&nbsp;In early May, a delegation of U.S. livestock genetics and agriculture leaders representing Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Idaho, and the Senepol Cattle Breeders Association traveled to Aguascalientes, Mexico, to advance trade partnerships and expand the global reach of U.S. beef cattle genetics. Delegates from Kansas included Dr. Justin Smith, Kansas Department of Agriculture Animal Health Commissioner; Dr. John Nelson, KDA field veterinarian; and Thad Geiger, Geiger Cattle, Troy, Kansas.

Mexico remains the largest agricultural trade partner for the state of Kansas, with trade totaling $1.85 billion in 2024. As global trade relationships evolve, this mission emphasized the importance of continued collaboration, especially in livestock and genetics.

“Expanding U.S. beef cattle genetics exports and understanding Mexico’s evolving feedlot operations are essential to fostering resilient supply chains,” said Suzanne Ryan-Numrich, KDA Director of Ag Marketing. “While we work to promote beef cattle genetic exports, we also aim to better understand the needs and priorities of our Mexican counterparts.”

The delegation took part in&nbsp;trilateral discussions with the Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas and the Canadian Cattle Association, where they addressed shared industry concerns including trade barriers, inspection protocols, and threats such as the New World screwworm, a pest that poses a risk to livestock and has disrupted cross-border trade.

The delegation also conducted site visits to cattle breeding operations and regional feedlots and engaged with industry during the Feria Nacional de San Marcos, one of Mexico’s most prominent agricultural expos.

“The trip gave me a deep appreciation for the resilience of Mexican cattle producers who operate successfully in challenging conditions,” said Geiger. “The trilateral discussions underscored how closely our industries are connected. Our strengths complement each other, and strong partnerships benefit both sides of the border.”

This trade mission is part of KDA’s mission to support Kansas producers and agribusinesses, including facilitating opportunities for producers to market and sell livestock genetics both domestically and internationally. These missions are made possible through KDA’s membership in U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc., with funding provided through the USDA Market Access Program.

KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577115615594.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;In early May, a delegation of U.S. livestock genetics and agriculture leaders representing Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Idaho, and the Senepol Cattle Breeders Association traveled to Aguascalientes, Mexico, to advance trade partnerships and expand the global reach of U.S. beef cattle genetics. Delegates from Kansas included Dr. Justin Smith, Kansas Department of Agriculture Animal Health Commissioner; Dr. John Nelson, KDA field veterinarian; and Thad Geiger, Geiger Cattle, Troy, Kansas.Mexico remains the largest agricultural trade partner for the state of Kansas, with trade totaling $1.85 billion in 2024. As global trade relationships evolve, this mission emphasized the importance of continued collaboration, especially in livestock and genetics.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600284821318.jpeg" alt="<a href="https://www.dieselfuelinjectionrepair.com/">Click here to visit Diesel Control Technicians website</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.dieselfuelinjectionrepair.com/">Click here to visit Diesel Control Technicians website</a></figcaption>
 </figure>“Expanding U.S. beef cattle genetics exports and understanding Mexico’s evolving feedlot operations are essential to fostering resilient supply chains,” said Suzanne Ryan-Numrich, KDA Director of Ag Marketing. “While we work to promote beef cattle genetic exports, we also aim to better understand the needs and priorities of our Mexican counterparts.”The delegation took part in&nbsp;trilateral discussions with the Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas and the Canadian Cattle Association, where they addressed shared industry concerns including trade barriers, inspection protocols, and threats such as the New World screwworm, a pest that poses a risk to livestock and has disrupted cross-border trade.The delegation also conducted site visits to cattle breeding operations and regional feedlots and engaged with industry during the Feria Nacional de San Marcos, one of Mexico’s most prominent agricultural expos.“The trip gave me a deep appreciation for the resilience of Mexican cattle producers who operate successfully in challenging conditions,” said Geiger. “The trilateral discussions underscored how closely our industries are connected. Our strengths complement each other, and strong partnerships benefit both sides of the border.”This trade mission is part of KDA’s mission to support Kansas producers and agribusinesses, including facilitating opportunities for producers to market and sell livestock genetics both domestically and internationally. These missions are made possible through KDA’s membership in U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc., with funding provided through the USDA Market Access Program.

Kansas trade mission to Mexico aims to boost U.S. beef cattle genetics exports

The United Soybean Board, which oversees the funds of the national checkoff, is seeking farmer-leaders to serve on the national board. Kansas has two director positions to fill following December term completions for Kurt Maurath, Oakley, and Lance Rezac, Onaga.

The mission of the soybean checkoff is to create value for U.S. soybean farmers by investing in research, education and promotion of U.S.-grown soy. Farmer-leaders are able to elevate their perspectives and direct those investments through service on the board. The checkoff’s current return-on-investment of $12.30 back to farmers for each dollar invested demonstrates the checkoff’s efficacy in driving profitability for every acre of soybeans.

Dennis Gruenbacher, Andale, sought a USB director position in 2018 because he saw an opportunity to find more end uses for soybeans and ultimately improve prices for growers. He remarks that the checkoff has done just that through developing tires from soybean oil and other value-added projects.

“I enjoyed serving on USB to work with Clean Fuels Alliance America and see trade development through the U.S. Soybean Export Council,” Gruenbacher says. “The best experience from USB was traveling to Germany with USSEC to meet with 120 soybean buyers. We were able to discuss high oleic soybeans with Egypt and much more.”

Though he stepped back from USB in 2023, Gruenbacher continues to serve as a Kansas Soybean Commissioner.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, which handles the appointment process, eligible nominees include “soybean producers within the U.S. who own or share ownership and risk of loss of soybean production.” Board members are required to attend the February, July and December meetings annually as well as various conference calls and other events. Leaders volunteer their time to serve but are reimbursed for travel and other expenses related to attending meetings and events on behalf of USB.

The position is open to all individuals without regard to their protected statuses including race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status, political beliefs, parental status, or other protected information. KSC works to ensure that its nominees to USB reflect the diversity in the size of enterprise, experience, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors that represent Kansas soybean farmers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692745881332.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS SOYBEAN COMMISSIONThe United Soybean Board, which oversees the funds of the national checkoff, is seeking farmer-leaders to serve on the national board. Kansas has two director positions to fill following December term completions for Kurt Maurath, Oakley, and Lance Rezac, Onaga.The mission of the soybean checkoff is to create value for U.S. soybean farmers by investing in research, education and promotion of U.S.-grown soy. Farmer-leaders are able to elevate their perspectives and direct those investments through service on the board. The checkoff’s current return-on-investment of $12.30 back to farmers for each dollar invested demonstrates the checkoff’s efficacy in driving profitability for every acre of soybeans.Dennis Gruenbacher, Andale, sought a USB director position in 2018 because he saw an opportunity to find more end uses for soybeans and ultimately improve prices for growers. He remarks that the checkoff has done just that through developing tires from soybean oil and other value-added projects.“I enjoyed serving on USB to work with Clean Fuels Alliance America and see trade development through the U.S. Soybean Export Council,” Gruenbacher says. “The best experience from USB was traveling to Germany with USSEC to meet with 120 soybean buyers. We were able to discuss high oleic soybeans with Egypt and much more.”Though he stepped back from USB in 2023, Gruenbacher continues to serve as a Kansas Soybean Commissioner.According to the United States Department of Agriculture, which handles the appointment process, eligible nominees include “soybean producers within the U.S. who own or share ownership and risk of loss of soybean production.” Board members are required to attend the February, July and December meetings annually as well as various conference calls and other events. Leaders volunteer their time to serve but are reimbursed for travel and other expenses related to attending meetings and events on behalf of USB.The position is open to all individuals without regard to their protected statuses including race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status, political beliefs, parental status, or other protected information. KSC works to ensure that its nominees to USB reflect the diversity in the size of enterprise, experience, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors that represent Kansas soybean farmers.

Soybean growers invited to apply for national checkoff board seat

Kansas State University's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/crcil/">Climate Resilient Cereals Innovation Lab</a>&nbsp;continues work after federal funding resumed earlier this month.

The innovation lab aims to help double the world's food supply by 2050 through crop production improvements for four of the world's most important cereals: sorghum, millet, wheat and rice. All four crops are grown in the United States, and more than 50% of sorghum is grown in Kansas.

"K-State's innovation lab is helping bolster American agriculture by creating crops that are resistant to drought and disease," said U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran. "I appreciate Secretary Rubio for recognizing the importance of the work being done at Kansas State University and supporting the continuation of this program. Kansans, Americans and individuals around the world face a brighter future due to the work being done at K-State to help feed the world."

The innovation lab collaborates with U.S. and international partners to advance the breeding of these cereal crops to be more resistant to heat, drought, insects and disease, with the goal of making farmers more prosperous.

"This work is vital to the success of American and international agricultural production," said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/crcil/about/dalton.html">Timothy Dalton</a>, professor of agricultural economics and interim director of the innovation lab. "The work we are doing ultimately results in grains that are more tolerant to real-world challenges farmers are facing now."

Researchers are using the latest technologies — including phenotyping with uncrewed aerial drones, next-generation DNA sequencing and genotyping, AI-assisted crop modeling and simulations, and speed breeding — in projects around the world.

Dalton said the international partnerships allow for testing crops in conditions similar to U.S. farmers' current and forecast challenges. In Asia, rice varieties are studied for resistance to rice blast, a fungal disease. Through this work, new rice varieties will be available for farmers in the southern U.S. Wheat and sorghum yields will be improved through testing in some of the hottest and driest regions of the world bordering the Sahara Desert.

"We're searching for scientific advances to make crops stronger and food production more reliable and safer," Dalton said. "This makes farmers here in Kansas and in partner nations more prosperous and ready to meet global food needs far into the future."

The funding is for the collaborative, interdisciplinary research to improve these four crops. K-State's collaborative partners are the University of Florida, Texas A&amp;M University, Texas Tech University, Purdue University, Cornell University, Louisiana State University, Clemson University, and national agricultural research systems in Senegal, Ethiopia and Bangladesh.

"Thank you to Senator Moran and his team for their dedicated efforts in supporting and ensuring the continuation of this important research at Kansas State University," said Ernie Minton, Eldon Gideon dean of the College of Agriculture and director of K-State Research and Extension. "Advancing agricultural innovation and ensuring resilient crop production are critical priorities for global food and national security."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743088206929.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>K-STATE NEWS AND COMMUNICATIONS&nbsp;Kansas State University's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/crcil/">Climate Resilient Cereals Innovation Lab</a>&nbsp;continues work after federal funding resumed earlier this month.The innovation lab aims to help double the world's food supply by 2050 through crop production improvements for four of the world's most important cereals: sorghum, millet, wheat and rice. All four crops are grown in the United States, and more than 50% of sorghum is grown in Kansas."K-State's innovation lab is helping bolster American agriculture by creating crops that are resistant to drought and disease," said U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran. "I appreciate Secretary Rubio for recognizing the importance of the work being done at Kansas State University and supporting the continuation of this program. Kansans, Americans and individuals around the world face a brighter future due to the work being done at K-State to help feed the world."The innovation lab collaborates with U.S. and international partners to advance the breeding of these cereal crops to be more resistant to heat, drought, insects and disease, with the goal of making farmers more prosperous."This work is vital to the success of American and international agricultural production," said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/crcil/about/dalton.html">Timothy Dalton</a>, professor of agricultural economics and interim director of the innovation lab. "The work we are doing ultimately results in grains that are more tolerant to real-world challenges farmers are facing now."Researchers are using the latest technologies — including phenotyping with uncrewed aerial drones, next-generation DNA sequencing and genotyping, AI-assisted crop modeling and simulations, and speed breeding — in projects around the world.Dalton said the international partnerships allow for testing crops in conditions similar to U.S. farmers' current and forecast challenges. In Asia, rice varieties are studied for resistance to rice blast, a fungal disease. Through this work, new rice varieties will be available for farmers in the southern U.S. Wheat and sorghum yields will be improved through testing in some of the hottest and driest regions of the world bordering the Sahara Desert."We're searching for scientific advances to make crops stronger and food production more reliable and safer," Dalton said. "This makes farmers here in Kansas and in partner nations more prosperous and ready to meet global food needs far into the future."The funding is for the collaborative, interdisciplinary research to improve these four crops. K-State's collaborative partners are the University of Florida, Texas A&amp;M University, Texas Tech University, Purdue University, Cornell University, Louisiana State University, Clemson University, and national agricultural research systems in Senegal, Ethiopia and Bangladesh."Thank you to Senator Moran and his team for their dedicated efforts in supporting and ensuring the continuation of this important research at Kansas State University," said Ernie Minton, Eldon Gideon dean of the College of Agriculture and director of K-State Research and Extension. "Advancing agricultural innovation and ensuring resilient crop production are critical priorities for global food and national security."

Ag News