Animal Ag News 8/13

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) notched a legal victory in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia affirming protections for cattle farmers and ranchers from onerous and unnecessary air emissions reporting requirements. NCBA, along with a coalition of other livestock and farm groups, has engaged in this litigation for years to ensure that family farmers and ranchers were not forced to file complex, overreaching reports with the federal government about emissions under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
  • Environmental managers in the poultry and egg industry face increasing pressure to meet regulatory demands while advancing sustainability and operational efficiency. USPOULTRY’s 2025 Environmental Management Seminar, taking place Sept. 18–19 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Fla., will offer practical insights and forward-thinking strategies to help navigate today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
  • Researchers at Auburn University recently developed new methods for safely using poultry processing wastewater for food-grade hydroponic crop production. By eliminating pathogens, like salmonella, the research team was able to use wastewater from a poultry processing plant to grow romaine lettuce safe for human consumption. The breakthrough promises not only a cost-effective means of irrigating crops with poultry byproduct water, but also better water conservation.
  • On Thursday, Aug. 7, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued an order that confirmed a reporting exemption for air emissions from the natural breakdown of animal waste at a farm. The court affirmed that the reporting exemption under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in June 2019, is appropriate because of the relationship between the reporting mandates under EPCRA and the Comprehensive Emergency Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as the federal Superfund law. This decision comes more than 20 years after USPOULTRY, the National Turkey Federation and the National Chicken Council formally requested that EPA exempt poultry farms from the requirement to report the emission of ammonia under CERCLA and EPCRA.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced the selection of 30 outstanding professionals from IDFA member companies to join the seventh cohort of the NextGen Leadership Program, a premier, year-long program designed to develop the dairy industry’s next generation of senior leadership. Cohort 7 was selected based on their experience and scope of responsibility within their organizations. Representing a wide cross-section of the dairy industry, including all segments and geographic regions, these individuals reflect the diversity and strength of the industry’s emerging leadership.
  • The nation’s school milk processors have reduced added sugars by nearly 60% in flavored milk products sold at schools as a result of a voluntary, industry-led effort. The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced the results of the Healthy School Milk Commitment launched in April 2023 by 37 school milk processors representing approximately 95 percent of the school milk volume in the United States. The Commitment calls on dairy companies to provide healthy, nutritious school milk options with fewer calories and no more than 10 grams of added sugar per 8-ounce serving by the 2025-2026 school year. The latest survey by IDFA shows the current level of added sugar in flavored milk is 7.2 grams per serving on average, demonstrating that all companies have met or exceeded the pledge.
  • Dairy Calf and Heifer Association’s August 21 webinar focuses on calf-rearing protocols. “Why do protocols fail? Setting up on-farm processes for success” – set for Aug. 21, at 2 p.m. Central time (U.S./Canada). Marisol Orellana, Diamond V calf and heifer field product specialist, will lead this free, one-hour educational offering.
  • Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) and Discover Dairy are inviting educators to register for the popular Adopt a Cow program, now open for the 2025–26 school year. This udderly delightful—and completely free—experience connects students with a real Wisconsin calf and her farm family, turning agriculture education into an unforgettable adventure.
  • 4-H and FFA members from across the state have joined with Missouri Farmers Care to make a difference far beyond the showring this year. After competing at the Missouri State Fair, they chose to donate their market hogs through Hogs for Hunger, a program that turns livestock projects into high quality protein for Missouri families facing hunger.
  • New soybean research and commercial learnings are available that evolve soy use as a feed ingredient in poultry, swine, dairy and beef diets. To share these important insights, the United Soybean Board is launching a new website called U.S. Soy Center for Animal Nutrition and Health (U.S. Soy CAN) to provide the latest research and information to livestock industries.
  • The South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC) is proud to announce Jon Dilworth as its new Executive Director. In this key leadership position, Jon will oversee the Council’s statewide beef promotion, education, and research programs funded through the Beef Checkoff. He will serve as a primary voice for South Dakota’s cattle producers while leading strategic outreach, retail and foodservice collaboration, and producer engagement initiatives that strengthen beef demand from pasture to plate.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Arkion Life Sciences Announces Promotions

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Arkion Life Sciences announces the promotion of two executives in its EgCel® IgY Technology business unit. Both are key executives within the business unit and will drive adoption and growth of the EgCel portfolio of products (EggTek® and ActivEgg®), pipeline innovations and new services brought to market.

