Developments

The Environmental Protection Agency released its final Herbicide Strategy, an unprecedented step in protecting over 900 federally endangered and threatened species from the potential impacts of herbicide, which are chemicals used to control weeds. The final strategy incorporates a wide range of stakeholder input, ensuring that EPA not only protects species but also preserves a wide range of pesticides for farmers and growers. “Finalizing our first major strategy for endangered species is a historic step in EPA’s meeting its Endangered Species Act obligations,” said Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pesticide Programs for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Jake Li. “By identifying protections earlier in the pesticide review process, we are far more efficiently protecting listed species from the millions of pounds of herbicides applied each year and reducing burdensome uncertainty for the farmers that use them.”

University of Missouri researchers are working to develop the first-ever vaccine proven to protect cattle from a devastating tick-borne cattle disease known as bovine anaplasmosis. The research is vital to the state’s economy as it aims to protect Missouri’s $1.6 billion cattle industry. Bovine anaplasmosis — which is common in Missouri — infects the red blood cells of cattle and causes hundreds of millions of dollars in economic losses nationwide each year and nearly $1 billion in losses worldwide, primarily due to reduced cattle production, treatment costs and deaths. Roman Ganta, a McKee endowed professor in Mizzou’s College of Veterinary Medicine and a Bond Life Sciences Center researcher, led the study that created the new vaccine. The work involved genetically modifying the pathogen Anaplasma marginale — which causes bovine anaplasmosis — in a lab. By deleting a specific gene and then injecting the modified pathogen into cattle, the vaccinated cattle were successfully immunized against the disease.

Kansas Department of Agriculture has announced the EPA has ordered the emergency suspension of all registrations of pesticide products containing the active ingredient dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA). EPA previously approved registrations for pesticide products containing DCPA to control weeds in both agricultural and non-agricultural sites, including non-residential turf sites, nursery stock and produce. This emergency suspension is a result of EPA’s determination that DCPA is an imminent health hazard, in particular for babies whose mothers were exposed to DCPA during pregnancy. EPA’s determination that led to the emergency suspension comes as a result of the registration review process in which registered pesticides are periodically evaluated to ensure they cause no unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment. The emergency suspension is effective immediately, and prohibits the continued sale, distribution and use of any pesticide products containing DCPA. Additional information is available here.

The Missouri Pork Association is now accepting applications for their 2025 Internship Program. Up to two college students will be selected for the summer period and work full time in the Columbia, Missouri office from mid-May through mid-August. An additional part time internship is available from January through mid-May, and another part-time internship from mid-August through December. To learn more about the MPA Internship Program, or to complete an application, visit www.mopork.com/youth/MPA-internship-program, or contact Diane Slater, director of communications, at (573) 445-8375 or e-mail diane@moppork.com.

AgriTalk, the nation’s first and only radio talk show focused entirely on agriculture and rural America is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Debuting in August,1994, as a single-hour program, AgriTalk is now hosted by Chip Flory and has evolved into two hours of daily programming drawing a loyal audience across farm country. To celebrate this anniversary, Flory hosted a special edition of AgriTalk featuring former hosts Ken Root and Mike Adams, long-time producer and industry veteran John Herath, along with AgriTalk news reporter Davis Michaelsen. “Three decades on the air is a remarkable milestone,” said Brian Conrady, executive vice president of Farm Journal. AgriTalk airs live each morning at 10 am Central and each afternoon at 2 pm Central on more than 100 affiliates in 19 states.

Drought and late-emerging winter wheat dealt a blow to growers in Kansas and other parts of the Midwest during the 2022-2023 growing season. But now, a group of Kansas State University researchers and several colleagues are punching back, releasing a set of findings that just may hold some clues on how to help farmers bring in a good crop even in dry years. “What we’ve learned,” said Xiaomao Lin, a K-State agronomy professor and Kansas state climatologist, “is that pre-seasonal drought is a hidden driver to crop failure, especially when spring precipitation is not as much as expected.” Lin called the precipitation deficits during the 2022-2023 fall season “unprecedented” across the major wheat-producing regions of the United States. In the July 31, 2024, issue of Science Advances, a publication of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, researchers report a 37% reduction in wheat production due to yield loss per harvested acre and severe crop abandonment. According to the journal article, 2,350,000 acres were abandoned during the 2022-2023 growing season. At an average price of $6 per bushel, and an expected yield of 45 bushels per acre, those losses amount to more than $634 million. “Our findings that recent production losses are reminiscent of the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s highlights the severity of the possible climate conditions we now face, and their potential to cause significant agricultural disruptions,” said Lina Zhang, the study’s lead author.

Missouri Department of Agriculture announced funding is available to assist Missouri farmers and food processors in obtaining organic certification for their businesses. Through the USDA’s National Organic Certification Cost Share Program, producers may be reimbursed for up to $750 of their certification costs during the program year. Missouri received $49,425 in program funds to be used for the reimbursement of up to 75% of producers’ and handlers’ certification costs, with a maximum of $750 per certification scope. MDA is accepting applications through November 1, 2024. For an application or to learn more, visit the Organic Cost Share Program webpage. For more about the program, contact Whitney.Williams@mda.mo.gov, or call (573) 751-7794.

Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) is now accepting applications for funding through the Show-Me Entrepreneurial Grants for Agriculture (SEGA) Innovation Grant Program. Missouri entities seeking to add value to agricultural products may submit applications until Oct. 4, 2024. The SEGA Innovation Grant Program was created in 2019 by the Missouri Food, Beverage, and Forest Products Manufacturing Task Force, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe. Grants are funded by an appropriation from the Missouri General Assembly to encourage value-added agriculture innovation in the state. Applications must be submitted to MASBDA by 3 p.m. Friday, October 4, 2024. Grant program application forms and evaluation criteria are available online at www.masbda.com.

Events

Kansas Department of Agriculture is currently recruiting for an outbound beef genetics trade mission to Hermosillo, Mexico. The mission is a joint effort between the International Brangus Breeders Association, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, and the New Mexico Department of Agriculture and will take place November 4-8, 2024. During the outbound mission, the team will have an opportunity to visit ranches and agribusinesses in the beef sector. Additionally, the trade mission will allow Kansas producers to network and promote U.S. beef genetics during an educational seminar and reception. Producers who raise purebred cattle and are interested in exporting to Mexico should consider applying. For an application, please visit agriculture.ks.gov/international or contact KDA international trade director Suzanne Ryan-Numrich at Suzanne.Numrich@ks.gov or 785-564-6704. Application deadline is Friday, September 6, 2024.

The 25th Annual K-State Beef Stocker Field Day takes place at the Beef Stocker Unit (4330 Marlatt Ave., Manhattan, KS 66503) September 26, 2024. The program features practical information and management tips to achieve greater flexibility and optimize stocker operation in the evolving beef industry. The day includes a barbeque brisket lunch and will conclude with a good old-fashioned prairie oyster fry and Call Hall ice cream. Registration is $25 per person if paid by September 13 and $35 after that date or at the door. For more information or to register visit asi.ksu.edu/stockerfieldday.

Kansas State University Olathe Campus is hosting an Animal Health Conference September 17-19, 2024. The curriculum will focus on Animal Health Regulatory Affairs: “Working Successfully with USDA and FDA.” For more information contact Lauren Racki at www.laurenracki@ksu.edu or 913-307-7340. Other upcoming activities include these:

Webinar, September 25: Animal Health Data Analytics and Insights Graduate Certificate. This certificate is designed to provide learners with a deeper understanding of analytics and the role data plays in animal health.
Webinar, October 9: Artificial Intelligence in Animal Health Diagnostics

Kansas City-based National Institute for Animal Agriculture is accepting nominations for the fourth Cohort of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders. Nominations are due November 17. The 16-month leadership program blends in-person and virtual working sessions to focus on four areas of development: critical thinking, leadership development, connecting and relating skills, and operational excellence. Members of the program work together on applied-learning, small-group capstone projects, which will incorporate topics of interest in animal agriculture. NIAA launched the program in 2021 to provide emerging leaders a new opportunity to gain next-level leadership and professional development training specifically focused on the animal agriculture segment of the industry. Since then, the program has represented a wide range of agricultural sectors. The program empowers professionals in the early to midpoint of their careers to build on previous leadership development experiences and collaborate with peers across the industry to advance animal agriculture’s role in today’s food system. The United Soybean Board serves as the founding sponsor of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders program, with additional financial support provided by Farm Credit, NIAA and its members and partners. For more contact Jessie Wadle at Jessie.Wadle@animalagriculture.org.

Kansas Soybean Association is calling all soybean farmers in Kansas to enter their competitive soybean crop into the Kansas Soybean Yield Contest. The statewide Kansas Soybean Value Contest that analyzes protein, oil and other soybean qualities is also open for entries. Strong participation across the state provides a snapshot of growing conditions in each region and allows friendly competition among peers. KSA unveils important date changes for the 2024 contests, including an expedited postmark-by date of November 15 and revisions to the announcement timeline. A full guide of contest rules and regulations, as well as the digital entry form, are available at https://kansassoybeans.org/association/contests/. Questions may be directed to the Kansas Soybean office by phone at 877-KS-SOYBEAN (877-577-6923) or to local KSRE offices.

People

Claire Walker, of Chillicothe, Missouri, was named the 2024 Missouri State Fair Queen. Walker received the highest score of 31 contestants vying for the title in the two-day competition, held in the Mathewson Exhibition Center. She reigned over this year’s State Fair events and will be an ambassador for the State Fair and Missouri agriculture throughout the coming year. Walker attends the University of Missouri majoring in Agribusiness Management. As Queen, she will receive a $2,000 scholarship to continue her education. Rachel Ancell, Missouri Sheep Producers Representative, was named first runner-up and will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Second runner-up went to Miss Scotland County, Emma Harvey, who will receive a $500 scholarship. The third runner-up honor went to Allison Pollard, who will receive a $350 scholarship, and the fourth runner-up honor went to Trinity Wrightfield, who will receive a $250 scholarship.

Nebraska cattle rancher and social media influencer Natalie Kovarik is set to return as a mentor in the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2024 College Aggies Online (CAO) program. CAO is open to undergraduate, graduate, and pre-professional students as well as collegiate clubs and classes in the U.S. More than $20,000 in scholarship awards is available for participants. CAO would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors, including Dairy Management Inc., National Pork Industry Foundation, John K. Vanier Foundation, Institute for Feed Education and Research, Culver Franchising System, Domino’s Pizza LLC, Ohio Poultry Association, and National Chicken Council. To become a sponsor of this year’s program, contact Logan Hall, director, membership and marketing, at Ihall@animalagalliance.org.

Ernie Davis, Jr. was recently named Certified Hereford Beef® president and CEO. He brings three decades of merchandising experience to his new role, across all animal proteins. Much of his experience revolves around developing premium branded opportunities to help producers add value to production and retrieve added value for their efforts. “I view Certified Hereford Beef as the best kept secret in the marketplace,” Davis says. “It is a great eating experience with great marbling and a great story behind it. I like selling a premium product with a producer-based story that resonates with consumers.” Jack Ward, executive vice president of the American Hereford Association, said, “We’re excited to welcome Ernie and his many years of value-added experience to the Hereford team.”

Amy France was elected chairwoman of the National Sorghum Producers at its board’s annual meeting. The thirdgeneration on her family farm in Western Kansas, France grows sorghum, corn, wheat and black Angus cattle with herhusband and son. She has served on the NSP board since 2018. NSP directors elected include Garret Love ofMontezuma, Kansas, as vice chairman, Barry Evans of Kress, Texas, and Dustin Borden of Gruver, Texas. CraigMeeker of Wellington, Kansas, is past chairman.

Veteran ag journalist Gregory Henderson passed away August 16, 2024. A graduate of K-State, Greg served as a writer and editorial director for The Drovers Journal for over three decades. Greg was an advocate for the beef industry addressing tough issues through commentary.

Hannah Fonseca, a writer at Agri-Pulse Communications, has transitioned to Agri-Pulse’s sales team after more than five years on the editorial team. During her time with the company, Fonseca wrote the weekly Farm Hands column, and contributed to the weekly Newsmakers TV show and the daily DriveTime podcast.