Harnessing Ag Tech for Sustainable Ag

Cindy Zimmerman

As the agricultural landscape grapples with macro issues such as extreme weather, economic pressures, and evolving consumer demands, growers are compelled to not only prepare for challenges but also adapt their entire business models. Harnessing Ag Tech for Sustainable Ag was the title of a panel at the recent VISION Conference that explored how cutting-edge agricultural technology serves as a catalyst for this transformative journey.

“Primarily we talked about the front line activity to introduce these frontier technologies into enterprises and work with seed companies and retailers and NGOs to introduce those to growers,” said panelist BioLumic CEO Steve Sibulkin.

BioLumic offers UV technology to trigger biological mechanisms that increase plant growth and yields, and recently announced a partnership with GroAlliance to utilize ultraviolet (UV) light seed treatment technology for corn and soybean seed production. Sibulkin says they utilize a business-to-business approach to bring ag technology to farmers. “BioLumic works across twelve crops,” said Sibulkin. “We also announced a partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in sustainable rice.”

Learn more in this interview.
2024 VISION interview with Steve Sibulkin, BioLumic 6:55

AgWired Precision, Audio, Precision Agriculture, Technology

Talking Policy at #CattleCon24

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethan Lane moderates panel of NCBA policy specialists

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) Executive Committee last week approved the organization’s policy priorities for the year which focus on advocating for the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, protecting cattle producers from federal regulatory overreach, and defending the U.S. cattle industry against external attacks.

NCBA’s policy priorities include:
Secure reauthorization of the animal health provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill and advocate for expanded funding of the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB) to protect against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
Defend the U.S. cattle industry against radical animal activist groups that want to end cattle production, including the Beef Checkoff.
Fight against misguided Endangered Species Act rules and any expansion of bureaucratic red tape under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 
Preserve family farms and ranches for future generations by advocating for essential tax relief for cattle producers.

NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane led the policy issues update last week with many of the organization’s specialists in different areas. Listen to their interviews below:

Ethan Lane, NCBA Vice President, Government Affairs
Interview with Ethan Lane 10:20
Kent Bacus, Executive Director, Government Affairs, NCBA
Interview with Kent Bacus 8:38
Tanner Beymer, NCBA Sr Dir, Government Affairs
Interview with Tanner Beymer 6:30
Sigrid Johannes, Director, Public Lands Council and NCBA Government Affairs
Interview with Sigrid Johannes 4:51
Kelsey Kemp, Associate Director, Government Affairs, NCBA
Interview with Kelsey Kemp 4:13

2024 CattleCon Photo Album

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Cattle Industry Conference, Livestock, NCBA

Precision Ag News 2/7

Carrie Muehling

  • Case IH is launching the AF11 combine, an industry-leading powerhouse purposefully redesigned from the ground up to maximize time in the field. The AF11 brings together runtime advancements through speed and technology to maximize in-field productivity in this 775 hp machine. By coupling Case IH’s first-ever dual rotor, the AFXL2, with an active and dynamic cleaning system, the AF11 delivers industry-leading capacity.
  • The next wave of automation is coming to large square baling in 2024 through Case IH Baler Automation. Designed for hands-free efficiency, Large Square Baler Automation maximizes throughput and delivers consistent, high-quality bales regardless of operator experience level. The dealer-installed automation kit connects seamlessly with Class 3 ISOBUS Puma, Optum and Magnum tractors.
  • American Farmland Trust (AFT) released a white paper summarizing the climate benefits associated with agricultural conservation easements. The paper comes when global attention is focused on addressing climate change on the heels of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai last December.
  • The Agtools team is getting ready to share its substantial experience on the first-mile (origin) supply chain at Fruit Logistica, Europe’s largest tradeshow for Food and Agriculture, to be held in Berlin, Germany, from February 7th to 9th, 2024. Agtools is succeeding at converting raw data into reliable, curated and audited data to make it simple for every food supply chain stakeholder.
  • Yanmar Compact Equipment rolls its first compact track loader production models, the TL100VS, off the line for the North American market. This expansion to Yanmar’s compact equipment offering is the culmination of four years of extensive research and development following the company’s acquisition of a U.S. manufacturing facility and engineering team focused on compact track loaders.
  • Yanmar Agribusiness Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Yanmar Holdings, has revealed its e-X1 concept, an electric drive compact electric agricultural machine designed to achieve zero emissions in agriculture.
  • A collaborative effort led by scientists from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), in partnership with researchers from various institutions, dove into the long-term ramifications of advancing agricultural production on the delicate ecosystems of grasslands and wetlands to gain critical insights. In the process they devised strategies for policymakers and land managers that facilitate sustainable agricultural productivity across these expansive landscapes. The study is published in the journal Nature Communications.
  • Michigan State University has hired a new farm manager for its Pollinator Performance Center, a recently developed on-campus station dedicated to pollinator research, education and outreach. Dan Wyns, who previously served as an academic specialist for honey bee colony health and management in the MSU Department of Entomology, will direct daily operations.
  • BioWake Prime, the new EPA-registered corn rootworm bioinsecticide from AMVAC GreenSolutions, is now available through retail facilities for the 2024 growing season. BioWake Prime contains unique microbes that colonize corn plants, priming their natural defenses to protect against corn rootworm, which has exerted significant pressure on growers across the Corn Belt. Larval feeding of corn rootworm has led to millions of dollars in crop damage in recent years.
  • CropX Technologies, a global leader in digital agriculture solutions, announced the launch of a new product in partnership with Reinke Irrigation to refine water management for farmers through field-specific Evapotranspiration (ET) measurements of crop water use. Reinke Direct ET by CropX is an innovation that provides affordable Actual Evapotranspiration (ETa) measurements with a sensor mounted on a Reinke center pivot irrigation system, available exclusively through Reinke.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Clean Fuels CEO Optimistic as Industry Faces Headwinds

    Cindy Zimmerman

    On the MainStage at the 2024 Clean Fuels Conference, Clean Fuels Alliance America CEO Donnell Rehagen, provided a state of the industry report noting that it is a very transformative time for clean fuels, biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.

    “We are facing a serious headwind right now with the low RVOs set by the EPA as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard. I see the recent downturn and the impact that these low RVOs have had on our producers. But please, do not despair. We have faced this and arguably worse before and we’ve come out on top.”

    A large component of Rehagen’s remarks focused on demand from the rail industry and other markets.

    Listen to his opening remarks and press availability below:
    Opening remarks with Donnell Rehagen 3:03
    Press Conference with Donnell Rehagen 21:58

    2024 Clean Fuels Conference Photo Album

    Audio, Biofuels, Clean Fuels Alliance

    Amazon Web Services Supports VISION

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Cross-Industry Insights: Accelerating Ag Tech Advancement and Adoption was the title of one of the panels at the recent VISION Conference, taking a look at how different industries might be addressing challenges parallel to those in agriculture. Ram Devarajulu, Cambridge Consultants, moderated the panel which included Ron Osborne, Amazon Web Services (AWS); Cassie Edgar, McKee Voorhees & Sease PLC; and Meiko Martin, Trimble.

    Ron Osborne is the Global Head of Technology for Agriculture at AWS, helping global agribusinesses across the value chain to modernize, achieve business and enterprise agronomy product and IT goals. He says AWS is proud to be a part of the VISION Conference and the Global Ag Tech Initiative. “We bring a carefully, curated voice to the Global Ag Tech Initiative to represent the industry from a lot of different perspectives, not just AWS but what our customers are really thinking about too,” said Osbourne.

    Looking ahead, Osbourne wanted conference attendees to have quantum computing on their radar. “The work being done with quantum computing with Amazon Braket as an example, is we believe going to be changing how agribusinesses work in many respects,” he said.

    Learn more in this interview.
    2024 VISION interview with Ron Osborne, AWS 4:03

    AgWired Precision, Audio, Precision Agriculture, Technology

    Alltech Ponders World Without Cows at #CattleCon24

    Cindy Zimmerman

    “Are we better off in a world without cows?”

    It might be a strange question to ask in the middle of a convention with 8,000 cattle industry stakeholders, but it is one that is being asked on the global level when it comes to addressing climate change – and one that two filmmakers sought to answer in a documentary that took them from the heartland of the United States to Kenya, India, Brazil and beyond.

    The World Without Cows project was spearheaded by Alltech and CEO Mark Lyons says it was produced by two of their most creative employees but the intended audience is global. “This is a documentary that is not about Alltech at all. It is about our industry, it’s about our producers…and a really balanced conversation,” said Lyons in an interview at CattleCon24.

    The documentary includes interviews with experts in agriculture and environmental science, farmers and others to look at the complex and often surprising ways in which cattle impact our world and Lyons says they hope that combined with the website WorldWithoutCows.com it will have an impact. “We want to make a website which is a repository for data (so that) when you have that chat with that person on the plane who said they stopped eating meat because of the environment, this is a place you can send them,” Lyons said.

    Learn more in this interview about World Without Cows and how you can get involved.
    Interview with Mark Lyons, Alltech 8:24

    2024 CattleCon Photo Album

    AgWired Animal, Alltech, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Environment, Livestock

    Beef Advocates Recognized During CattleCon24

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) selected Alli Fender, owner of Flying F Ranch in San Diego, California, as this year’s top beef advocate.

    Fender was honored as the Advocate of the Year for the positive example she sets for other beef advocates by sharing her journey in ways that connect with people outside of her immediate beef community. Through her advocacy efforts, and as a member of the Trailblazers advocacy program, Fender has grown her presence on social media where she works to educate those wanting to learn about the beef industry.

    Learn more about her in this interview.
    Interview with Ali Fender, California 8:35

    Trailblazers Colt Coffee and Paige Schmidt

    The Trailblazers program, funded by the Beef Checkoff, was established in 2021 to identify, train, equip and empower the next generation of advocates in the beef community. Over the course of a year-long program, 10 elite advocates develop the necessary tools to facilitate quality conversations and help safeguard the work of producers, ranchers and cattle farmers across the United States.

    The 2023 Trailblazers include Tucker Brown, Texas; Colton Coffee, Montana; Sam Cossio, Washington; Allison Fender, California; Rocky Forseth, Montana; Macey Hurst, Missouri; Joe Lowe, Kentucky; Erin Perkins, New York; Paige Schmidt, Kansas; and Ally Spears, Texas. The 2024 Trailblazers cohort will be announced in mid-February.

    Listen to interviews with a few more of the 2023 Trailblazers class.

    Interview with Tucker Brown, Texas 6:34
    Interview with Macey Hurst, Missouri 4:26
    Interview with Erin Perkins, New York 3:47
    Interview with Paige Schmidt, Kansas and Colt Coffee, Montana 6:50

    2024 CattleCon Photo Album

    Audio, Beef, Beef Checkoff, Cattle Industry Conference, Livestock, NCBA

    CIRB Elects Rinkenberger as 2024-25 Chairwoman

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Lindsey Rinkenberger, COUNTRY Financial®, is the new chairwoman of the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) for 2024-2025. She stepped into the role at the conclusion of the CIRB Annual Meeting last week in Scottsdale, Arizona.

    Rinkenberger served as the director of commercial agribusiness underwriting operations at COUNTRY Financial® since 2020. Prior to that she held various positions at the company, starting as a crop insurance underwriter in 2002. She graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications and media studies.

    “I am proud to step into the this new position and I look forward to working with all CIRB members this year as we work to ensure crop insurance remains the most effective and efficient way to deliver risk management to farmers across the country,” Rinkenberger said.

    As a CIRB member, she most recently served as vice chair under former Chairman Brian Young of Great American Insurance Group. In addition, Rinkenberger was a participant in the second Emerging Leaders Program sponsored by CIRB.

    Listen to an interview with Rinkenberger from last week’s CIRB annual meeting.
    Interview with Lindsey Rinkenberger, COUNTRY Financial 3:27

    2024 CIRB Annual Meeting Photo Album

    Audio, CIRB, Insurance

    Agriculture Community Mourns Loss of Bill Northey

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The tributes began pouring in as soon as the shock wore off Monday when the news broke that former Iowa Agriculture Secretary and USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey had died at the age of 64.

