AgGateway Announces New Regional Director for Europe

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

AgGateway leadership is pleased to announce that Matthias Nachtmann has been appointed as the organization’s Europe Regional Director, effective January 1, succeeding Conny Graumans, who is retiring at the end of the year.

An agriculture engineer and digital agriculture executive, Nachtmann brings more than 25 years of international experience in digital farming, agriculture data interoperability, and value chain collaboration, including more than a decade leading digital initiatives at BASF Agricultural Solutions.

Matthias Nachtmann

“In Matthias, we have a Regional Director experienced in digital agriculture and familiar with our organization from his work at BASF,” says Brent Kemp, AgGateway President and CEO. “I’m excited the welcome him to the staff, knowing he’ll bring passion, expertise, and energy to our collaborative work.”

“AgGateway has a strong history of bringing the agricultural industry together to enable efficient data exchange and interoperability,” says Nachtmann. “Building on the foundation Conny has established in Europe, I see a tremendous opportunity to extend connectivity beyond traditional business transactions to the growing range of data needed across agricultural operations and value chains for efficient farm operation and sustainable productivity.”

“Matthias has great knowledge about data sharing developments and challenges in agricultural production chains and brings an enormous network covering agricultural industries, research institutions, and governmental bodies,” says Graumans. “I have known him personally for many years and I am very pleased that he will be leading AgGateway’s efforts in the region in the years ahead.”

AgGateway, Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, International

Industry Ag News 11/2

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • President Donald J. Trump, alongside U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make $8 billion available for one-time payments to American farmers this harvest season to provide relief during temporary market disruptions and increased input costs. Similar to the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program, the Harvest Fuel Relief (HFR) program will provide simple, proportional support to producers using a uniform formula to cover a portion of modeled losses during the 2026 crop year.
  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins visited Giesenschlag Farms in Caldwell, Texas, where she announced two new actions under the Great American Cotton Plan to strengthen support for American cotton producers. To learn more, please view the Great American Cotton Plan.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is awarding $86.6 million in grant funding to support the specialty crop industry through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The program funds innovative projects designed to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. For more information and to view a complete list of funded projects, visit the AMS SCBGP webpage.
  • 5by5, part of the 3LS Inc. family of employee-owned Changemaker companies, together with C.O.nxt and Jigsaw, the agencies of The Charleston Orwig Collective, announced that the award-winning marketing and communications agencies will join forces.
  • Woody Larson, of Okeechobee, Florida, has been selected as the overall winner of the Sunbelt Ag Expo Farmer of the Year award for 2026. Growing up in a dairy farming family, Woody Larson always knew he wanted to farm. As a young child he’d sweep the feed room floor, bagging the sweepings to feed the dry cows for 15 cents a day. While his family roots run deep in agriculture, he knew he would have to make his own path to continue his family’s legacy. Through buying, selling, and saving on the side, all while working full-time at the dairy, he slowly but steadily developed his farming portfolio. Fifty years later, he is an owner and serves as President of Larson Dairy Inc. and several cattle ranches.
  • The Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) released its 2026 Consumer Trends Research, finding that Americans’ interest in plant-based products continues to grow, with 87 percent of consumers viewing plant-based products favorably and 75 percent saying they are familiar with products and materials made from plants.
  • The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) announced that Dr. Keri Jacobs will join the organization effective January 1, 2027, as the vice president of education and the executive director of the NCFC Education Foundation.
  • Syngenta North America Crop Protection is proud to announce that Kathy Eichlin, Head of Corporate & Crop Protection Communications, North America has been awarded the Talent & Workforce Leadership Award presented by Women in Agribusiness.
  • The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol announced the first measured outcomes of U.S. Regen™ Cotton at the Textile Exchange Conference in Vancouver. U.S. Regen™, introduced in 2025, is grown under the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, builds on the program’s established Principles and Criteria, and adds regenerative requirements. Field-level data was collected from 59,094 harvested acres on 469 fields across seven major U.S. cotton-growing states through the Field Partner Program pilot. The findings show that U.S. Regen™ cotton was produced with 20 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions, 30 percent greater soil carbon sequestration, 75 percent lower soil loss, and a 49 percent improvement in water-use efficiency compared to the established baseline.
  • American Farmland Trust (AFT) announces the winners of the 18th annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration™, a national event honoring the role of farmers markets, which ran between August 1, 2026, and September 30, 2026. Ten markets receiving the most public votes are declared the national winners.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    DWFI Podcast 57 – Lab Director Dan Snow to Retire

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    After nearly four decades of pioneering work in water science, Dan Snow, director of the Water Sciences Laboratory at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, part of DWFI, is preparing to step down and transition into retirement.

    From his early days cleaning out his family’s farm well to leading advanced water quality research through mass spectrometry, Dan’s career has significantly advanced nitrate isotope fingerprinting, regional groundwater tracking and global scientific collaboration.

    Join Dan and host Frances Hayes as they reflect on his enduring legacy of environmental stewardship and international research partnerships.

    DWFI podcast episode 57 32:07

    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, people, Podcasts, Water, Water for Food

    USDA Funds Eight Domestic Fertilizer Projects

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins this week announced the selection of eight fertilizer manufacturing projects to receive funding through USDA’s Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-Term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program.

    The eight selected projects represent more than $1.34 billion in total proposed investment, including approximately $573 million in proposed USDA funding, to strengthen domestic fertilizer manufacturing, reduce America’s dependence on foreign suppliers, and increase long-term fertilizer availability for American farmers.

    “What this means is that 32 thousand farmers, farming over four million acres all across America, they’re going to have fertilizer at a lower cost and made by American hands right here in the United States of America,” said Vance at a campaign rally in North Platte, Nebraska.

    The eight projects selected to move forward in the FIELDS funding process include:
    TalusAg – Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Tennessee, Nebraska, Illinois, and South Dakota
    Peace Valley – Florida
    PCI Nitrogen – Texas and Oregon
    Intrepid Potash – New Mexico
    AdvanSix – Virginia
    SUL4R-PLUS Illinois – Illinois
    True Organic Products – California, Oregon, and Arizona
    Agriculture Project Holdco – Kansas and Indiana

    USDA economic analysis estimates that the additional production could reduce nitrogen fertilizer prices by 4.4% and potash prices by 5.3%, while increasing domestic nitrogen production by 3.7% and potash production by nearly 40% once the projects are operational.

    During a press briefing on the announcement, Sec. Rollins admitted it will take some time before prices come down significantly. “We used to produce about 80% plus of our own fertilizer in America,” said Rollins. “Now we only produce about 50% of our own, so we think by the time we walk out of office will have shifted that 50% significantly higher, especially with some of these big capacity plants that were breaking ground and building. But I believe we’ll see a significant drop in fertilizer prices once the Iranian conflict is wrapped.”

    Listen to the announcement from VP Vance and press briefing by Sec. Rollins below:
    JD Vance announcement in Nebraska 4:19

    Sec. Rollins fertilizer press conference 24:29

    Farming, Fertilizer, USDA

    Precision Ag News 10/21

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced a $180 million investment to launch the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Seed Sovereignty Initiative, a major effort to both strengthen U.S. agricultural security by protecting the plant genetic resources that underpin American agriculture and enable breakthroughs in U.S. agricultural innovation.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is issuing approximately $1.8 billion in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) payments to agricultural producers and landowners for their participation in key conservation programs for 2026. These payments include Grassland CRP payments that play an important role in the Trump Administration’s Ranchers First Initiative announced by USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins that includes sweeping actions focused on rebuilding the Great American Cattle Herd and putting America’s ranchers back at the center of our nation’s food supply.
  • BranValt, formerly Bushel Plus, introduces the Dual Narrow Pan, a new field-ready SmartPan System™ add-on that helps farmers accurately and safely measure combine grain loss in crops with tall, dense, or uneven stubble.
  • Oracle and Wild Bioscience announced a collaboration to advance agricultural resilience and crop-based carbon removal using AI. As part of the partnership, Wild Bio plans to use Oracle Cloud and Oracle IoT technology to support its field research.
  • AgGateway members are invited to the next Inside AgGateway webinar on “Harnessing AI Tools to Accelerate Working Groups” October 27 at 10 AM Central Time. Click here to register. Portfolio Manager Ben Craker will share his experiences working with AI, and how it is currently helping to streamline the Working Group process.
  • Syngenta and Kyoyu Agri Co. Ltd. announced a strategic collaboration to bring high-performance herbicide solutions based on the active ingredient Cyclopyranil, which is a novel active ingredient developed by Kyoyu Agri, to selected rice markets across Asia.
  • Kubota Tractor Corporation unveiled its all-new sub-compact tractor line, the BX90 Series. As the pioneer of the sub-compact category, Kubota introduced the original BX Series in 2000, and 26 years later, the company is once again reinventing the segment by introducing five new models with three trim levels: the BX2190, BX2390 Deluxe, and BX2690 Premium, plus the backhoe-equipped BX2390S and BX2690S Premium. The new BX90 Series represents a complete platform redesign built specifically around what property owners want: all-day comfort, real loader power, and exceptional mowing performance, all in one sub-compact machine.
  • Envu® announced the launch of Entune™ Quinclorac herbicide for range and pasture customers, which offers broad-spectrum control of noxious broadleaf and grass weeds like leafy spurge, crabgrass, and foxtail. Entune Quinclorac joins a broad portfolio from Envu, further equipping customers with tools to restore their rangeland and increase healthy forage.
  • Corbet Scientific announced IRRAMAX, a polymer-based irrigation enhancer designed to improve water distribution and moisture retention in the crop root zone. The company introduced IRRAMAX at the California Association of Pest Control Advisers conference in Anaheim, California.
  • Greeneye Technology announced it is establishing its North American headquarters in Salina, Kansas. The investment follows a 2026 season of expanded commercial use: Greeneye-equipped machines have sprayed more than 500,000 acres across 12 U.S. states with a weed detection accuracy rate of over 98 percent. Use of the system’s unique dual-line design achieved an average non-residual herbicide savings of 81 percent, saving an estimated six million gallons of chemical across field operations.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Huma® Enters Granular Fertilizer Market

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Agricultural humic solutions leader Huma has entered the agricultural granular fertilizer market with Gro-Power humic-based fertilizer and soil conditioner products.

    Huma purchased the assets of California-based Gro-Power in 2024 after supplying the company with dry humates for many years. Huma has largely focused on the turf and ornamental market with Gro-Power branded products, based on heavy demand, but now is set to bring those products to farms across the United States.

    “Using humates as our carbon-based platform, Huma continues to expand our footprint across multiple product applications,” says Fred Nichols, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Huma. “The Gro-Power line is an excellent complement to our full line of dry humate products, biostimulants and liquid nutritional products.”

    Leading the integration of Gro-Power into the agricultural market is company veteran Michael Gardner, a former Huma regional sales manager who became General Manager for Gro-Power.

    “Having spent over 25 years growing agricultural crops, as both a farmer and with Huma, I’ve seen the difference Gro-Power products make firsthand,” explains Gardner. “I’ve been in the farmer’s shoes, and I’m excited to offer new and existing customers additional technology, support and resources to optimize crop and soil health.”

    Click here to learn more about Gro-Power.

    AgWired Precision, Crop Protection, Fertilizer, Soil

    Syngenta Submits HiFlex™ Label Expansion

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Syngenta has submitted a proposed HiFlex™ label expansion to the Environmental Protection Agency with the goal of expanding weed management flexibility for corn growers using bicyclopyrone-containing corn herbicides, including Storen®, Acuron®, Acuron Flexi and Acuron GT herbicides. Approval is anticipated for the 2027 growing season.

    The proposed HiFlex label expansion would double the maximum rate of bicyclopyrone growers are allowed to use each year to allow expanded options for customized, overlapping residual herbicide programs.

    “Growers have told us they want flexible programs that allow them to better position active ingredients throughout the season based on their weed pressures and management practices,” said Syngenta Technical Product Lead Mark Kitt. “Once approved, the HiFlex label expansion would give growers the option to use Storen, Acuron or Acuron Flexi preemergence followed by a postemergence application of Acuron GT, which is not permitted on current labels.”

    The proposed HiFlex label expansion would also increase the maximum single application rates of Storen, Acuron Flexi and Acuron GT. Upon registration:

    Storen users will have the flexibility to use up to 3.1 qts./A — 29% more than the current max rate of 2.4 qts./A.
    Acuron Flexi users will have the flexibility to use up to 3 qts./A — 33% more than the current max rate of 2.25 qts./A.
    Acuron GT users will have the flexibility to use up to 4.5 pts./A — 20% more than the current max rate of 3.75 pts./A.

    Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Crop Protection, Herbicide, Syngenta

    New Crop Protection Company Introduces Herbicide

    Cindy Zimmerman

    A new U.S. crop protection company is introducing its first product for residual weed control in corn, soybean, wheat and other labeled crops.

    Viriterra Inc., based in North Carolina, introduces Perseus™ SC herbicide, giving agricultural retailers and distributors a new source of pyroxasulfone, which the company producers at commercial scale as a vertically integrated basic manufacturer. It is supported by three manufacturing plants and more than 300 people across those operations.

    “Distributors need to know who stands behind a product and who to call when they have a question,” said Jeff Tweedy, president and general manager of Viriterra. “With Perseus SC, they’re working with the manufacturer. We produce pyroxasulfone using a non-infringing process and give distributors direct access to our commercial and technical team. We want to earn their business with dependable supply and people they can reach.”

    Perseus SC is a Group 15 herbicide formulated as a liquid suspension concentrate. It provides residual control or suppression of labeled annual grasses, sedges and broadleaf weeds, including Palmer amaranth, waterhemp and foxtail species. Labeled uses include preplant and preemergence applications; rates, timing and weed spectrum vary by crop and use pattern.

    Learn more about Viriterra and Perseus™ SC in this interview with Jeff Tweedy.
    Interview with Viriterra president Jeff Tweedy 6:56

    AgWired Precision, Audio, Crop Protection, Herbicide, Precision Agriculture, Technology, weed management

    Syngenta Names Jeff Cecil President, NA Crop Protection

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Jeff Cecil at 2024 Syngenta Media Summit

    Syngenta has appointed Jeff Cecil as President, North America Crop Protection, effective October 1, 2026. Cecil succeeds Vern Hawkins, who is retiring as President of the North American Crop Protection business after a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years with Syngenta and its predecessor companies. Hawkins will continue in his role as President of the US parent company, Syngenta Corporation, to provide corporate leadership and external stakeholder engagement through 2027.

    Cecil brings more than three decades of experience with Syngenta and its legacy companies to the role. Most recently, he served as Head of Marketing for U.S. Crop Protection, where he helped shape commercial strategy, portfolio priorities and customer engagement efforts across the business. In that role, he helped align marketing, portfolio and commercial priorities to support business performance and strengthen customer engagement across key crop segments.

    Throughout his career, Cecil has held leadership positions across sales, marketing and product management in North America and at Syngenta’s global headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. As Global Head of Product Management for Seedcare, he led global portfolio strategy and worked across regions to advance Seedcare innovation, strengthen customer solutions and support business growth. Earlier in his career, he led U.S. sales teams and played an important role in the integration of the Seeds and Crop Protection businesses.

    Agribusiness, people, Syngenta

    Hurricane Hits Hard

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Hurricane Isaias damage at ZimmComm HQ in Pensacola

    The hurricane with a name no one can pronounce took a pretty serious toll on the Florida panhandle, especially around Pensacola, where we are located.

    We have lived in Florida most of our lives, except for 20 years in Missouri, and this was definitely the most intense hurricane we have ever experienced. Sally in 2020 did hit us pretty hard – and we did lose our bridge to the beach for eight months – but this storm was different. The winds were more like a tornado than a hurricane and the damage is widespread, mostly trees, signs, and fences. Really not as much roof and home damage as you might expect.

    The tree on our roof punched a small hole right on the edge of the attic and took down the gutter. The tree was a huge oak and was completely uprooted, as were many trees in the area. The soft woods, like southern pines and crepe myrtles, fared better than the hard woods like the oaks and magnolias. Every single road in the entire county has downed trees piled on the sides.

    We did lose power for three days, which was a day and a half less than with Sally, but there are many in our neighborhood still in the dark. Fortunately, we did have a generator and plenty of propane to cook with and heat water.

    Crop damage is being assessed in both Florida and Alabama. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is working with local farm organizations and state and federal government agencies to document agricultural damages made to crops, livestock, buildings, and equipment. Most common losses are fences, timber, and cotton crops still in the field.

    As to the name of this storm, Isaias, the Spanish form of the name Isaiah and pronounced (ee-sah-EE-ahs), we are with Governor DeSantis. “I don’t know how to pronounce this, because it’s not normal,” DeSantis said. “I’m calling it Isaiah. You guys can call it what you want. I know that’s not how you pronounce this, it’s something else but it’s weird and I’m just going to keep butchering it…so I’m calling it Isaiah.”

    Mainly we are just calling it “the hurricane” – which is sad because we like to be on a first name basis with our storms here in Florida. Still, we are safe and sound and that is what matters. Thanks to all of you who were thinking of us and praying for us.

    Weather