AgTech Accelerator Gains Investor Syndicate

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, technology

agtech-accelerator-logo AgTech Accelerator is a unique startup accelerator vehicle with a goal of developing emerging agricultural technology companies. Today they’ve announced they’ll be able to further their goal with the addition of $8.5 million in financing. This funding brings the company’s total capital to $20 million, thanks to Elanco, a leader in animal health and food production.  Other investors include Bayer, Syngenta Ventures, Alexandria Venture Investments, ARCH Venture Partners, Flagship Ventures, Harris & Harris Group, Inc., Hatteras Venture Partners, Mountain Group Capital and Pappas Capital.

Elanco is dedicated to understanding how healthy animals make lives better.  That includes safe, affordable food for an increasing populations, as well as pet health as they become more and more important to families.

“Today, more than 20 percent of livestock productivity is lost to death and disease globally. While we’ve made important advances in animal health, we still have significant unmet health needs that must be addressed if we’re to tackle today’s challenges – from improving global food security to combatting antimicrobial resistance,” said Jeff Simmons, president of Elanco and senior vice president of Eli Lilly and Company. “We look forward to joining AgTech Accelerator in working collaboratively across the agriculture technology continuum to bring new ideas to life. We believe this effort can make a difference in shaping a future with sustainable health outcomes for people, animals and the planet.”

Elanco represents an important addition to AgTech Accelerator’s strategic investor syndicate, which consists of the world’s foremost leaders across the agricultural technology continuum. Through its efficient operating platform and deeply experienced team, AgTech Accelerator provides all the necessary resources for the next generation of innovative startups to successfully develop the most promising agriculture-focused technologies addressing the world’s growing population, related food and water shortages and supply chain constraints.

“This is a really exciting time across all sectors of agriculture given the active consolidation of the large, traditional players,” said Kristina Burow, managing director at ARCH Venture Partners and member of the AgTech Accelerator board. “Talent pools are being unlocked and market forces are triggering the opportunity for unprecedented innovation and collaboration. The AgTech Accelerator plays a significant role in helping us take advantage of these new and really intriguing investment opportunities.”

AgTech Accelerator believes they are in a position to help develop companies that will benefit agribusiness innovation.  They use the experience from their investors, as well as a scientific advisory board, dedicated management team and leading academic researchers to provide a broad, deep experience.

Enroll Now for ARC or PLC in 2017

Kelly MarshallCrop Insurance, USDA

usda-logoIf your farm is covered by the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC), now is the time to visit you local FSA office to sign contracts and enroll for 2017.  Starting this month, the enrollment period will continue until August 1, 2017, says FSA Administrator, Val Dolcini.

“FSA issued more than $7 billion in payments in October 2016 under the ARC-County and PLC programs for the 2015 crop to assist enrolled producers who suffered a loss of price or revenue or both,” said Dolcini. “Since shares and ownership of a farm can change year-to-year, producers on the farm must enroll by signing a contract each program year. I encourage you to contact your local FSA office today to schedule an appointment to enroll.”

Farms must be enrolled during the 2017 enrollment period to be eligible for financial assistance from either the PLC or ARC programs.  Producers already enrolled from 2015 are required to re-enroll for the next growing season.

Improved Decision-Making Is “Beltwide” Goal

Lizzy SchultzAg Group, agronomy, Cotton, Events

cottoncouncil1 Those planning to attend the 2017 Beltwide Cotton Conferences’ (BWCC), set for January 4-6 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas Hotel in Dallas, Texas, may register online and find information regarding hotel reservations on the BWCC website.

The conferences can help its attendees improve production, processing and marketing efficiency by providing them with insight into the latest available tools and research findings.

First up on the agenda for the 2017 BWCC is the half-day Cotton Consultants Conference, which will focus on topics of interest selected by a panel of consultants. Scheduled presentations include updates on the status of, and educational efforts for, the use of auxin herbicides on transgenic cottons by Dow and Monsanto, “The Smartirrigation Cotton App with a National Footprint,” am irrigation scheduling tool that has recently become usable across the entire U.S. Cotton Belt, and “Target Spot and Bacterial Blight,” which sheds light on cultivar responses to various diseases that affect cotton.

The Consultants’ Conference also will feature a “New Developments from Industry” session, with reports on new varieties, chemistries, equipment and other emerging technologies.

The Cotton Technical Conferences will meet January 5th and 6th, and will provide updates on research and a look into the technology pipeline. The Technical Conference sessions will host entomologists’ updates on the latest research with regard to several classes of insecticides, and reports on successful weed management strategies.

The cotton agronomy, physiology, and soil technical conferences will be combined into one conference with multiple sessions, including a comprehensive simulation model of cotton physiology, nitrogen management for subsurface drip-irrigated cotton and quality/yield evaluation trials across the Cotton Belt.

The Ginning Conference, which begins on the afternoon of January 4th, will include several presentations critical to efficient processing and marketing, such as module averaging and lint contamination prevention. This conference will also feature a panel discussion on the issues associated with ginning cotton varieties with small seed size, and the National Cotton Ginners’ Association will hold several committee and subcommittee meetings. Click here for a schedule of those meetings.

Registration costs before December 16 for the NCC-coordinated forum are: $200 for NCC/Cotton Foundation members, university and USDA researchers, Extension personnel, associations and consultants; $400 for non-NCC/Foundation members; and $80 for students. On-site conference self-registration kiosks will be available 24 hours a day beginning on the evening of January 3.

John Deere Kicks off 2016 Developers Conference

Chuck ZimmermanAgribusiness, Apps, John Deere

John Deere Developer ConferenceJohn Deere is holding its annual Develop with Deere conference in Kansas City this year with almost double the number of attendees of last year. Many more dealers have come to learn what the company has planned for the future. The conference includes presentations from thirty three application development companies who are working with John Deere in various ways to integrate with the John Deere platform.

I’ll be conducting interviews with John Deere representatives, dealers and developers to share with you over the next several days. The conference has just kicked off with a dealer welcome before individual company presentation sessions start.

Photos from this year’s conference can be found here: Develop with Deere Photo Album

Soil Health Roadmap Could Deliver Billions

Kelly MarshallAg Group, Soil

screen-shot-2016-11-02-at-8-11-03-amThe Nature Conservancy has been working with General Mills on a project called the Soil Health Roadmap.  With funding from General Mills, the organizations have put together a group of Conservancy scientists, economists and agriculture experts to create a Roadmap to sustainable, healthy soil.  The project builds a case for economic benefits for U.S. farmers and businesses and outlines the environmental advantages for future generations.

“Healthy soils are the cornerstone of life on Earth, yet they are increasingly rare with less than 10 percent of U.S. soils managed optimally today,” said Michael Doane, Director of Transforming Working Lands for The Nature Conservancy. “With increasing demands on our lands to produce more food, fuel and fiber, now is the time to rethink soils and invest in the science, new business models and policy signals that can restore the long-term health and sustainability of our soils.”

The Soil Health Roadmap contains 10 key factors towards meeting the goal of adoption of healthy soil practices on more than 50 percent of U.S. cropland by 2025.

“As a global food company, it’s imperative to protect the natural resources and communities upon which our business depends. In our case, the foundation is soil health,” said Jerry Lynch, Chief Sustainability Officer at General Mills. “The goal is to provide a thoughtful strategy, raise awareness about the critical role that soil health plays in environmental sustainability and to encourage transformation in agricultural supply chains. We cannot do this alone. But, together, we can get on a path to healthier soil and more sustainable agriculture systems.”

At full adoption, Conservancy scientists estimate nearly $50 billion in societal benefits could be realized annually. At 50 percent adoption, improved soil health would provide $1.2 billion in annual net economic gains for farmers, and $7.4 billion in water and climate benefits. These benefits include: 

  • Mitigating 25 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions — the equivalent to taking 5 million passenger cars off the road for one year
  • Reducing 344 million pounds of nutrient loss to the environment
  • Eliminating 116 million metric tons of soil erosion
  • Creating 3.6 million acre-feet of available water capacity in cropland soils

“We know how to build healthier soils, and the benefits are real. It is simply a better way to farm” said Tim Smith, an Iowa farmer implementing soil health practices with technical assistance from the Conservancy. “I am protecting my soil from erosion, greatly reducing my impact on water quality by reducing nitrate and phosphorus loss, and improving soil health that will provide for the long term sustainability of the land.”

FarmLogs Hosting Second Annual User Conference

Lizzy SchultzAgribusiness, agronomy, Company Announcement, Events, technology

farmlogsFarmLogs will host its second annual series of user conferences this January in Des Moines, Iowa, Champaign, Illinois and Lubbock, Texas. The events are free to attend but registration is required and accessible online here.

This year’s conference theme is “Connecting the Dots to Profitability,” and the events will be focused on the future of precision agriculture. Over 500 farmers and agronomists from around the country are expected to participate in the conference.

Attendees will learn about ways that advanced technologies in agriculture can help growers better manage their farms to be more profitable. Academic and industry experts in precision agriculture will discuss agronomic practices that lead to increased ROI, not just increased yield, and how growers can prepare for their most profitable year yet.

FarmLogs CEO Jesse Vollmar will also reveal the company’s newest products for 2017 at the event, and company representatives will be on hand to offer one-on-one account walkthroughs, training and support.

“The success of our first annual FarmLogs User Conference last year in Orlando and our Summer Roadshow this past summer encouraged us to expand geographically,” said Jesse Vollmar, CEO and co-founder of FarmLogs. “Our customers have given us incredible feedback over the past year that we’ve been able to incorporate into our already innovative products. They inspire us and challenge us to continue to push the industry forward. We’re committed to delivering new tools that help them run more profitable farms, and we cannot wait to unveil our newest offerings for the 2017 season during the conference tour.”

2017 FarmLogs User Conference schedule:

Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017 – Des Moines, Iowa
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Des Moines Northwest: 4800 Merle Hay Road, Urbandale,
Iowa 50322
Check-in: 7:30 a.m.
Program: 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Optional one-on-one meetings with FarmLogs representatives: 2:30-5 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017 – Champaign, Illinois
The I Hotel & Conference Center: 1900 S. First St., Champaign, Illinois 61820
Check-in: 7:30 a.m.
Program: 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Optional one-on-one meetings with FarmLogs representatives: 2:30-5 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017 – Lubbock, Texas
Overton Hotel & Conference Center: 2322 Mac Davis Lane, Lubbock, Texas 79401
Check-in: 7:30 a.m.
Program: 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Optional one-on-one meetings with FarmLogs representatives: 2:30-5 p.m.

ASA Refutes New York Times Article

Kelly MarshallAg Group, ASA, GMO

asaThis past Saturday, the New York Times published an article that compared the use of pesticides and yield data from North America to Western Europe.  The article featured several inaccuracies, as well as omissions, and the American Soybean Association has responded.  ASA President, Richard Wilkins made a statement concerning the issue:

“We appreciate a continued dialogue on the issue of GMOs and biotechnology. We continue in our work to be more open and transparent on our operations and we welcome the questions that this article raises. In the interest of a fair and honest discussion of this issue, we have to confront the inaccuracies and false conclusions of the article.

“In his interpretation of the data, the author fails to standardize the data from France when comparing it to similar data from the U.S., where we have more than 9 times the amount of arable land. Additionally, while he has no problem drawing sensational and plainly false links to sarin and Agent Orange, the author fails to distinguish between even the most basic types of chemicals used. For example, over the past two decades, farmers have excelled at replacing more toxic herbicides with less toxic ones, even when applied at a higher poundage.

“The article also lacks any mention of reduced or eliminated tillage as a result of increased use of GMOs on American soybean operations. Our farmers live on their land, drink from the wells, and rely on productive soil that will yield for their children and grandchildren as well. GMO technology provides for weed control without tilling the soil multiple times. This has dramatically increased the use of conservation tillage, reduced soil erosion, improved water quality, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

“While it is fair for the Times to point out that GMO technology is not a ‘silver bullet,’ it is important to remember that farmers are practical businesspeople. They look at what will give them the best total return, factoring in yield, seed price, input price and the price of practices like tillage. Farmers are not loyal to GMO technology based on principle, but rather on sound business logic, and overwhelmingly, these men and women have made the determination that GMO technologies make economic sense. The business judgements of millions of individual farmers – made each year for the past 20 years – provide a more complete picture about the benefits of GMOs than the New York Times’ cherry-picked data.”

IntelinAir Connects to John Deere Operations Center

Kelly MarshallAerial Imagery, Agribusiness, Connectivity, John Deere

intelinairlogo

Farmers find value in the integration of platforms, which is why IntelinAir‘s Ag-MRI Intelligence System has connected with the John Deere Operation Center.  Using John Deere’s API services the Ag-MRI’s aerial imagery analytics can now be used  with operational and in-field data to provide a comprehensive look at a grower’s fields.

Ag-MRI offers sophisticated computer vision and machine learning logarithms to detect complex patterns.  When variations from the patterns are detected the system alerts farmers of potential problems.

“Just as a medical MRI uses high-precision imagery to detect issues in the human body, IntelinAir’s Ag-MRI Intelligence System can pinpoint trouble spots and give farmers guidance on what to prioritize in their fields,” said Al Eisaian, Chairman & CEO and of IntelinAir. “We’re excited that farmers will be able to seamlessly integrate their operational data with our Ag-MRI Intelligence System through the Operations Center. They will be able to turn their vast data assets into actionable information that allows them to improve their productivity and generate significantly more profits.”

The product has gone through extensive testing in preparation for the 2017 growing season.

Eisaian explains, “By combining high resolution aerial imagery analytics, advanced agronomic sciences, and proprietary algorithms derived from computer vision and deep learning methods, we provide a detailed and actionable picture of what is happening in a farm field throughout the growing season.”

FMC Rhyme Controls Disease

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, CAPCA, FMC, Fungicides

Powdery mildew has been a stand-out problem in California according to Matt Rackerby, strategic business specialist for FMC. In fact, one grower told him that in 50 years of growing grapes, it’s the worst powdery mildew he’s ever seen. This season proved to be the perfect conditions for the disease to grow and people who didn’t address it early and often, struggled. So what is a good solution? I learned the answer from Rackerby during the 2016 CAPCA Conference & Agri-Expo that took place in Anaheim, California.

FMC's Matt Rackerby discussing Rhyme and Fracture fungicides during the 2016 CAPCA Conference.

FMC’s Matt Rackerby discussing Rhyme and Fracture fungicides during the 2016 CAPCA Conference.

FMC has a new product to specifically address this disease, Rhyme fungicide, and Rackerby said under heavy pressure, things looked good for growers who used the product. Rhyme is a FRAC 3 fungicide. It’s not a new class, but rather a new chemistry. “So what makes it a standout product in that class is that translocates very, very well. So well in fact, we’re expecting a label soon that allows chemigation. If you put it through a drip system the plant will suck it up,” Rackerby explained.

There is also a special label in Texas where Rhyme is helping to control a root rot that they don’t have in California. It’s controlling the root rot and it’s being taken up by the vines providing powdery mildew control as well.

“If you haven’t used a FRAC 3 fungicide for awhile because you think you wore it out, it’s time to come back to it now, but come back to the best one on the market and Rhyme fungicide is a good performer, said Rackerby. He added that its performance makes it a great tool for use in resistance management strategies. Besides rotating and tank mixing, he said other options are to find totally new fungicide classes to integrate into their programs such as Fracture fungicide, a new mode of action fungicide that helps control mid-season disease issues such as powdery mildew and botrytis.

I asked him what are the challenges going into the 2017 crop. He said that the biggest challenge is water. The growers have been getting less and less water each year, said Rackerby so they are having to learn new ways to conserve resources, but more water allocation for the state’s ag industry is needed.

To learn more, listen to my interview with Matt Rackerby here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/CAPCA16-fmc-rackerby1.mp3″ text=”Interview with Matt Rackerby, FMC on Rhyme and Fracture”]

I couldn’t resist asking Rackerby about an oldie but goodie FMC product, Shark® EW, herbicide. Rackerby said that while most PCA’s and growers know about the product, FMC is continually add to the label by adding crops and making the label more useful. Speaking of new uses, Rackerby said growers can now use Shark EW on alfalfa when they burn down during the dormant period. They can either add it to other products or they can use it alone. In the summer a grower can use it in between cuttings.

Learn more about Shark here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/CAPCA16-fmc-rackerby2.mp3″ text=”FMC’s Matt Rackerby on Shark EW”]

Be sure to check out even more action by viewing the 42nd Annual CAPCA Photo Album.

Legal: Always read and follow label directions. Shark EW herbicide is only registered for use in California. FMC Fracture, Koverall, Rhyme, Shark and Sovran are trademarks and Investing in farming’s future is a service mark of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. ©2016 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 16-FMC-0857, 10/16

Danforth Center Develops Field Phenotyping

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Data Collection, Research, technology

Photo credit http://www.phenode.net

Photo credit
http://www.phenode.net

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center uses research, education and outreach to impact food security and improve the human condition through plant science.  Now researchers are announcing the development of the PheNode, a “smart”, farm-ready, solar-powered environmental sensor and phenotyping station for crops.

“With a suite of diverse sensors on the PheNode, we can continuously monitor field crops for growth rate, stem diameter, height, leaf shape, leaf angles, canopy closure, light interception and the relationship of these traits to enhanced canopy photosynthesis. The PheNode will help crop science innovators to identify ideal canopy architectural and leaf metabolic features to breed crops for increased yield,” said Nadia Shakoor, Ph.D., research scientist in the Todd Mockler laboratory.

“We see a need for more sustainable crop production with minimal water and energy inputs, and a need to anticipate changing environmental conditions, like elevated CO2 levels, that will affect farming.”

The prototype Shakoor and her colleagues created was recently displayed at the 2016 Ag Innovation Showcase and SXSW Eco in Austin, Texas.  Visitors were able to view the modular sensors and camera that take real-time measurements of temperature, humidity, CO2, rainfall, air quality, wind speed, light quantity and quality, soil moisture, soil temperature, pH and nutrient composition.  With this level of information researchers can monitor within the plant canopy, offering detailed information for crop improvement and precision agriculture.

“Direct canopy measurements are particularly challenging due to inherent difficulties in taking the measurements, high levels of temporal and spatial variation, and an inability to generalize local measurements to the landscape scale,” continued Shakoor. “The PheNode provides growers with an affordable and comprehensive crop phenotyping system that will provide a snapshot into a crop plant’s environment.”

The PheNode can also provided images of crop roots in the soil in real time.  The device is powered by a solar panel with backup battery.  Data can either be stored locally or over Bluetooth or WiFi.  These features were designed as part of a larger effort by the Danforth Center to get research out of the laboratory and into the marketplace.

“The PheNode uses quite sophisticated imaging and sensor technology that we use in advanced research to understand how plants work,” said James Carrington, Ph.D., president of the Danforth Center. “Delivering it to the farm will help growers make better decisions to manage their crops, reduce their environmental footprint and costs.”

“When the PheNode was presented in front of investors, farmers and the industry at Ag Innovation Showcase, we received positive feedback and found a niche market demanding a product like this in the field,” said Mockler. “The positive feedback validates the investment of the Department of Energy’s ARPA-E, the TERRA program which has partially supported PheNode development. The next phase for the PheNode is aligning with investors who seek to impact agriculture by giving farmers and breeders the ability to have and use vital information at their fingertips.”