Passing of Mary-Dell Chilton

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

Mary-Dell Chilton, 2013 World Food Prize

One of the world’s foremost agricultural pioneers passed away last week. Mary-Dell Chilton, Syngenta plant biotechnologist, died on June 24 at the age of 87. Just one of her many awards and accolades over the years included being honored as the 2013 World Food Prize Laureate, with co-Laureates Marc Van Montagu and Robert Fraley, for her breakthrough achievement in developing and applying modern agricultural biotechnology to create the first genetically modified crops.

“Millions of farmers all over the world have Dr. Chilton to thank for protecting their crops from disease, pests and climate shocks,” said Tom Vilsack, CEO, World Food Prize Foundation. “Her brilliant innovations have revolutionized agriculture. She will be greatly missed, but her legacy continues to guide those who are bringing technology to bear on the great challenges we face in feeding the world.”

Dr. Chilton led a team of university researchers in producing the first transgenic plant in the late 1970s and her research ultimately resulted in the discovery of novel methods to improve a plant’s ability to control pests and manage extreme environmental conditions. She began her corporate career in 1983 with CIBA-Geigy Corporation, a legacy company of Syngenta, and later founded its first biotechnology research lab. Under her leadership, Syngenta was the first company to commercialize a biotech trait in corn (Bt). Dr. Chilton retired in 2018, but her legacy of innovation will continue through the Syngenta Seeds’ R&D program.

In 2006, Dr. Chilton was only 67 but she said at the time she was already “way past” retirement age. She finally officially retired in 2018 at age 79 after a 35-year career with the company. You can listen to an interview with her from a Syngenta media day in 2006 visiting the biotech research lab dedicated to her.

Dr. Mary-Dell Chilton 2006 interview
Audio, Biotech, Syngenta, Technology, World Food Prize

DWFI Podcast 53 – Validating the Future of Carbon Markets

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

Five years ago, the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) was tapped by the U.S. Department of Energy to tackle a critical challenge: scientifically validating carbon sequestration in Midwest corn and soybean production.

With this $3 million project now in its final 120-day closeout phase, DWFI Director of Research Christopher Neale discusses this initiative at the intersection of energy, agriculture and policy. He shares insights with Frances Hayes, DWFI Director of Communications and Public Relations, into how the team translated rigorous field-level measurements into tools that bring credibility to carbon credit markets, discussing what carbon credits are, the importance of data-driven policy and how these markets can be a tool for producers.

DWFI podcast episode 53 26:29

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, carbon, Food, Water, Water for Food

Grounded in Ag and AgCareers Create Ag Onboarding Academy

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

Grounded in AgTM and AgCareers have partnered to create Ag Onboarding Academy to address the experience and market knowledge gap that many employees and new hires in the industry today have since fewer have lived on farms, studied agriculture in college or worked in the industry.

“Our latest analysis indicates nearly 40 percent of AgCareers.com’s job applicants do not have an ag-based education, and 30 percent of them are not currently working in agriculture,” said Bonnie Johnson, Marketing & Communications Manager, AgCareers. “By expanding access to onboarding resources, we can help employers enhance the experience for employees and strengthen their teams over time.”

“Good onboarding is one of the simplest and most effective ways to help someone feel welcome, confident and capable in a new role,” said Janice Person, founder of Grounded in Ag. “Helping people understand and appreciate agriculture and the farmers many of us serve is the focus of our programming. Participants hear directly from trusted farmers and experts who impart expertise in the business, farm practices and culture as they deliver the lessons. This collaboration with AgCareers makes practical training tools more accessible so more businesses can add that industry lens, improve understanding, and set employees up for success.”

Audio soundbite from Janice Person (:56)

Person will also be speaking about upskilling at the AgCareers Agriculture and Food Roundtable Conference this summer, where workforce development, retention, and employee readiness will be among the topics of discussion.

The Ag Onboarding Academy features lessons from farmers and ag professionals, as well as course combinations that provide foundational knowledge about agriculture and farming. All courses are delivered via videos (web & app), which are paired with downloadables, quizzes and vetted resources.

There are additional packages available via Grounded in Ag that provide greater depth of knowledge by focusing on specific commodities. A free preview is available for people interested in learning more.

AgCareers, Agribusiness, Audio

Ag Media Summit Photo Albums

Chuck Zimmerman Leave a Comment

Ag Media Summit PhotosHow about a look at the past with two decades of Ag Media Summit photos! A real blast from the past. We get requests for pics of different people or they just want one but don’t know where to look. Flickr is the way.

