Friday March 9 Ag News

WHAT’S IN YOUR WATER?  SPRING WATER TESTING REMINDER

National Groundwater Awareness Week is coming up the week of March 11-17, 2018. What better time to take a sample of your well water? It’s recommended that private drinking water wells be tested at least once per year, but some sources need to be tested even more frequently.

“Surface water sources or shallow wells should be tested more often, especially if you’re using this water for drinking water,” says Kevin Klink, Senior Manager, Laboratory Operations for AgSource Laboratories. “There’s a greater risk of contamination with surface water.”

Who Should Test?
Homeowners and private well owners should test annually, but agricultural operations using irrigation water should really consider taking samples as well. Measuring the salt and mineral content of your irrigation water could prevent problems and can help offer clues on how to fix issues you may be having.

“If you have poor water, treating it as you use it, rather than letting salt build up to the point it harms soil and plants, will be a great benefit in the long run,” said Klink.

Nebraska has a high percentage of irrigated acres, which makes water quality an important topic for overall crop management planning. The quality of irrigation water directly impacts crops by affecting salinity of the soil (salt accumulation), soil pH and water infiltration rates. 

When to Test
While annual testing is best, don’t hesitate to test again if water quality should change, such as a difference in color, smell or taste of the water.

Where to Test
When collecting a sample from the irrigation system, let the water run for two to three minutes before collecting the sample. This will purge static water from the system.

If several separate irrigation wells are being used, sample each well separately and identify each sample’s source. This will qualify the water specifically from each well. This is important if pumping into a holding pond.

When sampling from a pond, collect water from the pumping station, if possible. Remember to let the pumping station water run for two to three minutes before collecting the sample. Do not collect the water from the side of the irrigation pond. Sediment will act as a contaminant.

What to Test
A basic annual drinking water test package usually includes two items: coliform and nitrate. For irrigation suitability testing, the package includes pH, conductivity, carbonate and bicarbonate, nitrate, chloride and Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), as well as micronutrients and macronutrients.

“The most important factors to test are pH, conductivity, carbonate, nitrate, chloride and Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR),” notes Klink.

For more specific questions about mineral content or contamination, other analyses for hardness, iron, copper or lead and arsenic can be added to any testing package.

Sampling Reminders
Ensuring a quality test result always starts with a properly collected representative sample. Here are a few tips for sampling and submitting a water sample to the lab:
·    Use a new, clean plastic container. Rinse the bottle (including the lid) several times with the water to be tested. Do not touch the inside of the bottle or lid.
·    DO NOT use glass containers.
·    Fill the bottle completely and eliminate all headspace when capping the bottle. Be sure the lid is tight so that the sample does not leak during transit. The laboratory needs at least 125 ml (about 4 ounces) of water for the analyses.
·    If possible, collect and ship the samples on the same day. Cool the samples in a refrigerator if overnight storage is necessary.
·    Clearly identify each sample bottle and complete the submission form before shipping.

Additional Resources
For more information about irrigation water quality, check out the University of Nebraska’s website: https://water.unl.edu/cropswater/quality.



BENEFITS OF LEGUMES
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Reducing pasture expenses can help your bottom line.  But don’t try to starve a profit from your pastures.  Sometimes you need to invest.  This spring, invest in legumes.

               Recent warmer weather should get you looking forward to next spring.  I’m sure one thing you won’t look forward to, though, is paying for nitrogen fertilizer on your pastures.

               Avoid this expense by adding legumes to your grazinglands.  Five years of grazing research in eastern Nebraska showed that brome/legume pastures produced almost four-tenths of a pound higher average daily gain on yearlings than did straight brome pastures fertilized with 50 pounds of nitrogen.

               That may not sound like a lot to you, but that much faster gain for the full season produced an extra fifty-one pounds of beef per acre.  With no nitrogen fertilizer.  Adding the value of heavier yearlings plus reduced fertilizer expenses resulted in more than an extra fifty dollars per acre profit.  That’s fifty more dollars – per acre!

               Similar research was conducted with warm-season grasses with nearly the same results.

               March is a good month to start adding legumes.  Red clover is the easiest one to establish because seed can be broadcast on pastures even if they are covered with several inches of snow.  As snow melts and temperatures fluctuate in early spring, the seeds will get worked into the soil, germinate, and start to grow.  With a little attention to controlling competition from the existing grass, new red clover plants can start increasing your pasture production by summer.

               Don’t become trapped by the never ending cost of nitrogen fertilizer.  Use legumes to reduce costs and increase production.



IOWA CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP DAY AT THE CAPITOL ON MARCH 12

Iowa’s Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Commissioners, along with conservation partner agencies, will meet for the annual Conservation Partnership Day held at the Capitol in Des Moines on Monday, March 12.

The theme of this year’s event is “Watersheds: Our Water, Our Home” and will include displays highlighting conservation efforts in each of the nine Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) regions across the state.  Displays will highlight how funds are used for technical assistance, watershed projects, wetlands, cost share, urban and agricultural conservation practices and more.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is scheduled to visit with the Commissioners and view displays around 10:15am on Monday.

The annual event is coordinated through partnership of the Conservation Districts of Iowa and the State Soil Conservation and Water Quality Committee.



FMH Celebrates 125 Years of Protecting Farmers

Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa (FMH) is celebrating 125 years as an American-based, family-run insurance provider.

One of the oldest crop insurers in the United States, FMH was founded by farmers for farmers, based on the need to protect each other's livelihood from the devastation of severe weather to crops.

"We're very proud to be celebrating our 125th anniversary," said President and CEO Ron Rutledge. "We could not have made it this long without the trust of generations of farmers, commitment from independent insurance agents, support of our reinsurers, and dedication of our employees both in the office and field."

Since forming in 1893, FMH has remained committed to providing America's farmers with comprehensive risk management solutions. Current operations include private and federal crop insurance, reinsurance products and services, as well as farm and ranch insurance. The company serves a national writing area of 41 states.

"Farmers Mutual Hail continues to thrive after 125 years because of our mutual heritage that puts the policyholders first, because of the conservative management which has spanned six generations, and because of the continuous commitment of our employees who are proud to be a part of the FMH family," said Rutledge.

Rutledge also explained that in an environment of increasing foreign buyouts, FMH champions its mutual company structure as an asset that will preserve its legacy as an American-owned and operated business.

"Crop insurance is - and has always been - our main business. As others were leaving the industry, we invested in it by purchasing John Deere Insurance Company, further proving our commitment to protecting farmers," he added. "We are proud to call ourselves 'America's Crop Insurance Company.'"

The 2015 acquisition of John Deere Insurance Company also allowed FMH to enter the precision ag space by offering Precision Crop Insurance Solutions, which provide farmers the ability to use precision data for crop insurance claims adjustments and required reporting.

"Change is inevitable and like all companies, Farmers Mutual Hail has embraced the endless change that every company goes through to continue to be successful," said Rutledge. "But even with all the changes that have occurred over the last 125 years, FMH has held on to the things that make it unique like our family atmosphere and our commitment to doing things right."



Senate Subcommittee Advances Emissions Reporting Bill

A Senate Environment and Public Works subommittee on Thursday approved a Farm Bureau-supported measure that would exempt most farms and ranches from unnecessary reporting of routine air emissions from animals and their manure. Having secured bipartisan backing and facing a looming May 1 deadline, farmers and ranchers are optimistic the bill will continue to move successfully through Congress.

The Fair Agricultural Reporting Method (FARM) Act (S. 2421) would clarify that normal emissions from farm animals and their manure are not reportable under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), which requires facilities to report releases of hazardous substances that exceed certain threshold quantities within a 24-hour period.

Both the Bush and Obama administrations supported a rule exempting most farms from the need to report low-level emissions, but activist groups successfully blocked the rule last year at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. The court has stayed its April 2017 decision multiple times, with the latest stay slated to expire on May 1.

“Congress did not intend to regulate farms as toxic Superfund sites,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall noted when the FARM Act was introduced last month. “Farming and ranching are challenging enough without having to report, under threat of law, something that is a routine part of raising animals, but is nearly impossible to predict or measure. We are also concerned that these needless reports would effectively create a federal database of livestock farms for activist groups to target.”

The bill, introduced by Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), has 22 Republican and 12 Democratic co-sponsors.



USDA ENDS REPORTING OF SWINE ENTERIC CORONARVIRUS DISEASES

Pork producers, veterinarians and laboratories no longer will need to report Swine Enteric Coronavirus Diseases (SECD) to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) this week rescinded the federal order first issued in 2014 requiring reporting of the diseases, which include Porcine Endemic Diarrhea virus. The action supports Agriculture Secretary Perdue’s focus on removing unnecessary regulatory requirements on farmers and ranchers, a move supported by the National Pork Producers Council.

 

NPPC’s WAGSTROM RECOGNIZED WITH AASV AWARD

National Pork Producers Council Chief Veterinarian Dr. Liz Wagstrom this week was recognized with the American Association of Swine Veterinarian’s (AASV) Meritorious Service award as part of the organization’s annual meeting held in San Diego. Given annually, the award honors an individual who has demonstrated his or her longstanding dedication and service to AASV and its members. Prior to her current role at NPPC, Wagstrom served as an associate professor for the University of Minnesota’s Center for Animal Health and Food Safety and as the director of veterinary services for the National Pork Board, where she previously was assistant vice president for science and technology.



ASA Strongly Opposes RIN Cap

The American Soybean Association (ASA) today voiced strong opposition to a cap on the price of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), an action that would significantly undermine the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The concept of a cap on RIN prices has been proposed by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and has been the subject of discussions during White House meetings with RFS stakeholders over the past few weeks. Biodiesel is a significant market for domestic soybean oil, and ASA President John Heisdorffer, who farms in Keota, Iowa, noted the association’s serious concern with a cap on RIN prices.

“Placing any cap on the price of RINs is a misguided step that destroys demand for biodiesel and other renewable fuels. Analysis from the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and the World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Services (WAEES) shows up to 300 million gallons in biomass-based diesel volumes would be lost each year as these volumes would no longer be utilized for compliance with the RFS conventional biofuels requirements.

“Furthermore, this idea is simply unnecessary. The RFS program is working as intended – diversifying our nation’s fuel supply, increasing energy security, reducing fuel emissions, and promoting markets for farmers and rural America. RFS stakeholders, including petroleum refiners, have stated that biodiesel is not a problem, yet all of the proposed RFS revisions would first and foremost adversely impact biodiesel. Reduced biodiesel production equals reduced demand for soybean oil, hurting the bottom line for soybean farmers and adversely impacting rural economies. We’re already facing great market uncertainty as a result of the tariffs and trade issues. Action to cap RIN prices and undermine the RFS will exacerbate the economic damage to farm families like mine.

“Soybean farmers remember President Trump’s promise to protect the RFS, and imposing a cap on RIN prices would break that promise. We call on the president to reject this RIN cap concept and keep his word to protect the RFS.”



Cap on Conventional Ethanol RINs Will Reduce Biodiesel Market By 100-300 Million Gallons Per Year

A new analysis by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and the World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Services (WAEES) found that capping the price of conventional biofuels’ Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) will significantly harm the production of biodiesel and related industries. Although some believe that limiting the price of RINs for the conventional biofuels market won’t harm biomass-based diesel volumes, the analysis made it clear that a price cap on conventional ethanol RINs would result in lower volumes of biomass-based diesel produced and used in the United States.

“Capping the price of conventional ethanol RINs would devastate the biodiesel industry—swiftly and significantly—reducing the amount of volumes produced and people employed. Satisfying the whims of fewer than five refiners isn’t worth the resulting harm to millions of workers in U.S. agriculture and livestock production, as well as American consumers. President Trump can sniff out a good deal from a bogus one, and we are hopeful that he will stick with his campaign promise and reject a cap on RIN prices,” said Kurt Kovarik, NBB’s vice president of federal affairs.

The analysis found that capping the price of conventional ethanol RINs would lead to:
-    A reduction of up to 300 million gallons in biomass-based diesel volumes each year—in part, because these volumes would no longer be utilized for compliance with the conventional biofuels requirements;
-    $185 million more in feed costs for livestock producers—likely leading to an increase in food costs for consumers; and
-    $.16 less per bushel of soybeans.

The analysis utilized WAEES’s partial equilibrium model, which can be broken down into crops, livestock and biofuels components encompassing feed grains, food grains, cotton, sugar, oilseeds, ethanol, biodiesel, beef, pork and poultry. Important to understanding the results of the analysis, the model made conservative assumptions, including an assumption that the biodiesel tax credit would be reinstated. If the credit isn’t reinstated, we should expect to see even greater harm and lower volumes produced domestically.

The analysis showed that soybean producers would receive approximately 16 cents less per bushel in 2020 due to reduced demand for their products. On the flip side, the price of soybean meal—i.e., the protein, not the oil for biodiesel production—will increase more than $5 per short ton. As a result, livestock producers are expected to pay roughly $185 million more in feed costs due to a cap on RINs. A similar impact can be expected for other oilseed meals, such as canola. These increased costs may negatively impact consumer food costs.

“This analysis clearly demonstrates the severe harm to the biodiesel market caused by capping conventional ethanol RIN prices,” said Kovarik. “The impacts of a RIN cap also extend far beyond energy markets—harming livestock and oilseed producers, and raising the cost of food for consumers.”

The Renewable Fuel Standard—a bipartisan policy passed in 2005 and signed into law by President George W. Bush—requires certain volumes of renewable fuels to be used in transportation fuel, heating oil or jet fuel. Expanded in 2007, the law requires increasing volumes of advanced biofuels, such as biomass-based diesel, with each year. Advanced biofuels are fuels designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for meeting the threshold of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent, as compared to petroleum. (Biodiesel has significant lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions compared to petroleum diesel—anywhere from 57 to 122 percent.) Biomass-based diesel and cellulosic biofuels are fuels nested within the advanced biofuels category, and can quality both as their nested fuel type and as an advanced biofuel. Advanced biofuels can qualify for RINs for their advanced biofuel category, as well as conventional biofuels (which has a lower threshold of greenhouse gas emissions reductions). The interconnected nature of the program and how RINs can qualify for multiple categories is one reason that capping one type of RINs impacts other fuels.



 NFU Urges Administration Against RINs Cap

Trump Administration officials will meet leaders from biofuel and oil companies on Monday to end the current impasse over the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

One proposal being floated by oil company representatives would put a cap on prices for Renewable Identification Numbers, or RINs, which are required to comply with the RFS. The proposal stands to undermine growth in the biofuels industry, according to National Farmers Union (NFU).

NFU President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in advance of Monday’s meeting:

“NFU opposes a cap on RIN prices because it would undermine the RFS and disincentivize blending of homegrown, renewable fuels in our transportation sector. Production of these biofuels is vital to family farmers and rural communities right now, as farm incomes are less than half of what they were just four years ago.

“Not only is a RIN cap harmful to American agriculture, it is a sellout of farmers and a handout to refiners. The Administration should simply lift the summertime restriction on the sale of E15, which would both boost ethanol production and decrease costs for refiners by instituting new RINs. NFU strongly urges the Administration to reject any RFS deal that includes a cap on RIN prices.”



More Grain Dust Explosions Reported Nationwide

There were seven reported grain dust explosions at U.S. food and agricultural facilities in 2017, two more than in 2016 but still below the 10-year average of 9.3 explosions per year, according to an annual report issued by Purdue University's Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.

The explosions in 2017 resulted in five fatalities and 12 injuries. Incidents were reported at one pet food plant, one grain mill and five grain elevators. There were three fatalities in 2016.

Kingsly Ambrose, assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering and lead author of the report, said preventive measures can be taken to avoid dust explosions.

"Even with a 40 percent increase in the volume of grains handled and processed since the OSHA grain-handling standard was promulgated in 1988, the number of incidents has steadily declined over the past 10 years," Ambrose said. "Keeping the facility clean, training employees and contract workers, keeping equipment in good working condition by preventive maintenance and the use of dust explosion suppression systems and venting systems are good prevention practices."

Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Oregon and Minnesota each reported one explosion last year, and two happened in Wisconsin. All dust explosion fatalities in 2017 happened in Wisconsin during a single incident, which also accounted for 11 injuries. The other injury was reported in Oregon.

In two cases, the cause was reported as an overheated bearing and electric spark. The remaining five cases had unknown ignition sources, which Ambrose said is often the case due to the explosion destroying evidence that could confirm the source.

Ambrose said dust is generated when grain is moved, which is why most 2017 explosions occurred in the latter half of the year when grain is more likely to be handled.



2018 Commodity Classic in Anaheim Attracts 8000+

More than 8,000 farmers, agriculture leaders and ag advocates converged on the Anaheim Convention Center to “GROW BEYOND!” as the 2018 Commodity Classic took place Feb. 27-Mar.1 in California.  Commodity Classic is America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and trade show.

Included in the preliminary number of 8,055 registered in Anaheim were a record number of non-exhibitor first-time attendees (1,533) and more than 150 media representatives. A total of 3,646 farmers from across the nation and several foreign countries were on hand to take part in a robust slate of educational sessions, tour the large trade show and hear from a wide range of experts and thought-leaders in agriculture.  Attendance numbers are preliminary and subject to a final audit.

Highlights of the 2018 Commodity Classic included:
      •     A keynote address by Sonny Perdue, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, who also took part in a Q&A session on the Main Stage on the trade show floor
      •     A slate of more than 40 educational sessions on topics ranging from soil health to farm policy, from trade to pollinators, from high-yield strategies to cover crops and more
      •     A huge trade show featuring 367 companies commanding a total of 1,894 booth spaces
      •     A three-day showcase of innovation, technology, equipment and groundbreaking ideas that are changing the face of agriculture and food production
      •     Dozens of opportunities for farmers to network and learn from each other
      •     Meetings and policy development sessions involving the presenting commodity associations

“We were very pleased with the turnout in Anaheim and the enthusiasm and energy were palpable,” said Paul Taylor, an Illinois farmer and co-chair of the 2018 Commodity Classic. “Commodity Classic attracts people who are passionate about agriculture, thirsty for knowledge and positive about the future.”

Gerry Hayden, a Kentucky farmer and 2018 Commodity Classic co-chair agreed. “Commodity Classic is run by farmers, for farmers,” he said. “That makes for a unique and meaningful experience for everyone who attends—and everyone takes away new ideas that will help their operation Grow Beyond!”

The 2019 Commodity Classic will take place Feb. 28-Mar. 2, 2019 in Orlando, Florida.



Takeover Talks Between ADM, Bunge Have Stalled

Takeover talks between Bunge Ltd. and Archer Daniels Midland Co. have stalled, people familiar with the matter said, throwing into question a combination that could have formed one of the world's largest agricultural conglomerates.

The two companies, among the largest global traders and processors of farm commodities, have been unable to reach an agreement despite more than a month of negotiations, the people said. The Wall Street Journal reported in January that ADM had approached Bunge about a takeover of the company that would vastly expand ADM's reach into South American grain markets and boost its soybean-processing capabilities.

The talks had already been moving at a slow pace as the companies discussed ways to resolve potential pushback from antitrust and other authorities, the people said.

It isn't clear whether the talks will pick up again.

The development could ratchet up pressure on Bunge's management to explore other ways to boost its value, or find a different deal, as the agriculture industry remains under pressure from a global glut of crops. The White Plains, N.Y., company in February reported its net income in 2017 dropped to $160 million from $745 million, and Bunge last year unveiled a restructuring plan to cut $250 million in annual expenses by 2020.

Continental Grain Co., an investment firm that owns about 1.2% of Bunge's shares, on Monday won U.S. approval to purchase more stock, a sign it intends to push management to find a deal or another way to create value. Continental five years ago pushed for change at U.S. pork giant Smithfield Foods Inc., which eventually sold itself to a Chinese meat company.

Adding to the pressure on Bunge, its shares had climbed 11% since the ADM deal discussions surfaced. ADM's shares gained about 8%, signaling that its shareholders also like the prospect of a deal.

But signs have emerged in recent weeks that business for Bunge and other crop processors could improve. Dry weather in Argentina is expected to damage that country's soybean crop, which analysts see as slowing global supply growth and improving profit margins for companies such as Bunge, the world's largest processor of soybeans.

The stalled talks between ADM and Bunge could provide an opening for mining conglomerate Glencore PLC, which operates an agricultural trading division that Chief Executive Ivan Glasenberg has been eager to expand. Glencore last May confirmed it had approached Bunge about a deal after the Journal broke the news of the move.

Mr. Glasenberg recently said that an agreement by Glencore not to make a hostile bid for Bunge had expired, though he didn't comment on whether Glencore would re-engage with the company.

Mr. Glasenberg has been closely monitoring Bunge and ADM since news of their negotiations broke, people familiar with the matter have said.

Glencore hadn't made a renewed approach, they added.

ADM's interest in acquiring Bunge, one of its oldest and largest competitors, represented a potential strategic shift for the Chicago-based grain giant. Over the last five years, ADM has spent billions of dollars acquiring smaller companies focused on flavorings and specialty ingredients to build a business that could be more profitable and less volatile than buying and trading commodity crops such as corn and soybeans.

Purchasing Bunge would have marked a shift given its big presence in commodity trading. However, some ADM investors were drawn to the potential for cutting costs and running Bunge's operations more profitably.



Highly Pathogenic H5N6, H7N9 Outbreaks in China

China reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N6 bird flu at a duck farm in the Guangxi province, the Paris-based World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said on Wednesday, citing a report from the Chinese agriculture ministry.  The virus killed 23,950 ducks out of a flock of 30,462 ducks, the ministry said. The remaining birds were all slaughtered, it said.

In a separate report, China also reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic H7N9 bird flu in a backyard in the Shaanxi province, the OIE said.  The virus killed 810 layers out of a flock of 1,000 birds, it says.



Introducing The Annex by Ardent Mills

Ardent Mills, North America’s leading flour supplier and grain innovator, has announced the launch of a new business unit, The Annex by Ardent Mills (“The Annex”), dedicated to exploring and providing food companies and foodservice operators with “next” grains and unique plant-based ingredients.

Driven by a team of experts The Annex offers the nimbleness, flexibility and speed of a start-up, all supported with the resources, relationships and expertise of Ardent Mills. It operates as a company-within-a-company, cultivating deep and lasting ties with farmers, university and private research teams, customers, and key vendors to identify, source, grow and pioneer everything from organic and heirloom grains to leading-edge ingredients.

The Annex offers a growing portfolio that includes heirloom wheats – emmer, einkorn, spelt, White Sonora; rye; barley; pulses; and ancient grains including Ardent Mills Great Plains Quinoa®, amaranth, millet, buckwheat, teff and sorghum. These ingredients are available in a variety of traditional forms like whole berries, flours and flakes as well as unique formats, including mixes, blends, IQF (individual quick frozen) and crisps. The Annex is also open to custom grain and ingredient programs which include exclusive cultivation of select grains that are not in commercial production.

“An annex is independent yet is part of something bigger,” says The Annex by Ardent Mills General Manager Shrene White. “We’re excited to be empowered by Ardent Mills to be idea cultivators and solution providers. The Annex will support Ardent Mills traditional flour customers and a wide spectrum of new customers by offering a one-of-a-kind product portfolio. We love a challenge. And we bring to our work an earnest desire to collaborate with customers, farmers, universities and researchers, supporting their innovation and cultivating ideas to help build their businesses, whether it’s in fresh or packaged prepared foods, bakery or beverage.”

The Annex is backed by The Ardent Mills Advantage, a robust network of services, resources and experts that includes everything from R&D, production and culinary support to consumer insights, and risk management. Innovative Bakery Resources (IBR), another business unit of Ardent Mills, along with its Arlington, Ore. mix facility, are now integrated into The Annex by Ardent Mills. IBR is a state-of-the-art artisan bakery, where cutting-edge concepts and high-touch craftsmanship come together to help customers quickly take their ideas to market.

“We’re excited about the possibilities The Annex opens up,” says Ardent Mills CEO Dan Dye, “It’s a big step based on a simple, powerful idea: good food matters to everyone, and it should be available to everyone. We look forward to working closely with our partners big and small as we dream together about where that idea is headed next.”