Precision Ag News 6/28

Carrie Muehling

  • Syngenta leaders from around the globe joined with state, local and agricultural organization representatives for the recent Grand Opening of the Syngenta Seeds R&D Innovation Center in Malta, Illinois, a facility designed to bring farmers and researchers together to accelerate advancements in agricultural seed products and services.
  • The Universal Food Forum (UFF) will be hosted by Michigan State University on July 12 in Washington, D.C. UFF seeks to engage media through stimulating debate and conversations across all perspectives on agriculture and food systems topics for a balanced view of food systems from multiple viewpoints.
  • AgriThority will be featured in the award-winning documentary series Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid. This innovative series highlights companies striving for significance and impact in the world. The documentary, “Effective Agriculture Technologies and Solutions” will be distributed to Public Television stations on July 17 and can be aired for one full year.
  • Western Growers and S2G Ventures are now accepting applications for the 2023 AgSharks Competition, a unique event where startup companies pitch their innovations in front of a live audience of the world’s largest specialty crop producers to win a $250,000 minimum investment. Impact-driven entrepreneurs and startups developing technologies that promote a more healthy and sustainable food and agriculture system can apply for the AgSharks Competition by clicking here. Applications close on July 28, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
  • North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University will lead a major project to build and sustain students’ interest and participation in agriculture as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new initiative, “From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals.” N.C. A&T’s project – SAPLINGS (System Approach to Promote Learning and Innovation for the Next GenerationS) – is designed to grow the number of underrepresented minority students in the food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences.
  • Arable announced a joint initiative with Shell International Exploration and Production Inc., supported by HabiTerre and Quanterra Systems, to deliver a high-trust, low-cost carbon measurement and verification system that would advance sustainable farming practices. The groundbreaking project, which will launch in Brazil, is designed to both reduce complexity and increase reliability of carbon monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) in agriculture.
  • Crop advisors are an important source of information for growers who face the persistent threat of herbicide resistance. Scientists with the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) say these frontline experts can help growers manage weeds that escape treatment, threaten crop yields, and disrupt natural ecosystems and wildlife habitats. A recent survey of certified crop advisors in all 50 U.S. states shows they are concerned about the escalation of herbicide resistance and the impediments to effective weed management.
  • SVG Ventures|THRIVE and NEC X, NEC Corporation’s Silicon Valley innovation hub and venture studio, announced that they have partnered to build bridges between agtech entrepreneurial ecosystems and NEC X venture-building capabilities. They will collaboratively identify opportunities for new ventures in agriculture and fast-track acceleration of resulting ventures from NEC X. The organizations will join forces in venture and ecosystem development with an initial focus on North America.
  • Lamberti and AgBiome, two leaders in the development of biological crop protection products, announced an expansion of their ongoing collaboration. The companies will work together to develop new biological liquid formulations.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Yara North America Partners with Dairy Management Inc

Cindy Zimmerman

Yara North America and Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) have launched a unique soil health collaboration to explore the use of organic fertilizers derived from manure for the benefit of soil health and regenerative nutrient management practices.

The partnership will complement the Dairy Soil & Water Regeneration (DSWR) project and trials are currently underway at Yara’s Incubator Farm in Auburn, Alabama, to determine benefits of manure-derived fertilizers in combination with mineral fertilizers on water use efficiency, nutrient use efficiency, and crop yield and quality. Insights and findings from these trials will be shared across the dairy industry and others involved in the U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative, focused on the industry’s environmental stewardship goals of achieving GHG neutrality and improvements in water quality and quantity by 2050.

“Supporting innovations and explorations centered around soil health, nutrient management and water regeneration are key as we work toward our ambition of growing a nature-positive food future,” said Debbie Watts, VP, innovation and market development, Yara North America. “This cooperation with Dairy Management Inc. is a terrific example of Yara’s commitment to participate in the transformation of the food system through actions that reduce emissions, protect nature and improve livelihoods. The dairy industry can look to Yara as a partner and valued contributing resource in agronomy and soil health expertise.”

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Dairy, Fertilizer, regenerative ag, Soil

Progress on 2023 Farm Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

Some are saying Congress may need to pass a short-term extension of the current farm bill if they are unable to get a new one across the finish line before September 30, but House Agriculture Committee chair Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) is still optimistic.

“With the farm bill, we’re rounding first base,” said Thompson during a recent interview in Washington D.C. by farm broadcaster Tony St. James, All Ag All Day. “We hit second base we’re going to be starting to write this thing. We get to third it means we’ve done a mark up in committee and that will probably be early September, is my hope.”

Thompson says he realizes there is a race against the clock right now, but using the baseball analogy, he thinks they are in about the fifth inning at this point – and there will not be any seventh inning stretch. “My one goal is we’re going to do this farm bill on a bipartisan, bicameral way – on time – and highly effective,” he said.

Listen to Tony’s interview here:
All Ag All Day interview with Rep. GT Thompson 11:54

Audio, Farm Bill

Alltech Releases 2022 Sustainability Report

Cindy Zimmerman

Alltech has released its 2022 Sustainability Report, supporting its commitment of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™.

Through data and stories from Alltech team members around the world, the 2022 Alltech Sustainability Report emphasizes the role of agriculture in combatting climate change and creating healthy, sustainable food systems. It also includes information about Alltech’s emissions reduction goals, efforts to promote sustainability and the ways in which Alltech is advancing environmental actions in the industry.

Additionally, the report outlines the steps Alltech has taken to promote an inclusive work environment and highlights its team members’ efforts to make a difference in the communities in which they live and work.

Among the report’s highlights are that Alltech invested $4.5 million in efficiency projects in 2022, resulting in a reduction of 7,600 metric tons of CO2e, and Alltech’s climate advisory service, Alltech E-CO2, supports 30 countries and has conducted over 20,000 on-farm environmental assessments.

Read the report.

Alltech, Sustainability

9th Annual Kansas City Ag Outlook Forum Announced

Cindy Zimmerman

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse Communications announce the 9th annual Ag Outlook Forum will be held on September 25 at the Downtown Marriott in Kansas City.

The session will feature three keynote presentations:
• Denver Caldwell, director of sales for the U.S. and Canada, John Deere
• Hans Kabat, president, Cargill Protein North America
• Ken Seitz, president, and CEO, Nutrien

USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer will lead-off a panel discussion looking at the ag economy. Panelists include:
• Arlan Suderman, chief commodities economist, StoneX
• Krista Swanson, lead economist, National Corn Growers Association
• Roland Fumasi, EVP & North American regional head, RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness
• Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse will serve as the panel moderator

The program will also feature a discussion of the 2023 farm bill prospects led by Missouri farmer Blake Hurst. Additional program speakers will be announced as they are confirmed.

Registration is available for both in-person and virtual participation.

Agri-Pulse, Agribusiness, Events

Animal Ag News 6/26

Carrie Muehling

  • A month after the Supreme Court upheld a California law that bans the sale of pork produced anywhere from breeding pigs held in small cages, the state announced a six month delay in implementation. Statement from National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) CEO Bryan Humphreys: “It is welcome news to America’s pig farmers and consumers that California recognized the challenging situation the July 1 Proposition 12 implementation date will have on our industry and food supply. Granting six months of additional relief for products in the supply chain allows grocery stores to remain stocked so the 40 million Californians have uninterrupted access to affordable, safe and nutritious pork products, especially with rising food prices…While this temporary solution does not solve the challenges and uncertainty California Proposition 12 brings to our industry, NPPC looks forward to working with Congress to find a permanent solution to this problem.”
  • GOOD Meat, the cultivated meat division of food technology company Eat Just, Inc., announced that it has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) its first poultry product, cultivated chicken, to enter interstate commerce. This landmark clearance means the firm’s chicken, which is made directly from animal cells, can now be sold to American consumers.
  • During the Heritage Fire Tour event in Minneapolis, Minn., the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, debuted the very first episode of the docuseries, “Cattle Calling.” Attendees will be among the first to experience this highly anticipated release that will provide consumers with an in-depth look at the cattle farming and ranching Industry.
  • Approximately every five years, the beef cattle industry undergoes a National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA), funded by the Beef Checkoff, to help determine quality conformance of the U.S. beef supply. Reports detailing 2022 NBQA results are now available at www.bqa.org. The Market Cows and Bulls and Fed Cattle reports outline where the beef supply chain is making positive changes as well as areas for improvement.
  • Ralco is excited to announce the addition of Taylor Husz as Associate Ruminant Nutritionist. Husz joins Ralco after receiving her bachelor’s degree in animal science and first master’s degree in animal science from Oklahoma State University, followed by her second master’s degree in animal science from West Texas A&M University.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    DWFI Podcast 25- Soumya Balasubramanya, The World Bank

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The 2023 Water for Food Global Conference was held May 8-11 at the University of Nebraska Lincoln and produced by the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska (DWFI). It was the first time the event has been held since 2019 and it was a huge success with more than 120 global speakers and 400 participants.

    For the next several Water for Food podcasts, we will be bringing you highlights from the conference, which had the theme “Cultivating Innovation: Solutions for a Changing World.” In this first episode, we hear from Soumya Balasubramanya, Senior Economist with The World Bank, who spoke at the conference about “Supporting entrepreneurship for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.”

    Listen here or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:
    DWFI Podcast 25 - Soumya Balasubramanya, The World Bank 23:26

    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, Food, International, Water, Water for Food

    Industry Ag News 6/23

    Carrie Muehling

  • The 2024 Commodity Classic trade show floor opened to new exhibitors today at 9:30 a.m. CT. Commodity Classic’s “New Frontiers in Agriculture” will be held February 28 through March 2, 2024, in Houston, Texas.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association welcomed its newest producer member, Aztalan Bio LLC, with operations based in Jefferson, Wisc. After completing significant technology upgrades, Aztalan Bio’s ethanol biorefinery is expected to begin production in October with an initial capacity of 110 million gallons per year.
  • Leading law firm Michael Best has joined the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association as a vendor member.
  • Congress can ensure more consumer choice in fuels and vehicles by taking greater advantage of low-cost, low-emissions biofuels like ethanol, a leader of the National Corn Growers Association told members of Congress.
  • The National Cotton Council announced training participants for this week’s Emerging Leaders Program in Memphis and St. Louis.
  • To support the next generation of agricultural professionals, National Farmers Union Foundation announced the 2023 recipients of its annual scholarship awards.
  • Controlling for Varroa mites, the parasitic mites that feed on honey bees and serve as vectors for viral diseases like deformed wing virus, can help with improving honeybee populations and make bees less susceptible to harmful insecticides, according to a recent study published in Environmental Pollution.
  • Alltech announced new leadership in the office of the president, the culture and talent team, and the marketing and communications team. Orla McAleer joins the culture and talent team as chief culture officer, while Susanna Elliott will lead the global marketing and communications team as chief marketing and communications officer, and Brian Lawless will lead the office of the president as chief of staff.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    ZimmCast 713 – The Work of AgGateway

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast. I’m Chuck Zimmerman.

    In this episode I am sharing a couple of interviews from the AgGateway Mid-Year Meeting.

    One of those is with Andres Ferrerya, Data Asset Manager for Syngenta Digital. The kind of work that he does and the work of AgGateway can get pretty technical but he describes it in a clear way to understand, in my opinion. Then you can hear Jeremy Wilson, AgGateway’s Executive VP/COO, as he talks about the various working groups in AgGateway and what they are doing.

    The work that AgGateway is doing is really vital for farmers, retailers and other companies that are seeking standards of various kinds to make the process of digital information quicker, simpler and more useful.

    Listen to the ZimmCast here:
    ZimmCast 713 - The Work of AgGateway (22:28)

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

    Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

    Ag Groups, AgGateway, Audio, Precision Agriculture, Technology, ZimmCast

    Precision Ag News 6/21

    Carrie Muehling

    • Bayer announced its Crop Science Division will capitalize on opportunities presented by the shift to regenerative agriculture to grow in adjacent markets in addition to its core business of seeds, traits, crop protection and digital. At its 2023 Innovation Summit, the company identified growth potential in segments like crop fertility, biologicals, biofuels, carbon farming, precision application services as well as digital platforms and marketplaces, all of which are serving the needs of agriculture.
    • Make-A-Wish Iowa welcomes Stine Seed Company as the premier partner for the new Harvesting Wishes Program. Together, Make-A-Wish and Stine will cultivate hope and resiliency for critically ill children in our communities through the program. Farmers and the agriculture industry will now have an entirely new way to impact local families waiting for their life-changing wish.
    • The American Farm Bureau Federation signed a memorandum of understanding with CLAAS of America, providing even more farmers and ranchers the right to repair their own farm equipment. The MOU follows similar agreements AFBF entered with John Deere, CNH Industrial Brands (which includes Case IH and New Holland), AGCO and Kubota. Combined, the five MOUs cover approximately three quarters of the agricultural machinery sold in the United States.
    AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture