Neil Caskey Named National Corn Growers CEO

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has promoted from within again in selecting a new chief executive officer and chosen Neil Caskey to fill the position vacated when Jon Doggett retired at the end of 2022. Caskey will steps into the role on Monday, February 27, just in time for the annual Commodity Classic next month.

Caskey has served as NCGA’s vice president of communications and industry relations for over four years and spent over a decade promoting agricultural issues as executive vice president at OBP Agency, a leading advertising and public relations firm. His professional background also includes work for the American Soybean Association and as a legislative aide for a U.S. member of Congress.

“It is quite an honor to lead an organization that I care so much about,” said Caskey. “We have a great team in place, and I look forward to forging full-speed ahead and pushing for wins on some of our top issues, like the Next Generation Fuels Act, fighting Mexico’s ban on genetically modified corn and securing reauthorization of the farm bill. NCGA is on the move.”

As vice president of NCGA, Caskey has been at the forefront of some of the organization’s top issues. Most recently, he has played a leading role in challenging Mexico on its efforts to ban genetically modified corn. Thanks to the efforts of NCGA on that front, the Biden administration has threatened to file a dissent decree if Mexico doesn’t reverse its actions.

Congratulations, Neil!

Corn, NCGA, people

Precision Ag News 2/22

Carrie Muehling

  • NK Seeds revealed their soybean lineup for the 2023 growing season, offering a diverse soybean class with the trait choices farmers want and need, including Enlist E3 and XtendFlex soybean technologies.
  • U.S. ag tractor sales finish January 2023 in the negative, while all segments of ag equipment grew in Canada according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Total U.S. ag tractor unit sales fell for the month of January in all segments except one, with 100+hp 2WD tractors growing 22.8 percent. U.S. self-propelled combine sales, however, continued its growth streak, climbing 132.7 percent year-over-year. All other segments fell, with the sub-40hp segment continuing to lead losses for the month of January. Total farm tractor sales in the U.S. for the month fell 14.1 percent versus January 2022.
  • Two North Carolina-based agriculture technology providers, FieldX Inc., and GROWERS announced the integration of their platforms, FieldX and The GROWERS App. The integration brings enhanced value to farmers who work with agronomists enabled by the FieldX platform. FieldX, an independent agricultural software platform for agronomists, and The GROWERS App, a free input management platform for farmers, are now integrated to allow farmers to turn agronomic recommendations from their agronomists into input purchases.
  • Case IH is expanding the lineup of Farmall N series tractors with two new models — the Farmall 90N and 120N — in addition to existing 80N, 100N and 110N tractors. All five Farmall N models offer new styling and advanced displays; upgraded cab comfort and controls; and improved fuel tank capacity. Reinforcing the brand commitment to emissions reductions, these tractors are improved to now meet Tier 4 B/Final emissions. The Farmall N series tractor is known for wide flexibility and a narrow footprint where space is at a premium, such as in orchards and vineyards.
  • Case IH is also proud to build on the legacy of AFS Soil Command and AFS Harvest Command with AFS Furrow Command downforce automation — designed to maximize producers’ yield potential. Available to order for spring 2023, the Precision Disk series air drill with AFS Furrow Command will help producers get the most out of every seed. AFS Furrow Command adds to the accuracy of our patented parallel-link row-unit by helping automate downforce setting and maintain consistent seed depth regardless of terrain.
  • The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) administered oaths of office to its new Officers and Executive Board members. Kim LaFleur of Plympton, MA, was sworn in as president of the association.
  • The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) also recognized winners of its national service awards at the association’s 77th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA. The Hugh Hammond Bennett Conservation Planner Award was presented to Pamela Pavek of Moscow, ID. The Hugh Hammond Bennett Conservation Producer Award was presented to Charles Holmes of Marion, AL. The Olin Sims Award was presented to Wade Troutman of Bridgeport, WA. The Friends of Conservation Award was presented to Brian Ponder of Tifton, GA. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Brian Sneeringer of Gettysburg, PA.
  • Producers selling grains, pulses, oilseeds, and organics to Columbia Grain International now can take advantage of an improved digital experience with a new mobile app and web portal on the Bushel platform. The new mobile app, named Columbia Grain International, is available in both Android and iPhone devices to allow producers easy access to real-time information, including electronic scale tickets, contracts and on holds.
  • The world-record-holding crop production partners at Total Acre will present the latest information on advances in farm equipment and crop production insights during two upcoming sessions designed to help farmers secure a higher return on investment for their 2023 crops.
  • Thunder Seed of Dilworth, Minn. has selected Meristem Crop Performance to be their marketing partner for specialty crop input products, including the newly patented BIOCAPSULE and MICROBILIZE biological delivery systems.
  • The Global Ag Tech Awards of Excellence — North America, program sheds light on some of the most important people and programs that have helped agriculture realize the full benefits of technology to improve agronomy, efficiency, and stewardship in crop production. The nominations for the 2023 Awards of Excellence must be received by April 15, 2023.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Animal Ag News 2/21

