Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - January 2025
/DEVELOPMENTS
Vytelle, a precision livestock company based in Lenexa, Kansas, reported in late December that its revenue has grown 278% over the last three years. “We’re growing three times faster than [others in companies] in the advanced agricultural reproductive market,” CEO Kerryann Kocher. Vytelle uses an in vitro fertilization and artificial intelligence technology platform to maximize the value of livestock herds, such as by identifying animals with the best genetic traits to improve cattle reproduction. The company is building a global network of lab spaces, including in the U.S. and New Zealand, that produce embryos for cattle farmers. Kocher says the company’s success also has hinged on delivering on its value proposition for customers: promising to be the “most accessible, reliable and predictable tool when it comes to genetic progress services.”
Ceva Animal Health, the 5th largest global animal health company, with U.S. headquarters in Lenexa, Kansas, announced it has been granted rights to develop and manufacture new dbDNA vaccines and therapeutics, pioneered by London-based Touchlight, a biotech enterprise. Touchlight’s expertise in synthetic DNAs and protein designs together with Ceva’s leadership in development and manufacturing of animal vaccines will support the development of effective novel technology vaccines.
University of Missouri experts have released the Show-Me 2025 Missouri Agricultural Outlook, which shows a mixed outlook for Missouri’s crops and livestock and the challenges and opportunities ahead. The report is available at www.mizzou.us/MAO25. “While corn production is set to decline with rising prices, soybean production is expected to increase despite falling prices,” said Danyelle Chinn, economist with the MU Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center. “On the livestock side, declining beef cow inventories may push cattle prices higher, while increasing hog inventories could lower prices.” These trends emphasize the need for strategic decision-making in a shifting market, Chinn said.
Dutch bank RaboResearch, known for its global agriculture focus, reports 2025 will mark a pivotal moment for production across various regions and commodities. “Overall production is set to grow slightly faster than in 2024, driven by aquaculture, wild catch and poultry,” says Angus Gidley-Baird, Senior Analyst – Animal Protein for RaboResearch. “Seafood and pork are expected to transition from contraction to growth, while beef will move from growth to contraction, reshaping market dynamics and supply chains.” Aquaculture and wild catch are projected to grow by 2.3%, rebounding from a 0.3% decline in 2024. Poultry will continue its steady growth, while beef production will decline due to contractions in major regions. Pork production will be up marginally (+0.1%) after significant growth from 2021 to 2023 following recovery from African swine fever.
Precision Conservation Management in collaboration with the Illinois Corn Growers Association, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, and Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, has received new grant funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to bolster regenerative agriculture practices. This grant is part of the $14.7 million NFWF awarded nationwide to advance soil health and improve water quality on working lands. It provides the first opportunity for Missouri farmers to participate in PCM. “We are excited to bring the farmer-led Precision Conservation Management program to the Lower Grand and Salt watersheds in northern Missouri,” says MCMC Chairman Brian Lehman. “This marks the first PCM region in our state, offering corn growers one-on-one assistance to identify conservation practices that fit their needs for positive environmental outcomes and long-term profitability. By providing access to technical resources for practices like cover crops, nutrient use efficiency, and tillage management, we are investing in healthier soils for future generations.” More information at www.precisionconservation.org.
Livestock Marketing Association members and staff have scheduled its 2025 Washington D.C. Fly-In for March 9-11. This event offers a unique opportunity for LMA members to engage with policymakers, experience the heart of D.C, and advocate for the livestock marketing industry. This fast-paced event will include briefing on LMA policy priorities, USDA meetings, Congressional visits, reception with elected officials and staff on Capitol Hill, an auction demonstration by Wade Leist, World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, and a Monuments by Moonlight bus tour. To join the fly-in, contact Lucas Simmer at www.simmer@lmaweb.com for more details.
The American Royal Association has received a grant for $20,000 from Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer in the U.S. The grant will be used to support the American Royal K-12 agricultural education programming in 2025. “We appreciate the support of Bayer Fund as we strive to enhance our long-standing youth field trip experience and new programs, like AgStem camp, educational clinics and career development events,” said Lauren Luhrs, director of partnerships at the American Royal Association. “Since its founding in 1899, the American Royal has consistently weaved education into its programming. As we have expanded to host events year-round, our focus on education has also grown. This Bayer Fund grant will be tremendously beneficial as we work to impact the future of agriculture.” The American Royal, whose purpose is to champion food and agriculture, will be using the grant funds to expand several of its education programs for students with minimal exposure to agriculture as well as youth with deep roots in the industry. The Bayer Fund grant will allow the American Royal to enhance these events with supplementary educational materials and take-home resources for participants, and offset costs for event setup, onsite medical care and security teams.
Farm Journal has entered a strategic partnership with Randy Dowdy and David Hula, lifelong farmers and founders of Total Acre. The expansive collaboration includes the launch of a new video podcast along with industry-leading content that will be distributed across Farm Journal’s omni-channel platforms. “Farm Journal has set the bar in this industry,” Dowdy said. “To have the opportunity to leverage all the ways Farm Journal reaches farmers is a big deal for us and the farmers we serve.”
EVENTS
The Kansas Corn Growers Association kicks off its 50th Anniversary celebration at the Kansas Corn Symposium on Thursday, January 30 at the Salina Hilton Garden Inn. The KCGA Annual Meeting will feature policy discussions and updates from KCGA and National Corn Growers Association as well as discussion of resolutions and elections. KCGA was founded in 1975 by a committee of growers led by Earl Foote of Bucyrus, who served as the association’s first president. Since its beginning 50 years ago, KCGA continues to grow as a respected and active farmer-led voice for Kansas corn farmers. Today, KCGA continues its involvement on the national level with several current leaders and staff serving on NCGA action teams, as well as other teams and committees with other partnering organizations. KCGA will celebrate its 50th Anniversary throughout the year, recognizing its farmer members, current and past leaders, and the organization’s accomplishments.
The Kansas Commodity Classic returns on Friday, January 31, 2025, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Salina, bringing together Kansas farmers and industry leaders for a day of valuable information and networking. The Kansas Commodity Classic is the annual convention of the Kansas corn, grain sorghum, soybean and wheat associations. The event is free to attend and includes a complimentary breakfast and lunch, but pre-registration is requested. Greg Akagi, agriculture director for WIBW Radio and Kansas Agriculture Network, will serve as MC of the event will include perspectives on long-term weather forecasts, market insights, investment in rural communities, the Kansas State Fair, conservation and legislative developments. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. The program gets underway at 8:30 a.m. with remarks from Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam. To register, contact Kansas Corn by phone at 785-410-5009 or by email at corn@ksgrains.com
On February 20, MU Extension will host Unlocking Lending Opportunities in Missouri’s Specialty Crop Industry, an informative conference to help ag finance professionals become more familiar with the resources and partnerships available to support Missouri’s specialty crop growers from a lending perspective; the specialty crop sector is growing and could offer new opportunity for lenders to expand their portfolios. With nearly 4,000 specialty crop farms that generated $267 million in sales in 2022, Missouri’s specialty crop sector is an emerging opportunity for lenders looking to expand their portfolios. Often concentrated around urban areas, Missouri’s specialty crop producers grow a diverse range of vegetables, fruits and other horticultural crops. This three-hour workshop will cover how agricultural lenders can serve this expanding sector through partnerships with the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and University of Missouri Extension. Tailored for lenders new to agriculture, or those new to lending to specialty crop producers, this workshop will provide practical tools and insights to support specialty crop clientele. The event will be held at the Anita Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City MO 64110. Registration: Mallory Rahe Mallory.rahe@misouri.edu 573-884-7606. Cost is free.
MU Extension is partnering with Missouri State University to present the SW MO Beef Cattle Conference, which will educate cattle producers on strategies that will add value to their beef cattle operation. The conference takes place February 11, 2025, in the Christopher S. Bond Learning Center at the MSU Darr Agriculture College. Agriculture businesses will have booths set up. For more information or to have a booth, contact the Cedar County MU Extension Center at (417) 276-3313.
Kansas Livestock Association’s Legislative Meeting and Dinner is scheduled for February 19 at the Townsite Tower in Topeka. All meetings and meals held throughout the day will take place at this location. The event will start with a complimentary lunch, sponsored by Equity Bank. After lunch KLA’s lobbying team will analyze bills under consideration in the Kansas Legislature. Members will have the opportunity to discuss and take positions on bills, providing direction to staff. The social and dinner with state legislators will begin at 6:00 p.m. All 165 members of the Kansas Legislature will be invited. Members are encouraged to sit with their representative and/or senator at dinner to discuss KLA positions on proposed legislation. Registration information at www.kla.org.
Missouri Pork Association is holding this year’s Missouri Pork Expo February 18-19, 2025, at the Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri. For more information and registration, contact Diane Slater, 573-445-8375, diane@mopork.com .
PEOPLE
The American Royal Board of Directors announced a key addition to its executive leadership team. Pat Macy will serve as Managing Director of the American Royal Association, effective January 6, 2025. In this role, Pat will manage day-to-day operations and lead the Association’s staff in executing its strategic initiatives, events, and programs. His responsibilities include overseeing organizational, financial, and facility operations while driving strategic partnerships and engagement across our community. Jackie McClaskey will continue in her role as President and CEO of the American Royal Association, focusing on the New American Royal Campus and the organization’s Strategic Plan. Together, McClaskey and Macy are supported by a dynamic senior leadership team, including Tim Carroll, Chief Financial Officer, Sara Befort; Chief Operating Officer, Katie Vincent, Vice President of Marketing; and Kyle Vena, Vice President of New Campus Development.
The World Food Prize Foundation has appointed recently departed USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack as CEO. Vilsack’s appointment builds on his longstanding relationship with the Foundation, where he served on the Council of Advisors and Board of Directors, offering invaluable insights that have shaped its mission and initiatives. With nearly 12 years of service in the Obama and Biden administrations, Tom Vilsack is the second-longest serving as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. “I’m also the sixth-longest serving cabinet member of any kind,” he told Successful Farming in a recent interview. He also noted he had no intentions of retiring. “There’s work to be done in food and nutrition security, and I will look for opportunities to be engaged in that effort,” he said.
Josh Mueller, Halstead, Kansas, has been appointed vice chair of the Kansas Beef Council. He, along with KBC Chairman Jake Pannbacker, will lead the council over the next year. Mueller is a fourth-generation farmer and rancher. In 2019, he and his wife, Macey, purchased El Dorado Livestock Auction, where they currently market nearly 70,000 head of cattle each year. He has been a representative for Superior Livestock Auction for 20 years and also has his own order-buying business. Mueller currently serves on the Federation of State Beef Councils and has been a member of the KBC Executive Committee since 2018. He is a past KLA county chair and past president of the Harvey County Livestock Association.
Richard Fordyce, a Missouri farmer who ran USDA’s Farm Service Agency in the first Trump administration, has been chosen as USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation. If confirmed, Fordyce would oversee FSA, the Risk Management Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Robert Bonnie held the post during the Biden administration.
Ceva Santé Animale (Ceva) announced the appointment of Brad McCollum Senior Vice President for North America. Ceva U.S. is headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas. McCollum will lead Ceva’s business development and activities in the United States and Canada. He succeeds Jean-Charles Tissot, who has been overseeing this region since 2019. Tissot will lead Ceva’s global autogenous vaccines’ activities. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, McCollum has had an impressive 25-year career in pharmaceuticals and animal health. Before joining Ceva, he served as Senior Vice President Petcare for the U.S. Business at Zoetis. His extensive leadership experience also includes different roles at Zoetis and over a decade at Pfizer.