One of the features we like about Flickr is that we can take all the albums from a particular annual event or all of the ones that a certain company contracted to be their photographer. They call it Collections and that’s what the image is for AMS.

Just click on the image or in this post and you can see them and open them. Flickr photos are simple to download. Just click on the picture you want, look at the down arrow on bottom right and select the size to download it. See. Simple.

I’m going to miss Ag Media Summit this year but I will be keeping my eye on all the activity. I hope you have a great one.

ACN, Ag Media Summit, LPC, Media

ZimmCast 761 – Biofueling Agriculture

Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

ZimmCastAmerican agriculture is at a crossroads today, but biofuels could point the way to a brighter future, according to a recent study from S&P Global and commissioned by U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action (USFRA).

“Fueling Agriculture: Biofuels as the Catalyst,” finds that biofuels have the potential to restore long-term profitability to American farms and drive investment in rural communities; unlock demand for sustainable feedstocks, creating a market that rewards farmers for pioneering modern farm practices; and strengthen food, economic and energy security on a global scale. It could also help motivate the U.S. Senate to pass legislation allowing year-round, nationwide sales of E15 (15% ethanol-blended fuel).

In this episode of the ZimmCast, hear from USFRA CEO Kevin Burkum; USFRA vice chairman and Maryland farmer Chip Bowling; Kevin Lindemer, S&P Global Energy; Kelsey Barnes, USDA Senior Advisor for Rural Development and Biofuels; Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Tina Smith (D-MN).

Listen to the episode here:
ZimmCast 761 - Biofueling Agriculture (25:30)

Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Corn, Ethanol, Podcasts, USFRA, ZimmCast

Precision Ag News 6/25

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • USDA is now accepting project proposals for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Up to $310 million will be invested to expand producer conservation activities across the nation.
  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon hosted several land-grant university leaders at USDA for a roundtable discussion and announced the opening of the FY2026 funding opportunity for the Research Facilities Act program. President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts provided $125 million annually for the Research Facilities Act program and this historic investment will help address decades of deferred maintenance and accelerate modernization of agricultural research facilities across the country. The deadline for applications is July 17, 2026. For more information, visit nifa.usda.gov or email RFAP@usda.gov.
  • The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) announced that, collectively, U.S. corn refiners have supported the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices on more than 8.5 million acres of farmland across North America, an area equivalent to more than 10 million football fields.
  • Flagship Pioneering has announced the formation of Terion™, a new agricultural technology company created through the combination of CIBO Technologies and Indigo Ag’s Source business. Terion’s mission is to become the leading independent, trusted digital infrastructure layer for agriculture, connecting on-farm activity to enterprise sustainability, compliance, financing, and market outcomes through science, data, and artificial intelligence. Sunand Menon, Executive Chairman and CEO of CIBO Technologies and Operating Partner at Flagship Pioneering, will become Terion’s CEO.
  • Intelinair has launched the AGMRI AI Agent, an AI capability inside the AGMRI platform that lets agronomic advisors and growers ask questions and receive field-level answers in seconds. Now live, the AGMRI AI Agent is built on the agronomic data already in AGMRI: multi-source imagery, soil characteristics, weather, input applications, field boundaries, and historical yield outcomes.
  • The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) welcomed the European Parliament’s adoption of the European Union’s regulation on plants produced by New Genomic Techniques (NGTs). The vote, taken at second reading, completes the EU legislative process and clears the way for the implementation process to start.
  • Syngenta has signed a memorandum of understanding to be a strategic partner in India’s first open-data agricultural ecosystem Annam.AI. Syngenta will contribute agronomic expertise in building accurate crop health, pest forecasting, and heat stress models.
  • The 2026 Tech Hub LIVE Conference and Expo will take place July 20-22 in Des Moines, Iowa, including more than 60 speakers, over 50 exhibitors, and hundreds of ag retailers and growers confronting one of the most economically demanding seasons in recent memory. Featured exhibitors at THL 2026 include AgGateway, AgVend, Agri-Access, Compass Regulatory, Ever.Ag, InnerPlant, Intelinair, Raven Industries, Spectrum Technologies, and Taranis, among others. The full exhibitor and speaker roster is available at techhublive.com.
  • John Deere announced the newest 5E 3-Cylinder tractor, featuring their first electronically controlled eHydro™ transmission in a utility tractor. Built with ease of use, versatility and performance in mind, the 5E 3-Cylinder tractor can help operators of all experience levels tackle a wide range of tasks.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Ag Communicators Network Announces Award Winners

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Agricultural Communicators NetworkThe Agricultural Communicators Network (ACN) will recognize several members with top honors next month during the 2026 Agricultural Media Summit (AMS), July 19-21 in St. Louis, Missouri.

    ACN has announced that Den Gardner and Pam Smith will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, the organization’s highest recognition for members whose careers have left a lasting mark on agricultural communications. Dr. Albert Culbreath will receive the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, which honors an individual outside the profession whose work has significantly advanced agriculture.

    “Den, Pam and Dr. Culbreath represent the very best of what our profession and what agricultural communications stand for,” said Joy Crosby, ACN president. “Den and Pam have shaped agricultural communications for generations of members, and Dr. Culbreath’s research has made a real difference in the lives of farmers. We can’t wait to celebrate all three of them in St. Louis.”

    Den Gardner has devoted more than five decades to agricultural and green-industry communications as a member of ACN (formerly the American Agricultural Editors’ Association) since 1975. He began his career as an agricultural reporter and editor, including serving as editor of Farm Industry News, Ag Retailer Magazine, and Minnesota Agriculture, before leading the Ag/Turf division of Ceres Communications and founding Gardner & Gardner Communications in 1995. He served as executive director of AAEA from 2000 to 2016 and served on the AAEA board during the development of the Ag Media Summit.

    Pamela Smith, crops editor at DTN/Progressive Farmer since 2012, has spent nearly 50 years telling the stories that matter most to farmers. Her career began at Prairie Farmer in 1977 and continued at Farm Journal from 1983 to 2012. A member of AAEA/ACN for more than four decades, Smith has volunteered on numerous committees, served as a membership recruiter and participated in International Federation of Agricultural Journalists events.

    Dr. Albert Culbreath, research plant pathologist at the University of Georgia, is recognized worldwide for his work on the ecology, epidemiology and control of thrips and tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). When TSWV threatened to destroy the Southeast’s peanut crop in the early 1990s, Culbreath helped lead the multidisciplinary team that developed the Spotted Wilt Risk Index — now known as Peanut Rx — an integrated pest management tool that is still updated annually and credited with saving the peanut industry.

    ACN members and friends throughout the industry are encouraged to attend AMS next month and personally congratulate Den, Pam and Dr. Culbreath on these well-deserved honors.

    ACN, Ag Media Summit

    Animal Ag News 6/22

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture welcomed new guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S.</li Department of Labor clarifying that dairy operations may use the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program when they can demonstrate a qualifying temporary or seasonal labor need under existing law. The policy memorandum provides additional clarity regarding how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will evaluate H-2A petitions for dairy-related work. Under the guidance, dairy operations will be subject to the same statutory and regulatory standards applied to all H-2A employers, with petitions evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on the employer’s demonstrated temporary or seasonal need.
  • Following the announcement that New World Screwworm (NWS) has been found in the United States, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is urging producers to be vigilant and prepared. To ensure producers have access to the resources needed, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Checkoff-funded Issues Management and Public Relations team has developed a suite of resources to prepare producers for prevention, identification and treatment, should it be needed. Producers are encouraged to visit BQA.org/Screwworm/Producer to access and download identification resources and on-farm posters in both English and Spanish. This webpage also provides links to treatment information and additional information resources from the USDA.
  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced President Donald J. Trump has appointed John Bellinger as the new Senior Advisor for New World Screwworm Preparedness. In this role, Bellinger will integrate into USDA’s team to help further drive its robust effort to explore all available technologies to combat the New World Screwworm.
  • With the recent New World screwworm (NWS) incursion in Texas, Zoetis is reminding livestock producers to be aware of your herd’s risk level and be vigilant in checking your livestock for signs of an infestation. Producers are encouraged to diligently observe livestock daily, if possible, for signs of NWS infestation. An intense smell of decay is often the first indication, so you will want to investigate to find the source of the odor. Be prepared to report a New World screwworm infestation to your veterinarian or state veterinary authority as quickly as possible. Now is a good time to review and bookmark the U.S. Department of Agriculture response playbook for quick, practical guidance.
  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the distribution of a comprehensive directive to all U.S. Forest Service employees from the Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment (NRE). These actions advance implementation of the Advancing Grazing on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lands Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the USDA–Department of the Interior Grazing Action Plan, delivering on the Trump Administration’s commitment to strengthen American ranching, restore multiple-use management on federal lands, and combat regulatory lawfare against producers.
  • The 2026 World Pork Expo, presented by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), completed a fast-paced two days of networking, free seminars and the world’s largest pork-specific trade show, June 3-4 in Des Moines. An abundance of pork barbeque and hospitality rounded out the 38th annual event, with more than 10,000 producers and industry professionals from 33 countries in attendance.
  • As part of National Dairy Month, the American Biogas Council (ABC) released new data showing continued growth in the number of dairy farms that recycle their manure into renewable energy using biogas capture systems. Currently, 496 American dairies capture energy from their manure, using anaerobic digestion to recycle it into renewable natural gas (RNG) or renewable electricity. Since the end of 2020, biogas capture from dairy manure has nearly tripled, reflecting growing investment in technologies that support farmers and help meet America’s growing energy demands.
  • Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire TARGAN, a privately held innovator in developing and commercializing biodevice solutions to improve performance outcomes for the poultry industry, for an undisclosed purchase price. Merck Animal Health has invested in TARGAN since 2017 and has been one of the company’s largest shareholders.
  • As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, one tried-and-true American tradition continues to bring people together on Capitol Hill: ice cream.
    Thousands of lawmakers, staff and federal officials gathered for the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) 42nd Annual Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party, celebrating America’s favorite frozen treat and the dairy industry’s continued leadership in delivering products families know, trust and enjoy. Nearly all Americans (97 percent) say they like or love ice cream, underscoring its status as one of the nation’s most beloved treats. Held at Union Square Park on Capitol Hill, this year’s celebration featured ice cream and frozen dairy desserts made with real milk and without certified artificial colors, consistent with the IDFA Ice Cream Commitment.
  • Joe Goggins, a lifelong livestock marketer and rancher, will soon take the helm as president of the Livestock Marketing Association. He will assume the role during the association’s annual convention in June.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    MorganMyers Surveys AI Use on the Farm

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    MorganMyers’ 2026 survey finds AI use experimental on the farm

    A new survey by MorganMyers delves into where farmers, ranchers, and agricultural retailers are when it comes to use of AI – artificial intelligence, that is, not the other AI that livestock producers have been using for decades.

    The ag marketing and PR firm asked whether and how they are using AI, where they see value, where improvements are needed and whether they trust the results. The findings have been compiled into a new report that offers a closer look at how agriculture is approaching AI today and where it may be headed next.

    What they found is, AI adoption on the farm at this point is meaningful, but experimental.

    MorganMyers’ 2026 survey found 75% of farmers and ranchers have used AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini to support their operations, and nearly half of that group uses those tools weekly or more. That suggests agriculture — like much of the broader workforce — is in an experimental phase of adoption.

    Other key findings include:
    – General-purpose AI outpaces ag-platform AI, suggesting awareness, availability and workflow-fit remain barriers.
    – AI adoption is uneven by segment: Dairy producers, younger farmers (under 35) and larger operations are the highest users. – Lower adoption clusters among smaller operations, older farmers (51 and older) and row-crop producers.
    – Farmer and rancher use of AI can largely be classified as practical and business oriented.
    – AI is viewed as promising but unproven. Perceived value of AI is high, but so is distrust and skepticism.
    – Retailers are more cautious than farmers, lagging in adoption, value and trust — and less likely to recommend AI tools in the near term.
    – Proof, transparency and human validation will be needed to build trust in AI among farmers, ranchers and retailers.

    Read the report here.

    Advertising, Agencies, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, AI

    Senators Say Study Shows Need for Biofuels Growth

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Midwest lawmakers hope a new report out this week from S&P Global and commissioned by U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action (USFRA) will help grow momentum to get a bill allowing nationwide, year-round sales of 15% ethanol fuel through the Senate.

    At a press conference announcing the report, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said time is running out to get legislation passed before the end of the year. “Enacting E-15 is a perfect way to celebrate America’s 250th years of freedom,” said Grassley. “But we got to move, and it’s almost too late now if we don’t get some action. So anything you can do to help, and this report is going to help, I’m going to say God bless you.”

    USFRA biofuels report - Sen. Grassley (8:06)

    Minnesota Democrat Sen. Tina Smith said the study shows a way forward for farmers. “We have a need to boost demand for commodity crops. We have a need to figure out steps that we can take to bring down the input costs that farmers are experiencing,” said Sen. Smith. “And so putting a big emphasis on how biofuels and ethanol, all biofuels, can kind of be a path forward to a new structural a new structure for agriculture is just really exciting.”

    USFRA biofuels report - Sen. Tina Smith (4:17)

    The study projects global biofuel production driven by agricultural innovation could triple by 2050, expanding renewable fuels to capture a significantly larger share of the approximately 940-billion-gallon global liquid fuel market – including marine and aviation fuels.

    Read the report.

    Watch the full press conference on the USFRA YouTube channel.

    AgWired Precision, Audio, Biofuels, Corn, Ethanol, Soybean, USFRA