Crop Protection

FBN Spins Out Its Crop Protection Business, Focuses on Marketplace and Technology

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 16:03:20 GMT

Last week, just a few hours after Corteva announced its spin out dividing seeds from crop protection, Farmers Business Network (FBN) announced it is separating its businesses. Moving forward FBN will focus on its digital marketplace for farmers, and the newly launched Global Crop Solutions will be an independent supplier of crop protection products.

FBN leaders say the timing is coincidental. Their motive for the timing was brought about by the new fiscal year. But they offer both of the announcements together could be a sign of a trend of vertical integration getting unwound in the name of efficiency and focus.

“We’re doubling down, allotting capital on digital innovation for FBN’s future,” says Diego Casanello, CEO of FBN. “FBN’s core business is a digital commerce and fintech platform. We want farmers to be able to buy, finance, and market everything they need while sitting in their combines. These are technology challenges, so the core competence you need to be successful at FBN is different from managing the supply chain of the crop protection business.”

In the past 14 months, FBN has been refocusing its business. First, it spun off its insurance business, then its Gradable business into a joint-venture with ADM. Now with its crop protection business spin out, Casanello says the FBN marketplace will feature GCS products, such as Willowood USA branded products, via a strategic partnership, and GCS products will explore distribution beyond the FBN marketplace.

“The big unlock for GCS is the opportunity to serve the entire retail and co-op industry,” Casanello says. “It frees GCS of any channel conflicts and hits the ground running with one of the largest portfolios of products in the industry. And it frees FBN from similar constraints as we move to an open marketplace architecture. We are onboarding new sellers and their portfolios every week. We provide them the tools to manage pricing, marketing, and placement. FBN is open for business and we’ve had significant interest from additional partners before and after the announcement.”

FBN’s Marketplace Strategy

Currently, FBN says it has 120,000 farmer members in the U.S. and Canada. The business provides a marketplace with farm inputs and supplies, financial services and data-driven intelligence.

FBN co-founder Charles Baron says the FBN marketplace has expanded its product range to include crop protection, seed (with additional partner news coming soon), fertilizer, livestock products, veterinary pharmaceuticals, farm supplies and more.

“To farmers, there’s no change in their experience. And over time, we’ll bring an even broader assortment of goods,” Baron says. “You’ll be seeing announcements from us every two weeks or so about the suppliers coming on the platform. It’s one of the most exciting times in our history.”

The leaders say farmer use of e-commerce has increased every year since they launched, and in 2025 FBN served a record number of customers. “Farmers are really focusing on value right now and maximizing every dollar,” said Baron. And per their analytics roughly 35% of U.S. farmers visit FBN.com to browse inputs, apply for financing, or look for information.

The Future of GCS

As a newly formed independent crop protection supplier, GCS has a portfolio of 250 registrations on post-patent products. The company will specialize in sourcing, managing first mile logistics, developing new products and regulatory aspects.

To lead the business and its team, Amy Yoder, most recently EVP of FBN’s livestock division, is incoming CEO.

“Global Crop Solutions launches today as an independent powerhouse,” said Yoder, in a press release. “For the first time, our extensive portfolio and efficient global supply chain are fully available to all partners— from retailers, to distributors, to co-ops. Our independence unlocks immense growth potential and allows us to be the most reliable and collaborative partner to the entire agricultural industry.”

Former Ambassador to China Shares His Thoughts on Trump's Trade Tactics

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 19:19:01 GMT

As President-elect Donald Trump builds his stable of cabinet officials, it’s clear a strong stance on fair trade remains a key focus. Leaders from his last administration know farmers and the ag industry are uneasy about facing another trade war.

“I know people are concerned about the tariffs, but the fact is, [Trump] looks at tariffs as a way to get their attention and eventually to get better and reciprocal trade agreements,” explained Ambassador Terry Branstad at the Agricultural Retailer Association’s (ARA) annual meeting in Houston, Texas.

The former Iowa Governor served as Ambassador to China during the first Trump administration. He had a front-row seat to the uncomfortable trade negotiations that ultimately yielded a Phase 1 agreement.

“I believe Trump will try to do as he did before — get [China’s] attention through tariffs (he’s doing the same thing with Canada and Mexico) but then try to work out a trade agreement that’s fair and reciprocal,” Branstad said. “The key there is it has to be a win-win situation.”

Trump appears to be following a similar playbook for his second term, including nominating Jamieson Greer to U.S. Trade Representative. Greer served as chief of staff to Trump’s former U.S. trade representative, Robert Lighthizer. Trump has also tapped Peter Navarro to serve as senior counselor for Trade and Manufacturing.

“During my first term, few were more effective or tenacious than Peter in enforcing my two sacred rules: buy American and hire American,” said Trump in a press release. “He helped me renegotiate unfair trade deals like NAFTA and the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement and moved every one of my tariff and trade actions fast.”

Could A Phase 2 Trade Deal With China Be Next?
Branstad says he expects the administration to continue its focus on trade with China, including taking steps beyond the Phase 1 deal.

“I think we’ll see talk of a Phase 2 deal, as that was the intent when we agreed to phase 1,” Branstad said. “The problem was there wasn’t the support in China to go the extra mile and do the other things. I know the Trump team wanted to do Phase 2 and had he been re-elected at that time, I think they would have pursued it.”

Not only was China the largest market for U.S. ag exports in 2023, comprising 17% of total exports, according to USDA-ERS , they’re also a significant supplier of inputs, such as fertilizer and crop protection products. Leaders with ARA admit trade is high on their list of things to watch in the new administration.

Impact of Tariffs On Crop Protection Products
“If we start applying tariffs to any imports, we suddenly make our crop protection products much more expensive,” said Daren Coppock, president and CEO of ARA. “I don’t know if everybody has thought through all the impacts of what that might mean.”

His heightened concern follows an expanding downturn in the agricultural economy driven by falling crop prices, high production costs and interest rates making it more expensive to borrow money. Regardless of the concern, Coppock knows the industry shouldn’t expect the status quo.

“Biden did nothing for four years, so I think we’re going to see a much more aggressive approach taken [under Trump],” Branstad admits. “Some people are fearful of that, but I actually think it’s a good thing. I think it will lead to more fairness and reciprocity in terms of trade.”

While the former I-state governor admits Trump might not have had farmers top of mind early on in his last administration, he stresses that’s not the case today.

“I come from an ag state that produces ethanol and biodiesel, and we had to work very hard to get his support,” Branstad said. “We got his support, but we also had some challenges with some of the people who worked for his administration, including the EPA.”

Between Secretary of Agriculture nominee Brooke Rollins and Branstad’s son, Eric, serving in Trump’s 2016, 2020 and 2024 campaigns, Ambassador Branstad is confident of agriculture’s voice within the inner circle.

“We feel that Donald Trump will continue to be an advocate and supporter of agriculture and rural America,” Branstad said.

Your Next Read — The Scoop Podcast: Insights For The Future of Ag Trade With Former Ambassador Terry Branstad

8 Factors Shaping the Rural Economy in 2024

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 16:31:33 GMT

CoBank has released their 2024 outlook report , which takes a look at the key themes the organization expects to shape agricultural and the rural economy in the coming year.

Director of CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange Rob Fox shares that while the U.S. economy is still in good shape overall, high prices are expected to continue to take a toll.

Here are the top eight factors to watch in 2024.

1. Global Slowdown
Global growth in 2023 is estimated at 2.5%, which is less than half of the average growth between 2000 to 2018. This trend is expected to continue into next year.

CoBank recommends accounting for permanently slower global economic growth in your business plan moving forward.

2. Prices Remain Elevated
While inflation and the unemployment rate are down, higher prices appear to be sticking.

According to the report, the price of food at home has risen by 25% in the past three years and has affected consumer shopping behavior as a result. Retail spending has fallen in all but two months through the past year – which is expected to continue.

“Consumers are increasingly feeling the pinch of higher prices for food, housing and other essential goods. People have anchored mental expectations about what prices should be and those anchors take a long time to move,” Fox says. “Consumers are beginning to realize some prices aren’t going back to where they were three years ago and changing their purchasing behaviors to reduce spending. That will create stronger headwinds for the U.S. economy in 2024.”

3. Slowed Government Progress Continues
With slim majorities in both the House and Senate, shutdown deadlines continue to loom. Little progress has been made on major legislation such as the Farm Bill.

While CoBank shares the work already put into the Farm Bill could incentivize committees to pass it before 2025, the election of a new Senate Chair and the inexperience of many members of Congress may limit progress.

4. Lower Profitability Resulting From Several Factors
Commodity prices have seen the effect on high interest rates, a strong U.S. dollar and the resiliency of the U.S. economy. And despite the drop in fertilizer prices, the cost of production for agriculture commodities remains high.

CoBank is anticipating ag commodities to benefit from more upside price risk than down in 2024 due to tight inventories and a strong El Nino weather pattern during the growing season.

5. An Increase of Planted Soybean Acres
An expansion of soybean acreage is expected for two reasons: 2023’s smaller soybean harvest in the U.S. and an increase in biofuel demand.

USDA’s early release of its Agricultural Projections to 2033 points to planted soybean acreage rising 4% YoY to 87 million acres this spring.

Current 2024 futures prices suggest a decline in prices for the sector, but the outlook relies heavily on the value of the U.S. dollar, conditions of wheat in Russia and South America’s corn and soybean harvests.

6. Livestock Growth Plans Put On Hold
Lower feed costs and domestic demand should help profitability a bit in the livestock sector, but costs are still high. CoBank expects the industry to focus heavily on efficiency, technology and risk management.

7. Uncertainty In The Dairy Industry
Increased prices for consumers could keep sales growth at a slow rate, though they’re still expected to grow. International demand will play a large role in profitability and lower feed costs paired with improved cow productivity should increase milk production to meet the need.

8. Power, Energy And Broadband Sectors Face Obstacles
Global conflicts create uncertainty for commodity markets and energy prices. While oil prices have fallen by 5% in the fourth quarter, CoBank does not anticipate this environment to last.

As for broadband, investment continues to flow into the industry. However, it will not be without challenges due to a tight labor market, tight credit conditions and a difficult permit process.

Click here to read CoBank’s full report.