Rabobank Analyst Sees Potential in SAF

Cindy Zimmerman

The sky seems to be the limit for the future of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and can be a real opportunity for farmers, according to RaboResearch Senior Grains & Oilseeds Analyst Owen Wagner.

Wagner was at Commodity Classic last week talking about how sustainable aviation fuel fits into the landscape for commodity demand. “This (SAF) is not just for vegetable oils,” said Wagner. “We’re also seeing new facilities going up that are going to be using corn or cellulosic materials as feedstock.”

Wagner says the policy to promote SAF is moving rapidly with tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act and even state incentives like one recently brought forth in Illinois. “That’s a really phenomenal way to get this product off the ground,” he said – no pun intended. Listen to a recent Rabobank podcast with Wagner on the topic.

Learn more in this interview from Commodity Classic.
Classic 23 interview with Owen Wagner, Rabobank (6:08)

2023 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Commodity Classic, Corn, Ethanol, Soybean

What’s New With Syngenta?

Cindy Zimmerman

Syngenta had a lot to talk about at the Commodity Classic last week in Orlando.

Paul Minehart, who has been Syngenta Head Crop Protection Communications North America since 2009, told us he will be retiring soon. But first, he moderated the Syngenta crop protection and seeds press conference at Classic, which started off with the big coming-soon announcement about Storen corn herbicide, expected for next year. Mark Kitt, Technical Product Lead for Corn Herbicides, provided an overview of Storen.

Jonathan Furasek, Product Lead for Soybean Herbicides, talked about the success of Tendovo soybean herbicide from Syngenta during its first season of use last year.

Steven Wall, Development Manager for Sustainability gave an update on Syngenta’s Cropwise app which helps farmers along their journey to improve sustainable operations.

Syngenta’s Head of Federal Government Affairs and Industry Relations Mary Kay Thatcher discussed the Endangered Species Act.

Jason Sparks, Global Seeds Communications Lead, introduced Paul Morano, Head of Cereals at Syngenta-AgriPro
and Jon Rich, Hybrid wheat Operations Head Syngenta-Agripro, to talk about hybrid wheat.

Listen to it all here:
Classic 23 Syngenta press conference (28:00)

AgWired Precision, Audio, Commodity Classic, Syngenta

Animal Ag News 3/13

Carrie Muehling

  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) hailed the passage of H.J. Res. 27, a joint resolution that would invalidate the Biden administration’s new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule through the Congressional Review Act.
  • Registration is now open for six Stockmanship & Stewardship regional events in five states this spring and summer, with an additional virtual event to be held in November. During each event producers can become Beef Quality Assurance certified, network with fellow cattlemen and women, participate in hands-on demonstrations led by animal handling experts including Curt Pate and Dr. Ron Gill, and learn cutting-edge operation techniques.
  • The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) installed new officers and elected members to its board of directors at its annual business meeting — the National Pork Industry Forum. Scott Hays of Monroe City, Missouri, was elevated to NPPC president for 2023-2024.
  • Innovation, family, and a customer-focused mindset were foundational for the latest National Pork Industry Hall of Fame inductee, William “Billy” Herring. With his successful career spanning more than 50 years in the pork industry, Herring was inducted at the National Pork Producers Council’s annual business meeting — the National Pork Industry Forum.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of more than $43 million in meat and poultry processing research, innovation and expansion in support of its ongoing efforts to transform the food system at every stage along the supply chain. This investment is funded through the American Rescue Plan and the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).
  • The USDA released a proposed rule with new regulatory requirements to better align the voluntary “Product of USA” label claim with consumer understanding of what the claim means. The proposed rule allows the voluntary “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” label claim to be used on meat, poultry and egg products only when they are derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States.
  • For the second year, WATT Global Media will present the Chicken Marketer of the Year award during the annual Chicken Marketing Summit, with nominations being accepted until May 1, 2023. The executive conference is scheduled for July 31-August 2, 2023, at Hotel Effie Sandestin in Miramar Beach, Florida.
  • The National Milk Producers Federation’s (NMPF) Board of Directors unanimously endorsed a proposal to modernize the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) system at its March meeting, a milestone that caps more than two years of discussion and more than 130 meetings on different aspects of the proposal.
  • Join the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association on March 16 at 7 p.m. Central for a live webinar hosted by Redd Summit Advisor’s Risk Management Consultant, Ross Bronson. He’ll talk through real scenarios and financial examples showing the true costs associated with drought. And, learn how to supplement those costs using PRF insurance, as well as understand the benefits and drawbacks of disaster relief programs like NAP and Pasture Relief. Register here.
Uncategorized

NK Seeds Taking Aim at Tar Spot

Cindy Zimmerman

Tar Spot cost U.S. farmers more than 231 million bushels of corn in 2021, according to the Crop Protection Network, and last year there were outbreaks reported in eight states. NK Seeds has compiled products, tools and agronomic tips to help farmers know how to recognize and manage Tar Spot to prevent it from having a significant impact on their 2023 yields.

At Commodity Classic last week, NK Seeds Corn Product Manager Matt Dolch said because Tar Spot is a relatively new disease, there’s still a knowledge gap around its management practices but planting hybrids with resistance to Tar Spot can delay disease development and minimize yield loss. “NK genetics have been proven to be resistant to common diseases, including Tar Spot — that makes our hybrids an essential tool for keeping Tar Spot in check in susceptible fields,” said Dolch.

Learn more in this interview with Dolch.
Classic 23 interview with Matt Dolch, NK Seeds (3:25)

2023 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, Corn, NK Seeds, Seed, Syngenta

Secretary Vilsack Makes 10th Appearance at Classic

Cindy Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addressed the Commodity Classic for the 10th time last week, counting the virtual event in 2021.

Vilsack took the opportunity to sign memorandums for two of USDA’s new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities programs – Farmers for Soil Health (FSH) and the Midwest Climate Smart Commodities Project.

“It is the beginning of a process of a number of projects that are going to transform how we farm, where we farm, what we do to sustainably produce crops,” said Vilsack.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addresses Commodity Classic
Classic 23 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack address (28:49)

Secretary Vilsack and USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie joined the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and farmer-leaders with Farmers for Soil Health (FSH) to sign a $95 million USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant, officially launching the Farmers for Soil Health initiative.
Classic 23 Agriculture Secy Vilsack - Farmers for Soil Health MOU (3:28)

Vilsack also joined the Iowa Soybean Association to sign the Midwest Climate Smart Commodities Project, which also includes other partners such as PepsiCo, Cargill, Renewable Energy Group, Ingredion, Target, JBS, Coca-Cola, Mano y Ola, FarmRaise, Rural Community Assistance Partnership.
Classic 23 Secy Vilsack - Midwest Climate Smart Commodities MOU (2:58)

2023 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Ag Groups, AgWired Precision, Audio, Commodity Classic, USDA

One Week Until Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit

Cindy Zimmerman

Among the top names confirmed for the highly-anticipated annual 2023 Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit are House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson and Ranking Member David Scott.

The “must-attend” policy event of the year will explore the topc “Next-gen farm and food policy” on March 20 starting at 8:00 am going all day long with lunch and a concluding reception to wrap it up.

“This is a great opportunity to listen and learn about farm and food policy issues from some of the brightest minds in our industry,” said Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse editor and founder. “The event is especially timely as lawmakers ramp up their efforts to write a new farm bill.”

The summit will focus on the forward-looking ideas under development that will drive policy discussions for not only this year, but the decades ahead. We’ll visit with some of the diverse players who are trying to influence legislation and investment decisions. Plus, we will delve into the availability and sustainability of crucial resources like land, water and crop protection chemicals. View this year’s agenda here.

If you can’t make it in person to the National Press Club in Washington DC, there’s a virtual option as well. Register here.

Listen to a preview of the event from Sara Wyant.

Ag Groups, Agri-Pulse, Audio

Syngenta Seeks to Simplify Seed with GHX

Cindy Zimmerman

At Commodity Classic last week, Syngenta announced a new way to buy seed, available first to farmers in Iowa and Illinois.

“Seed Simplified” is the slogan GHX by Golden Harvest® has adopted for this new concept. “Basically it’s a simple way for farmers to buy seed…modern, simple and seamless,” said Morgan Dugan, Golden Harvest, commercial unit head Iowa and Illinois.

In the new GHX experience, seed is priced at a flat rate, per-acre basis. Farmers determine the best seeding rate for individual fields based on data-driven analytics and their input without an additional cost.

Learn more from Dugan in this interview.
Classic 23 interview with Morgan Dugan, Golden Harvest (5:36)

L-R: Illinois farmer Rye Randolph; GHX Certified Advisor Jason Gumbart, Apex Seed; Wade Wiley and Christy Schrader, GHX

“The new GHX experience is an innovative way to make seed buying easier, without the hassle of programs and deadlines. It also helps farmers determine the best seeding rate for individual fields based on data-driven analytics and their input to maximize return per acre,” says Wade Wiley, head of customer experience strategy and business intelligence for Syngenta Seeds, U.S.

Wiley was on a panel at Classic with “Go for the Gold” Winner Rye Randolph from Canton, Illinois and his GHX Certified Advisor Jason Gumbart, Apex Seed.

Listen to the conversation moderated by Christy Schrader, GHX Brand Marketing Manager.
Classic 23 Syngenta GHX press conference (21:03)

2023 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, Corn, Seed, Soybean, Syngenta

NK Seeds Highlights 2023 NK Soybean Lineup

Cindy Zimmerman

At Commodity Classic last week, NK Seeds was proud to talk about their soybean lineup for the 2023 growing season, offering trait choices farmers want and need, including Enlist E3® and XtendFlex® soybean technologies.

“Now more than ever, farmers are looking for choices, along with trait flexibility and, subsequently, strong defensive agronomic traits,” says Jared Benson, Soybean Product Manager at NK Seeds. “With the recent label changes for over-the-top dicamba application in several key U.S. soybean states, farmers seek soybean products that they can be confident will give them a strong, fast start this spring. The proprietary genetics and proven performance that NK Seeds offers in both traits will help them do just that.”

