“We’re going to have to produce more food on the same acres between now and 2050 then we’ve produced in the last 10,000 years combined,” Michael said. “That’s pretty substantial. That’s going to get us to twice the level of annual food production in 2050 versus today.”

Michael says responding to such demands is a responsibility that must be shared throughout the ag sector. But, he says, Monsanto is eagerly doing it’s part to help.

“This conversation about sustainability kind of hit us right between the eyes,” Michael said. “We went out and started talking to a lot of people about agriculture; and what doing more with less would look like; what would be important there.”

Ultimately, Michael says, Monsanto’s goal is to make farmers more productive and, consequently, more financially successful.

“Our goal is to make every farmer we serve better off the next year than they were the previous year,” Michael said.

And, Michael says, that goal is meant to benefit farmers all over the world.

“In developing countries we think we also need to do that,” Michael said. “So, we’ve committed to helping 5 million resource-poor farmers, who are simply trying to feed their families, do that.”

But, as much as Monsanto recognizes its role in securing the future of farming and the future of feeding the world, the Michael says finding long-term, sustainable solutions will be a team effort.

“It’s going to be the ‘we’ collectively that does this,” Michael said.

You can download and listen to Michael Doane’s entire speech at the 2008 Farm Progress Show in Boone, IA here:

You can also download the speech with this link.

Check out our Farm Progress Show 2008 Photo Album.

AgWired coverage of the 2008 Farm Progress Show
is sponsored by: and

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also subscribe in iTunes

Michael and Joe also delved into energy issues, renewable fuels and where all that fits in with public policy. Joe says the National Biodiesel Board is aiming to have biodiesel replace five percent of the national supply of diesel fuel. He says that is equivalent to the amount of diesel the U.S. if refining and importing from in Iraq. In other words, he says the National Biodiesel Board is aiming to replace the diesel fuel we get from Iraq.

Some critics arguing against renewable fuels point out that the alternative fuel sources will never fully replace the need for oil. But, Joe says that’s not the point, “That’s like saying if you can’t do everything than you shouldn’t do anything.” Joe says The National Biodiesel Board simply doesn’t share that frame of thought. That’s why it has launched the BioTrucker Fuel Card. The card offers card holders cash price on all biodiesel fuel at 5,000 participating locations and special discounts at select truck stops all without any transaction fees. Those interested can sign up for the card at BioTrucker.com.

Both Michael and Joe lauded the farmers that make up the nation’s ag industry. Joe says agriculture is a powerful industry that fosters cutting-edge, technological innovation. “Ag is slow to move but powerful to respond,” Joe said.

You can listen to the entire broadcast of the Dave New Show with Michael and Joe here:

I also got some videos of Michael and Joe while they were singing and strumming their guitars. You can watch the videos here:

2008 CMA Music Festival Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the CMA Country Music Festival is sponsored by:

This week on the ZimmCast you get to hear from the new presidents of the American Agricultural Editor’s Association and the Livestock Publications Council. These guys got the gavel during the annual meetings of both organizations at last week’s Ag Media Summit.

First up you’ll hear John Walter, AAEA president. He feels humbled to be joining the ranks of some great ag journalists in holding the position of president.

Next up is Kyle Haley, LPC president. Both these guys think things are going very well in their organizations and are hoping to continue the efforts started by their predecessors.

The program ends with music from the Podsafe Music Network and Sonny Combs and Kitty Kat Rodeo. The song is “Like a Fool.” Since he wrote and asked that we feature his music I am only happy to oblige.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 131 (11 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also subscribe in iTunes

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

Here’s some happy looking NAFB’ers bellying up at Huber Winery last week.

I don’t know if you noticed but I think everyone was smiling all the time.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

John does have a blog though. Or maybe I should say a Blag? If you blog about ag I guess that makes it a blag.

It’s Blaggin’ on Ag. I knew he would let his inner blagger come out and I’m happy to see it and add him to the AgWired list.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

Counting this post there are 35 stories posted for the Summit this year. Most of them have a photo included and of course some have audio files or YouTube videos.

