Industry Ag News 4/14

Carrie Muehling

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will hold its biannual Data Users’ Meeting on April 29, 2025, starting at 12 p.m. ET. This virtual meeting is free and open to the public. Advanced registration is required to attend this event. The Data Users’ Meeting is held to share updates to USDA data and statistical products with the public and to solicit input on agency programs important to agriculture.
  • The World Food Prize Foundation announced that Ellen Lupkes has joined its staff as Senior Manager I, Global Youth Programs and Partnerships.
  • Applications are now open for the 2025 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders Program. A unique opportunity for agricultural journalists age 35 and under to gain international recognition and boost their careers. This milestone class marks the 20th year of the IFAJ/Alltech Young Leader Award program, a great partnership that has strengthened guilds and boosted careers since 2005.
  • The United States Postal Service, an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government, announced, its proud support of Antique Tractor Preservation Day (Kansas House Legislature Resolution HR 6011) with an exclusive, limited time only Pictorial Postmark (designed by Michael Hinton, Founder Antique Tractor Preservation Day); to be made available starting August 22, 2025 in person at the Hutchinson, KS Post Office or by Mail Order request.
  • The newest title from Feeding Minds Press, “I LOVE Blueberries,” is bursting with farm fresh facts, bringing the joy of farming to readers of all ages. “I LOVE Blueberries,” written by Shannon Anderson and illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett, is the long-awaited sequel to the award-winning “I LOVE Strawberries.” The story follows Jolie and her new friend Margot as they work together with their classmates and their community to set up a hydroponics growing station in their classroom to grow their own blueberries.
  • Join us at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento, or tune in virtually for the Agri-Pulse Food & Ag Issues Summit on June 10, 2025. Experience a day full of illuminating speeches and panel discussions, an immersion into California agriculture and food issues. Secure your spot today and take advantage of early bird pricing until May 10 with promo code MEDIA25.
  • Farm radio is local, it’s mobile and it’s trusted. Even with the abundance of multiple media and information sources that U.S. farmers have at their fingertips today, new market research shows the trust in the farm broadcaster still leads listeners to rank ag radio as their #1 choice for daily ag news and information. The new national farm radio listenership study of 1,001 farmers and ranchers conducted by Kynetec Research also validates the importance of ag radio as a primary source for learning about ag products and services – and driving action.
  • The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced that Gretchen Kuck was hired to serve as an economist for the organization. She started her new position this week. Kuck will work in NCGA’s Washington office and report to Chief Economist Krista Swanson.
  • CNH announces that Oddone Incisa, the Company’s current Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will step down and will be succeeded by James (Jim) Nickolas. Mr. Nickolas will be based at the Company’s North American headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois, USA and will present the financial portion of the Company’s Strategic Business Plan at Investor Day on May 8, 2025.
  • The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) recently published its 2025 Public Policy Agenda, outlining policy priorities that support the growth and resilience of the fresh produce and floral industry. The agenda is a strategic roadmap for advancing key legislative and regulatory goals that ensure consumers have access to a diverse, affordable, and safe supply of fresh fruits, vegetables, and floral products year-round.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    NAMA Top Industry Awards Presented

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The top awards from the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) were presented this week at the annual conference in Kansas City.

    Michele Egan, who is now with Novonesis, was honored for her transformative marketing strategies in the animal nutrition sector as North America Marketing Manager at Chr. Hansen. Her leadership in launching BOVAMINE DEFEND® Plus, including the highly successful “BEEF UP” campaign, drove $4 million in sales growth and significantly increased customer engagement.
    Remarks from Michele Egan (3:03)

    GROWMARK CEO Mark Orr was named Agribusiness Leader of the Year this year but was unable to attend the conference.

