Intelinair Successfully Completes SOC 2 Compliance
Ag data analytics company Intelinair today announced the achievement of Systems and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2 Type 1) compliance certification, a widely recognized framework comprising standards of data security, privacy, and operational integrity.
Ag retailer and farmer customers rely on Intelinair’s digital platforms for in-season and postseason data-driven decision-making for crop production. Current platform users can now have even greater confidence in the security and integrity from this next level of data security. Using AI and machine learning, Intelinair tracks several factors – emergence, weeds, disease, nutrient deficiency, yield and more – to provide the insights to help protect yield potential and identify sustainability opportunities.
The SOC 2 standard was developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts (AICPA). As part of the certification process, a SOC 2 audit is performed by an accredited CPA firm and verifies that safeguards are in place to protect customer data, such as internal controls, policies and procedures and that safeguards are operational per the SOC 2 security criteria over an extended period of time.
Huma® CEO Named Chair of TFI Biostimulant Council
Huma® CEO Lyndon Smith was recently named chairman of The Fertilizer Institute’s Biostimulant Council.
Smith has been involved in the humic space and with TFI since the mid-90s. “Huma®’s long-standing participation with TFI has provided me an opportunity to understand the intricacies, challenges, and untapped potentials of the fertilizer and biostimulant industry. It’s a unique privilege to be part of an organization that encourages collaboration over competition, where industry players unite for a common cause – to elevate ourselves, the industry, and to collectively address challenges on both governmental and industry fronts.”
The Biostimulant Council’s mission is to advocate for regulatory reform in the U.S. biostimulant industry, aiming to separate it from the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This move would facilitate state regulation under The Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO), ensuring a standardized approach and recognition of biostimulants.
“Lyndon steps into this role during an incredibly exciting time for biostimulants. Growers are increasingly being asked to do more with less and biostimulants can play an important role in maximizing crop yields while minimizing environmental impacts,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “More growers are looking to include biostimulants into their nutrient management plans and the TFI Biostimulant Council is working hard to increase grower adoption, as well as grower confidence through the Certified Biostimulant Program.”
Animal Ag News 3/26
Entrepreneurs Help Revitalize Rural Revenues
Agri-Pulse moderator Spencer Chase (left) and AgButler founder Kevin Johansen
Johansen says the company, which launched in 2020, has grown exponentially. “We have a little bit under 3,000 users on the platform and that represents 42 states,” he said. “The platform is easy to use. You can get connected with farmers and ranchers in your area but you can also search for laborers who have experience in multiple industries throughout agriculture.”
“Everybody talks about sustainable practices and protocols, but nobody addresses the real sustainable piece in agriculture and that’s the people,” said Johansen. “AgButler wants to be that sustainable piece for people in agriculture.”
Agri-Pulse Summit - Kevin Johansen interview 6:57EPA Committee Gives Ag Seat at the Table
EPA Administrator Michael Regan recently responded to recommendations from the agency’s Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC) on how EPA can best support the agriculture sector’s climate mitigation and adaptation goals.
FRRCC consists of representatives appointed by the agency that provide independent policy advice and information on a range of environmental issues that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities and among the results of their recommendations to EPA is the recent creation of EPA’s Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, headed by the agency’s agricultural advisor Rod Snyder.
One of the 30 members of the FRRCC is Iowa cattle producer Bill Couser, who was selected out of more than 560 applicants. “We basically get three or four challenges every year and our job is to come together with a white paper to help EPA improve its methods of reaching out to rural America,” said Couser in a recent interview.
Couser says he was pleased to be able to host both Administrator Regan and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack together on his ranch shortly after both were appointed to the current administration. “It’s the first time in my career that I saw the heads of those two offices in the same room together. We always met with the staff,” Couser said. “We finally have a seat at the table.”
Listen to this interview with Couser from the recent American Coalition for Ethanol DC Fly-in.
Bill Couser, Iowa 5:34
DWFI Podcast 34 – Impacts of Climate Change in the US
The Fifth National Climate Assessment is federally mandated by Congress and released every four years to serve as the foremost review of research on the current and future impacts of climate change in the United States.
In this episode of the Water for Food Podcast, DWFI Director of Communications and Public Relations Frances Hayes discusses key findings of the report with three of its co-authors. DWFI Faculty Fellows Andrea Basche and Tonya Haigh co-authored the Northern Great Plains chapter, which includes Nebraska. DWFI Director of Water, Climate and Health Jesse Bell, who leads the Water, Climate and Health Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, co-authored the chapter on human health. The authors share their take on regional differences related to climate change, who is most affected by its impacts and what bright spots exist.
View the full assessment here. Find webinars on each topic hosted by the U.S. Global Change Research Program here.
Listen here or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:
DWFI podcast episode 34 57:53
The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska was founded with the mission to have a lasting and significant impact on achieving more food security with less pressure on scarce water resources by conducting scientific and policy research, using the research results to inform policy makers, and sharing knowledge through education and communication.
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Industry Ag News 3/22
AgBiome Announces Sale of Products to Certis Biologicals
AgBiome has announced sale of its products to Certis Biologicals to provide the products with new opportunities, enabling them to realize fully their transformative potential.
Founded in 2012, AgBiome embarked on a visionary journey to make a real difference in the world and emerge as a leading force in agricultural innovation. Throughout its trajectory, the company has remained steadfast in its mission to revolutionize crop protection, demonstrating that microbial solutions can rival established conventional technologies.
”AgBiome’s products, Howler and Theia fungicides, are the most effective biological fungicides with unique modes of action and efficacy similar to synthetic chemicals but with substantial environmental benefits. We are delighted that a company like Certis Biologicals, with a deep commitment to these products, will steward their future growth and development. More growers than ever will be able to see first hand the benefits of these products,” said Scott Rabe, Head of Product Development.
Both Howler® and Theia® fungicides are registered in all 50 states and deliver highly effective disease control with ultimate flexibility, including OMRI-list designation, zero-day pre-harvest interval, minimal restricted-entry interval and exemption from U.S. residue tolerances.
AEM Planning 2nd Celebration of Modern Ag in DC
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is preparing to showcase the Future of Food and Farming in the heart of Washington, DC, during the 2nd Celebration of Modern Ag on the National Mall.
On May 6-8, 2024, more than 20 AEM members will be onsite in the nation’s capital between the Smithsonian Museums to illustrate the equipment manufacturing industry’s contribution to sustainably providing for a growing world.
“AEM is honored to lead our member companies and other industry partners in showcasing the sustainability of our food system on the National Mall,” said AEM Senior Vice President Curt Blades. “This is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate how technologically advanced farms and ranches are today, as well as emphasize why the needs of rural America must be at the forefront of the policies lawmakers support.”
Blades spoke about the event during the National Ag Day celebration this week in Washington DC. Learn more in this interview.
2024 Ag Day Curt Blades interview 2:21