Ten for the Next Gen: IFAJ’s Young Leaders 2026
The IFAJ ten Young Leaders will participate in a unique ‘Boot Camp’, held prior to the annual IFAJ Congress – the organization’s flagship event.
They’ll be the ones keeping information flowing to the world’s farmers well into the second half of the 21st century: the future of agricultural journalism is safe in the hands of this year’s IFAJ Young Leaders.
Ten up-and-coming agricultural journalists, drawn from ten countries across four continents, have been selected by an international jury to participate in the 21st edition of the select programme.
Sponsored by Alltech, a global leader in the agriculture industry and long-term supporter of IFAJ’s work and mission, the Young Leaders initiative seeks to identify and support the most promising new and recent entrants to the profession, to hone and encourage their potential.
“The IFAJ Alltech Young Leaders programme is not just about recognising and nurturing individual talent, important though that is, but also to bring together those with the ability to apply that talent to lead and develop the wider profession,” says IFAJ Secretary General, Adrian Bell.
The ten 2026 IFAJ Alltech Young Leaders are:
- Juan Ignacio Alaise, Argentina
- Kaitlin Berger, Canada
- Katrin Bremer-John, Germany
- Andrew Castillo, United States of America
- Job Hiddink, The Netherlands
- Milliam Murigi, Kenya
- Breifne O’Brien, Ireland
- Josiah Pailay, Liberia
- Emmanuel Bright Quaicoe, Ghana
- Emelie Werme, Sweden
Passing of Roddy Peeples
Roddy Peeples passed away on July 7, 2026. I took this photo of Roddy at the 2016 NAFB Convention. He was one of many farm broadcasters that I learned from during my career. Roddy was always happy to chat and provide ideas. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Here is his Memorial Service info:
Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery – At the Memorial Chapel
13005 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75243
www.restlandfuneralhome.com
Friday, July 17, 2026, 2:00pm
Here is some information about Roddy’s career from Gardner Hatch, Executive Director, NAFB:
Roddy Peeples passed away on July 7, 2026. He was born on July 3, 1932, and raised on a cotton, cattle and grain farm near Tehuacana, Texas. He graduated from Mexia High School, attended Texas A&M and received a bachelor’s degree in agronomy in 1953. His agricultural radio career began at WTAW in College Station during his senior year at the university.
Roddy was a broadcaster in Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri in the 1950s before joining KWFT in Wichita Falls, Texas, as associate farm director, in 1959. Five years later, he established the Voice of Southwest Agriculture (VSA) radio network, which grew to 60 stations throughout Texas. After 31 years as founder and owner of VSA, Peeples sold the network in 1995 to Clear Channel Communications of San Antonio.
The voice of Southwest agriculture was also a pilot and flew his own plane from 1974 to 2002 to attend farm and ranch events across Texas. He served in multiple leadership roles at NAFB, including president in 1982. In 1992, he was named NAFB Farm Broadcaster of the year and nine years later was inducted into the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Hall of Fame. He also received numerous other ag industry awards from soil and water conservation districts, the Texas Farm Bureau, 4-H, livestock associations, and other organizations.
ZimmCast 762 – AI Impact on R&D with Syngenta
Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast.
In this episode I’m going to share some comments and a question from the latest IFAJ Webinar. The topic was “Artificial Intelligence’s Impact on R&D for Agriculture.” Moderating was Steve Werblow, IFAJ President and Martin Clough, Syngenta Crop Protection’s R&D Head of Digital Collaboration and Sustainability and Andre Piza, Syngenta’s Group’s Global Head of Digital AgTech.
My question was, are there concerns about the cost of data centers and including issues like the climate and sustainability.
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept for agriculture—it is already transforming how research and development are conducted. From accelerating scientific discovery and improving data analysis to supporting the development of more targeted and sustainable solutions for growers, AI is becoming an essential tool in agricultural innovation.
During this session, the speakers will provide practical insights into how AI is being integrated across agricultural R&D, the opportunities it creates for researchers and farmers alike, and the challenges that remain as digital technologies continue to evolve.
Listen to the episode here:
ZimmCast 762 - AI Impact on R&D with Syngenta (25:23)
If you are not a member of IFAJ consider joining your local agricultural journalist guild. Find out more on the IFAJ website.
That’s the ZimmCast for now. I hope you enjoyed it and thank for listening.
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Animal Ag News 7/9
Land O’Lakes Invests in High-Value Dairy Protein Production
Land O’Lakes, Inc. is making a strategic investment in its Tulare, California, dairy processing facility to expand into high-value dairy protein production.
The move will position the cooperative to meet rapidly growing global demand for protein-rich nutrition, while also creating new opportunities for its farmer-owners.
The investment will enable production of ultra-filtered milk; unlocking greater value from member milk, providing growth opportunities for farmer-owners and strengthening Land O’Lakes’ ability to compete in a changing food landscape increasingly centered on protein.
“At a time when protein is reshaping how consumers eat and how the food system operates, this investment positions Land O’Lakes, our Tulare facility and our farmer-owners to lead,” said Heather Anfang, EVP of Land O’Lakes and President of Dairy Foods. “We are continuing to build a more resilient, growth-oriented dairy business while creating new demand for member milk and laying the groundwork for long-term opportunity.”
Huma Adds Nematode Control for New PROUD 4
Huma® introduces new PROUD 4™, a strengthened formulation of Huma’s PROUD 3 to offer a four-in-one nematicide, miticide, fungicide and insecticide providing broad-spectrum control of above- and below-ground pests.
“For specialty crop growers seeking alternatives to costly, environmentally harmful fumigants and synthetic nematicides, PROUD 4 is the eco-friendly alternative – eco as in both economic and ecological,” says Fred Nichols, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at Huma. “Similarly, Midwest corn and soybean growers can use it as a highly cost-effective foliar spray to control soft-bodied insects such as aphids, thrips, whiteflies, mites, and leafhoppers, as well as most fungal diseases.”
PROUD 4 provides fast-acting pest control on contact and is locally systemic. The secret sauce, explains Nichols, is Huma’s exclusive Micro-Carbon Technology (MCT).
“Carbon-rich MCT is the most efficient way to deliver crop inputs, including crop protection products,” Nichols says. “MCT speeds and enhances uptake of active ingredients, ensuring they reach their target in both the soil and leaves.”
Alltech Releases 2025 Sustainability Report
Alltech has released its 2025 Sustainability Report detailing Alltech’s commitment to advance the well-being of people, animals and our planet in more than 140 countries.
“Agriculture has always carried a profound responsibility to nourish people, to care for the land and to support the communities that depend on it,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “Today, that responsibility feels greater than ever. We are being asked to produce more, while using fewer resources, and to do so in a way that is both transparent and trusted. At Alltech, we see this as an opportunity for agriculture to lead.”
Alltech employs more than 5,300 people across 72 nationalities and 59 native languages, reflecting a highly diverse global team. Among the company’s 2025 sustainability accomplishments:
– Alltech completed 47 energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, reducing emissions by 15,837 metric tons (mt) of CO₂e annually.
– In 2025, 43 peer-reviewed studies linked to Alltech platforms demonstrated that improved nutrient utilization, biological resilience, and feed and crop management can deliver significant productivity and sustainability gains.
– Alltech processed 73 life cycle assessment (LCA) requests across the agri-food supply chain, supporting sustainability insights across species and production stages.
– Over the course of 2025, World Without Cows, a documentary written, directed and filmed by Alltech team members and award-winning journalists Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth, was screened more than 250 times across 36 countries.
“We believe our industry has the capacity not only to meet today’s challenges, but to help shape a healthier, more abundant future for the planet we all share,” Lyons said. “That belief is captured in our purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™. This purpose reflects how we think about progress — not as a single outcome, but as a balance of three interconnected priorities: providing nutrition for all, replenishing our planet’s natural resources, and revitalizing local economies. Progress in one depends on progress in all.”
Industry Ag News 7/3
Passing of Dan Crummett
Another good friend in agricultural marketing and communications, Dan Crummett, has passed. I did a post back in 2005 when he became president of the AAEA. In this picture he’s seen here presenting a recognition plaque to Susan Davis for her service as AAEA president. I can only say that I thoroughly enjoyed talking to Dan, especially when he had started a blog, which made him one of the early bloggers in the business. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.
Here is some information from Lessiter Media:
Lessiter Media is mourning the loss of one of its most valuable contributing editors, Dan Crummett, who passed away unexpectedly this week at his home in Coyle, Okla. He was 78.
No-Till Farmer Editor Frank Lessiter said Dan made major contributions the magazine’s content for many years, first as a freelance writer before taking an expanded role at Lessiter Media in 2023 as a contributing editor.
Just recently, Crummett won regional and national honors from the American Society of Business Publication Editors for an article on how soil testing is evolving into ‘predictive agronomy.’
“Many times he told me and others that working with Lessiter Media was one of the most enjoyable parts of his long-term ag writing career,” Lessiter said.
Dan also contributed content for No-Till Farmer, Strip-Till Farmer, Cover Crop Strategies, Farm Equipment, Farm Innovations and Precision Farming Dealer. In recent years, he’s also contributed as technical editor for Ag Equipment Intelligence’s custom research offering.
You can find his obituary here.