Verdesian Signs Deal with Los Alamos National Lab

Joanna Schroeder October 20, 2014

On the heels of a media day hosted at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) sponsored by Verdesian Life Sciences, comes the announcement the Verdesian has signed a licensing agreement with LANL to develop and market their latest nitrogen enhancement technology for plants. The agreement extends the current relationship with LANL, under which Verdesian is marketing and distributing the research institution’s Take Off® crop nitrogen assimilator.

This next generation of nitrogen innovation helps improve photosynthesis by increasing carbon flow into a plant’s metabolism. This enhances the formation of amino acids, which perform multiple functions in plant metabolism and are critical to healthy plant growth. The improved photosynthesis also positively impacts reproductive growth.

“Nitrogen is one of the costliest, but critical, controllable inputs that can lead to a yield advantage,” said Nigel Grech, executive vice president, science & technology, Verdesian. “Unfortunately, our current methods of distributing nitrogen can result in great inefficiencies with a negative impact on the environment and wasted resources. This technology not only significantly adds to the ability of the farmer to improve crop nitrogen efficiency but also assists in coping with expanding regulations that are impacting agriculture globally. Our nitrogen efficiency innovation platforms have the potential to revolutionize agriculture as we know it.”

Verdesian will continue to work on the development of this new technology through 2014 with anticipated market entry by 2017.

“We are proud of our relationship with the Los Alamos National Laboratory; they are an important partner in our commitment to taking tomorrow’s science and delivering today’s returns,” said J.J. Grow, chief executive officer of Verdesian. “The lab’s proven technology helps us bring value to growers in both yield and efficiencies, and we look forward to our continued work together.”

Check out the Verdesian Los Alamos Media Tour photo album.

Agribusiness, Fertilizer, Verdesian

2014 GAP Reports Highlights Food Supply Obstacles

Joanna Schroeder October 20, 2014

The 2014 edition of the GAP Report finds that global productivity is not accelerating fast enough to meet the expected agricultural demand by 2050 through sustainable practices. Published by the Global Harvest Initiative (GHI) and released during the World Food Prize, the trend means a new global challenge is emerging: how to sustainably provide enough food, feed, fiber and fuel for a growing population by 2050 when the demands for food and agriculture will be nearly double that of today.

The annual Gap Report takes a critical look at the state of global agriculture productivity, as well as the policies, innovations and investments needed to provide for a growing world while facing climate change. This year’s report has a special focus on the challenges and opportunities in India.

“This year’s report shows a clear gap that could dramatically impact people all around the world,” said Dr. Margaret Ziegler, executive director of GHI who presented the key findings during a special event. “Raising productivity across all regions and for farmers of any size and scale requires long-term investment and sustained focus if we are going to have sufficient nutritious and affordable food and agriculture.”

The report is based on the measurement of total factor productivity (TFP), the ratio of agricultural outputs to inputs. Several significant productively gaps were found in key regions:

In East Asia, only 67 percent of food demand by 2030 will be met from within the region if the current rate of productivity growth is maintained.
At current rates of productivity growth, Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to meet only 15 percent of food demand in 2030, which will require significant imports, or food assistance, or opening up new land to development that may not be suitable for sustainable production.
In Latin America, overall regional production is expected to exceed demand with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay leading this increase in productivity.

Listen Dr. Margaret M. Zeigler discuss the key highlights of the report: 2014 GAP Report Highlights

In addition to the release of the 2014 GAP Report, there was a panel discussion focused on the current state of the regions and ways to overcome regional challenges. The panel included: Dr. Keith Fuglie, Branch Chief of the Economic Research Service of USD; Dr. Dilip Kulkarni, President of Jain Irrigation Systems Agri-food Division; Dr. Thomas J. Herlehy, Practice Area Manager for Crops, Land O’Lakes, Inc. International Development Division; and Mr. Jesus Madrazo, Vice President, Corporate Engagement, Monsanto, and GHI Board Chairman.

Listen to the panel discussion: 2014 GAP Report Panel Discussion

Agribusiness, Audio, Food, World Food Prize

WTO Announces Decision on COOL

Cindy Zimmerman October 20, 2014

The United States’ Country of Origin labeling (COOL) is still not cool with the World Trade Organization (WTO).

In the compliance panel report released today, the WTO found that “the amended COOL measure violates Article 2.1 of the TBT Agreement because it accords to Canadian and Mexican livestock less favourable treatment than that accorded to like US livestock.”

In particular, the compliance panel concluded that the amended COOL measure increases the original COOL measure’s detrimental impact on the competitive opportunities of imported livestock in the U.S. market, because it necessitates increased segregation of meat and livestock according to origin; entails a higher recordkeeping burden; and increases the original COOL measure’s incentive to choose domestic over imported livestock.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Bob McCan of Texas says the expected ruling
“brings us all one step closer to facing retaliatory tariffs from two of our largest trading partners.”

McCan added that “NCBA has maintained that there is no regulatory fix to bring the COOL rule into compliance with our WTO obligations or that will satisfy our top trading partners. We look forward to working with Congress to find a permanent solution to this issue, avoiding retaliation against not only beef, but a host of U.S. products.”

Later today, members of the COOL Reform Coalition will be holding a webinar to respond to the announcement.

Beef, NCBA, Trade

Nephew Gets His First Deer

Chuck Zimmerman October 20, 2014

It’s deer season at The Pig (short for Crystal Pig Hunt Club). This is my annual woods time to just get away from it all. However, look for lots of good fresh content on AgWired!

On opening day Saturday Paul, Luke, Joe and I were on location. We all got a doe that day! Now, it’s time for a buck. We’re not in the rut yet. We’ve seen over 30 does and only 2 bucks so far.

In the pick, Joe gets his first deer, pictured with his Dad and my brother Paul. You want to talk about excited. He got it with his first shot too.

So, we’ve had some good fresh venison on the grill and in a stew and I think some more recipes are coming.

Now back to the hunt.

Hunting

PERC: Winter Propane Woes a Thing of the Past

John Davis October 20, 2014

Last winter’s propane shortages that hit farmers and rural residents hard for their business and home heating needs should not be repeated this winter. The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is citing U.S. Energy Information Administration information that expects a warmer winter and a propane stocks up 17 percent from a year ago in the Gulf Coast and Midwest, along with a 12 percent increase in production from 2013.

“These are positive signs,” said Roy Willis, president and CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council, “but our industry is working hard to ensure our customers are prepared. Propane retailers across the country remain focused on safety and encouraging customers to consider early fills, automatic refills, and payment programs now before cold weather hits.”

PERC launched a $5.5 million consumer safety and preparedness campaign in early September directing residential heating customers and agribusiness operators, among others, to propanecomfort.com. On the site, propane customers can take a quiz to determine if they are prepared for winter and review energy efficiency tips. Visitors can also sign up for news updates from PERC.

“Preliminary numbers for the campaign show that nearly 20,000 customers have already taken advantage of our online resources and we expect to see continued engagement as we get closer to winter,” said Willis.

PERC will TV ads through Thanksgiving in 30 states most affected by deliverability challenges and temporary price increases last winter.

Propane

Bayer Showcases Food Chain Partnership at PMA Convention

Cindy Zimmerman October 20, 2014

Bayer CropScience showcased its latest global Food Chain Partnership projects at the PMA Fresh Summit Convention & Expo this past week. The annual conference brings together decision makers at every level of the produce supply chain, including growers, importers and exporters, processors and retailers.

“To continue to meet the needs of our growers, we must first understand the needs of the food value chain and those consumers at the very end of it,” said Silke Friebe, head of global Food Chain Management at Bayer CropScience. “Having this understanding allows us to provide growers with the tools to meet those needs, from planting to harvest and storage.”

“Bayer CropScience is focused on providing growers with new technology and expertise in seeds and crop protection,” said Rob Schrick, strategic business management lead for horticulture at Bayer CropScience. “That’s why we’re putting more than a billion dollars a year into research and continually providing new products that improve the health, quality and yield of crops.”

During Fresh Summit, representatives from Bayer CropScience discussed the Food Chain Partnership’s impact on the produce market, as well as the wide range of solutions available to fruit and vegetable growers.

Bayer, Food, Produce

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes October 17, 2014

Jerry Stoller, founder and president of Stoller Group, announced the groundbreaking at the site of the company’s future headquarters in Spring Valley Village in Houston, Texas.
Alltech Crop Science continues to expand its reach in fields and groves across the globe with the recent purchase of Improcrop in South Africa.
Wheat Growers officially broke ground for a state-of-the-art shuttle loader grain handling, fertilizer and agronomy facility in Kennebec, South Dakota.
FLM+, a hybrid strategic consulting, marketing and communications company, announces the addition of five new team members to serve the company’s growing client roster.

Zimfo Bytes

Barn Owls are Sustainable Rodent Control

Cindy Zimmerman October 17, 2014

2014 CTIC Conservation in Action Tour Photo Album

Barn owls are being used in the Everglades Agricultural Area as sustainable rodent control – and it’s working amazingly well!

Richard Raid, a plant pathologist with the University of Florida, told us all about these hungry little raptors during what was arguably the most interesting stop on the 2014 CTIC Conservation in Action Tour of the Everglades Agricultural Area. Raid says the barn owl project started 10 years ago and has helped sugarcane growers drastically reduce their use of rodenticides. “One of the growers used to have about 4,000 acres of sugarcane and … used 8-10 tons of rodenticides a year and he said he had less rodent damage with the barn owls than he ever did with rodenticides,” he said.

Raid says baby barn owls, the size you can see at the end of the video and in the photos, swallow entire rats whole and eat 4-5 per night! They regurgitate the fur and bones and you can learn more about what they do with that in the video. It’s gross, but Raid says the kids they teach about barn owls love it! “With kids, cute it good, but gross is better!”

Conservation, CTIC, Sustainability, Video

TekWear Selected for Ag Accelerator Program

Jamie Johansen October 17, 2014

TekWear, LLC is one of 11 ag technology start-up companies selected to participate in the premier three-month VilCap USA: Agriculture 2014 entrepreneurial development program in Louisville, Ky. The program supports early-stage ventures that increase agricultural resource efficiency and helps find business solutions to challenges facing farmers, ranchers, and rural, low-wealth populations.

Bruce Rasa, CEO and founder of TekWear, LLC, says being selected for VilCap USA: Agriculture 2014 is a tremendous opportunity to be exposed to and learn from the best business minds, investors, and industry experts in the country. Rasa and three core staff members will be participating in the three-month program, the 28th such program launched by Village Capital worldwide.

“Entrepreneurs who participate in this peer-review program receive the top-level business coaching and mentoring needed to take their companies to the next level,” Rasa explains. “Few business-development incubators in the country provide the intensive training and exposure VilCap USA does, or have shown the success this program has had in supporting early-stage agricultural technology ventures.”

TekWear, LLC, a leading developer of apps for wireless wearable devices used in agriculture, joins 10 other young ag venture companies all focused on finding, developing or marketing innovative products, or providing solutions to a wide variety of agricultural and food production challenges. In addition to the business development training, two participating businesses ranked highest by their peers will each receive a $50,000 investment from Village Capital and Radicle Capital. VilCap USA: Agriculture 2014 is part of the SOURCE Initiative, which is a nationwide partnership between Village Capital, The Hitachi Foundation, and Investors’ Circle. The program receives further support from the Blue Sky Network and VentureWell, as well as a powerful network of Kentucky-based mentors and advisors.

Agribusiness, Apps, Technology

A Year’s Supply of Bacon Up for Grabs in Wisconsin

Jamie Johansen October 17, 2014

Organizers of the Madison Bacon Festival, a Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival event, recently announced two sizzling contests – the Wisconsin Bacon Royalty Contest and a Bacon Eating Competition. Wisconsin’s bacon-enthusiasts can enter the contests beginning October 13. Applications will be narrowed down to a total of 20 finalists who will each receive FREE tickets to the Madison Bacon Festival taking place on November 1. During the festival, the Wisconsin Bacon King and Queen will be crowned and at 3 p.m. the amateur eaters will compete for the Wisconsin Bacon-Eating Trophy presented by Farmland.

The grand prize package for the Madison Bacon King and Queen include: a crown, sash, two VIP tickets to the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival in Des Moines, IA on Saturday, Jan. 31 and bacon for a year valued at $300 in the form of gift certificates.

The grand prize package for the Wisconsin Bacon Eating Champion includes: a glorious trophy presented by Farmland, two VIP Tickets to the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival in Des Moines, IA on Saturday, Jan. 31 and $500 in Farmland Bacon in the form of gift certificates.

The Madison Bacon Festival is organized and promoted in partnership between the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival and the Madison community, the uniquely quirky celebration will provide participants with Wisconsin’s largest bacon showcase, bacon lectures, bacon-inspired dishes, bacon competitions, an annual bacon queen contest, live entertainment and bacon fellowship.

The Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival started as a groups’ passion for “all things bacon” and has evolved into America’s premier bacon festival. In 2001, a group of guys began celebrating bacon during an annual weekend retreat in Spirit Lake, IA. Six years later, they pursued a deeper understanding of their favorite meat by earning “All About Bacon” diplomas from Living History Farms. On March 1st, 2008, officially organized under the Bacon Board and led by Brooks Reynolds, they went on to found a festival: a multi-city festival with the mission of improving the enjoyment of all things bacon by providing education, recognition, advocacy and research on behalf of the masses, everyone, everywhere, all of them. They are serious. Seriously, dudes.

Ag Groups, Food

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