Business Digest Highlights
New Products
Milwaukee-based Chr. Hansen unleashes power of good bacteria to reduce food waste
Chr. Hansen has experience and expertise in understanding how good bacteria and fermentation technology have helped to create human, animal and plant health products. Now, using good bacteria, the company is applying their knowledge to reduce food waste and support animal health to increase the sustainability of the entire food chain.
Fresh dairy foods are among the most wasted food groups. The company is taking a close look at the different strains of bacteria, utilizing traditional fermentation principles to help improve quality and shelf life and reduce waste.
Within the company’s animal health and nutrition division, bacteria also play a sustainable role in the livestock and poultry sector of food production. As consumers continue to support sustainable efforts through food purchases, farmers and ranchers are looking for safe, reliable ways to reduce their footprint as they raise meat, egg and milk products.
Visit Chr. Hansen for more information.
Compeer Financial and Indigo Ag collaborate on carbon initiative
Compeer Financial announced a new collaboration in the growing carbon market with Indigo Ag, creating an easier path to carbon credit creation. The collaboration will help Compeer’s clients navigate a fast-growing soil carbon market to get started on their carbon farming journey and maximize their long-term profitability potential.
Through its carbon farming program – Carbon by Indigo – Indigo connects farmers adopting practices that result in carbon sequestration and abatement with carbon buyers looking to incorporate high-quality offsets as part of their long-term sustainability strategies. Launched in 2019, the program recently issued initial payments to 267 farmers whose efforts in the 2019 and 2020 crop years will result in the world’s first crop of registry-issued agricultural carbon credits generated at scale this spring 2022. Today, Indigo’s carbon program counts thousands of participating farmers and over 3.5 million enrolled acres.
The companies are working closely together to make data collection, soil health practices and a clear path to carbon farming easier for farmers. Compeer Financial clients can participate by communicating with their existing crop insurance specialist or financial officer who will work with a carbon programs expert.
Visit Compeer Financial for more information.
New Kuhn 4835 in-line ripper models
Kuhn North America Inc. introduced the completed range of 4835 in-line rippers which now includes all models from 430R – 1130F and completely replaces the 4830 range.
A new parabolic shank is now available as an option for all 4835 models. This new shank is also available with coverboards to promote even more residue incorporation. When coverboards are not fitted, a wear bar is mounted to the face of the shank to provide additional wear life.
A newly developed minimum residue disturbance (MRD) shank is also available for the 4835. This shank is positioned between the no-till and parabolic shank options in terms of residue incorporation and soil disturbance. The new MRD shank utilizes the same wear bar as the no-till shank and the same 7-inch wing points as the parabolic shank, reducing the number of overall components across the offering for simplified inventory management.
No-till shanks are available for customers requiring the minimum of surface disturbance and residue incorporation. In addition to the 3/4-inch standard duty shank, a 1-inch version is also offered.
The new rippers feature a 6-inch-by-6-inch frame reinforced for additional strength. Gauge wheel adjustment has also been improved so it is accessible from the rear of the machine without having to reach over the frame. All models feature a 3-point hitch, with 5 shanks and greater models also offering an optional pull hitch with rear lift wheels. Where a pull hitch is fitted, the machine is equipped with single front stabilizer wheels for 530R – 830F models and dual front stabilizer wheels for 930F – 1130F models as standard equipment.
The new in-line ripper sizes are available for order, with first shipments being timed for fall tillage 2022.
Industry news
Bobcat Company launches Bobcat Machine IQ mobile app for increased connectivity and convenience
Bobcat Company is offering owners and fleet managers a new way to stay connected to their machines through the Bobcat Machine IQ Wireless Communication (Machine IQ) mobile app. Equipment owners can take advantage of all the benefits of Machine IQ Basics and Machine IQ Health and Security to check on the health of machines and remotely track information that enhances maintenance, security and performance – now from their mobile devices.
Providing this fully integrated user experience, machine and fleet information can now be accessed by operators through two options: the existing Bobcat Owner Portal and from the new Bobcat Machine IQ mobile platform. The new app delivers simplified, streamlined data directly to mobile devices, helping customers monitor machine location and health, and maximize uptime.
The app is free for company customers and uses the same login information as the company’s Owner Portal. It is available on both iOS and Android operating systems. Simply search for “Bobcat Machine IQ” in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and download.
Visit Bobcat Company to learn more.
Case IH partners with MacDon Industries Ltd.
Case IH has announced a partnership with MacDon Industries Ltd. to manufacture co-branded draper headers designed for Case IH Axial-Flow combines. The new line of draper headers will be available to order in early 2022 at Case IH dealers on a worldwide basis, with the exception of South America.
Visit Case IH or MacDon Industries Ltd. for more information.
CLAAS of America introduces used equipment program
CLAAS of America announces CLAAS Used, a pre-owned equipment program for North America that combines the performance and efficiency of a CLAAS machine with professionally inspected and protected “certified” units and special low-rate financing through CLAAS Financial Services.
Supply chain disruptions and financial constraints have affected many growers across North America. Now, growers can get the right equipment – from combines and tractors to forage harvesters and hay tools – at a price that fits their operation.
For more information, visit CLAAS of America or contact your local company dealer.
Select Sires Inc. recognized with workplace award
Select Sires Inc. received a Best CEO award and high scores for various categories, including overall culture, leadership, and perks and benefits in Comparably’s quarterly Best Places to Work Awards. The Best CEO award identifies CEOs in the top 5% of 1,927 similar-sized companies.
The company’s executive team received an A+ score with many anonymous reviews commenting on their positive communication and encouragement along with sheer passion for the agriculture industry. In the Overall Culture category, a culmination of 18 different metrics, the company received an A-.
Employees completed anonymous surveys that included more than 50 structured and comprehensive questions in nearly 20 core culture categories, including compensation, leadership, professional development, work-life balance and benefits. The submissions were reviewed by Comparably and feedback was provided to the company.
Visit Select Sires Inc for more information.
Organization news
Nominations open for Holstein Association USA annual awards
Holstein Association USA is seeking nominations for the 2022 Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder, Elite Breeder and Distinguished Leadership awards.
The Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder Award recognizes significant accomplishments of young Registered Holstein breeders ages 21 to 40. Submissions can be made for individuals, a couple or business partners. The winning applicant will receive travel and lodging expenses to the National Holstein Convention, complimentary tickets to the convention banquet and a $2,000 cash award.
The Elite Breeder Award honors a living Holstein Association USA member, family, partnership or corporation who has bred outstanding animals and thereby made a notable contribution to the advancement of U.S. Registered Holsteins.
Applications for the awards are considered for three years after submittal.
Visit Holstein Association USA - Awards to download the award applications. Nomination applications must be postmarked by Jan. 31. Honorees will receive their recognition during the 2021 National Holstein Convention, June 27 through July 1, 2022, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Additionally, a scholarship is available to students interested in agriculture who plan to pursue their master’s degree in business administration. The Robert H. Rumler MBA Scholarship awards $3,000 to a qualified individual pursuing their MBA at an accredited university. Applications for this scholarship must be received by April 15.
Visit Holstein Association USA for more information.
‘Drink your peas’ – Benefits of supplementing cow milk with plant protein
Scientists from the department of food science and technology at Ohio State University have developed a novel method of supplementing cow milk with vegetable protein using readily available current dairy processing equipment. A new report in the January 2022 issue of the Journal of Dairy Science presents the study, which may open opportunities to create new functional, multisourced dairy products that could help bolster declining fluid milk sales in the U.S.
Lead investigator Rafael Jiménez-Flores, Ph.D., observes, “Plant-based proteins, such as those in peas, can be challenging to use in foods because of their low solubility and undesirable off-flavors. Pea protein, in particular, can be a challenge to use in food systems because of its low solubility and undesirable bitterness.”
Why peas, then? Jiménez-Flores explains, “Pea protein has become popular due to its balanced amino acid composition and branched-chain amino acids that assist in muscle development. Pea protein is a non-allergenic, gluten-free and cost-effective plant protein.” Pea protein also has a high percentage of hydrophobic proteins (65% to 80%), which the researchers determined made it a good model to represent plant-based proteins.
In order to turn casein micelles into transporters of extra nutrients, the micelle has to be broken open, the nutrients incorporated and the micelle structure reassembled. Past research has accomplished this using ultra-high pressure and other specialized techniques, but this study achieved its results using readily available dairy processing equipment that could be easily reproduced in any dairy facility.
Visit Journal of Dairy Science fulltext to read the full article.
Animal Agriculture Alliance announces 2021 College Aggies Online scholarship winners
The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced the winners of the 2021 College Aggies Online scholarship competition. The individual winners are:
• First place, $2,500 scholarship: Alexis Main, Oklahoma State University; and Sydney Mitchell, South Dakota State University
• Second place, $1,000 scholarship: Kylie Scott, West Texas A&M University; and Sydney Garrett, Kansas State University
• Third place, $500 scholarship: Jaqueline Aenlle, University of Florida; and Katerina Kolzow, University of Wisconsin – River Falls
The club winners are:
• First place, $2,500 scholarship: Louisiana State University Les Voyageurs
• Second place, $1,000 scholarship: New Mexico State University Dairy Science Club
• Third place, $500 scholarship: Modesto Junior College Young Farmers
Winners will be recognized at the alliance’s 2022 Stakeholders Summit, set for May 11-12 in Kansas City, Missouri. The alliance also named Jacqueline Aenlle the “Social Media Rock Star” for entering the best social media post of the competition. Throughout the competition, students earned mini-scholarships for having the best social media posts, blog posts, infographics and more. Clubs received awards for hosting the best events on their campuses or online.
Visit Animal Agriculture Alliance online for more information.
Texas hosts Southern Regional Dairy Challenge
Granbury, Texas was home base for the 2021 Southern Regional Dairy Challenge held Nov. 14-16. The event was hosted by Tarleton State University and Texas A&M University. Twenty-nine dairy students from five universities worked to improve their dairy management and communication skills, networked with other students and explored industry careers.
This year’s contest included five universities divided into three- and four-member teams, and they competed for awards based on their quality of teams’ farm analysis and appropriate solutions. Their farm presentations were evaluated by a panel of five judges, including dairy producers, veterinarians, finance specialists and seasoned agribusiness personnel.
The three-day event began with learning stations at Tarleton State University’s dairy, the Southwest Regional Dairy Center. The farm team and industry representatives helped students better understand Texas dairy conditions and shared details about reproduction, milking procedures, heat stress and nutrition. Back at the Lake Granbury Conference Center, students participated in education seminars.
As the third day ended, the following teams were announced as first-place winners.
• From Judge Panel A: Team 3 including Hannah Czerminski, Wyatt Harlan and Nicole Koke from Texas A&M University
• From Judge Panel B: Maria Renee Fuentes Ayala, Allison Hajny, Georgina Madok and Emily Read from Texas A&M University
The farms for the 2021 Southern Regional Dairy Challenge were:
• Southwest Regional Dairy Center, Stephenville, Texas (pre-contest tour farm)
• Hoekman Dairy, Dublin, Texas (contest farm)
The next national event will be hosted in Green Bay, Wisconsin, March 31 – April 2, 2022. Visit Dairy Challenge for more information. 
