Tuesday September 25 Ag News

Northeast showcases agriculture, applied technology programs at Husker Harvest Days

The “world’s largest totally irrigated farm show” served as a perfect backdrop for Northeast Community College to showcase one of its newest programs as well as its students. Northeast has had a presence at Husker Harvest Days in Grand island for a number of years, but in 2018, the College added an outdoor exhibit in addition to staffing its regular indoor booth.

“This is the first year we had our Precision Ag simulator trailer and some mobile trainings that feature the use of our two-row planter our staff built and a spray application simulator,” said Corinne Morris, dean of agriculture, science and math. “The two-row planter sparked the curiosity of several producers and industry people who stopped to ask how we are using it. They seemed to be impressed to learn that we use it to demonstrate several aspects of precision planting.”

The Precision Agriculture Learning (PAL) simulator is outfitted with multiple hands-on mobile training modules to train current and future producers. The simulator is an integral part of a three-year, $785,000 grant awarded to the College by the National Science Foundation. Northeast purchased a trailer to transport the PAL simulator and its modules to educational trainings and events across the College’s 20-county service area and beyond.

“In this next year, we’ll be visiting area high schools as well as offering customized training for producers and those in industry through Northeast’s precision agriculture program … and the PAL simulator will be a big part of that,” Morris said.

Husker Harvest Days is a good opportunity that allows high school students and producers to see what the College has to offer. Many schools send students in their agriculture-related classes and FFA programs to practice their networking skills.

“We already have a great relationship with all of the FFA groups and Husker Harvest Days is another way for us to meet with many of those students. This setting allows us to have more casual one-on-one conversations with potential students and find out what their individual goals are. In turn, it allows them to be engaged and develop their own communication skills when they speak to people like us.”

Morris said it’s not easy for some students to make those initial contacts.

“But they see places like Northeast Community College as already a ‘friendly place.’ They may start by coming up to booths like ours before they stop at a business because we look familiar to them. That’s why we’re here … we’re here to help.”

Morris said Husker Harvest Days is also a time for she and her faculty and staff to network with business and industry representatives as they work with the students in preparing them to become their future employees.

In addition to the agriculture programs, Northeast also sent representatives from its applied technology division. Those stopping by the outdoor booth had the opportunity to try their hand at welding through the College’s welding simulator, see high performance engines and participate in a diesel challenge where students competed against one another in disassembling a diesel engine and putting it back together.

“The hands-on events presented a terrific opportunity to showcase various careers and gave visitors a taste of a career they might not have given much thought to,” said Shanelle Grudzinski, associate dean of applied technology at Northeast.

Inside the West Diversified Industries Building, Brad Ranslem, director of recruitment, and Anthony Faust, recruiter, visited with high school students and the general public in providing additional information on the College.

“I had multiple people go out of their way to personally stop at our booth and give positive feedback about Northeast and acknowledging that we are a great option for students,” Ranslem said. “It’s not uncommon for generations of families to attend Northeast. There were parents of current and former students that told us how much they loved Northeast when they attended and that their kids love it, too.”

Husker Harvest Days organizers say approximately 100,000 people attend the three-day show each year.



Ricketts Welcomes EPA Approval of E-30 Pilot for State of Nebraska Vehicles

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts and state agencies welcomed news that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a project requested by the State of Nebraska to study the use of higher ethanol blends.  In the pilot program, the State of Nebraska will study the use of E-30 in conventional vehicles owned by the state.

“Thank you to acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler and his team for approving Nebraska’s E-30 pilot project,” said Governor Ricketts.  “I appreciate the great work Todd Sneller and Nebraska’s ethanol advocates did in collaboration with the EPA to bring this to fruition.  We look forward to piloting the use of Nebraska-grown and produced E-30 in state vehicles.”

In recent months, the Governor’s Office, Nebraska Ethanol Board, Governors’ Biofuels Coalition, and state agencies have been working with the EPA on a request to pilot the use of higher ethanol blends in state vehicles.  The pilot program will assess the effects of E-15 and E-30 blends on “vehicle performance, fuel economy, and emissions control systems” in state-owned vehicles.  The fuel used in the pilot program will be supplied by Nebraska ethanol companies.

“This demonstration program is designed to evaluate the use of an E-30 ethanol blend in conventional vehicles compared to the same type vehicles operating on E-10 and E-15 blends,” said Sarah Caswell, Administrator of the Nebraska Ethanol Board.  “Fuel cost per mile, performance, maintenance and other factors will be included as a part of the project.  Several engineering consultants from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will help provide technical expertise during the duration of the project.  Approximately 50 vehicles will be involved in the demonstration program.  In addition to state fueling sites, six Nebraska fuel marketers have agreed to provide access to E-30 at fueling sites in the state.”

Previously, Governor Ricketts had directed state agencies to order flex fuel vehicles when possible and other vehicles must be compatible with E-15.  The state has also switched over fuel pumps from E-10 to E-15, and agencies also have E-85 available.  These include:
·       The Transportation Services Bureau at the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services has switched from E-10 to E-15.  They also offer E-85.
·       Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) has switched all gas sites from E-10 to E-15.  NDOT has seven sites providing E-15 and three sites with E-85.
·       Nebraska State Patrol vehicles generally utilize E-15.

“This E-30 pilot program is a great opportunity for us to demonstrate what we in the corn and ethanol industries have known for a long time,” said Dave Bruntz, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board and farmer from Friend.  “By using a 30 percent ethanol blend in standard, non-flex fuel vehicles, we’ll be able to conclusively prove higher ethanol blends are clean-burning and don’t harm or damage engines.  By going through this program and through rigorous testing, we’re paving the way for high-performing, renewable options for consumers.”

The pilot is expected to be launched in the coming weeks.  More details will become available as the pilot program gets underway.



E15 Now Bus Tour Tomorrow

Siouxland Ethanol welcomes a visit from the E15 Now bus, September 26  from 10 am to 12 noon during an ETHANOL PROMOTION DAY at Jackson Express in Jackson, Neb. The bus is traveling across the heartland to rally support for quick action on the president’s promise to unleash E15 ethanol blends, made with 15 percent ethanol, a grain-based biofuel. The bus is part of a nationwide campaign, led by biofuel supporters at Growth Energy, that is working to end outdated restrictions against the summer-time sale of lower-cost, higher-octane biofuel blends that are only currently available during the spring, winter, and fall.

 From 11:15 am - 12:30 pm special guests at the bus stop will include: Neb Senator Lydia Brasch, Bancroft, Chair of the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee and Neb Senator Joni Albrecht, Thurston, Chair of the Business & Labor Committee

“E15 is cleaner, greener and cheaper.  It improves the quality of air we breathe.  At Siouxland Ethanol, we manufacture a fuel that lowers greenhouse gas emissions by more than 30% and today costs almost $1 per gallon less than gasoline.  At a time when agriculture is waking up to headline after headline of actions that are destroying demand for our products, it’s time this Administration puts forth a rule making that enables new demand.   The reid vapor pressure restrictions on E15 and higher blends are exactly the type of ridiculous regulations President Trump promised he would dismantle." Pam Miller, Director of Industry and Investor Relations, Siouxland Ethanol LLC.

    Siouxland Ethanol turns area corn into 85 million gallons of homegrown biofuels each year

    With E15, consumers can save up to 10 cents on every gallon, while supporting local farmers and a stronger rural economy

    Farm income has fallen 47 percent over the last few years, but new markets for American biofuels can help turn things around

“Rural America is counting on the Trump Administration to open up new domestic markets for homegrown fuel so we can have cleaner, more affordable options at the pump,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Nationwide adoption of E15 could drive billions of gallons of new ethanol demand, creating a much-needed market for two billion bushels of American corn. We’re calling on policymakers to make certain that 2018 was the last summer that drivers are denied a chance to save money on fuel while supporting local farmers. Our bus tour is helping spread the message at fairs, campaign rallies, and community events across the heartland that rural America wants action on E15, and we want it now.”



Applications Available NOW for the 2019 Corn & Soy Ambassador Program!

The Nebraska Corn Growers Association and the Nebraska Soybean Association are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2019 Corn and Soy Ambassador Program. The Corn and Soy Ambassador Program is a year long program for college students who are interested in learning more about the industry and becoming better advocates for agriculture. Each year up to 10 students are selected to participate in the program.

Throughout the year, students will take part in three seminars and a summer tour. The first meeting covers state and federal policies affecting the corn and soybean industries. The second meeting will focus on the role of checkoff programs in promoting corn and soybeans. The final meeting gives the students a glimpse of advocacy and leadership opportunities after they graduate. Meetings will take place in the Lincoln, NE area. The summer agribusiness industry tour will include different areas of the industry including, manufacturing, production, and processing. These stops will hopefully give students more insight into potential jobs and internships in the industry.

During the course of the program, students are also asked to spend time to promoting the state’s corn and soybean grower associations and checkoffs at promotional events such as Husker Harvest Day and Soybean Management Field Days. Following the completion of the program students will be recognized at the annual meetings of the corn and soybean associations, and each will be presented a $500 scholarship to help them with school expenses. Funding for portions of the program is provided by the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Soybean Board.

“The Corn and Soy Ambassador Program is a great way for college students to get an introduction to the industry. Many of our past program participants have gone on to internships and jobs from connections made during this program. We are looking forward to another excellent class,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, Executive Director of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA).

Applications for the Corn and Soy Ambassador Program can be found on the Nebraska Corn Growers Association website, necga.org. Nebraska Corn will also have applications on hand at the CASNR Career Fair on Thursday, September 27th in the East Campus Union.



Preconditioned vs Weaned Calves can Affect Bunk Space Requirements in Feedlots
Mariah Woolsoncroft, Nebraska Extension Educator

Weaning season is right around the corner for producers. However, some producers do not think about how their management techniques can affect calves when entering the feedlot. These techniques can affect how calves are managed when received at the feedlot and subsequently, can determine the number of head in a pen during receiving. This article will review the difference in bunk space requirements between calves that are weaned and shipped immediately to a different location compared to calves that are preconditioned before entering the feedlot. Preconditioning is defined by calves that are vaccinated, have a nutritional background, and have had time to adjust to weaning before being shipped to a new location.

TIME TO ADJUST
There are multiple ways to ease stressors on calves before entering the feedlot. One practice is waiting a week or longer after weaning before moving the calves to a new location or sale barn. This allows calves to adapt slowly to changes. Allowing calves time to adjust after weaning before moving locations is called “precondition”.

Additionally, limiting the number of calves in small groups helps ease the transition to group housing. By limiting the number of head, calves are allowed to adapt to the social interactions of group housing. This can decrease a calf’s stress level. This strategy can be translated into a feedlot as well, because calves need time to adapt to a new location and new calves in a pen.

PATHOGENS
Another concern to be aware of is pathogens. Pathogen loads could vary in preconditioned calves’ versus weaned calves. Preconditioned calves could potentially have a built up immune system against pathogens because of the social interaction prior to entering the feedlot. Weaning, change of diets, transportation, and change of housing can all be stressful events for calves, thus suppressing the immune system which weakens its ability to fight pathogens present in feedlots.

RUMEN DEVELOPMENT
Rumen development cannot be overlooked while a calf is being weaned. Rumen development is extremely important for calf health because it takes 4 to 6 months before the rumen is completely developed. Feeding high starches (grains) can increase the rate of rumen growth and development. Calves that are preconditioned could potentially have had access to long stem forages and grains which would aid in gut health. The calves that have access to forages or grains could also potentially be bunk broke because the dams may have taught the calves what is in a feed bunk. This can also affect bunk space in a feedlot for calves that are preconditioned or weaned.

BUNK SPACE
The issues listed above, can affect the number of calves in a pen at a feedlot. According to Harner and Murphy, the recommended bunk space for backgrounding feedlots (500 to 700 lb calves) is 18 inches per head. Younger cattle are more likely to eat together which requires more bunk space compared to finishing cattle. However, one needs to consider the differences in bunk space for preconditioned calves and weaned calves in a feedlot. Finishing cattle have a bunk space of 9 to 12 inches per head. These differences in bunk space are due to the factors described above.

WATER
Water consumption is another factor that can aid in calf health. Cattle can consume 8 to 20 gallons per 1,000 pound animal unit. This will vary depending on the weather and time of the year. Having fresh clean water for calves is important for rumen development. Calves should have unlimited clean water at all times.

CONCLUSION
Bunk space can vary depending on if calves were preconditioned or not prior to entering the feedlot. If calves are preconditioned, they have been exposed to group housing and can have a more tolerable immune system compared to the calves that were weaned and sent to a sale barn then to the feedlot. If calves are bunk broke, vaccinated, and have had social interactions prior to entering the feedlot this can result in more head in a receiving pen. On the contrary, calves that are weaned and sent to a sale barn without preconditioning, and are not familiarized with social interactions, could require more bunk space in a receiving pen.



Pork Industry Commits To Fighting Antibiotic Resistance

The National Pork Producers Council is joining with more than 100 public- and private-sector U.S. organizations in a global initiative to create international standards and codes of practices to prevent unsafe residues of veterinary drugs in food, to develop integrated surveillance that can help mitigate risks associated with antibiotic use and to minimize the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance in humans and animals.

Known as the “AMR Challenge” and being led by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the initiative is bringing together pharmaceutical and health insurance companies, food animal producers and purchasers, medical professionals, government health officials and leaders from around the world to collaborate on efforts to address antibiotic resistance, which in the United States annually affects about 2 million people, with 23,000 of them dying.

“Antibiotic resistance is a very serious issue, and the U.S. pork industry is committed to doing its part to address it,” said Dr. Gordon Spronk, a swine veterinarian from Minnesota and an NPPC board member. “Pork producers have practiced responsible use of antibiotics for as long as they’ve been employing them as a way to keep their animals healthy and produce safe pork.”

The international effort will focus on improving antibiotic uses, including ensuring people have access to them when needed; developing new vaccines, drugs and diagnostic tests; improving infection prevention and control; and enhancing antibiotic use data sharing and data collection.

NPPC will provide pork industry knowledge and scientific evidence to inform the development of the standards on antibiotic residues and utilize communications channels to increase industry knowledge and adoption of standards that ultimately are accepted by the World Organization for Animal Health and the U.N.’s Codex Alimentarius Commission, the international food-safety standards-setting organization.

“Developing international, science-based standards will provide objective information for best antibiotics uses, whether we’re talking about in people or animals,” Spronk said.



K-State Boosts Efforts to Address Swine Fever Questions

With recent occurrences of African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) and Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV) in countries important for U.S. trade, there have been many questions about how to best prevent foreign animal disease transmission into U.S. swine herds.

Cassie Jones, an associate professor in Kansas State University's Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, says that while feed and ingredients are not the most likely sources of introduction and transmission, they are a documented vector for disease. Thus, the extension of on-farm biosecurity practices to the feed mill is important.

"We have made updates to the 'Feed Safety Resources' link on www.KSUSwine.org to answer producer questions about African Swine Fever Virus in feed," Jones said. "The updated site includes frequently asked questions about ASFV in feed."

For example, many producers have approached members of the K-State swine nutrition team with questions about which ingredients are high risk, and what they can do to help keep their feed safe.

Jones said that the FAQ document on the website describes that an ingredient may be high risk for foreign animal disease transmission based on its geographic, agricultural and transportation practices. Ingredients that may be dried on roadsides in countries with circulating ASFV would be higher risk than those fermented in a biosecure facility in a country free of foreign animal disease.

Also, the website http://bit.ly/KSUFeedSafetyResources includes a biosecurity audit for producers to use for suppliers or in their own facilities to help identify the risk of the disease entering into feed. Jones said there are also links to research articles on viral transmission in animal feed, and the site includes questions to ask suppliers to help reduce risk of ASFV transmission.



Farmers Union Urges Fair and Consistent Application of the Term “Meat” Across the Federal Government
As new, alternative “meat” products make their way onto grocery store shelves, National Farmers Union (NFU) is encouraging federal officials to establish a definition for “meat” that fairly and consistently informs consumers about the difference between meat products that come from livestock raised in the traditional manner and alternative proteins that are created in a laboratory.

“Because of rapidly evolving technologies such as animal cell culture applications, NFU urges establishment and clarification of the standard of identity for ‘meat’ and related products to prevent mislabeling of food in the marketplace,” wrote NFU President Roger Johnson in comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Existing labeling and marketing laws should be consistently enforced, and regulations should be updated to promote fair competition for producers and the health and safety of consumers.”

Johnson noted that common names given to meat and animal products are widely understood by consumers to be the tissue and flesh of animals that have been slaughtered for food.

“Foods produced using animal cell culture technology are not slaughtered, but rather are derived from animal cells grown in a petri dish and other growing media,” Johnson explained. “Thus, NFU opposes labeling of foods produced using cell culture applications as ‘meat’ and as related products such as ‘beef,’ ‘poultry’ and ‘seafood.’”

Johnson pointed out that FDA has the responsibility under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to deem a food “misbranded” if its labeling is false or misleading, if it is offered for sale under the name of another food or if it is an imitation of another food. “Labeling foods produced using animal cell culture technology as “meat” and other related products is false and misleading,” he said.

Johnson said the topic is also concerning because of extreme consolidation in the beef, pork and poultry industries, which has diminished family farmers’ and ranchers’ market share.

“Lab grown products are likely to be produced by large companies, including the major global meatpackers, exacerbating the anti-competitive practices facing family farmers and ranchers and the rural communities in which they live,” said Johnson. “Fairly and accurately labeling animal cell culture products would provide some protection for family farmers’ and ranchers’ market share.”

“It is critical that a clear standard of identity for “meat” and related products is established and that this standard is implemented consistently across the federal government,” he concluded.



Secretary Perdue Statement on DOJ Filing in 9th Circuit Chlorpyrifos Ruling

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today praised the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) decision to request a rehearing of a pesticide case before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. DOJ has asked for a panel rehearing and a rehearing en banc in a case in which the court directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban chlorpyrifos, a common and useful pesticide, within 60 days.

Secretary Perdue issued the following statement:
“USDA disagrees with the ruling ordering EPA to revoke tolerances and cancel registrations for chlorpyrifos. The decision appears to be based on a misunderstanding of both the available scientific information and EPA’s pesticide regulatory system. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other groups have pointed out significant flaws in the draft chlorpyrifos assessments on which the court based its opinion, and USDA supports EPA’s conclusion that the available scientific evidence does not indicate the need for a total ban on the use of chlorpyrifos. EPA should be allowed to continue its ongoing science-based and expert-led evaluation of chlorpyrifos, which is part of EPA’s registration review program that covers all pesticides.

“The costs of an incorrect decision on chlorpyrifos are expected to be high and would cause serious impacts to American farmers working to feed, fuel, and clothe the United States and the world. This ruling, which would mean the sudden and total loss of chlorpyrifos, prevents farmers from using an effective and economical crop protection tool. Chlorpyrifos is used on well over 50 crops grown throughout the United States due to its efficacy and broad-spectrum activity across multiple pests. For some crops and target pests, chlorpyrifos is the only line of defense, with no viable alternatives.

“Chlorpyrifos helps farmers and consumers by improving production efficiency and contributing to public health and safety. The arbitrary, immediate, and total loss of this crop protection tool endangers agricultural industries and is expected to have wide economic impacts. Given the court’s incorrect assessment of the scientific evidence, we thank the Department of Justice for continuing to fight on behalf of American farmers and consumers in support of science-based regulatory oversight of crucial crop protection tools.”



USMEF Statement on Signing of Revised KORUS

On Sept. 24, the revised Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) was signed by President Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued the following statement:

Signing of the revised KORUS agreement is reassuring news for the U.S. beef and pork industries. The market access terms secured in the original KORUS not only helped increase U.S. red meat's market share in South Korea, but also bolstered consumption by making our beef and pork products more affordable and accessible to Korean consumers. The United States is the largest supplier of beef to Korea and trails only the European Union as the second-largest pork supplier. U.S. red meat exports to Korea set a record last year of $1.7 billion, up 19 percent year-over-year and up 69 percent from 2012, when KORUS entered into force. This trend continues in 2018, with both U.S. beef and pork export value increasing more than 50 percent compared to a year ago. Korea is now the second-largest value market for U.S. beef (after Japan) and fourth-largest for U.S. pork (after Japan, Mexico and China/Hong Kong).

Under KORUS, most U.S. pork products now enter Korea duty-free. The duty rate on U.S. beef has been reduced from 40 percent to 21.3 percent and will continue to decline each year until it is eliminated by 2026. All major red meat competitors also now have free trade agreements with Korea, but the U.S. has benefited from KORUS being implemented earlier than most of these FTAs, providing the U.S. with a head start on tariff elimination. USMEF thanks our U.S. trade officials for recognizing the importance of the favorable terms included in KORUS, and maintaining them in the revised agreement.



 Statement by Steve Nelson, President, Regarding Signing of KORUS Trade Agreement

“The President’s approval of a modernized United States-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) is welcomed news for Nebraska farmers and ranchers. South Korea has been a tremendous trading partner and consumer of Nebraska beef, pork, corn, soybeans, as well as other agriculture commodities. This agreement eliminates the uncertainties that existed about our ability to access this critical market moving forward.”

“Nebraska Farm Bureau’s own economic analysis* shows the KORUS agreement was worth roughly $340 million to Nebraska agriculture in terms of total exports in 2016. On an individual basis, our analysis shows the KORUS agreement is worth $34.35 cents per-head to Nebraska beef producers and $11.52 cents per-head for Nebraska pork producers. The fact this trade agreement will continue is a win for Nebraska agriculture, our farm and ranch families, and Nebraska’s broader economy.”

“Furthermore, we are hopeful the finalization of the KORUS agreement is just the start of more good news for agriculture that would come in the form of the U.S. finalizing an updated NAFTA agreement with Canada and Mexico as well as the U.S. expanding market opportunities into other countries including the EU, Japan, and other member nations involved in the Trans-Pacific Partnership.”



CWT Assists with 1.3 Million Pounds of Cheese and Whole Milk Powder Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) member cooperatives accepted five offers of export assistance from CWT that helped them capture contracts to sell 850,984 pounds (386 metric tons) of Cheddar cheese, and 440,925 pounds (200 metric tons) of whole milk powder. The product has been contracted for delivery in Asia and Oceania for the period from October 2018 through March 2019.

CWT-assisted member cooperative 2018 export sales total 51.952 million pounds of American-type cheeses, 12.962 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) and 52.298 million pounds of whole milk powder to 35 countries on five continents. These sales are the equivalent of 1.153 billion pounds of milk on a milkfat basis. Totals have been adjusted to reflect bid cancellations.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program in the long term helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively affects all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



DAIRY FARMERS OF AMERICA EXPLORES BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY

As companies across the globe increasingly embrace blockchain technology, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a national cooperative owned by dairy farm families across the U.S., is testing blockchain’s capabilities in the area of food and agriculture. DFA has partnered with ripe.io, a food tech startup focused on using blockchain technology to transform the food supply chain for data transparency, so consumers can be confident in their food from farm to fork. Through the pilot project, DFA is hoping to increase supply chain transparency and better connect our farmer owners with customers.

“Consumers today want to know where their food comes from and blockchain technology, like ripe.io, gives consumers real-time data, which can really help increase trust and confidence about food production from start to finish,” says David Darr, Vice President Sustainability and Member Services at DFA.

The pilot project is utilizing the ripe.io platform and leverages data from a group of DFA member farms as well as one of DFA’s manufacturing plants to support more consumer engagement.

“We know that there’s a lot of application for blockchain technology within agriculture, and we ultimately want to help our dairy farmers be on the forefront,” adds Darr. “For now, our goal is to evaluate the technology and explore how it might benefit our supply chain.”

Recently, ripe.io completed the 2018 Sprint Accelerator program, which is also sponsored by DFA. The Accelerator is a 90-day, immersive program that helps accelerate and grow startup businesses.

“We’ve led and participated in many other pilot projects and know there are tremendous possibilities with blockchain and agriculture,” says Raja Ramachandran, CEO and co-founder at ripe.io. “DFA has been a great partner for us, and we look forward to working with them to better understand the potential value blockchain can provide for dairy.”