Valent and MGK Enter into Agreement

Cindy ZimmermanAgribusiness, Crop Protection

valent-mgk Valent U.S.A. Corporation (Valent) has entered into an agreement to manage the marketing and sales of Minneapolis-based MGK’s crop protection line of insect control products within the United States. The marketing agreement, which broadens Valent’s agricultural insecticide portfolio in the U.S. market, will start on April 1, 2015.

MGK will continue to manufacture their products, provide regulatory support for the active ingredients and collaborate with Valent on developmental projects. The companies are working together to ensure a smooth business transition for customers, as well as to build upon the outstanding customer service model of Valent, with seamless integration.

Calcium Products Opens World Headquarters

Talia GoesAgribusiness, Calcium Products

cpCalcium Products — North America’s leading producer of precision soil amendments that improve soil quality to maximize nutrient uptake and strengthen yields — recently celebrated the grand opening of its new headquarters located at the Iowa State University Research Park. Included is a new research and development laboratory and customer support center. Company CEO Mike Hogan also announced the expansion of Calcium Product’s sales force to support increased demand for its products in the US and Canada.

“Our new headquarters and R&D lab is located in the heart of the Midwest and right next door to Iowa State University, a worldwide leader in agriculture practices and soil sciences,” says Hogan. “Managing soil quality is now a critical component of profitable farming as growers optimize their nutrients to maximize yields and return on their investment. Our new facilities will help us accelerate the development of more precision soil amendments that enable crops to absorb more nutrients and produce greater yields while protecting the environment at the same time.”

Calcium Products’ headquarters were previously located in Gilmore City, Iowa, one of its five (5) North American manufacturing and distribution facilities.

Ag, Interior Departments Measure Conservation Water Quality

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Conservation, farm land, Government, USDA, water

usda-logoThe USDA and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a new partnership agreement that will provide a clearer picture of the benefits of farmers’ conservation practices on the quality of our Nation’s water. Working together, USDA’s NRCS and DOI’s USGS will quantify the benefits of voluntary agricultural practices at a watershed scale. This information will strengthen the effectiveness of state and federal nutrient reduction strategies while protecting the privacy of individual farmers. The agreement was announced at the Mississippi River Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force Meeting.

“On a voluntary basis, the agricultural community has put extensive effort into the management of nutrients and reducing runoff into waterways. This collaboration will help evaluate the impact of farmers’ conservation efforts on improving water quality,” said Ann Mills, USDA’s deputy under secretary for Natural Resources and Environment.

Mills said when hundreds of farms take action in one watershed, it can make a difference-it can help prevent an algal bloom downstream or lessen the need for water treatment plants to treat for nitrates.

The U.S. Geological Survey will now use Natural Resources Conservation Service data on conservation work to factor into its surface water quality models, which track how rivers receive and transport nutrients from natural and human sources to downstream reservoirs and estuaries. This information will help provide a more accurate picture of the conservation systems in the watershed that contribute to water quality improvement and will provide crucial information for voluntary nutrient management strategies and watershed planning.

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Precision Sugarcane Harvesting

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Conservation, CTIC, Harvesting, John Deere


2014 CTIC Conservation in Action Tour Photo Album

ctic-14-cane-harvestIn addition to seeing sugarcane planting on the the 2014 CTIC Conservation in Action tour, we also got to see harvesting – yes, they can do both at the same time of year in the sunny south!

“We harvest with one mechanical harvester per row, each one geared with auto steer and trash extraction systems,” says Ken McDuffie, senior VP of sugarcane operations for U.S. Sugar. “They’re harvesting about 50 tons an hour per machine.” That’s almost 1.2 acres an hour – or about 1000 tons per machine, per day.

All of U.S. Sugar’s cane harvesters are John Deere models and all use JD Link. “Each machine is wired in with JD Link so we can see engine health, RPMs at all times, fuel burn,” McDuffie said. “We were able to conserve about 1-2 gallons per hour (of fuel) last year using monitoring systems on the engines from John Deere.”

It was only about 20 years ago that all of the sugarcane harvesting in Florida was done by hand, as it is still done in less developed countries. “Each machine replaced about 40-50 people, back in the hand cut days,” said McDuffie.

Listen to my interview with Ken here and watch the video below to hear more and see the harvesters in action: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/ctic/ctic-14-mcduffie.MP3″ text=”Interview with Ken McDuffie, U.S. Sugar”]

In case you are wondering about the birds, snowy egrets follow the harvesters around the fields to eat up the worms and bugs the machines dig up.


No Doubt RFS Uncertainty Impacts Local Communities

Jamie JohansenZimmPoll

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Has the uncertainty for the RFS caused by the EPA hurt your community?”

No doubt the uncertainty for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) caused by the EPA has hurt many of our communities. This unpredictability has been around over a year and has left many wondering what the final renewable fuel volumes will be. I am sure the uncertainty has impacted our lives more then many even are aware.

Here are the poll results:

  • Yes, lost local business/jobs – 73%
  • No, no impact – 27%
  • Don’t know – 0%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What should US do about WTO COOL ruling?

The industry has reacted to the World Trade Organization (WTO) decision against the United States on the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law since the announcement was made earlier this week. Some feel the issue can be handled by USDA, others feel Congress should take charge. Or are there are other options?

EPA Findings on Neonicotinoid Seed Treatments

Cindy ZimmermanGovernment, seed, Soybeans

epaThe Environmental Protection Agency has released an analysis of the benefits of neonicotinoid seed treatments for insect control in soybeans. Neonicotinoid pesticides are a class of insecticides widely used on U.S. crops that EPA is reviewing with particular emphasis for their impact on pollinators. The analysis concluded that there is little or no increase in soybean yields using most neonicotinoid seed treatments when compared to using no pest control at all. A Federal Register notice inviting the public to comment on the analysis will publish in the near future.

“We have made the review of neonicotinoid pesticides a high priority,” said Jim Jones, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “In our analysis of the economic benefits of this use we concluded that, on a national scale, U.S. soybean farmers see little or no benefit from neonicotinoid seed treatments.”

During the review of the neonicotinoids, EPA found that many scientific publications claim that treating soybean seeds has little value. Part of our assessment examined the effectiveness of these seed treatments for pest control and estimated the impacts on crop yields and quality, as well as financial losses and gains. The law requires EPA to consider the benefits of using pesticides as well as the risks.

The analysis concluded that:
– There is no increase in soybean yield using most neonicotinoid seed treatments when compared to using no pest control at all.
– Alternative insecticides applied as sprays are available and effective.
– All major alternatives are comparable in cost.
– Neonicotinoid seed treatment could provide an insurance benefit against sporadic and unpredictable insect pests, but this potential benefit is not likely to be large or widespread throughout the United States.

This analysis is an important part of the science EPA will use to move forward with the assessment of the risks and benefits under registration review for the neonicotinoid pesticides. Registration review can result in EPA discontinuing certain uses, placing limits on the pesticide registration, and requiring other label changes.

Sign up for pesticide program updates to be notified by email when the EPA opens the docket and invites comment on its analysis of the benefits of neonicotinoid seed treatments on soybeans.

Yield Lab, Arch Grants Team Up for Ag Tech

John DavisAgribusiness, technology

yield-labA business accelerator that invests in sustainable methods of increasing the world food supply and a St. Louis-based non-profit entrepreneurial organization that builds successful companies team up to further the cause of agriculture technology. The Yield Lab and Arch Grants announced their partnership to help ag tech startups in the St. Louis region.

“LifePack is an international company from Cali, Colombia which manufactures plates and other items made of natural plant fibers and seeds that germinate in a backyard garden or landfill when exposed to light, air, and water,” explained Ginger Imster, Executive Director of Arch Grants. “The Yield Lab is an ideal location for LifePack to headquarter because of its network of major agricultural players in the St. Louis Region.”

thad-simonsLifePack will join the Yield Lab on-site at the Helix Center and participate in the 2015 Yield Lab program which will focus on direct business training, mentoring, and networking opportunities. “We have a long list of resources that will provide high value and growth potential for LifePack,” said Thad Simons, Lead Managing Partner of the Yield Lab, “we look forward to working with LifePack and a continued relationship with Arch Grants to tap into the growing Agriculture Technology sector.”

This is just the beginning of the partnership between the ag and entrepreneurial groups. Yield Lab’s inaugural 2015 class will have four to six companies with the program beginning in January. The Yield Lab is accepting applications through October 31, 2014 and Arch Grants will open its 2015 application January 1, 2015.

Pacific Ag Converts Biomass to Dollars for Growers

Joanna SchroederAgribusiness, Audio, biomass, Ethanol, Harvesting

Last week Abengoa’s cellulosic ethanol biorefinery went online and is expected to produce 25 million gallons of advanced ethanol per year as well as 21 MW of bioenergy. But how exactly does the corn and wheat residue get from the fields to the biorefinery in a economical and efficient way? Enter Pacific Ag.

Bill Levy Pacific AgThe company was founded by Bill Levy in 1998 and began by baling residue for growers and using the biomass for animal feed both in the U.S. and internationally. It was a natural progression for Pacific Ag to get involved in cellulosic production in the U.S. and to become a major supplier to the industry.

I asked Levy to talk about their residue removal model. He noted that since their inception, they have always focused on having a balanced residue program for growers and they are finding value for those products for them. So taking their successful model from the Northwest and applying it to the Midwest was a good fit. “The fundamentals of having residue removed on a timely basis and in a sustainable way is really the same,” explained Levy. Today they are in California, North Carolina, Iowa, Kansas and he says they have innovated to become “energy balers” because of the new bioenergy market for residue.

It’s very easy for a grower to work with Pacific Ag. Levy explained that if a grower has five circles of corn, for example, he/she can call Pacific Ag after harvest and they will schedule a time for them to come in and bale the biomass. “We have a very predictable payment schedule. You get 50 percent when the stack is created and 50 percent when the stack moves,” explained Levy. He said they also have a great paperwork system to track all the bales, the tons and their movement.

Pacific Ag Hugoton Kansas teamHe added that what’s nice is to have growers contact them early to let them know how many circles they want harvested because they put so much effort into planning for the season but a grower can add circles after he sees the value of Pacific Ag and his neighbor can call after he harvests his field when he sees the significant revenue stream the biomass provides others.

“And I think as the world starts to look at renewable energy, I think agriculture is going to be the benefactor,” added Levy.

Pacific Ag is looking for growers of rice, wheat, corn and other biomass crops who are interested in working with them. As the markets for biomass continue to explode, Pacific Ag is ready to be the partner to help make the growers who plant the bioenergy crops, successful.

Learn more about Pacific Ag and how to become involved in the biomass energy revolution by listening to my interview with Bill Levy: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/Joanna audio/abengoa-pacificag-levy-14.mp3″ text=”Interview with Bill Levy, Pacific Ag”]

Abengoa Cellulosic Ethanol Plant Grand Opening photo album.

Learn More About Plant Sap Analysis

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, agronomy, Audio, Data, Nutrient Management, technology

Michelle Gregg is the Executive Director for Crop Health Laboratories (CHL) and Leah spoke with her about the new company’s upcoming event and opportunities they have for growers across the country. Part of CHL’s business model is using an existing technology that is new to North America. This new technology is called plant sap analysis which offers a different management option for growers.

The Power Growers Seminar will take place Nov. 7 & 8 in Santa Clara, CA. The educational event will introduce plant sap analysis to growers. Along with data that have been collected through the first year’s trials across North America is various crops.

“The results are really promising especially for greenhouse producers and those who have year-round production models. The purpose of the seminar is to provide connectivity to university researchers, specialty growers and consultants. Allowing them to come together at the same table, have limited and exclusive access to our pilot data, comment and ask questions on the system and give us feedback so we can make the best program possible.”

The Netherlands-based company, NovaCropControl, has been utilizing this technology for 10 years. Michelle says they deserve the credit for creating the technology. There has been significant response to this technology in Europe and Netherlands, which has a high population of greenhouse production.

Michelle said the seminar will truly introduce growers to the concept of having ultimate control of your crops nutrient management program. CHL really wants to gather the perspectives from producers on the East and West coasts, from Canada and everywhere in between.

“We are humbled by some of the responses we are getting. Granted this is our first year in North America, the main responses we are getting is ‘this program really allows me to critically evaluate my nutrient management and verify that what I am putting on my soil is really reaching the target tissue.’ That is one of the benefits of analyzing the sap verses analyzing the tissue itself. You can collect the nutrient information prior to metabolism by the plant.”

Stay tuned for our full coverage of the Power Growers Seminar in just a few weeks. For more information on the event visit www.crophealthlabs.com/sap-analysis-seminar/.

Listen to Leah’s complete interview with Michelle here: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/chl/chl-greg-preview.mp3″ text=”Interview with Michelle Gregg, Crop Health Laboratories”]

Global Yield Gap Unveiled at Water for Food Conference

Jamie JohansenFood, International, Research, water

Water for food logoFinding of the Global Yield Gap and Water Productivity Atlas were unveiled this week at the sixth annual Water for Food Global Conference. The outcome of a six-year international collaborative research effort led by the Daugherty Water for Food Institute at the University of Nebraska and Wageningen University in the Netherlands, the Atlas is the first transparent, interactive and map-based web platform to estimate exploitable gaps in yield and water productivity for major food crops worldwide.

According to the Atlas, sub-Saharan Africa has the world’s largest gap in farm yields at 70-90 percent below their potential. The data show that Sub-Saharan Africa – primarily smallholder farmers practicing subsistence agriculture in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda – can potentially increase yields of existing farms by more than twofold. Other studies show that Ethiopia’s surface water and groundwater supplies could irrigate 10 times as much land than they are right now.

yield-gapThe Atlas can help farmers, policy makers, foundations and private sector organizations identify regions with the greatest potential to sustainably produce more food with strategic use of resources. The Atlas also provides a digital platform for analyzing location-specific crop production and land-use changes, as well as the potential impact of certain crops or new agriculture technologies on specific areas.

“Producing enough food to meet the demands of more than 9 billion people in 2050, while conserving natural resources and ecosystems, depends on improving crop yields on existing farm land around the world,” said Roberto Lenton, founding executive director of the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute at the University of Nebraska. “The foremost use for the Atlas is to leverage data to identify opportunities to strategically increase yield and water productivity of existing cropland, rather than tilling more land that may not be ideal for sustainable crop production.”

Find out more at YieldGap.org.