In this role, Caswell will lead VANE’s efforts to develop and manage strategic relationships with agricultural cooperatives, ag retailers, and other key partners across the agricultural value chain. He will work closely with industry leaders to identify opportunities where risk management solutions can help organizations protect revenue, differentiate their customer offerings, and drive business growth.

Caswell is an industry leader that brings more than two decades of executive leadership in agribusiness, stakeholder management, and corporate affairs to support VANE’s continued growth.

Caswell will focus on fostering strong relationships with prospects, clients, and business partners, ensuring VANE’s continued excellence in the delivery of its unique revenue insurance solutions for agribusinesses. Throughout his career, he has built and managed relationships across the agricultural value chain while helping organizations navigate complex business environments and pursue strategic opportunities.

“We’re excited to have Matt bring his extensive experience, industry knowledge, and strong network of relationships within the cooperative and ag retail segments to VANE.” Said Clayton Becker, COO of VANE. “His deep understanding of the industry and proven career experience will be invaluable as we partner with key agribusinesses to better understand their unique risks and develop customized solutions that help protect and grow their businesses.”

Prior to joining VANE, Caswell spent more than a decade as Vice President of Member/Corporate Relations & Government Affairs at Ag Processing Inc. (AGP), where he served as a senior executive leader for one of the largest farmer-owned cooperatives in the United States and led stakeholder and reputation management for the firm. In that role, he led initiatives spanning member-owner relations, stakeholder engagement, corporate strategy, communications, and government affairs.

In 2020, Caswell was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, the largest state agribusiness association in the country. Previous roles included leadership responsibilities at Syngenta, BP, and the Iowa Soybean Association. Caswell is a graduate of Drake University Law School and resides with his wife and two children in Omaha, NE.

“I am extremely excited about the truly innovative risk management support VANE provides to agribusinesses across the country, and especially cooperatives,” said Caswell. “Helping agribusinesses manage weather risk in new and unprecedented ways is critically important given the current situation in the agricultural sector. Joining the VANE team is a deep and humbling honor and I look forward to helping support and expand the business.”

Through his role at VANE, Caswell will help expand adoption of weather-related revenue insurance solutions among cooperatives, ag retailers, and other agribusiness partners seeking innovative approaches to risk management and business growth.

About VANE
VANE was founded to deliver innovative insurance solutions that help agribusinesses protect their revenue and balance sheet from weather-related financial risk. As weather events become more frequent and severe, agribusinesses face increasing exposure when their grower clients cancel products or services due to adverse weather conditions.

While growers have long relied on Federal Crop Insurance to protect their operations, VANE extends similar protection to agribusinesses. Through specialized revenue insurance solutions, VANE enables input manufacturers and distributors, ag service providers, ag retailers and cooperatives, grain handlers, and more to transfer weather-related risk, strengthen financial stability, and continue serving the growers who depend on them.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Darcie Meador
Marketing & Relationship Manager
(507) 574-4271
Darcie.Meador@VANE.ag
http://www.VANE.ag

This virtual ag newsroom includes links to photos and audio content available free of charge for digital or print publication or broadcast.

Photos

2026 ACE Conference photo album

Interviews/Audio

ACE CEO Brian Jennings previews the 2026 annual conference
ACE annual conference preview 21:23

URBANDALE, Iowa, August 4, 2026 – BarnTools today reaffirmed its confidence in its independently developed technology following patent infringement allegations involving its BinTalk and BinTalk Pro feed monitoring products.

“BarnTools respects intellectual property rights, and we believe these claims are without merit,” said Michael Hansen, CEO of BarnTools. “Our technology was independently developed, and we are confident the legal process will confirm our position.”

Since becoming aware of the allegations, BarnTools has obtained a written non-infringement opinion from nationally recognized patent counsel supporting its position. The company intends to vigorously defend itself through the appropriate legal process.

“Our customers depend on us to solve real operational problems, and that is where our focus remains,” Hansen said. “We are building practical technology that gives producers better visibility, helps them respond faster and moves animal agriculture toward a more connected and intelligent future. This lawsuit will not distract us from that work.”

BarnTools supports more than 11,000 growers across approximately 20,000 farms nationwide. Its connected hardware and software help livestock producers and integrators monitor feed, environmental conditions, water usage, equipment and biosecurity across their operations.

The company continues to expand its technology platform to help producers turn real-time farm data into better decisions, stronger operational performance and improved animal care.

“BarnTools has earned its position by listening to producers, solving difficult problems and continuing to innovate,” Hansen said. “That is how we built this company, and that is how we will keep moving the industry forward.”

The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa on July 2, 2026. BarnTools does not intend to comment further on specific legal arguments while the matter remains pending.

About BarnTools
BarnTools builds connected hardware and software for animal agriculture. Its technology gives livestock producers, growers and integrators greater visibility into feed, barn conditions, water, equipment and biosecurity so they can respond faster, operate more efficiently and better protect the animals in their care.

To learn more, visit BarnTools.com.

Media Contact
Jennifer Hirst
Head of Marketing
Jhirst@barntools.com

Under the terms of the agreement, Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness will distribute T34 Biocontrol® to U.S. growers, leveraging its extensive commercial network and technical expertise to support adoption across key agricultural regions. The partnership is designed to expand access to biological disease management tools aligned with the evolving needs of modern U.S. agriculture.

T34 Biocontrol® is a biological control agent based on the beneficial microorganism Trichoderma asperellum strain T34. The product is designed to support the control of foliar and soil-borne fungal diseases while promoting root health and overall plant resilience. Its mode of action allows it to be integrated into broader crop management strategies, contributing to healthier crops and more balanced production systems.

In agronomic terms, T34 Biocontrol® is intended for use across a range of high-value crops, where soil health and disease pressure represent critical challenges. The product is designed to be incorporated into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs and used alongside conventional agricultural practices, providing growers with additional flexibility in disease management strategies.

The agreement reflects the increasing role of biological solutions in the transition toward more sustainable agricultural systems. Biological control products such as T34 Biocontrol® are increasingly valued for their potential to reduce reliance on conventional chemical fungicides while remaining compatible with regulatory frameworks and market expectations related to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Eduard Fernando, General Manager of Biocontrol Technologies, commented:
“Entering into this agreement with Wilbur-Ellis represents an important strategic step for Biocontrol Technologies in the United States. The U.S. is a key market for the future of biological crop protection, and partnering with a distributor of Wilbur-Ellis’ scale and technical strength provides a strong platform to support growers with T34 Biocontrol®. We are confident in the product’s role as part of integrated disease management programs.”

About Biocontrol Technologies
Founded in 2005, Biocontrol Technologies develops and markets biological crop protection solutions based on beneficial microorganisms for use in agriculture. The spin-off of the University of Barcelona focuses on supporting plant health, disease management and sustainable production across a wide range of crops through scientifically validated biological technologies.

About Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness
Founded in 1921, Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness is a leading marketer and distributor of agricultural products and services in the United States. The company supports growers through a broad portfolio of crop inputs, agronomic services and technical expertise, helping them address productivity, sustainability and profitability challenges.

For further information, please contact:
Biocontrol Technologies
Email: biocontrol@biocontroltech.com​
Phone: +34 934 09 18 48

From the advanced technology of mass spectrometry and isotopic analysis to the real-world impact of agricultural management, we discuss how lab data informs critical water quality decisions. Jennah also breaks down the complexities of emerging contaminants like PFAS—often called “forever chemicals”—and shares insights from her first year leading the lab. Join us as we examine how Nebraska’s water quality challenges offer lessons for agricultural regions worldwide and learn why understanding the journey of our water is more important than ever.

Learn more about the Water Sciences Lab: https://watercenter.unl.edu/water-sciences-laboratory/

Learn more about the Know Your Well program mentioned in this episode: https://waterforfood.nebraska.edu/news-and-events/news/2026/06/inside-classrooms-nebraska-students-learn-the-importance-of-groundwater-with-know-your-well-program

The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska was founded with the mission to have a lasting and significant impact on achieving more food security with less pressure on scarce water resources by conducting scientific and policy research, using the research results to inform policy makers, and sharing knowledge through education and communication.

How to subscribe:

• Apple Podcasts
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• Direct rss feed link

PROUD 4

“So if you’ve got soil-borne pathogens or if you’ve got nematodes, it’s an excellent product to apply to the soil or through irrigation, and it will control those incredibly well,” says Huma Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Fred Nichols. “And then it also has great control of above ground pests, so soft bodied insects, thrips, mites. And then of course, a variety of various fungal diseases.”

Fred Nichols, Huma

Nichols adds, “The level of control we’re seeing, along with an attractive price point, provides an unbeatable value for growers that’s OMRI-listed and safe for crops. Plus, ag retailers and farmers can stock just one product for multiple pest control needs.”

Learn more about Huma and PROUD 4 at PROUD4.com, and hear more about it in this interview.
Interview with Fred Nichols, Huma 9:00

The agenda will feature several key speakers, including U.S. Representative Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Tom Kloza, a world-renowned oil market analyst, and Ryan LeGrand, President and CEO of U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council (USGBC).

ACE CEO Brian Jennings says the conference will feature two days of speakers and panels focusing on key issues for the ethanol industry, particularly the fight for nationwide, year-round E15, and they are pleased to have Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-MN) as their congressional keynoter this year.

The conference will also feature addresses by oil market analyst Tom Kloza, and Ryan LeGrand, President and CEO of U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council (USGBC). In addition, Jennings says they will have a special track of breakout panels this year on the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit.

“It’s the first time we’ve ever had a track specific to a federal tax credit, but there’s so much interest in the 45Z credit, ethanol plants are making good on applying for that credit, obtaining that credit right now, but there’s still more we need to learn from Treasury about how that credit will work. And so we have a whole breakout track dedicated to really diving into and understanding the ins and outs of the 45Z tax credit from a wide range of experts,” said Jennings.

In addition to previewing the conference, Jennings comments on the status of the 45Z tax credit and the efforts to get E15 legislation through the Senate in this interview:
ACE annual conference preview 21:23

Farm Ambassadors Kick-off the Tour
4th Generation Missouri Farmer – Tom Boedeker, Boedeker Brothers Farm
5th Generation Alabama Farmer – Kyle Bridgeforth, Bridgeforth Farms

ST. LOUIS, MO and MINNEAPOLIS, MN, July 20 – A year ago, during an investor conference, the conversation turned to a question that has become increasingly common across boardrooms and business forums: What industries will have the greatest impact shaping the future?

Chris Abbott, CEO of Pivot Bio, listened to the conversations. Topics such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, robotics, American competitiveness, domestic security and global markets dominated the discussions.

As Abbott listened, he realized that not once did the conversation turn to one of the world’s most essential industries—one that touches every person on the planet every single day, yet is too often overlooked.

“That conversation stayed with me,” Abbott said. “I spend every waking moment thinking about how we can better support farmers. Agriculture isn’t simply another industry, it’s absolutely foundational to every community and economy. Farmers are solving some of the world’s biggest challenges every day, yet their voices aren’t always part of the broader conversation. Certainly, their work doesn’t attract the level of investment that other industries attract. I left with a mission to do my part to change that.”

That conversation became the inspiration for the Year of One Million Thanks Buddy Seat Tour.

Beginning July 20 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, and over the course of the next 12 months, Abbot will travel more than 1,500 miles across America’s rural communities with a working family tractor, meeting with farmers in their fields and communities to listen to their experiences, celebrate their contributions and explore the ideas that will shape the next generation of agriculture.

Most importantly, he’s bringing along some friends. Innovators, technologists, business leaders, policymakers and academic leaders will take a turn in the buddy seat to raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges facing agriculture—and the investment and technology focus needed to bring the same level of innovation to America’s most critical industry.

The Year of One Million Thanks Buddy Seat Tour is built around a simple belief: the best ideas for agriculture begin with the people who live it every day.

Just as importantly, the tour is intended to spark action.

By bringing together farmers with leaders from business, government, academia and the broader agricultural community, Pivot Bio hopes the conversations will identify practical partnerships and solutions that can help farmers address today’s challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities.

Chris Turners, Pivot Bio’s Chief Commercial Officer has seen it all in his decades long career with some of the most notable companies in agriculture. “I’ve spent my entire career working alongside farmers, and I can honestly say I’ve never been part of a company that has invested in them the way Pivot Bio has. Whether it’s developing breakthrough technology, standing beside farmers during fertilizer uncertainty, investing in the next generation through Pivot Pathways, or moving our operations closer to the people we serve, everything we do starts with one question: ‘How can we better support farmers?’ That’s what makes this tour so meaningful to me.”

A Tractor That Carries More Than One Story

Every journey needs the right vehicle. For a journey as impactful as the Year of One Million Thanks Buddy Seat Tour, that meant finding more than simply a tractor to make the trip. It meant finding one that represents the resilience and spirit of American agriculture. The search led to 69-year-old Missouri farmer Tom Boedeker of Boedeker Brothers Farm, a fourth-generation family operation near Elsberry, Missouri, whose roots date back to 1936.

Together with his brother, Joe and cousins and Jim and Bert, Tom has spent a lifetime helping lead Boedeker Brothers Farm through decades of change, caring for the land while embracing new technologies that improve productivity and strengthen environmental stewardship. His journey has not been without extraordinary challenges. Known as an early adopter of conservation practices and new equipment, Tom has always believed in leaving the land better than he found it.

For generations, Boedeker Brothers Farm has also served as a cornerstone of its rural community, opening its gates to thousands of students through school field trips, FFA and 4-H events, livestock and dairy judging contests, soil science competitions and other educational experiences that have introduced young people across eastern Missouri to agriculture and inspired future generations of farmers.

Like many farm families, Boedeker Brothers Farm has faced difficult seasons and extraordinary decisions over the years, including closing the dairy chapter of the operation in 2018 after generations of milking. Tom’s own journey has also tested him, from surviving a grain bin accident and a combine fire during harvest to overcoming serious equipment accidents and a life-threatening medical emergency. He is the definition of resilience.

Yet through every setback, he has remained committed to the work he loves, the community he serves and the farm his family has built together.

Starting this summer, Tom’s own working tractor will be part of the journey. Dubbed the Grati-tractor One, it is only fitting that it comes from a multi-generational working farm. It will take a break for harvest, but will be back on the road after, and may be joined by other tractors along the journey.

Rather than a showpiece built for display, this tractor will be a symbol of the perseverance, innovation and optimism that define farming families across America.

Tom Boedeker will be the first ambassador of the tour and will join Abbott driving the tractor to Busch Stadium for the journey’s official kickoff on July 20.

Farm Ambassador – Kyle Bridgeforth, Bridgeforth Farms

In addition to Tom Boedeker, the tour also features a second Farm Ambassador – Kyle Bridgeforth, Bridgeforth Farms .

As a fifth-generation farmer, Bridgeforth is carrying forward a family legacy that began in 1877, when his formerly enslaved great-great-grandfather, George Bridgeforth Sr., began purchasing farmland in North Alabama following the Civil War.

For nearly 150 years, generations of the Bridgeforth family have broken barriers, advanced agricultural education and built one of America’s most respected Black-owned farming operations.

Today, as an owner and operating partner of Bridgeforth Farms – one of America’s largest Black-owned farming operations, Kyle Bridgeforth is helping shape the future of agriculture both on and off the farm. In addition to leading initiatives focused on crop traceability, farm efficiency and business development, Bridgeforth serves on the boards of several organizations including the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, the International Fertilizer Development Center, and works closely with organizations like the American Soybean Association and National Black Growers Council to advance farmer success. Whether he’s in the field, the boardroom or at the policy table, Bridgeforth is helping shape conversations about the future of American agriculture.

“Our Founding Honorary Ambassadors remind us that every farm has a story,” Abbott said. “These two farm families represent the resiliency that is on display every day across rural America. Some stories are measured in generations. Others are measured by perseverance through adversity. Together, they represent the many faces of American agriculture and the people whose work makes life possible for all of us.”

The Year of One Million Thanks Buddy Seat Tour will conclude at the A Million Thanks Festival – Live from the Heartland next year, where all 15 Founding Honorary Ambassadors will be recognized as part of Pivot Bio’s 15th anniversary celebration and a nationwide expression of gratitude to America’s farmers.

“For 15 years, Pivot Bio has been inspired by farmers and driven by their determination to leave the land better than they found it,” Abbott said. “This tour is our opportunity to give something back, not just by saying thank you, but by listening, learning and helping build the partnerships and ideas that will support agriculture for generations to come.”

About Pivot Bio
Pivot Bio is one of the world’s leading agricultural biotechnology companies, delivering breakthrough crop nutrition technologies that help farmers improve productivity, profitability and sustainability through the power of science. Guided by its purpose of improving the lives of farmers and the health of the planet, Pivot Bio partners with farmers to advance innovation, strengthen food security and help shape the future of agriculture. Currently available in North America and soon in Brazil, the company’s products represent a breakthrough innovation and one of the agriculture industry’s most promising solutions. Pivot Bio has been recognized three times by TIME magazine on its annual list of Best Inventions, by Fast Company on its World Changing Ideas and World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies lists, by CNBC on its Disruptor 50 list, by Fortune on its Impact 20 list, and by MIT Technology Review as one of 15 climate tech companies to watch. For more information, visit PivotBio.com.

Media Contact:
Erin Loesing
573-629-8049

Earlier this spring, according to American Farm Bureau Federation data, nearly 70% of farmers said they could not afford the fertilizer they needed this season. This underscores the challenges farmers have faced, and will continue to face, as supply chain disruptions continue to impact U.S. producers this summer.

“Times are tough enough as it is and if we can do something that is good for the soil and good for our bottom lines at the same time, it’s just common sense,” said Jess Daniels, owner of Bar D Bar Cattle & Grain, with land in Kansas and Missouri. “This is natural fertilizer that comes from organic materials, so it’s about being good stewards of the land and growing successful crops. This is an alternative to other fertilizers that won’t break the bank so we can put more toward our bottom line.”

As the nation’s largest food and organics recycler, Denali transforms organic materials from food businesses into agricultural nutrients, creating a stable, cost-effective alternative that does not depend on global supply chains that have contributed to recent price volatility. For farmers caught between rising input costs and tight margins, Denali’s approach offers practical relief rooted in domestic resources, while building the kind of soil resilience that pays dividends over multiple growing seasons.

What Denali Delivers
Denali offers farmers a low-cost, natural fertilizer solution. To quantify the value its natural fertilizer provides, Denali analyzed what farmers would pay for equivalent nutrients using synthetic fertilizers at current market prices across three key agricultural regions. Looking at nitrogen, phosphate, and potash pricing, the analysis shows Denali can save farmers:

Kansas: $244 per acre
Louisiana: $236 per acre
Georgia: $246 per acre

These figures represent what farmers would spend to purchase and apply the same nutrients using conventional fertilizers. They don’t account for the additional micronutrients or organic matter that Denali delivers – benefits that improve soil health over time and that other fertilizers simply don’t provide.

“Even though global shipping conditions have improved, farmers are still making decisions with fertilizer prices above historical norms,” said Lauren King, Denali’s vice president of Environmental. “Our goal is to help producers stretch their input dollars while improving their soil health with nutrients generated right here in the United States. This fertilizer is available at a low cost and offers a stable supply for our farmers.”

Real-World Application
During fall 2025 and spring 2026, Denali provided natural fertilizer to a 400-acre farm in northwest Tennessee. Based on the current conventional fertilizer pricing, the company delivered approximately $100,000 in nutrient value to that operation – value the farmer didn’t have to pull from an already-strained input budget.

“With fertilizer prices as unpredictable as they are, partnering with Denali has allowed us to better manage costs without compromising the nutrient program our operation relies on,” said Jamie Marion, an Arkansas farmer who grows award-winning hay using natural fertilizer.

Denali also creates nutrient-rich animal feed from inedible food, in addition to compost, and biofuel. Learn more about Denali’s natural fertilizer and how it works here.

About Denali
Denali is the leading organic recycling company on a mission to unlock the power of unused food and organics by diverting them from landfills and transforming them into renewable resources to feed, fuel, and fertilize the earth. Our work is essential to keeping water clean, reducing the need for new landfill capacity, building soil fertility, helping farmers be more resilient, and reducing society’s reliance on fossil fuels. Denali provides meaningful and measurable change for any business that handles food, creating value with our scalable solutions across the nation. Our services and products touch thousands of acres and businesses, millions of tons of organic material, and nearly every person who purchases and consumes food in the U.S.

###

Media Contact:
Marika Kelly
Marika.Kelly@padillaco.com

Richfield, UT July 16, 2026 – As drought conditions intensify across the West, farmers and crop consultants are facing reduced irrigation allocations and potential water delivery cutbacks. Diamond K Gypsum introduces a new suite of agricultural water saving products and an online tool that improve irrigation water use efficiency, soil performance and crop resilience in drought conditions.

Aqua-Drive Elite is designed to improve water infiltration and soil moisture distribution by reducing surface tension of the water droplet and the soil. It allows irrigation water and precipitation to penetrate deeper into the root zone rather than being lost to runoff or evaporation. Key benefits include:
– High performance block polymers
– Faster water penetration into hydrophobic soils
– Better lateral and vertical movement of irrigation water
– Reduced chronic dry spots
– Reduced runoff and ponding

Diamond K Bio Algae is a concentrated soil amendment derived from beneficial algae compounds that support root growth, microbial activity in the soil and carbon cycling. Key benefits include:
– Deeper root development
– Larger root masses
– Increased plant tolerance to environment stress
– Reactivation of dormant soil microbes
– Greater drought resilience

Aqua-Drive Elite Bio combines the water management benefits of Aqua-Drive Elite with soil advantages of Diamond K Bio Algae in a single application. In recent water deficit turf research completed at University California, Bermuda grass treated with Aqua-Drive Elite Bio showed no visible negative impacts despite a 40% reduction in irrigation water during the five-month test. Key benefits include:
– Improved water infiltration
– Enhanced root growth
– Increased soil microbial activity
– Improved crop performance under drought stress

“Western crop consultants and growers know there is no silver bullet when it comes to water shortages,” says Tom Tankersley, Diamond K Gypsum director of sales. “Instead, integrated programs that address both water and soil chemistry, physics and soil biology offer the best solutions. Growers who focus on improving infiltration, retention and root efficiency are in a much better position to protect yield when irrigation water is restricted.”

According to Tankersley, Diamond K also launched a new online tool called The Water Knowledge Hub. The new digital platform contains links to university research about combating drought with water testing and water quality improvements.

For more information, visit www.diamondkgypsum.com

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Media Contact:
Mason Allred,
mason@diamondkgypsum.com