Industry ag news 8/3. The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) announced that Evan Dean has joined the association as vice president, government and legislative affairs, starting July 13. In this role, Dean will lead NGFA's federal advocacy efforts and help advance the association's policy priorities on behalf of the grain, feed, processing, and export industries. Kubota Tractor Corporation announced the appointment of Charlie Kowalski as Vice President of Information Technology for its U.S. operations. In this role, he will lead the company's enterprise technology strategy and IT organization, supporting continued growth and operational excellence. Registration is now open for the 2026 Sustainable Agriculture Summit, November 18-19 at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, TX. Register now through August 31 to secure an Early Rate of $800 and its lowest rates of the year. Single day passes and discounted rates for farmers, government employees, academia, students, and breakout speakers are also available. Several years of high inflation and low commodity prices, coupled with volatile production costs, are continuing to squeeze farmers financially. These forces are projected to hit farmers with $32 billion in losses for the major row crops in 2027 after a projected loss of $31 billion in 2026. Fruit, vegetable, nut and other specialty crop farmers faced billions of dollars in losses in 2025, with difficult market conditions continuing throughout 2026. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the losses felt across the farm economy in the latest Farm Bureau Intel. The Georgia Peanut Commission announces a new award and cash prize for food entrepreneurs: The Georgia Peanut Innovation Award will recognize and reward the most unique and viable new product concept inspired by Georgia Peanuts. The $10,000 cash prize will be awarded at the Sunbelt Ag Expo on Oct. 22, 2026. The contest is open to any new and unique application of peanuts, whether the product idea is in the prototype phase or has been on the market for less than a year. While the product must be food-related, it can be intended for either human or animal consumption. The United Soybean Board (USB) is pleased to announce that Courtney Knupp will join the organization as its chief executive officer starting October 1. Knupp currently serves as director of global supply chain at the National Security Council. USB's board of farmer-leaders, representing more than 30 states, ratified the decision at its July board meeting in Indianapolis. In the year ahead, the United Soybean Board (USB) will boost demand for U.S. Soy(SM), drive on-farm resilience and bring value to the nearly half a million U.S. soybean farmers. Led by its 77 farmer-leaders, USB recently approved a $122.5 million budget for the 2027 fiscal year, strategically allocating funds across vital research, promotion and education investments. This spans the food, feed, fuel, industrial, exports and sustainable production market segments. Lessiter Media has announced the addition of Dale Jackman as Senior Sales Representative for the company's ag division, where he will work with customers to develop integrated marketing programs across the company's industry-leading brands, digital platforms and live events. Meyocks has been selected by the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) to design and produce marketing materials and communication assets across a global portfolio, spanning domestic markets and international audiences.

Event strengthens dealer knowledge. With a focus on strengthening product expertise, boosting in-field knowledge and improving sales confidence, Kubota recently held its first SalesPRO training event in Europe. Attended by over 400 sales professionals, product specialists and dealer representatives, this specialist event was held at KRDE, Kubota's European R&D centre in Crépy-en-Valois, France, where Kubota products are developed and tested. The event combined classroom learning with practical, in-field experience, to strengthen product knowledge, build sales confidence and give dealers a deeper understanding of how Kubota's technologies can address the everyday challenges faced by customers. "Our SalesPRO event reflects our commitment to dealer training," said Henry Bredin, division manager of Kubota (UK)'s agricultural and ground care machinery business. "It's not just about presenting products - it's also about helping our dealers to gain a better understanding of customer needs, while experiencing our machines in real working conditions, so they can return to the market with greater confidence and enhanced practical knowledge." Alongside product training, participants took part in practical sales exercises designed to strengthen product positioning, generating a deeper understanding of real-world scenarios and bring greater value to customer conversations. The event also brought together leading technology partners including MX, UV Boosting and Kilter, demonstrating how complementary solutions can be combined with Kubota machinery to improve productivity, precision and efficiency. "Training should be practical, engaging and closely aligned to the challenges our customers face every day," adds Henry Bredin. "And SalesPRO gave our network the opportunity to learn from doing, along with exchanging experiences in best practices, with a view to strengthening the way we bring value to customers across Europe." Kubota's SalesPRO event also showcased a continued investment in smart farming with demonstrations covering autosteering, TIM technologies, precision applications, autonomous solutions, digital tools and crop-care innovations.

Baroness build momentum ahead of 20-year milestone. Japanese precision and engineering excellence will be the theme of stand OSA810 at GroundsFest 2026, as Baroness and Kubota team up once again to deliver a showcase of equipment critical to fine turf, groundcare and landscaping applications. Visitors can expect to see a selection of machines from the renowned Baroness mower range alongside solutions for maintenance and renovation, all backed up with the expert support of Baroness dealers - on hand to answer your questions across the two-day event. With the 20-year anniversary of Kyoeisha UK around the corner in 2027, spirits are high for the team at Baroness. This year has seen the appointment of new dealers and an expansion of Baroness facilities, seeing the brand available from more than 45 depot locations around the U.K & E.U giving customers even easier access to a comprehensive range of quality equipment and expert local advice. Particular highlights at Stoneleigh Park this September will include a selection of machines from the LM Series of cylinder mowers. Renowned for their samurai-sword sharp cutting heads, robust build quality and consistency of performance, the LM range finds a home in situations that prioritise productivity and pinpoint precision - equally suited to tasks on the golf course, sportsgrounds & private estates alike. That ethos for quality extends to the Baroness turf maintenance range, including the TDA aerator and FS900 sweeper collector which will also be on display. Offering a light, compact and highly manoeuvrable solution for the quick and effective collection of cores, clippings, leaves, sand and other surface debris, the FS900 is now making a name for itself with sports facilities looking for a more convenient solution to post-match or post-renovation clean-up. Those looking to find out more about any of the products from the Baroness mowing and maintenance range can do so with a stop by stand OSA810 when GroundsFest returns to Stoneleigh Park on 16th and 17th September 2026. Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you. Follow Turf Matters on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content. You can also find Turf Matters on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters Follow Turf Matters. Thank you to its sponsors