Animal Ag News 10/9

Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • The National Pork Industry Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research and education in the pork industry, is now accepting applications for two scholarship programs supporting students pursuing careers that will strengthen the future of the U.S. pork industry. Applications are open for the Neil Dierks Scholarship and the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence Swine Legacy Scholarship, which together will provide scholarships to undergraduate, graduate, and professional-track students pursuing studies related to the pork and swine industries.
  • Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) is activating We Are Family and First 1,000 Days through the fall. We Are Family connects with families during everyday meal planning and shopping, while First 1,000 Days focuses on parents during pregnancy and the earliest years of a child’s life. Both support the checkoff’s broader goal of inspiring people to make dairy a daily part of their lives. Now in its third year, We Are Family runs until October and reaches families through retail-connected media at Walmart, Costco and, for the first time, Sam’s Club.
  • Ralco, a leading provider of effective natural solutions for agriculture, announced that Dr. Sydney Tuckwiller has joined the company as Poultry Account Manager. She brings more than nine years of experience in poultry nutrition, animal health and applied research, along with a track record of turning research-driven innovation into practical, profitable solutions for producers.
  • Beller Feedlot in Lindsay, Nebraska recently received the 2026 Feedyard Commitment to Excellence Award at the recent Certified Angus Beef (CAB) Annual Conference in Marco Island, Florida. Licensed back in the early 2000s, they were an early feedyard partner for the brand and quickly made their mark.
  • Behind every healthy pig and successful operation are caregivers who provide the knowledge, commitment and dedication to make a difference. Zoetis is once again calling on the pork industry to help recognize these individuals through the 2027 Caregiver Awards. Nominations are open now through Feb. 28, 2027.
  • Roberta Wagner, senior vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs for the International Dairy foods Association (IDFA), announced her plans retire from the organization, effective February 15, 2027, following a distinguished career spanning more than four decades in public service, food safety, regulatory policy and industry leadership. IDFA also announced that Dr. Samuel Alcaine will succeed Wagner as senior vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs following her retirement, and Michelle Albee Matto, M.P.H., R.D.N., has been promoted to vice president, regulatory affairs and chief nutrition scientist, effective immediately.
  • The IDFA Foundation brought together dairy industry leaders for a morning of volunteer service at the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB), accompanied by significant donations of nutritious dairy products and financial support to help people facing hunger across the Greater Washington D.C. region.
  • The World Without Cows documentary is coming to theaters in the U.S this October. After a five-year journey to bring this film to life, this is a big moment to experience it on the big screen. Find participating theaters, showtimes, ticket information and more about the theatrical release on the World Without Cows website worldwithoutcows.com. The first showing will be Oct. 9 at the AMC River East 21, Chicago, IL and will be attended by filmmakers Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth, and executive producer, Dr. Mark Lyons. Shows are also scheduled on Oct. 14 at select theatres in Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Nebraska, Texas, Minnesota, North Dakota and Pennsylvania. Check back often as more theaters are being added daily.
  • Poultry industry leaders from across Latin America and around the world will gather for the 2027 Latin American Poultry Summit, held in conjunction with the 2027 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta. Under the theme, “Poultry Leads the Way in Animal Protein,” the Summit will explore the technologies, strategies and market opportunities shaping the future of poultry production.
  • Following a comprehensive national search, the Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Corey Scott as president and chief executive officer. Scott will become the third president and CEO in DMI’s history, succeeding Barbara O’Brien, who will retire following the 2026 Joint Annual Meeting of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, National Milk Producers Federation and United Dairy Industry Association, Oct. 19-21.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Syngenta Launches Cropwise Explorer

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Syngenta has launched a new digital tool designed to help retailers and their grower customers quickly identify field agronomic issues, streamline decision-making and enable more effective crop management.

    Cropwise™ Explorer is an offering within the Cropwise integrated farm management technology platform that combines historical performance data, in-season crop information and satellite imagery into one simple resource. Retailers can monitor multiple growers’ fields from anywhere, stay connected to crop conditions, spot agronomic issues early through anomaly detection and share timely insights and recommendations with their growers.

    “Retailers need tools that save time and help with decision-making,” said Greg Uchtmann, digital ag solutions marketing lead at Syngenta. “Cropwise Explorer gives them the ability to see what’s happening across the fields they manage and delivers essential information in a format that’s easy to understand and share.”

    Key features include weekly field-insight reports, yield and productivity summaries and insights into what’s performing well and what may need attention. An AI Summary and NDVI-based weekly reports are available to help retailers prioritize which fields should be scouted first – and explain why. Retailers can also connect alerts and reports with other Cropwise tools and services to share with their growers and keep them informed of changing field conditions.

    Learn more

    ag retailers, Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, AI, Syngenta, Technology

    Tractor Zoom Hosting Webinar on Farm Equipment Market

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Who will be buying farm equipment and repaying loans in 2027 is the topic of a timely webinar being hosted this month by Tractor Zoom.

    “Finishing 2026 Strong: What the market, the election, and farm income mean for you,” a free live session on Zoom at 11 a.m. CT on Wednesday, Oct. 21, will feature Andy Campbell, Director of Insights at Tractor Zoom, and guest expert Wesley Davis, Partner & Chief Ag Economist at Meridian Ag Advisors.

    The conversation will cover the trade, election, Farm Bill, and broader macroeconomic forces shaping the market through year-end and also examine whether the farm income story holds up and how much of it depends on government support, and whether farmers will close 2026 with the cash to buy equipment and service their debt. From there, Campbell and Davis will consider demand and buyer behavior for dealers, credit risk and loan performance for lenders, and an early read on 2027 for both.

    The webinar is built for dealer principals, owners, and leadership teams; sales and used-equipment managers; and ag lenders, including chief credit officers, bank presidents, and CFOs. Attendees can take part in live polls and bring questions for Campbell and Davis.

    Registration is open at https://na2.hubs.ly/H0827tC0

    AgWired Precision, Equipment, Technology, Tractor

    Gateway to Ag Careers Scholarships Announced

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Seven students have been selected to participate in this year’s Gateway to Ag Careers program, hosted by AgGateway and sponsored by the AgCIO Roundtable, with additional support from Syngenta. The selected students will attend the 2026 AgGateway Annual Meeting and Conference, November 9-11 in Nashville, to engage with attendees, sit in on educational sessions, and learn more about the many career opportunities that agriculture has to offer.

    “We’re excited to be hosting these exceptional students at the 2026 Annual Meeting and Conference,” says Brent Kemp, AgGateway President and CEO. “Interest in the program has continued to grow over the years, and participants bring a wide range of interests and disciplines to the program.”

    The following students will be participating in the 2026 Gateway to Ag Careers program:
    Eleanora Bernstein, Arizona State University
    Anslee Boyd, Mississippi State University
    Ella Britt, Mississippi State University
    Avyukta (Avi) Davu, Purdue University
    Madison Hicks, North Dakota State University
    Kristen Platt, Arizona State University
    Aryan Sharma, Purdue University

    AgGateway started the program because agriculture’s long-term sustainability will rest on its ability to attract the best and brightest among the next generation of college graduates to build long-term careers in the industry. The nomination process requires students to submit an essay and a letter of recommendation and additional supporting documentation from their instructor or adviser.

    Click here to get a preview of the AgGateway annual meeting.

    AgGateway, Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Education, Syngenta

    Precision Ag News 10/2

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced increased financial assistance for the Regenerative Pilot Program from $700 million to $1 billion in fiscal year 2027, providing more producers with the opportunity to adopt conservation systems that improve soil health, water quality, and long-term farm resilience. Producers can now apply for assistance with regenerative practices. Additionally, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is making improvements to the program, including using NRCS’s locally led conservation model to allow State Technical Advisory Committees to add conservation practices that reflect local resource concerns, production systems, and producer needs.
  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a new interagency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen scientific coordination and expand the evidence available to EPA’s ongoing registration review of glyphosate under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
  • As harvest is under way across the country, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) reminds farmers about the importance of taking precautions to ensure treated seed does not enter the grain supply. ASTA and other stakeholder groups offer a variety of educational resources to assist those involved in the process of treating, handling, transporting, or planting treated seeds. To learn more, visit: seed-treatment-guide.com. Get more information about treated seed benefits and safety at betterseed.org/treated-seeds.
  • The North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) and Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) announced plans to merge, effective January 2027, creating a stronger, unified organization that will operate as Associated Equipment Dealers (AED) and serve equipment dealers and distributors across the United States and Canada.
  • Biotalys announced that the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) has granted state registration for EVOCA, the company’s first protein-based biofungicide. The approval follows the successful completion of the public consultation process earlier in July and confirms that EVOCA has successfully met the state’s stringent regulatory requirements for human health, environmental safety and product efficacy.
  • Biotalys announced the appointment of Christine Berwaerts and Ioana Tudor to its Board as independent directors. Berwaerts will also assume the role of Chair of the Audit Committee, reinforcing the company’s financial governance as it continues to advance its strategic and commercial objectives.
  • UnitedAg announces the addition of three members to its Board of Directors: Tony Calleja of General Produce, Jennifer Keegan of Nunes Company, and Austin Flores of Grimmius Cattle.
  • The National Conservation Foundation proudly recognized longtime conservation leader, John Redding of Georgia, with induction into the NCF-Envirothon Hall of Fame during the 2026 NCF-Envirothon annual competition, held this past July at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi.
  • Innovar Ag SEA LLC announced that it has secured a perpetual, exclusive license from Innovar Ag LLC covering a defined international territory spanning Southeast Asia, China, Australia, New Zealand and Azerbaijan.
  • Kubota Tractor Corporation announced the official launch of WorkSmart Autosteer, a precision guidance system built for compact and utility equipment, extending technology traditionally used on Kubota large ag tractors to more machines across its broader equipment lineup. The system works like an autopilot: it holds the line while the operator stays in command of the operation.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Syngenta Announces New Biologicals Technology

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Syngenta recently announced new EXORT™ technology, a major scientific breakthrough the company says helps plants make better use of their own biology.

    This new technology opens the door to a new generation of biological solutions that can help farmers grow bigger grains and more desirable vegetables and fruits, without changing their normal field routine. Applied at very small doses to the leaf, products with EXORT™ technology work with natural signals that plants already use to regulate biological processes, development, and response to changing conditions.

    For farmers, the potential is significant: more productive crops, better quality, and a practical way to support higher yields with lower impact. In one of the largest biological field programs of its kind, EXORT™ technology has delivered consistent yield gains across major crops – rice, soybean, corn, cotton, vegetable and fruits – over multiple years and geographies.

    The science behind EXORT™ technology is based on natural microRNAs – tiny molecules found in plants that help regulate how biological instructions are used. Natural microRNAs act like signals that help orchestrate biological processes; EXORT™ technology is designed to apply precisely selected naturally occurring microRNAs at field scale, helping crops optimize how they use their own resources.

    According to Syngenta, the first products based on EXORT™ technology are planned for launch from 2027, followed by a phased introduction across approximately 20 countries and multiple crops over the next years. Read more.

    AgWired Precision, Biologicals, Crop Protection, Syngenta

    ACN Plans Fall Workshop in KC

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    The Agricultural Communicators Network (ACN) will be holding its Fall Workshop, “More Action, Less Distraction,” in Kansas City, Mo., at Farm Journal headquarters on Nov. 17. This full-day event is aimed at agricultural communicators seeking to adapt to the rapidly evolving ag media landscape.

    Attendees will experience hands-on sessions focused on leveraging the latest tools in writing, photography, and audience engagement to thrive in today’s fast-paced, distracted world. Sessions include:

    – A writing session led by Kevin Draper, agriculture correspondent for The New York Times, covering agribusinesses, farmers, goods, and government policy. Before his current role, Draper worked as a sports reporter.

    – “Why You Should Give a DAM,” led by Sam Craft with PhotoShelter, will cover the fundamentals of organizing, archiving, and distributing your visual assets.

    – “Industry Trends: Audience Attention,” led by Alyssa Walsh with Sweet Briar Creative, will cover understanding your audience, stronger hooks, visuals, storytelling, and messaging that earns attention.

    – “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of AI” is a panel discussion moderated by Tyne Morgan from U.S. Farm Report. The panel will discuss ethical use, moral questions, and legal implications generative AI poses for our industry’s future.

    Members of other ag communications organizations — ARC, IFAJ, LPC, NAAJ, NAFB and NAMA — qualify for the ACN member rate, and students qualify for the student rate.

    Click here for more information.

    ACN, AI, Media

    Innovar Ag Products Licensed Across Key Markets

    Cindy Zimmerman Leave a Comment

    Innovar Ag SEA LLC has secured a perpetual, exclusive license from Innovar Ag LLC covering a defined international territory spanning Southeast Asia, China, Australia, New Zealand and Azerbaijan.

    Innovar Ag technologies are focused on improving fertilizer performance, nutrient-use efficiency and the economic and environmental efficiency of crop nutrition. Through the new license, Innovar Ag SEA intends to expand the commercialization of existing technologies while developing manufacturing, distribution and customer relationships throughout the licensed territory, which includes Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Timor-Leste, the People’s Republic of China, New Zealand, Australia, Tasmania and Azerbaijan.

    The agreement represents a major step in the continued international development of Innovar technologies and establishes Innovar Ag SEA LLC as the exclusive licensed platform for the covered Innovar Ag business throughout these markets.

    “This agreement gives Innovar Ag SEA a tremendous platform for long-term growth,” said Andrew M. Semple, President & CEO of Innovar Ag SEA LLC. “We have the opportunity to build the business with a long-term perspective—developing local manufacturing, strengthening our relationships with customers and partners, and expanding Innovar technologies into some of the most important agricultural markets in the world. At the same time, Innovar Ag SEA will introduce additional complementary products globally, allowing us to build an even broader agricultural technology portfolio. Our goal is to create a lasting global agricultural technology business built around innovation, performance and strong customer relationships.”

    The perpetual nature of the license provides Innovar Ag SEA with the ability to make long-term investments in market development, regulatory registrations, manufacturing capabilities, distribution networks and customer relationships across its licensed territory.

    AgWired Precision, Fertilizer, Nutrient Management, Precision Agriculture, Technology

    Animal Ag News 9/29

    Carrie Muehling Leave a Comment

  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the awarding of over $26 million to farmers and agricultural producers across the country through the USDA Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program. Entities can use these grant funds to develop value-added agricultural products, conduct market research, and implement business and marketing strategies.
  • Following a comprehensive national search, the Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Corey Scott as president and chief executive officer. Scott will become the third president and CEO in DMI’s history, succeeding Barbara O’Brien, who will retire following the 2026 Joint Annual Meeting of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, National Milk Producers Federation and United Dairy Industry Association, Oct. 19-21. The appointment follows a months-long succession process conducted by the DMI Board of Directors to identify the leader best positioned to lead strategies designed to grow dairy sales, strengthen consumer trust and deliver value to the dairy farmers and importers who fund the checkoff.
  • The Public Lands Council (PLC) closed out their 58th Annual Meeting by announcing Nevada rancher Ron Cerri as the new PLC President. Cerri owns and operates a cow-calf operation in Orovada, Nevada. He has previously served as a member of the PLC Board of Directors, President of Nevada Cattlemen’s Association (NCA), Nevada State Grazing Board Central Committee and as a Humboldt County Commissioner.
  • The National Pork Producers Council presented U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “G.T.” Thompson (R-PA) with the inaugural “Bringing Home the Bacon” awards on behalf of America’s 60,000-plus pork producers. The awards were created to recognize members of Congress who have championed the needs of the pork industry and contributed to enhancing or protecting the livelihoods of U.S. pork producers.
  • Zoetis invites attendees to its new location and experience at the 2026 World Dairy Expo. This year, Zoetis is moving from the Exhibition Hall to the Coliseum Lower Level. Designed as a welcoming place for dairy producers, veterinarians, industry partners and experts from across the dairy industry, the new Zoetis space will give attendees multiple ways to connect, engage and experience what’s moving dairy forward. Throughout the week, attendees will be able to hear from visionary dairy leaders and industry experts during the Dairy On stage talks, gather over Wisconsin-inspired favorites at the Milky Whey Lounge, add their farm to the Born of the Bond Wall and explore milestones that have shaped dairy innovation on their way to a railside view of the Coliseum showring.
  • For 20 years, the W.D. Farr Scholarship has created a legacy of helping graduate students pursue careers in meat science, animal science and related fields. Applications are now being accepted for the final year of the program. Eligible students must apply online by submitting a cover letter, curriculum vitae, description of applicant’s goals and experience, a short essay, statement of belief in the industry, as well as a review of the applicant’s graduate research and three letters of recommendation by Oct. 9, 2026.
  • When highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strikes a poultry operation, responding quickly and having the right resources available are critical to controlling the spread of disease. New research funded by USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation has produced a practical tool designed to help poultry producers and animal health officials better prepare for these emergency situations by quickly estimating the resources needed for flock depopulation. The research is part of the Association’s comprehensive research program, which encompasses all phases of poultry and egg production and processing. The research is made possible in part through proceeds from the International Poultry Expo, part of the International Production & Processing Expo.
  • Focusing on producer priorities is a cornerstone of the National Pork Board (NPB). Six producer-led advisory committees were recently established to align with the NPB strategic plan. Through a rigorous selection process, more than 120 leaders from 33 states will lend their voice, offer their experience and perspective, and provide direction as part of their committee member role. These insights will help board members and staff deliver meaningful progress on behalf of America’s 60,000 pig farmers.
  • The 2026 Women’s Leadership Conference brought together women from across the poultry, egg and agriculture industries for conversations centered on leadership, professional growth, resilience and the importance of supporting one another. From navigating burnout and building a professional reputation to finding mentorship and creating space for the next generation of women leaders, the conference reinforced the value of confidence, connection and community at every stage of a career. The conference was held Aug. 20-21, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Fla.
  • Novus announced a new source of organic trace mineral nutrition available for the animal agriculture industry. RELYZANT™ Bis-Chelated Trace Mineral is the next-generation bis-chelate from NOVUS. Available in zinc, copper, and manganese, the mineral is bound by two lactic acid ligands, forming a stable, neutral molecule that maintains integrity across changes in pH in the gut and interactions with other parts of the diet, ultimately resulting in more mineral being accessible to the animal.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) joined U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. at USDA headquarters to celebrate America’s ice cream makers’ swift action to meet their commitment to eliminate certified artificial colors from ice cream products made with real milk and sold at food retail by the end of 2027. The IDFA Ice Cream Commitment is the third in a series of industry-wide, voluntary commitments that bring companies across the U.S. dairy sector together around common, measurable goals to respond to consumers and advance shared health and nutrition priorities. The effort follows two successful commitments to reduce added sugar and eliminate certified artificial colors in milk, cheese and yogurt served in schools, creating a record of coordinated action across the industry rather than individual company pledges alone.
  • As of Sept.1, there were 74.3 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, down two percent from September 2025 but up two percent from June 1, 2026, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
  • At the recent Public Lands Council (PLC) Annual Meeting, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced winners of the 2026 Rangeland Stewardship and Rangeland Innovation awards to recognize exemplary management and outstanding accomplishments in restoring and maintaining the health of public rangelands. The Rangeland Stewardship Permittee winner is Jamie Johnson, and Collaborative Team winner is the Deep Springs Resource Management Team, based in Big Pine, California. The Rangeland Innovations Permittee winner is the Hunewill Ranch Land and Livestock, Co., a seventh-generation ranching operation in Bridgeport, California, and the Collaborative Team winner is the Carbon County Weed & Pest District.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    Enlist E3 Soybeans Give Growers More Options

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Golden Harvest showcased 22 new soybean varieties at the recent Farm Progress Show, with 15 of those being Enlist E3s, according to Clay Cole, soybean product manager for Golden Harvest.

    “So from our Enlist E3s, 20% of those are actually going to be Peking varieties,” said Cole during an interview at the show. “So we’re happy to bring the grower more options to manage SCN. But we’re also increasing yield in a lot of these products, and we also focus on agronomics as well.”

    Enlist E3 soybeans contain the most advanced trait technology, with tolerance to 2,4-D choline, glyphosate and glufosinate, offering maximized application flexibility and tank mix options to manage resistant weeds.

    Learn more in this interview.
    FPS26 Clay Cole, Syngenta Soy NA Product Manager 3:14

    Audio, Farm Progress Show, Golden Harvest, Soybean, Syngenta