Kentucky Distilleries and Precision Conservation Management Join Forces to Enhance Regenerative Corn Farming Practices throughout Commonwealth
Four major spirits companies and the Kentucky Distillers' Association (KDA) have partnered with Precision Conservation Management (PCM) and the Kentucky Corn Growers Association to launch a $2.8 million, five-year initiative supporting Kentucky corn farmers. The collaboration, formed by Brown-Forman, Diageo North America, Heaven Hill Brands, and Suntory Global Spirits, aims to implement regenerative corn growing practices on over 100,000 acres starting in 2025.
The initiative will provide farmers with conservation specialists to maximize management education and ease administrative burdens. PCM will assist farmers in analyzing data through annual Resource Analysis and Assessment Plans, offering free services and sign-on incentives. Participating distilleries will provide additional acre-based incentives for farmers adopting reduced tillage, cover crops, and improved nitrogen use efficiency practices.
Quattro importanti aziende di spiriti e l'Associazione dei Distillatori del Kentucky (KDA) hanno collaborato con il Precision Conservation Management (PCM) e l'Associazione dei Coltivatori di Mais del Kentucky per lanciare un
L'iniziativa fornirà agli agricoltori specialisti della conservazione per massimizzare l'educazione alla gestione e alleviare i carichi amministrativi. Il PCM assisterà gli agricoltori nell'analisi dei dati attraverso piani annuali di analisi e valutazione delle risorse, offrendo servizi gratuiti e incentivi per la registrazione. Le distillerie partecipanti forniranno ulteriori incentivi basati sugli acri per gli agricoltori che adottano pratiche di lavorazione ridotta, colture di copertura e miglioramento dell'efficienza nell'uso dell'azoto.
Cuatro importantes empresas de espíritus y la Asociación de Destiladores de Kentucky (KDA) se han asociado con Precision Conservation Management (PCM) y la Asociación de Cultivadores de Maíz de Kentucky para lanzar una iniciativa de 2.8 millones de dólares a cinco años que apoya a los agricultores de maíz de Kentucky. La colaboración, formada por Brown-Forman, Diageo North America, Heaven Hill Brands y Suntory Global Spirits, tiene como objetivo implementar prácticas de cultivo regenerativo de maíz en más de 100,000 acres a partir de 2025.
La iniciativa proporcionará a los agricultores especialistas en conservación para maximizar la educación en gestión y aliviar las cargas administrativas. PCM ayudará a los agricultores a analizar datos a través de planes anuales de análisis y evaluación de recursos, ofreciendo servicios gratuitos e incentivos por inscripción. Las destilerías participantes ofrecerán incentivos adicionales basados en acres para los agricultores que adopten prácticas de labranza reducida, cultivos de cobertura y mejora en la eficiencia del uso de nitrógeno.
네 개의 주요 주류 기업와 켄터키 증류사 협회(KDA)는 Precision Conservation Management(PCM) 및 켄터키 옥수수 재배자 협회와 협력하여 280만 달러 규모의 5년 간의 이니셔티브를 시작하여 켄터키의 옥수수 재배자를 지원합니다. Brown-Forman, Diageo North America, Heaven Hill Brands 및 Suntory Global Spirits가 참여한 이 협력은 2025년부터 100,000에이커 이상의 면적에서 재생 가능한 옥수수 재배 관행을 구현하는 것을 목표로 합니다.
이 이니셔티브는 농부들에게 관리 교육을 극대화하고 행정적 부담을 덜어주기 위해 보존 전문가를 제공합니다. PCM은 연간 자원 분석 및 평가 계획을 통해 농부들이 데이터를 분석할 수 있도록 지원하고, 무료 서비스 및 가입 인센티브를 제공합니다. 참여하는 증류소들은 노출되는 경작법과 피복작물 및 질소 사용 효율성 개선 관행을 채택하는 농부들에게 추가적인 에이커 기반 인센티브를 제공합니다.
Quatre grandes entreprises de spiritueux et l'Association des Distillateurs du Kentucky (KDA) ont collaboré avec Precision Conservation Management (PCM) et l'Association des Cultivateurs de Maïs du Kentucky pour lancer une initiative de 2,8 millions de dollars sur cinq ans pour soutenir les agriculteurs de maïs du Kentucky. Cette collaboration, formée par Brown-Forman, Diageo North America, Heaven Hill Brands et Suntory Global Spirits, vise à mettre en œuvre des pratiques de culture de maïs régénératives sur plus de 100 000 acres à partir de 2025.
Cette initiative fournira aux agriculteurs des spécialistes de la conservation pour maximiser l'éducation à la gestion et alléger les charges administratives. PCM aidera les agriculteurs à analyser les données grâce à des plans annuels d'analyse et d'évaluation des ressources, en offrant des services gratuits et des incitations à l'inscription. Les distilleries participantes fourniront des incitations supplémentaires basées sur les acres pour les agriculteurs adoptant des pratiques de culture réduite, des cultures de couverture et une amélioration de l'efficacité de l'utilisation de l'azote.
Vier bedeutende Spirituosenunternehmen und die Kentucky Distillers' Association (KDA) haben sich mit Precision Conservation Management (PCM) und der Kentucky Corn Growers Association zusammengetan, um eine 2,8 Millionen Dollar teure, fünfjährige Initiative zur Unterstützung der Kentucky-Maisbauern zu starten. Die Zusammenarbeit, die aus Brown-Forman, Diageo North America, Heaven Hill Brands und Suntory Global Spirits besteht, zielt darauf ab, regenerative Maisanbaupraktiken auf über 100.000 Acres ab 2025 umzusetzen.
Die Initiative wird den Landwirten Spezialisten für Naturschutz zur Verfügung stellen, um das Managementwissen zu maximieren und administrative Belastungen zu verringern. PCM wird den Landwirten helfen, Daten durch jährliche Ressourcenanalysen und Bewertungspläne zu analysieren und kostenlose Dienstleistungen sowie Anmeldeanreize anzubieten. Die teilnehmenden Brennereien werden zusätzliche Acre-basierte Anreize für Landwirte bereitstellen, die reduzierte Bodenbearbeitung, Deckfrüchte und verbesserte Stickstoffnutzungseffizienzpraktiken anwenden.
- Investment of $2.8 million in sustainable farming practices
- Implementation of regenerative practices across 100,000+ acres
- Free services and financial incentives for participating farmers
- Strategic partnership with major industry players
- Program implementation delayed until 2025
- Significant upfront investment required
Insights
This strategic partnership represents a $2.8 million investment in regenerative agriculture, targeting over 100,000 acres of Kentucky cornfields. The initiative's economic implications are substantial - it addresses both supply chain sustainability and cost efficiency for DEO's Diageo North America division. The program's focus on nitrogen use efficiency and reduced tillage practices typically results in 15-25% reduction in input costs for farmers while maintaining yield levels.
The implementation of regenerative farming practices could lead to improved soil health, reduced erosion and enhanced water retention - critical factors for long-term agricultural sustainability in Kentucky's bourbon industry. For DEO, this translates to more reliable corn supply chains and potential premium pricing opportunities in the sustainable spirits market segment.
This initiative's structure is particularly noteworthy from a market perspective. By providing farmers with conservation specialists and data-driven decision support tools, the program addresses key barriers to regenerative agriculture adoption - namely, technical expertise and financial risk management. The sign-on incentives and acre-based rewards create immediate financial benefits while the long-term soil health improvements can enhance farm profitability through reduced input costs.
For DEO shareholders, this represents a strategic investment in supply chain resilience. Kentucky provides significant corn supplies for bourbon production and securing sustainable sourcing through farmer partnerships helps mitigate future supply risks and potential regulatory compliance costs related to environmental standards.
The collaboration between major spirits companies, including DEO's Diageo North America, creates a scaled approach to sustainable sourcing that would be difficult to achieve individually. The five-year commitment allows for meaningful data collection and practice optimization, while the program's structure through PCM provides accountability and measurable outcomes. This positions DEO favorably in terms of ESG metrics and supply chain transparency, increasingly important factors for institutional investors.
The focus on farmer profitability alongside environmental benefits increases the likelihood of long-term program success and adoption. For DEO, this translates to more stable corn pricing and potential quality improvements in their key raw material.
The collaborative
"Farmers are spread thin and are already making hundreds of management decisions each year. They want to do a good job, but face time constraints and decision fatigue when it comes to analyzing data and making changes,” said Greg Goodwin, Director of PCM. “Our specialists work hand-in-hand with farmers to identify opportunities to improve the health of their farmland and success of their operation. We are grateful for our partnership with the KDA and
“Having worked closely with PCM since 2015, I have seen how helpful this program has been to my on-farm decision making. I routinely work with my conservation specialist to analyze data and confirm the economic benefits of decisions I have made to adopt new practices and innovate for the environment,” shared Joseph Sisk, Sisk Farms,
Eric Gregory, KDA President, shared, “With much of our distillers’ corn being produced in
The collaborative effort will also expand PCM’s efforts in
Together, PCM and the KCGA aid farmers in making economically viable conservation decisions by providing a comprehensive range of data and personalized, expert consultations with PCM’s conservation specialists. To learn more about the program, please visit www.precisionconservation.org.
About the Kentucky Distillers’ Association: Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon™. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s
About Precision Conservation Management (PCM): Precision Conservation Management (PCM) is the premier conservation program of the IL Corn Growers Association, initiated through funding by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service – Regional Conservation Partnership Program. PCM provides data-driven conservation recommendations and on-the-ground support for farmers in
About Brown-Forman Corporation: Brown-Forman Corporation has been building exceptional spirits brands for more than 150 years, responsibly upholding our founding promise of “Nothing Better in the Market.” Our portfolio of premium brands includes the Jack Daniel’s Family of Brands, Woodford Reserve, Herradura, el Jimador, Korbel, New Mix, Old Forester, The Glendronach, Glenglassaugh, Benriach, Diplomático Rum, Chambord, Gin Mare, Fords Gin, Slane, and Coopers’ Craft. With a team of approximately 5,700 employees worldwide, we proudly share our passion for premium beverages in more than 170 countries. Discover more about us at brown-forman.com and stay connected through LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.
About Diageo North America: Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.
For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow at Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA
About Heaven Hill Brands: Founded in 1935,
About Suntory Global Spirits: As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam® and Maker's Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as Tres Generaciones® and El Tesoro® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196™ (minus one-nine-six) and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.
A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society. The company’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy includes ambitious goals and investments to drive sustainable change and have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in
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Katie Bartholomai at katie@runswitchpr.com
Source: Kentucky Distillers’ Association
FAQ
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