    Laura Svec presents Ag Association Leader of the Year award to Bob Petersen

    Ag Association Leader of the Year for 2025 is Bob Petersen, retired from the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City. As one of the founding members and longtime Executive Director of the Council, Peterson expanded the organization’s influence, growing its membership to over 700 stakeholders. His leadership in launching the Ag Outlook Forum and securing the relocation of key USDA agencies to Kansas City highlights his lasting impact on national agribusiness policy and workforce development.
    Remarks from Bob Peterson (1:24)

    2025 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

    Agribusiness, Audio, NAMA

    ZimmComm Announces Travel Retirement

    Cindy Zimmerman

    After over 20 years of hitting the “agriblogging” highway, ZimmComm principals Chuck and Cindy Zimmerman are retiring from business travel at the end of 2025.

    The Zimmermans founded ZimmComm in 2004 as the first social media-based agricultural communications company and pioneered “event blogging” for farm and biofuels conferences, capturing the sights and sounds in photos and interviews. Nearly 225,000 photos and countless interviews and miles later, Chuck and Cindy have decided to hang up their traveling bags and spend more time at home.

    “Event coverage has been the main part of our business for over 20 years now and while it is the most lucrative for us, it’s also the most stressful,” said ZimmComm president Chuck Zimmerman. “We have cut back on our travel considerably since 2020, but we are still logging a lot of miles a year as travel continues to get more expensive and less fun.”

    “We plan to continue our news release service, AgWired and Energy AgWired, as well as our podcasting and audio production services, we are just giving up the travel portion of the business,” Chuck said. ZimmComm does still have several events before the end of 2025, including Tech Hub LIVE, Ag Media Summit, American Coalition for Ethanol annual meeting and AgGateway annual meeting.

    IFAJ 2005 Switzerland

    ZimmComm has had a pro Flickr account since June of 2005 and the 980 albums in the account are representative of the travel the Zimmermans have done since starting the company. The ZimmComm Flickr account includes every Ag Media Summit since 2005 and every National Agri-Marketing Conference since 2006, Cattle Industry Conferences and Commodity Classics since 2006, all the National Biodiesel Conferences since 2006 and all the National Ethanol Conferences since 2007, just to mention a few. We intend to maintain these photo archives on Flickr where they can be easily downloaded.

    The albums include both domestic and global travel, including International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Congresses going back to Switzerland in 2005, with trips to Norway, Japan, Austria, Canada, Sweden, Argentina, Scotland, New Zealand, and Germany. There are U.S. Grains Council trips to Mexico, Egypt and Morocco, multiple visits to Germany with Bayer and BASF, as well as Italy and Ireland with New Holland and Alltech.

    “Most people want to retire so they can do some traveling and see the world,” said the Zimmermans. “We have been blessed to see pretty much all the places we ever wanted to see and then some! We want to retire so we can stay home and enjoy our beach more and just travel to see family.”

