Tuesday July 14 Ag News

Funding Approved for New Watershed Projects Across Nebraska

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provided more than $4.5 million in funding to five of Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) for Watershed Flood Prevention and Operations. The funding will be directed toward developing watershed plans in the Central Platte NRD (Grand Island), Lower Big Blue NRD (Beatrice), Lower Elkhorn NRD (Norfolk), Middle Niobrara NRD (Valentine), and Upper Niobrara White NRD (Chadron).

“Nebraska’s NRDs continue to make investments and commitments to protect lives and property throughout the state,” said Jim Eschliman, Nebraska Association of Resources Districts president. “We remain uniquely positioned to provide local solutions for our watersheds in partnership with state and federal agencies.”

The Lower Elkhorn NRD received watershed and flood prevention operations plan funding to complete the Maple Creek Watershed plan, which will evaluate potential flood prevention, watershed protection, agricultural water management, and public recreation projects.

The Central Platte NRD received funding to complete a watershed and flood prevention operations plan for Elm and Turkey Creek Watershed. The grant will fund the cost of completing the plans. The first step of the two-year planning phase is to develop environmental assessments for each watershed. The Elm and Turkey Creek Watershed project area covers more than 100,000 acres in Dawson and Buffalo counties.

The Lower Big Blue NRD received funding to complete a watershed and flood prevention operations plan in the Indian Creek Watershed. This plan will evaluate structural and non-structural alternatives to mitigate flood-related damages to Beatrice and agricultural properties, improve flood resiliency, stabilize streambanks, and improve recreation opportunities. The plan will include an area covering more than 48,000 acres in Gage and Lancaster counties.

The Middle Niobrara NRD received funding to complete a watershed and flood prevention operations plan for watersheds in Cherry County. This grant will fund the cost of completing the plans. The first step of the two-year planning phase is to develop environmental assessments for each watershed. The Cherry County Watersheds will cover nearly 570,000 acres.

The Upper Niobrara White NRD received watershed and flood prevention operations plan  funding to complete the Box Butte Creek Watershed plan, which will evaluate flood prevention, watershed protection and groundwater recharge projects. Box Butte Creek is a tributary of the Niobrara River with the watershed covering approximately 144,000 acres of northeast Box Butte and west-central Sheridan counites.

“We look forward to working with these Natural Resources Districts on these new watershed projects,” said Nebraska State Conservationist Craig Derickson. “We saw how established watershed projects sprang into action last spring following the bomb cyclone reducing flood damages and protecting natural resources. These new projects plan to provide more benefits to more areas across Nebraska.”



Fuel marketers to share E15, flex fuel retail experience amid COVID-19, HBIIP rollout at August ACE conference

A flex fuel retailer panel will be part of the general session lineup again this year at the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) 33rd annual conference on the afternoon of August 25 in Omaha, Nebraska, co-located with the Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo. ACE Senior Vice President Ron Lamberty will moderate a discussion between returning panelist Randy Gard, Chief Operating Officer of Bosselman Enterprises, owner of the Nebraska-based Pump & Pantry convenience store chain, and first-time panelist Jake Comer, Fuel Pricing Manager of Casey’s General Stores.

Coming off of the second summer of year-round access to E15, waiting for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to award grants under its Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP), and recovering from the drop in fuel and in-store demand during the global health pandemic, the ACE conference in August will provide these retailers with a timely platform to speak on a number of issues.

“Even with this year’s abbreviated agenda, we’re bringing back the retailer panel because it offers content unique to the FEW and allows attendees the opportunity to hear firsthand from fuel marketers about how our industry can help them sell more of the product we produce. That will be more critical than ever, faced with the nosedive in ethanol demand brought on by COVID-19,” Lamberty said. “Randy and Jake will be able to speak to the success of adding E15 and higher ethanol blends at a growing number of Pump & Pantry’s and Casey’s c-store locations. Throw COVID-19 into the mix and USDA getting ready to award HBIIP funds, and as usual, we’ll have plenty of topics to discuss.”

“Casey’s is relatively new to E15, but we’ve moved swiftly with more than 250 stores offering Unleaded88 today,” Comer said. “I’m excited to share our journey with attendees of the ACE conference and discuss what we’ve learned about successfully marketing the product.”

“We recognized the value proposition E15 and E85 offered us to increase gallons, customer count, and average customer spend at our locations early on,” Gard said. “Following my remarks last year on stage with President Trump when he publicly announced E15 year-round, we’ve continued to grow our sales volume of E15 and flex fuel. Last year, we sold over 6 million gallons, compared to 600,000 gallons in 2016, which shows if you put the fuels in place and price them right, the customers will come, and I look forward to sharing more on these efforts from the ACE conference stage.”



Researchers building cyber-physical system to monitor crops, drive decisions, boost yields

After decades of growing corn and soybean yields across the Midwest’s Corn Belt, per-acre yields are approaching their theoretical limits. But there’s still a need for more grain to feed people and livestock.

Where can that grain come from? How can farmers and fields produce even more? Is there a new, sustainable way to boost productivity?

Engineers, geneticists, agronomists, system modelers and machine-learning experts at Iowa State University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln think they might have a way. They’re combining their electronics, computing and crop expertise to develop a system that will constantly monitor fields at near single-plant resolution, predict productivity and help farmers manage their water and fertilizer use.

“The idea is to combine and interact two subsystems – a cyber system and a physical system to solve problems,” said Liang Dong, the project’s leader and an Iowa State University professor of electrical and computer engineering. “We want to build a new CPS (cyber-physical system) to improve agricultural management for crop production, environmental quality and agricultural systems sustainability.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is supporting the collaborative effort with a three-year, $1.05 million grant to Iowa State and Nebraska-Lincoln.

In addition to Dong, the research team includes Iowa State’s Patrick Schnable, a Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Iowa Corn Promotion Board Endowed Chair in Genetics, the Baker Scholar of Agricultural Entrepreneurship and director of the Plant Sciences Institute; Michael Castellano, the William T. Frankenberger Professor in Soil Science; Baskar Ganapathysubramanian, the Joseph C. and Elizabeth A. Anderlik Professor in Engineering; Sotirios Archontoulis, associate professor of agronomy; plus Nebraska’s James Schnable, associate professor and the Dr. Charles O. Gardner Professor of Agronomy; and Yeyin Shi, assistant professor and agricultural information system engineer.

Dong – who has developed wearable plant sensors, soil water potential sensors and plant and soil nutrient sensors – said the researchers will tie together all kinds of tools as they build and test a data-driven, real-time system: low-cost/high-performance field sensors, whole-field monitoring with sensors mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles, control systems, analytic engines, decision-making algorithms and testbeds.

The system, for example, could detect that crop plants aren’t as green as they should be and will look for causes such as a lack of water or low levels of nitrogen.

“By simultaneously detecting plant performance and diagnosing the cause, we can actuate the proper response,” the researchers wrote in a project summary.

In areas where fields are irrigated, that response could include controlled delivery of water and nitrogen fertilizer to just the areas of a field that need it. That could minimize the amount and cost of fertilizer applications while reducing the amount of fertilizer that runs off fields and feeds harmful algal blooms in rivers, lakes and the Gulf of Mexico.

The key to this new system is combining and networking many different tools.

“We have looked at developing sensor-based technological solutions to help agronomists,” Dong said. “We have designed these soil and plant sensors. This time, we’re combining different sensors, models and controls all together to explain and predict plant-soil dynamics at high and unprecedented resolution. We’re generating actionable information for decisions about the control, scheduling and application of water and fertilizer at variable rates along the center pivot of an irrigation system.”

It’s a high-tech system, sure, but it’s also a down-to-earth way to help farmers build yields and improve sustainability.

“We hope,” Dong said, “this isn’t science fiction.”



2020 Beef Feedlot Short Course Registration Is Now Open

The 2020 version of the Beef Feedlot Short Course, organized and hosted by the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University, is set for Aug. 11-13 at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center in Ames.

Erika Lundy, beef specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, said the goal of the event is to optimize participant learning through exposure to new technology, research and best management practices, and the best way to accomplish this is in a small group setting with a mix of hands-on and classroom instruction.

“Since the first of these short courses in 2017, we have had a limit of 30 participants to ensure plenty of hands-on and small group classroom learning opportunities for all attendees,” Lundy said. “This approach has allowed us to plan for 2020 in the same fashion without needing to drastically adjust our schedule, speakers or topics.”

The event will follow State of Iowa and Iowa State University guidelines to ensure health and safety of all participants. This includes implementing safe practices such as social distancing, wearing face coverings when the six-foot separation distances are not possible, and using small groups for hand-on activities. Additionally, nearly half of the program is on-farm, providing well-ventilated areas.

Sessions will also be at the Iowa State Beef Nutrition Farm and Couser Cattle Company in Nevada, Iowa.

The program runs from 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11 through noon on Thursday, Aug. 13. For questions on the short course content, contact Lundy at ellundy@iastate.edu or IBC Director Dan Loy at dloy@iastate.edu.

The short course is designed specifically for feedlot managers, employees and industry, and past attendees have appreciated that focus.

2020 short course topics include:
    Bunk management and the basics of starting cattle on feed.
    Feed mixing demonstration and evaluation.
    Managing and identifying cattle health issues in the feedlot.
    Facility design and cattle handling.
    Data management.

This year's presenters are:
    Bill Couser, Couser Cattle Company, Nevada, Iowa.
    Garland Dahlke, associate scientist, Iowa Beef Center, Iowa State University.
    Terry Engelken, associate professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine at Iowa State University.
    Shane Jurgensen, Couser Cattle Company, Nevada, Iowa.
    Dan Loy, director of the Iowa Beef Center and extension beef specialist, Iowa State University.
    Erika Lundy, beef specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.
    Robbi Pritchard, feedlot consultant, Aurora, South Dakota.
    Dan Thomson, animal science department chair, Iowa State University.
    Grant Dewell, associate professor and extension beef veterinarian at Iowa State University.

The $350 per person registration fee includes program materials and meals listed on the agenda. The registration deadline is midnight, Aug. 4 or when the course limit of 30 is reached, whichever occurs first. All registrations must be done online.

See the short course website for registration information, requirements, and links at www.aep.iastate.edu/feedlot.

Participants are responsible for making their own lodging arrangements, if needed. A block of rooms is available at Comfort Inn & Suites ISU – 603 S. 16th Street, Ames, 515-663-9555 or www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/GJ90L8.

“We will strive to keep participants as safe as possible, and that includes a 'no questions' refund policy if participants need to cancel registration for any reason,” Lundy said. “We look forward to providing a fourth year of in-depth education and practical experience for our attendees.”

The Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University was established in 1996 with the goal of supporting the growth and vitality of the state’s beef cattle industry. It comprises faculty and staff from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine, and works to develop and deliver the latest research-based information regarding the beef cattle industry. For more information about IBC, visit www.iowabeefcenter.org.



Analysis Shows How ISU Soybean Trials Generate Value

Field trials led by Iowa State University scientists saved farmers and seed companies millions of dollars by helping them select soybean varieties resistant to a major pest, according to a new economic analysis.

The analysis was led by GianCarlo Moschini, Pioneer Chair in Science and Technology Policy in the ISU Department of Economics. The report found the Iowa State University SCN-Resistant Soybean Variety Trials have created a surplus of about $140 million in Iowa and Illinois between 2011 and 2016. The analysis estimates that farmers captured roughly a third of that surplus while seed companies held the rest.

The soybean cyst nematode, a microscopic roundworm that feeds on the roots of soybeans, is the greatest pathogen threat to U.S. soybean yields. Previous estimates showed the pests present in up to 70% of Iowa fields. Plant breeders have developed soybean varieties with genetic resistance to the pests, but the level of resistance and performance of these varieties can vary widely. So ISU scientists, supported by soybean checkoff funds from the Iowa Soybean Association, have conducted field trials every year since 1997 to evaluate hundreds of resistant soybean varieties. Annual reports of the results are published online at isuscntrials.info , and copies of the publications are printed and directly distributed annually to 70,000 to 90,000 households in Iowa and northern Illinois annually.

The economic analysis drew on data generated through the field trials as well as a proprietary dataset of farmers' seed choices. That dataset included the quantity and price paid for seed of specific soybean varieties. Using economic models, Moschini and doctoral student Seungki Lee determined how willing farmers are to pay a premium for resistant soybean varieties compared to susceptible varieties.

"Our study essentially matched the data produced by the trials over the period from 2011 to 2016 with data about farmers' specific use of soybean varieties over the same period," Moschini said.

The analysis found that farmers were willing to pay an additional $0.75 per acre for seed of resistant varieties included in the field trials experiments. Farmers also paid an additional $1.36 per acre for seed of SCN-resistant soybean varieties that performed above the median in terms of yield in the ISU experiments.

The results indicate farmers used the field trial data to inform their decisions of what seeds to plant, said Gregory Tylka, interim associate chair in plant pathology and microbiology who leads the field trials.

"Some farmers think all resistant varieties are created equal, but they're not, which is why we do the evaluation," Tylka said. "The analysis shows the value of our research overall but also that farmers value the varieties that perform well in the yield tests."

The full economic analysis, which was not supported by soybean checkoff funds, is available on the ISU Center for Agricultural and Rural Development's website.



Forecaster Sees Good Chance of La Nina This Fall

There is about 50-55% chance of La Nina development during the northern hemisphere fall in 2020, with a 50% chance the pattern will continue through winter 2020-21, a U.S. government weather forecaster said on Thursday.

La Nina pattern is characterized by unusually cold temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

Reuters reports that El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral conditions are expected to prevail summer in 2020, the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) said in its monthly forecast.



The American Dairy Coalition Directs Letter to USDA and HHS Leaders Over Concerns of Banning Whole Milk in Schools

This week the American Dairy Coalition sent a letter to Secretary Perdue of the U.S Department of Agriculture and Secretary Azar of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services requesting they look into concerns farmers have with the draft of the Dietary Guidelines for America. The Dietary Guidelines for America (DGA), which is updated every 5 years, sets our nation’s leading nutrition policies and directly influences WIC, SNAP, as well as school and hospital nutrition programs across the nation. Despite an abundance of science that demonstrate that full-fat dairy products reduce chronic disease in children and adults and promotes learning readiness in children, the DGA continue to set caps on saturated fats, effectively banning whole milk from daycares and school nutrition programs.  

ADC's letter encourages Secretary Azar and Secretary Perdue to intervene and delay the publication of the DGA so it can be updated to include the most recent scientific evidence on the health benefits of saturated fats. Furthermore, ADC requests the USDA and HHS to review and address the process by which these Dietary Guidelines are written. In 2015, Congress commissioned the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) to conduct a 3rd party review of the DGA process at a cost of $1 million of taxpayer dollars. ADC wants to understand why nearly all of the recommendations offered in the NASEM report were ignored.

In the 40 years since the implementation of the Dietary Guidelines for America Program, childhood obesity and diabetes diagnoses have tripled; adult obesity rates have doubled, and 25 million adult Americans have diabetes. The current guidelines are not working. Americans deserve sound science and we cannot wait another 5 years to get it right.



NCBA CEO Colin Woodall Responds to Burger King #CowsMenu Campaign

Members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association are disappointed by the release of Burger King’s #CowsMenu campaign today. The nation’s burger restaurants can, and many of them do, play a vital role in helping improve beef’s sustainability and reducing its environmental footprint. Unfortunately, Burger King has chosen a different path, relying on kitschy imagery that misrepresents basic bovine biology – cattle emissions come from burps, not farts – and on the potential impact of a single ruminant nutrition study that was so small and poorly conceived, it was dismissed by many leading NGOs and beef industry experts.

The U.S. is already a leader in sustainable beef production. The EPA attributes just 2 percent of greenhouse gas emissions to the American cattle industry, and yet cattle farmers and ranchers remain committed to continuous improvement and producing beef more sustainably. America’s cattle producers are disappointed that Burger King has decided to follow a path that is misaligned with those who are already making real-world efforts to reduce beef’s environmental footprint, opting instead to score easy points with consumers by launching a misleading public relations campaign.



U.S., Japan Expand Organic Trade Opportunities, Livestock Added to Trade Arrangement

The United States and Japan announced the expansion of their organic equivalence arrangement to include livestock products. The arrangement goes into effect July 16, 2020 and reduces costs and streamlines the process for anyone involved in the organic livestock supply chain by requiring only one organic certification.

“Opening new markets for America’s organic farmers and ranchers continues to be a priority for USDA,” said the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Greg Ibach. “Japan is already one of the top export markets for U.S. organic products. This agreement opens additional opportunities for everyone involved in the international supply chain for livestock, from farm to table.”

“Japan is a key international partner in the organic market sector,” said U.S. Trade Representative Chief Agricultural Negotiator Gregg Doud.  “This expanded arrangement protects and increases access for American organic farmers, ranchers, and businesses to the third largest U.S. organic export market”.

The Japan Agricultural Standards (JAS) now require organic livestock products imported from the United States to either be certified under the JAS or USDA organic regulations. Today’s announcement marks the addition of livestock to the existing U.S.-Japan organic trade arrangement that has allowed plant-based products to be certified to either country’s organic standards since 2014.

USDA has established equivalence arrangements with major organic export markets including Canada, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan. These arrangements eliminate the need for dual certifications, avoiding double fees, inspections and duplicative paperwork.

Leading up to today's announcement, technical experts from the United States and Japan conducted thorough on-site audits to ensure that the regulations, quality control measures, certification requirements and labeling practices are compatible. The trade partners will continue to hold regular discussions and review each other's programs periodically, ensuring the terms of the arrangement are being met.



NCGA Mid-Year Report Offers Look at Efforts to Help Corn Farmers Meet the Challenges of 2020

Despite marketing and economic challenges and a pandemic, farmer leaders of National Corn Growers Association continue to advocate and work to improve the lot of the nation’s family corn farmers. Some of the steps being taken are covered in a new 2020 mid-year report released online today.

“2020 began with reason for optimism in our industry. The signing of the USMCA trade deal, emerging corn purchases by China, a successful challenge to EPA granting RFS waivers and approval of year-round sales of E-15 had us all looking toward an economic rebound. Then the Coronavirus pandemic stunned the world,” said Kevin Ross, NCGA president. Through it all, corn farmers continue to go to work.  They answer the bell, responding by putting us on track to produce an abundant crop once again.”

In the first half of 2020, we are excited to offer these successes for our farmers members:
-    USMCA finalized and entry-into force on July 1
-    More than 200 farmers participated in trade schools all over the Midwest
-    Installed 50,000 fuel pumps across the U.S. capable of pumping up to E25 blends
-    Began crafting low carbon octane standard legislation for a federal fuel standard
-    Mobilized almost 3,000 farmer comments on the reregistration of atrazine
-    Research to tackle Tar Spot fungus

You can view the report here.... https://dt176nijwh14e.cloudfront.net/file/236. 



Animal Agriculture Alliance launches Animal Ag Allies development program

Today, the Animal Agriculture Alliance announced the launch of the Animal Ag Allies program to empower farmers, ranchers and practicing veterinarians to be outspoken advocates for agriculture online and within their communities. The Alliance is currently seeking participants to enroll by August 7.

The Animal Ag Allies program provides opportunities for networking, training, and continuous development of issue expertise and communication skills. Allies will be on the front lines of responding to emerging issues and sharing positive content about animal agriculture.

“The Animal Ag Allies program was created to connect agriculture advocates and arm them with the issue expertise and communications skills they need to engage with influencers and consumers online and in their communities,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance vice president of communications. “Our goal for this program is to make sure the voices of farmers, ranchers and veterinarians are being heard when it comes to important issues related to animal agriculture.”

The program consists of two phases: online training and a private forum to discuss engagement strategies and emerging issues. The training modules are available online and may be completed at the participant’s own pace. Modules include: overviews of each sector of animal agriculture, hot topics and emerging issues facing animal agriculture, how to address contentious issues, growing your social following and reaching outside the choir, and public outreach. Following the completion of the training modules, participants will be invited to a private online group where they will have the ability to interact with one another as well as industry professionals.

“I am so thankful for this opportunity,” said Markie Hageman, a California beef advocate who completed the training modules during the program development process. “Everything was useful! I love learning new things and being able to recap things I have learned before, so all of the information was very valuable to me.” 

Farmers, ranchers, practicing veterinarians, and industry professionals who want to make a difference in public understanding and perception of animal agriculture are encouraged to indicate their interest in enrolling in the program. The ideal participant has already demonstrated their commitment to engaging on relevant issues and is ready to take their efforts to the next level. For more information on the program and participant guidelines, visit https://animalagalliance.org/initiatives/animal-ag-allies/.

The deadline to indicate your interest in enrolling in the next round of the program is August 7. Interested individuals are encouraged to complete the program interest form available at https://animalagalliance.org/initiatives/animal-ag-allies/.

The Animal Ag Allies program would not be possible without the generous support of our founding sponsor, Zoetis, and program sponsors Animal Health Institute, Seaboard Foods, National Turkey Federation, Merck Animal Health, Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER), and Professional Dairy Producers Foundation.

“Zoetis is proud to be the founding sponsor of the Animal Ag Allies program, helping to equip people who care for animals with communications resources,” said Christina Lood, Zoetis senior director of external communications. “We look forward to seeing the growth and development of each Ally as they continue to share their personal stories and engage with their communities in conversations about livestock’s role in our sustainable food supply."

To become a sponsor of the program, contact Casey Kinler, director of membership and marketing, at ckinler@animalagalliance.org.



Kemin Industries Acquires U.S. Patent Application for Effective Solution to Control African Swine Fever Virus in Feed

Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services, has acquired a U.S. patent application for a method to control African Swine Fever virus (ASFv) in feed and feed ingredients using Sal CURB® Liquid Antimicrobial – a global pathogen control product manufactured by Kemin.

New data generated by Kansas State University and Dr. Megan Niederwerder demonstrates that Sal CURB effectively inactivates ASFv in livestock feed. The data in support of the patent application, "Mitigating the Risk of African Swine Fever Virus in Feed with Antiviral Chemical Additives," was recently published in the Transboundary and Emerging Diseases journal. The research was conducted at the Biosecurity Research Institute at Kansas State University, which is a biosafety level-3 facility and one of only two locations in the U.S. that can handle and conduct scientific studies with the virus.

Sal CURB is an antimicrobial solution known to maintain the Salmonella-negative status of complete feeds and feed ingredients for up to 21 days, in addition to controlling mold. By using a blended solution of formaldehyde and propionic acid, known to eliminate mold and pathogens, Sal CURB plays an important role in reducing biosecurity risks.

"Protecting the global food supply, ensuring food safety, maintaining biosecurity and transforming the quality of life for those around the world are extremely important to Kemin. This new research helps to address one of the biggest challenges facing the global agriculture industry," said Dr. Chris Nelson, President and CEO of Kemin Industries. "Sal CURB is a proven solution, backed by 25 years of research, innovation and safety – we are thrilled to explore this new application and further invest in solutions that may prevent the transmission of African Swine Fever virus." 

A research team including Dr. Scott Dee, Director of Research at Pipestone Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Niederwerder and additional colleagues at Kansas State University, previously demonstrated that an array of viral pathogens could survive in feed ingredients under simulated transboundary shipping models. Among the pathogens examined in the study, ASFv was shown to remain stable and infective in a wide array of feed ingredients – posing a high threat to the global agriculture industry. Dr. Niederwerder's continuing research on ASFv was then able to hone in on plausible means of infection via feed and water.

While feed is not the only transmission route for ASFv, the high number of animal exposures to this vector increases the likelihood of infection dramatically. Turning the research toward chemical treatment of feed was a crucial next step, which identified Sal CURB as an effective method to inactivate this impactful virus.

"Our new research reports novel data evaluating the efficacy of feed additives on inactivating ASFv in an in vitro cell culture model and a feed ingredient transoceanic shipment model," said Niederwerder. "This will provide valuable information to the swine industry with regards to mitigating the risk of potential routes for introduction and transmission of ASFv through feed and ingredients."

For livestock producers and manufacturers responsible for meat, milk and egg production, pathogen control is essential to managing possible biosecurity risks – like ASFv, which has been reported throughout China and in several other countries across Asia, Europe and Africa. Breaches in biosecurity can impact food safety, consumer trust and lead to lost production, ultimately impacting the global food supply chain with significant economic implications.

"Keeping pathogens at bay is a crucial component of any on-farm biosecurity program. Kemin is highly invested in pathogen control research, such as the recent work conducted by Kansas State University," said Kristi Krafka, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health – North America. "We recognize this data has significant implications, and the ability to complement biosecurity measures in the agricultural sector worldwide."

For decades, Kemin has partnered with third-party institutions to further research and provide solutions for important animal production, health and welfare issues. This new development is the result of a years-long relationship between Kemin and the KSU Research Foundation. Kemin anticipates further data will be generated in support of this patent application.



Vytelle, GrowSafe Combine to Create Leader in Bovine Biotechnology

Vytelle and GrowSafe Systems, Ltd. announced today the combining of their companies with the aim of accelerating genetic advances in bovine biotechnology. The companies will operate as a single precision livestock company under the Vytelle brand to drive the mission to meet the global demands for producing more high-quality protein, more sustainably, and with more profit potential for cattle producers. Both companies are owned by UK-based Wheatsheaf Group.

“By uniting two of the most forward-thinking businesses in the cattle industry, we will help ensure that meat and milk are viable and competitive food choices for generations to come,” commented Dr. Alan Barton, Operating Advisor Wheatsheaf Group and Chairman of the Board for Vytelle.

Kerryann Kocher has been named Vytelle’s new Chief Executive Officer, bringing decades of experience in animal health, feed ingredients, and protein production to the company.

“With the world literally hungry for protein, and the recognition that our industry must meet rising food demand while reducing resource intensity, there is a clear need to integrate precision livestock technologies and support our customers in their production of sustainably sourced meat and milk,” said Kocher.

With the combined capabilities of the new Vytelle, cattle producers will be able to convert individual animal performance data into genetic progress faster than ever before. Linking genetic insights available only through GrowSafe’s proprietary efficiency database with breakthrough IVF technology, Vytelle’s customers around the world will be able to shorten the interval between elite animal identification and optimal marketing of those genetics within the beef and dairy value streams.

"Identifying resource-efficient animals is a key challenge for cattle producers, and breeding to perpetuate resource-efficient traits in a far shorter timespan than traditional methods improves producer profitability and sustainability,” Kocher continued. “Our goal at the new Vytelle is to close the feedback loop between genotype and phenotype, helping beef and dairy producers fast-forward generational advances by matching genetic traits to optimal outcomes for our customers and the environment; developing new capabilities to make this a reality is the major focus of our R&D program.”

Vytelle is part of the Wheatsheaf Group, an international investor in food and agriculture focused on creating efficiencies in the production and distribution of food, developing innovative business models and technologies to deliver affordable, nutritious and safe food that sustains both human health and the health of the planet.