**Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue took center stage at the Commodity Classic in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, offering a forceful defense of his support for the Renewable Fuel Standard, while trying to ease corn growers' concerns.

As reported in Agri-Pulse, Perdue told the gathering that President Trump stands unequivocally with corn farmers, biofuel farmers and the RFS.

Perdue also reassured the crowd that he stands with the president.

**Chinese-owned Syngenta is upping the ante on seed investments, with $400 million earmarked for growth and expansion.

According to agweb.com, the company is adding significant staff, expanding research capabilities and “aggressively seeking acquisition and partnership opportunities.”

Syngenta North America seeds president, David Hollinrake says the company will be aggressive in the pursuit of acquisitions that complement its portfolio.

Syngenta recently announced a global seed treatment licensing agreement with Japanese chemical company Nippon Soda.

 

**Visitors to the Commodity Classic Trade Show had an opportunity to listen to a panel assembled by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. The Infrastructure for New Technology is part of AEM’s Infrastructure Vision 2050 Initiative, recognizing the gap between broadband infrastructure and production agriculture.

According to agwired.com, panelists agreed broadband availability will be more key in the future, as autonomous equipment will require full-time, consistent connectivity.

Even now, while 70 percent of corn and soybean acres have a yield monitor collecting harvest data, only 40 percent gets transmitted for analysis.

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