Thursday October 4 Ag News

Cattlemen’s Ball raises nearly $1.75 million
Amount raised is second highest in 21-year history
The results are in, and the 2018 Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska brought in nearly $1.75 million – the second most money ever raised in the 21-year history of the event and the sixth time the event has topped the $1 million mark. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $15.57 million.

The event was hosted by Randy and Becky Hergott of Hebron, Neb., with Rob and Natalie Marsh serving as co-hosts.

Of the $1.75 million, more than $1.55 million went to the Fred & Pamela Buffett Center for cancer research with the remaining 10 percent ($174,000) staying in the home county for a variety of programs. The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is located at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and its clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine.

A total of 56 groups in this area received proceeds, including four hospitals, 31 fire departments, three sheriff departments, nine Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs, seven community organizations and other health and wellness groups.

At the check presentation last month to Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Rob Marsh praised the support of the state.

“The greatest asset to Nebraska are its people,” he said, “and I think the greatest asset to the Cattlemen's Ball are the great people in Nebraska.

He said the ball met its three goals – to promote beef and a healthy diet; to showcase rural Nebraska; and to raise money for cancer research.

“When we started this, we took two buses filled with over 110 people to tour the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha,” Marsh said. “With this trip, it generated excitement that you could just feel.”

In accepting the check, Dr. Cowan said, “We are truly here for the people of Nebraska. Every ball is a lot of fun and unique. This ball was truly unique from the history of the area, to the pride of everyone that was a volunteer, to the attendees. We would love for Hebron to host the ball again.

“I will say this over and over again. Every single dollar that was given goes to research. Thank you to your community.”

The most money ever raised by a Cattlemen’s Ball was in 2013 when the Paxton/Sutherland communities hosted the event and raised more than $2.12 million.

The 2019 Cattlemen’s Ball will be held June 7-8 in rural Wauneta, a small village of 577 people located in southwest Nebraska. It is about 40 miles west of McCook and 60 miles south of Ogallala.

The ball will be hosted on the ranch of Wayne and Chris Krausnick near Enders Dam on the Frenchman River. The Krausnicks and Derek and Allison Sandman will serve as co-hosts of the event.

Cattlemen’s Ball by the numbers:
50 committees to plan and organize
200-250 people each committee
40+ communities representing the committees
1,100 volunteers from approximately 100 zip codes
1,512 tables
4,500 chairs
3 semi loads of wood chips
More than $13,000 sold in table decorations (goal was $5,000)
$13,000 made on golf tourney ($1,900 just in mulligans)
$27,430 made on the same five bottles of wine
$77,700 made on 26 guns
$80,000 made on beverages
$663,000 on four auctions with 285 items for the silent auction
$260,000 Calf for a Cure
$1,747,961 total amount made on the ball (steering committee’s goal was $1.5 million)
$1,550,961 to the Fred and Pamela Buffett Center
10 percent stays in the home county – $174,000 to 56 groups in this area, including four hospitals, 31 fire departments, three sheriff departments, nine Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs, seven community organizations and other health and wellness groups.

A history of success
The past 21 Cattlemen's Balls by year, site and amount raised:
·                     1998: Ainsworth, $95,000;
·                     1999: Lexington, $140,000;
·                     2000: Ogallala, $104,000;
·                     2001: Valentine, $133,000;
·                     2002: Valparaiso, $207,000;
·                     2003: Ashland, $33,000;
·                     2004: Brady, $174,000;
·                     2005: Wisner, $595,000;
·                     2006: Milford, $563,250;
·                     2007: Lodgepole, $480,000;
·                     2008: Albion, $798,000;
·                     2009: Doniphan, $488,694;
·                     2010: Kearney, $1,003,300;
·                     2011: West Point, $1,490,000;
·                     2012: McCool Junction, $1,410,300;
·                     2013: Paxton/Sutherland, $2,120,477;
·                     2014: Harrisburg/Banner County, $1,300,000;
·                     2015: Lynch, $985,000;
·                     2016: Princeton, $919,783  $805,000
·                     2017: Anselmo, $1,014,300 $904,000
·                     2018: Hebron, $1,747,961
Total: $15.8 million



Iowa auctioneer wins World Livestock Auctioneer Championship qualifier

Russele Sleep, Bedford, Iowa, was named Champion at the 2019 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) Midwestern Regional Qualifying Event on October 1. Holdenville Livestock Market in Holdenville, Oklahoma hosted the first of three WLAC qualifying events on Monday, October 1. A total of 32 contestants competed for a top 10 placing, granting them a spot in the 2019 WLAC at Tulare Sales Yard in Tulare, California.

Sleep says it was a great honor to be named the champion amongst 31 other top-notch auctioneers at the Midwest Qualifier. Having competed in WLAC qualifying events since 2009, Sleep is no rookie to the contest. He’s qualified for the WLAC seven consecutive years, and notes his goal is to take home the WLAC title in 2019.

“As champion I’d enjoy the opportunity to tour different markets across the country and make ranchers more aware of the benefits of true price discovery by selling their product through competitive bidding.”

In 2004, Sleep attended auctioneer school at Missouri Auction School and following, took his first auctioneering job selling weigh cows and bulls at the Maryville, Mo., location for United Producers, Inc. His career has progressed from there, and Sleep now sells five weekly livestock auctions.

Sleep was sponsored by Clarinda Livestock Auction Inc., Clarinda, Iowa; Fort Scott Livestock Market, Inc., Fort Scott, Kan.; SEK Stockyards, LLC, Gas, Kan.; Russell Livestock Market and Green City Livestock Marketing.

Also making a great showing were Reserve Champion Dean Edge, Rimbey, Alberta, Runner-Up Vernon Yoder, Dundee, Ohio and Top Rookie Josh Garcia, Goliad, Texas. The remaining contestants who earned a top ten finish are Jim Hertzog, Butler, Mo., Will Epperly, Dunlap, Iowa, Dustin Smith, Jay, Okla., Neil Bouray, Webber, Kan., Chuck Bradley, Rockford, Ala., Curis Wetovick, Fulerton, Neb., Dakota Davis, Caldwell, Kan.

A live cattle sale took place with actual bidders in the seats. Contestants were judged on the clarity and quality of their auction chant; auctioneer presentation; ability to catch bids and conduct the sale; and how likely the judge would be to hire the auctioneer. Judges for each qualifying event are livestock market owners and managers from across the United States.

Other contestants who competed are Bill Nance, Sheldon, MO., Sterlyn Paiz, Portalies, N.M., Lander Nicodemus, Cheyenne, Wyo., Marshal Tingle, Nicholasville, Ky., Jeremy Miller, Fairland, Okla., Wade Leist, Boyne City, Mich., Zach Ballard, Grant City, MO., Joshua Garcia, Goliad, Texas., Trey Narramore, Grants, N.M., Kirby Hill, Paris, Texas, Jim Settle, Arroyo Grande, Calif., Jase Hubert, Emporia, Kan., Andrew Finlay, Carbondale, Kan., Andy Baumeister, Mullin, Texas, Troy Bradshaw, Lipan, Texas, Tanner Jessup, Hillsboro, Kan., Chas Tillman, Swink, Okla., Kade Rogge, Rupert, Idaho, Mark Oberholtzer, Loyal, Wis., Terry Moe, Watford City, N.D., Jake Hopwood, Valentine, Neb., Ethan Schuette, Washington, Kan.



American Butter Institute Urges FDA to Address Mislabeled “Butter” Products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should take prompt enforcement action against seven “butter” substitutes that flagrantly violate the agency’s food labeling requirements and thus are misbranded, the American Butter Institute (ABI) said today at its Board of Directors Meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

ABI is the Arlington, Virginia-based trade association for manufacturers, processors, marketers and distributors of butter and butter products. The majority of butter consumed throughout the United States is made and marketed by ABI member companies and cooperatives.

As the only dairy food standard established by federal statute, butter is defined as “made exclusively from milk or cream, or both, with or without common salt, and with or without additional coloring matter, and containing not less than 80 per centum by weight of milk fat, all tolerances having been allowed for.” Concurrently, FDA dictates that certain foods should be deemed imitations if that food resembles another but is nutritionally inferior or fails to meet established characterizing ingredient requirements.

“The way in which these brands use the term ‘butter’ is false and misleading,” said Tom Balmer, executive director of ABI. “These imposter products don’t contain actual dairy ingredients, and cannot match real butter’s positive attributes – from its unmatched flavor and creamy, rich texture and unique performance in cooking and baking, to its significant level of Vitamin A. We’re bringing this deception to FDA so that it can rectify the issue and ensure truth and fairness in the marketplace.”

In comments sent recently to the FDA, ABI listed seven plant-based so-called “butter” brands that blatantly contradict the federal definition for butter, including Miyoko’s Kitchen “Vegan Butter” and Fora Foods’ “FabaButter.” Based on a labeling review of the seven brands, ABI underscored how each vegetable based-product contains no actual dairy ingredients, and called out some for lacking the positive nutritional profile associated with real butter.

“We thought this issue was settled decades ago, when the common term for vegetable spreads was ‘oleomargarine.’ But the misuse of the term ‘butter’ on non-dairy products has become ever more egregious in recent years, and FDA needs to remind makers of these products that they are violating long-standing regulations,” Balmer said.

“Section 102.5 (of Code of Federal Regulations Title 21) in no way permits the standardized term, ‘butter,’ to be used to name a non-standardized plant-based butter substitute that is characterized by its plant-based ingredients and the complete absence of milk, cream and other milk constituents that comprise standardized butter unless such products constitute and are labeled as ‘imitation butter,’” ABI said in its comments.

FDA prohibits a food from being sold under the name of a different food, as well as imitations of another food unless it bears the label “imitation.” While some of the products could possibly be re-labeled as “margarine” or “oleomargarine,” FDA regulations say that those considered nutritionally inferior to butter must bear the word “imitation” so as not to be false or misleading.

ABI argued that Congress established a definition for butter specifically to protect consumers from being deceived by simulated versions of the traditional product such as those identified in the complaint.



Illinois Farmer Named America's Pig Farmer of the Year

Patrick Bane, a pig farmer from Arrowsmith, Illinois, has been named the 2018 America’s Pig Farmer of the YearSM by achieving the highest combined score from a third-party judging panel and online voting. The award recognizes a pig farmer who excels at raising pigs using the We CareSM ethical principles and who connects with today’s consumers about how pork is produced.

“We are pleased to have Patrick represent America’s pig farmers. He embodies the very best in pig farming,” said Steve Rommereim, National Pork Board president and a pig farmer from Alcester, South Dakota. “It’s important that we tell today’s consumers how we raise their food in an ethical and transparent way. Patrick’s interest in sharing his farm’s story, as well as putting a face on today’s pig farming, will help us reach this goal.”

Raising pigs has been a life-long passion for Bane, whose family has been raising pigs for three generations. Bane raises 74,000 pigs on his farm in central Illinois, where he focuses on protecting public health, hiring the best people and maintaining herd health.

“It’s our responsibility to show the public that we are doing the right things to care for our animals and keep them healthy,” Bane said. “We need to foster an increased understanding about how food is raised using today’s modern technology. It’s not only good for us as farmers, but it’s good for consumers. You can’t drive that point home enough. We have a lot of good, positive stories to share.”

Bane was named America’s Pig Farmer of the Year following a third-party audit of his on-farm practices and after taking part in a series of written and oral interviews by subject-matter experts. He has achieved excellence in all aspects of pig farming, including animal care, environmental stewardship, employee work environment and outstanding community service.

The panel of expert judges, who met in late August with the four finalists, were Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane; Sarah Hendren, RDN, nutrition and quality assurance manager at Culver’s; Kari Underly, a third-generation butcher, author and principal of Range®, Inc., a meat marketing and education firm; J. Scott Vernon, professor, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, Cal Poly; and Leon Sheets, 2017 America’s Pig Farmer of the Year from Ionia, Iowa.

To learn more about Bane and the America’s Pig Farmer of the Year Award, visit americaspigfarmer.com.



Dairy Products August 2018 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.08 billion pounds, 2.8 percent above August 2017 but 0.7 percent below July 2018.  Italian type cheese production totaled 454 million pounds, 3.9 percent above August 2017 but 2.1 percent below July 2018.  American type cheese production totaled 425 million pounds, 2.7 percent above August 2017 but 3.5 percent below July 2018.  Butter production was 134 million pounds, 2.1 percent above August 2017 but 0.5 percent below July 2018.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with August 2017)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 123 million pounds, down 10.1 percent.
Skim milk powder - 47.6 million pounds, up 6.3 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with August 2017)
Dry whey, total - 79.7 million pounds, down 15.4 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 94.7 million pounds, down 2.0 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 41.2 million pounds, up 7.4 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with August 2017)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 71.5 million gallons, down 2.8 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 42.7 million gallons, down 1.6 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 3.52 million gallons, down 4.9 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 5.32 million gallons, down 5.9 percent.



Growth Energy Asks Congress to "Support Making E15 Year-Round a Reality" in New Ad

Today, Growth Energy released a new television ad stressing the vital role ethanol plays in rural America's economy and asking Congress to support making E15 year-round a reality. The latest ad campaign begins this week and will appear on televisions in Washington, D.C. and select markets across the heartland.

"The drive to give consumers cleaner, more affordable options at the pump gains momentum every day,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We’re making sure that President Trump and rural champions in Congress have the support they need to get this over the finish line. Farm families are hurting and there’s no time to delay a fix that could deliver two billion bushels of additional demand for U.S. corn while holding down prices at the pump.”

This ad is the latest in Growth Energy's ongoing  push to secure E15, a renewable fuel blend made from 15 percent ethanol, sales year-round.

Learn more at E15Now.com. 



CARB Action on LCFS Underscores Need for Ethanol-Supported HOLC Fuels

Asserting that they are taking the state's climate fight up a notch, members of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) last week adopted amendments to the state's low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) that could enhance the role of E85 and the use of ethanol in high-octane, low-carbon (HOLC) transportation fuels.

Among the principle aims of the amendments is the requirement of a 20 percent cut in the carbon intensity (CI) of gasoline and diesel by 2030, a goal that can be attained with the help of more efficient, high-octane fuels achieved through biofuel blending that can reduce emissions.

CI is the amount of carbon by weight emitted per unit of energy consumed, usually a British thermal unit (Btu).

CARB says the amended LCFS is "designed to make the program a more versatile, comprehensive tool in the fight against climate change," while bringing the standard in compliance with California's recently adopted GHG emissions-reduction target goal of 40 percent below 1990 levels for both power and transportation fuels combined by 2030.

Nearer-term requirements of the LCFS have been eased slightly, moving the state from what was a 10-percent reduction of emissions from gasoline and diesel below-2010 levels by 2020, down to 7.5 percent; a move deemed necessary after legal action from the ethanol industry forced CARB to suspend compliance in order to make administrative changes ordered by the court.

The required reductions then increase annually, moving to an 8.75-percent drop by 2021; 10 percent by 2022; 11.25 percent by 2023; 12.5 percent by 2024; 13.75 percent by 2025; 15 percent by 2026; 16.25 percent by 2027; 17.5 percent by 2028; 18.75 percent by 2029; and 20 percent by 2030.

The move to push the state's transportation sector toward a reduced emission future underscores the need for EPA, which is currently mulling new national fuel economy standards, to provide a viable pathway to a high-octane, low-carbon, lower-cost fuel for next-generation cars and light trucks. Once given final approval, the rule will acknowledge what EPA has known for years: increasing the octane level in the nation's market fuel will enable use of more efficient, lower polluting engines.

That octane can be supplied, starting now, by increasing use of available ethanol. The U.S. fuel distribution infrastructure is capable of keeping up with demand for the new fuel. To make the change, EPA must fairly assess the ability of ethanol to enable increased octane in market fuel, at least cost, to the advantage of environmental and economic considerations.

While the LCFS revisions seem to boost cleaner biofuels, Gov. Jerry Brown passed on another, more immediate opportunity to reduce state GHG emissions when he vetoed legislation that would have required CARB to recommend non-fiscal policies to maximize the use of E85 by the 1.5 million flex-fuel vehicles driven in the state. In his veto message to the legislature, he said state agencies must focus on emerging markets for the cleanest vehicles and fuels possible, including electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen-powered cars and trucks, if the state is going to meet his office's goal of achieving complete carbon neutrality in California by 2045. The veto message would suggest the governor has lost sight of the fact that cars and trucks will continue to run on internal combustion engines for decades to come, and that the bill he vetoed would provide a more immediate and effective means of reducing carbon emissions from those fuel-burning vehicles.

A distraction emerging in the ongoing debate over the role transportation fuels can play in a new reduced emissions scheme is the resurfacing of a researcher with the University of Michigan's Energy Institute, who for at least the third time since 2015, is claiming that the emissions generated by biofuels, when calculating those emanating from the production of ethanol's corn feedstock, are more than the carbon emissions spewed out by gasoline.

The premise from long-time ethanol and Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) critic John DeCicco, whose work, the Renewable Fuel Association says, is paid for in part by the American Petroleum Institute, was readily dismissed by ethanol advocates when it was first unveiled three years ago. DeCicco brought up the dubious claim again before a 2016 congressional hearing, only to be rebuffed again by biofuel advocates, who pointed out that his findings are not, nor have they ever been, supported by EPA, DOE, USDA and CARB.

And while we are looking at the opportunities and challenges coming out the debate in California over proceeding with the more efficient, cleaner biofuels, it should be noted that the fuel-economy rule under consideration by the Trump administration would also eliminate a waiver granted under the Clean Air Act that gives California the ability to set its own vehicle emission standards. Any effort by the White House to strong arm oversight authority away from California will face a severe legal challenge from not only officials in Sacramento, but also from the leaders of a dozen other states and Washington, D.C., which all follow California's lead enforcing their own, respective standards.

Solutions from the Land calls on its clean energy stakeholders to urge policy makers to stay focused on the efficiency and air quality benefits that can come from mid- and high-level ethanol blends. Don't allow the discussion to be diverted by bogus sideshows like that proffered by DeCicco, and remind policy leaders that appropriate fuel-economy standards, working in tandem with programs like the RFS, can serve our transportation sector well in meeting increasingly vigorous environment and efficiency targets.



Land O'Lakes, Inc. Board Chair Pete Kappelman named 2018 Dairyman of the Year

Land O'Lakes, Inc. board chairman Pete Kappelman was named Dairyman of the Year by the World Dairy Expo this week in Madison, Wis. Kappelman, of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, owns and operates Meadow Brook Dairy and will celebrate 23 years of service on the Land O'Lakes board in early 2019.

"There is no recipient more deserving of this honor," said Beth Ford, president and chief executive officer of Land O'Lakes, Inc. "Pete not only works tirelessly on behalf of Land O'Lakes but is an unrelenting champion for both dairy farming and the agriculture industry more broadly. His voice, leadership and innovation has led us through the ups-and-downs of a constantly evolving ag landscape and has created a strong and dependable foundation for our future success."

A fourth-generation farmer, Kappelman and his wife, Shellie, along with their children, Beth, Mitch, Erin and son-in-law, A.J. Kenneke, oversee a herd of 470 Brown Swiss and Holstein cows along with 1,100 acres of alfalfa, corn, wheat, oats and rye. In addition to his work with Land O'Lakes, Kappelman also serves on the National Milk Producers Federation's board of directors and has held positions on the U.S. Dairy Export Council, and as an ag policy advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative.

Since 1969, the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin has recognized a Dairyman and Dairy Woman of the Year for their outstanding work and dedication to the dairy industry. Award recipients are nominated and selected by their peers. In 2017, Land O'Lakes member owner Marilyn Hershey was honored as Dairy Woman of the Year.



National Farmers Says USMCA Won’t Solve America’s Milk Price Crisis

National Farmers Organization says the new tri-lateral trade agreement known as USMCA may be viewed as a positive step by some, but won’t change the low milk price forecast for U.S. producers.

In the past four years, American dairy producers have experienced a milk price drop of nearly 50 percent.

“We appreciate that opening up export markets to more U.S. milk products is important when we have an over-supply of production here at home,” said National Farmers President Paul Olson. But, when you consider there are more dairy cows in Wisconsin than all of Canada, the positive impact is significantly offset.

The new trade deal allows the U.S. to regain access to the Canadian market for milk powder and milk proteins, or Class 7 products. The U.S. will now be able to export $560 million worth of dairy products, or about 3.5 percent of Canada’s dairy industry, up from 3.2 percent.

Olson says it could give a short-term psychological boost to markets here at home, but that it won’t be a salvation for America’s dairy farmers. “What our dairy producers need is a new milk production and pricing system based upon balancing supply and demand factors; that is just reality,” he said. “Supply management and structure management changes need serious review by U.S. co-ops and all milk marketing organizations, along with dairy farmers themselves. Then, we will need implementation in a meaningful way.”

Olson also said National Farmers Organization believes it is the wrong approach to attempt to erode Canada’s milk pricing system, but should instead address the severe problems the U.S. milk pricing system has created—responsible for thousands of U.S. producers exiting the business in the past four years.

Canada’s dairy industry changed in the mid-1970s, after decades of dairy farmer losses. The country moved to a supply management system, which stabilized milk markets and farm operations there. Their farm gate price enables producers to cover production costs and provide a return on labor and capital.

The National Farmers Organization points out that exports are particularly important because of milk over-supply domestically, but the small Canadian gains will be dramatically offset by China’s new tariffs on lactose, infant formula, caseins and others. “When you look at China’s new tariff schedule, every single U.S. dairy product will now face additional fees to enter the country,” Olson said. Bob Yonkers, dairy economist and analyst with the Daily Dairy Report says during the past five years, China imported nearly 10 percent of the total value of America’s dairy product exports, coming in third after Mexico and Canada.

National Farmers also pointed out that Country-of-Origin Labeling was not addressed in the tri-lateral trade deal, which the organization favors. Further, the U.S. Congress, and Canada’s House of Commons, must ratify the agreement, along with Mexico. The organization is concerned current tariffs may remain in place until 2020.



Topcon Agriculture establishes research campus at Kansas State University

Topcon Agriculture and Kansas State University announced Thursday, Oct. 4, a comprehensive partnership.

The Topcon Agriculture Research Campus in the K-State Office Park, 1880 Kimball Ave., Manhattan, will promote collaboration and engagement with students and faculty, boost the company's research capacity as it develops new products, and solidify connections with producers through K-State Research and Extension.

"Topcon Agriculture and K-State have been working together for two years on various projects, and both entities sought a deeper, multifaceted partnership that would differentiate the typical vendor and university relationship," said Fabio Isaia, CEO of Topcon Agriculture. "This strategic partnership will boost our R&D technology advancement to accelerate the commercialization of farmer-driven innovation."

Topcon Agriculture recently signed a master research agreement with Kansas State University to develop tools and systems to advance precision agriculture, but the company saw larger possibilities in an expanded collaboration facilitated by the Kansas State University Institute for Commercialization. The new Topcon Agriculture Research Campus will create a precision agriculture classroom space with state-of-the-art equipment to train faculty, students and customers to incorporate technology into farming and agricultural practices. The company is also donating technology infrastructure improvements and equipment for the university's Agronomy North Farm and will streamline access to future upgrades.

"Kansas is a unique state as it has striking variations in environmental conditions," said Brian Sorbe, Topcon Agriculture vice president of sales and marketing, North America. "The highly variable soil and rainfall patterns across the state allow it to emulate multiple types of growing environments. This makes Kansas ideal for conducting precision agriculture research to develop products for the entire country."

Working with K-State Research and Extension, Topcon Agriculture will have a streamlined pathway from concept, creation to on-farm use and education.

Richard Myers, Kansas State University president, said the partnership demonstrates the commitment of both the company and the university to supporting Kansas agriculture through innovation.

"The Topcon Agriculture Research Campus will help us ensure that we are preparing our students and providing producers with cutting-edge equipment and knowledge," Myers said. "We know the Kansas economy depends on the success of agriculture, and we are proud to unveil a partnership that will help our institution support the industry."

"Topcon Agriculture valuesKansas State University's comprehensive, research and land-grant mission to provide practical information to help change the lives of its students, the people of Kansas, the nation and the world," said Michael Gomes, Topcon Agriculture vice president of business development, IoT. "Part of Topcon's overarching mission is to enrich human life by solving societal challenges in agriculture."

"When dynamic companies like Topcon choose to locate adjacent to K-State's campus, partnerships develop among leading researchers and industry to drive innovation, which benefits the university, the companies, the community and Kansas," said Greg Lohrentz, senior vice president of operations and finance at the KSU Foundation.

"The K-State Office Park is an essential element in providing world-class facilities for corporate leaders who want to collaborate with the best-in-field K-State researchers and students, and meet the needs of the global community to advance industry," he said.

Co-location with the university helps Topcon Agriculture recruit students and graduates to work for the company in the U.S. or abroad. It also demonstrates the success of area efforts to bring knowledge-based jobs and growth to the local economy.

"Topcon Agriculture is a global company that sees value in what we have here in Manhattan," said Lyle Butler, president of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. "Our shared university-community economic development vision has helped us provide incredible facilities and promote Manhattan as an optimal location for a growing business."

Beyond Manhattan, partnership with Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus and K-State Research and Extension will help Topcon Agriculture conduct on-farm research around the state. As a leader in both fundamental and applied agricultural research, the university and K-State Research and Extension offer facilities and access to producers and collaboration at all phases of the product development process — from the drawing board to in-field deployment of precision agriculture technologies.