Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - January 2024
/Developments
The state of Missouri is continuing to change the way foreign purchases of agriculture land are handled. A newly signed executive order requires landowners to tell the Missouri Department of Agriculture before they sell to foreign individuals or companies. Agriculture Director Chris Chinn said that they will begin emergency rule-making soon to provide more clarity and state lawmakers will consider adding more money for oversight. Missouri limits foreign ownership to 1 percent of its land and it cannot be within a 10-mile radius of a military installation.
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) members – state commissioners, secretaries and directors of agriculture – have chosen five issues to serve as the organization’s primary policy focus for 2024. They include the 2024 Farm Bill, food safety, labor reform, pesticide regulation, and PFAS. “These issues were chosen for the organization’s 2024 focus as NASDA members see urgent need for action in these areas to support farmers and ranchers in their ability to grow our nation’s food, fiber and fuel,” said Ted McKinney. Further, “We believe these are the areas where state departments of agriculture are uniquely positioned to champion policy solutions this year,” he added.
Kansas City, MO-based AgriThority® is a Gold Partner of the 2024 World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit being held March 19-20 in San Francisco. The AgriThority team will join more than 2,000 industry experts to discuss opportunities and innovations in agriculture. AgriThority’s Chief Technology Officer Gloverson Moro, Ph.D., will participate on a featured panel – Biologicals in Action: Getting Traction on Today’s Farms. The session will cover topics such as the success and commercial viability of biological crop inputs on farms and the need for transformational R&D in biologicals. "Product development is as much about process as it is about science," Moro says. "Having clarity on what questions need to be addressed and in what order, is critical. We look forward to sharing our experience helping more than 539 technologies across more than 3,700 field trial farm locations prepare for adoption."
Combine harvester sales closed out the year ahead of 2022 levels, while almost all tractor segments saw declines in both the United States and Canada, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Total U.S. farm tractor sales fell 5.1 percent in December compared to 2022, while year-to-date sales came in 8.7 percent lower than a year ago. However, 100+hp tractors grew 5.2 percent for the year and 3.6 percent in December, while combine harvesters finished 2023 with sales up 1.7 percent last month. The sub-40hp segment led losses for the year as a whole, falling 10.7 percent for calendar 2023 on the heels of a 5.8 percent drop in December. “Seeing year-over-year gains in U.S. sales of both combine harvesters and 100+hp tractors is a welcome sight as 2024 gets underway,” said AEM Senior Vice President Curt Blades. “And while several tractor segments fell last month versus 2023, we’re still confident in the strength of the equipment market and remain optimistic about its long-term growth.”
Missouri farmers who are member-owners of FCS Financial will receive $41.2 million back in cash patronage after the cooperative’s successful year. FCS Financial is a farmer-owned and led cooperative that has returned $292 million in earnings to eligible customers in Missouri over the past 17 years. FCS Financial Board Chair Kenny Bergmann and Vice Chair Beth Schnitker led the patronage vote during their monthly board meeting on December 20 and received unanimous support from all other directors. “Since implementing patronage in 2006, FCS Financial has returned $292 million to our member-owners. That is money being put back into Missouri’s rural communities,” says Rob Guinn, FCS Financial CEO. “We pay patronage because we are a cooperative that shares its profits with its member-owners. When you finance through us, you become a member-owner of our cooperative and may be eligible to receive the patronage among other membership benefits.”
The National Turkey Federation (NTF) has renewed its partnership with the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). It is kicking off the fifth year of the Turkey Smoke Series, which encourages both professional and amateur pitmasters to showcase the versatility and creativity of turkey on the smoker or grill. The Turkey Smoke Series features a turkey category in select barbeque competitions across the United States during the 2024 season. Pitmasters and contest organizers love that the Turkey Smoke Series adds thousands of dollars in extra prize money, trophies, and bragging rights at KCBS-sanctioned events, and Certified Barbeque Judges appreciate the opportunity to judge another delicious category! Winning recipes will be featured across KCBS and NTF digital platforms. “KCBS is thrilled to celebrate the fifth year of the partnership with the National Turkey Federation which brings the popular Turkey Smoke category to 16 states,” said Rod Gray, Chief Executive Officer of the Kansas City Barbeque Society.
The Missouri Department of Agriculture has been allocated $6.9 million through the USDA Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program to help strengthen the food supply chain between the farmer and consumer. The purpose of the RFSI program is to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain; to provide more and better markets to small farms and food businesses; and to support the development of value-added products for consumers, fair prices, fair wages and new and safe job opportunities that keep profits in rural communities. MDA will distribute the funds as competitive grants to invest in the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesale and distribution of locally produced food. Eligible products include fruits and vegetables, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products (excluding meat and poultry).
Dairy Farmers of America has made the first purchase of verified carbon credits within the livestock value chain from one of its Texas dairy farmer owners. The buy represents the first transaction in the carbon insetting marketplace. Unlike the traditional offset purchases of carbon credits for actions taken on the farm, the inset market ensures farmers are paid directly for their actions and allows those in the supply chain to purchase credits to meet individual companies’ sustainability goals. The new cloud-based livestock carbon market launched by Elanco Animal Health and Athian establishes the first protocol to pay producers who adopt specific manure management standards or use Elanco's feed additive Rumensin, which the company said reduces enteric emissions by 5%. “We’re gratified to see this science-based, third-party verified and validated system coming to life with the Athian platform and that dairy farmers are among the first to prove it works,” said Dennis Rodenbaugh, DFA president and CEO.
Earlier this month, Tyson Foods and Cargill suspended operations at beef plants in Kansas due to a massive snowstorm, reducing U.S. meat production. Blizzard-like conditions had left meatpacking workers stranded on highways while others spent the night at the slaughterhouses where they work, the companies and state officials said. Disruptions at plants slashed beef production at a time prices remain high after U.S. ranchers reduced their herds. Nationwide, meatpackers slaughtered an estimated 94,000 cattle on January 9, down 25% from a week earlier, according to USDA.
Now in its second year, the Livestock Marketing Association scholarship program has been expanded. It supports students who are interested in or display knowledge and an understanding of the importance of livestock marketing and the livestock industry. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior and/or currently enrolled at an accredited post-secondary institution (i.e. trade school, community college, junior college, university, veterinary science, veterinary medicine or law) in the year of the award. Following the deadline, scholarship applications will be reviewed by a panel of allied-industry, LMA leadership and/or LMA membership not sponsoring or related to applicants at time of application. Up to nine (9) post-secondary applicants will receive a $2500 one-time scholarship. The contact information and signature of an active LMA member endorsing the applicant must be submitted at the time of application. More information available here.
Kansas Department of Agriculture is seeking feedback from Kansans for the 2024 Custom Rates Survey to collect information on rates paid for agricultural custom work. The survey is administered through the K-State Land Use Survey Center and will be open through April 30, 2024. This survey collects data on charges for ag custom work, feed preparation, and machinery rental. Whether you provide custom services or you hire custom services, knowing accurate, competitive prices is crucial for the sustainability of agricultural operations. Completion of the survey should take less than 15 minutes. “We view the Kansas Custom Rates Survey as a very valuable tool for farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses to access as they consider contracts and agriculture service arrangements,” said Secretary Mike Beam.“KDA works to provide support and assistance to help make Kansas agriculture more successful, and we are pleased to partner with K-State to publish this biennial survey.” To complete the survey, please click here. If you are unable to complete the survey but wish to participate, please contact Dr. Leah Tsoodle, Director, Land Use Survey Center, at LTsoodle@ksu.edu or Tori Laird, KDA Division of Agriculture Marketing, at 785-564-6726 or Tori.Laird@ks.gov to receive a written survey or to complete the survey over the telephone.
Events
Kansas State University-Olathe has listed two upcoming professional development workshops and webinars:
The Statistician in R&D: A Vital Team Member, Not an Inconvenience – March 6, 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. “Statistics is a critical part of regulatory submissions and working with statisticians can be overwhelming for scientists and professionals. People who are adept at working with statisticians are more effective and successful.” For more information and registration: 913-541-1220; olatheinfo@k-state.edu
Stability Guidelines for Bio Manufacturing – April 24, 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. “Our lunchtime webinar is designed to keep you in the know when it comes to stability guidelines.” For more information and registration: 913-541-1220; olatheinfo@k-state.edu
People
Cliff Becker passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 30, 2023. He was vice president of new campus development for the American Royal and also previously served as the Chairman of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City. He had over 39 years of experience in ag media, previously working for Farm Journal and Vance Publishing Corporation.
Lenexa-based Ceva Animal Health appointed a new executive to oversee the company’s global operations in the United States and Canada. Brad McCollum is now senior vice president of Ceva’s business operations in North America. His role will include overseeing marketing and health-related product sales for companion animals, poultry and swine. Previously, McCollum led the global animal health company Zoetis as senior vice president of pet care for its US business. He spent more than 11 years rising in the ranks at Zoetis before joining Ceva. McCollum started his career at Pfizer, where he developed a background in the pharmaceutical industry as the associate director of operations.
Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam announced that Josh McGinn has been named Assistant Secretary of Agriculture at the Kansas Department of Agriculture. McGinn began serving in the role on January 22. McGinn will have significant role in the legislative agenda for KDA, including research and analysis of legislative issues and developing and supporting the legislative priorities of the agency. He will also assist the Secretary on development of agricultural and rural development issues and policies that can improve the landscape for Kansas agriculture. “KDA is fortunate to have the leadership and expertise that Josh brings to our team,” said Secretary Beam. “His agriculture background and commitment to public service makes him a perfect fit for KDA. In particular, his work in the state’s Office of Rural Prosperity provides a perfect foundation for the support we offer the state’s farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness.”
The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) has named Colleen Callahan as its interim executive director. The former NAFB President and Hall of Fame awardee owns and operates Colleen Callahan Consultancy. She previously served as the director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and was the Illinois director of USDA’s Rural Development office.
Stacy McBride has been named Husch Blackwell Strategies’ first executive vice president of federal government affairs. She previously was a principal. Before coming to Husch Blackwell Strategies, she was the chief of staff to then-Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and was staff director on the Senate Rules Committee. Source: Agri-Pulse Communications
Kendall Hodgson of Kansas has been selected as the new chairman for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program. Other officers include Vice Chairman Ethan Miller, Missouri; Treasurer Kim Baldwin, Kansas; and Secretary Zack Rendel, Oklahoma.
Steph Carlson has joined the National Pork Producers Council as assistant vice president of state and national relations. In her role, she will serve as the primary NPPC point of contact for state pork organizations. Carlson will be based in Des Moines, Iowa. An Iowa native, Carlson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University. In addition to her professional achievements, Steph is currently a First Lieutenant and serves as the company executive officer of Alpha Company, 1-133d Infantry Battalion in the Iowa Army National Guard.
Missouri Soybeans recently hosted the Missouri Soybean Association board in Jefferson City for their annual meeting. During the meeting, the Association selected several farmer-leaders to step up in leadership positions to serve Missouri’s soybean growers. To lead MSA, Renee Fordyce was elected to serve as the president for 2024. Fordyce is a soybean grower and rural health professional from Bethany, representing District 1 on the board. Fordyce has been a board member for over ten years, serving in various leadership roles, including vice president. This is her first term serving as the Association’s president. Brooks Hurst, a Tarkio and District 1 farmer, was also re-elected as the Association’s vice president. Rounding out the board’s leadership, Cody Brock from District 2 was selected as secretary, and Garrett Riekhof, representing District 4, was voted to serve as treasurer.