Ag Innovation Campus Grand Opening Tomorrow
The new Ag Innovation Campus in Crookston, Minnesota is crossing the bridge into production this week with its long-awaited grand opening on Thursday.
“I’m looking forward to bringing everybody together to showcase all the time and energy that has been put into this project,” said Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) Chair Tom Frisch, who also serves as AIC treasurer. “It’s a huge win for Minnesota’s agriculture industry.”
As a not-for-profit crush facility, the AIC will produce an estimated 240 tons of soybean meal daily, equaling a grand total of 62,400 tons of soybean meal per year. With three independently operated mechanic crush systems, the AIC will be able to crush organic, non-GMO and GMO soybeans.
The crush plant is only the first phase in this three-phase project. Phase two will feature an office complex and research labs. Phase three consists of rentable discovery bays that will be available for short to midterm use. Companies can then use the space to prove their designs at full production scale. The “Crushwalk” will also allow visitors to view the processing facility in a safe and bio secure manner.
“We are super excited about the Grand Opening,” said Frisch, who also sits on the United Soybean Board. “Once we get the crushing plant up and running, AIC can start on phase two and three, which will bring the entire vision to life.”
Spearheaded by Minnesota’s farmers, the AIC is changing Minnesota’s agricultural landscape. Expected guests at the AIC’s Phase 1 Grand Opening include Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen; legislators; AIC directors and Acting CEO Tom Slunecka; farmer-leaders; City of Crookston officials; and assorted industry notables.
There is still time to register to attend the grand opening event, which is made possible by the United Soybean Board, Minnesota Soybean, and the soy checkoff. AgWired will be there on the ground to cover it as it happens, so stay tuned!
DWFI Podcast 28 – Ron Yoder, UNL IANR
Ron Yoder is a pillar of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln community and most recently served as the senior associate vice chancellor for UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR). After nearly 20 years of leadership at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Yoder has announced he will retire this fall.
Yoder joined UNL in 2004 as the department head for the Department of Biological Systems Engineering before becoming the associate vice chancellor for IANR in 2011. He also served as interim NU vice president and IANR vice chancellor in 2016, after then-IANR vice chancellor Ronnie Green was named the UNL chancellor.
In this episode, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute Director of Communication and Public Relations Frances Hayes talks with Yoder about the important role he played in formation of DWFI more than 10 years ago. They also look back on Ron’s storied career on the eve of his retirement.
Listen here or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:
DWFI Podcast 28 - Ron Yoder, UNL IANR 19:52
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.
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NAMA 2023 Professional Development Awards of Excellence
The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) is pleased to announce three marketing and agricultural leaders as winners of the 2023 Professional Development Awards of Excellence.
The NAMA Professional Development Awards of Excellence honor members of the organization based on outstanding achievement in each of the Professional Development Areas. The awards will be presented in conjunction with the NAMA Fall Conference, October 9-11 in St. Louis.
This year, NAMA recognizes Laura Svec, Corteva, in the Marketing Communications area, Kenna Rathai, broadhead, in the Public Relations area and Jennifer Saylor, JL Farmakis, in the Sales area.
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Bayer Continues Sponsorship of Luke Bryan Farm Tour
Five-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan will headline his fourteenth Farm Tour this September and Bayer is returning as the presenting sponsor. The Georgia native will set up stages in the fields of American farms September 14-23, 2023.
Continuing a partnership that began in 2015, Bayer is once again joining the tour as presenting sponsor and teaming up with Luke to help honor America’s farmers for providing us with access to critical health and nutrition through its #HerestotheFarmer campaign.
This morning I participated in a media call with Luke and Beth Roden, Bayer’s Senior Vice President & Head of Communications. You can listen to their remarks and my question here:
Remarks by Beth Roden, Bayer and Luke Bryan: Luke Bryan/Bayer Farm Tour Remarks (2:54)
Question for Luke Bryan: Luke Bryan question (2:19)
The campaign supports Bayer’s vision of Health for All, Hunger for None and asks fans to join in by using #HerestotheFarmer on their social media channels now through November 30, 2023.
As part of the initiative, Bayer will donate up to 1 million meals to people in need through Feeding America®. Since the partnership’s inception, 6 million meals have been donated and more than $180,000 has gone to Feeding America member food banks and local farmers at each of the tour cities.
Tendovo in Action at #FPS23
Syngenta gave farmers a closer look at its new soybean herbicide, Tendovo, at the 2023 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Ill.
“A lot of herbicides out there control the weeds. They do what they’re supposed to do. But some sacrifice the crop safety piece, and that’s really important,” said Jonathan Furasek, Soybean Product Marketing Lead, Herbicide Portfolio. “When we have cool, wet soils early in the season – farmers are planting earlier – we need a herbicide that’s not only going to control the weeds, but not thin our stands or hold our crop back so it can ultimately achieve canopy faster.”
Furasek said Tendovo has three unique active ingredients that provide three modes of action against weeds. It controls more than 70 weeds including Palmer amaranth and waterhemp, as well as common and giant ragweed and cocklebur.
“It’s never to early to start thinking about weed control,” Furasek said. “If you’re not controlling weeds, you’re sacrificing yield.
Syngenta Tendovo herbicide – interview with Jonathan Furasek, Soybean Product Marketing Lead
2023 Farm Progress Show interview with Jonathan Furasek, Syngenta Tendovo 3:39
Animal Ag News 9/11
Syngenta Sustainability
Syngenta continues to work across the agriculture industry with clients, farmers and legislators to increase sustainability in all areas.
“Sustainability is certainly something that we are very actively engaged with, everything from Operation Pollinator to soil health to bee health,” said Kathy Eichlin, Corporate and Crop Protection Communications with Syngenta. “I think one of the biggest things we are very proud of is our associations, all of our partnerships.”
Eichlin said the biggest key for Syngenta is doing more listening than talking, as the needs of customers change from year to year. But it’s also important for the company to convert those messages into action in places like Washington, D.C.
“We need to listen, but then we also need to be leaders and agvocates for our customers,” Eichlin said.
Syngenta Sustainability Commitment
Kathy Eichlin, Corporate and Crop Protection Communications, Syngenta
2023 Farm Progress Show interview with Kathy Eichlin, Syngenta 3:39
Industry Ag News 9/8
ZimmCast 717 – Syngenta at #FPS23
Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast.
This episode of the ZimmCast features what’s new with Syngenta Seeds, Golden Harvest, and NK Seeds – all from the 2023 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois.
Listen to interviews with Kramer Farney, Golden Harvest head of marketing; NASCAR Driver Sammy Smith; Mary Kay Thatcher, senior lead for federal government relations at Syngenta; Eric Boeck, Regional Director North America for Syngenta Seeds; Sustainable Oils President Mike Karst; Matt Dolch, NK Corn Product Manager, and Jared Benson, NK Soybean Product Manager.
Listen to the episode here:ZimmCast 717 - Syngenta at Farm Progress Show (23:49)
Check out other content from #FPS23 in the Farm Progress Show Virtual Newsroom.
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