Sec. Rollins Meets Press at #Classic25

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins met with about 50 members of the farm press just before an appearance at the 2025 Commodity Classic in Denver Sunday afternoon.

Rollins has had a full schedule since being confirmed two weeks ago, appearing at the National Farm Machinery Show and meeting with farmers around the country, so her visit to Classic was arranged at the last minute to accommodate her rapidly changing travel schedule. She’s been moving so fast, it’s been hard for her to even know what time zone she is in, as she thought she was late for her mainstage appearance, but was actually early because she was on “Texas time” in the Rockies.

Questions from the media focused on the state of the ag economy, how RFK Jr.’s views on agriculture will influence USDA, tariffs, and USDA layoffs.

USDA Sec. Rollins press conference 15:22

Audio, Commodity Classic, USDA

Industry Ag News 2/28

Carrie Muehling

  • CropLife America, RISE and National Ag Day will host a Celebration of National Ag Day on Tuesday, March 18 from 5:30–8 p.m. in the Kennedy Caucus Room, SR-325, The Russell Senate Office Building. RSVP here.
  • Attendees and exhibitors from around the world gathered in Tulare, Calif., for the 58th Annual World Ag Expo®, the world’s largest annual outdoor agricultural exposition. The three-day show featured 1,274 exhibitors across 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space and welcomed over 100,000 attendees representing 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 80 countries. The 2025 Top-10 New Products contest winners provided a look into the latest innovation and technology ranging from simple solutions to tech-forward items.
  • The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) honored House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., and U.S. Representative David Rouzer, R-NC, with the 2024 Legislator of the Year awards for their support of agricultural retailers.
  • The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives honored two outstanding farmer co-op leaders at its annual meeting in La Quinta, Calif. Joe Diglio, president and CEO of Michigan Milk Producers Association, was named the 2025 Robert B. Engel Farmer Co-op Manager of the year. Tim Burke, a farmer from Monticello, Ind., who serves on the board of Keystone Cooperative, was named as the 2025 Farmer Cooperative Director of the Year.
  • Farm Journal has acquired the Moving Iron Summit and Moving Iron podcast. Casey Seymour, Moving Iron’s co-founder, will take on the role of general manager, machinery, which includes the Machinery Pete and Moving Iron brands.
  • The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced that it has promoted Krista Swanson to serve as chief economist for the organization. Swanson previously served for over two years as NCGA’s lead economist.
  • Commodity Classic attendees will have a seat at the table to hear directly from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who will attend the convention being held in Denver this year. Secretary Rollins is scheduled to visit the Commodity Classic Main Stage on Sunday, March 2, 5:00 p.m. (MST) at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver.
  • The United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) announces the publication of a special supplement in the Journal of Food Science, titled “Sorghum in Human Health.” This milestone marks the first-ever comprehensive compilation of research about sorghum’s nutrition benefits and its role in improving human health. Funded by the USCP, this supplement aims to showcase sorghum’s potential as a nutrient-rich ingredient for both food manufacturers and consumers. By outlining the consumer health benefits and highlighting the role that sorghum plays as a domestic, drought-tolerant crop, it underscores the potential of sorghum to positively impact diet quality and health outcomes.
  • This year, thanks to a grant from Ag Communicators Network’s (ACN) Professional Improvement Foundation and an endowment from Lyle Orwig, ACN is offering three scholarships to undergraduate students pursuing careers in agricultural communications: the Dr. James Evans Scholarship ($3,000) and two Past Presidents’ Scholarships ($2,000 each). To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must be members of the National ACT organization. If a local ACT chapter is not available for a student to join, the student may become an individual member of National ACT by emailing nact.treasurer@gmail.com and nact.president@gmail.com expressing interest in becoming a member. National annual dues are $17.
  • Mod Op, a full-service digital marketing agency specializing in driving client growth through creativity, data science, and innovation, announced the launch of a new group called Cultivate by Mod Op, focused on delivering digital marketing capabilities tailored to the agriculture industry. With Cultivate, Mod Op has built a unified offering to deliver unparalleled full-service marketing solutions for agriculture companies, from creative services and media-buying to digital transformation and public relations, positioning itself as a leader in the rapidly evolving sector.
  • Patrick Johnson, a Tunica, Miss., producer, who previously served as
    National Cotton Council (NCC) vice chairman, was elected NCC chairman for 2025 during the organization’s annual meeting in Dallas, Texas.
  • In her analysis of the National Cotton Council (NCC) Annual Planting Intentions survey results, Dr. Jody Campiche, the NCC’s Vice President, Economics & Policy Analysis, said the NCC projects 2025 U.S. cotton acreage to be 9.6 million acres, 14.5 percent less than 2024. Survey results reflect the economic situation of U.S. cotton growers who are currently facing a third year with unfavorable market returns and an inadequate farm safety net. Additional details of the 2025 Cotton Economic Outlook are on the NCC’s website.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    DWFI Podcast 41 – New Nebraska Nitrogen Recommendations for Irrigated Corn

