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

    Truterra Includes Dairy in Summer Carbon Programs

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Truterra is announcing a new carbon program created specifically for dairy producers is among the options to help farmers adopt climate-smart practices.

    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 programs are supported by leading dairy companies including Land O’Lakes, Bel Brands and Dairy Farmers of America (DFA). Eligibility is open to both new and long-term practice adopters, and participants are eligible via invitation through sponsoring companies.

    “Truterra is focused on pairing farmers seeking to adopt climate-smart practices with companies looking to fulfill their environmental commitments,” said Jamie Leifker, president of Truterra. “We are excited to expand into the dairy industry with these unique market-backed programs.”

    To learn more about Truterra’s full suite of programs, visit https://www.truterraag.com/enroll or contact a Truterra network provider for full program details.

    AgWired Precision, carbon, Soil, Sustainability

    Cargill Partners with Goanna Ag On Precision Irrigation Project

    Chuck Zimmerman

    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.

    Cargill“Major retail brands have set goals related to water and are increasingly looking to supply chain partners like Cargill for data-backed sustainability solutions. This pilot project underscores Cargill’s commitment to helping our customers meet those ambitions to advance sustainable agriculture and water conservation,” said Matt Dunbar, managing director of Cargill’s cotton business. “By integrating advanced irrigation technology, we aim to bolster the resilience of cotton farming in the Mississippi Delta while conserving one of our most precious resources—water.”

    Goanna Ag, a leader in on-farm irrigation management operating in Australia and the U.S., brings over 20 years of experience and data driven insights to the project. The Goanna Ag GoField® technology solution leverages field sensors, satellite imagery, weather forecasts, and crop data to enable precise irrigation. This innovative approach helps farmers optimize their water use, contributing to both increased crop yields and significant water conservation.

    Participants in the pilot receive installation of the GoannaAg GoField® technology and personalized training to optimize irrigation timing tailored to their specific soil and crop conditions.

    You can find more information here.

    Agronomy, AgWired Precision, Irrigation, Precision Agriculture, Technology

    The Latest with Huma

    Chuck Zimmerman

    I talked with representatives from Huma, who were attending their first Ag Media Summit, about the news releases we distribute for them. We decided an interview about their products was in order. So, I was introduced to Fred Nichols, Chief Sales and Marketing Office, Huma.

    We just spoke by phone on several topics. We started with fall fertility and when farmers apply soil fertility products like Fertil Humus to help degrade any remaining crop residue and convert it to humus over the winter – ultimately preparing the field for spring planting with better tilth, microbial activity and nutrient availability. We also covered other soil health, crop protection and biostimulant products. You can learn more about the many benefits of Huma products.

    You can listen to the interview here:
    Interview with Fred Nichols (10:01)

    Ag Media Summit, Agribusiness, Audio, Nutrient Management, Soil

    Peterson Brothers at Ag Media Summit Once Again

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The Peterson BrothersSpeaking at the Ag Media Summit was Greg Peterson and Kendal Peterson of the well-known Peterson Brothers. I first met Greg Peterson at the 2012 Ag Media Summit. I interviewed him before a panel we were on and you can still listen to it here. That same year Greg and Nathan attended the AgChat Agvocacy 2.0 Conference and Jamie Johansen was there and she talked to them about their first video which just blew up and they became Ag Stars. You can listen to Jamie’s interview here when that video had close to 7 million views. Now the video has over 12 million views (I’m Farming and I Grow It)!

    So, speaking of views and perhaps creating engagement I’m sharing a question asked of Greg during this year’s Summit.

    Greg and Kendal Peterson – Excerpt of a question about the changes in online video engagement and stats
    Video statistics q&a with Peterson Brothers (2:39)

    In case you didn’t know it the brothers published their latest video during the Ag Media Summit. You can find it here.

    2024 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

    Ag Media Summit, Audio, Farming

    Animal Ag News 8/13

    Carrie Muehling

  • The National Pork Board (NPB) partnered with the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) to convene a group of public health, animal health and swine professionals in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to build relationships and explore opportunities for One Health collaborations. The event was sponsored by the Pork Checkoff with the support of several state pork associations and producers from Minnesota and South Dakota.
  • Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification is an easy and effective way to pursue continued education in the cattle business. Cattlemen and women can become BQA certified, or renew an expired certification, on Wednesday afternoon, August 21, 2024, at Hy-Plains Feedyard in Montezuma, Kan. Plus, attendees will hear from Jerome Tang, Kansas State University men’s basketball coach, about how it takes every player on a team to win. The workshop is free to attend and will offer simultaneous Spanish interpretation.
  • Leaders of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) issued statements of concern in response to news of the indictment of Charles and Heather Maude, multi-generational family ranchers in western South Dakota, by U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officers and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota.
  • Partners, collaborators and contractors involved in the Edge Climate-Smart project met in Green Bay on July 17 to share success stories, project updates and begin visioning for the future. The day-long meeting provided an opportunity for cross-sharing of information to strengthen the overall program. Farmer enrollment for year two of the project is now open.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced that Matt Herrick will take on the role of Executive Vice President, Chief Impact Officer. In this new role, Herrick will coordinate efforts across the association to drive policy, advocacy, communications, and social impact strategies in coordination with IDFA’s Executive Team members and subject matter experts. Herrick previously served as Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications. He will continue to oversee public affairs, communications, and manage the IDFA Foundation, in addition to these new responsibilities. He will continue to report to IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes, D.V.M.
  • In the decade ahead, easy-to-prepare meals will be of priority to Gen Z and younger Millennials who buy fresh chicken. Sixty-seven percent of Gen Z claim fast prep will be a priority in five years. “Beyond speed, Gen Z indicates a future need for advanced meal prep, global flavors and minimal cleanup,” according to new research presented at Chicken Marketing Summit 2024. The 2024 Chicken Consumption Survey results revealed current and anticipated US consumer behavior among different generations.
  • The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) announced that nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award. This prestigious award recognizes family farmers who demonstrate exceptional environmental stewardship in poultry and egg production. Eligible nominees include family-owned poultry growers or egg producers who supply products to a USPOULTRY member or independent producers who are USPOULTRY members. The deadline for nominations is Oct. 25.
  • United States Department of Agriculture scientists have identified potential ecological benefits of strategically applied livestock grazing in sagebrush communities across U.S. western rangelands. As recently published in the scientific journal Ecosphere, the collaborative research effort among Agricultural Research Service (ARS) rangeland scientists at Burns, Oregon, and Fort Collins, Colorado, challenged the outdated dogma that livestock grazing in the sagebrush steppe always negatively impacts these ecosystems and, in fact, can convey desirable outcomes, particularly in regard to limiting both wildfire risk and invasive annual grasses.
  • Through the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, NRCS has awarded $22 million in 29 projects in 36 states that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites