Building on its existing farm health technology platform, Be Seen Be Safe is using the funds to research, test and develop the best hardware solution that will allow real-time tracking and tracing of trailers. After the trials are complete, the company will publish and widely distribute recommendations on the best-fit technology along with information on deployment. By using data to monitor the movement of these vehicles, farmers can rapidly contain an outbreak, limit losses and reduce the time it takes to return to normal business.

Disease outbreak can have major impacts on animal welfare, food supply, productivity and producer mental health, and can result in significant economic losses. That is why the Government of Canada is supporting the development ofbiosecurity technologies that can help farmers manage this risk. 

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the innovations of small businesses as they develop solutions to ensure Canada’s agricultural sector can adapt and remain competitive. Be Seen Be Safe Ltd.’s innovative product will help the livestock industry improve its resiliency and allow producers to react quickly and limit impacts if disaster strikes.

“Agricultural producers care about the health of their animals. This investment in Be Seen Be Safe Ltd. supports the development of a data analysis tool that will help contain potential outbreaks to stop the spread of disease. This type of innovation means producers can better protect their animals and their business and continue delivering high-quality food to Canadians and consumers around the world.”

says Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph affirms:

“Disease outbreak on farms can result in significant losses for producers, the sector and the economy. The innovative technologies being developed by Be Seen Be Safe Ltd., right here in Guelph, can help livestock producers mitigate the impacts of potential outbreaks, so they can keep doing the work they love: caring for their animals, running their farm businesses and producing high quality food products for Canadians.”

In conclusion, as Tim Nelson, Founder and President, Be Seen Be Safe  affirms:

“Livestock and poultry disease outbreaks cost millions of dollars. Pathogens move on both people and vehicles, so the value of a robust vehicle track and trace system in managing outbreaks cannot be underestimated. Asset tracking devices are designed to provide real-time data on vehicle movements and this AAFC funded project is testing the efficacy of asset tracking devices in preventing disease spread and reducing costs.”

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Growers can use Tule Vision to take midday leaf water potential readings by simply taking short iPhone videos of their vines. Photos from each video are then fed into a model that reports the readings in real-time to the grower on their phone. Water stress readings and photos are also displayed on Tule’s web dashboard and app.

“Tule Vision gives us the ability to take quick, accurate water stress measurements that don’t require specialized training or cumbersome equipment. This helps us easily create our weekly irrigation schedules. My advice to anyone considering Tule Vision is to give it a try, expect to be humbled, learn from technology, and let it help you become a better irrigator.”

says viticulture consultant Chris Storm.

In 2014, Tule launched Tule Sensors, a UC Davis research-based product that uses field sensors to measure Actual Evapotranspiration (ETa) and water stress in crops. The sensors also connect to a field’s irrigation system to measure how much water is being applied. The combination of data is used to make irrigation recommendations that maintain the exact water stress levels that the grower prefers. Using thousands of grapevine water stress measurements from Tule sensors and photos taken by field technicians, Tule was able to develop the artificial intelligence model that powers Tule Vision.

For growers who rely on pressure chamber readings, Tule Vision makes it easier to take more readings in less time. For vineyard managers who are less familiar with pressure chambers, Tule Vision provides a simple, quick, and cost-effective way to take midday leaf water potential readings that show vine water stress. With unlimited users, anyone in the grower’s organization can take readings and access this information to get a more complete picture of vineyard health.

“Since the demo launch of Tule Vision, we’ve received tremendous feedback from users that have allowed us to make improvements to the model and provide an even better experience for growers,”

says Tom Shapland, Ph.D., founder, and CEO of Tule.

One change that growers will notice this season is a feature that enables users to attach an iPhone to an ATV and passively collect readings as they drive down vineyard rows.

“Helping growers achieve their production goals is at the heart of what we do. We rely heavily on our customer relationships and are always looking for new ways to improve what we provide them.”

says Shapland.

Source: Tule

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The AGCO Agriculture Foundation (AAF), a private foundation with the vision to prevent and relieve hunger through sustainable agricultural development, today announced a $50,000 donation to the Kentucky Agriculture Disaster Relief Program, a joint effort of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the Kentucky Farm Bureau Education Foundation, and the Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD). The program seeks to bridge gaps in insurance coverage and other relief efforts for farming operations affected by the December 2021 storms in Western Kentucky.

Storms in late December 2021 caused significant damage to Western Kentucky communities and farms, including Mayfield, where AGCO dealership AgRevolution is located. The AAF and AGCO Corporation identified the Kentucky Agriculture Disaster Relief Program as an outreach effort that aligns with AAF’s farmer-focused community development initiative.

“AGCO and AAF are grateful for the opportunity to support Kentucky Farm Bureau’s relief program, which will provide vital assistance to farmers as they rebuild and recover in the months ahead,”

said Metti Richenhagen, director of the AGCO Agriculture Foundation.

The Kentucky Agriculture Disaster Relief program leverages a network of local farming retailers to provide access to eligible farmers of up to $1,500 of supplies, such as fencing, tools, hay, and livestock feed. It is designed to bridge gaps in insurance coverage for these vital items in a way that is efficient and trouble-free to farmers.

To further extend the donation from AAF, AGCO employees will also be able to participate in the program’s continuing fundraising efforts. 

“Following the tornado in Kentucky, many AGCO employees asked what they could do to offer their support to the individuals and communities in need. I’m pleased to offer them this opportunity to live our values and extend a helping hand to farmers and others who experienced this devastation,”

said Ivory Harris, AGCO SVP and chief human resources officer. 

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The post World Ag Expo 2022 Top-10 New Products: Results Announced appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

The Working Group brings together the full value-chain of the PEI potato sector to exchange information, develop strategies to determine and help mitigate impacts of potato wart on the sector, and identify potential short and long-term solutions to current trade disruptions.

Its membership includes representatives from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Global Affairs Canada, as well as representatives from the Government of Prince Edward Island, the PEI Potato Board, PEI seed and fresh potato growers, and key potato processors.

During the meeting, the CFIA outlined the steps they are taking to gather the scientific evidence needed to assure their U.S. counterpart agency, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), of the safety of trade of table and processing potatoes. The CFIA is aiming to conduct another round of technical discussions with APHIS next week.

The working group will continue to meet to assess the impacts on PEI potato farmers and those along the value chain and is expected to examine all options to find end-point destinations for the sale and further processing of the existing stock of potatoes in PEI, and other measures to support affected farmers. The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, will attend the next meeting on Monday, November 29.

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“This is a great night. It is so good to be back together and working on a farm show!”

gushed Wilbur.

A local cotton farmer, Wilbur also runs a dairy with his family, grows feed and multiple row crops. He has previously served as the International Agri-Center Board Chair, as well as being the 2014 Chairman of the California Cotton Growers Association and serving on the board of Cotton Inc.

The 2022 show proclaims World Ag Expo is “Back in Agtion,” a play on words with a few meanings. While COVID-19 sidelined the live show in 2021, farmers and ag professionals never stopped working during the pandemic. Volunteers and staff are ready to bring back the live show and provide a place for everyone in ag to meet, shop, and learn something new. Plus, “Agtion” is a Dad-joke style play on “Action” reminding people that farm shows are a fun place to be.

“We’re so happy to be back. The 2021 digital show was an interesting experience, but we’re ready to get our boots on the show grounds to work with our exhibitors and host our attendees,”

said Jerry Sinift, International Agri-Center CEO.

The annual show is produced by the International Agri-Center, a non-profit focused on agriculture education year-round.

Entering its 55^th year, World Ag Expo is the largest annual outdoor ag tradeshow in the world. In 2020, the show saw 106,357 attendees from 46 states and 56 countries. With more than 1,400 exhibitors and 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space, World Ag Expo provides a platform for networking, education, and business in one of the most productive ag counties in the United States. Applications are open online for seminar submissions at https://bit.ly/WAE22SeminarApp and the Top-10 New Products Contest at https://bit.ly/WAE22Top10App.

Tickets are on sale online now at https://bit.ly/WAE22Tickets, and attendees can plan their visit at www.worldagexpo.org. With a diverse lineup of agriculture companies and seminars covering international trade, irrigation, ag policy, hemp, and more, there is something for every ag professional at the 2022 World Ag Expo. The 55^th edition will run Tuesday, February 8 through Thursday, February 10, 2022, at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, CA.

Source: International Agri Center

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The Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) announced today it is introducing the updated AEF ISOBUS Database (DB) app to give agricultural equipment dealers, manufacturers and end users a convenient way to access its database, the only comprehensive repository of all ISOBUS compatible products in the world. Users may now easily drill down by brand, product, or ISOBUS functionality to confirm product compatibility while in the office or in the field, for free.

“With so many different manufacturers creating a wide scope of agricultural products around the world, when you start using different brands together, they are not always technologically compatible,”

said Andrew Olliver, Vice Chairman, AEF.

“However, when products all share the same ‘nerve system,’ more commonly known as the ‘ISOBUS,’ they communicate seamlessly. The AEF ISOBUS DB app identifies which products on the market are compatible and are ISOBUS-certified.”

Through the AEF’s app, the agricultural equipment community may now look up a product’s ISOBUS compatibility, find information if a customer is having trouble in the field, research ISOBUS compatibility of new equipment and accessories, or identify ISOBUS functions. Information can be shared with others through the app using messaging tools such as WhatsApp or email.

Only products that are AEF ISOBUS certified are listed in the AEF ISOBUS Database. Currently there are approximately 80 companies listing their certified ISOBUS products in the database, a number that keeps growing.

“This is an incredibly useful tool, especially for ag equipment dealers, when they have to advise their customers on their next ISOBUS equipment purchase,”

said Olliver.

“Dealers will find the app’s new module and option views essential.”

In the app’s module view, users can view detailed information about ISOBUS products, such as the

individual controllers to see exactly which functionality they support. This helps dealers make product recommendations, as well as diagnose service compatibility issues. The option view provides the ability to view the compatibility of multiple product features.

Download the new AEF ISOBUS DB app today (Mobile App – AEF Online (aef-online.org)) and create an account for free. Or, you can find the new app by searching “AEF ISOBUS DB” in Apple’s App Store or in Google Play. Available for Android and iOS smartphones, the app allows users to create a free account for 24/7 access on the go.

For more information about AEF please visit: www.aef-online.org

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“Hurricane Ida cut a $50 billion path of destruction from the Gulf Coast to New England, destroying farms, homes, communities, and businesses and taking lives along the way. USDA staff are on the ground in the hardest-hit areas and are ready to help communities and agricultural operations rebuild however we can,”

said Vilsack.

Food safety guidance

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is helping affected residents take steps to reduce their risk of foodborne illness as they return to their homes after severe weather and flooding.

• Drink only bottled water that has not been in contact with floodwater. Screw caps are not waterproof, so discard any bottled water that may have come in contact with floodwater. If you don’t have bottled water, learn how to safely boil or disinfect water at FSIS Consumer’s Guide to Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes webpage.
• Discard any food or beverage that is not in a waterproof container if there is any chance it may have been in contact with floodwater. Containers with screw caps, snap lids, pull tops and crimped caps are not waterproof.
• Undamaged, commercially prepared foods in all-metal cans and retort pouches such as flexible, shelf-stable juice or seafood pouches, can be saved by following the steps at the FSIS Consumer’s Guide to Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes webpage.
• Thoroughly wash all metal pans, utensils, and ceramic dishes that came in contact with flood water with hot soapy water. Rinse, then sanitize, by boiling them in clean water or by immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of one tablespoon unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water.
• Discard wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples, and pacifiers that may have come in contact with flood water – they cannot be saved after contact with floodwater.

Risk management and disaster assistance for agricultural operations

USDA offers several risk management and disaster assistance options to help producers recover after disasters.

This includes tools for producers to manage their risk through the Federal Crop Insurance Program, a public-private partnership between USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) and private companies and agents. Already, producers in certain parishes and counties with coverage under Hurricane Insurance Protection – Wind Index (HIP-WI) will receive $27 million in indemnity payments in the coming weeks. This is in addition to the coverage provided through underlying policies, which will be processed in the coming months as claims are submitted and processed.

Additionally, in certain Louisiana parishes where HIP-WI triggered, RMA has provided flexibility to provide additional time after the September 30 sales closing date for producers to make coverage adjustments in hardest-hit parishes. Producers in these parishes will now have until October 29 to adjust coverage levels.

Producers who suffer losses and are signed up for Federal Crop Insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) are asked to report crop damage to their crop insurance agent or local FSA office, respectively, within 72 hours of discovering the damage and follow up in writing within 15 days.

Producers can obtain NAP coverage for the next crop year through their local USDA Service Center, and historically underserved producers are able to enroll in basic NAP coverage at no charge.

Livestock and perennial crop producers often have more limited risk management options available, so there are several disaster programs for them. Key programs offered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) include:

• The Livestock Indemnity Program and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybee, and Farm-raised Fish Program reimburses producers for a portion of the value of livestock, poultry, and other animals that were killed or severely injured by a natural disaster or loss of feed and grazing acres.
• The Tree Assistance Program provides cost-share assistance to rehabilitate or replant orchards and vineyards when storms kill or damage the trees, vines, or bushes. NAP or Federal Crop Insurance often only covers the crop and not the plant.
• The Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program can assist landowners and forest stewards with financial and technical assistance to restore damaged farmland or forests.

It is also critical that producers keep accurate records to document damage or loss and to report losses to their local USDA Service Center as soon as possible.

Additionally, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can provide financial resources through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help with immediate needs and long-term support to help recover from natural disasters and conserve water resources.

On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet (PDF, 4.6 MB), and Farm Loan Discovery Tool can help producers and landowners determine program or loan options. For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers and landowners should contact their crop insurance agent. For FSA and NRCS programs, they should contact their local USDA Service Center.

Assistance for communities

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) also wasted no time to provide assistance to states affected by this storm. Some of the actions taken include:

• Approving Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) in affected parts of Louisiana and Tennessee.
• A Disaster Household Distribution (DHD) Program provided food packages to 800,000 affected individuals in the state of Louisiana.
• Temporarily allowing SNAP recipients to purchase hot food items (normally not allowed with the program) in areas affected by Ida in the states of Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
• Mass replacement of SNAP benefits in affected areas of Louisiana.
• Approving a waiver giving Alabama, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee the option to allow SNAP participants more time to report lost food, if they are not in an area where everyone is getting their benefits replaced.
• Providing additional administrative flexibilities as states work to support individuals and families in affected areas.

USDA is also assisting local government sponsors with the cost of recovery efforts like debris removal and streambank stabilization to address natural resource concerns and hazards through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program. Eligible sponsors include cities, counties, towns, or any federally recognized Native American tribe or tribal organization. Sponsors must submit a formal request (via mail or email) to the state conservationist for assistance within 60 days of the natural disaster occurs or 60 days from the date when access to the sites becomes available. For more information, contact the NRCS office at the local USDA Service Center.

Communities and producers affected by Hurricane Ida are also encouraged to seek recovery information from their local Cooperative Extension offices. More information is also available through the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN), supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America.

Source: US Department of Agriculture

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ResponsibleAg, a voluntary and industry-led safety and stewardship initiative, reached another major milestone when the 4,000th facility audit was completed at Rutherford Farmers Cooperative in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, a Tennessee Farmers Cooperative-affiliated facility.

Launched in 2014 as a joint venture of TFI and ARA, ResponsibleAg provides an audit and certification program to help participating locations ensure they comply with pertinent regulations from OSHA, DOT, EPA, and DHS to keep employees, customers, and communities safe.

Drew Landerman, environmental, health, and safety specialist for Tennessee Farmers Cooperative (TFC) and a ResponsibleAg-credentialed auditor, conducted the 4,000th audit.

“Reaching that milestone illustrates both the success and value of the program and shows there’s longevity in the program,”

Landerman says.

Rutherford Farmers Cooperative’s DeKalb County branch had the honor of being the 1,000th facility nationally to earn ResponsibleAg Certification in 2018.

According to Landerman, Tennessee Farmers Cooperative encouraged its member cooperatives to participate in ResponsibleAg from the start.

“ResponsibleAg’s comprehensive audit checklist is regularly updated to reflect new regulations, so we don’t have to spend time creating our own. Instead, we can focus on educating not only the various managers but also employees at our ag retail sites on safety to help them better understand and meet safety regulations. We’ve found doing this, plus educating them about the ResponsibleAg program, increases employee ownership and pride in their workplace, which leads to fewer injuries, illnesses, and citations.”

The ResponsibleAg audit encompasses up to 17 areas of operation, depending on the type of facility. For facilities in California, ResponsibleAg offers a checklist that includes state regulations. Following an audit, the facility receives a corrective action plan detailing how to resolve any issues identified. Once corrections are made, the facility achieves ResponsibleAg certification, which is good for three years. Recertification ensures personnel stays up to date on safe practices and facilities comply with new or updated rules and regulations.

Since the first ResponsibleAg audits were conducted in 2015, almost 130,000 compliance issues have been identified at participating facilities. While not all were considered major infractions, and some were only paperwork issues, a regulatory agency conducting an audit could cite a facility for any of them,”

says Tim McArdle, longtime board member and retiring chairman of the ResponsibleAg Board of Directors.

Nearly 96,000 issues have been resolved to date, and there’s been a steady decrease year over year in the number of issues identified, showing ag retail facilities are more engaged and aware of proper safety, security and environmental practices.

“While that’s a good track record, our goal is to continue to improve those numbers,”

McArdle adds.

There are 2,500+ facilities currently registered, many completing certifications for the second time since the program began. McArdle says the goal of the program is for all registered facilities to be audited by a ResponsibleAg-credentialed auditor and to resolve all identified audit issues, with the ultimate goal of compliance with all federal regulations.

Resources to Help Participants Reach Compliance

ResponsibleAg offers various resources that make it easier for participating facilities to achieve compliance, including the online Compliance Assistance Library with concise summaries of regulatory standards pertinent to ag retailers, the Compliance Assessment Tool, and EZ Search. McArdle adds that one of his future goals for the program is to explore developing a checklist for emissions and climate standards that the industry might have to abide by in the future.

“If it does happen, ResponsibleAg wants to be prepared to continue to provide guidance and value by helping our members remain compliant with all regulations,”

he says.

McArdle concludes,

“Safety and compliance are at the heart of what ResponsibleAg does. The industry’s continuous commitment and strong participation show regulators that we place high importance on compliance and we are capable of self-regulating.”

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The analysis by Meyers Norris Penny (MNP) calculates that

“If Canada adopts the EU model, the potential economic impact of reduced fertilizer use would be devastating to Canadian farmers.”

The calculations show that by 2030, the prairie provinces will have the following losses:

• Alberta – $2.95B loss in their Canola and Spring Wheat crops
• Saskatchewan – $4.61B loss in their Canola and Spring Wheat crops
• Manitoba – $1.58B loss in their Canola, Corn, and Spring Wheat crops

The accumulated cost to individual farmers is enormous. These losses cannot be passed on to the end consumer because grain and oilseed production is priced on the world market. This has serious implications on Canada’s food security.

“This analysis shows the proposed Canadian changes have the possibility of devastating our agriculture value chain. Farmers don’t need the government to tell them how to properly use fertilizer. We engage crop consultants, soil tests and use the latest technology available to us. Our government should be strongly supporting the agronomic techniques that we have put into practice,”

stated Gunter Jochum, President.

Calculations show that Canadian prairie farmers are net-zero emitters. With the many agricultural and technological advances that have been made over the past two decades, Canadian farmers have been leading the charge around healthy soils and carbon sequestration.

“Proposed policies such as this impact every farmer’s bottom line, and make me question whether there is a future for me as a farmer in Canada. Many of my peers will be questioning their farming future as well,”

closed Fiona Jochum, daughter of President Jochum.

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