So besides archiving I’ve just been looking through all the stuff I picked up at the Summit this year. I think I have 8 new USB memory sticks containing media kit information and that doesn’t count the CD’s or fully printed kits of information. I’m going to be looking through them and have already seen some AgWired story ideas I’ll use in the future.

I made bourbon coffee today which I got at Woodford Reserve Distillery and it was even better than I thought it would be. I bought some other products there but I’m saving them for hunting camp later this year.

My daughters are fighting (not hard) over the iTunes gift card I got. I’m going to try to fulfill all the “can you send me a photo” requests but if I don’t send you yours soon please email remind me. There was a lot going on there and if it didn’t get written down then . . .

The photo is executive chef Gil Logan from Churchill Downs. He prepared the food for the reception we had there on Sunday afternoon. It was really good and this guy was very funny. He’s a huge advocate for the farmer and in his spare time and vacations he visits farms to find new recipes.

Now I think I need a nap.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

Thank you first of all to Dave Krog and Ken Benkstein and Agragate Climate Credits Corporation for sponsoring my coverage of the AMS this year. Thanks to everyone who attended my workshops and said such kind words afterwards. Thanks to the committee and staff who put this program together and made attending and working here so enjoyable. Thanks to BASF for sponsoring the media room. It’s so nice to have a place to work that’s conveniently located and has good high speed internet access. Thanks to all of you who read and subscribe to AgWired. I can’t tell you how much the words of encouragement I’ve heard here mean to me.

So, it’s onward to the next stop on the agricultural marketing and communications highway.

Don’t forget to check out the photo album and feel free to download them if you need them. I think there’s over 250 in there.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

It sounds like the committee has a lot of plans already in place including a set of 3 farm tours and one in Washington, DC. I think the event has the potential to be the most awesome one ever held since you’ll have international ag journalists here and our domestic ones who go to AMS anyway.

We’re seeking sponsors for the event. If you or your company would like to be a sponsor please let me know and I can pass your interest along to our sponsor committee.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

It sounds like LPC is doing great both in membership and financially. I know their involvement with AMS has helped this just like it has with AAEA.

I interviewed Kyle and will feature that interview in next week’s ZimmCast. You’ll hear him say how well their regional meetings and the annual GALA in Kansas City are doing for example.

One thing I heard in both meetings this morning as I tried to wander back and forth were references to Howl at the Moon. I’m thinking that’s one of those, “What happens in Louisville, stays in Louisville” kind of things. If anyone has any comments about that please feel free to add them here. I was a good boy last night.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

Today both AAEA and LPC had their annual meetings. Here’s new AAEA president, John Walter, presenting a plaque to now past president Marcia Taylor.

I’ll be featuring an interview with John in next week’s ZimmCast so that’s where you’ll hear his vision for the future of the organization. For example, he’s looking forward to continuing the outreach efforts to work with other organizations like LPC that was part of the most recent AAEA strategic plan.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

New Holland sponsored Michael Peterson to do a performance today at lunch which was both inspiring and entertaining. I’ve been asked several times already if I recorded it and would be posting it. Yes and yes.

Michael played some of his old songs and some new ones. He urged everyone to visit his new website, “I Remember America.”

You can listen to his complete performance here:

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

First of all we have Melissa Leander, Kansas State, pictured here with ARC president Bob Giblin.

They’ll receive $500 each from the organization.

The next recipient is Katie Allen, University of Missouri.

She was here with her Dad but I couldn’t talk him into getting into the picture.

Not attending today is Jill Goetz, University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

In addition to handing out the scholarships we got an update on the Golden ARC Awards which will be returning to life this fall. More information on them will be forthcoming.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

Before that though we heard a presentation on the Kentucky horse industry from Jim Navolio. Jim was head of the Kentucky Equine Education Project which was started to raise awareness of how important this industry is to the state. He says that it’s amazing how little legislative support the industry gets in light of how much it contributes, especially through taxes.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

What better program and interview than with your sponsor? The program is my interview this morning with Agragate Climate Credits Corporation CEO Dave Krog. We’ll learn all about carbon credits and how their new company is now focusing on bringing this service to farmers nationally. In case you don’t know about carbon credits you need to listen to this program. It’s a great potential extra income source for farmers and as our speaker said yesterday, we’re going to see more and more programs like this.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 130 (10 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also subscribe in iTunes