Carrie Muehling

  • Applications are being accepted for college scholarships that are awarded by America’s dairy farmers and importers through the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. Eleven scholarships worth $2,500 each will be awarded, in addition to a $3,500 James H. Loper Jr. Memorial Scholarship to one outstanding recipient. NDB funds, in part, Dairy Management Inc., which manages the national dairy checkoff program.
  • The National Pork Producers Council released its latest pork industry economic update that summarizes key pork industry market indicators through January 2023.
  • The Trailblazers program, developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, takes advocacy to an unprecedented level by giving participants the tools and training they need to promote beef to new audiences while addressing and correcting myths. After a competitive application process, ten Trailblazers from eight states have been selected for the program’s second cohort of beef community spokespeople.
  • At the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Winter Policy Conference, NASDA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council announced a new partnership to enhance coordination and preparedness to prevent and protect the United States from African Swine Fever, a deadly pig disease that could cripple the entire agricultural sector with long-lasting ramifications for the economic viability of U.S. livestock production.
  • John Rettler of Neosho, Wis. was re-elected president of the FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative’s board of directors following the cooperative’s 11th annual meeting held on February 11, 2023. Steve Brock of Daggett, Mich. was re-elected vice-president, Stephanie Hughes of Pittsville, Wis. was elected secretary, and Bob Dietzel of East Dubuque, Ill. was re-elected treasurer.
  • VAS, the maker of DairyComp, is excited to celebrate 40 years of innovating dairy herd management. Herd management software has transformed how dairy farmers manage their herds, taking them from hand-written 4×6 paper notecards to rapid mobile cowside entry and accessible data.
  • Zoetis announced its partnership with Select Sires Inc. to help cattle producers gain more from data. The partnership provides a grid marketing service, GeneNet, which will provide Performance Livestock Analytics customers a designated marketing platform to communicate and promote the value of their cattle. Select Sires’ farmer-owners will gain value with access to the Precision Animal Health portfolio from Zoetis, including beef genetic testing and Performance Livestock Analytics software.
  • Austin Hill joins a prestigious list as back-to-back winner of the 2023 Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.® 300. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, once again partnered with Daytona International Speedway to sponsor the 42nd annual NASCAR Xfinity Series season opening race, one day before the iconic DAYTONA 500. For the second year in a row, Austin Hill drove into victory lane where he was greeted by a buckle and the beef to close out a week that showcased all things beef and agriculture to race fans young and old.
  • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is pleased to announce a staff promotion and new hire in its Washington, D.C. office. Sigrid Johannes has been promoted to Director of Government Affairs and Director of the Public Lands Council. Sigrid will continue working on the natural resources, endangered species, and grazing portfolio. Sigrid previously worked for NCBA on the communications team and is a Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Joint Economic Committee alum. Kelsea Forward has been hired at NCBA as Associate Director of Government Affairs. She joins NCBA from the American Farm Bureau Federation.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

ZimmCast 706 – From Cattle to CIRB

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

Coming up on the Agriglogging Highway is The Ethanol Conference followed a week later by Commodity Classic. Both are in Orlando, FL. There are four more after these but with a little more in-between, ZimmComm World Headquarters time. But let’s look backward just a little.

This week’s program will start with cattle and end with CIRB. By that I mean a couple of my interviews from the Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show and then from the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau Annual Meeting.

First up is Colin Woodall, CEO, NCBA, who provides an overview of the organization and how the 2023 convention and trade show has performed. Following Colin is Kent Bacus, Executive Director, Government Affairs, for NCBA who talks about export markets.

Moving on to the CIRB Annual Meeting you will hear from Jim Wiesemeyer, Farm Journal policy analyst, who provided his annual political update. And then Michael Torrey, Executive Director, CIRB, provides a wrap-up on this year’s event.

After working at five different conferences so far this year it feels more like pre-pandemic times seeing the participation, networking and getting down to business work. Numbers are good and growing even above last year. So, onward where we hope to find what is new in the world of agribusiness.

