Precision Ag News 11/29

Carrie Muehling

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the National Strategic Germplasm and Cultivar Collection Assessment and Utilization Plan in support of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) U.S. National Plant Germplasm System’s (NPGS) mission.
  • The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) applauds the release of the National Plant Germplasm and Cultivar Collection Assessment and Utilization Plan. ASTA led efforts in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 to further support the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) through the development and implementation of this plan in order to preserve the viability of, and public access to, germplasm and cultivars.
  • Dan Funk, son of legendary seedsman Don Funk, announces he’s acquired the interests of Outward Ag, LLC from family members. The acquisition is a step further in his goal to reestablish Midwest Seed Genetics, NC+ and Crow’s as premium regional seed brands.
  • Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp launched a new incentive program designed to encourage ag-tech and food-based businesses to locate in Kentucky.
  • After considering the unique challenges that growers across the country have faced during the 2023 harvest season, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has extended the National Corn Yield Contest (NCYC) Harvest Entry deadline from Thursday, November 30 to Tuesday, December 5.
  • The Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC), a non-profit, market program that pays farmers and ranchers for their environmental services to society, has chosen HabiTerre, an advanced technology company specializing in environmental and productivity insights for agriculture, to provide modeling services to ESMC’s Eco-Harvest market program. The goal of this work is to improve accuracy and value creation for farmers and ranchers, while further reducing barriers to scale.
  • Syngenta has reached a settlement agreement with Marty Fletchall of Beloit, Kansas, in response to Syngenta’s allegations of Mr. Fletchall’s unauthorized selling and offering to sell of AgriPro SY Monument variety. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Fletchall has agreed to cease and desist from all further efforts to offer to sell and/or sell Syngenta PVPA-protected wheat seed varieties. Fletchall will also pay a fine to Syngenta as part of the settlement agreement.
  • The UF/FAS Extension Florida Stakeholder Engagement Program (STEP) just concluded its second year growing corn at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, Suwannee Valley (NFREC-SV). The competition, funded by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy, was devised to introduce best management practices and new technologies, while generating data on what makes for a successful harvest.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    CattleCon24 is Onward to Orlando

    Cindy Zimmerman

    CattleCon, the cattle industry’s largest event of the year, will bring producers and their families to Orlando, Florida, Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2024, for education, networking and business, along with family fun.

    “We’re looking forward to our convention in Orlando, it’s always a crowd pleaser,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President-elect Mark Eisele from Wyoming during a recent interview.

    CattleCon24 will include plenty of entertainment and awards, as well as important informational sessions and policy updates. The Opening General Session will feature former professional football player and sleight-of-hand magician, Jon Dorenbos. while the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program’s Celebration of Excellence, honoring BQA award winners features keynote speaker Jim Carroll, a renowned futurist, author, and innovation expert. As always, CattleFax will present their U.S. & Global Protein and Grain Outlook Session and the 31st annual Cattlemen’s College will include educational sessions with industry leaders tackling innovative topics.

    CattleCon is also where NCBA holds its annual meeting to guide policy for the coming year and Eisele says they have a lot of issues on their plate, as usual, including the farm bill, WOTUS, and endangered species with the relocation of grizzly bears planned by the Biden administration. “We’re watching the president and his agencies trying to drop bears into Washington (State) without any stakeholder input,” said Eisele.

    2023 NAFB Trade Talk - Mark Eisele, NCBA president-elect 3:17

    Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, NAFB, NCBA

    Dalan Animal Health Recognized for Honeybee Vaccine

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Dalan Animal Health, Inc. (“Dalan”), a biotech company specializing in insect health, has been included in the 2023 Fast Company Next Big Thing in Tech list in recognition of developing the world’s first vaccine to protect honeybees against American Foulbrood (AFB), a devastating disease that weakens and kills honeybee colonies globally.

    In addition to Fast Company, Dalan has also been awarded the animal health innovator recognition by International Zendal Awards, which celebrates and financially awards innovative biotechnology solutions, as well as recent inclusion on TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023 in the sustainability category for the promise the vaccine holds for both protecting honeybees and advancing greater biodiversity.

    “Pollinators are the building blocks of our food supply and play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem biodiversity. Without them, the global food supply as we know it ceases to exist,” said Dr. Annette Kleiser, co-founder and CEO of Dalan Animal Health. “Our honeybee vaccine represents an important milestone in the collective fight for increased invertebrate health and environmental sustainability as we enable beekeepers to access proactive solutions for healthy, productive hives.”

    Learn more from Dalan Animal Health.

    AgWired Animal, Animal Health, Bees, pollinators, Technology

    Animal Ag News 11/27

    Carrie Muehling

  • The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) announced the addition of Madison Wyman as its policy communications specialist, effective Nov. 13.
  • The Indiana Sheep and Wool Market Development Program is sponsoring a shearing school, hosted by the Indiana Sheep Association (ISA) on Saturday, Feb. 24, at Purdue University’s Animal Science Research and Education Center sheep unit.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of five members to serve on the American Lamb Board. All five of the appointees will serve three-year terms. The terms of the members start January 2024 and end January 2027.
  • Smithfield Foods has donated $1 million to launch the Southeastern Education and Economic Development (SEED) apprenticeship program in North Carolina. A partnership between the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) and Smithfield Foods, SEED is a comprehensive youth apprenticeship program that will provide career pathways and college education for high school students in southeastern North Carolina counties.
  • The winner of the 11th annual NCBA National Anthem Contest, sponsored by Norbrook, is Anna Sponheim of Winifred, Montana. Sponheim will sing the “Star-Spangled Banner” at CattleCon24 in Orlando, Florida, during the Opening General Session.
  • National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Chairman Randy Mooney commended U.S. dairy farmers for their persistence in supporting positive change for their industry at the organization’s annual meeting in Orlando, noting that challenges are nothing new to producers and that their unity has brought progress in encouraging better federal farm policy.
  • In a surprising setback for U.S. dairy, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) dispute settlement panel upheld Canada’s manipulative dairy quota administration practices, leaving U.S. dairy exporters struggling to realize the market access granted in the trade agreement. Despite the tireless efforts of the U.S. government team, this ruling reflects a glaring failure to safeguard the most fundamental rights outlined in the USMCA. Michael Dykes, D.V.M, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), issued a statement sharing the group’s disappointment.
  • The poultry industry continuously invests in research to expand its knowledge and mastery of avian care and to identify processes and techniques that help increase the overall success of the industry. These research developments and related topics will be discussed at the International Poultry Scientific Forum (IPSF), held in conjunction with the 2024 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Get to Know Pivot Bio

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Pivot Bio visited the NAFB Convention Trade Talk earlier this month in Kansas City to talk about its unique offerings for farmers and companies.

    As a sustainable agriculture company, Pivot Bio delivers farmers patented crop nutrition technologies to deliver nitrogen to plants without the negative impacts of synthetic fertilizer. “Pivot Bio provides growers a technology opportunity to deliver a better form of nitrogen that comes from microbes that continuously fix atmospheric nitrogen and deliver ammonia directly into the plant,” said Randy Minton, Pivot Bio Head of Commercial Sustainability. “The benefit of that delivery system is that it creates a sustainability benefit.”

    Pivot Bio’s N-OVATOR™ Program translates growers’ synthetic nitrogen replacement into the environmental impact they delivered which contributes to corporate partners’ sustainability goals while generating new revenue for growers. “We believe we have the capability to create really strong partnerships and really great opportunities for growers and we want to make sure that the majority of that revenue coming from those programs flows back to the grower,” said Minton.

    Pivot Bio recently presented research focused on PROVEN® 40, a product offering a microbial source of nitrogen specifically designed for corn crops.

    Learn more in this interview.
    2023 NAFB Trade Talk - Randy Minton, Pivot Bio 6:17

    AgWired Precision, Audio, Corn, Fertilizer, NAFB, Sustainability

    Seed Industry Conference Starts Next Week

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The American Seed Trade Association‘s newly-branded Field Crop Seed Convention kicks off its first year next week in Orlando. The convention will host seed industry professionals from over 30 countries for educational sessions, networking and the Seed Expo.

    “We’re excited about it,” said ASTA president and CEO Andy LaVigne during an interview at the recent NAFB Trade Talk. “We’ve got good registration, it continues to increase, and we hope to have great numbers this year.”

    LaVigne says the agenda will be similar to what it has been including the conference’s most popular speaker, Dan Basse of AgResource Company, who will keynote the opening General Session again on Wednesday with his annual update on the global agricultural market. Following the keynote, Basse will moderate a panel of top executives as they give their perspectives on what lies ahead for the seed business. Basse will be available for interviews in the media room after the conclusion of the panel.

    Other key session topics include geopolitical impacts on growers, the Farm Bill, future trends, climate-smart and sustainability initiatives, and more. Get a preview in the interview below:

    2023 NAFB Trade Talk - Andy LaVigne, ASTA 6:26

    ASTA, Audio, NAFB, Seed

    Animal Ag News 11/21

    Carrie Muehling

  • U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, recently reintroduced the Real Marketing Edible Artificials Truthfully (MEAT) Act to end deceptive labeling practices for alternative protein products. The Real MEAT Act would clarify the definition of beef and pork for labeling purposes by requiring alternative proteins to clearly display the word “imitation” on their packaging. The legislation would eliminate the consumer confusion that results from misbranding and ensure that the federal government is able to enforce labeling standards.
  • Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) CEO and President Barbara O’Brien outlined a series of checkoff-led successes, including more science-based and partnership driven results, to 780 dairy farmers and industry representatives attending the 2023 joint annual meeting of the United Dairy Industry Association, National Dairy Promotion and Research Board and National Milk Producers Federation held in Orlando, Fla, Nov. 14-15.
  • The National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) honored Connie Seefeldt and Steve Maddox as the 2023 co-recipients of the Richard E. Lyng Award for their contributions and distinguished service to dairy promotion.
  • Leaders of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) and the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) announced election results to lead national dairy checkoff strategies and programs to protect and grow sales.
  • The future of U.S. dairy farming is bright as global growth and American capacity for innovation and production combine to create a powerhouse, the National Milk Producers Federation’s (NMPF) incoming president and CEO and the organization’s economists highlighted in presentations at NMPF’s annual meeting in Orlando, FL.
  • CowManager, a revolutionary ear sensor system that provides information about fertility, health and nutrition is pleased to introduce a new, intuitive dashboard that adds improved functionality and ease of use.
  • Over the past year, cattle producers had the opportunity to harness the therapeutic potential of Pennchlor (chlortetracycline Type A medicated article), coupled with the coccidiosis control and performance enhancements offered by Rumensin (monensin Type A medicated article) in their starter rations. But now, two new supplemental claims are available for the well-established combination of Pennchlor and Rumensin. These additional claims now extend this combination’s therapeutic advantages for dairy and beef replacement heifers. Contact your Elanco or Pharmgate representative for additional information or your cattle veterinarian and/or nutritionist.
  • The next generation of agricultural leaders are invited to attend the NCBA Trade Show at CattleCon24 for free on Friday, Feb. 2. FFA and 4-H members can receive free trade show admission on Next Gen Ag FFA & 4-H Day, which will include a variety of events and activities for youth and families. Courtesy of Culver’s, the first 250 FFA members to register will receive complimentary Friday NCBA Trade Show admission. FFA members and alumni are also invited to the Culver’s Blue Jacket Custard Social.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Public Lands Council (PLC), and Washington Cattlemen’s Association (WCA), alongside other leading national agricultural organizations, filed comments opposing the Biden administration’s plan to introduce grizzly bears to the North Cascades Ecosystem (NCE) in Washington state. This latest proposed rule from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service follows years of opposition from rural Washington communities, cattle ranchers, and sheep producers. This is a misguided effort by federal bureaucrats that will not make a meaningful difference to the success of the species but will impose a severe burden on rural communities and livestock producers.
  • Vytelle, a precision livestock company, announced it ranked 285 on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies in North America, now in its 29th year.
  • The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced new upcoming board leadership following its fall board meeting, held Nov. 7 in Washington, D.C. Lisa McComb, Dairy Management Inc., was elected as chair-elect. Tom Super, National Chicken Council, was appointed as treasurer.
  • Advances in digital technologies and innovation could dramatically transform the poultry industry over the coming years, improving bird health and welfare and improving productivity and profit. Poultry Tech Summit 2023 was hosted by WATT Global Media and Poultry Future on Nov. 6-8, 2023, at the Hilton Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, Georgia.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Field Notes from Koch Agronomic Services – Episode 32

    Chuck Zimmerman

    The Field Notes podcast series from Koch Agronomic Services (KAS) breaks down the science and technology behind agronomy to help growers do more with less.

    Research Helping Growers Feed the World

    In this episode, we’ll discuss the importance of research in agronomic inputs. Two scientists with KAS, Stacey Wertz and Harjot Dhaliwal will talk about the challenges and rewards of working behind the scenes to maximize yields. They’ll tell us what grower feedback has meant to two products, CENTURO and PROTIVATE, as they are out in the fields actively helping growers feed the world.

    You can listen to the program here: Research Helping Growers Feed the World (20:48)

    And to make sure you don’t miss an episode, choose an option to subscribe

    For Spotify on your computer download the desktop app

    Agribusiness, Audio, Fertilizer, Koch Agronomic Services, Soil

    Teaching Agriculture With Sprout the Elf on the Shelf

    Carrie Muehling

    Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) is helping teachers integrate agriculture into their holiday lesson plans with the introduction of Sprout the Elf on the Shelf.

    “Each year teachers and families make new memories through the ever-popular Elf on the Shelf tradition during the holiday season,” said Kevin Daugherty, IAITC education director. “We wanted to put our own twist on this holiday favorite while providing access to free resources to teach kids the value of agriculture.”

    The complete Elf on the Shelf with IAITC resource booklet contains ideas for 20 agriculture-themed Elf on the Shelf scenes. Teacher can also access a full list of materials to plan for Sprout the Elf’s activities.

    Follow along with Sprout on the IAITC Facebook page or Instagram @ilaitc.

    Agriculture in the Classroom, Holiday

    VISION 2024 Shaping the Future of Ag Tech

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The VISION Conference, now in its seventh year, is set to start the new year January 22-24 at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa with a transformative event focused on building a sustainable value system in food, feed, fiber, and fuel.

    The conference will address critical topics such as as data-driven decision-making, barriers to adoption, cross-industry insights, and more. Interactive groups will allow attendees to select from challenges including AI + Data Usage, Overcoming Infrastructure and Support Barriers, and Ag Tech Adoption.

    Throughout the event, sessions will delve into the latest data management technologies and processes, proving ROI, and the power of interoperability in ag tech solutions. Leaders with a variety of backgrounds and experience will share their perspectives on the future of ag technology.

    Co-locating with The VISION Conference and kicking off on January 21, the second in-person meeting for Women in Ag Tech will provide a vital platform for women in the industry to connect, engage, and build a community. The Global Ag Tech Initiative is committed to advancing and advocating the women in our industry.

    The conference will conclude with a panel from the Global Ag Tech Initiative, presenting key insights and takeaways that will shape the industry in the years to come.

    For more information and to register for VISION 2024, visit TheVISIONConference.com.

    Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, AI, Technology