Industry Ag News 5/15

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • Think Shift™ agency announces the appointment of Charlie Fiordalis as chief executive officer. Fiordalis, a veteran growth leader who helped launch Hulu at NBCUniversal, joins Think Shift following a deliberate two-year search for a “post-generalist” model.
  • Seed Your Future (SYF), the national nonprofit dedicated to horticulture workforce development, announced the launch of #IAmHorticulture, a social media campaign that puts a human face on one of America’s most dynamic and career-rich industries. Through the voices of working professionals – from growers and landscape designers to floral cold chain specialist and turf managers – the campaign reveals the remarkable breadth of careers that horticulture makes possible.
  • Driscoll’s announced two leadership appointments to support CEO Soren Bjorn’s long-term strategy to scale the company’s business model globally, applying the same approach used in the United States to other markets. Wyard Stomp has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, a newly created role, while continuing to lead the Europe, Middle East, and Africa business. As COO, Stomp will work with the Executive Leadership Team to implement strategy, lead cross-functional initiatives, and support execution aligned with the company’s global plans. Shaily Sanghvi, currently Chief Financial Officer of the Americas, will expand her role to include global responsibility for strategy. In this position, she will oversee financial, M&A, and strategic planning. Sanghvi has experience in corporate strategy, M&A, and finance from roles at PepsiCo and Del Monte.
  • Ag Growth International Inc. (AGI), a leading global provider of equipment and solutions for the agriculture, food and commercial markets, is proud to mark 30 years in business. Formed initially as a holding company in 1996, AGI completed its initial public offering (IPO) in November 2004 on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Over the past three decades, AGI has grown from its entrepreneurial beginnings into a global organization serving customers in more than 100 countries. Today, the company offers a leading portfolio of solutions spanning grain handling and storage, fertilizer, feed, food, and digital technologies.
  • Farmers are invited to submit nominations for the 2027 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year contest, which comes with cash prizes and bragging rights. This is the ninth year of the contest, supported by Nestlé Purina PetCare, which celebrates farm dogs and the many ways they support farmers and ranchers. Eligibility guidelines and submission requirements are available here. Farm Dog of the Year nominations, which include written responses to questions, at least one still photo and a video clip (optional), must be received by July 11, 2026, for consideration.
  • The U.S. sorghum industry announced the first issuance of Sorghum Assurances Protocol certificates, a major milestone that strengthens the crop’s position in global markets by providing verified documentation of U.S. sorghum production practices. Developed by the United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) in partnership with the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC), the Sorghum Assurances Protocol establishes a standardized framework to document how U.S. sorghum is produced across key areas including production practices, supply chain integrity and traceability. The issuance of the first certificates marks the transition from development to real-world application, allowing verified sorghum to move through commercial channels.
  • Casselton Fire Department (CFD) of North Dakota has incorporated SoyFoam™ TF 1122 into its operations, applying the soy-based firefighting solution across a range of real-world emergency responses. From residential structure fires to complex agricultural incidents and fast-moving grass fires, these calls demonstrate how SoyFoam performs in demanding conditions while supporting safer environmental outcomes.
  • Indiana Prairie Farmer, a Farm Progress publication, has selected staff writer Allison Lynch to serve as the magazine’s editor, effective May 2026. Lynch will lead Indiana Prairie Farmer’s editorial coverage spanning crop production, livestock, equipment, agricultural business, industry news and the policy issues that directly impact Indiana farmers’ success.
  • Luke McCrea of Faribault, Minnesota, is the recipient of the 2026-2027 Soy Scholarship, sponsored by the American Soybean Association and BASF. The ASA/BASF Soy Scholarship is a $7,000 award presented to an exceptional high school senior who excels in both academic and leadership roles and plans to pursue a degree in an agriculture-related field of study at an accredited college or university. The scholarship is open to children and grandchildren of ASA members.
  • Industry icon, Larry Brown, dedicated most of his professional career to the fresh produce business. He was a mentor, leader, and friend to many across the industry, and an always present face when the industry came together. Larry’s influence can be felt across the industry at all levels of the supply chain as his work and dedication touched so many people. Most recently, Larry was instrumental in guiding the National Sales efforts at FreshEdge, a role he took great pride in doing at the highest level and with incredible integrity. Larry passed away surrounded by his family in Orlando, FL, on April 30th.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Precision Ag News 5/13

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • SAN Agrow announces that its innovative new product DURALEV, a biological fungicide and bactericide, is now registered for use in California ‒ marking a major milestone in the product’s U.S. launch. With this approval, DURALEV is now registered in 15 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, with additional registrations underway.
  • Summit Agro USA announced an expansion of the label for Prolivo 300SC Fungicide to include control of powdery mildew on apples and cherries broadening the product’s fit in high-value specialty crops. Apples and cherries grown in California and New York are not covered by the expanded label, however.
  • The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) and Smartwyre have announced a new partnership designed to help agricultural retailers gain clearer insight into profitability, improve supplier program performance, and materially increase margins by making more informed buying and selling decisions. Through this collaboration, Smartwyre will provide ARA members with exclusive services and technology offerings aimed at helping retailers better understand and manage key profit drivers within their business. As part of the partnership, ARA members will have access to a Retail Profit Health Assessment designed to help retailers analyze critical components of their operations, including better data visibility to drive stronger profitability.
  • The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is proud to announce the expansion of the Yield Contest to include a new pilot class focused on short-season corn. The pilot gives corn farmers who grow lower-maturity hybrids the chance to compete nationally with a shorter growing season.
  • America’s Cultivation Corridor announced that Dr. David Cook, President of Iowa State University, has been elected to its board of directors, effective April 13, 2026. President Cook will also serve as secretary of the board, joining the slate of board officers for the 2026-27 leadership term. Todd Frazier, Vice President of U.S. Marketing at Corteva Agriscience, will serve as the chair of the board of directors. Tom Mangan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sukup Manufacturing Co., will serve as vice-chair, and Billi Hunt, Executive Director of America’s Cultivation Corridor will serve as treasurer.
  • As growers navigate increasingly unpredictable weather and tighter input decisions, Performance Nutrition is encouraging farmers to consider Kelpene™, a terpene-based technology designed to improve crop resiliency and nutrient efficiency under variable growing conditions.
  • Syngenta Group reports first quarter 2026 sales grew by two percent to $6.4 billion, with growth across all four business units with most increase in China and Europe. Syngenta Crop Protectin North America sales were 12 percent lower due to a planned shift in timing of channel stocking while the region saw early and strong customer demand for products containing PLINAZOLIN® technology and TYMIRIUM® technology. Syngenta Seeds sales were $1.5 billion in the first quarter 2026, up seven percent from the previous year overall, but North America sales were down three percent due to expected restructuring activities driving further margin improvements.
  • Agraya GmbH recognizes a 25-year trajectory of advancing responsible farming worldwide. Founded as a retailer-driven initiative in 2001, the company has thoughtfully evolved alongside changing regulatory, market, and supply-chain demands, including founding GLOBALG.A.P. North America for the US and Canadian markets in 2010. Over more than two decades, it has grown into a global organization helping shape how farmed products are produced, verified, and traded. Agraya and GLOBALG.A.P. North America draws on that experience to support a wide range of value chain partners with practical, scalable solutions for a changing industry.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    NAMA Boot Camp 2026

    Chuck Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    NAMA Boot Camp 2026Join Agri-Marketing’s Best at NAMA Boot Camp

    Agri-marketing is always changing. That’s why each year, NAMA Boot Camp features the latest tips, trends and best practices to take you forward in your career—at any level. It’s the event to learn about modern agriculture and our industry, grow your network and prepare to be a leader.

    NAMA members receive a discounted rate. Non-members receive a year of NAMA membership when they register. Sign up for Boot Camp today and prepare to join us in Kansas City, August 12-14!

    • Attendees can look forward to sessions covering a breadth of topics including: Producer Panel
    • ​Tools of the Trade – Focus on Research
    • The Business of Agriculture
    • Networking for Introverts Pretending to be Extroverts: A How-To Guide
      Trends in Marketing
    • Cultivating Your Career
    • Great Marketing: Best of NAMA Case Study

    Plus, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to connect with friends and make new connections at different networking receptions and during the Ag Tour. Register now and book your hotel room before the hotel cutoff date, July 29. Click more here.

    We can’t wait to see you in Kansas City!

    Ag Groups, Agencies, Agribusiness, Media, NAMA

    Animal Ag News 5/7

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • The National Milk Producers Federation, U.S. Dairy Export Council and Consortium for Common Food Names welcomed the release of the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) 2026 Special 301 Report, which details the significant progress made over the past year in securing commitments from U.S. trade partners to protect the free use of generic food and beverage terms. The annual report documenting the most pressing intellectual property issues facing U.S. exporters this year spotlights the administration’s successful efforts to protect American producers’ use of common names such as “parmesan” and “feta” against the European Union’s protectionist geographical indication (GI) policies.
  • Kristin Paul has been appointed Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ), bringing more than two decades of experience and a lifelong connection to the Jersey breed to the role.
  • The International Poultry Welfare Alliance (IPWA) and the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs (US-RSPE) are pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Vance as Executive Director of both organizations. Vance brings more than two decades of leadership experience in agriculture, nonprofit management, communications, and member-driven organizations. Most recently, he served as Executive Director of the Poultry Science Association, where he led strategic growth initiatives, strengthened member engagement, and advanced the organization’s global scientific mission. He is also a Certified Association Executive (CAE), reflecting his expertise in governance, strategy, and nonprofit leadership.
  • Dean Pringle has been selected as the new chair of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Department of Animal Sciences. Pringle, who is currently the director of the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Quincy, Marianna, and Live Oak, Florida, said as a fifth-generation Floridian, he understands how essential the beef, dairy, equine, small ruminant and animal products industries are to the state.
  • On June 1, Maria Woldt will become the third director of the Dairy Innovation Hub, a state-funded initiative that brings together scientists, farmers, businesses, and educators to explore new ideas to ensure Wisconsin’s $52.8 billion dairy sector remains globally competitive while advancing economic, environmental, and social sustainability. The Hub leverages research and development across UW–Madison, UW–Platteville and UW–River Falls to support dairy businesses and train the future workforce.
  • As Route 66 marks its 100th anniversary, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand—funded by Beef farmers and ranchers—is turning America’s most iconic highway into a coast‑to‑coast celebration of beef with the Route 66 Beef Trail. The Beef Trail is a coordinated effort between state beef councils spanning all eight states along the iconic route and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA’s) Beef Checkoff-funded programming. To explore the Route 66 Beef Trail and see how Beef Checkoff partners are bringing the centennial to life, visit our Route 66 Beef Trail home page.
  • World Without Cows: The Pasture Paradox takes an inside look at Ireland’s pasture-based dairy landscape, a global model for sustainable production, as producers work to meet growing demand for grass-fed dairy while protecting the land and water they depend on. The Pasture Paradox is a companion mini-doc produced by the filmmakers of World Without Cows, a feature-length documentary slated for broad release later this year. World Without Cows examines the cultural and economic significance of cows, their role in feeding the world and their impact on climate.
  • Bold ideas and unexpected flavors took the spotlight as ice cream and cultured dairy innovators gathered for the International Dairy Foods Association’s Innovative Flavors and Products competition. This contest, co-sponsored by Dairy Foods magazine and held during IDFA’s Ice Cream & Cultured Innovation Conference, is widely regarded as the premier showdown for frozen-treat creators across the country (and beyond). The conference brought more than 300 dairy professionals to the Sunshine State to sample and celebrate the next wave of dairy creativity. Entries in both the ice cream and cultured dairy space spanned the spectrum, mixing sweet and nutty flavors like Pistachio Cherry Chunk and Honey Roasted Peanut, alongside adventurous spicy profiles including Tropical Mango Fire and Chocolate Chili Crisp, all reflecting the creativity shaping what’s next for frozen and cultured dairy.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) endorsed the Fair and Accurate Ingredient Representation on Labels (FAIR Labels) Act. This legislation would ensure consumer transparency by addressing the labeling of cell-cultivated protein and plant-based alternative protein products. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., and Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., sponsored the bipartisan Senate version of the FAIR Labels Act. Reps. Mark Alford, R-Mo., August Pfluger, R-Texas, Mike Flood, R-Neb., Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, Buddy Carter, R-Ga., and Tony Weid, R-Wis., sponsored the House version.
  • Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) announced the formal launch of its search for a new president and chief executive officer, following the announced planned retirement of CEO Barbara O’Brien later this year. The DMI Board of Directors has engaged ZRG Partners, a top ten global talent advisory firm, to support a comprehensive and inclusive search process aimed at identifying a dynamic leader to guide the organization into its next chapter of growth and impact.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    SAN Agrow Receives California Registration for DURALEV®

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    SAN Agrow has announced California registration of DURALEV®, expanding availability of its biological fungicide and bactericide to 15 states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, with additional registrations underway.

    DURALEV is a systemic resistance inducer designed for preventive disease protection, activating natural plant defenses to help crops withstand bacterial and fungal attacks. The registration also strengthens SAN Agrow’s integrated fungicide portfolio alongside GARGOIL® and BOTECTOR® for flexible, resistance-conscious program development.

    DURALEV provides broad-spectrum protection against key bacterial and fungal diseases, including Powdery mildew, Downy mildew, Botrytis, and Alternaria. Its expansive label covers all major crop groups, offering growers unmatched versatility in program development.

    The product’s easy-to-use formulation features broad tank mix compatibility and fits seamlessly into both conventional and organic production systems. Residue free prevention, combined with an excellent crop and worker safety profile, helps growers meet the practical and regulatory needs of modern fungicide programs.

    AgWired Precision, Crop Protection, Fungicide, specialty crops

    Summit Agro USA Fungicide Expanded to Apples and Cherries

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Summit Agro USA today announced an expansion of the label for its Prolivo 300SC Fungicide to include control of powdery mildew on apples and cherries, with the exception of those grown in California and New York. The expanded label broadens the product’s fit in high-value specialty crops

    Powered by pyriofenone, Prolivo is a Group 50 fungicide that specializes in preventive control of powdery mildew, inhibiting both lesion formation and sporulation. Its differentiated performance profile includes excellent rainfastness and redistribution on the leaf surface and vapor activity, extending protection to untreated leaf and fruit surfaces.

    “This expansion is important because apple and cherry growers need preventive tools that can help protect fruit quality before disease pressure escalates,” said Eric Tedford, R&D lead at Summit Agro USA. “Prolivo stands out for the combination of strong preventive activity, vapor activity and redistribution on the leaf surface, which can help growers protect more of the canopy and fruit during critical disease-management windows.”

    More information on Prolivo 300SC Fungicide is available at www.summitagro-usa.com.

    AgWired Precision, Fungicide, Precision Agriculture, specialty crops

    Industry Ag News 5/1

    Carrie Muehling

  • Meister Media Worldwide (MMW) has been named a national finalist for the 2026 Azbees Awards of Excellence by the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial content in American Fruit Grower. In addition to securing a national finalist placement, MMW took home two gold, a bronze and a silver award during the regional awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE).
  • Kubota Tractor Corporation announced a new multi-year partnership with NASCAR, beginning with the 2026 NASCAR season, that establishes Kubota as an Official Partner of NASCAR, including the Official Tractor of NASCAR, Official Construction Equipment Partner of NASCAR, Official Compact Equipment Partner of NASCAR and Official Utility Vehicle of NASCAR. Kubota will also serve as the official partner in the same categories for the upcoming NASCAR San Diego Weekend.
  • Sales and marketing misalignment is often treated as a systems or process issue, but new research from HLK suggests a more fundamental truth. In an upcoming webinar, HLK’s Ben Bocklage, Partner and Chief Strategy Officer, and Emily Kircher, Partner and Chief Marketing Officer, will share insights from a comprehensive study of 1,040 B2B leaders, including 20 qualitative interviews with CEOs, CMOs, CROs, and VPs across a range of industries. Together, they’ll unpack why organizations continue to struggle with alignment despite ongoing investments in new tools, processes and alignment initiatives like Account-Based Marketing (ABM). Webinars are free to NAMA Members. Non-members are $50. Register here.
  • Cotton Council International (CCI) welcomes the announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) awarding funding through the America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP) to support the global promotion of U.S. cotton. This investment underscores the critical role of U.S. cotton in supporting the American economy and rural communities.
  • The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol announced that Walmart, a global retail powerhouse, has joined the program. Walmart’s membership marks an important moment for the retail industry, significantly scaling the impact of sustainable cotton sourcing and reinforcing the company’s focus on regeneration and transparency in its supply chain. As a member of the Trust Protocol, Walmart will gain access to aggregated, verifiable data on sustainability practices from U.S. cotton growers and have the ability to track the movement of U.S. Cotton and Protocol Cotton through its supply chain. This aligns with Walmart’s ambition to source more sustainable cotton and its broader ambition to help more sustainably manage, protect and/or restore at least 50 million acres of land and 1 million square miles of ocean by 2030.
  • The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) has opened nominations for the 2026 Borlaug CAST Communication Award (BCCA). The award is presented annually to recognize outstanding achievement by a scientist, engineer, technologist, or other professional working in the agricultural, environmental, or food sectors for contributing to the advancement of science in the public policy arena. All materials must be submitted through the nomination form by midnight CST on May 31, 2026.
  • Marion Ag Service is proud to announce its 50th anniversary, marking a half-century of service to the agricultural community. What began as a local solution for Willamette Valley growers has evolved into a nationally recognized agricultural retailer built on a foundation of trust, expertise, and deep-rooted relationships. To commemorate this golden anniversary, Marion Ag Service will host a year-long celebration featuring throwback pictures on social media, employee gatherings, and honoring the customers and community members who have been part of its journey.
  • The Charleston Orwig Collective, comprised of 100 percent employee-owned, full-service agencies C.O.nxt and Jigsaw, announces the promotion of three team members. Marty Defatte has been promoted from Front-End Developer to Senior Developer & AI Engineer—a newly created role that reflects both his technical expertise and The Collective’s commitment to advancing its AI-driven digital capabilities. On the client services team, Anna Grace Brown and Kendall Zoeller have both been promoted from Account Executives to Senior Account Executives.
  • Agricultural communicators from across the country and beyond will gather this July 19-21 for Ag Media Summit 2026 at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch. Registration is open as of April 15 at www.agmediasummit.com. This is the 27th year for the annual professional conference hosted by the Agricultural Communicators Network and the Livestock Publications Council, with support from the Ag Media Council. The accomplished editors, writers, photographers, designers and marketing communications professionals who deliver information to farmers, agribusinesses and the public inspired this year’s AMS theme: “AI: Authentic Intelligence.”
  • The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) is pleased to welcome Natalie Wolpert as Meetings Coordinator. In this role, Wolpert supports the planning and execution of ASTA’s signature conferences and events, helping ensure each program is strategically aligned with organizational goals while delivering a high-quality experience for attendees.
  • The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) announced the hiring of Danielle Griffin as Communications Manager, effective April 27, 2025. Griffin joins NCFC as the organization launches a new strategic plan with enhanced advocacy communications as a core goal.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    Precision Ag News 4/30

    Carrie Muehling

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved CarriCea T1, a breakthrough citrus rootstock that helps trees defend themselves against citrus greening disease, the bacterial infection that has destroyed more than 90 percent of Florida’s citrus production over the past two decades. The approval gives American growers a powerful new tool that fights disease at the source while reducing the need for conventional pesticide sprays.
  • Biotalys, an agricultural technology company developing protein-based biocontrols for sustainable crop protection, announced that its innovative biofungicide EVOCA™ has achieved state registration in Florida. This marks the first approval of an AGROBODY™ biocontrol by a U.S. state, underscoring a significant milestone for the company and the broader biocontrol sector.
  • Forty-two Iowa agriculture and food industry professionals will participate in the inaugural cohort of Cultivate 360 program hosted by America’s Cultivation Corridor. The new statewide industry education and professional development program is designed to deepen understanding of Iowa’s food and agriculture sector, polish leadership skills and expand professional networks.
  • Ecorobotix, the Swiss precision agriculture technology company, and Maya, the AI-powered operational intelligence platform for turf and land management, today announced that Maya will become part of the Ecorobotix Group. The combination brings together ultra-high precision spraying technology and the only 360-degree agronomic data platform purpose-built for professional turf, a hardware-agnostic intelligence layer that centralizes data from every source on a managed surface and turns it into decisions operators can act on. Together, this creates a bridge between precision application in the field and real-time, data-driven decision-making across turf and agricultural operations.
  • Triple Helix Institute for Agriculture, Climate, and Society (Triple Helix), a nonprofit dedicated to building cross-sector engagement and public understanding around agriculture technology (AgTech), has named Dr. Nick Dokoozlian as the recipient of its inaugural Triple Helix AgTech Leadership Prize.
  • GROWMARK, Inc. has unveiled a new artificial intelligence (AI) agent inside its myFS Agronomy app for the 2026 crop season. This first-of-its-kind innovation combines real‑time data analysis with decades of boots-on-the-ground expertise from its crop specialists. The new AI agent delivers faster, more precise agronomic insights, enabling GROWMARK’s FS members and their crop specialists to provide stronger, highly customized recommendations that help farmers optimize their decision-making processes and ultimately support farm profitability.
  • Kubota North America marked a significant expansion of its compact construction business recently with the groundbreaking of a new construction equipment test center in Salina, Kansas. The $30 million investment reinforces Kubota’s long-term commitment to designing, engineering, and validating compact construction equipment in North America for customers across the region.
  • CIBO Technologies, the leading independent data and analytics platform for agriculture, recently announced a three-year strategic partnership with global plant-based ingredient solutions provider Ingredion, to further advance regenerative agriculture across supply chains. This is CIBO’s fourth strategic partnership to be announced in 2026, demonstrating rapid expansion of the company’s climate-tech footprint within agriculture and food industries.
  • Registration is open now for the 2026 Water and Natural Resources Tour June 22-24. Join the Nebraska Water Center and Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District to experience the Republican Basin and get a first-hand look at water and natural resources in southwestern Nebraska. Registration will be open until May 22, 2026. A limited number of scholarships are available for students to attend the tour. This tour is sponsored by the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, Nebraska Water Center, the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, HDR, Reinke, and the Water Futures Partnership.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    House Passes Farm Bill But Delays E15

    Cindy Zimmerman

    House Ag Committee Chair Rep. Thompson

    The House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 Thursday with a final vote of 224-200 while delaying a vote on nationwide E15 for two weeks.

    “After a markup that lasted over 20 hours, the legislation reflects the will of the committee, and it is filled with bipartisan provisions that will move the needle for farmers, ranchers, and rural Americans across the country,” said House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA). “I especially want to thank all parties who were involved in the negotiations that allowed the farm bill to proceed to the floor and secure a future vote on year-round E15. Members of the Biofuels Caucus are tireless champions for rural America, and I look forward to joining them May 13 in advancing that important legislation.”

    Thompson disagreed with those who said the bill was not bipartisan. “This was written traveling the country, Republicans and Democrats, 43 different states, one territory, over close to 160 different listening sessions. We did it in a tripartisan way. Republicans and Democrats.”

    Listen to Thompson’s remarks Wednesday night prior to passage of the farm bill.
    Rep. Thompson house floor 3:36

    Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN)

    However, after the deal was made on Wednesday, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN) expressed her doubts. “I’m telling you tonight, I do not believe that we will see a vote on E15 come to this House floor, that standing down on E15 was walking away from our family farmers.”

    Listen to Craig’s comments on the House floor Wednesday night.
    Rep. Craig house floor 3:38

    The most notable amendment prior to passage of the bill on Thursday was the removal of pesticide liability and labeling provisions that would have shielded pesticide manufacturers from certain liability and preempted states from imposing additional health warning labels beyond EPA requirements. Also notable, Prop 12 livestock/animal welfare laws preemption language remained in the bill, which blocks states from imposing out-of-state production standards as a condition for interstate sales.

    This marks the farthest a farm bill has advanced in Congress since 2018, though Senate action and any conference with the House will determine the ultimate outcome.

    Audio, Ethanol, Farm Bill

    DWFI Podcast 52 – New Executive Director Joe Sanders

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Joe Sanders, the new executive director of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska, brings more than 27 years of experience in international agricultural development to his role. In this episode, hosted by Arianna Elnes, he reflects on his career path—from serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia to leading USAID-funded projects across Africa, Asia and Latin America—and shares how those experiences shaped his approach to leadership, problem-solving and working across diverse agricultural systems.

    DWFI Executive Director Joe Sanders

    Sanders also offers early insights from his first months in Nebraska, highlighting the state’s strengths in agriculture, water management and collaboration. He discusses the importance of building on DWFI’s strong foundation, deepening partnerships and identifying practical, scalable solutions. His perspective underscores the value of combining global experience with local expertise to strengthen water and food systems in Nebraska and beyond.

    DWFI podcast episode 52 20:59

    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, International, Irrigation, Water, Water for Food