Crackberry Addict

Chuck Zimmerman

I’m sorry Hugh but I had to do it. I’m sure Hugh Whaley thought he was in a nice quiet little nook away from the crowd as he was working that Blackberry. I guess having just come out of the Commodity Classic trade show with all its noise I was struck with the calm intensity with which Hugh was thumbing …

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

A Very Successful Boat

Chuck Zimmerman

Now this is the kind of “booth” I like. Just pull your yacht up to the dock, hang out a banner and say “Y’all stop by now.” Successful Farming had this one parked outside the convention center and people were wandering out to enjoy some sunshine today. Waving from the dock next to the boat is Gene Hemphill and Holly …

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

BASF Backpacks

Chuck Zimmerman

People getting on the shuttle buses at Commodity Classic today got a nice new backpack from BASF. I saw them all over the trade show floor this evening. You know how you’re always picking something up at a trade show. The bags gave growers a handy way to carry that stuff around. I kept hearing people who didn’t have one …

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

Commodity Crab Races

Chuck Zimmerman

The opening reception at Commodity Classic was sponsored by Syngenta and had all your usual things like food, beverages, music and fellowship. This year it also featured something I’ve never seen before. Crab races. This is definitely out of the ordinary. Basically, you have people betting on who’s crab is going to win. They’re put under a little net in …

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

The Classic Blogger

Chuck Zimmerman

The Classic blogger got his picture taken doing his thing. I’ve got lots of pictures and audio for you but it’s time to head to the trade show opening for a while so bear with me as I’ll have a lot posted overnight. In the meantime most of my pictures have been uploaded to the 2007 Commodity Classic Photo Album. …

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

New Holland iPod Blue

Chuck Zimmerman

New Holland is giving corn/soybean/wheat growers a chance to win a blue iPod this year at Commodity Classic. Like last year all my interviews and pictures will be loaded onto the iPod before it gets shipped to the winner. All growers have to do is go by the New Holland booth which I believe is number 333. There’s really no …

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

Student Commodity Bloggers

Chuck Zimmerman

Last year I had a couple of students helping me blog Commodity Classic. They were sponsored by Monsanto. This year they’re not working with me but Monsanto still has some student bloggers here. One of them is Alyssa Bane. You can find her blog here. It says that you can follow the “Adventure in Agriculture through Alyssa’s Eyes.” I am …

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

World Record Yields

Chuck Zimmerman

Kip Cullers is the world record yield holder for corn and soybeans. He was honored this morning at the ASA/BASF SOY breakfast when BASF announced a new scholarship in his name. BASF announced the Secure Optimal Yield Scholarship program. This annual $5,000 scholarship will be sponsored by BASF and managed by ASA. The first award will be for the fall …

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

Shuttle Bus Video

Chuck Zimmerman

All of the shuttle buses that are carrying people around from hotel to Convention Center are sponsored by BASF. I think they’ve done this before but it’s a great idea. The buses have video monitors and to keep people entertained they can watch a video that was put together by BASF. I’m getting a copy of it so you can …

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland, Video