    The Agribusiness Association of Iowa (AAI) where Northey served as CEO shared the news of his passing. “The state of Iowa, and all of agriculture, has lost a great leader who has left his mark on future generations and will be greatly missed. Bill was a tireless advocate for agriculture and a beloved leader for the entire AAI staff and organization.”

    Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said in a statement that his family has been friends with the Northeys for over two generations.
    “Bill Northey was a dear friend and fierce advocate for the family farmer. As Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture and Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation at the United States Department of Agriculture under President Trump, Bill’s commitment to agriculture, biofuels and conservation were unmatched,” said Grassley.

    USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack also mentioned his decades-long friendship with Northey and his family in his statement, noting they had just lost his father Wayne Northey recently. “Bill’s colleagues, the Iowa agriculture community, and so many who knew him will feel the absence of such a passionate, knowledgeable and devoted leader for a long time to come,” said Vilsack.

    Funeral arrangements are pending and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags to be at half-staff until Northey is buried.

    “Bill was a great leader whose work ethic and passion for Iowa agriculture was unmatched. Iowans and farmers around the country were fortunate to have such a rock-solid advocate and friend,” said Reynolds. “Kevin and I offer our deepest condolences and prayers to Cindy and their family.”

    Northey served as Iowa ag secretary for 11 years, from 2007 to 2018, before becoming USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation under President Trump. A fourth-generation farmer, Northey was president of the National Corn Growers Association in the mid-1990s.

    obituariess, people, USDA

    Animal Ag News 2/5

    Carrie Muehling

  • There were 87.2 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of Jan. 1, 2024, according to the Cattle report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced support for the bipartisan Fair and Accurate Ingredient Representation on Labels Act of 2024 (FAIR Labels Act) introduced by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO), Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX), Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), and Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL). The bill would end deceptive labeling practices on fake meat products and ensure that consumers know exactly what they are buying at the grocery store.
  • Megan Eckhardt of New Braunfels, Texas, and Jaime Luke of Stanberry, Missouri, were each awarded a $15,000 W.D. Farr Scholarship by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF). In addition, 10 students pursuing careers in the beef industry were awarded $1,500 scholarships by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation. The CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship program recognizes talented and thoughtful students emerging as industry leaders.
  • The Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin’s leading dairy advocacy group, elected three directors to its board during the group’s annual meeting today at the 2024 Dairy Strong conference.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced new members of the organization’s Executive Council as well as new directors for the group’s five Industry Segment Boards. IDFA’s Executive Council is composed of executives from across the dairy foods industry and focuses on the business and operations of the association.
  • Rob Shumaker of Great Lakes Cheese received the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) 2024 Food Safety Leadership Award during IDFA’s Dairy Forum. The award, now in its eighth year, honors an individual, group or organization for demonstrating outstanding leadership directed at enhancing food safety within the dairy products industry.
  • Mikell Fries, Claxton Poultry Farms, Claxton, Georgia, was elected chair of the board of directors of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY). The board meeting was held during the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2024 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). Fries previously served as vice chair.
  • Tom Hensley, president of Fieldale Farms, was named USPOULTRY’s Workhorse of the Year during the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2024 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). The poultry industry’s most prestigious honor is awarded annually in recognition of dedicated service and valuable leadership given to the Association and poultry industry.
  • John Starkey, former president of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), was honored by USPOULTRY during the 2024 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), where he received the Harold E. Ford Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious honor was presented to Starkey by Nath Morris, president of USPOULTRY.
  • USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation are pleased to recognize Dr. Darrin Karcher as the recipient of the annual Dr. Charles Beard Research Excellence Award. Dr. Karcher is an associate professor of animal sciences at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and an adjunct associate professor of animal sciences at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. The award is named in honor of Dr. Charles Beard, former director of the Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory and former vice president of research at USPOULTRY.
  • The 2024 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) has the largest trade show floor ever with 621,350 square feet of exhibit space and 1,427 exhibitors. This year, IPPE has more than 31,000 poultry and egg, meat, and animal food industry attendees representing 130+ countries. Sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, American Feed Industry Association and the Meat Institute, IPPE is the world’s largest annual poultry and egg, meat and animal food industry event of its kind.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites