KC Forum to Feature International Expert on Precision Ag

Dr. James Lowenberg-DeBoer

Prof. James Lowenberg-DeBoer, an internationally recognized expert on precision agriculture, will be a featured speaker at a Feb. 13, 2024, Forum in Kansas City focused on agricultural innovation. The goals for the forum, according to Dustin Johansen, chair of the Ag Business Council of Kansas City, are to celebrate and highlight ag innovation in the Midwest. Johansen, a senior executive with Farm Journal, said the day-long program hosted by the Council will feature an array of experts looking at the promise technology and innovation are bringing to agriculture.

“We are thrilled to have someone of Dr. Lowenberg-DeBoer’s stature as one of our keynote speakers,” Johansen said. Prof. Lowenberg-DeBoer holds the Elizabeth Creak Chair in Agri-Tech Applied Economics at Harper Adams University in the United Kingdom and was co-editor of the journal Precision Agriculture. Lowenberg-DeBoer is widely recognized for his work which focuses on the economics of agricultural technology, especially precision agriculture and agricultural robotics. His presentation will identify the most practical and profitable agri-tech innovations for 2024 based on the precision agriculture track record for the last 30 years.

Before joining Harper Adams University, Professor Lowenberg-DeBoer was on the faculty at Purdue University where, from 2004-2015, he served as the Associate Dean and Director of International Programs in Agriculture. He is the editor and co-author of the “Precision Farming Profitability” textbook. Lowenberg-DeBoer’s research and extension work is founded in hands-on experience in agriculture. He grew up on a corn, soybean and cattle farm in Iowa and ran his own farming operation in Iowa in the 1970s producing mainly lamb, wool, alfalfa and other forages. He continues to be active in Iowa agriculture, owning and managing a farm producing corn and soybeans.

For more information, and to register for the Ag Innovation Forum, click here.

KC Ag Innovation Forum to Feature Microsoft Executive

Ranveer Chandra

Ranveer Chandra, who is the Managing Director for Research for Industry, and the CTO of Agri-Food at Microsoft, will be a featured speaker at the Ag Business Council of Kansas City’s Ag Innovation Forum on Feb. 13, 2024.

The goals for the forum, according to Dustin Johansen, chair of the Ag Business Council, are to celebrate and highlight ag innovation in the Midwest. Johansen, a senior executive with Farm Journal, said the day-long program hosted by the Council will feature an array of experts looking at the promise technology and innovation are bringing to agriculture.

“Ranveer Chandra is recognized as one of the leading figures in new ag technology and has an established track record of bringing new concepts to fruition,” said Johansen. He noted that Ranveer has led Microsoft development of different technologies to bring internet connectivity to the middle of farms.

Ranveer started Project FarmBeats at Microsoft in 2015. “FarmBeats is a way to get a lot of data from the farm and merge all of that data with the different data that exists in the cloud to come up with unique insights for agriculture,” he has said.

Ranveer has presented his research to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, had his work featured by Bill Gates in his GatesNotes, and was selected by Satya Nadella as one of 10 projects that inspired him in 2017. As part of his doctoral dissertation, Ranveer developed VirtualWiFi. The software has over a million downloads and was among the top 5 downloaded software released by Microsoft Research. It is shipping as a feature in Windows since 2009.

He was recently recognized by the Newsweek magazine as one of America’s 50 most Disruptive Innovators (2021). Ranveer has an undergraduate degree from IIT Kharagpur, India and a PhD from Cornell University.

For more information, and to register for the Ag Innovation Forum, click here.

Energy Challenges For Agriculture

At its November monthly meeting, Camille Abrams, Senior Vice President Finance for energy, processing and food ingredients at CHS offered Agricultural Business Council members an overview of the energy challenges facing the agricultural industry. This breakfast meeting at the Sheraton Crown Center has become a tradition, held during the Agriculture Future of America’s Annual Leaders Conference.

In her initial remarks, Abrams described CHS as a leading farmer-owned energy, agronomy and grains and foods cooperative with a footprint covering 50 states and 65 countries. CHS supplies energy, seed, crop nutrients, crop protection products, grain marketing services, production and agricultural services, animal nutrition products, foods and food ingredients, and risk management services. The company operates petroleum refineries and pipelines and manufactures, markets and distributes Cenex® brand refined fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products.

CHS’s activity in energy came into sharp focus in 2007, Abrams noted, when Congress authorized the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), which was intended to increase U.S. energy security, develop renewable energy production and improve vehicle fuel economy. She explained that renewable diesel economics are policy dependent; and policies make biofuels cost-effective to produce.

Over the past two decades, Abrams said, “sustainability” has been used in a variety of contexts. The word has evolved significantly from environmental consciousness to where the nation is today. CHS calls it a “holistic approach to management that includes efficiency, profitability, risk management, social impacts and long-term success.”  Simply put, environmental conservation and sustainability now mean doing more with less, increasing yields and profits, protecting human resources, providing community support and fostering inclusion and diversity.

Abrams offered these insights as to what it takes to decarbonize fuels. Over the past six months, a CHS sustainability team has conducted an assessment of perceptions and needs related to sustainability. In its push for renewable diesel, E15 and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), CHS is reporting that renewable diesel is a low carbon drop in fuel; it can be used up to 100% in existing engines; and it can be made from used cooking oil, tallow and vegetable oils. When E15 is approved, it could increase demand by up to 50%. The team also confirmed that low carbon farming practices and carbon capture at ethanol plants will lower carbon emissions. CHS is also looking into the future potential of ethanol as a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Digging Deeper...

Multiple challenges face U.S. schools and school boards around the country. Technology-adaptation, teacher salaries, operating budgets rank high among concerned educators, parents, taxpayers, culture warriors and marginalized groups. But as November’s observation of American Education Month and American Education Week (November 13-17) draws to a close, it is encouraging to see that one curriculum initiative in particular is gaining traction and picking up momentum:  Early ag education.
By Dennis McLaughlin, McLaughlin Writers LLC – Sources: Agriculture Education – Kansas State Department of Education; National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA); Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (KFAC); Agriculture Education on the Move™ (AEOTM); Missouri Farmers Care,

Ag Education On the Move in Elementary Schools

Agriculture had been a mainstay subject in America’s educational system for decades. The Morrill Act of 1862 made way for the formalization of college curricula that would help the U.S. become the giant it is in crop science and animal health. The 1917 Smith Hughes Act provided federal aid to states to develop pre-collegiate vocational education in agricultural and associated industrial trades and home economics. The continuing accomplishments and character of FFA alums are testament to the effectiveness to these early curricula.

Up until the 1920s when most Americans lived on farms or in small towns, school books were full of agricultural references. Farming and farm animals were a familiar part of nearly every child's life. However, when the farm population began to shrink during the 1920-1940s, emphasis on ag education waned. Educators focused on agriculture as an occupational specialty, rather than an integral part of every student's life. Agriculture education was mainly offered to those few students wanting to make a career of agriculture.

Nevertheless, during this period, a small nucleus of educators and others persistently pushed for more agriculture in education. They recognized the interlocking role of farming, food, and fiber production with environmental quality topics like maintaining a clean water supply and preserving and improving forests and wildlife habitat. They kept education in agriculture and the environment alive during a period when overall public interest was decreasing.

In the 1960s and 1970s, these educators realized the need for quality materials. Many excellent films, books, and classroom aids were financed and produced by businesses, foundations, nonprofit groups, and associations, as well as state and federal agencies. There was, however, little coordination of effort or exchange of ideas among the groups. And no central point for national coordination.

In 1981, USDA invited representatives from agricultural groups and educators around the country to meet in the Capitol to discuss agricultural literacy. A national task force was selected to coordinate with USDA to help states launch their own programs. This initiative became known as Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC).

AITC is managed by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which is headquartered here in Kansas City, MO. It serves nearly 5 million students and 60,000 teachers annually through workshops, conferences, field trips, farm tours, and other educational activities. AITC programs address a variety of issues and ag industry concerns, including: 

• Science literacy

• Agricultural careers

• Nutrition

• Pre-service and professional develop opportunities for teachers

The strength of AITC comes from its grassroots organization and the fact that educators are very much a part of the movement. Giant strides have been made since 1981. Agriculture in the Classroom is regarded as a refreshing and flexible educational program designed to supplement and enhance the teacher's existing curriculum.

Ag Ed Moves To The Front Burner

USDA remains actively involved in promoting agricultural education and preparing students for careers in food, agricultural science, natural resources, and related fields. Earlier this month Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed students, agricultural educators, and guests at the opening session of the 96th National FFA Convention and Expo. He was there to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with FFA formalizing a partnership to prepare more students for careers in food, agricultural science, natural resources, and related fields.

In June 2023, USDA announced a $262.5 million investment in institutions of higher education to foster the next generation of diverse agricultural professionals across the nation. In March 2023, USDA announced several actions to expand support for and access to the school meal programs, including awarding $50 million in grants that will increase collaboration between schools, food producers and suppliers.

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City has been following investment and developmental efforts of the agricultural colleges at the University of Missouri and Kansas State University. Both schools can brag that their ag, veterinary and food programs and research accomplishments rank them among the top 20 institutions worldwide.

Last month, Dr. Ernie Minton, KSU’s Ag dean, updated the AgBiz Council on K-State’s Ag Innovation Initiative. With a price tag of $208 million, it is the largest single infrastructure undertaking in the history of the university. It signals the beginning of a food, agriculture and natural resources infrastructure overhaul in Manhattan and throughout the state. “The project will set a new bar for multidisciplinary research and innovation,” said Dr. Minton, “and continue to elevate K-State’s status among ag schools in the U.S.”

The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) has developed an international reputation as a reliable source of information and analysis on everything from farm commodity market outlook to the impacts of farm bills, trade disputes and biofuels – among others. FAPRI is well known for its projections for the farm economy. It develops 10-year projections for thousands of indicators that affect the food and agricultural sectors of the U.S. economy.

But Something Else Is Going On

Elementary students around the state are learning about the role of agriculture in their lives this fall with Agriculture Education on the Move™ (AEOTM). Through AEOTM, an educational program of Missouri Farmers Care, educators spend time in classrooms across Missouri helping elementary students build agricultural literacy.

During the ten-week program, students learn about crops, livestock, soil and water conservation, nutrition and careers in agriculture. The STEM-focused lessons and curriculum meet state learning objectives in the areas of science, math, social studies and language arts. Hands-on activities are incorporated into each lesson, providing fun and interactive ways of learning as students make soybean germination necklaces, corn plastic, butter, feed rations, soil profiles and more. Through the curriculum, students learn about Missouri farm families and how the dedication and year-round efforts of these farmers and ranchers impact their lives.

“Agriculture education in elementary classrooms is a valuable experience for all involved,” says Heather Fletcher, AEOTM program director. “Students, teachers and even AEOTM educators and partners are connecting to the world around them, where their food comes from and how agriculture affects daily life. We value each participating school and look forward to returning year after year.”

Hundreds of Missouri FFA students partner with Missouri Farmers Care to teach AEOTM™ to students in their local school districts. Through this opportunity, FFA members serve as educators, gaining hands-on experience in the classroom and as advocates for agriculture in their community. Missouri Farmers Care’s AEOTM program equips FFA partners with the curriculum, training and materials to teach in their local communities. In 2023, 535 FFA members in 83 FFA chapters joined the effort to educate Missouri’s third-graders about the agriculture industry.

“We appreciate each Missouri FFA student serving as an Ag Education on the Move™ FFA Partner Educator,” Fletcher adds. “These high school students serve as role models for the elementary students they are teaching, sharing their knowledge and passion for agriculture. At the same time, they are building communication, management and leadership skills they will use throughout their careers.”

AEOTM will engage over 10,000 third-grade students through ten weeks of in-classroom programming this year, more than doubling the program’s reach since 2021.

“The entire community benefits from Agriculture Education on the Move™ as local students experience the thrill of germinating seeds, understanding the basics of how their food is produced and opening their eyes, many for the first time, to the agriculture all around them,” explains Ashley McCarty, Missouri Farmers Care executive director. “The connections the students make this semester will help inform their perspectives as future consumers and help them see the potential of agriculturally-related careers.”

AEOTM is funded through Missouri Farmers Care, a coalition of more than 40 Missouri agriculture groups. Missouri soybean farmers and their checkoff and the MFA Oil Foundation support the program, along with contributions from Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, FCS Financial, MFA Incorporated, Missouri Beef Industry Council and the Missouri Fertilizer Control Board. 

Kansas elementary schools are also teaching agriculture. The program is designed to help students understand the importance of agriculture in their daily lives and to encourage them to pursue careers in agriculture. Additionally, the School-Based Agricultural Education (SBAE) program is delivered to over 13,000 students engaged in 220 ag ed initiatives by over 265 instructors in school districts across the state.

The Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (KFAC) has created a lesson-plan kit that offers a free lesson and activity to incorporate agriculture into a classroom. In 2022, KFAC sent out more than 1,000 K-5th grade kits to educators across Kansas, reaching over 465 schools and 25,000 students. This KFAC lesson-plan is proving to be boon for new teachers. “We plan to continue expanding our reach by adding kits for grades 6-8 and 9-12 and increasing the number of kits we send,” notes the Foundation.

More initiatives were launched in 2023. One of them is Career Awareness for Rural Agricultural Sciences Through Tower Gardening – also known as Project CARAT, a vertical gardening curriculum to teach high school students various agricultural sciences career-related skills. Project CARAT is a partnership between the K-State Rural Education Center in KSU’s College of Education and KFAC. It is funded by a $150,000 grant from NIFA.

School-Based Agricultural Education is considered essential by Kansas State Department of Education. And it is determined to make sure “agricultural education prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems.”

Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - November 2023

Developments

Agriculture Future of America (AFA) and the National FFA Organization signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during AFA's Leaders Conference in November. The MOU cements a bond that has existed for many years and underscores a shared commitment to developing and empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders. One of the primary objectives of this partnership is to create a seamless pathway for young individuals who are passionate about agriculture to transition from FFA to AFA. By doing so, they will gain access to a wide array of leadership development opportunities, scholarships, internships, mentorship programs and job opportunities. This collaboration ensures that the valuable knowledge and skills acquired through FFA continue to grow and develop during their college years through AFA's support. "Addressing the human capital challenge in agriculture is not just about filling roles; it's about empowering individuals with the passion and skills to drive the industry forward,” says Mark Stewart, AFA President and CEO. “Teaming up with FFA is our way of investing in the people who will be the backbone of agriculture, ensuring that we have a robust, skilled workforce to navigate the challenges ahead." The partnership between AFA and FFA has the potential to reshape the future of American agriculture by cultivating a generation of passionate and well-prepared leaders. As these two organizations join forces, they aim to foster an environment where young people are inspired to pursue careers in agriculture, armed with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in an ever-evolving industry.

Kansas State University swine researchers are reporting positive results on three processes that aim to lessen the risk of a foreign animal disease entering the United States in plant-based feed or feed ingredients. Olivia Harrison, a K-State graduate research assistant in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, said previous research has shown that once contaminated feed enters a mill, the virus persists for multiple batches of feed, remains on equipment and can be found on non-feed contact surfaces throughout the mill. Harrison and Chad Paulk, an associate professor of feed science and management, led a team that evaluated the effectiveness of three processes to clean a mill that is suspected of processing contaminated feed:

• Flushes, which include using batches of feed not intended for consumption, with or without liquid treatments.

• Pelleting feed with a conditioning temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Physical decontamination of equipment, including power washing and various disinfecting strategies.

Harrison said K-State’s research was conducted as part of a national feed biosafety working group within the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan, known as US SHIP. She said the national work is helping to establish better processes for traceability, biosecurity and disease surveillance in feed and feed ingredients imported to the United States.

In early November USDA announced it was lowering duties placed on phosphate fertilizers imported from Morocco from 19.97% to 2.12%. The decision comes after the agency conducted an administrative review of the duties, which is performed annually by retroactively examining the price of shipments and other factors. Leaders from the Kansas Corn Growers Association and the National Corn Growers Association, who have been vocal opponents of the duties, applauded the decision, calling it a big win for corn growers. Kansas Senator Jerry Moran and Kansas Representative Tracey Mann led a bicameral letter on phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco.  NCGA led a similar letter among commodity organizations, which KCGA signed on to. These letters were instrumental in bringing this issue to the forefront with USDA. “We are thankful for the strong actions of Senator Moran and Congressman Mann on this issue that is of great importance to Kansas farmers,” Kansas Corn CEO Josh Roe said. “This is a very positive development that is at least in part due to the attention brought to the issue by farmers and our congressional leaders. Tariffs on phosphate fertilizer imports has been a big concern and has a direct impact on input prices.”

The global agricultural insurance market, valued at $38.5 billion in 2022, is expected to surge to $67.4 billion by 2032, according to Allied Market Research, Portland, Oregon. High premiums, particularly burdensome for smallholder farmers, pose challenges for insurance growth. But using the Internet of Things (IoT), which involves using smartphones and other equipment to transmit data, "holds significant promise for transforming the landscape of agricultural insurance," the report says.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for grants from a $6.46 million program designed to improve local or regional supply chain infrastructure across the state for foods destined to be consumed by humans. The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program initiated by USDA seeks to expand processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation as well as wholesaling or distribution of agricultural products. The investments would be concentrated on the middle of the food supply chain, which could be defined as the area bookended by harvests and retail stores. “In order for the nation’s food system to be more resilient, there is an increased need to focus on bolstering our local food supply chain,” said Mike Beam, secretary. KDA will accept applications through January 31, 2024. More information is available here.

Agriculture leaders across Missouri were recognized by Governor Mike Parson, Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe and Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn during the 50th Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture. The award recipients were honored at the Missouri Agriculture Awards Luncheon for their commitment, service and impact on Missouri agriculture. “These individuals and businesses play a significant role in the success of our state’s agriculture industry,” said Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn. “It is a privilege to recognize their accomplishments. Their leadership and dedication do not go unnoticed.” The 50th Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture took place November 16-17 at Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach, Missouri.

The 2023 Missouri Agriculture Award recipients are:

• Missouri Agriculture Education Leader: Dr. John Tummons, University of Missouri

• Missouri Food Animal Veterinarian: Dr. Adam Acklin, Acklin Veterinary Services

• Missouri International Exporter: Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes, ADM

• Missouri Agriculture Industry Lifetime Achievement Award: Don Nikodim, Missouri Pork Association

The Missouri Grown team also recognized members who embody their team’s values.

• Missouri Grown Membership: Hedge Holler Harvest, Mexico

• Missouri Grown Farm to Table: Turtle Gulch Gardens, Bradleyville

• Missouri Grown Marketing: Carrie’s Merries, St. Louis

• Missouri Grown Education and Outreach: Boonville Farmers Market, Boonville

• Missouri Grown Agritourism: Beggs Family Farm, Sikeston

The American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Milk Producers Federation, Northwest Horticultural Council, Corn Refiners Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and others signed on to a letter asking the President’s Export Council to focus on reducing trade barriers and diversifying input sources to strengthen the U.S. ag sector. “While our two million U.S. farms and ranches are the backbone of America’s food and ag sector, the impact of decreased exports and resulting economic fallout reverberates throughout the economy,” the groups say in their letter.
 “More than twice as many Americans are manufacturing agricultural products as are manufacturing cars and trucks, and millions of food scientists, production workers, logistics experts, truck drivers, and engineers work in more than 200,000 food manufacturing, processing, and storage facilities,” the letter says. “All in all, our industries are responsible for nearly 20 percent of the United States’ economic activity.”

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced next steps in USDA’s efforts to bolster agricultural trade. The announcement included the department’s planned trade missions for 2024 and the opening of a public comment period for the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program. These efforts will help to support further growth in U.S. agricultural exports. “Market diversification is an important tool for maximizing growth opportunities for U.S. agriculture, as well as hedging the risk of market contraction and general volatility in the global marketplace,” said Secretary Vilsack. “USDA is committed to promoting export opportunities in non-traditional markets and ensuring that U.S. agricultural commodities and products are available to diverse consumer groups around the world.” USDA plans to export opportunities in additional markets through a robust 2024 agribusiness trade mission. USDA will lead trade missions to the following markets in 2024:

• Seoul, Korea – Week of March 25, 2024

• New Delhi, India – Week of April 22, 2024

• Vancouver, Canada – Week of June 17, 2024

• Bogota, Colombia – Week of July 29, 2024

• Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (with buyers from Thailand) – Week of September 9, 2024

• Casablanca, Morocco (with buyers from Senegal and Francophone West Africa) – Week of December 2, 2024

Ceva Animal Health, one of the Kansas City metro area’s largest animal health companies, is planning another expansion after years of growth. Ceva wants to expand its footprint in Lenexa with the addition of a new manufacturing facility. The company has submitted plans to Lenexa to create a two-story, 42,000-square-foot industrial building with office space at 8940 Long St. to be used for the development of agricultural vaccines. If final plans are approved, the manufacturing facility will sit just to the east of Ceva’s existing campus, which is located between Rosehill Road and Long Street, north of Santa Fe Trail Drive. The company first arrived in Lenexa after acquiring local vaccine manufacturer Biomune Co. in 2005.  Ceva has about 498 full-time employees locally and 6,750 employees companywide, making it the 10th-largest local life science company, according to the Kansas City Business Journal’s 2023 List of top life sciences companies. Lenexa is its North American headquarters.

Missouri gardeners will find new guidelines in the updated USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. The 2023 map will help growers zero in on which vegetables and flowers will do best in different parts of the state. USDA Agricultural Research Service’s map is based on annual extreme minimum winter temperatures over a decade. The new 2023 map breaks Missouri into five hardiness zones, incorporating data from 13,412 weather stations, up from 7,983 stations for the 2012 map. Compared to the 2012 map, Missouri shows considerable warming and a change in the hardiness zones, particularly in the northern and central parts of the state. The map is available here.

Events

The Arkansas River Compact Administration (ARCA) annual meeting will be on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. MST at the Otero Junior College Student Center, 2001 San Juan Ave. in La Junta, Colorado. The meeting agenda will be posted on the ARCA website. ARCA administers provisions of the Kansas-Colorado Arkansas River Compact, including operations of the John Martin Reservoir. Topics to be covered at the annual meeting include a review of John Martin Reservoir operations, compliance update, committee reports, and updates from state and federal agencies. Kansas has three representatives who serve on ARCA, including Earl Lewis, chief engineer of the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Water Resources; Troy Dumler, Garden City; and Zachary Gale, Syracuse. The Kansas-Colorado Arkansas River Compact was negotiated in 1948 between Kansas and Colorado with participation by the federal government. Its stated purposes are to settle existing disputes and remove causes of future controversy between Colorado and Kansas regarding Arkansas River water and to equitably divide and apportion the water between Colorado and Kansas, including benefits arising from John Martin Reservoir.

Beef producers will learn what opportunities and challenges are ahead at the 24th annual Missouri Livestock Symposium, December 1-2. Zac Erwin, MU Extension Livestock Specialist and Symposium vice-chair, says “Industry dynamics are in a period of rapid change and producers need to make decisions now that will have long-lasting impacts. Our beef speaker lineup will address many of the issues important to beef producers.” The program is free, with no advance registration. The Symposium offers a complimentary beef dinner, at 6 p.m. Friday and a complimentary lunch on Saturday. Meals are sponsored by Missouri commodity groups. More details are available here and at Adair County MU Extension Center, 660-665-9866.

Members of the American Shorthorn Association gathered for its 2023 Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon last month in Kansas City, Missouri. During the Awards Luncheon, the 2022-2023 show animals of the year were recognized for their accomplishments. “Recognizing our top show animals each fall allows our breeders and exhibitors the recognition they deserve for their achievements,” explains Wade Minihan, Director of Shows for the American Shorthorn Association. “Our exhibitors exceed at representing the Shorthorn breed and the type of cattle our breeders are working to produce.”

The annual University of Missouri Crop Management Conference, December 6-7, will offer insight into how the 2023 drought will affect crops in the year ahead. MU Extension state climatologist Zack Leasor will give an update on weather and climate conditions that led to the onset and persistence of the 2023 drought across Missouri. The event at the Columbia Holiday Inn Executive Center offers two days of sessions by leading agriculture experts on weather and climate, weeds, crop diseases, insects and new technology. Certified Crop Adviser credits are available. Register for the conference here.

Greg Harden, a best-selling author and former associate athletic director of student counseling at the University of Michigan, will be the keynote speaker at the 2024 American Farm Bureau Federation convention. He’ll address attendees during the closing session of the annual convention on Monday, January 22. Harden counseled more than 400 student-athletes, including names like Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, Heisman Trophy winners Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson, and Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps. “Persistent, patient, and resilient are among the traits that professional athletes share with farmers and ranchers,” says Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. “That’s why Greg’s message about coaching and mentorship is so timely.” Duvall also says the lineup for the entire convention is outstanding. In addition to guest speakers and exciting competitions, they’ll host important conversations about top priorities for U.S. agriculture, including the farm bill. The 105th AFBF convention is in Salt Lake City, Utah, January 19-24, 2024. More information is available here.

K-State Olathe is hosting an upcoming workshop on CRO and Sponsor Essentials in Animal Health Studies. The workshop will be held February 8, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More information is available here. In addition, they are hosting two upcoming free lunchtime webinars on Master of Science in Applied Biosciences and Animal Health Regulatory Affairs Graduate Certificate – both on Dec. 6.

People

Mark Gardiner, a Kansas Livestock Association member, was elected as the new chairman of U.S. CattleTrace. He began his one-year term in the volunteer position during the organization’s annual symposium November 14-15 in Kansas City. Joe Leathers from Guthrie, Texas, was chosen as chair-elect. Gardiner and Leathers will lead the organization during the next year. Gardiner’s commitment to the industry extends beyond U.S. CattleTrace, which he has been involved with since its inception in 2018. He played a pivotal role in the creation of U.S. Premium Beef, contributing to its viability for nearly 20 years as board chairman. Additionally, he has served in various leadership roles within his community and the industry, including on his local school and church boards, and with NCBA, the American Angus Association and Irsik & Doll.

Jane Zuroweste recently joined the FCS Financial team in O’Fallon as Assistant Vice President of Crop Insurance. In this role, she will provide federal crop and crop hail insurance plans to help farm operators and owners protect their financial investment in growing crops. Zuroweste received a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness management with a minor in agronomy from the University of Missouri. She grew up on her family’s beef cattle and row-crop operation in Truxton, Missouri. Prior to FCS Financial, she was employed as an agronomist with Corteva Agriscience in California and Nebraska.

Deanna Kovar has been named as the new president of John Deere’s Worldwide Agriculture and Turf Division: Small Ag and Turf, Regions 1 and 2, which cover the company’s presence in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Kovar joined Deere in 2000 and most recently was the vice president of production and precision ag.

Faith Smith has been added on to the Missouri Soybean team as the new portfolio and project lifecycle manager. She previously worked as the quality assurance manager for Prairie Farms-Central Dairy. Missouri Soybean has also announced the title changes of two existing team members. Madelyn Warren will now serve as the strategic communications manager and Ryan Siegel will take on the role of creative marketing manager.

Bob Smith, DVM, has been recognized as the 2023 Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry Distinguished Alumnus. He obtained his bachelor’s (1968) and master’s (1970) degrees from K-State ASI and attended K-State for veterinary school. Following veterinary school, he completed a large animal medicine and surgery internship and clinical instructorship at Oklahoma State University. While at OSU, he was a field services clinician, with concurrent responsibilities for clinical research on stocker cattle diseases. He then worked as a feedlot veterinarian for two years and then returned to OSU for 10 years and is currently Professor Emeritus at OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine.  Smith joined the Veterinary Research and Consulting Services LLC, in 2000, with primary practice emphasis on feedlot and stocker health and management. The 11 veterinarians associated with the practice provide service to feedlot clients in 10 states. In 1983 he was certified as a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. While serving as the Food Animal Regent for the ABVP, he led the effort to establish specialties in swine, dairy and beef practice, making board certification more attractive to veterinarians whose practice deals intensely with one species. During his career, Smith was involved in 45 research studies, producing 30 research reports and co-authoring or authoring over 30 peer-reviewed manuscripts. He has served as president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, the Academy of Veterinary Consultants, and the Western Veterinary Conference. He was instrumental in developing and implementing the Beef Quality Assurance Program used as guidelines by thousands of beef cattle producers in the U.S. Smith has been recognized numerous times for his contributions to veterinary medicine and the beef industry.  

Dr. Vincil “Mac” Wilt, a veterinarian from Paris, Missouri., will be presented the 2023 Livestock Achievement Award by the Missouri Livestock Symposium at their event on Friday evening, December 1, 2023. Dr. Wilt attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, obtaining a dual Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture in 1976 and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1978. He has served as a member or officer of several professional organizations and committees, including the Northeast District Veterinary Medical Association, Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, Missouri Academy of Veterinary Practice, Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation, Missouri Stocker Feeder Quality Assurance Program, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. In 2001, Dr. Wilt was honored by the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association as Veterinarian of the Year. In 2014, Dr. Wilt was appointed by then Missouri Governor Jay Nixon to the Missouri Veterinary Medical Licensing Board.

KSU’s Agriculture and Veterinary Colleges Get High Rankings

(Left to right) Bob Petersen, AgBizKC Executive Director, Dustin Johansen, AgBizKC Chair, Dr. Ben Wolfe, K-State Olathe, Ron Seeber, AgBizKC Vice Chair, Dr. Bonnie Rush, KSU-college of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Ernie Minton, KSU-College of Agriculture

The Deans of Kansas State University’s Colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine had plenty to boast about at the Council’s October luncheon meeting, annually hosted by K-State Olathe. They were introduced by Dr. Ben Wolfe, Olathe campus Dean & CEO, who pointed out that K-State has a strong reputation in the field of animal science. “We’re ranked 10th in the country and 14th in the world, according to EduRank.org.”

Dr. Ernie Minton, the Ag dean, provided an update on the Ag Innovation Initiative. With a price tag of $208 million, it is the largest single infrastructure undertaking in the history of the university. It signals the beginning of a food, agriculture and natural resources infrastructure overhaul in Manhattan and throughout the state. “The project will set a new bar for multidisciplinary research and innovation,” said Dr. Minton, “and continue to elevate K-State’s status among ag schools in the U.S.”

Dr. Bonnie Rush, dean of the veterinary college since 2019, has spearheaded efforts to develop existing and new programs, to accelerate student growth and improve research, teaching and extension curricula and services. The college has three academic departments, two service units — the Veterinary Health Center and Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory — and is home to a number of prestigious research centers and units, including the Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases, Beef Cattle Institute, Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases and the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health. The college's professional degree program provides broad training opportunities across a comprehensive range of companion and exotic animals, and livestock species.

Dr. Rush’s efforts have been rewarded. Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine consistently ranks in the Top Ten Listings of veterinary schools. College.US.com and U.S. News & World Report are among outlets publishing such data. As part of the presentation, Dr. Rush described a unique scholarship program for talented veterinary students who intend to enter rural practice. The scholarship pays in-state tuition for approximately seven veterinary students who commit to practicing at a rural mixed-animal hospital for four years.

Dr. Rush was also proud to announce that the College of Veterinary Medicine had recently awarded its first honorary doctorate in veterinary medicine to Temple Grandin, Ph.D.

Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - October 2023

Developments

Missouri net farm income saw a backslide from record-setting levels in 2022, according to the fall 2023 Missouri Farm Income Outlook report released by the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center at the University of Missouri. The farm income report provides comprehensive insights into changes in the state’s farm receipts, production expenses, government payments and other key factors that impact net farm income. The report suggests that declining crop receipts and stubborn production expenses are contributors to the $530 million decrease in net farm income for 2023. Read more here.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson travelled to Japan on an international trade mission. Japan is a top source of foreign direct investment and key trade partner for Missouri, with more than $455 million in exports in 2022. Consistent with Governor Parson’s infrastructure and economic development priorities, the goal of the Trade Mission was to build relationships with key international figures to promote Missouri’s strong capacity for trade. The trade mission included stops in Tokyo and Nagano Prefecture, the sister state to Missouri, where the delegation visited Nagano Prefecture University, which works with the University of Missouri. The delegation also meet with Shuichi Abe, Governor of Nagano Prefecture, and the mayor of Suwa, St. Louis’ sister city.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Conservation (KDA–DOC) is pleased to announce the availability of funds in the form of cost share assistance and incentive payments to assist landowners with irrigation efficiency technology. The funding is provided by KDA–DOC through appropriation from the State Water Plan Fund and the program is administered by Conservation Districts across the state. This initiative is designed to promote irrigation efficiency by providing cost share assistance to landowners for automated mobile drip irrigation systems, autonomous pivot systems, water meter monitoring software subscriptions, bubbler nozzle packages, and remote monitoring systems (soil moisture probes included as part of system). Eligible projects must be located within Kansas groundwater management districts 1 through 5. Applications are currently being accepted, and projects will be approved beginning on November 1, 2023, until all funds have been allocated. Equipment purchases and subscriptions made before application approval by KDA–DOC are not eligible for this initiative. More information is available here.

St. Joseph-based AngusLink, the administrator for value-added programs of the American Angus Association®, surpassed 150,000 head of enrolled cattle for 2023 on September 15. This means from 2022 to 2023, participation in AngusLink has increased by more than 300%, reflecting a turning point for its value-added programs. This milestone comes after the establishment of a collaboration agreement with IMI Global. Since January, IMI Global has worked alongside Association staff to help provide verification services to cattlemen for AngusVerified and the Genetic Merit Scorecard. IMI Global administers the program giving producers a la carte access to IMI’s suite of programs along with AngusLink programs, which can be added individually as well.

Farmer views of the ag economy worsened for the second month in a row in September, according to the monthly survey from Purdue University and the CME Group. The overall rating of farm sentiment dropped to a reading of 106 in the Ag Economy Barometer, a decrease from 115 in August and down from 123 in July. The rating is also lower than the 112 rating in September 2022. According to the survey, “weakening prices for major crops and ongoing concerns about high production costs and interest rates weighed on producers’ minds this month.”

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. USDA is providing $2.3 billion to help American producers maintain and develop markets for their commodities and use U.S. commodities to bolster international food aid. Consistent with a bipartisan request from the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, USDA is utilizing funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation to address challenges related to trade and food insecurity impacting U.S. farmers and the international community. USDA will use:

• $1.3 billion for the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program and support for specialty crop industries to diversify export markets.

• $1 billion to help address global hunger.

According to a recent report by Rabobank, the outlook for the global fertilizer market is positive in the coming years, with some challenges and potential risks to be monitored. The global fertilizer market is recovering, with an estimated increase in usage of around 3% in 2023 following a 7% drop in 2022 due to various complications in the market. Regarding disruptions due to the latest Israel-Hamas war, the impact on fertilizer markets is seen as marginal at this stage. The report highlights the positive outlook for fertilizer purchasing in 2024, with an expected increase of close to 5%.

FYI: For the second year, the Real Christmas Tree Board has asked wholesale growers of real Christmas trees for their outlook on the coming holiday season. It’s good news. Input costs and wholesale price increases have moderated year-over-year. Even though input costs have gone up year-over-year for nearly all wholesale growers. “The real Christmas tree industry consistently meets demand,” said Marsha Gray, Executive Director of the Real Christmas Tree Board. “This year, two-thirds of the wholesale growers (67%) surveyed told us they expect to sell all the trees they plan to harvest. And that’s how we, retailers, and consumers like it.”

More than 50 Livestock Marketing Association members and staff met with senators, U.S. representatives, congressional staffers and USDA officials last month during the association’s 17th D.C. Fly-In. The event offered an opportunity for livestock auction market owners to share their stories and connect with elected officials. Throughout the visit, they advocated for Congress to pass bills to remove an antiquated prohibition and allow a livestock auction owner to own or invest in a small or medium packer. Association members say Congress and the cattle industry agree the U.S. beef packing capacity needs to be increased, ideally by adding new competitors to the marketplace. But the rule prohibits livestock auction owners from owning or investing in meat packing businesses.

Last month Congress approved five-year reauthorizations for the Animal Drug User Fee Act and the Animal Generic Drug User Fee Act as part of the short-term spending bills that kept the government from shutting down. ADUFA allows FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine to collect fees from animal health companies, which fund the agency’s review and approval process for new animal drugs. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association welcomed the "clean" reauthorization of ADUFA. “Incredible veterinary drug innovations are happening every day, and ADUFA ensures that the FDA has the resources it needs to review these new technologies for safety and efficacy and to bring them to market for cattle producers,” says NCBA Chief Veterinarian Dr. Kathy Simmons.

Preliminary USDA program data for the first 10 months of fiscal year (FY) 2023 signal that federal spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is likely to total $112 billion for the year, an $8 billion decline from its peak in 2022. This estimate excludes P-EBT, associated with school lunch reimbursements. The average monthly SNAP benefit per person has started to decline significantly, compared to maximum benefit levels, as most states phased out emergency allotments earlier this year. In January 2023, SNAP participants received an average of $254, roughly 90% of the authorized maximum benefit level for a one-person household. In July 2023, the ratio of average over maximum benefits dropped to 62% as most households no longer qualified for maximum benefits. Though lower, this ratio is relatively similar to pre-COVID SNAP averages.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow says in an exclusive interview with Agri-Pulse that she expects to have about $4 billion to $5 billion in new funding available for the next farm bill. She’s been working with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, to identify funding sources outside the bill.  She doesn’t say where the money is coming from, but says it will help address issues in the commodity and crop insurance titles. Stabenow, D-MI, also says Congress is going to need to pass a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill before the end of the year. House Ag Chairman Glenn Thompson, R-PA, doesn’t think the extension needs to be that long. But USDA has told Stabenow a one-year extension is necessary to ensure commodity programs can properly operate. Source: Agri-Pulse Communications, October 25, 2023.

Events

The featured speaker for opening night of this year’s Kansas Livestock Association Convention, November 29-December 1 in Wichita, will discuss highlights from his 30-year career in agricultural policy and provide insight into the beef and dairy export markets. Kansas native Gregg Doud will take the stage Wednesday evening during the Cattlemen’s Banquet, sponsored by INTRUST Bank, Tyson Fresh Meats and Allflex Livestock Intelligence. Doud currently is the chief operating officer for the National Milk Producers Federation, but will become president and chief executive officer in January.

FFA members and supporters from across the country will celebrate agriculture and agricultural education next week during the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. This time-honored tradition, hosted by the city of Indianapolis, is taking place this week, November 1-4. More than 65,000+ FFA members from the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands are expected to participate in the event. This year the event can be watched live through their streaming broadcast. More information at FFA Live! – 96th National FFA Convention & Expo.

Kansas City-based National Institute for Animal Agriculture will host the 13th Annual Antibiotics Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia from November 7-9, 2023. This year’s theme is Thriving in a Changing Landscape. NIAA serves as a contractor to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the Antibiotics Symposium is made possible in part by the Beef Checkoff. More information is available here.

Leading agriculture experts from the University of Missouri, Purdue University, USDA Agricultural Research Service and the University of Nebraska will give updates on weeds, crop diseases, insects and new technologies at the annual MU Crop Management Conference, December 6-7 at the Columbia Holiday Inn Executive Center. MU Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley will summarize recent weed management research, including tank mixes of biological products with herbicides and an evaluation of drones for spraying and spreading. Sessions will cover intensive corn management, planter technologies for improving corn stands after a rye cover crop and a new tool for soybean variety selection. More information is available here.

K-State Olathe is hosting an upcoming workshop on Artificial Intelligence in Animal Health: What is it and What Does the Future Hold? The workshop will be held Nov. 2 from 1-5 p.m. Options are available for online and in-person participation. More information is available here. In addition they are hosting two upcoming luncheon webinars on Animal Health Regulatory Affairs Graduate Certificate, Oct. 11, Noon and M.S. in Veterinary Biomedical Science, Oct. 11 at 12:30 p.m.

People

Nicole Erceg is the new director of marketing for Agriculture Future of America. Erceg most recently served as the director of communications for Certified Angus Beef. Erceg is an established leader in agricultural communications with a robust background in public relations, communications strategy, digital media and sustainability initiatives. Throughout her career, she played a pivotal role in elevating brands serving as the Director of Digital Media for the marketing agency Ranch House Designs and her own business, Erceg Creative & Consulting, which catered to a diverse clientele in the food and agriculture sector.

Wyatt Agar, Thermopolis, Wyoming, became the new president of the American Hereford Association during its Annual Membership Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri. Agar is a manager and a partner in Durbin Creek Ranch and Washakie Feeders in Worland, Wyoming. The seedstock division runs 500 head of females, where AI and embryo transfer (ET) technologies are used. Chad Breeding, Miami, Texas, was selected to serve as the 2024 vice president

With the start of a new fiscal year, the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and the Missouri Corn Growers Association announced a new slate of officers, the appointment of recently elected board members, and national committee assignments. The election of the 2023-24 MCMC officer team took place during an August board meeting held in Branson. The following MCMC leaders assumed their new roles October 1: Chairman- Matt Lambert, Laclede (District 2); Vice Chairman- Patrick Seyer, Oran (District 7); Secretary- Adam Casner, Carrollton (District 2).The Missouri Corn Growers Association rolled out their new leadership team for 2023-24: President Brent Hoerr of Palmyra, Vice President Brian Lehman of Versailles, and Secretary/Treasurer Ryan Meyerkorth of Rock Port. (Courtesy MCGA)

Jeff Rowe has been selected as the new CEO of the Syngenta Group, effective January 1. He currently is president of Syngenta Crop Protection. Before that he was president of Syngenta Seeds. Last week, Erik Fyrwald, Syngenta Group’s current CEO, announced he would be stepping down at the end of the year after seven years with the company. He will remain as an adviser and continue serving as chairman of the Syngenta Group’s board of directors. Hengde Qin has been tapped as the new chief financial officer, replacing Chen Lichtenstein, who is stepping down to pursue other business opportunities. Source: Agri-Pulse Communications, October 25, 2023.

Digging Deeper...

It may not be considered news to Kansans and Missourians living in the greater Kansas City region that our metropolis and its surroundings can legitimately lay claim to being the center of the global BBQ culture and industry. That’s probably because most of us just assume it’s always been case. But it wasn’t always that way. “While Kansas City didn’t invent barbecue, it did perfect it,” Kansas City-based American barbeque historian Doug Worgul has said.
By Dennis McLaughlin, McLaughlin Writers LLC – Sources: Doug Worgul, Grand Barbecue: A Celebration of history, Places, Personalities and Techniques of Kansas City Barbecue; Allyssa King, American Royal; Rod Gray, CEO, Kansas City Barbeque Society; Smithsonian Magazine, July 3, 2023 (updated from July 18, 2013); Texas Monthly, September 17, 2023; Joseph R. Haynes, From Barbycu to Barbecue: The Untold History of an American Tradition; Bristol Herald Courier, Bristol, VA.

The Global Epicenter Of BBQ

If there is anything BBQ epicureans might love more than eating barbecue, it’s talking and writing about it. Accurate stats on the number of books published about the origins, history and heroes of the cuisine over are iffy, if non-existent. But if we’re just talking about BBQ cookbooks, we could guestimate the number is in the range of at least 8,000 volumes. That’s based on the more than 17,000 BBQ restaurants in the U.S., and on the not-so-outlandish but officially undocumented presumption that it seems as though half the proprietors of these eateries have published a book of their favorite recipes and methods of preparing them.

But a better picture of the love Americans have for barbecue is drawn by data from the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. In a recent survey, HPBA claimed 80% of all homeowners and 70% of all households in the United States own at least one grill or smoker. What’s more, many Americans use their grills and smokers year-round, not just during the summer months. “This is because barbecuing is not just a cooking method,” says the association, “but also a social activity that brings people together.”

The global barbeque grill market size was valued at $4.59 billion in 2021, according to San Francisco-based Grand View Research. It is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 4.8% from 2022 to 2030. Changes in lifestyle and eating habits among young consumers along with the growing trend of outdoor parties and social gatherings have increased the demand for low and slow-cooked recipes such as brisket, pork shoulder and pork ribs.

More Than Meat

Barbecuing is more than cooking meat in a smoker or on a grill. It’s also a spiritual exercise that teaches valuable lessons about patience and fortitude, notes Kansas City resident and American barbecue historian Doug Worgul. He is the author of The Grand Barbecue: A Celebration of the History, Places, Personalities and Techniques of Kansas City Barbecue published in 2001. His novel Thin Blue Smoke (2009) set in a Kansas City barbeque joint was a 2010 finalist for The People's Book Prize (UK). The Englewood Review of Books named Thin Blue Smoke its Novel of the Year in 2012.

During a lecture Worgul delivered in 2012 at the annual Buechner Lecture Series presented by King College, Bristol, Tennessee, he said, “The spirit of barbecue is that even when you’re given a fatty pork butt or a tough brisket to put on a grill, if you’re patient and diligent you can end up cooking something that’s really great and memorable.” And he added, “That same fatty old pork butt, that same tough brisket aren’t going to be any good at all unless you have that patience, that sense of commitment.”

But there appears a higher message in what Worgul told King College students, faculty and the Bristol community at large. “I really think barbecuing symbolizes, in a real spiritual sense, what life is about in general.” He added that in addition to rewarding patience, the act of barbecuing has another, often-overlooked spiritual benefit: It fosters a sense of fellowship and togetherness.

Done properly, according to Worgul, barbequing is a slow, gradual and labor-intensive activity. “And there’s no point doing it if you’re the only one that’s going to eat.” It really only works when it’s being done for lots of people and when there’s a sense of community about it. “That’s why barbecuing is the ultimate family activity,” he said. “It’s all about gathering together and eating together; and just enjoying some good barbecue.”

How We Got Here

For more than 30 years Worgul (who has spoken at Kansas City Agricultural Business Council meetings), has researched the origins and growth of barbecue as an American pastime – a tradition that continues to have “its strongest heartbeat in the South.” In an interview with the Bristol Herald Courier, Bristol, Virginia, he said, “It’s clear that barbecue’s heaviest influence, still, comes from its roots in the South.”

Based on his research of the origins of BBQ in North America, Worgul suggests settlers arriving several centuries ago from Europe and Africa figuratively lit the first fire pits that served up the first BBQ feasts. These folks brought thousands of pigs across the Atlantic Ocean that would be fed and bred to feed a growing population of Americans. Pigs were a perfect food source for the settlers, Worgul points out, because the animals were self-sufficient foragers who quickly gained weight and could be cooked with the hardwood that was abundant in North American forests.

This past July, barbecue author and award-wining cook, Joseph R. Haynes – who is also a Kansas City Barbeque Society Master Certified Barbeque Judge – published From Barbycu to Barbecue. The book argues that commonly held understandings about BBQ’s origins often embrace half-truths and misconceptions. Haynes refutes the “Caribbean Origins Theory” – which holds that the original southern barbequing technique was developed and imported from the Caribbean to what is today the American South. Rather, he says, the southern whole carcass barbequing technique that defines American traditional-style barbeque emerged via direct and indirect collaboration among Native Americans, European settlers in the New World and free and enslaved people of African descent in the 1600s. Haynes describes southern barbequing style to be uniquely American as “jerked hog is to Jamaica and barbacoa is to Mexico.”

Worgul’s notion of the origins of American barbeque seems to jibe with Haynes’ concept. When black slaves were kidnapped and shipped to America, he said, they were forced to do the cooking for households. That meant creative African and Caribbean techniques for barbequing were infused into developing “new world” tastes.

Kansas City Rising

While barbeque cuisine is available in most states and cities across the country, the area stretching from the South Atlantic Coast to the Gulf of Mexico constitutes the “barbeque belt” that binds four distinct barbeque traditions: Carolina, Texas, Memphis and Kansas City.

Early on, Carolina barbeque moved westward, eventually entering Texas, where German immigrants had plenty of land to cultivate cattle. They applied Carolina techniques to a different sort of animal entirely different from the pigs. In Memphis, the regionally unique sweet, tomato-based barbeque sauce was born from the city’s status as a popular port along the Mississippi River. According to an article originally published in Smithsonian Magazine, (July 2013; updated July 3, 2023), Memphis residents could easily obtain a variety of goods, including molasses, which provided the region’s sweet barbecue taste. Memphis barbecue genes determined the last of America’s four main barbecue styles – Kansas City ‘Cue.’

In the early 1900s, Memphis-native Henry Perry settled in Kansas City and opened a barbeque restaurant. That, Worgul declares was the birthplace of the city’s particular barbeque style. Perry followed the style of his Memphis roots, using a sweet and spicy barbeque sauce. But Perry did not adhere to the stringent requirements that called for a pork-only barbeque. He promoted the use of beef and other meats. Revered Texas food journalist Dotty Griffith, who passed away in 2021, referred to Kansas City barbeque as the ultimate amalgamation of East and West (Texas) barbeque. Worgul concurs: “It’s the capital of barbeque, because it’s the one town that actually brought all of the historic traditions of BBQ together in one place.” A footnote: When Perry – best remembered as the Father of Kansas City-style barbeque – died in 1940, Charlie Bryant took over the business and later sold it to Arthur Bryant.

While Kansas City pit masters, grill kings and backyard smokers might consider themselves accomplished practitioners of barbeque, the city itself occupies the “corner office” of the entire global barbeque community and culture. The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), a nonprofit organization, sanctions over 300 barbecue contests a year in 44 different states. Despite the "Kansas City" name, the KCBS judges all styles of barbecue, says Rod Gray, KCBS CEO. He breaks them down into classes for ribs, brisket, pork and chicken. Its membership is close to 15,000.

KCBS also hosts educational classes across the nation to improve barbecue techniques and certify barbeque judges. But it is also involved in advising international barbeque competitions. Gray says that organizers of some 40 events in Mexico, Europe and Africa have consulted with KCBS. “We have also been in contact with organizers of South Korean barbeque events.” That is something of a feather in KCBS’ cap since Korean barbeque is savored and well-respected around the world.

The Crown Jewel

Kansas City’s American Royal World Series of Barbecue® underscores the importance of barbeque to the region and adds a dash of regality to the culture. Competitors come from around the world to participate in the world’s largest smoking, grilling competition. The purse this year – $124,485 – was the largest of any such event ever. This year’s event took place September 27 to October 1. There were 487 teams plus 80 kid’s teams cooking for a share of that purse. The competition included 13 international teams from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, Panama and Costa Rica. Overall attendance was 35,000.

Proving that the redolence of barbeque – with its rich, languid, sweet smoke – can be more than meets the eye, Blind Butt Limitless – the first ever blind team to compete in the event – placed 106th overall and 30th in the pork competition.

Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - September 2023

Developments

Kansas State University’s Technology Development Institute in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering is working with a team of researchers from across the country to address organic-compliant food safety concerns for the produce industry. The effort is funded by a USDA grant as part of the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative to help solve critical organic agriculture issues. The research team consists of food scientists from K-State and four additional universities — the University of Missouri, the University of Arizona, the University of Florida and the University of Georgia — and has an overall goal of developing new technologies to control Listeria biofilms on food-contact surfaces and equipment.

After the success of its first European edition last year, Lenexa, Kansas-based Ceva Animal Health has announced the launch of a U.S. edition – 2024 Call For Projects – This worldwide event aims to discover and support new solutions for the well-being and care of companion animals. Ceva hopes to harness the expertise and creativity of individuals, startups and organizations. Selected projects will receive valuable support from Ceva, including mentorship, access to industry networks and resources to accelerate the development and commercialization of their innovative solutions. Additionally, the selected projects will gain recognition and visibility within the animal health community. More information is available at their website.

The Monthly Monitor is a new report compiled by the University of Missouri’s Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center and Farm Journal that surveys economists nationwide on their projections of agricultural trends. Scott Brown, director of the policy center, is forecasting a positive outlook for farm finances even as the weather has created significant challenges this past year in North America. Sentiment from the July Monthly Monitor indicates that economists are worried about feed costs and how they could affect livestock prices and profitability. When asked to project prices, economists saw a more positive outlook for pork and beef prices than for milk. Specifically, milk supplies have been slower to adjust to the lack of profitability than beef or pork supplies. An additional area of concern among the economist group included domestic and international demand. More information is available here.

Livestock Marketing Association members have a front-row seat to a disturbing trend: the continued loss of livestock producers across the U.S. They see this as a critical threat, not only to the livestock industry, but to the nation’s food supply. That’s why they’re launching an initiative to strengthen producers’ bottom lines and incentivize the next generation of farmers and ranchers. To join the conversation visit their website.

Sixteen of the nation’s top corn grower leaders, including KCGA President Brent Rogers, Hoxie, asked that aviation biofuels be treated fairly in tax policy by using the best standards available. The corn leaders recently sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen encouraging her to adopt the GREET emissions model developed by the Department of Energy as her agency works with the IRS to determine which biofuels can qualify for sustainable aviation fuel tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Nodaway County has applied for and been granted Agri-Ready County Designation by Missouri Farmers Care, a coalition of more than 40 leading Missouri agricultural groups. With this designation, the county has taken action to support agricultural development, economic growth and agricultural literacy education. Through the Agri-Ready County Designation program, MFC identifies counties that create an environment conducive to agricultural opportunity which support Missouri’s largest industry. “The Nodaway County Commission unanimously supports a pro Agri-Ready Designation,” said Bill Walker, Nodaway County Presiding Commissioner. “It creates an environment conducive to agriculture, helps us promote our agricultural assets and builds on education and workforce development opportunities.”

University of Missouri Extension agricultural engineering specialist Teng Lim has been awarded a $179,933 grant to study new wean-to-harvest biosecurity projects to improve entry to swine operations. The Swine Health Information Center awarded the grant with funds from the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and the Pork Checkoff. MU Extension was one of five groups to receive funds in a $514,856 round of awards aimed at addressing biosecurity gaps in U.S. swine herds. This is the second round of awards made by the program. About $1 million was awarded in the first round. The research projects center on the efficacy of new tools to reduce the risk of disease spread, said SHIC associate director Megan Niederwerder. Lim said the awards help researchers prevent the spread of emerging swine diseases by identifying vulnerabilities faced by pork producers. The interdisciplinary faculty team, which includes Wole Odemuyiwa, Cory Bromfield and Tamara Gull, has been brainstorming practical methods to safeguard swine health in the U.S. MU Extension researchers will look at easy-to-use entry systems that improve biosecurity on commercial pig farms. The project will design and test a variety of entry systems that consist of air showers, disinfectant spraying/fogging units and designated clean and dirty areas split by a “line of separation.” The team will test the pathogen-removal effectiveness of each entry system.

The pork industry isn't united over whether Congress should use the upcoming farm bill to overturn California’s Proposition 12, and a proposed legislative fix faces stiff opposition. After the Supreme Court upheld California’s ballot initiative that mandates animal confinement space requirements, the National Pork Producers Council began working with members of Congress on a way to block the law from being enforced. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, and Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., introduced the Ending Agriculture Trade Suppression (EATS) Act this summer with hopes of including it in the upcoming farm bill. The EATS Act would bar a state from regulating farming practices for foods produced in another state. But not all in the industry are on board with that approach. Source: Agri-Pulse Communications, September 27, 2023.

Water levels along the Mississippi River are plummeting for the second year in a row after this summer’s blistering heat and low rainfall triggered extreme drought across parts of the Central US. The low water levels have made a unique rock formation in the Mississippi River, usually surrounded by water, accessible by foot, and the Army Corps of Engineers is increasing the size of a levee in Louisiana to prevent saltwater from surging into drinking water in New Orleans. The drought comes as a critical harvest season approaches and farmers across the Midwest are concerned about water supply and barge deliveries. Officials and residents along the river worry about the widespread impacts another decline could bring. Every water level gauge along a nearly 400-mile stretch of the Mississippi from the Ohio River to Jackson, Mississippi, is at or below the low-water threshold, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and US Geological Survey. The same stretch of the river experienced record-low water levels last year in October, which brought major impacts on farming communities and barge traffic during the critical harvest period, where staple Midwestern crops including soybeans, corn and wheat are transported down the river.

Events

The American Royal World Series of Barbecue®, the world's largest barbecue competition and the American Royal's largest fundraiser, welcomes the Kansas City community for a family fun day at the Kansas Speedway on Saturday, September 30, starting at 11 a.m. Attendees can expect a full lineup of exciting yard games, family-friendly outdoor activities, food and entertainment for everyone to enjoy. “Join us at this year’s World Series of Barbecue as the Kansas Speedway’s infield turns into a huge backyard party filled with food, games, drinks, fun, family activities, barbecue giveaways and so much more,” said Jackie McClaskey, president and CEO of the American Royal Association. As for the BBQ competition, this year’s will feature a record-setting 507 teams and 80 Kids’ Q squads.

K-State Olathe is hosting an upcoming workshop on Artificial Intelligence in Animal Health: What is it and What Does the Future Hold? The workshop will be held Nov. 2 from 1-5 p.m. Options are available for online and in-person participation. More information is available here. In addition they are hosting two upcoming luncheon webinars on Animal Health Regulatory Affairs Graduate Certificate, Oct. 11, Noon and M.S. in Veterinary Biomedical Science, Oct. 11 at 12:30 p.m.

People

Iowa State student Quentin Slater will be a member of the Agri-Pulse team of journalists this fall as part of an immersive learning experience provided through the Iowa State University Foundation. He is the second candidate to be selected by ISU for this multiyear educational program. Slater will be based in Washington, D.C., where he will write articles for the Agri-Pulse and Agri-Pulse West newsletters — which are must-read, subscriber-only products offering the latest ag and food policy information — as well as contribute to all other facets of coverage offered at Agri-Pulse.com. “We are excited to have Quentin on board to help cover Capitol Hill and learn more about the intersection of politics and policies impacting rural America.

Korbin Fisher (Cole County), Cameryn Belle Hoffman (Audrain County) and Matthew Jermain (Nodaway County) have been awarded the inaugural Michael P. Voiles Scholarship for Insurance and Agriculture, by the Missouri Farm Bureau. The scholarship was established this fall to honor Voiles’ outstanding legacy and service at Missouri Farm Bureau (MOFB). Voiles served MOFB and its members for 42 years, and the scholarship was created by his wife, Beckie, to encourage students to pursue degrees – and ultimately careers – in the insurance and agricultural industries. Each recipient will receive a $1,500 scholarship that is renewable for up to three additional years, pending the successful completion of yearly criteria.

James Glueck is headed to the Corn Refiners Association as the new executive director of the Plant Based Products Council and will also serve as the senior vice president of advanced bioproducts at CRA. He previously worked at Torrey Advisory Group as a vice president. Before that, he was the GOP staff director for the Senate Ag Committee under then-Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan. Glueck replaces Jessica Bowman who has left the company. Source: Agri-Pulse Communications, September 27, 2023.

Pork Industry Champion Retiring

Don Nikodim, executive director of the Missouri Pork Association (MPA) is retiring in January 2024 after a career spanning half a century in the agricultural industry. He earned his BS in Agriculture and Masters in Education degrees from the University of Missouri in 1974 and 1977 respectively. After graduating in 74, he became a Vo Ag instructor at Odessa and then followed one more year at Liberty, MO. Don then became the Executive Secretary for the Poland China Swine Record Association in Galesburg, Il. There he managed that national organization and traveled across the country interacting with pork producers and allied industry. Upon returning to Missouri, he served as a University of Missouri Extension Farm Management specialist until beginning his role at MPA.

In December 1983, Nikodim was named executive director of MPA. During that 40-year tenure, he has been largely responsible for expanding pork promotion and education programs and spearheading public policy efforts. Additionally, his involvement in Missouri’s Right-to-Farm legislation has led to common sense policies in response to animal activists’ demands. Work in this area also helped in the development of Missouri Farmers Care which continues to be a remarkable joint effort of Missouri’s mainstream agriculture organizations.

In announcing his retirement, the MPA noted, “Don Nikodim has played an instrumental role in advancing the interests of the pork industry in Missouri throughout his tenure as the executive director. Under his leadership, the Missouri Pork Association has achieved significant milestones and made lasting contributions to the state’s agricultural landscape. As he prepares to step down, there is no doubt that his legacy will be remembered with gratitude and admiration by colleagues and industry stakeholders alike.”

Two years ago, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the National Pork Board awarded Don Nikodim with the Paulson-Whitmore State Executive Award at the National Pork Industry Forum. The award, named after former Minnesota and Wisconsin Executive Directors Don Paulson and Rex Whitmore, recognizes the outstanding leadership and commitment of state pork organization executives. Receiving the award was humbling, Nikodim said, adding that he was “just doing my job.”

Just Doing The Job

Nikodim has been immersed in the pork industry his whole life. He was raised on a small farm in southwest Missouri and tended to a 30-head sow herd. He attributes the success and achievements he has enjoyed at MPA to a strong, dedicated, capable staff. “I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by people who make me look good.”

“The folks out raising pigs are just phenomenal, it’s a pleasure to work with them and see their commitment to the business, to leadership and the sacrifice they put forth to the organization in making things better,” Nikodim told Farm Journal’s Pork editor, Jennifer Shike. “One of the neat things about being around hog producers is that when you get a group of them together, it’s not a gripe session. It’s usually fixated on what can we do to get better? That positive attitude makes serving the industry such an enjoyment.”

One of Nikodim’s pet endeavors over the years has been to ensure that human and humane touch is passed along to future generations of pig farmers. Missouri Pork Association is a key supporter of 4-H and FFA.

“I’ve always appreciated Don’s dedication to cultivating the next generation of ag and rural leaders,” said Garrett Hawkins, president Missouri Farm Bureau. “He’s been instrumental in supporting MU’s Animal Sciences Youth Leadership Academy, and he did a great job leading ALOT’s Board of Directors. You can always count on Don to be promoting Missouri’s pork industry with a delicious meal at events all over our state, and his service will be missed.”

Missouri ALOT was launched in 1983 as an endeavor to develop the leadership potential of individuals in Missouri’s agricultural community. The mission is to provide advanced leadership experiences that will make a positive impact on the future of agriculture and agribusiness in Missouri and beyond. The two-year adult leadership training program is designed for agricultural producers and rural leaders who are intent on promoting Missouri agriculture and strengthening rural communities. The curriculum has been designed to expose each class member to the dynamics of politics, economics, social norms, communication and agriculture.

Speaking of Politics

Over the last 30 or so years tremendous change in the pork industry has taken place, Nikodim says, referring to production, processing, medical, marketing, exporting, technology and regulatory advances, and other issues. At times he was in the thick of it as pork industry, regulators, activists and advocates faced off. While some parties seemed intent on making noise and presenting unreasonable demands, Nikodim has always been focused on attaining goals using science-based reasoning and implementing a strategy of “seeking smaller gains” toward beneficial compromises.

“Don and I started working together in the late 1980s as pork production systems started to change and the controversial issues revolving around those trends began to erupt,” says Gina Bowman, founder of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City. She and Nikodim collaborated to prepare and organize legislative education meetings, tours and public policy hearings.

“We were trying to encourage cooler heads and reasonable policy decisions,” she said. “It was a very contentious time and I’m so grateful Don seemed so calm and cool through it all.