That’s the ZimmCast for now. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

Listen to the ZimmCast here:
ZimmCast 706 - From Cattle to CIRB (29:41)

Want to sponsor the ZimmCast? Just let me know and we can talk through ideas for your company. I’m AgriBlogger on Twitter or just email me at chuck@zimmcomm.biz.

Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

Ag Groups, Audio, Cattle Industry Conference, CIRB, Exports, Farm Policy, ZimmCast

Industry Ag News 2/17

Carrie Muehling

  • “Cultivating Innovation: Solutions for a Changing World” is the theme for the 2023 Water for Food Global Conference. The conference and its side events will take place in Lincoln, Neb., May 8-11 and focus on innovative ways to improve water and food security by increasing farmers’ resiliency to a changing landscape.
  • Building on 80 years of partnership, John Deere announced a donation of $1 million to the National FFA Organization to support the growth of future leaders, feed agricuture’s talent pipeline, and honor the organization’s community service efforts.
  • The GROWMARK System would like to help youth organizations do their part to help sustain and increase honey bee populations. This is the eighth year of the program, open to 4-H clubs, Ag in the Classroom groups, FFA chapters, and other youth organizations throughout the United States. Groups who previously participated in the program have been automatically re-enrolled. Organizations are asked to locate a public place and secure permission to plant a pollinator garden prior to filling out an application.
  • The National Cotton Council announced that the late Kenneth Hood, a former NCC vice president, treasurer, vice chairman and chairman, received the Oscar Johnston Lifetime Achievement Award for 2022.
  • The National Cotton Council also announced that Dr. Andy Jordan, a long-time employee in the NCC Technical Services Department who now works as an agricultural engineering consultant, received the 2022 Harry S. Baker Distinguished Service Award.
  • Clean Fuels Alliance America announced the appointment of Katherine Reed as senior communications manager. Reed will support the implementation of the association’s marketing and communications plan, manage Clean Fuels’ social media channels and coordinate with partner organizations to promote the industry.
  • The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company recently announced that the Wrangler Workhorse HT is Goodyear’s eighth line of tires that contain a soybean oil compound. This builds upon the company’s 11-year-old relationship with U.S. soybean growers through their soy checkoff.
  • OPI, the global leader in grain storage management, announced the addition of successful tech business executive Adam Weiss as its Chief Technology Officer.
  • Joe Boddiford, peanut farmer from Sylvania, Georgia, was elected chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission during the February monthly board meeting. This is Boddiford’s second term serving as chairman. He previously served as chairman in 2000.
  • While America’s families continue to deal with record-high grocery prices, farm families can expect to see a drop in income in 2023. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed USDA’s Farm Sector Income Forecast in their latest Market Intel report. U.S. net farm income is forecast to fall almost 16% from last year, while costs are expected to increase more than 4%, on top of a record increase in production expenses last year.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association welcomed BK-H2Energy, LLC as its newest associate member. BK-H2Energy, LLC is a consulting company engaged in the transition of diesel/gas and CNG vehicles to battery electric and hydrogen fuel cells.
Zimfo Bytes

Rabo AgriFinance Names New Head of Rural U.S.

Cindy Zimmerman

Rabo AgriFinance, a subsidiary of Rabobank, has appointed Chris Olson to the new role of Head of Rural, U.S. effective March 1.

Olson has served Rabo AgriFinance since 1998, most recently as the General Manager of the Central Territory. He has held numerous management leadership roles throughout his tenure with the company, including Assistant Vice President Regional Coordinator, Regional Vice President, and Managing Director.

In the newly created role, Olson will manage the Rabobank North America’s U.S. rural Direct Lending operations. He’ll have ownership of entire direct lending process at Rabo AgriFinance from origination through closing and will lead the organization’s growth initiatives.

In addition, Olsen will motivate direct engagement of the Customer Relationship Team and clients to help shape a thriving community.

Agribusiness, people

Precision Ag News 2/15

Carrie Muehling

  • The Soil Health Institute announced a $300,000 grant from Wells Fargo to establish achievable levels of soil health and soil carbon for the Des Moines Lobe Region in Iowa. The agriculturally important region spans 7.75 million acres, including approximately 3.4 million acres in corn and 2.6 million acres in soybean production.
  • At the National Association of Conservation District’s 77th Annual Meeting, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of Inflation Reduction Act funding to support oversubscribed voluntary conservation programs. In Fiscal Year 2023, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will make $850 million available for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), the Agriculture Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
  • Certis Biologicals launched the newest copper product in the market, Kocide 50DF (copper hydroxide). Kocide 50DF enters the market with the same proven efficacy that growers have relied upon for generations, but in a high-load formulation that brings the power of Kocide to more growers who need solutions to protect their crops effectively and sustainably.
  • Kubota Tractor Corporation and ThorSport Racing announced a partnership for Kubota to become the Official Tractor Company of ThorSport and the Official Sponsor of Ben Rhodes’ No. 99 Ford in the 2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.
  • Pattern Ag released its new Predictive Ag Report, a resource corn and soybean farmers can use to make better informed decisions about managing the most economically impactful pests and pathogens, including corn rootworm (CRW) and sudden death syndrome (SDS) in their fields.
  • Case IH recently introduced new productivity-boosting features to its Precision Air 5 Series air carts and Flex Hoe 900 air drills. Precision Air 5 Series carts help producers make the most of short seeding windows, while Flex Hoe air drills help them efficiently seed small grain in any ground conditions. New configurations, options and other features enhance productivity and versatility.
  • After almost 70 years of industry-leading performance, the lineup of Case IH Steiger series tractors now includes six all-new high-powered models. Introduced to tackle the toughest farm and job site challenges, Steiger 425, 475, 525, 555, 595 and 645 tractors feature greater horsepower — the highest of any articulated 4WD tractor in the industry — as well as exceptional cab comfort and AFS Connect data management technology to deliver unmatched efficiency and high-tech functionality in one signature, hyperefficient machine.
  • AgriTek announced the addition of Dr. Chris Underwood, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer, to their growing team of agronomic and scientific experts throughout the U.S.
  • The National Wheat Yield Contest (NWYC) is accepting entries for 2023. Farmers growing winter, spring, irrigated or dryland wheat are encouraged to get their entries in now. There are a couple of changes to this year’s contest rules. There is now only one deadline and one price for entries per growing season. Winter wheat entries are due May 15, 2023, and spring wheat entries are due August 1, 2023.
  • The 17th Annual CTIC Conservation in Action Tour will be July 10-11, 2023 in Frankenmuth, Michigan. This year’s tour theme, Connecting Through the Supply Chain, will help connect the circle from farmer to consumer.
  • John Deere announced that SmartApply Intelligent Control System users can now seamlessly flow their SmartApply data into the John Deere Operations Center to monitor and manage work, and to maximize profits of their farms. This change helps growers easily and efficiently analyze past work, helps guide future business decisions, and can help them document savings realized by using the SmartApply Intelligent Spray Control System, which can be added to and elevate the performance of most any blast sprayer, regardless of make or model.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

National Agriculture Day Will Celebrate 50 Years

Cindy Zimmerman

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) will host National Agriculture Day this year on March 21, marking the 50th anniversary of National Ag Day with the theme “Growing a Climate for Tomorrow.”

On March 21, 2023, the ACA will host a virtual Ag Day event and events in Washington, DC and will bring college students to Washington “virtually” to deliver the message of Ag Day to the Hill. A core leadership team of college students will attend events in DC. Other events on March 21 include the Ag Day Proclamation Celebration and Taste of Ag Reception. The 2023 Ag & Food Policy Summit presented by Agri-Pulse will be held both in person at the National Press Club and virtually on Monday, March 20.

The National Ag Day program encourages every American to:

• Understand how food and fiber products are produced
• Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products
• Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy
• Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry

In addition to the events on March 21, the ACA will once again feature the Ag Day Essay Contest. The winning essay will be presented on National Ag Day.

Amy Bradford with GROWMARK is Chair of this year’s events and she provides a preview of the activities in this interview.
2023 Ag Day Activities Preview (7:42)

Ag Day, Agri-Pulse, Agribusiness, Audio, GROWMARK

Yield10 Bioscience Offers 2023 Camelina Production Contracts

Cindy Zimmerman

Yield10 Bioscience has announced its 2023 enrollment program for contract production of Camelina in targeted areas of the United States and Canada. Contracts are being offered for both spring and winter varieties of Camelina to farmers in Western Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba), and Northern U.S. states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Idaho and Minnesota.

In 2023, Yield10 plans to contract with growers for planting high-performing, spring and winter Camelina varieties as part of an initiative to establish pre-commercial production and offtake relationships in the biofuels market. These grower contracts currently do not require up-front costs for seed and provide a guaranteed minimum revenue per acre. Among the benefits of the program is that it allows for the product to be moved off the farm quickly following harvest. Yield10 plans to expand the planting acreage going forward by providing growers improved varieties, including introducing herbicide tolerant Camelina to enable better weed control and higher yields over time. Yield10 is currently field-testing herbicide tolerant Camelina varieties for seed scale up, regulatory approval, and commercial development for the biofuel market.

“We look forward to engaging with farmers in the U.S. and Canada to ramp up experience with Camelina and to drive widespread commercial adoption of this promising new oilseed crop,” said Darren Greenfield, Senior Director of Seed Operations at Yield10 Bioscience. “Yield10 is developing relationships across the biofuel supply chain, with one of our key goals being to establish Camelina as a revenue generating crop for farmers, producing a low-carbon intensity source of feedstock oil for transportation and sustainable aviation fuel markets.”

Yield10 will be attending two trade shows coming up in the Alberta region for farmers to find out more. The Farming Smarter Conference and Trade Show, February 15-16 and the 2023 Ag-Expo and North American Seed Fair, February 28 – March 2 both in Lethbridge.

More information is available on Yield10’s Camelina Opportunities for Growers, please contact Darren Greenfield or Davis McCarthy at growers@yield10bio.com.

Biofuels, Farming

Animal Ag News 2/13

Carrie Muehling

  • Merck Animal Health announced the results of the company’s first-ever consumer transparency research study, finding that two-thirds of consumers say transparency in animal protein is extremely or very important.
  • Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), released a statement on the news that U.S. agricultural exports including dairy set a record for both value and volume in 2022. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. dairy exports to the world totaled $9.5 billion last year, topping the 2021 dairy export value record by 25% and representing a 85% increase in just the past 10 years. Moreover, U.S. dairy exports logged 2.82 million metric tons of volume in 2022, another record and a 52% increase over the past 10 years.
  • Leading ranch management software provider AgriWebb and leading agricultural MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) software provider Regrow Ag are joining forces to scale the adoption of climate-smart beef production practices within the United States and Australia.
  • EmGenisys, Inc. has already had a busy 2023. The Texas-based startup was runner-up in the 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation AgInnovation Challenge and the team has been on the road attending some of the biggest agricultural events in the country, sharing the science behind their reproduction technology with fellow bovine enthusiasts.
  • The beef industry is experiencing pressure to increase the efficiency and sustainability of cow-calf production. Dozens of traits affect a cow’s ability to be efficient. In an increasingly unpredictable climate, an animal’s genetic value must be considered in the context of its environment. Hear from Troy Rowan, PhD, University of Tennessee discuss cow efficiency and how the industry can leverage genetic selection tools to improve these traits at the next edition of the Cattlemen’s Webinar Series on Feb. 16. Register here.
  • AgTech Insight is delighted to support the Animal AgTech Innovation Summit in San Francisco on March 13, 2023.
  • Programs from the Midwest Dairy Association are reaching more consumers than ever in the 10-state region with 39 million consumers. Already, the year is off to a running start with dairy products playing a key role in consumers’ resolutions for a healthier version of themselves.
  • The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and Feedstuffs has named the Kent Nutrition Group’s feed manufacturing facility of Marshall, Mo., as its 2022 Commercial Dry Feed Facility of the Year.
  • A search committee has been formed to start the process of finding a replacement for John Starkey, retiring president of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY). Mike Levengood, vice president, Chief Animal Care Officer and Farmer Relationship Advocate for Perdue Farms and past USPOULTRY chairman, will serve as the search committee chairman.
  • U.S. Poultry & Egg Association recognized five poultry farms that were nominated for the annual Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award at the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2023 International Production & Processing Expo. The award is given annually to recognize exemplary environmental stewardship by family farmers engaged in poultry and egg production.
  • The current outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (“bird flu”) in the United States and resulting egg price increases have caused the chicken industry to closely examine a policy that forces the broiler industry (broilers are chickens raised for meat) to destroy perfectly nutritious and safe eggs. The National Chicken Council has petitioned FDA to reverse or modify this policy.
  • Purina Animal Nutrition announced two new products formulated to support sow performance and reproductive efficiency and piglet respiratory health and immune function during the post-weaning period — Purina EnduraSow feed additive and Purina EnduraPig feed additive, respectively.
  • The InterTribal Buffalo Council, a federally chartered Indian organization, with 79 Member Tribes, and the National Bison Association, representing nearly 1,200 private bison producers, have renewed a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines specific areas in which the two organizations collaborate to continue to restore bison herds across North America, and in the diets of the American people.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites