Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - October 2024
/DEVELOPMENTS
Kansas City is home to more than 100 barbecue restaurants, thousands of backyard do-it-yourself smokers and the Barbecue Hall of Fame. It also hosts the World Series of Barbecue competition. “Now, a new museum will celebrate America’s long love affair with fire and smoke-kissed meat,” reported Sarah Kuta (Smithsonian Magazine, October 18, 2024). Next spring, the Museum of BBQ is slated to open in Kansas City, Missouri, a place that’s famous for its thick, spicy sauce and burnt ends, she added. The museum will be located in the city’s Crown Center shopping and entertainment district. According to an announcement, the new venue will be the world’s first museum dedicated to barbecue. The museum is being co-founded by Jonathan Bender, a food writer and barbecue judge, and Alex Pope, a chef who owns a whole animal butcher shop. The museum will trace the roots of barbecue in the U.S., and will detail the history and methods of preparing barbecue in four main regions of American barbecue: the Carolinas, Texas, Memphis, and Kansas City.
Shippers face the third year of low Mississippi River water levels during harvest. Despite heavy rains from recent hurricanes, water levels throughout the Mississippi River are once again slowing down harvest-season grain barges. While water levels at Memphis spiked by more than 15 feet as the remnants of Hurricane Helene passed through the area, they have “quickly returned” to previous lows, according to Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek. He explains barges are seeing “several feet of draft restrictions” in certain parts of the river. For each foot of draft reduction, barges are loaded with 7,000 fewer bushels of soybeans. Tow sizes are being reduced by 30% or more in some sections of the river, he adds. "At a time in which soybean exports are confronted with numerous challenges, it is our hope that our supply chain can encourage profitability, rather than be one further impediment,” Steenhoek says.
Rabobank announced the publication of the latest bi-monthly edition of its North American Agribusiness Review. The report includes an analysis and summary of market conditions and trends across North American agriculture. In this month’s publication, the team provides an overview of what developments to watch in the upcoming months in North America, including fall harvest, inflation, supply chain headwinds and pricing. More information available here.
More than half of the 70 agriculture economists surveyed in Farm Journal’s Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor believe that the United States agriculture economy is in a recession, while 75% of those economists surveyed think the ag economy is on the brink of a recession. “Farmers are seeing heightened volatility in commodity prices as harvest season progresses,” Farm Journal’s Tyne Morgan reported. “The latest Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor from Farm Journal showed a slight rise in optimism compared to the previous month, but economists remain worried about the current state of the agricultural economy when compared to last year.” The 75% of economists who say the agriculture economy is on the brink of recession “is up from the 56% who responded that way in the previous month’s survey, Morgan wrote.
According to Washington-based sources, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) holds the key as to whether a farm bill can be completed this calendar year, reports Farm Journal’s AgWeb. The unknown is whether Stabenow can work out a deal with the other farm bill players: Senate Ag ranking member John Boozman; House Ag Chair G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.) and House Ag ranking member David Scott (D-Ga.). Some say that could be at least possible after elections. While seen as a win-win for Democrats and Republicans, in the final farm bill Democrats must be content on funding and policy issues relative to food and nutrition and conservation, and Republicans must be satisfied relative to getting most if not all of the increase in reference prices contained in the House Ag Committee-passed measure. Some long-time Washington contacts still give the odds of a farm bill this year at only 15%. Source: Farm Journal, AgWeb, October 29, 2024.
Agriculture and aviation are two of the biggest industries in Kansas, says Kansas Farm Bureau media manager Greg Doering. But it’s been rare for commodity farmers and commercial airlines to interact as partners. “As sustainability moves from boardroom buzzword to real world applications,” he explains, “there’s a need for more conversation between the industries.” KFB recently facilitated some of that conversation between farmers in south-central Kansas and representatives from Delta Air Lines. Talks centered around the recent push to produce more sustainable aviation fuel – from grains and oilseeds that can be refined into jet fuel. (Ed note: Delta Air Lines participated recently in the Ag Biz Council and Agri-Pulse’s Ag Outlook Forum.) The conversation between agriculture and aviation is just getting started” Doering notes. “It’s commendable the two industries are talking, trying to figure out how to best help each other thrive in the future.”
Late this month, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran travelled to Japan to meet with companies that have invested in Kansas and to talk with Japanese officials about how to deepen the partnership between the U.S. and Japan on defense and agricultural priorities. Panasonic is nearing completion of the $4 billion, 4.7 million square-foot battery manufacturing facility in De Soto, Kansas, that will create 4,000 jobs. This investment adds a new dimension to our state’s economy, diversifying our economic interests to include cutting-edge manufacturing work in a vital technology of the future. “The project is on pace to open early next year, and the team working at the facility is rapidly expanding,” said Sen. Moran, who also met with Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense. “I also talked about the increasing role that sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, will play in the Kansas agricultural economy and how the U.S. and Japan can work together on this rapidly expanding industry.”
The October 2024 issue of the Missouri Soybean Association’s Missouri Soybean Farmer boasts that the state of Missouri is ranked No. 2 in biodiesel production in the U.S. and has a lot of opportunities for utilization in-state. “As demand for soybean oil related to biofuels production has increased, we’ve seen more announcements and expansion of soybean crush capacity in the U.S., and we’ve taken note of that in Missouri during the past several years and continue to look for new opportunities for crush capacity increases in Missouri,” said Matt Amick, director of market development for the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council. Market dynamics are challenging the market right now, but Amick is optimistic about new growth opportunities ahead. One of the opportunities Missouri Soybeans is working toward is a grant to enhance storage capacity and dispensing capabilities for biodiesel. “The Missouri Biofuels Infrastructure Incentive Program (BIIP) grants are through Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority and are available for entities such as fuel retailers, terminals, fuel suppliers and fleets to utilize more biodiesel,” Amick explained. “We know the move to decarbonize the transportation sector is not going to go away and is going to continue to grow.”
Agricultural trade policy specialist Brent Boydston has launched his new business, Ag Center Solutions. Positioned at the intersection of government policy, trade policy, and foreign market development, Ag Center Solutions offers a unique and timely approach to helping clients expand their business opportunities globally. “I founded Ag Center Solutions to provide specialized consulting for businesses looking to succeed in the complex landscape of international trade, where agricultural goods and services from the United States are very much in demand.” Boydston said, "There is a World of Opportunity, let's talk about how you can move to a global market." Ag Center Solutions is actively reaching out to businesses ready to expand beyond U.S. borders and benefit from the suite of services provided by Boydston and his associates through ACS. For more information about Ag Center Solutions visit their website.
EVENTS
The Kansas Grain and Feed Association and Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association will host the Kansas Agri Business Expo November 20-21 in Wichita. It attracts more than 1,100 attendees from across the country, covering every facet of the agribusiness industry. More information can be found here.
For the first time in its 130-year history, the Kansas Livestock Association is bringing its annual convention to Manhattan. Hundreds of KLA members from across the state will converge on the Little Apple November 20-22 to hear from industry experts, participate in policy meetings and elect new leadership for the coming year. The KLA Convention & Expo will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn and Manhattan Convention Center. A complete schedule, hotel information, and both online and printable registration forms are available here under Events & Meetings.
The Missouri Chapter of Women Owning Woodlands will hold events on chain saw safety in November, says University of Missouri Extension natural resources specialist Sarah Higgins. Three virtual sessions, 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 7, Nov. 14 and Nov. 21, will be followed by an in-person workshop 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, in which participants can practice what they learned. The in-person session will be at the MU Wurdack Extension and Education Center in Cook Station. “Women-focused programming aims to create a welcoming, nonjudgmental learning environment where women feel more comfortable to participate and ask questions when surrounded by peers,” says Higgins. “This workshop will leave women feeling more confident and competent with a chain saw to help them achieve their land stewardship goals.” Register here.
The Kansas Farmers Union is excited to share the tentative schedule and registration link for its upcoming convention November 20-21, 2024 in Lawrence, Kansas. Learn more about the lineup of speakers and topics, and to register, click here. Scholarship opportunities are available for new/emerging farmers: To apply contact KFU Executive Director Nick Levendofsky. Hotel information and convention sponsorship opportunities are also available here.
The Missouri Department of Agriculture recently announced the availability of Building our American Communities grant funds. The BOAC Program provides $12,000 annually to Missouri 4-H clubs and FFA chapters for projects aimed at developing and advancing Missouri’s rural communities. Twelve $500 4-H BOAC grants and 12 $500 FFA BOAC grants are awarded annually, two per each of the six districts. Projects must benefit an agricultural community and/or promote community development. Projects may include improvements to existing facilities, grounds or buildings that are used by various groups or organizations in the applicant’s community. MDA will accept applications postmarked or received electronically by Dec. 1, 2024. Recipients awarded funding will be notified in early January. Projects must be completed by Aug. 1, 2025. Apply here.
The 2025 Taiwan Agricultural Youth Exchange Program is currently accepting applications from Kansas State University undergraduate students who are interested in agriculture and would like to represent Kansas in a week-long international exchange program in Taiwan from August 8–16, 2025. Up to six K-State undergraduate students will be selected to tour agricultural facilities and businesses in Taiwan to learn more about Taiwanese agriculture and culture. Dr. Dan Moser, Associate Dean of Academic Programs, announced the College of Agriculture will award a $1,000 scholarship to each student selected to participate in the program. Dr. Moser stated, “This is a tremendous opportunity for K-State students to experience agriculture on a global level. We are thrilled to support the exchange program and award scholarships to the students participating in the program.” Exports play an important role in Kansas agriculture. In 2023, Kansas exported $193 million in agricultural products to Taiwan making it the state’s sixth-largest trading partner. Application information and requirements available from Kansas Department Agriculture. The application deadline is November 15, 2024. For additional information, contact Dana Ladner, KDA outreach and education program manager, at 785-564-6660 or FutureofAg@ks.gov.
PEOPLE
Luke Samuel, Manager of Development Services at Kansas City, Kansas-based AgriThority® will be a featured presenter at the Biostimulants World Congress on Nov. 15 at 9:50 a.m. EST, in Miami Beach, Florida. Samuel’s presentation, Overcoming Field Experiment Challenges to Increase Biostimulant Product Adoption, will focus on the importance of a holistic strategy and well executed field experiments throughout each development stage, particularly early in the development process. "With the inherent variability of biostimulant performance, the development process must incorporate numerous factors to help ensure successful product launch and high customer confidence," Samuel said. "I’m looking forward to sharing more about this critical process and presenting insights during Biostimulants World Congress." Biostimulants World Congress has been a priority for AgriThority for many years. "We’re looking forward to sharing our insights on the mainstage at Biostimulants World Congress," says Jerry Duff, AgriThority founder and resident. "With our deep knowledge and experience working with more than 300 biological products, including many biostimulants, this is essential information for anyone working in agricultural innovation."
Kansas Corn Growers are one step closer to creating promising new uses for their crop. During a recent competition in San Francisco, Radicle Corn Value Chain Challenge sponsored by US Corn Farmers awarded a total of $1.5 million to two companies who are developing promising new uses for corn. The Kansas Corn Commission and other state corn checkoffs are funding partners in the challenge conducted by Radicle Growth, a food and agriculture venture capital company. KCGA board member Chad Epler, who serves as Chair of NCGA’s Research and New Uses Action Team participated in the Pitch Day Competition along with Kansas Corn’s Director of Innovation and Commercialization Connie Fischer. “U.S. corn farmers continue to produce an affordable, high-quality and reliable crop each year,” Epler said. “That crop can be turned into more than just food, feed, and fuel. The corn kernel can be utilized in so many ways, which is why we focus on new uses and corn as an industrial feedstock. Working with NCGA and other state corn checkoffs, we are excited to continue to partner across the agricultural and biotech industry to help a variety of new technologies overcome barriers to commercialization so they can begin to grind more corn.”
Longtime American Soybean Association leader Kenneth Bader died Saturday in Chesterfield, Missouri. He was 90. During his 16 years leading the ASA from 1976 to 1992, the group significantly expanded its international footprint from two to 12 overseas offices and started soy feeding trials in Southeast Asia. His work also led to the creation of the national soy checkoff and United Soybean Board. A celebration of Bader’s life will take place on Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. in the Friendship Village Chapel in Chesterfield. Source: Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc., October 30, 2024.
Chad Breeding, Miami, Texas, was named the new president of the American Hereford Association during the Annual Membership Meeting October 26, in Kansas City, Missouri. Breeding was raised working on his family’s registered Hereford operation, B&C Cattle Co. Austin Snedden, Maricopa, Calif., was selected to serve as the 2024 AHA vice president. Snedden is a fifth-generation rancher, central California, where his family has been raising cattle in the same county for more than 150 years.
When Jerome (Jerry) Roell passed away on December 17, 2023, he left behind a profound legacy of leadership, mentorship and commitment to agriculture. Throughout his 38-year career with John Deere, Jerry was known as the “go-to” person—always there to help, mentor, and elevate his colleagues. His work left a mark on the company and the many lives he touched throughout his career. After his passing from brain cancer last year, his friends and colleagues decided to honor his legacy by creating a scholarship in his name. The idea was sparked by Rick Bormann and a small group of Jerry’s longtime friends from his days at John Deere, including Mike Johanning, David Rock and Chris Ohnysty. They wanted to support students in the field of precision agriculture, one of Jerry’s passions. With the help of Agriculture Future of America (AFA) and their fundraising platform, Classy, they quickly raised enough to create a permanent endowment, ensuring Jerry’s legacy would continue through generations of agricultural students. The fund surpassed $200,000, with more than 130 donors contributing, including many from current John Deere employees, whose donations were matched by the John Deere Foundation.“Seeing the number of people who supported this effort was truly incredible,” said Johanning. “It was a testament to the impact Jerry had—not just at work, but on everyone around him.”
The inaugural Roell Scholars will receive a $1,600 academic scholarship and a $1,250 sponsorship to attend the AFA Leaders Conference. The first recipients are Kyle Hagen from South Dakota State University and Ojas Shah from the University of Illinois, who will attend the 2024 AFA Leaders Conference. “The scholarship makes me happy, knowing there will always be young students who learn about Jerry’s commitment to agriculture and his love for the land,” said Melissa Roel, Jerry’s wife.
Mark Stewart, AFA President and CEO, emphasized how Jerry’s legacy aligns with AFA’s mission. “Legacy is something deeply meaningful to us at AFA. We’re honored to help carry forward Jerry’s impact, just as we continue the legacy of AFA’s founder, R. Crosby Kemper Jr. Together, we’re cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders.”