DEVELOPMENTS
The University of Missouri-Kansas City was named a Research 1 (R1) institution by the Carnegie Foundation on February 1. That status is given to universities with the highest level of research activity. UMKC joins the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri-Columbia as regional R1 universities. With this new designation, UMKC becomes the metro area's first top-ranked research university, which in turn could bring more funding possibilities and talent to the area. “It means we can attract and retain national and world-class researchers, more funding, better graduate students, and partner up with other peer institutions to get and receive grants and contracts,” UMKC trustee Dick Flanigan said. To achieve R1 status, schools must spend $50 million on research and award 70 research doctorates annually. Source: Kansas City Business Journal, February 13, 2025.
Green Bay, Wisconsin-based American Foods Group announced that its greenfield beef harvest facility, America’s Heartland Packing, is in the final stages of construction. The $800 million state-of-the-art mixed cattle facility based in Wright City, Missouri, will begin operations in April 2025. The project broke ground in 2022, laying the foundation for the 775,000-square-foot plant that will include a harvest floor, carcass chillers, fabrication area, rendering, further processing area, storage coolers, freezers, and loading docks. The company will have the capacity to process 2,400 head of cattle per day once fully operational. “America’s Heartland Packing is a game changer for Missouri agriculture,” said Chris Chinn, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. “The impact of this plant not only reaches producers but also feed stores, farm supply stores, and veterinary clinics in towns across the area as producers retain cattle for processing. We welcome American Foods Group and thank them for bringing this family-owned business to Missouri.” The new facility is projected to create 1,300 jobs when at full capacity. By building within Missouri’s robust agricultural community, AFG looks to bring beef processing closer to cattle production, reducing costs and energy usage.
Farm Journal, based in Lenexa, Kansas, has acquired the Moving Iron Summit and Moving Iron podcast. Casey Seymour, Moving Iron’s co-founder, will take on the role of general manager of machinery, which includes the Machinery Pete and Moving Iron brands. The acquisition and combination of Machinery Pete and Moving Iron create the most powerful source for actionable insight about agricultural equipment in the country. Farm Journal completed the Moving Iron acquisition in January. The company also completed its acquisition of Machinery Pete at that time. Previously, Farm Journal had been a majority investor in Machinery Pete. “Farm Journal has served both agriculture producers and agriculture equipment dealers for years as a partner in Machinery Pete,” said Prescott Shibles, CEO of Farm Journal.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sen. Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) reintroduced the Promoting Precision Agriculture Act, which would facilitate further adoption of precision agriculture technologies for farmers and ranchers. The bill would encourage the government to work with the private sector to develop voluntary interconnectivity standards and prioritize the cybersecurity needed to support innovation in the agriculture industry. “Farmers and ranchers are always looking for ways to improve their operations, especially in states like South Dakota, where agriculture is the backbone of our economy,” said Thune, who has helped write four farm bills throughout his time in Congress. He will continue introducing farm bill proposals ahead of the current bill’s expiration in September 2025.
Ames, Iowa-based Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) and the Supporters of Agricultural Research Foundation announced on February 10 that they will combine their operations to advance agricultural science and innovation. Through their agreement, CAST will acquire SoAR’s assets, and all SoAR materials will be integrated into CAST’s website. The effort will combine SoAR’s impactful policy and research initiatives with CAST’s extensive network of experts and communication capabilities. As a leader in communicating science-based information to policymakers, industry leaders, the media, and the public, CAST will expand on SoAR’s legacy of advancing agricultural scientific breakthroughs. CAST is a nonprofit organization established in 1972 to provide a scientific voice for agriculture. It provides credible, unbiased, science-based information about food and agriculture to policymakers, the media, the private sector, and the public. CAST convenes and coordinates networks of experts to assemble, interpret, and communicate credible, unbiased, science-based information. “This agreement represents a shared vision to elevate the importance of agricultural research,” said Chris Boomsma, CEO at CAST.
U.S. farmers retained their post-election optimism at the start of the new year. The January Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index rose 5 points above December to a reading of 141. The barometer’s rise was primarily attributable to a 9-point rise in the Current Conditions Index, while the Future Expectations Index rose just 3 points. Compared to recent surveys, fewer producers this month pointed to lower crop and livestock prices as a top concern, which helped explain why producers felt better about the current situation. The shift in attitudes was attributable in part to an improvement in crop prices from the December to the January survey. Although producers’ appraisal of the current situation improved in January, U.S. farmers remain markedly more optimistic about the future than the current situation, as the Future Expectations Index this month was still 47 points above the Current Conditions Index. The January barometer survey took place from January 13–17, 2025.
Following her Senate confirmation, Brooke Rollins was sworn in as the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture on Thursday, February 13, 2025. “It is the honor of a lifetime to serve as the nation’s thirty-third Secretary of Agriculture—and a privilege beyond description to have the trust of President Donald J. Trump and the opportunity to advance his agenda. I am thrilled to lead the United States Department of Agriculture and to serve the people of this country,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “Every day, I will fight for American farmers, ranchers, and the agriculture community. Together, we have a historic opportunity to revitalize rural America and to ensure that U.S. agriculture remains the best in the world for generations to come.”
The Kansas Corn Growers Association thanked the full Kansas congressional delegation for cosigning bills introduced in the U.S. Senate and House to allow year-round sales of E15 (15 percent ethanol) fuel nationwide. “Our full congressional delegation understands the importance of leveling the playing field for ethanol by removing unnecessary limits for the sale of E15 fuel to benefit consumers, farmers, and the Kansas economy,” Kansas Corn Growers Association CEO Josh Roe said. “This bill has broad industry support from corn, ethanol, and oil organizations.” The bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act was introduced in the Senate by Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and in the House by Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Angie Craig (D-MN). Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall cosponsored the bill. On the House side, District 1 Rep. Tracey Mann; District 2 Rep. Derek Schmidt; District 3 Rep. Sharice Davids; and District 4 Rep. Ron Estes cosponsored the bill. An outdated federal rule restricts the sale of E15 in the summer, the peak driving season. This legislation would allow summer E15 sales, providing consumers with year-round access to a lower-cost, higher-quality fuel. “Kansas Corn has been successful in helping fuel retailers increase the availability of E15, with over 150 stations across Kansas offering E15 and higher blends. Unfortunately, every year we have been forced to rely on emergency waivers to allow the use of E15 in the summer. This legislation would ensure consumers across Kansas and the United States will have year-round access to this cleaner, higher-octane, lower-priced fuel,” Roe said.
A new analysis from CoBank finds that growing domestic consumption will have only modest effects on overall U.S. ethanol demand, and exports will drive industry growth. U.S. ethanol has been a rare bright spot in agricultural trade in recent years. In 2024, exports reached a new peak of 1.9 billion gallons, up around 510 million gallons from 2023. The CoBank report argues this export growth “had a greater impact than the incremental increases in domestic use of higher-level ethanol blends.” More than a half dozen U.S. trading partners have blend rate targets above their current levels—including the European Union, Canada, and Colombia. Further, the U.S.’s largest competitor in international markets, Brazil, is increasingly diverting ethanol for use in the domestic market. Accordingly, the report anticipates annual U.S. exports could grow further in 2025 and 2026 to more than 2 billion gallons. However, the report says much could depend on continued renewable fuel incentives in foreign markets, electric vehicle adoption, and tariff retaliation. “Political sentiment abroad may dampen some ethanol inclusion rates if nations roll back low-carbon policies or miss biofuel targets,” the report says. However, with global demand set to continue its upward trajectory, the U.S. industry “is positioned for continued growth.”
EVENTS
The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) will host its 2025 Annual Conference – Securing Our Future: Don’t Just Talk…Act! – at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center in Kansas City, Missouri, from April 7–9, 2025. The agenda focuses on maintaining trust across animal agriculture’s value chain. For more than 100 years, NIAA has convened animal agriculture leaders to address the most pressing questions and issues in animal agriculture. Work from NIAA’s councils and working groups allows stakeholders to work on topic-specific issues that affect social license and trust in animal agriculture. The 2025 conference theme and agenda will provide a space for deeper dives into topics like agriculture legislation, license to operate, the latest consumer insights, and having a united voice to secure animal agriculture’s future. For more information: Visit www.AnimalAgriculture.org or contact Morgan Young, Director of Communications and Outreach for NIAA, at morgan.young@animalagriculture.org.
AdFarm will host Farm Voice Live on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Kansas City’s historic Union Station for an insightful afternoon of industry leaders and producers discussing ideas and innovations driving growth for their businesses and strengthening rural communities. The event will run from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by a happy hour at Harvey’s in Union Station from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Register at https://adfarm.com/farmvoice/farmvoice-kansas-city/
The 112th Annual K-State Cattlemen’s Day takes place Friday, March 7, at the National Guard Armory, 721 Levee Dr. in Manhattan, KS. The program includes a trade show and educational exhibits, genetic modifications in livestock, a beef industry economic outlook, unwrapping meat labels, FSIS updates, and consumer trends. For more information, contact Katie Smith at 785-532-1267 or katiesmith@ksu.edu.
The University of Missouri Extension’s Annual Agricultural Lenders School will take place June 2–5, 2025, on campus in Columbia. This multi-day training is specifically designed for early-career lenders or those new to agricultural loans. Attendees will learn about essential topics in agricultural finance and obtain resources to improve their lending decisions and serve farm clients effectively. Since 2000, the Agricultural Lenders School has trained more than 750 lenders from across the nation. Attendees will learn from industry experts and MU faculty and be introduced to concepts through case studies, interactive exercises, and presentations. Topics will cover financial statements, credit analysis, managing risk, emerging issues in agricultural finance, and more. More information at www.muuext.us/aglendersschool2025 or contact Ryan Milhorn at 573-882-0688; ryan.milhorn@missouri.edu. Space is limited; registration before the May 12 deadline is encouraged.
Registration is now open for the 2025 Dam Safety Conference hosted by the Dam Safety Program in the Division of Water Resources at the Kansas Department of Agriculture. The biennial conference will be held in Manhattan, Kansas, on March 20 at the K-State Alumni Center. The conference is open to the public and welcomes dam owners, design engineers, technicians, and maintenance and operations employees involved with the design, construction, modification, or operation of dams. Attendees will benefit from the opportunity to gather with technical professionals in the dam safety field to discuss and learn about current projects, concerns, and other relevant topics. For more information, email kda.waterstructures@ks.gov (reference “Dam Safety Conference” in the subject line) or call the Water Structures Program at 785-564-6650.
Registration details:
Registration and the conference agenda can be found at: bit.ly/DamSafetyConference.
Cost: $75 per person.
Registration deadline: March 7.
Professional development hours and/or continuing education units will be available for Licensed Professional Engineers and Certified Floodplain Managers.
People across the country celebrated National FFA Week from Saturday, February 15, through Saturday, February 22. This event gives the organization’s more than one million members, as well as alumni and supporters, the opportunity to come together with the common goal of sharing FFA’s value and impact from their own hometowns. “National FFA Week serves as a powerful reminder of the vital role that agricultural education and leadership development play in shaping our future,” said National FFA Advisor Dr. Travis Park. “It’s a time of celebration and reflection as FFA members, advisors, and supporters come together to honor the impact of this extraordinary organization. National FFA Week strengthens the bond between members and their communities, ensuring the legacy of agriculture and education thrives for generations to come.”
PEOPLE
The Missouri Soybean Association promoted Casey Wasser to deputy executive director. He will retain his position as chief operating officer of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council. He will work closely with Ben Travlos, Missouri Soybeans’ director of policy in Washington and Jefferson City, Missouri.
The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy elected Dennis Rodenbaugh as board chair. He has been president and chief executive officer at Dairy Farmers of America since June 2022. Rodenbaugh succeeds Leprino’s Mike Durkin, who had served as chair since 2023. Other officers are Brad Anderson of California Dairies as vice chair, Sheryl Meshke of Associated Milk Producers as treasurer, Ron Dunford of Schreiber Foods as secretary, and Heather Anfang of Land O’Lakes and Joe Diglio of Michigan Milk Producers.
James Marren has joined the office of House Agriculture Committee member Rep. Tracey Mann (R-Kan.) as a press assistant. He recently graduated from Duke University.
Source: Agri-Pulse Communications.
The National Corn Growers Association hired Lane Howard as director of biofuels. He previously managed market development at the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council. He is an alumnus of the University of Missouri.
Source: Agri-Pulse Communications.
Will Bensur left the office of Kansas Republican Sen. Roger Marshall, where he served as press secretary. Bensur joined Firehouse Strategies as a vice president.
Source: Agri-Pulse Communications.
Regenerative agriculture consulting firm Understanding Ag, LLC, based in Republic, Missouri, has named Burke Teichert as managing partner and Jim West as director of operations. A world-renowned expert on adaptive grazing and ranching economics, Teichert will join UA founders Gabe Brown and Allen Williams, Ph.D. In his decades-long career, Teichert has managed cattle ranches in a variety of locations and has had managerial oversight of two large farms and a dairy. He has also traveled extensively in the U.S., Canada, Central and South America, England, Australia, and New Zealand, either on company business or as a consultant or speaker. “Dr. Teichert is highly respected throughout the agricultural industry, and his extensive practical know-how and insightful vision will be invaluable in guiding UA into the future,” Dr. Williams said. West previously served as the senior vice president for operations, providing engineering services and information systems integration and resilience support at one of the largest federal government services companies. Additionally, he actively served for 24 years in the Marine Corps as an intelligence, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare officer.
Tom Brandt left the office of Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran, where he had been communications director and deputy chief of staff. Brandt joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a communications professional.
Source: Agri-Pulse Communications.
Kansas Republican Sen. Roger Marshall hired Mary Kirchner as scheduling director. Kirchner previously worked at TAG Strategies LLC and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Source: Agri-Pulse Communications.
The Kansas Department of Agriculture has appointed Suzanne Ryan-Numrich to serve as director of the KDA Division of Agriculture Marketing, Advocacy, and Outreach. The Division of Ag Marketing serves Kansans through efforts to retain and grow farms, ranches, and agribusinesses; expand the Kansas agriculture industry; assist rural Kansas communities; and raise awareness of and appreciation for agriculture.Ryan-Numrich has spent the last 10 years as the agency’s international trade director. In this role, she has worked directly with several state, national, and international trade groups and organizations, including serving on the USDA Technical Advisory Committee for Animals and Animal Products, advising the U.S. Secretary of Agricultureand United States Trade Representative on agricultural trade issues. She has organized over 150 trade missions promoting Kansas agriculture in more than 30 countries.
“Suzanne has been a dedicated member of our ag marketing team for a decade,” said Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam. “She not only has a vast knowledge of the agriculture industry in Kansas, but she has developed strong relationships with agriculture organizations across the U.S. and beyond. She will be a tremendous asset to KDA in her new role as Division Director of Ag Marketing.”
