Industry Ag News 5/1

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • 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 Leave a Comment

  • 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 Leave a Comment

    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 Leave a Comment

    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

    Animal Ag News 4/28

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • Alltech, a global leader in the agriculture industry, has released its 2026 Agri-Food Outlook, a report that includes the results of the company’s annual global feed-production survey. Based on that data, global feed production in 2025 reached an estimated total of 1.44 billion metric tons (mt) — representing an increase of 2.9 percent and 40.136 million mt from 2024. Most regions and sectors experienced growth, and the numbers suggest a strong recovery phase for animal agriculture; however, the data show that growth was uneven, increasingly regionalized and driven less by herd expansion than by structural change, productivity gains and shifts in how production is measured and recorded.
  • Arizona dairy farmer Robert T. Van Hofwegen and his sons are taking dairy farming to the next level, promoting sustainable, cost-efficient farming in a place where it’s necessary. Paloma Dairy in Gila Bend, AZ, has been producing high-quality milk since its founding in 2006. It’s managed by Robert and his four sons: Allan, Robert Jr., Arie and Kyle. The farm participates in the National Dairy FARM Environmental Stewardship Program to measure and monitor its data. It uses energy audits and FARM data to shape capital investments and business strategies. To view this and other stories in the Farmer Focus series, check out the National Milk Producers Federation’s Sharing Our Story page. 
  • Equipped with brand new retail and U.S. Department of Agriculture data reinforcing California Proposition 12’s detrimental impacts on both producers and consumers, 105 American pork producers from 23 states took to Capitol Hill, advocating for their livelihoods with federal lawmakers. Researchers at the North Dakota State University Agricultural Risk Policy Center found that Prop.12-driven price increases have persisted, even two years after the law was fully implemented. On average, prices for covered products are 20 percent higher due to Prop. 12, calculated by comparing price increases in California to the rest of the United States. Specifically, Prop 12 has driven prices for pork loins up 32 percent, ribs 22 percent, shoulders 16 percent, and bacon 16 percent, according to the latest data.
  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins alongside U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan, and Maine Senator Susan Collins announced the creation of the new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Seafood. This first of its kind office will prioritize customer service and ease of navigation for American seafood cultivators, producers, and processors to access USDA programs.
  • Members of both the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) participated in a Tax Day press conference hosted by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. This event focused on the Working Families Tax Cuts included in the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). The legislation expanded the estate tax exemption, commonly referred to as the Death Tax, and also enacted permanent increases to the Section 199A Small Business Deduction and Section 179 Deduction, and restored 100 percent Bonus Depreciation.
  • Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) President, Ford Drummond, and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President, Gene Copenhaver, released the following statement after the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma’s rejection of the state of Oklahoma’s negotiated settlement with four poultry companies in the decades-old State of Oklahoma v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al., lawsuit regarding the application of chicken litter in the Illinois River Watershed. “Cattle producers across Oklahoma and the Illinois River Watershed are greatly disappointed by the U.S. District Court’s rejection of a settlement between Oklahoma poultry producers and the state of Oklahoma. The decades-old lawsuit relies on outdated information and fails to consider the adoption of nutrient management plans, increased efficiencies, and the adoption of voluntary conservation practices,” Drummond said.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced that Maggie McClain will join the organization as vice president, communications, effective April 20, 2026. McClain brings nearly two decades of strategic communications and public affairs experience across the food, agriculture and health sectors, with expertise in media relations, executive positioning, issues management, and translating complex regulatory developments into strategic guidance.
  • Zoetis further strengthens its commitment to working with dairy producers to help improve profitability, animal well-being and environmental stewardship with the launch of additional traits with CLARIFIDE® Plus and updates available in the Dairy Wellness Proft Index® (DWP$®). These new traits include predicting environmental stewardship and heat resistance. Additionally, these new elements of CLARIFIDE Plus reinforce the strategic partnership between Zoetis and Danone, a collaboration formed in 2024 to advance innovations toward sustainable production.
  • The Meat Institute released a new report entitled, “Greenhouse Gas Accounting: Emissions Factors Brief,” offering a closer and comprehensive look at how companies across the animal agriculture supply chain are currently measuring and reporting upstream greenhouse gas emissions.
  • 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 this week 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.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Passing of Randy Krotz

    Chuck Zimmerman 1 Comment

    Randy Krotz interview with Cindy ZimmermanRandy Krotz became a good friend of Cindy and mine. Over the years we’ve not only interviewed him in different roles like the original USFRA but many more. In this photo Cindy is doing an interview with Randy in the golf cart we were using at Farm Progress Show in 2017. You can listen to the interview here.

    Here are the companies Randy worked for including FMC, Monsanto, v-Fluence Interactive, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, National Corn Growers Association, and U. S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance. Since 2018, Randy has served as CEO of AgWiki, a global social media platform committed to informing and uniting farmers, researching agronomists, and guiding all people on their food and agricultural needs. Randy liked good cigars and I enjoyed some with him whenever we could.

    His family has posted his obituary and it will show you how much he loved his family and his work.

    Visitation will be Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, KS starting at 1 p.m. A rosary/vigil service will be held at 7:00 that evening with a visitation with the family to follow, at the funeral home.

    Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Edward Catholic Church, Belleville, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 24. Interment will follow at the Belleville City Cemetery.

    Memorials are requested to Evelyn’s Hospice House of Creve Coeur, MO, or to the Republic County High FFA to benefit the NCK Free Fair Kiddie Barn and may be mailed to Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, PO Box 566; Belleville, Kansas 66935.

    Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Audio

    House Ag Committee Member Dies

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Congressman David Scott (D-GA), long-time member and former Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, passed away Wednesday at the age of 80.

    Committee leadership praised the Georgia lawmaker for his advocacy for agriculture in Congress. Chair Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) said, “His legacy will live on in the policy he shaped over the years, including the 1890s Scholarship Program…and I know he will be missed in the halls of Congress.”

    “He was a strong voice for Georgia’s farmers, hungry veterans and young people — who he helped shape into the next generation of agricultural leaders through his fierce advocacy for the 1890 Scholarship Program at historically Black colleges and universities.,” said Ranking Member Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN).

    Ag organization leaders also commented on Scott’s devotion to farmers. “Throughout his five decades of public service at the state level and then in Congress, Representative Scott kept the well-being of others at the center of his efforts. I had the pleasure of getting to know David during his time in the Georgia Assembly, and our relationship grew during his tenures as the ranking member and chair of the House Agriculture Committee,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, a farmer from Georgia. “He was committed to improving conditions for America’s farmers and was willing to reach across the aisle to get the job done.”

    Scott’s death comes after three members of Congress have resigned in the past week over misconduct allegations, bringing the current number of vacancies in the House to five, including Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) who died in January and was also a member of the House Agriculture Committee.

    people, politics

    2026 Alltech® Agri-Food Outlook

    Chuck Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    2026 Alltech Agri-Food OutlookAlltech, a global leader in the agriculture industry, has released its 2026 Agri-Food Outlook, a report that includes the results of the company’s annual global feed-production survey. Based on that data, global feed production in 2025 reached an estimated total of 1.44 billion metric tons (mt) — representing an increase of 2.9% and 40.136 million mt from 2024. Most regions and sectors experienced growth, and the numbers suggest a strong recovery phase for animal agriculture; however, the data show that growth was uneven, increasingly regionalized and driven less by herd expansion than by structural change, productivity gains and shifts in how production is measured and recorded.

    Now in its 15th year, the annual survey that serves as the foundation of the Alltech Agri-Food Outlook report collected data from 142 countries and 38,837 feed mills in late 2025. By analyzing compound feed production and prices — collected by Alltech’s global sales team and in partnership with feed associations and official data-collecting organizations — the survey provides a comprehensive snapshot of global feed production. These insights serve as a barometer for the overall livestock industry, highlighting key trends across species, along with regional challenges and opportunities for growth.

    Look at more details here.

    Agribusiness, Alltech, Food

    2026 Earth Day – Our Power, Our Planet – #EarthDay2026

    Chuck Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    2026 Earth DayHere’s a quote from my first Earth Day post on AgWired. This was April, 2006.

    Who are better stewards of the land than the people who farm it?

    I still believe that. We’ve posted about Earth Day many times over the years. Here’s a link to find them if you are interested.

    In case you’re looking for information and a variety of resources, you can find them on this Earth Day website.

    climate, Conservation, Environment, Farming

    #NAMA26 Best of NAMA Awards Ceremony

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Grand Champion – Idaho Potato Commission, Evans Hardy + YoungThe Best of NAMA Awards Ceremony took place yesterday at the end of the first day of the 2026 Agri-Marketing Conference. You can find photos in the NAMA Flickr album taken by Curt Dennison, Curt Dennison Photography.

    2026 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

    There are many awards in the ceremony and that includes the Best of Show awards. The one here in the post is the Grand Champion – Idaho Potato Commission, Evans Hardy + Young. Here are the other Best of Show awards.

    • Best of Show Adv – Idaho Potato Commission, Evans & Hardy + Young
    • Best of Show PR – Dairy Management, Paulsen
    • Best of Show Digital – Bayer Crop Science Climate Group, Coolfire Studios
    • Best of Show Consumer – Florida Department of Citrus, Padilla
    • Best of Show Specialty – Land O’Lakes Food Service, Curious Plot

    Here is the full list of winners.

    Advertising, Ag Groups, Agencies, Media, NAMA, Public Relations