I made sure I stopped by the Mosaic booth to enter for an iPod Nano. In fact, I’m so pumped to see these as giveaways. If you won one today I’m hoping you’ll be in my session tomorrow “Podcasting For Publishers.” I’ll show you how to use it and where you can get some great content for it and how to create your own. Make sure you stop by and see Dan and Bruce.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

To save me time summarizing his comments I’m going to just let you listen for yourself. Yes, the golden ZimmComm microphone was in action. I’ll try to get back here and post more about what he said later. It’s getting time for the opening of the InfoExpo and that’s where I need to be next.

Listen to Ralph Grossi’s remarks here:

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

Mr. Magic, Barry Nelson, John Deere, contestant and sponsor, is taking his bow as we showed our appreciation for their efforts last night.

You can find more photos in the album.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

I don’t know if you can figure out who they are but these are leaders in the industry.

It’s just an example of what a fun loving group agricultural journalists can be.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

Angie just absolutely wowed the crowd with a Martina McBride number (Independence Song).

In fact, she was called back up afterward to sing some more. I’m not sure what the winner received. Hopefully a recording contract somewhere. Hey, I’ve got a microphone and a lot of hard drive space. It could be a start.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

I only shot video of Barbra Streisand also known as Jodie Wehrspann, Farm Industry News.

She did a big performance number including two songs.

YouTube wouldn’t let me upload the whole performance but you can see her first song.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

Here are our famous judges getting ready to lay down the feedback to the competitors. One judge is not pictured (Marilyn Cummins). You figure out who they are. Let’s just say that the judges on that tv show that imitates this competition have nothing to worry about.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

“We’re pleased to have the services of the experienced team at The Meyocks Group,” said Dave Krog, AgraGate chief executive. “Our plan is to expand what’s been a successful regional program and take it nationwide in a relatively short time, so the agency’s brand-building expertise is important.”

While we were at the Huber farm I met with owners Greg and Jan Huber. They walked me through a description of how they’ve built up this agritourist destination over many years. One of the biggest pieces of advice they offer to farmers who might think about this is patience and “don’t try to do everything at once.” Here on the farm they’ve got a winery, fresh produce market, u-pick operation, ice cream shop, kids park and petting zoo and conference facility and it’s all beautiful.

Meet the Hubers in this interview:

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

So, the organizing committee took many sponsors to Churchill Downs where we watched a video on the conference and had a short presentation by the Committee Co-Chairs Greg Lamp and Mike Wilson.

Greg explained where things stand at this point in the planning process during a short interview I did with him afterward.

He wasn’t bashful about saying that they’re asking AMS sponsors to increase their investment in 2009 and sponsor both.

Many of our sponsors are international companies and hopefully the interaction with agricultural journalists from around the world will be attractive and beneficial for them:

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

This is a demo post to show how relatively easy it is to put fresh content on your website.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

They used pancake stacks to emphasize their Agrisure stacked traits for corn. Nice tie in folks.

I’m in my morning session room getting ready to discuss “Blogging for Business.” The early comers are seeing blogging in action. Shortly you’ll get to see them.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

Gary, Leigh Ann and Kelly are having fun at the opening reception which is still going on I assume. We had the AMS American Idol contest and I’ll have the results for you tomorrow.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

I started out working from my room today but will switch to downstairs this afternoon. It’s going to be a busy one. We’ve got sessions starting at 1pm and receptions starting as early as 3:45pm before the big one which will take place at Huber Farms starting at 6pm.

Keep an eye of the photo album which has grown to 130 pictures so far and counting. See anyone you know? How about yourself?

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by:

I’m not sure if they have any use and I didn’t ask.

If you’d like to learn a little bit about tobacco then watch this video clip from our farm tour stop.

In it our host shows us the difference in tobacco quality that you get from leaves on different parts of the plant. He also talks about how important immigration reform is to farmers like himself.

AgWired coverage of the Ag Media Summit
is being sponsored by: