Dr. Sanjaya Rajaram Awarded 2014 World Food Prize

Joanna SchroederAward, Food, wheat, World Food

Dr. Sanjaya Rajaram was awarded the 2014 World Food Prize was awarded on World Food Day, October 16, 2014. A wheat breeder who has developed more than 400 varieties of the crop, he was born in a small village in India and is now citizen of Mexico. Dr. Rajaram conducted the majority of his research in Mexico at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).

World Food PrizeDr. Rajaram’s scientific research led to a prodigious increase in world wheat production – by more than 200 million tons. His crossing of winter and spring wheat varieties, which were distinct gene pools that had been isolated from one another for hundreds of years, led to his development of plants that have higher yields and dependability under a wide range of environments around the world. He also developed wheat varieties resistant to the rust disease that can wipe out entire fields, thus protecting the world’s food supply.

“This award honors the resilience and innovative spirit of farmers in the developing world and the national agricultural systems,” Dr. Rajaram said as he accepted the award. “Without their contributions my research would not have been possible. The mission was – and the mission remains – to serve them.”

As the World Food Prize culminates the centennial year of its founder and Dr. Rajaram’s mentor, Dr. Norman Borlaug, it is especially fitting to recognize the impact of Dr. Rajaram’s achievements.

“Dr. Rajaram worked closely with Dr. Borlaug, succeeding him as head of the wheat breeding program at CIMMYT in Mexico, and then carried forward and expanded upon his work, breaking new ground with his own invaluable achievements. His breakthrough breeding technologies have had a far-reaching and significant impact in providing more food around the globe and alleviating world hunger,” said Amb. Kenneth M. Quinn, President of The World Food Prize. “Dr. Borlaug himself called Dr. Rajaram ‘the greatest present-day wheat scientist in the world’ and ‘a scientist of great vision.’ It is an honor to recognize Dr. Rajaram today for his development of an astounding 480 varieties of wheat, bred to offer higher yields, resistance to the catastrophic rust disease, and that thrive in a wide array of climates.”

Bio S.I.’s AG Select Puts Life Back into Rebuilding Soil

John DavisAgribusiness, Nitrogen, Nutrient Management, Soil

Mother Nature has a pretty good formula for restoring the health to soils: using microbes to help break down organic matter. While chemicals can help replenish lots of the nutrients, they don’t provide the natural, living spark that helps turn that matter into energy and food for plants. That’s where Bio S.I.’s AG Select comes in. It restores all 16 key nutrients to the soil and to give plants the means to optimally uptake these nutrients and ensure protective measures against potential threats to this process.

BioSIagselectAG Select is a powerful seed treatment from Bio S.I.’s extensive and effective line of microbial solutions to rebuild, renew and restore soil, as nature intended. The formula includes four different kinds of mycorrhizae; which are beneficial fungi that help the plants get nutrients and water from the soil they would not normally be able to get. Microbes, fungi, and many other life forms in the soil are constantly working together to feed the plants so that the plant in turn feeds them. Once nutrients are returned, the plant gains the mycorrhizae benefits of the comparatively larger surface area of mycelium to root ratio, thus improving the plant’s mineral absorption capabilities2. Microbes similarly work to improve water retention and soil ingestion; as humus, created from microbes naturally digesting organic matter, is advantageous to root penetration and development[2].

“Maintaining continuous soil quality is the key to productive agriculture.” Bio S.I.’s Founder Wayne Tucker explains, “The very meaning of sustainability.” Healthy, diverse soil systems have the ability to sustain plants naturally, and without as many chemical inputs. Bio S.I.’s Agriculture and Agriculture Select formulas give farmers the key to unlock the full potential of their soil, in both nutrient release and plant vigor naturally.

Bio S.I. officials say the microbes and mycorrhizae work to take up space pathogens need to grow and provide necessary nutrients to maintain a vigorous plant immune system. Also, a broad and diverse spectrum of soil microbes diminish soil-borne pathogens because of a lack of food sources and space.

Water Policy in Florida

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Conservation, CTIC, water, Water Management

Florida is the third largest state in terms of population and the 14th in agricultural production, so competition for water resources is fierce in the Sunshine State.

ctic-14-budell“Population growth is a big factor in driving water use demand and that will continue in Florida,” said Richard Budell, who is director of water policy for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). “The challenge we’ll face is that as those domestic demands grow we don’t lose sight of the fact that agriculture has to continue to have access to adequate quantities of water.”

Budell told the 2014 CTIC Conservation in Action tour last week that Florida’s 47,000 private farms account for 52% of the state’s land use but less than half of the water use. Some of the state’s most populous regions, such as Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and the counties around Tampa and Orlando, are also the most agriculturally productive. “Where that nexus occurs, it makes managing that water balance that much more difficult,” he said.

During his presentation during lunch, Budell provided lots of interesting information about Florida agricultural production and natural resources. [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/ctic/ctic-14-budell-talk.mp3″ text=”Presentation by FDACS water policy director Rich Budell on CTIC tour”]

I also interviewed Rich about some of his key points and also questioned him about how the state ag department views the proposed Waters of the United States rule: [wpaudio url=”http://www.zimmcomm.biz/ctic/ctic-14-budell-interview.mp3″ text=”Interview with Rich Budell, Florida Department of Agriculture”]


2014 CTIC Conservation in Action Tour Photo Album

Depts. of Ag, Interior to Measure Conservation Impacts

John DavisConservation, Government, USDA

usda-interiorA new partnership between the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and the Interior looks to better measure the impacts of farmers’ conservation practices on the quality of the country’s water. Officials say the information gathered will strengthen the effectiveness of state and federal nutrient reduction strategies while protecting the privacy of individual farmers.

“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.

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 agreement will allow NRCS and USGS to combine resource management capabilities with science, and will give us the information we need to prioritize the most effective conservation strategies so that we can improve the quality of streams throughout the Mississippi River Basin,” said Lori Caramanian, DOI deputy assistant secretary for Water and Science.

The two agencies say they will protect the private information about individual farms, ranches or forests.

3D Robotics Launches New Mapping Drones

John DavisAerial Imagery, Data, UAV

x8-m1Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) maker 3D Robotics has launched a new line of drones that come with all-in-one 2D and 3D mapping features. The California-based company says its new Aero-M (fixed wing) and X8-M (multi-copter) devices offer the most cost-effective, accurate and repeatable aerial perspectives for farms that could give producers images so good they could see right “down to the grape.”

Each platform is bundled with both hardware and software solutions, including a high-resolution visible-spectrum camera, protective hard-case, auto-pilot controlled image acquisition and professional image processing software powered by Pix4D, 3DR’s newest business partner. The starting price point of only $5,400 is the new industry leader, with the nearest competitor’s option at nearly five times the cost.

aero-m1The new 3DR Mapping Platforms have a simple, fully automated three-step workflow: plan, fly, process. The flight planning software computes flight paths over a selected area to survey and calculate exactly which pictures to take and when. While in flight, the drones automatically capture those images and geo-tag each capture to note the exact location. When the drone lands, the user immediately has a series of crisp and accurate images that can then be geo-referenced by the Pix4D software to automatically create a high-resolution, ortho-rectified 2D mosaic map (or 3D model depending on chosen edition) that delivers accurate and immediately actionable data.

“With 3DR Mapping Platforms, you’ll simply reduce your costs and increase your yields,” said Brandon Basso, senior R&D engineer at 3DR. “That’s what makes this platform a real tool. We’ve automated all the hard parts. So it’s not the future of work, it’s here now, and frankly it could cause a revolution through the price alone.”

The company goes on to say that farmers should find the aerial perspective invaluable, as it enables enhanced crop and water usage understanding. In addition, in conservation and land and resource management applications, 3DR Mapping Platforms can increase understanding of how we use precious land and water resources.

Officials add the X8-M offers low-flying and high accuracy mapping, with a fully redundant propulsion system for increased reliability, while the Aero-M fixed-wing platform offers incredible endurance and coverage area, with 40 minutes of flight and 250 acres of coverage.

Ag Retailers to Talk Precision Ag, Cover Crops at Conference

John DavisAg Group, Agribusiness, Cover Crops, Retailers

ARAconf1Precision agriculture and cover crops are just two of the subjects to be highlighted at the upcoming Agricultural Retailers Association Annual Conference and Expo, December 2-4 at the Sheraton in New Orleans’ French Quarter. To help you navigate these trends, organizers encourage you to navigate over to the conference website and get registered now before the conference rates increase on October 31.

Meeting the Needs of Precision Growers

Precision growers Brad Murray, Jeff Wilson and Byron Seward will anchor a panel discussion on precision agriculture moderated by Dr. Dave Downey. The group will examine how ag retailers can best support the agronomic, technological and mechanical needs of ultra-precision farmers…

“Precision farming is not really an extraneous module to us. It’s not extracurricular,” Byron said. “It’s the way we farm – everything we do is focused around precision agriculture.”

Cover Your Assets: The Business Case for Adding Cover Crops to Your Retail Operation

Dr. Rob Myers, Regional Director of Extension Programs for the USDA North Central Region Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education program and agronomy faculty at the University of Missouri, will examine a topic that has ag retailers running for cover — cover crops, that is. He will address how adding cover crops to your ag retail business can help add to your bottom line.

More information on the conference is available here.

Next Steps in eBusiness for Agriculture

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Data, Events

AgGatewayAgGateway has released details of extensive educational programming that will be offered at its 2014 Annual Conference, “Cultivating eBusiness for Global Success”, November 10-13 in Phoenix, Ariz.

“This year we’ve put an even greater focus on making sure the agricultural industry is aware of the many resources available – and the path forward – to getting your company better connected electronically with your trading partners,” said Karen Thomas, Southern States Cooperative, who serves as the 2014 Annual Conference Committee Chair. “We’ll have sessions to help companies get connected more rapidly, how to access the many resources available, and ways to navigate such timely issues as Big Data and data privacy.”

A partial list of the conference offerings includes:
– eBusiness and the Value Chain
– Auto Identification Data Capture (AIDC)
– The Why and How of Trading Partner Connectivity and Electronic Data Exchange
– Emerging Technologies Forum
– AgGateway Global Network, Continuing the Vision
– Paperless Fertilizer Tonnage Reporting
– Enabling Decisions Using Precision Ag Tools
– Interoperability, Sustainability & Big Data’s Impact on Agriculture

AgGateway’s Annual Conference is expected to draw hundreds of business and IT professionals from across the ag industry to discuss ongoing activities and the latest resources in implementing eBusiness between agricultural trading partners. Attendance at the conference has doubled in the past four years.

Heavy Metal Tour Showcases New Food Processor Products

Jamie JohansenAgribusiness, Food, technology

HeavymetaltourCambridge Engineered Solutions, the world’s largest manufacturer of metal conveyor belts for industrial and food processing, recently unveiled the first leg of its Heavy Metal Tour to introduce new product lines at plants across the U.S. Combining creative elements of a concert tour with today’s popular food trucks, the company is visiting 30 customers over six-weeks in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.

“The Heavy Metal Tour is a great opportunity for our customer service team to connect with valued clients and strengthen business relationships,” said Tracy Tyler, Cambridge CEO. “Our Southeast customers include many baked good, snack and poultry companies looking for production innovations to increase efficiencies and food safety.” She added, “Heavy Metal allows us to bring those solutions and capabilities directly to our valued customers.”

At each stop, Cambridge specialists evaluate conveyor systems, conduct technical workshops and preview new capabilities for the food processing industry. The team also serves breakfast or lunch featuring products made on Cambridge belts from the mobile ‘food truck’ counter.

The inaugural six-week tour is being coordinated with Atlanta-based Belt Power. “As a full-service conveyor components distributor and fabricator, we’ve carried Cambridge’s metal belts and filtration screens for more than 12 years,” said John Shelton, President. “They’ve earned a reputation for outstanding products and service in our key markets. We’re proud to partner with them on this engaging outreach campaign.”

The 25-foot RV is adorned with the Heavy Metal Tour logo and super graphics of Cambridge belts. The customized interior features the company’s signature metal fabric on counters, shelves and tables. The showroom includes model conveyors, belt samples and new products. A second leg scheduled for early 2015 will take the Heavy Metal Tour to Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

“Cambridge became the world’s leading manufacturer of metal belts by building our business one customer at a time,” said Brand Manager Nicole Evans. “While technology makes it possible to communicate with anyone, anywhere, anytime; we believe our greatest value as a company is the emphasis we place on longstanding, personal relationships.”

Solution to End World Hunger: GMOs

Joanna Schroederbiotechnology, Food, GMO

NCPA Future of Farming and Rise of Biotech ReportA new report, “The Future of Farming and Rise of Biotechnology,” finds decreasing regulations on genetically modified crops (GMOs) could be a valuable strategy in combating global hunger. The report was released by the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA).

NCPA Research Associate David Weisser notes that Nobel Prize winner Norman Borlaug’s use of biotechnology has been credited with saving 1 billion lives. “Placing limitations on the advancements of Borlaug and other pioneers only hurts the world’s starving population,” he stressed.

Around the globe, biotech crops have been used to increase the yield of crops used for both food and fuel. The study highlights several key biotech success stories:

  • In India, the adoption of biotech cotton has reduced both the need for pesticides and increased agricultural yields, raised the incomes of cotton farmers and farm laborers, and created a more environmentally friendly, technologically advanced agricultural economy.
  • Through the use of biotech sugar, Brazil has increased the average annual sugar yield by 20 tons per hectare. The country now produces and uses enough sugarcane ethanol to downgrade gasoline to an alternative fuel.
    88 percent of the corn grown in the United States has been altered utilizing biotechnology.

Weisser concluded, “Global hunger will only continue to increase and combating it will not be easy, yet the world is fortunate in that a wealth of research is dedicated to the advancement of farming. Through advanced research and new farming methods, hunger can be fought and conquered.”

AgEagle RAPID Delivers Automation and Accuracy

Jamie JohansenAerial Imagery, Agribusiness, Aviation, UAS, UAV

IMG_4071-1-XLAgEagle, LLC., announced a groundbreaking advancement in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) automation and post-flight data processing via its new AgEagle RAPID, the most advanced and comprehensive UAV operations management system specifically developed for professional agronomists and crop consultants.

Imagine heading out into the field carrying only the AgEagle flying wing and your tablet or smartphone. AgEagle launches automatically and begins tabulating its own scan patterns as it ascends, adjusting its flight path for wind and other factors, as well as optimizing camera settings such as lens focus and shutter speed – all on the fly.

The entire flight of the AgEagle including launches, field scans and even landings are automatic – and within 15-20 minutes after landing the just captured aerial images are geo-referenced and orthorectified, into a valuable image Mosaic and pushed through RAPID’s cloud-based automated data transfer network directly to the agronomist or consultant’s tablet or smartphone.

Imagine then being able to immediately physically inspect (ie. ground truth) areas of concern found in the imagery by walking directly to their geo-referenced locations in the field – saving a trip back to the office to process the data, as well as a return trip to the field to ground truth the crops. Or imagine the level of service you can provide a grower by having a finalized digital prescription application map within minutes not hours. This is all possible with the world-changing abilities of RAPID.

“We truly believe that this system is the missing link for UAVs in precision agriculture,” said Bret Chillcot, owner and CEO. “As any seasoned or novice agronomist can tell you, time is always of the essence when we’re talking about fertilizer, fungicide or micronutrient applications – basically any input decision on the farm is extremely time sensitive. It’s amazing how quickly decisions can be made, and how much time RAPID can save both the grower and the agronomist or crop consultant. All that is required is the AgEagle UAV and a tablet or a smartphone – tools that pretty much every agronomist is already uses.”