    Cindy Zimmerman

    After years of dedicated work from many people and sectors, UNL has released new recommendations for nitrogen fertilization of irrigated corn. In this episode, Nebraska Water Extension Educator Crystal Powers talks to UNL professor of agronomy Richard Ferguson, who has been involved in the project from the start.

    Listen here or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:
    DWFI podcast episode 41 17:34

    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.

    How to subscribe:

    Audio, Corn, Irrigation, Nutrient Management, Podcasts, Water, Water for Food

    Alltech 2024 U.S. Harvest Analysis Released

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Global biotech leader Alltech has released its complete 2024 U.S. Harvest Analysis report which shows a combination of heavy early-season rains and late-season droughts has created distinct challenges for crop producers in the United States and indicates an overall moderate to high risk.

    “The trend for corn grain and corn silage is somewhat higher across all regions of the U.S. than it was for 2023,” said Dr. Max Hawkins, global technical support for the Technology Group at Alltech. “This increase in risk is due to the occurrence and levels of type B trichothecenes primarily, but zearalenone and fumonisins are also included in the increase, particularly in the Eastern U.S. The result is an increased pressure on animal health and performance that producers will need to monitor moving forward to maintain a proactive mycotoxin management program.”

    Alltech’s Harvest Analysis program tests samples collected from sites across the country at the leading-edge Alltech 37+® lab, which can detect the presence of 54 mycotoxins.

    Alltech hosted “From Field to Feed: 2024 Crop and Mycotoxin Analysis” last November where panelists shared valuable insights for managing risks across the supply chain. Visit alltech.com/harvest-analysis to access the recording of the broadcast as well as the full 2024 Alltech Harvest Analysis program, including the complete U.S. report, which is available now.

    AgWired Animal, Alltech, Animal Agriculture, Corn, Feed, Livestock

    Precision Ag News 2/26

    Carrie Muehling

  • The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced the winners of the 2024 Photo and Poster Contests during the association’s 79th Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, UT. The photo contest, open to amateur photographers in both youth and adult divisions, attracted entries of images reflecting the themes of “Agriculture and Conservation Across America,” “Close-Up Conservation,” “Conservation in Action,” and “Conservation Practices.” The poster contest, open to students from kindergarten through 12th grade, celebrated the 2024 NACD Stewardship Week theme, “May the Forest Be With You, Always.”
  • Farmers seeking effective biological solutions to optimize their nitrogen fertilizer use are set to benefit from a new agreement between Syngenta Crop Protection and Ceres Biotics aimed at increasing farmer access to VIXERAN®.
  • Syngenta announced that it has acquired the Novartis repository of natural compounds and genetic strains for agricultural use, while Novartis maintains exclusive rights to repository for pharmaceutical use. The transaction also includes transfer of the Novartis Natural Products and Biomolecular Chemistry team to Syngenta.
  • The Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska was recently awarded a three-year grant from the Gates Foundation. The nearly $3.5-million grant will support a new research project focused on expanding the reach and impact of Irrigation as a Service (IaaS) for small scale farmers.
  • AgroTech USA announces an exciting partnership with global biological leader NewLeaf Symbiotics to introduce PowerPlant PPFM, an innovative planter box treatment designed to revolutionize phosphorus availability and early plant health. This product combines AgroTech’s patented NutriCharge® technology with NewLeaf’s proprietary PPFM (Pink-Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs) biostimulant technology, creating a first-of-its-kind solution for growers looking for a science-driven approach to seed-applied crop management.
  • UPL Corp, a provider of comprehensive and sustainable agricultural solutions, announces U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration of INTRAVA™ DX herbicide for use in corn as a pre-emergent weed control solution. INTRAVA DX herbicide is UPL’s most anticipated innovation to date, using a game-changing new active ingredient in corn for excellent control and long-lasting residual over the most challenging resistant weeds. It will be available for sale and use this season.
  • Groundwork BioAg, the leading manufacturer of mycorrhizal inoculants, will feature its cutting-edge products, including Rootella L, Rootella X, and the newly released Rootella Forte powder, at Commodity Classic 2025. These highly concentrated, cost-effective mycorrhizal inoculants effectively extend plant root systems, significantly improving nutrient uptake and crop resilience.
  • MyLand, a leading innovator in soil health, announced a new $4.8 million dollar opportunity in Washington State to enhance soil health for farmers. The program, funded in combination by the Washington State Department of Agriculture and Washington State Department of Commerce, focuses on supporting sustainable agricultural practices and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is excited to announce a powerful, eco-friendly solution for soil disinfection with the revolutionary propane-powered soil steamer. This groundbreaking technology is designed to address one of farmers’ biggest challenges in modern agriculture: how to effectively eliminate weeds, soilborne pathogens, and nematodes without relying on chemical pesticides.
  • Bushel Plus Ltd., a global leader in harvest optimization technology, announces its expansion into the US agriculture market. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in the company’s mission to enhance on-farm harvesting efficiency and productivity for farmers worldwide.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    AgGateway Releases Updated Modus v2

    Cindy Zimmerman

    AgGateway has released an updated version of Modus, the most widely used lab test data exchange standard in the agriculture industry. Modus v2 offers enhanced test method lists allowing soil test labs, retailers, researchers, software providers, and suppliers a more accurate and seamless way to exchange lab test data.

    The original Modus system was independently released in 2014 and rapidly became the de facto soil test data exchange standard in the industry, but it became difficult for the group that created it to provide the ongoing support and curation it needed. AgGateway assumed custody of Modus in 2022 and began the process of evaluating and updating the various parts of Modus.

    Lab test method lists for soil and manure are currently available in the Modus v2 structure, and an AgGateway working group is actively updating the plant tissue method list to the v2 structure which is scheduled to be completed later this year.

    The website ModusStandard.org provides a basic overview of Modus v2 with links to a GitHub repository as well as complete definitions of terms and processes to improve understanding and useability.

    For more information on Modus v2, reach out to AgGateway Member Services via email or visit https://modusstandard.org.

    AgGateway, AgWired Precision, data, Precision Agriculture, Technology

    Groundwork BioAg Expands Rootella Portfolio

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Groundwork BioAg, the leading manufacturer of mycorrhizal inoculants, will be feature its Rootella portfolio products at next week’s Commodity Classic in Denver. The portfolio includes Rootella L, Rootella X, and the newly released Rootella Forte powder, which are designed to extend plant root systems, significantly improving nutrient uptake and crop resilience.

    Rootella Forte

    Importantly, farmers using Rootella have reported phosphorus application reductions of up to 50% without yield loss. On a typical US farm, a 25 percent reduction in phosphorus application translates to approximately $38.50 per acre in savings, based on current market prices.

    “In my conversations with growers, I’ve heard firsthand the excitement about how Rootella consistently performs in the soil as well as creates a new revenue stream from carbon,” said Andrew Duff, general manager of North America for Groundwork BioAg. “Our new Rootella Forte responds to growers’ request for a high concentration powder that can easily be applied on more acres. Now more than ever, growers want products that make agronomic and financial sense; and Rootella does both.”

    The new product formulation enables growers to use the same pouch of Rootella to treat 40 acres versus 20 acres.

    Duff says Groundwork Bioag has had overwhelming demand for its Rootella Carbon program since its launch in 2023, and now has a waiting list for the 2026 growing season. More information about Rootella products and the Rootella Carbon program will be available to growers at the Groundwork BioAg booth #1618 at Commodity Classic.

    Find out more in this interview:

    Groundwork BioAg North America General manager Andrew Duff 14:20

    AgWired Precision, Audio, Precision Agriculture, Soil

    Animal Ag News 2/24

    Carrie Muehling

  • USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins hosted a roundtable with two dozen farmers to hear their perspective on the best approaches to combat avian flu and ultimately lower egg prices. They also discussed other issues facing farmers, including the importance of disaster relief, expanding markets, reducing input costs, and decreasing regulation.
  • The Meat Institute called on the US Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) to include meat and poultry as part of a healthy American diet noting flaws and contradictions in the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s Scientific Report. The Meat Institute’s detailed analysis of the Report’s findings can be found in the full comments submitted for the comment period here.
  • The fourth class participating in the National Institute for Animal Agriculture’s (NIAA) Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders has been selected and will convene for their first session in Washington, D.C. in March 2025.
  • Creating and managing a biosecurity plan in a stocker operation requires a collaborative team effort to effectively address both financial and health risks. By working together, team members can anticipate and mitigate potential threats to cattle health and business stability. During the next National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Cattlemen’s Webinar Series, Dr. Kenny Burdine will discuss business considerations for risk programs and Clay Burtrum will provide experience from a stocker operator perspective. Dr. Misty Edmondson will discuss why biosecurity planning and the Secure Beef Supply is important to the cattle industry from a state veterinarian’s perspective.
  • For 17 years, Zoetis has proudly partnered with veterinarians and animal health distributors to nurture the next generation of agricultural leaders through its Industry Support Program. From Feb. 1 through April 30, 2025, customers may designate a portion of sales from eligible Zoetis Cattle and Equine products to their local chapters of the National FFA Organization.
  • Alltech is a global leader in animal nutrition, backed by 45 years of scientific research. The company produces premium feed additive products and works with global regulatory agencies to meet their requirements. For more than a decade, the company’s attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR–FTIR) chelation assay has been relied upon by the industry to ensure that only the highest-quality products enter the market, to ensure fair market competition, and to prevent feed additive fraud.
  • The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) expressed serious concerns about the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s so-called scientific report in comments filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
  • Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative is partnering with Farmers for Sustainable Food on the FSF Climate-Smart Program. The program, which launched last year, helps farmers determine what conservation practices are most effective for their individual farms and provides tools to document their environmental impacts. Funding for the program comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities award.
  • The regenerative agriculture consulting firm Understanding Ag, LLC, announced the selection of Burke Teichert as managing partner and Jim West as its director of operations. A world-renowned adaptive grazing and ranching economics expert, Teichert will join UA founders Gabe Brown and Allen Williams, Ph.D. in his new partnership role. In his decades-long career, Teichert has managed cattle ranches in a variety of locations and has had managerial oversight of two large farms and a dairy. He has also traveled extensively in the U.S. and in parts of Canada and Central and South America as well as England, Australia and New Zealand either on company business or as a consultant or speaker.
  • The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) reports strong results for 2025, with 1,385 exhibitors covering 598,373 square feet of exhibit space. Recognized as the world’s largest annual event for the animal food, meat, poultry and egg industries, IPPE also ranks among the 25 largest trade shows in the United States. IPPE is sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, American Feed Industry Association and Meat Institute. The 2025 IPPE had 30,502 registered attendees from the poultry, egg, meat and animal food industries, including 8,909 international attendees from 129 countries. Canada had the largest international representation, making up 15 percent of registered attendees. Latin America continued to show the strongest regional presence, accounting for 49 percent of international attendees.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    NCGA President Hopeful for Year-Round E15

    Cindy Zimmerman

    It’s been 15 years since E15 was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for use in most vehicles on the road today, yet it is still not available nationwide on a year-round basis.

    “And you know when you think about it’s ridiculous,” said Illinois farmer and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Kenneth Hartman Jr. at the National Ethanol Conference last week. He is hopeful Congress will be able to get legislation passed that will remedy that situation once and for all. “It’s a no cost situation in the bill. It’s good for the consumer because it’s ethanol is running 20-25% cheaper than regular gasoline. It’s good because we got plenty of corn out here right now to produce it and it’s good for the environment. We don’t understand what the problem is.”

    NCGA is calling on farmers to add their signatures to a letter in support of the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act which was re-introduced in the House and Senate. “As traction continues to build on this issue, it is critical that corn growers make their voices heard, encouraging Congress to approve legislation to unlock access to E15 year-round,” Hartman said.

    There will be year-round E15 in at least eight states as of April 28, thanks to final EPA approval of a waiver requested by Midwest governors. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency’s decision Friday to uphold that implementation date to provide parity for E15 and E10 in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

    In this interview, Hartman also talks about farm bill prospects, and the upcoming Commodity Classic next week in Denver.
    NCGA president Kenneth Hartman (5:43)

    2025 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

    Audio, Corn, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

    Ethanol Report from 30th NEC

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The 30th National Ethanol Conference celebrated the industry’s growth over the past three decades and what the opportunities are for the future.

    In this edition of the Ethanol Report podcast, we hear some highlights from the conference, including comments from Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper, Congressman Randy Feenstra (R-IA), RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman, RFA Industry Award winner Rick Schwark, farmer and SIRE Chair Karol King, global trade expert Everett Eissenstat, US Grains Council CEO Ryan LeGrand, Tim Hughes with the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative, Andy Koblenz with the National Automobile Dealers Association, and RFA Senior VP, Government & Public Affairs Bredenkamp.

    Ethanol Report 2-21-25 19:02

    Audio interviews, presentations and photos from the NEC can be found in the conference virtual newsroom.

    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, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA