Tuesday June 23 Ag News

MANAGING SEEDING YEAR ALFALFA
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

               Alfalfa seeded this spring is ready, or soon will be ready, to cut.  Use the following harvest guidelines to get the most from this alfalfa.

               Seeding year alfalfa is different from established stands.  Stems are spindly, roots are small and shorter, and growth is a little slower.

               You can harvest seeding year alfalfa as early as 40 days after seedlings emerge.  Notice that I said 40 days after emergence rather than after planting.  It takes plants about 40 days to develop their ability to regrow from the crown after cutting.  If plants are cut before this development takes place, maybe to control weeds, at least one set of leaves must remain on the plant for it to regrow.

               Although alfalfa seedlings can be harvested 40 days after emerging, I think it’s better to wait until around 60 days after emergence, at late bud to early bloom stage, before first cut.  Yield will be a little higher and plants will withstand weather stress easier with a little extra growth.  This extra time also allows roots to penetrate the soil more deeply, helping avoid problems from soil compaction or surface soil dryness.

               These first harvest recommendations may be earlier than some folks like to cut.  However, after this early cutting the regrowth of seedling alfalfa will become more similar to established alfalfa, giving you the opportunity for two or three cuts the first year.  And, it helps control many weeds as well.

              One last point – never cut seeding year alfalfa during the four week period before a killing freeze.  Winter injury can be severe due to the smaller root systems.  So look ahead at the calendar to plan when future cuts might be taken to avoid cutting during this sensitive time.

               First year alfalfa can be productive, just manage it right.



Growing Trade Relationships
Governor Pete Ricketts

The overarching goal of my administration is Growing Nebraska. Opening and expanding overseas markets is a critical part of finding new opportunities for Nebraska businesses in a global economy. From June 7th to the 15th, leaders in agriculture and economic development from across Nebraska joined me on a very successful international trade mission, the first of my administration. This trade mission took us to the European Union (EU) where we visited Italy, Belgium, and Denmark. With 500 million consumers across 28 countries, the European Union holds many markets and opportunities for trade with our state. During the mission, the delegation met with business executives, farm cooperatives, and government leaders to invite investment in Nebraska, dispel misconceptions about Nebraska farms, and build trade relationships.

In Italy and Belgium, the delegation met with Coldiretti and CopaCogeca, potential investors in Nebraska’s agribusinesses. Coldiretti is an Italian farmer and food processor association and is the largest agricultural professional organization in Europe. Brussels-based CopaCogeca serves as a voice for farmers and co-ops within the European Union. During the delegation’s conversations with these investors, we had the unique opportunity to learn about food production and food processing in the EU, while outlining for them why Nebraska is the ideal food processing location for their operations.

Many Europeans have misconceptions about Nebraska agriculture, and the delegation shared with EU leaders the scientific methods modern American farmers and ranchers rely on and urged EU leaders to base trade policy on sound scientific research. The ag producers who were part of the delegation were also able to dispel a common myth that Nebraska farms are corporate farms, when in reality, 98% of our state’s farms are family-owned or operated.

The delegation also met with companies that already invest in Nebraska, such as Inalca, CNH Industrial, and Novozymes to express our commitment to growing our relationship with them and to talk about future opportunities. Inalca, based in Italy, is one of the largest purchasers of Nebraska beef in the European Union. CNH Industrial is a multinational company headquartered in Italy and employs 800 people at its Grand Island, Nebraska facility. In Denmark, the delegation met with the CEO of Novozymes, Peder Nielsen, and toured the company’s headquarters. This Copenhagen-based company is a world leader in bio-innovations and a leading manufacturer of enzymes, microorganisms, and biopharmaceutical ingredients. Three years ago, Novozymes opened a manufacturing plant in Nebraska. The company’s Blair facility employs more than 100 people and is dedicated to making enzymes and renewable fuels. Mr. Nielsen told me that his company has invested nearly a quarter billion dollars in Nebraska already. Novozymes has expressed interest in expanding in the U.S., but their leadership indicated to us that the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent proposal to reduce the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is a hurdle to future expansion plans.

This trade mission reinforced that great relationships can lay the foundation for future trade opportunities, but that it is also critical that Congress continues to pursue trade policy that allows these relationships to bear fruit. The recent failure by the House of Representatives to approve the Trade Adjustment Assistance bill stopped Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and puts at risk other pending agreements. The U.S. has been working diligently to establish a final trade agreement with the European Union, which is critical in creating an export environment that does not unfairly restrict U.S. companies from delivering goods to Europe. While the House finally moved TPA forward in a subsequent vote, Nebraskans should be watching closely as the Senate takes up this legislation.

The trade mission was very successful due to the organizational efforts of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Nebraska Department of Agriculture. I appreciate the efforts and support of the consulates and embassy staff of the United States in each country. I am especially grateful to the many individuals who paid their own way to join the trade mission. Nebraskans can be proud of how the entire delegation represented our state.

On this mission, we took advantage of opportunities to dispel myths about American agriculture, highlight Nebraska products, and share information with EU leaders about modern farming methods. The delegation met with many companies that are looking for partners in the U.S., and several of them have contacted the state since the mission to arrange follow-up visits to Nebraska in the coming months. I am looking forward to building on this momentum, and working to Grow Nebraska in future trade missions.



NDA WEEKLY BRIEFING ON AVIAN INFLUENZA

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is issuing weekly updates on its response to HPAI.   As of June 23, 2015, there are no new cases of HPAI to report.
     - Current number of farms impacted (confirmed to have HPAI): 5
     - Number of counties impacted: 1 (6 farms in Dixon Co.)

· NDA is coordinating the state response, with staff in the area daily enforcing the quarantines of
affected farms; overseeing the depopulation, composting and cleaning / disinfection efforts;
monitoring quarantined poultry farms within a 6.2 mile radius of the affected farms and
coordinating testing efforts on those farms; and issuing permits for movement of materials such as
supplies and egg and egg products outside of the 6.2 mile perimeter.

· Crews at Dixon 1, 3 and 5 continue to work to clean and disinfect each building and the equipment
found in those buildings. 

· 3 weeks of testing for HPAI at the Knox 1 location did not confirm an earlier presumptive positive
test for the disease. The quarantine at Knox 1 was released on June 18th. The quarantine release of
the farm also means NDA released from quarantine the 27 additional Knox County locations that
were quarantined because they were within 6.2 miles of the presumptive positive flock. Testing and
monitoring of this flock will continue as an additional precautionary measure.

· As part of NDA’s surveillance work within the 6.2 mile radius of the affected farms there are
currently 16 farms quarantined in Dakota County, 20 farms quarantined in Dixon County, 11 farms
quarantined in Wayne County and 1 farm quarantined in Thurston County. NDA continues to test
these quarantined flocks.




Farm Finance and Legal Aid Clinics in July

One-on-one, confidential Farm Finance Clinics are held across the state each month. An experienced ag law attorney and ag financial counselor will be available to address farm and ranch issues related to financial planning, estate and transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, water rights, and other relevant matters.

July Clinic Sites and Dates
    Fairbury — Wednesday, July 1
    Grand Island — Thursday, July 2
    North Platte — Thursday, July 9
    Norfolk — Friday, July 10
    Lexington —Thursday, July 16
    Valentine — Friday, July 17
    Norfolk — Wednesday, July 22

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska sponsor these clinics.  To sign up for a clinic or to get more information, call Michelle at the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.



Roberts Announces Witnesses for COOL Hearing

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Monday announced witnesses for the Committee's hearing on Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) and trade retaliation: what is at stake for America's farmers, ranchers, businesses and consumers.

The June 25 hearing begins at 10 a.m. and witnesses include:
-- Barry Carpenter, CEO, North American Meat Institute, Washington, D.C.
-- Craig Hill, President, Iowa Farm Bureau on behalf of American Farm Bureau Federation, Milo, Iowa
-- Leo McDonnell, Executive Officer for the U.S. Cattlemen's Association, Rhame, N.D.
-- Jaret Moyer, president, Kansas Livestock Association, Emporia, Kan.
-- Jim Trezise, president, New York Wine & Grape Foundation, Canandaigua, N.Y.
-- Chris Cuddy, SVP & Pres. of Corn Processing Business Unit, Archer Daniels Midland Co, Decatur, Ill.

The hearing will be webcast live on ag.senate.gov.



Iowa Layers Down Down 21 Percent Since April

Iowa egg production during May 2015 was 1.03 billion eggs, down 21 percent from last month, and down 28 percent from last year, and the lowest egg production since February 2005, according to the latest Chickens and Eggs report from USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The average number of all layers on hand during May 2015 was 44.2 million, down 21 percent from last month, down 26 percent from last year, and the lowest inventory since May of 2004. Eggs per 100 layers for April were 2,325, up fractionally from last month, but down 3 percent from last year.

In May, avian influenza affected a number of Iowa flocks. Losses resulting from the disease are reflected in these estimates. The July 21 Chicken and Egg report will reflect average inventory for the month of June.



ISU Extension and Outreach Offers Weeds Week Aug. 3-7

Weeds, herbicides and the effectiveness of herbicides to control weeds are topics of agronomic and economic importance to farmers and agribusinesses. It is so important that Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agronomists are hosting Weeds Week, a weeklong series of informational meetings. The half-day sessions will be held Aug. 3-7 at five Iowa State University research farms.

“Farmers are challenged with producing crops and implementing effective weed management programs in a profitable manner,” said Virgil Schmitt, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach in southeast Iowa. “Our goal is to help farmers develop effective weed management plans.”

Schmitt said the meetings are intended to help farmers and ag retailers support each other in this process.

“By supporting each other, they can increase their profitability and minimize negative impacts on the environment,” Schmitt said. “The sessions have been developed to provide tools that help farmers and agribusinesses work together to develop long-term weed management plans that identify sites of action, promote timely application of herbicides and avoid the expenses of dealing with herbicide resistance.”

Each session will include presentations, hands-on weed management planning, small group discussion and plot tours presented by extension field agronomists. In the farmer-oriented session, farmers will learn how to select herbicides from the herbicide effectiveness table, identify which herbicides to apply and develop their own four-year weed management plan. Agribusiness representatives will receive similar information, but it will be presented with a focus on how to support farmers and their operations.

The schedule has been developed so that the morning sessions will conclude with lunch and the afternoon sessions will begin with lunch, which is included in the registration.

 Aug. 3 — Southeast Research Farm. 3115 Louisa-Washington Road, Crawfordsville, Iowa
     9:30 a.m.    Farmer Session
     1 p.m.    Agribusiness Session

Aug. 4 — Armstrong Research Farm, 53020 Hitchcock Avenue, Lewis, Iowa
     9:30 a.m.    Agribusiness Session
     1 p.m.    Farmer Session

Aug. 5 — Northeast Research Farm. 3321 290th Street, Nashua, Iowa
     9:30 a.m.    Farmer Session
     1 p.m.    Agribusiness Session

Aug. 6 —Northwest Research Farm. 6320 500th Street, Sutherland, Iowa
     9:30 a.m.    Farmer Session
     1 p.m.    Agribusiness Session

 Aug. 7 — Field Extension Education Lab. 1928 240th Street, Boone, Iowa   
     9:30 a.m.    Farmer Session
     1 p.m.    Agribusiness Session

Registration is $25 for each session and includes refreshments, lunch and materials. To assist with facility and meal planning there is a registration deadline four days prior to each meeting. Register online with a credit card at www.aep.iastate.edu/weeds/. For more information, call 515-294-6429 or anr@isstate.edu.



NAWG Welcomes Senate Cloture Vote, Looks Forward to TPA Passage

Today, the Senate voted to invoke cloture to bring the final vote on Trade Promotion Authority to the full Senate tomorrow. Following is a statement from NAWG President Brett Blankenship, wheat grower from Washtucna, Wash.:

“We are extremely pleased the Senate showed their commitment to trade today as they prepare for a final vote on Trade Promotion Authority. We are one step away from providing U.S. wheat growers expanded opportunities through trade and strengthening relationships with our trading partners abroad. The U.S. is the single largest exporter of wheat in the world, and TPA renewal is essential to finalizing comprehensive trade agreements and putting the best deal on the table. I look forward to swift passage as this important bill goes before the Senate tomorrow.”



Report Fosters Confusion, Fear for Consumers

The International Agency for Research on Cancer issued its second report this year labeling a safe and effective pesticide as a "possible carcinogen (2B)."

In March, IARC applied a "probable carcinogen" (2A) designation to glyphosate. Today, it applied the "possible carcinogen" (2B) label to another popular herbicide, 2,4-D, and is scrutinizing several others.

"Farmers use these proven tools to protect crops from weeds," said Daren Coppock, President and CEO of the Agricultural Retailers Association. "They have passed through intense regulatory analysis and have been in use, in the case of 2,4-D, for more than 70 years."

IARC, an agency within the United Nations World Health Organization, conducts initial reviews of compounds to help prioritize cancer analysis. The agency evaluates the potential for carcinogenic hazard of compounds - not whether the compound is a carcinogen, but whether it has the potential to be - and should be studied further.

"Ag retailers understand consumers have questions about how their food is produced; unfortunately, IARC's report only serves to cause confusion," Coppock said. "IARC analysis does not actually identify whether a compound is a carcinogen. It should not be the basis to ban useful crop protection tools."

These herbicides - glyphosate, 2,4-D and others under review - have been the subject of hundreds of scientific studies and regulatory reviews. Government regulatory agencies charged with protection of public health in more than 100 countries have evaluated the science and concluded that 2,4-D and glyphosate do not increase health risks when used as directed. In fact, no government in the world considers them carcinogens. That includes U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the European Food Safety Authority, Health Canada and the World Health Organization.

In a statement released by the American Soybean Association and National Corn Growers Association, ASA Chairman Ray Gaesser and NCGA President Chip Bowling said: "While IARC may be fulfilling its narrow charge, its findings are easily misrepresented and misunderstood."

ASA and NCGA criticized the IARC for ignoring "the regulations and use patterns around herbicides that allow them to be implemented safely into consideration."

Furthermore, IARC analysis does not consider the presence of other materials (like surfactants), dose-response relationships, and exposure probabilities. For example, one of the studies IARC relied upon for the glyphosate finding generated its effects by growing isolated cells and bathing them in a glyphosate solution. No human, animal, insect or weed will be exposed to glyphosate in that manner.

IARC's narrowly-focused data, removed from real-world situations, finds almost everything the agency reviews as potentially carcinogenic, including drinking coffee, using aloe vera, or working the late shift.

The EPA registration regimen is more robust and comprehensive than IARC. It is also more appropriately focused on risk assessment. Still, regulatory agencies around the world, including the EPA, use IARC evaluations to determine which compounds to test and what tests to require.

"Consumers should take care interpreting the IARC's report as definitive," Coppock added. "It is not representative of the body science that shows these are safe products."



CropLife America Statement on IARC Review of Crop Protection Products

CropLife America (CLA) has issued the following statement from Dr. Janet E. Collins, senior vice president of science and regulatory affairs:

“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires extensive testing on all pesticide active ingredients in order to determine their potential impacts on human health and the environment. Cancer is a chronic disease and is strongly influenced by many factors including age, lifestyle and genetics. The ability of any carcinogen to cause cancer is dependent on the dose and duration of the exposure. Regulatory agencies require these compounds to be tested for carcinogenicity, and their acute, chronic and sub-chronic effects are taken into account.

"Regulatory assessment by governments of both the U.S. and the European Union (EU) confirm that 2,4-D does not present a carcinogenic risk to humans. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) report contradicts established scientific consensus on this product and reaches inaccurate conclusions based on a flawed process. This process has led IARC to label many everyday items as possible carcinogens, such as coffee or pickled vegetables. Moreover, Lindane and DDT are no longer registered for use by growers in the U.S., with DDT cancelled more than 40 years ago.

"Risk assessment serves as the basis regulating compounds in the U.S., and CLA members actively support science-based regulation. The crop protection industry continues to work with the EPA to ensure each and every product goes through the Agency's rigorous testing procedures and only enters the market if it can be used safely.”




Day 2, Kansas Wheat Harvest Report
KS Wheat Commission, KS Assoc. of Wheat Growers, and KS Grain and Feed Assoc.

The hot, dry weather and strong winds across Kansas have allowed producers in much of the state to get started with wheat harvest.

Manager of Pride Ag Resources in Dodge City Jerald Kemmerer reported that harvest just started in his territory on Sunday. Two-thirds of Pride Ag Resources' locations were open for receiving grain over the weekend; the last third officially opened on Monday.

Test weights have ranged from 55-61 pounds per bushel. Yields have been a bit varied, but are higher than anticipations from earlier in the growing season. Although harvest has just started in the area, Kemmerer was quick to point out that farmers are hustling to get fields cut because of encroaching weed pressure due to late season rains and thin wheat stands across southwest Kansas.

Judy Kinsler, a Kingman County farmer, is reporting fields ranging from 30-60 bushels an acre.

"So far I have been so pleased with yields because I didn't think it would turn out in April," said Kinsler. "They should call it hardy red winter wheat instead of just hard!"

So far the Kinsler operation is about 40 percent complete with #wheatharvest15. She explained that this year's yields may even be above average for their farm. Test weights are holding steady at 61-62 pounds per bushel. This test weight is actually down from their first cuttings which took place around June 11, when their initial test weights were 64-65 pounds per bushel. Judy also said that although most fields have dried out at this point, there are still some farmers who are waiting on less muddy fields in southern Kingman County.

Reno County farmer Jenny Burgess said that they are seeing "30 bushels an acre heads on what should be 60 bushels an acre straw." Burgess attributes the lower yields to stripe rust.

"It is a much better harvest than the last two years," said Burgess. "At least we are cutting waist deep wheat and not the ankle high stuff we have seen in the past."

Burgess did report seeing some weed pressure in the Rice and Reno County areas as well, but so far the test weights on their operation are at 60-61 pounds per bushel and they're seeing 11 percent moisture.



Latest Quarterly Dairy Report Issued by Rabobank

While U.S. milk prices have fallen considerably in the last 8 months, a surplus of milk on the international market is likely to squeeze U.S. producer margins further as 2015 progresses, according to the Rabobank Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory group's Q2 2015 Dairy Quarterly report.

"While we are well off the record level achieved in late 2014, producer milk prices in the U.S. are still 15 percent and 57 percent higher than those presently being paid to dairy farmers in the Netherlands and New Zealand," says Rabobank Global Dairy Strategist and report lead author Tim Hunt. "Sustaining these kinds of premiums is going to get tougher in coming months, as the impacts of an oversupplied international market filter back home."

The price of key dairy commodities fell further in international markets in Q2, and now sit at the lowest levels since 2009. After falling marginally in Q1, production in key export regions rose above prior years in April as weather improved and EU quotas were removed.

In the face of ongoing weakness in China and Russia, other buyers stepped in to take most of this product, though buy-side stocks are now large and supply-side stocks are also showing signs of growing. Weaker commodity markets have fed through to the farmgate in regions like NZ and the EU, pushing milk prices towards or even below breakeven for producers.

The U.S. dairy market has held up better than the international market to date. U.S. wholesale market pricing for NFDM and whey eased in Q2, with product trading in line with international pricing. Yet U.S. cheese and butter prices actually rose and remained at a significant premium to prices in international markets in mid-June, as strong domestic demand for these products, barriers to import and the CWT program kept the market tight.

"The U.S. dairy market actually grew faster than those of most of the BRIC economies in Q1," says Hunt. "Employment growth, higher wages and lower gas prices helped boost U.S. cheese sales by 4.5 percent in Q1 in YOY terms. Butter sales are also well up, while the contraction in fluid milk slowed."

Nonetheless, 2H 2015 is likely to prove a challenging period for U.S. milk producers.

Rabobank expects the international market to remain oversupplied through the coming six months as supply growth continues to outstrip demand, as China continues to rebalance and buyers end their recent stock build programs.



TESTIMONY SUPPORTS NORMALIZING TRADE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CUBA

Jay Waldvogel, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Global Development for Dairy Farmers of America, recently testified before the International Trade Commission regarding the investigation into Cuban imports of goods and services and the effects of U.S. restrictions.

“Our cooperative has a strong interest in expanding our opportunities in Cuba, a market of 11 million people,” Waldvogel said. “Given Cuba’s import needs and U.S. competitiveness and proximity, the United States could be a more significant supplier were Cuba not operated under the constraints of the embargo. However, as the situation currently stands, the Cuban dairy market has been ceded to the European Union, New Zealand and Argentina, which are not hindered by the financing and travel restrictions facing U.S. exporters.”

The United States as a whole is a significant dairy exporter, with global sales of nearly $7 billion in 2014. U.S. dairy products are sold throughout the world, and last year U.S. dairy exports to Cuba’s neighbors in the Caribbean region were valued at nearly $100 million.

“Unfortunately, current U.S. policies have greatly limited our ability to service Cuba as well as Cuba’s ability to develop its economy in a way that could stimulate demand for a wider range of dairy products,” Waldvogel noted.

With legislation that normalizes the United States and Cuba’s economic relationships and newly devoted marketing efforts by the U.S. dairy industry, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) estimates the U.S. share of overall Cuban dairy trade to increase as much as 18 percent or $40 million in the near term and 30 percent or $65 million approximately 10 years after the end of the embargo.

Waldvogel acknowledged that new policy measures announced in early 2015 will help to ease the restrictions on trade with and travel to Cuba, but said there are still key obstacles for U.S. dairy exports to Cuba.

One of the biggest impediments to trade is lack of financing to allow for payment in a manner that is commercially viable. Currently, payments must be routed through banks in other countries, thus raising the cost of doing business in Cuba and putting U.S. products at a competitive disadvantage. Additionally, U.S. suppliers are barred from extending credit to Cuban buyers.

“We believe that normalizing trade relations between the United States and Cuba will not only benefit the United States, but also give Cuban citizens access to more affordable food,” Waldvogel noted. “For too long, they have dealt with the repercussions of government action and policies that have limited their access to safe, affordable and wholesome milk and other dairy products.”



HSUS Employee Charged With Embezzling Funds for Luxury Caribbean Vacation

A Humane Society of the United States employee has been charged with embezzling $31,175 from donors to fund a lavish vacation to Aruba—an alleged crime that was reportedly revealed by merely a “light audit” when the employee changed supervisors. More shocking, however, is the fact that HSUS itself sent $50 million to the Caribbean over a two-year period instead of using that money to help care for needy pets in America.

According to a review of HSUS’s tax returns for 2012 and 2013 (the two most recent tax years for which data is available) by the Center for Consumer Freedom, HSUS parked $50 million of donor money in the Caribbean, apparently all to hedge funds in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda.

Will Coggin, director of research for the Center for Consumer Freedom, issued the following statement:

“If the employee had sent that money to the Caribbean instead of herself, as alleged, it would have simply been business as usual at the Humane Society of the United States. Even more scandalous than the embezzlement of $31,000 is that HSUS has taken over 1,000 times that amount and placed it in the Caribbean hedge funds instead of using that money to help care for currently needy dogs and cats. Donors should be repulsed by both the incompetence of HSUS management and its willingness to turn its back on the animals it claims to speak for.”

Charity Navigator has issued a “Donor Advisory” against HSUS and the HSUS was part of a $25 million settlement of a racketeering, fraud, a bribery lawsuit that ended last year.



BASF creates chemistry with stakeholders to tackle the challenges of sustainable food in Chicago

BASF is hosting a Science Symposium in Chicago to address one of the world’s pressing future challenges: sustainable food. Under the banner of “Sustainable Food Chain – From Field to Table,” eminent scientists, academics, and thought leaders from a variety of disciplines are meeting to discuss how food production can be more sustainable along the complete supply chain necessary to feed a growing world population. The symposium is part of a co-creation program marking BASF’s 150th anniversary.

The symposium features six sessions that highlight the focus areas of organic synthesis, metabolic engineering & plant science, agriculture, and food & nutritional science. Attendees will discuss topics such as how to enhance crop yields, how to advance plant science at the molecular and physiological level to impact crop productivity, and how to improve the delivery of quality food to consumers.

“With a projected 9 billion people to feed by mid-century, the need for building greater efficiency, flexibility, and resiliency into the food supply chain cannot be overstated,” said Martin Brudermüller, Vice Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of BASF SE. “Addressing these challenges will require innovation along the whole food chain. This is why we are bringing experts from various disciplines together in Chicago.”

In a keynote address titled “Ending World Hunger – A Solvable Problem,” Josette Sheeran, President & CEO, Asia Society, and former executive director of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), stated: “Over the next 40 years, the world will need to produce more food than in the last 8,000 years combined. But this battle is winnable – avoiding food crises requires a paradigm shift in commitment, strategy, innovative models and alliances.”

Alongside the Creator Space Science Symposium in Chicago, BASF is also hosting experts from across the food value chain at “Creator Space – The Future of Food,” a global co-creation event connecting all areas of the food industry. The initiative, launched in Washington D.C., earlier this year, brings together more than 40 food industry professionals, scientists and opinion leaders to ideate around the focus topics – water and nutrient management in agriculture, nutrient-rich food and personalized nutrition – and to develop tangible proposals and prototypes for the future. The goal is to establish collaborative partnerships to drive forward projects resulting from the workshop and make a tangible difference to the future of food.