, co-ops and farmers is a boon the agriculture industry needs to continue advancing farm productivity. They are committed to showing every acre of the farm in a way the industry has never seen before,” says Hawkins. “I’m excited to be a voice in guiding this service for the betterment of the agriculture industry and on-farm profitability.”

    AgWired Precision, people, Precision Agriculture

    Industry Ag News 2/16

    Carrie Muehling

  • New agriculture census data released by USDA shows the number of farms operating in the United States and the number of farm acres have both fallen significantly. The 2022 Census of Agriculture reports 141,733 fewer farms in 2022 than in 2017. The number of farm acres fell to 880,100,848, a loss of more than 20 million acres from just five years earlier. Read the full 2022 Census of Agriculture here.
  • Submissions are now open for the Top Agri-food Pioneers (TAP) List, a new initiative by the World Food Prize Foundation. The list will feature 38 leading innovators from across the world working to transform food systems, in honor of the organization’s 38th anniversary this year.
  • This month, FFA members across the country, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will celebrate agriculture and FFA. It’s all part of National FFA Week. National FFA Week is a time for FFA members to raise awareness about the National FFA Organization‘s role in developing future leaders in agriculture and the importance of agricultural education.
  • It’s not too late to enter the IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders program — the deadline has been extended to February 25, 2024. Click here for details on the program. Click here for a nomination form.
  • The National AgrAbility Project (NAP), headquartered at Purdue University, invites farmers, ranchers and agriculture professionals to the 2024 AgrAbility National Training Workshop in Atlanta, Georgia, to address issues of disability in agriculture. The conference will take place March 25-28 at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead. Early bird pricing ends Feb. 23, with conference registration ending March 18. The complete conference schedule, pricing details and hotel information are available online.
  • National Farmers Union (NFU) will host the organization’s 122nd Anniversary Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona, from March 10 through March 12. Review the full agenda at nfu.org/convention.
  • World Ag Expo and E.M. Tharp, Inc. have teamed up again for the 17th annual “We Believe in Growing” scholarship, supporting area high school students who will be attending four-year universities to major in an agricultural field. This year’s winners, Kendra Ward of Hanford, CA and Reed DeBoer of Porterville, CA, will each receive $2,500 scholarships to be renewed up to four years, totaling $10,000 per student.
  • Join the Livestock Publications Council for the February Coffee and Collaboration on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 10 a.m. CT! This session is titled “Being Prepared is for More Than Just Boy Scouts” with Cindy Cunningham and LeAnne Peters of Woodruff. Join us for a discussion on reputation management. This free monthly webinar is moderated by Jennifer Shike and Angie Stump Denton. No registration necessary! It’s open to members and non-members.
  • Holly Spangler, senior editor of Prairie Farmer magazine and executive editor for Farm Progress Publications, was presented the Service to Agriculture award by the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers during the group’s annual meeting on February 8 in Champaign, IL. Presenting the honor was Michael Lauher, AFM, vice president of the organization. It is the Chapter’s highest honor to a non-member and has been awarded annually since 1940.
  • Brownfield welcomes Jared White to the team as Anchor/Reporter based in Clinton, Illinois.
  • Tracy Zink, who farms in Indianola, Nebraska, joins the Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB) as the sorghum representative. She was appointed by Gov. Jim Pillen on Nov. 20, 2023, and confirmed by the State of Nebraska Legislature in early 2024.
  • Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) announced the construction of a pea protein isolate production plant dedicated to its Plant Proteins business, at the site of its existing industrial complex in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada.
  • The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) awarded Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15) with its 2023 Wheat Leader of the Year Award for his work as Chair of the House Agriculture Committee. NAWG President and Oregon wheat farmer, Brent Cheyne, presented the award to Chairman Thompson during a recent visit to Washington, D.C.
  • Elite Octane — a leader in the biofuel industry, producing 150 million gallons of bioethanol annually — joined the nation’s leading biofuel trade associations, the Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    EmGenisys Announces EmVision™ Enrollment for Cattle

    Cindy Zimmerman

    EmGenisys, Inc., an animal health company improving success rates of embryo transfer (ET) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) for cattle producers, announces open enrollment for EmVision™.

    EmVision™ analyzes the viability and health of embryos at the microscope, giving producers and embryologists objective data to make strategic decisions on transferring embryos. The software will identify the 5-20% of embryos that are already dead or dying to help improve pregnancy rates.

    “We can help producers manage their breeding strategy by showing them which embryos are alive and healthy,” said Dr. Cara Wells, founder and CEO. “It’s also helping IVF labs because they can make sure their embryos are growing at the right rate and use it to boost the production of all the embryos that they make.”

    EmGenisys is currently enrolling users for EmVision™ in a limited time special offer for a 30-day subscription. This allows the users to have access to the software and work with EmGenisys team members to implement the procedures easily into their embryo transfer workflow.

    Enroll now by contacting Dr. Wells, at cara@emgenisys.com and become a part of ‘Breeding Something Epic.’

    Listen or download an interview with Cara Wells about EmGenisys.
    Interview with Cara Wells, EmGenisys 6:11

    AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, Dairy, Livestock