    Shawn W. Jones, PhD, has been promoted to Director of Innovation & Manufacturing, EgCel IgY Technology. Jones is a published researcher and microbiologist who oversees production, research and development on the EgCel line of immune support products. He joined Arkion in 2020 and was most recently the Process and Development Manager. Prior to coming to Arkion, he worked to develop and scale-up novel fermentation and microbial processes for biomaterials and nutrition products.

    Michelle Tollefson has been promoted to Director of Commercialization, EgCel IgY Technology. Former Business Director for EgCel IgY, Tollefsonjoined Arkion in 2021. In her new role, she will bring new products and services to market and ensure their commercial success. Prior to Arkion, she held senior brand and marketing roles at Elanco, Bayer Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Pfizer, with a track record of delivering growth across dairy, swine, poultry, and pet health segments.

    EgCel IgY products provide a blanket of specific IgY antibodies to help close “the gap” between passive immunity provided by colostrum and the animal’s active immunity provided by vaccines.

    AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Animal Agriculture, Animal Health, people, Technology

    USDA Forecasts Record Corn Crop

    Cindy Zimmerman

    USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is forecasting a record corn crop this year, up 13% from last year, forecast at 16.7 billion bushels. Meanwhile, soybean growers are expected to decrease their production by two percent from 2024 to 4.29 billion bushels.

    Average corn yield is forecast at a record high 188.8 bushels per acre, up 9.5 bushels from last year. NASS also forecasts record high yields in Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin. As of Aug. 3, 73% of this year’s corn crop was reported in good or excellent condition, 6 percentage points above the same time last year.

    Soybean yields are expected to average a record high 53.6 bushels per acre, up 2.9 bushels from 2024. If realized, the forecasted yields in Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, and Virginia will be record highs.

    All wheat production is forecast at 1.93 billion bushels, down 2% from 2024, and NASS forecasts all cotton production at 13.2 million 480-pound bales, down 8% from last year.

    Corn, Cotton, Soybean, USDA, Wheat

    ACN and LPC Awards

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Agricultural Communicators NetworkLooking for the winners from the Agricultural Communicators Network (ACN) and Livestock Publications Council?

    Let’s get started with ACN. The winners were announced at the 2025 Ag Media Summit on July 29, 2025. Here is a complete list of all the winners.

    Livestock Publications CouncilHere are the Skill Excellence Award Winners. And a full list of Contest Results.

    For photos of awards that were presented on stage, look in the 2025 AMS Photo Album.

    ACN, Ag Media Summit, LPC, Media

    Industry Ag News 8/11

    Carrie Muehling

  • The National FFA Organization announced that its new membership number reflects more than one million FFA members nationwide, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Membership reached 1,042,245 this year with 9,407 chapters.
  • The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) released numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture today showing there are 526,263 farmers in the U.S. growing corn. NCGA has long said it represents the interest of over 300,000 corn growers. But that number, published by USDA, is the number of farms in the country, not the number of farmers making the decisions on the farm.
  • The Farm Progress Show launches an exclusive American Lager in partnership with Illinois-based Riggs Beer Company, available now at the brewery and select locations, ahead of the show’s 20th anniversary at its permanent biennial Decatur site. The beer features Illinois-grown grains and hops and will be available at the 2025 Farm Progress Show, scheduled for Aug. 26-28 in Decatur. Advance tickets cost $15 plus fees, with gate admission priced at $25.
  • Farm Journal Foundation is launching a new partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to bring its Voice of the Farmer Garden exhibit to USDA’s headquarters on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
  • The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) applauds the bipartisan, bicameral reintroduction of the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act, led by Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE). A companion house measure is led by Reps. Mark Alford (R-MO), Angie Craig (D-MN), Mark Messmer (R-IN), and Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI). This legislation will strengthen America’s leadership in biomanufacturing, expand markets for corn-based bioproducts, and support job creation across rural America.
  • Rusty Rumley, JD, LL.M, National Ag Law Center; James Mintert, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University; and Donald Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, are among the speakers confirmed to make presentations at the 2025 Annual Conference of the American Society of Agricultural Consultants (ASAC) in Indianapolis, Ind., November 2-4.
  • Dr. Temple Grandin, world-renowned animal behaviorist, author, and autism advocate, will keynote the upcoming Livestock Publications Council regional workshop. Learn from one of the most influential voices in agriculture, livestock handling, and neurodiversity. Her insights are practical, powerful, and unforgettable. Registration is now open!
  • Join a special University of Illinois Homecoming Huddle on Friday, September 26, to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Jim Evans and those helping bring the vision of the James F. Evans Global Center for Food and Agricultural Communications to life. Special programming for Evans Center donors will be part of this year’s event — more details to come!
  • Auburn University Professor Charles Chen was recently recognized for outstanding contributions to his field of peanut breeding and genetics. At the 57th annual meeting of the American Peanut Research & Education Society (APRES) July 15-17 in Richmond, Virginia, Chen was awarded the APRES Fellow award. APRES Fellows are active members of the society who have made outstanding contributions in an area of specialization, whether in research, extension or administration.
  • It’s not just about conversions anymore. This webinar explores how to read between the lines of your paid media data — tracking impressions, engagement and assisted conversions to uncover meaningful insights. Learn how to connect the dots between platforms, campaigns and business goals to get a true picture of your brand’s digital momentum. Join the upcoming National Agri-Marketing Association webinar From Clicks to Clarity: Using Analytics to Gauge Brand Momentum with Laura Baumhover and Shannon Hughes from Lessing-Flynn on August 14, 2025 at 11 a.m. central. Register here.
  • VANE Agricultural Insurance Solutions, a leading provider of custom agricultural insurance, announced the appointment of Clayton Becker as Chief Operating Officer. Becker will be responsible for overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations, driving business development, and accelerating sales growth while ensuring operational excellence.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Onward to the NAMA Nexus – Economies of Ag

    Chuck Zimmerman

    2025 NAMA NexusThe NAMA Boot Camp is complete and you can find some photos here. Now it’s time to look ahead for the new NAMA Nexus.

    The NAMA Fall Conference is evolving into … *drumroll please* … NAMA Nexus!

    This elevated, workshop-style event is designed to spark collaboration and drive real-world impact.

    Rather than traditional lecture-style sessions, you’ll engage directly with peers and industry experts in dynamic, discussion-based sessions. Bring your curiosity and individual experience to the table for the best, most engaging experience.

    These focused sessions will explore today’s most pressing topics and challenges — and deliver takeaways you can apply right away.

    You can see the schedule here. There are great sponsorship opportunities available for NAMA Nexus! For more information, contact Jenny Pickett at (913) 491-6500 or email.

    NAMA

    IFAJ Alltech Young Leaders 2025 Announced

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Ten ‘agricultural journalists of the future’ have been selected by the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) to participate in the 2025 Alltech Young Leaders program.

    Now entering its 20th year, the joint initiative seeks to develop and support new and recent entrants to the profession through expert training, feedback and mentoring, delivered during a unique ‘Boot Camp’ at this year’s IFAJ Congress in Nairobi, Kenya, in October.

    The ten 2025 Young Leaders are:

    Aizhan Rymbayeva, Kazakhstan and Türkiye
    Ben Eagle, United Kingdom
    Chelsea Dinterman, United States of America
    Johanna Fry, Germany
    Juliet Akoth, Kenya
    Keira Miller, Canada
    Luíza Cardoso,Brazil
    Nukanah Kollie, Liberia
    Rodrigo Bonazzola, Argentina
    Victoria Ellis, Australia

    “Alltech has partnered with IFAJ since 2005 to support the Young Leader programme for promising agricultural journalists and communicators,” says Jenn Norrie, Alltech’s communications manager for North America and Europe. “Not only does it hone the skills of their trade, but it also provides leadership and networking opportunities to contribute to their growth and development. The opportunity to connect with these young leaders early in their careers has been significant and has created many opportunities for me to connect my Alltech colleagues around the world with IFAJ-affiliated journalists in many of the countries that Alltech operates.”

    Alltech, IFAJ

    Ethanol Report on the RFS at Twenty

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The Energy Policy Act of 2005 was signed by President George W. Bush on August 8 of that year at Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico – symbolizing a new approach to energy economics and security, diversifying our transportation fuel supply by incentivizing ethanol and biodiesel by initiating the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

    This month marks the 20th anniversary of the RFS, as well as the Renewable Fuels Association’s long history of developing, supporting, and defending this successful landmark policy. RFA summarizes the results of the RFS at Twenty, which include: lower gas prices, more energy independence, stronger farms, and cleaner air.

    RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper discusses the milestone in a new blog post and in this edition of The Ethanol Report podcast. Cooper also comments on EPA’s proposal to rescind the 2009 “endangerment finding” on greenhouse gas emissions and what its impact might be for the RFS.

    Ethanol Report 8-4-25 27:41

    The Ethanol Report is a podcast about the latest news and information in the ethanol industry that has been sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association since 2008.

    Choose an option to subscribe

    Audio, Biofuels, Ethanol, Podcasts, RFA

    Precision Ag News 8/8

    Carrie Muehling

  • DTN, the global leader in operational decisioning for energy, agriculture, and weather-driven industries, announced the acquisition of the Canadian ag tech company Grain Discovery. The acquisition accelerates the time to market for multiple DTN ag and sustainability solutions that benefit ag supply chain players.
  • AgLaunch has officially opened applications for the 2026 AgLaunch365 Accelerator, a bold, multi-stage challenge designed to catapult the next generation of agtech startups—not in a lab or a pitch room, but in the field, shoulder-to- shoulder with farmers. Applications are due by September 15, 2025.
  • The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) launched the 2025 Rising Stars award program, which is sponsored by Atticus. The Rising Stars program is a meaningful way for ARA member companies to recognize employees for their work in front of hundreds of industry professionals at the annual ARA Conference & Expo and to explore new ways to hone their leadership skills.
  • Agriculture uses 70 percent of global freshwater, and farmers will need to grow more food with less reliable water availability to meet the demands of a growing population. To address the critical challenges of balancing water security and food security over the next 15 years, Cambridge University Press has launched a new Cambridge Sustainability Commission on Water for Food Futures (CWFF) led by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska (DWFI). Results will be published in Cambridge University Press’s Global Sustainability journal in 2027, contributing vital research and insights to the global understanding of these pressing issues.
  • Stine® Seed Company is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Seed Life, LLC, a rising leader in the Midwest seed market. Beginning with the 2026 growing season, Seed Life, which is headquartered just south of Springfield, Illinois, will offer a full lineup of Stine corn and soybean products to growers throughout the region.
  • Traction Ag Inc., a leading provider of farm accounting and operations software, announced its latest billing integration with Keystone Cooperative. This new workflow enables Keystone Cooperative bills to sync directly into Traction Ag’s cloud-based platform, reducing manual data entry and ensuring accounting entries remain accurate and up to date.
  • Join the Conservation Technology Information Center and Farmers for Soil Health at noon CT, Aug. 14, to discuss the economics of cover crops in the northern Midwest. Register now.
  • Ten innovation-driven enterprises will go head-to-head for the top prize of $100,000 in the 2026 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, continues to encourage agricultural innovation through the Challenge.
  • The Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) welcomes and applauds the bipartisan reintroduction of the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act. This legislation represents a significant investment in America’s bioeconomy, aiming to expand markets for U.S. farmers, support domestic manufacturing, and accelerate the adoption of renewable, biobased products.
  • Without key pesticides corn growers could see a significant reduction in production and ability to continue conservation tillage and cover cropping practices, which are critical for reducing soil erosion, improving water quality and enhancing soil health, according to one of the nation’s top farmer advocates.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    VANE Agricultural Insurance Solutions Appoints CEO

    Cindy Zimmerman

    VANE Agricultural Insurance Solutions, a leading provider of custom agricultural insurance, has appointed Clayton Becker as Chief Operating Officer, responsible for overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations, driving business development, and accelerating sales growth while ensuring operational excellence.

    Becker brings a wealth of experience in agriculture, with over two decades at Syngenta, and most recently, as President of Farmers National, a leading farm land management services provider. In his new role, Becker will be instrumental in translating business strategy into product strategy, building high-performing teams, and identifying new market opportunities for VANE’s innovative agribusiness revenue and balance sheet protection solutions.

    “We are delighted to welcome Clayton to the VANE team,” said Don Preusser, CEO and Founder of VANE. “Clayton’s proven leadership in business development and operational execution will be critical as we continue to expand our reach and provide agribusinesses with specialized, one-of-a-kind, insurance coverage they need to protect against revenue loss due to weather events.”

    Becker will also focus on fostering strong relationships with prospects, customers, and business partners, and ensuring VANE’s continued service excellence in the delivery of its unique revenue insurance solutions for agribusinesses.

    Crop Insurance, people