Benson says NK is the only seed provider to offer the most sought-after herbicide traits stacked on their own proprietary germplasm. “Taking a farmer-first approach to all that we do, we understand the importance of providing farmers with top-performing genetics and a range of trait options for high yield potential and strong performance. Because the leading herbicide trait choices don’t matter if the varieties don’t yield.”

Listen to an interview with Benson from Classic.
Classic 23 interview with Jared Benson, NK Seeds (3:25)

2023 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, NK Seeds, Seed, Soybean, Syngenta

Industry Ag News 3/10

Carrie Muehling

  • House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson and Ranking Member David Scott have confirmed that they will speak at the March 20 Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit.
  • 2022 will go into the record books as the third-costliest year for weather disasters in U.S. history, with an estimated $165 billion in total economic losses. In the agriculture sector, new analysis by American Farm Bureau Federation economists in the latest Market Intel shows extreme weather caused more than $21 billion in crop losses. The impact to America’s farms and ranches demonstrates the importance of farm bill programs to help rural communities recover from weather-related disasters.
  • The winner of the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Collegiate Discussion Meet is Maddie Dvorak of Florida. She was awarded the top prize following a discussion on the role of farmers in shaping climate initiatives to benefit society overall, as well as their own farms and ranches.
  • Rob Sharkey, known in digital circles as The Shark Farmer, is the host of a popular podcast and multiple TV shows on RFD-TV, PBS, and Acres TV. Drawn by his connection to Beck’s Hybrids faith-filled believe campaign, Sharkey wanted to work with a company that shares the same values. He will provide a fully immersive look into working with Beck’s from the perspective of a farmer and lead viewers and listeners on a behind the scenes experience of selecting the right products for his farm, planting and managing the crop, and harvesting.
  • Only 111 more days until Canada is ready to welcome the 2023 IFAJ world congress — New Frontiers in the West — hosted in Calgary and Olds, Alberta. Early bird pricing is now in effect for those who register for the full week of the congress. Save $200 off the base price of $1,323 CAD by using the code INTHEWEST23 at checkout.
  • Swanson Russell has been chosen by global ag and turf chemical product company Nufarm to lead their U.S. marketing efforts. Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, Nufarm is a worldwide leader in herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and plant growth regulators for the ag, lawn care, golf and ornamental markets.
  • At the opening banquet of the 121st Anniversary Convention, National Farmers Union (NFU) presented Sarah Vogel of North Dakota and Doug Peterson of Minnesota with the 2023 Meritorious Service Awards, the highest honor presented by Farmers Union. Luke Runyon of Greeley, Colorado was awarded the 2023 Milt Hakel Award for Excellence in Agricultural Journalism.
  • National Farmers Union (NFU) concluded their 121st Anniversary Convention held in San Francisco, California. With an agenda that was focused on the ability of NFU and Farmers Union members to create change, delegates and attendees heard from United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, keynote speaker Dr. Glenda Humiston, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, California Secretary of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross, as well as representatives from the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, and the Department of Justice.
  • The U.S. Soybean Export Council’s (USSEC) 2023-2024 Board of Directors was seated on March 7, 2023 during the organization’s annual meeting prior to Commodity Classic in Orlando. Stan Born, an ASA director and soybean and corn farmer from Lovington, Illinois, was elected as USSEC chair for a 12-month term.
  • The National Potato Council (NPC) installed its 2023 roster of Executive Committee members this week at the organization’s annual Washington Summit. During the Annual Meeting of the Voting Delegates, RJ Andrus of Idaho Falls, Idaho, was elected to serve as the Council’s President for the next 12 months.
  • Brent Cheyne was elected President of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). Brent farms with his son Rodney near Klamath Falls, Oregon, where they raise wheat, barley, oats, alfalfa and Angus cattle. In 2011, Brent began his time with the Oregon Wheat Growers League as the Oregon president before accepting the position of NAWG Secretary in 2015.
Zimfo Bytes

Syngenta Welcomes Attendees to #Classic23

Cindy Zimmerman

The traditional Syngenta Welcome Party marked the start of the 2023 Commodity Classic in Orlando yesterday and the company captured a lot of the buzz at the opening of the trade show today.

“It’s a great way to start the new crop year,” said Jim Shertzer, Head of Branded Marketing, Syngenta North America Seeds.

As always, there is plenty that is new from Syngenta. On the seed side, Shertzer says there is a lot of excitement this year in all the brands. “Whether it’s local seed advisors on our Golden Harvest side, or direct sellers on our GHX, or through our retail partners in NK,” he said.

Syngenta had a WIN session and two press conferences today at Classic, so we’ll be hearing more about GHX, and other new products on the crop protection side.

Classic 23 interview with Jim Shertzer, Syngenta (2:33)

2023 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Audio, Commodity Classic, Seed, Syngenta