    ZimmComm Announcement

    Precision Ag News 4/10

    Carrie Muehling

  • The Conservation Technology Information Center will release the results of the 8th National Cover Crop Survey Report on April 15, noon CT, during a webinar with partners USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program and the American Seed Trade Association.
  • The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 9 for the 2026 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its 12th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
  • The Mosaic Company Foundation announced its re-launch as The Mosaic Company Foundation for Sustainable Food Systems. The Foundation brings together two decades of philanthropic work developing the practices, tools, and partnerships to advance sustainable agricultural practices in the United States, India, and Brazil.
  • The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is launching its fifth iteration of Consider Corn Challenge, a contest in which participants can submit proposals for new uses of field corn that have quantifiable market demand.
  • The registration deadline for the 2025 Water for Food Global Conference has been extended to Friday, April 11, 2025. The conference, which runs April 28-May 2 in Lincoln Neb., U.S.A. addresses the complicated issues of global water and food security and features both traditional conference sessions and interactive side tours. Along with providing ample academic, practice and policy content, the size and format of the conference also provides an optimal setting for informal conversations and connections.
  • Ecorobotix, a Swiss company specializing in AI-driven agricultural technology, is expanding into Australia through a strategic dealer partnership with RDO Equipment Australia. The ARA sprayer is an advanced AI-powered solution that optimizes the application of plant protection products with an ultra-precise 6×6 cm (2.4×2.4 inch) spray footprint. This breakthrough in precision reduces inputs use by up to 95 percent, minimizing crop phytotoxicity and preserving soil health. Additionally, ARA helps reduce reliance on manual weeding crews, offering significant economic benefits. Its AI-driven software already supports over 20 different vegetable crops, including carrots, lettuce, onions and more.
  • In the last 10 years, quantitative research funded by the United Soybean Board (USB) reveals The SCN Coalition increased awareness and adoption of active soybean cyst nematode (SCN) management, resulting in up to 20 percent more soybean farmers actively managing SCN. Since its conception in 1997, The SCN Coalition has strived to increase farmer awareness of SCN — the No. 1 yield-grabbing pathogen of the soybean crop in North America — and increase the number of soybean farmers actively managing the pest to protect the sustainability of the soybean industry.
  • Loveland Products, Inc., the proprietary products company for Nutrien Ag Solutions and a leading provider of crop input solutions, and Ascribe Bioscience, the developer of the biofungicide Phytalix®, announced the expansion of their collaboration in the US market to include additional proprietary Phytalix premixes. This strategic initiative with Ascribe is designed to further strengthen Loveland Products’ market leading biological platform.
  • The Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council (NREC) is pleased to announce the release of its 2024 Annual Report, offering a comprehensive look at the latest research funded by Illinois farmers and ag retailers. The report highlights NREC’s continued commitment to funding practical, science-based solutions that support sustainable agriculture across the state.
  • Bushel, a software company serving the agricultural supply chain, has released its 2025 State of the Farm Report, offering insight into how U.S. farmers make business decisions, use technology, and business preferences in the supply chain. Bushel’s State of the Farm report is one of largest farm surveys with more than 1,300 respondents. This year’s report emphasizes a consistent theme: Trusted relationships remain at the core of how farmers do business—but digital tools are gaining ground, and age 50 is now the tipping point for stronger digital preferences.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    NAFB Releases New Listener Study

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The National Association of Farm Broadcasting has released a new national farm radio listenership study finds radio is still the number one choice for daily ag news and information.

    The survey of more than 1,00 farmers and ranchers conducted by Kynetec Research also validates the importance of ag radio as a primary source for learning about ag products and services and driving action.

    In the survey, 42% of farmer respondents selected farm radio as their first choice for reliable ag news and information, far out-pacing other media sources. In addition, the majority said that hearing a farm broadcaster mention a product or company has a positive impact on their perception of that product or company.

    Chuck Zimmerman interviews Gardner Hatch, NAFB, and Debbie Boyle, Kynetic, at NAMA Conference

    “Growers value radio as a trusted source of quick, accurate updates on ag markets, prices and local weather,” says Debbie Boyle, Kynetec vice president, North America Agriculture. “They trust farm broadcasters so strongly that after hearing a broadcaster mention a product, they are likely to engage in follow-up actions and purchases.”

    The results from the Kynetec study, commissioned by the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB), show a strong link between radio listenership and brand awareness. When asked about how they become aware of new products and services, farm broadcasting ranked among the leading sources – along with farm shows/field days, local retailers, and printed publications.

    The survey also confirmed the mobility of ag radio: 89% of listeners listen while driving a vehicle and 73% indicated they tune in while operating farm equipment.

    “The research demonstrates the importance of including farm radio in ag media strategies when the objective is to reach farmers in the moment,” says Gardner Hatch, NAFB executive director. “The reach and trust of the farm broadcaster is duplicated by no other medium in agriculture.”

    Interview with Gardner Hatch, Executive Director, NAFB & Debbie Boyle, Kynetic vice president, North America Agriculture: NAFB Listener Survey (5:02)

    Learn more from NAFB.

    Gardner and Boyle were at the NAMA Conference this week and talked about the survey and what it means for farm broadcasters and agrimarketers.

    Interview with Gardner Hatch, Executive Director, NAFB & Debbie Boyle, Kynetic vice president, North America Agriculture: NAFB Listener Survey (5:02)

    Audio, Media, NAFB

    2025 Agri-Marketing Conference

    Chuck Zimmerman

    2025 Agri-Marketing ConferenceThe 2025 Agri-Marketing Conference is underway. I have started some photo albums on the NAMA Flickr account. There’s one for student competition photos and one for the overall conference.

    2025 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album
    2025 Agri-Marketing Conference – Student Photo Album

    Today we have meetings of the NAMA Board, Chapter Leaders, a workshop, and then the party begins. We’ll have a first-timer reception, Best of NAMA Finalists reception, Best of NAMA Awards Ceremony and the Best of NAMA Reception in the Connection Point.

    We’re off to a great start here in KC, MO.

    Ag Groups, Agencies, Agribusiness, Audio, Media, NAMA

    USTR Greer Questioned on Agricultural Tariffs

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The Senate Finance Committee grilled U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer during a hearing Tuesday on the administrations trade policy, including how agriculture may be impacted.

    Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) questioned Greer about the impact of, and goals for, tariff usage. “My question to you is, in the medium to the long term, do you plan to turn these tariffs into trade deals to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers? I support that,” said Grassley. “On the other hand, if the purpose is to stall on negotiations in order to keep tariffs high for the sole purpose of feeding the U.S. Treasury, I oppose that.”

    Grassley suggested one way to support farmers would be to strengthen the RFS and raise RVO levels. “The administration could move very quickly to increase RVOs on the Renewable Fuel Standard so that farmers get more robust domestic markets for their crops,” said Grassley.

    Listen to Grassley’s comments and Greer’s response here:
    Senate Finance Hearing - Grassley and Greer 5:06

    Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Ethanol, Trade

    Syngenta ROI Calculator Shows Value of Fungicides

    Cindy Zimmerman

    When it comes to return on investment for fungicides, on-line tools show consistently high ROI for Syngenta’s Miravis® Neo.

    The Crop Protection Network’s Corn Fungicide ROI Calculator is one tool that shares real-world results from university corn fungicide trials, allowing farmers to calculate the potential ROI for corn fungicide application across a variety of user-defined factors.

    Additionally, Syngenta announced the release of a new tool on BoostYourBushels.com to help growers evaluate the value of fungicides like Miravis Neo. The newest feature is a breakeven meter, designed to help growers answer the question, “Does it pay to use a fungicide?” This latest website update adds more depth to a variety of tools designed to help growers make the most educated decisions for improving the overall health of their corn, soybean and wheat crops.

    Other tools include the disease ID guide to help growers identify the diseases present in their fields and understand which threats may be prevalent in their region. Users also have access to a catalog of local Cleaner & Greener fungicide trial results.

    Crop Protection, Fungicide, Syngenta

    Animal Ag News 4/7

    Carrie Muehling

  • In a hearing before the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, lawmakers, nutrition experts, and school officials emphasized the need to restore whole and reduced-fat (2%) milk to federal school meal programs. The focus of the hearing was the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, a bipartisan bill that would allow schools to offer these milk options to the more than 30 million students who rely on school breakfast and lunch every day.
  • A paper recently published by two Michigan State University scientists highlights new data on how the nutrient composition and healthfulness of beef is impacted by what beef cattle feed on. The research examined fatty acids and other organic compounds in grass-finished beef from cattle raised using rotational grazing methods, specifically studying whether analyzing the nutritional components in beef can lead to accurate predictions on what cattle were fed.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) held its annual Innovative Ice Cream Flavors and Products competition recently and Lavender Lemon Butter Cookie by Kent Precision Foods Group took home top honors in the Most Innovative Ice Cream Flavor competition. Brownie Batter Cookie Dough by Hudsonville Ice Cream was awarded Most Innovative Ice Cream Novelty; and Dubai Bar Bliss by IRCA Group was named Most Innovative Prototype Ice Cream Flavor—the award for flavors not yet found in the marketplace.
  • Leaders from the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) released statements in response to President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements.
  • ANIMISTIC, a leader in animal research solutions and innovation, proudly announces the launch of aZign™, to fill a critical gap in animal research. aZign™ empowers animal researchers with efficient tools and reliable calculations to enhance study efficiency and accuracy. ANIMISTIC is launching aZign™ because it’s a needed tool for the industry—saving users time and money while making research more accurate. As experts in data and data modeling, ANIMISTIC has developed aZign™ to fill a critical gap in animal research.
  • Midwest Dairy released their 2024 Annual Report, highlighting the programs and activations that grew trust, increased sales, invested in research, and developed leaders. Ultimately, these efforts resulted in 13.5 million incremental pounds of milk sold in 2024.
  • USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation have approved approximately $305,000 in funding for three new research grants at three institutions through the Board Research Initiative Program. The USPOULTRY board of directors selected the topics and requests for proposals. The Foundation Research Advisory Committee evaluated all research proposals and then recommended which proposals to fund to the board.
  • USPOULTRY will hold its annual Poultry Processor Workshop on May 13-14 in Nashville, Tenn., at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown. This year’s program will cover a variety of important topics, including leadership development, a U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service update, immigration and labor concerns, as well as Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance, line speed, injury prevention and ergonomics. The program will also address issues related to highly pathogenic avian influenza, avian metapneumovirus and biosecurity.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Agri-Pulse Kicks Off 2nd Great Tomato Challenge

    Cindy Zimmerman

    2024 Great Tomato Challenge winner California Assembly member Reggie Jones-Sawyer with Agri-Pulse Publisher Sara Wyant, Bayer tomato breeder Chad Jorgensen, Chef P.J. Mulvaney, and Bayer’s Jenny Maloney.

    Agri-Pulse is kicking off its second “Great Tomato Challenge” today in Sacramento.

    The competition is open to members of the California Senate and Assemblymembers and their staff members, who are picking up their tomato plants for the challenge today. The winner will be announced prior to the Agri-Pulse Food & Ag Issues Summit in Sacramento on June 10.

    Agri-Pulse will make a $1,000 donation to the winner’s choice of a California Food Bank, as well as a $500 donation to a California food bank in honor of the 2nd place winner.

    “Thanks to Senator Melissa Hurtado’s leadership and our generous sponsors, we are offering a fun competition that educates participants about the challenges of growing delicious tomatoes in the Golden State while also helping those most in need of fresh, local food,” said Agri-Pulse Founder Sara Wyant.

    The Great Tomato Challenge is made possible by a collaboration between Agri-Pulse and several sponsors who are involved with growing and processing fresh fruits and vegetables, including Vegetables by Bayer, Bonnie Plants, California Women for Agriculture, DiMare Fresh, and Morning Star.

    The idea for the challenge came out of Wyant’s desire to inspire people to raise a tomato plant while learning something new about food production and helping those most in need of fresh, local food. In the early 1900’s, Sacramento was the heart of the state’s canning industry and nicknamed “The Big Tomato.” Tomatoes are grown in 20 California counties and growers produce an average of 50,800 tons, creating a big economic impact across the state.

    “We can’t wait to see how the Vegetables by Bayer Seminis® brand Early Girl variety performs with the California State Assembly and Senate and staff,” noted Jenny Maloney, Global-Americas Strategic Accounts Manager at Bayer CropScience Vegetable Seeds.

    Last year, California Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer was the winner of the first Great Tomato Challenge with a tomato plant his staff affectionately named Stanley.

    Agri-Pulse, specialty crops