Category Archives: Commodity Classic

BASF Applies to Register Engenia Herbicide

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BASF Crop Protection has submitted application for the registration of new Engenia™ herbicide, a technologically advanced dicamba formulation.

Farmers will be able to use the new product in combination with other herbicides and agronomic practices, under a weed control system enabled by dicamba-tolerant crops currently in development.

“Farmers fighting against herbicide resistance have an important new tool in Engenia which, field research shows, will offer excellent weed control and crop safety, as well as low-volatility characteristics for improved on-target application,” said Paul Rea, Vice President, U.S. Crop Protection, BASF.

Engenia will deliver broad-spectrum burndown of more than 100 annual broadleaf weeds, including tough, glyphosate-resistant weeds like Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, marestail, velvetleaf, morningglory and giant ragweed. In fact, field research demonstrates that Engenia is more effective than 2,4-D on many problem weeds, such as velvetleaf, marestail, giant ragweed and morningglory.

A registration decision by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Engenia is anticipated in a parallel time frame with commercialization of a dicamba-tolerant soybean system.
Commercialization of the dicamba-tolerant system for soybeans is expected in the U.S. mid-decade, with cotton, corn and canola to follow. (Read more from BASF)

We had a chance to see how Engenia works at the 2012 Commodity Classic, with the help of BASF ag biologist Chad Brommer, who explained how the product is researched and tested in the lab. We shot a little video of Chad doing some show-and-tell, which you can see below.

Save the Date for Classic 2013

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Not too early to start thinking ahead to the 2013 Commodity Classic – especially since this year was such a record-setter!

commodity classicBuilding upon record-breaking numbers in 2012, next year’s event, scheduled for February 28 through March 2 in sunny Kissimmee, Florida, promises to be a winner.

“There is already a great buzz building for next year’s trade show,” said 2013 Commodity Classic Co-Chair Mark Schwiebert. “Last week, our committee traveled to Kissimmee to tour the facilities, which I can guarantee are top-notch. With another broad offering of learning opportunities, a continually evolving tradeshow and the incredible Florida weather, we are on track for another year of helping farmers find the technologies, acquire the knowledge and build the relationships that will kick off another successful year.”

The 2012 Commodity Classic surpassed all previous turnout records with a total of 6,014 attendees, representing a 25 percent increase from last year’s record of 4,826 attendees. Once again, farm families comprised more than half of the participants, with 3,505 growers, spouses and children attending.

“We broke records in every category,” said immediate past Commodity Classic Co-Chair Martin Barbre. “However, the most exciting number was beating last year’s record of first-time attendees by 48 percent. It was very gratifying to see that Commodity Classic’s appeal continues to grow, and I look forward to seeing it continue this tradition of excellence in Kissimmee next year.”

Commodity Classic is presented annually by the National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association, the National Association of Wheat Growers and the National Sorghum Producers.

American Ethanol on the NASCAR Track

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The American Ethanol No. 3 Chevy made its debut recently at the Las Vegas Nationwide Series Sam’s Town 300 with rookie driver Austin Dillon finishing strong in 7th place.

Representatives of American Ethanol partners, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and Growth Energy, were at the March 10 race – pictured here with RCR team owner (and Dillon’s grandfather) Richard Childress (left) are Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis next to Dillon and Illinois corn farmer Martin Barbre, chairman of NCGA’s NASCAR Advisory Committee on the right.

The excitement surrounding the second year of the American Ethanol partnership was evident at the Commodity Classic, where I talked to Tom Buis about how NASCAR is helping the ethanol industry by spotlighting 15% ethanol blended motor fuel (E15) which is what NASCAR uses in all races. “A lot of our promotion and activities this year, now that E15 is approved to go in the marketplace, will be connecting the fans and the viewers to the fuel they’ll soon be able to see in their retail areas,” Tom said. “There’s no sport more American than NASCAR and there’s no fuel more American than ethanol.”

Best of all, Tom says with gas prices up and ethanol priced $1 less than gasoline, E15 will save consumers money at the pump.

In this photo from Classic, Tom is holding one of our ZimmComm photo calendars, which featured a couple of American Ethanol photos. We still have a couple of calendars left if you want to buy one – click here.

Listen to my interview with Tom here: Interview with Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis

FMC Stand Up and Be Heard Anthem Contest

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How would you like a chance to sing the National Anthem on national tv? It’s possible if you win the FMC “Stand Up and Be Heard Anthem Contest.”

We’re investing in farming’s future with our new Anthem™ herbicide (coming soon—EPA registration pending) and $25,000 in college scholarships as prizes in our Anthem Singing Contest.

Beginning soon, enter by submitting a video of you singing the National Anthem. Videos will be posted online for popular voting to determine four finalists. The four finalists will be interviewed and their performances recorded for airing on national TV. Online voting will determine the grand prize winner.

Students must be a member of a national ag-related student organization such as FFA, 4-H or student NAMA to enter.

At Commodity Classic I visited with Rick Ekins, Anthem Brand Manager, to learn more about the contest. Students should be able to submit entries “very soon” according to the contest web page. The entry deadline is Jun 15. Online voting will begin in July and run through August 17. Four finalists will be selected from a new round of online voting. The grand prize winner will be announced October 24. Finalists receive $5,000 and the grand prize winner receives $10,000.

Listen to my interview with Rick here and learn more about Anthem too: Interview with Rick Ekins

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Pioneer FIT® Harvest Mapping System

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During Commodity Classic Pioneer Hi-Bred was talking about farmers getting FIT®. At first I thought this was a new exercise program but it is actually the Pioneer FIT® Harvest Mapping System. I got the full explanation from John Chism, Pioneer Senior Marketing Manager. He says FIT stands for Field Information Tool.

As farmers look to 2012 planting John says the Pioneer FIT Studio software allows them to tie into their dedicated mapping center which provides high quality color maps on a rapid turn around basis. Here’s a description of how it works:

Move your yield monitor and GPS receiver to your tractor before planting – your Pioneer sales representative can help you with this. After planting, your local sales rep submits your GPS enabled planting data to the Pioneer Mapping Center and within a few weeks will provide you with high quality planting maps. These maps provide a visual reference of what products and traits are present and can help you apply the right herbicides and insecticides on the right acre.

In addition, you can easily identify the hybrids and varieties planted in each field and the date they were planted and at what planting rates, augmenting or replacing traditional handwritten planting notes.

Listen to my interview with John to learn more here: Interview with John Chism

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

Midwest 2011 Farm Mom of the Year

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During the Commodity Classic I met April Hemmes, 2011 Midwest Region winner of the Monsanto Farm Mom of the Year contest. Thanks to Janice Person for taking the photo.

April is the farmer in the family. Her husband works at a job in town. She was nominated by her daughter. Here’s an excerpt of the essay she wrote for the nomination:

Hi, I’m Ruth. I’m 16, and I would like to nominate my mom, April Hemmes, for Farm Mom of the Year. My mom IS the farmer in our family. My dad works in town, and mom operates our family’s century farm, totaling 1000 acres, and has a 30-head cow/calf herd. She makes all the decisions from planting to harvest, bulls to banking.

. . . She also found time to raise funds for my junior prom and took me on a Caribbean cruise! She always tells me “Do what you love doing – happiness and success will follow.” I know this is true because my mom is the most enjoyable and funniest person know.

April is very passionate about farming and is a great advocate for farming. She tells the full story of her nomination in my interview with her: Interview with April Hemmes

The 2012 Farm Mom of the Year Contest is now underway.

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Important Issues to Sorghum Producers

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During Commodity Classic I got to visit with Terry Swanson, Chairman, National Sorghum Producers. I asked him what his message is to not only sorghum producers but all the farmers belonging to the four commodity groups at Classic and he says, “We have to be unified.” He says that altogether they’re still a small group of people that need to speak with one voice.

Terry farms in Colorado which he calls the “epicenter of the dust bowl.” This means that a safety net and crop insurance are critical for them. Conservation is also an important issue for him. He says that NSP is looking at ways that the sorghum crop can play a role in water conservation. He also says that a third of the sorghum crop is used to make ethanol, a third to livestock feed and a third is exported. Biofuels and issues surrounding them like the RFS are very important to sorghum producers. He says the RFS creates markets and that’s important to producers.

Listen to my interview with Terry here: Interview with Terry Swanson

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

Stabilized Nitrogen For Faster Plant Start

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The Director for Agronomy for Koch Agronomic Services, Greg Schwab, visited with me in the media room at Commodity Classic. Greg runs the company research program. He says they have twenty five land grant universities working on their products. He coordinates that effort.

Since it’s planting season I asked him what advice he has for growers. Greg says that with farmers managing larger amounts of land these days it is becoming increasingly important to get in the field to plant quickly and that the planting date means a lot in terms of final yield. He points to their AGROTAIN nitrogen stabilizer which allows a farmer to use a broadcast application of urea instead of a more traditional incorporated or injected application. The AGROTAIN treated urea prevents volatilization loss that would normally occur with surface applied urea. This means a faster start for plants. He says growers are also finding a split application helpful.

Listen to my interview with Greg here: Interview with Greg Schwab

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

Talking Corn and Soybeans with BASF

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Weeds were a big topic of concern for farmers who visited the BASF Crop Protection exhibit at Commodity Classic this year and with planting season now upon us and commodity prices looking good, growers are really looking to control those yield-robbers.

In soybeans, early-season weed competition poses a potential 6 to 10 percent yield loss. In corn, weeds allowed to reach 4 to 6 inches in height can reduce yield potential by 3 percent and 7 percent, respectively. The potential losses due to weeds total almost $10 billion, based on current national projected yields and commodity prices.

BASF Soybean Market Manager Bryan Perry says from his conversations with growers this year, the big issue is weed resistance management. “We’ve launched a couple of new products, like OpTill PRO this year, to help manage resistance. But keeping weeds out of the field at any point helps maximize yield.”

The warm winter is causing fields to green up earlier, which will make burn down more important for some growers going into planting. “We launched Kixor® herbicide technology a couple years ago, great burn down, and OpTill PRO has Kixor in it, plus two other sites of action, so you’ve got a product that burns down the weeds and has phenomenal residual to keep them from coming back.”

Listen to or download an interview with Bryan here: BASF Soybean Market Manager Bryan Perry

BASF Corn Market Manager Mike Hofer says he talked with southern farmers at Classic who expected to start planting the following week, but they too were concerned about weed resistance. “Farmers continue to tell us that they’re battling more weeds that have developed resistance to multiple herbicides that farmers have used over time,” Mike said. “We just recently launched Armezon™, which is a new HPPD inhibitor, and it essentially controls those tough broadleaf weeds post-emerge in corn. It’s unique because it is safe to all types of corn varieties.”

Mike notes that BASF offers several different programs to help farmers called the Grower Advantage offers. “We have a really unique offer this year that we’re calling Investment Advantage for growers that purchase a high yield package,” Mike says. “If they purchase that by March 15 and commodity prices significantly decline into harvest time, BASF would offer a partial refund on the purchase of those products. It’s the first time that a company is partnering with growers to help them manage risk after they purchase crop protection products.”

Investment Advantage has a March 15 deadline, but there is still time to participate in BASF’s other offers, including Headline Advantage, Finance Advantage and Insurance Advantage. Information on all BASF Grower Advantage offers is available at growersadvantage.basf.us.

Listen to or download an interview with Mike here: BASF Corn Market Manager Mike Hofer

2012 BASF Science Behind Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

2012 Conservation in Action Tour

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The Conservation Technology Information Center has announced their 2012 Conservation in Action Tour and it’s going to be done “southern style.” At Commodity Classic I spoke with Karen Scanlon, CTIC Executive Director about this year’s program. I’ll be there again this year thanks to support from CTIC and AGROTAIN. Here’s information on the tour which is open for registration now.

Join us May 31, 2012, as we visit the Mississippi Delta region near Tunica, Miss. The Tour promises educational field visits, technology demonstrations and opportunities to speak directly with growers about their on-farm solutions to natural resources issues.

The Mississippi Delta is one of the largest contiguous coastal ecosystems in North America, boasting both ecological and economic value. The Delta hosts the United States’ largest fishery, by weight, and its port activity rivals those worldwide. The region also generates a significant portion of the United States’ energy and provides critical wildlife habitat.

Natural resource issues include soil erosion, water quality and habitat loss. Human activity destroyed about a fourth of the region’s beneficial wetlands. A Louisiana State University study reports that wetlands will disappear during this century if losses continue at the present rate.

CTIC partners with Delta Farmers Advocating Resource Management (Delta F.A.R.M.) to host the Conservation In Action Tour 2012. Delta F.A.R.M., an association of growers and landowners who strive to implement recognized agricultural practices that will conserve, restore and enhance the Northwest Mississippi environment, recently celebrated 1 million acres enrolled in its conservation programs.

For more information email CTIC or call 765-494-9555. Sponsorship opportunities (pdf) for the 2012 Tour are available.

Listen to my interview with Karen here: Interview with Karen Scanlon

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

2012 Classic Officially a Barn Buster

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It’s official now – the 2012 Commodity Classic was a major record-breaker.

Final attendance at the event surpassed all previous turnout records with a total of 6,014 attendees, up 25 percent increase from last year’s record of 4,826 attendees. Once again, farm families represented over half of the participants, with 3,505 growers, spouses and children attending.

“We broke records in every category,” said Commodity Classic Co-chair Martin Barbre. “However, the most exciting number was beating last year’s record of first-time attendees by 48 percent. It’s very gratifying to see that Commodity Classic’s appeal continues to grow.”

This year’s show also experienced the highest number of exhibitors ever. The 963-booth trade show was sold out with a waiting list ready to take advantage of cancellations. There was also a record number of media attending the event – 156 total, compared to the previous record of 145 last time it was in Nashville in 2008.

Another record I would add for the 2012 Commodity Classic would be the most people at the event ever having to be herded into a basement ballroom for a tornado warning!

Commodity Classic is presented annually by the National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association, the National Association of Wheat Growers and the National Sorghum Producers. Next year, the event will be held February 28 to March 2 in Kissimmee, Fla.

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

John Deere Announces Final Tier 4/Stage IV Engine

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During a press conference at the 2012 Commodity Classic, John Deere unveiled its final stage Tier 4 solution, the John Deere Integrated Emissions Control System.

Deere’s Barry Nelson said this is a major announcement that continues John Deere’s 175 years of innovation. “The past few years we have been spending millions and millions of dollars to develop new technology for the engines and the integrated technology we need in the vehicles to make everything work as a very productive package.”

John Deere Manager Worldwide Marketing Geoff Stigler gave an overview of how the technology was developed and why. “Engine technology is just one piece of the puzzle,” he said. “It’s really all about meeting customer expectations, delivering on the performance, durability, reliability and operating efficiency requirements.”

Geoff said the road to Final Tier 4 was a building block approach, starting with Tier 2 when the first electronic engines were implemented and moving through Interim Tier 4 which have been delivered for the past 18 months. “We have nearly 20,000 engines in the field right now that are Interim Tier 4 compliant,” he said. “We’ve been able to monitor those through our JD Link technology and have over 2 million customer hours on those engines already.”

Listen to or download the press conference here: John Deere Tier 4 Press Conference

Final Tier 4/Stage IV regulations for off-highway diesel engines begin as early as 2013 for engines 55 kW (74 hp) and below. Regulatory dates for engines 56 kW (75 hp) and above will be implemented in stages starting in 2014 and 2015, and require particulate matter (PM) levels established by Interim Tier 4/Stage III B regulations to be maintained while requiring an additional 80 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx) from previous regulations.

Consisting of an exhaust filter and SCR aftertreatment components that are optimized and fully integrated, the Integrated Emissions Control system will allow John Deere engines to utilize less diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) than alternative Interim Tier 4/Stage III B SCR technology solutions. Lower DEF consumption means DEF tank size can be smaller — minimizing the impact on vehicle applications, extending DEF filter service intervals and reducing operator involvement. Monitored and controlled by proprietary electronics within John Deere’s enhanced engine control unit (ECU), the Integrated Emissions Control system also provides outstanding fluid efficiency without sacrificing overall performance.

For more information on John Deere’s Final Tier 4/Stage IV engine technology, go to www.JohnDeere.com/tier4.

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Pioneer Drought Tolerance Innovations

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During Commodity Classic Pioneer Hi-Bred held a press conference titled, “Innovations in Drought Tolerance: Delivering Rain or Shine.” This featured feature Pioneer’s research innovations in drought-tolerant corn hybrids, 2011 performance data on Optimum® AQUAmaxTM hybrids, and improved management options for growers. On hand was Jeff Schussler, Senior Research Manager.

Results from actual on-farm trials in 2011 show Optimum® AQUAmaxTM corn hybrids from DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred provide a yield advantage for growers over competitive hybrids in water-limited environments as well as under more favorable growing conditions.

Field evaluations of the Optimum AQUAmax hybrids also are providing Pioneer corn breeders with an improved understanding of why these products perform better in drought conditions, giving researchers greater confidence as they move forward to develop still better products for producers.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Commodity Classic, Jeff Schussler, Pioneer senior research manager, said these research results show that Pioneer breeders have selected positive native traits to develop Optimum AQUAmax hybrids.

“It’s very rewarding to see large-scale, on-farm field testing validate the performance of Optimum AQUAmax hybrids,” Schussler says. “And we have begun to gather a solid understanding of the mechanisms of drought tolerance within these hybrids as we advance development of future Optimum AQUAmax hybrids.”

You can find the full release here.

Listen to or download the press conference with Jeff here: Pioneer Press Conference

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

Ethanol on Stage at New Holland Club Blue

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During the 2012 Commodity Classic New Holland held a “Club Blue” event at the Grand Ole Opry for their dealers to discuss their new national marketing campaign. It was also a time to talk about partnerships with industry related organizations and that included Growth Energy, another AgWired supporter. On hand to talk to the attendees was Tom Buis, CEO, Growth Energy. He was introduced by Abe Hughes, VP, New Holland North America. Abe spoke to how important the ethanol industry is to New Holland. As he put it, “Ethanol’s success means our success.”

Tom proceeded to discuss the current state of the ethanol industry and the challenges facing the industry, especially on the regulatory front. He also talked about American Ethanol and the current NASCAR promotional program. New Holland is also a supporter of NASCAR and you’ll often see blue machines working at various tracks around the country.

Listen to Tom’s comments here: Tom Buis at Club Blue

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

Sending Animal Agriculture Offshore Would Increase Food Costs

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Leading off a press conference during Commodity Classic for the United Soybean Board was Vanessa Kummer, Chair. The topic was Consumer and Food Safety Costs of Offshoring Animal Agriculture (pdf). This is a Soybean Checkoff funded study. Also pictured on stage are Lewis Bainbridge, USB Director (seated) and André Williamson, Agralytica, (standing) the company that conducted the study.

Paying more for food may not be out of the question for consumers if regulations on the U.S. poultry and livestock sectors increase. In fact, consumers could pay up to $16.8 billion more annually for meat, milk and eggs if regulations are imposed on U.S. poultry and livestock farmers that raise input costs by 25 percent.

The Consumer and Food Safety Costs of Offshoring Animal Agriculture, a recent soy-checkoff-funded study, evaluated current U.S. supply and demand for poultry and livestock products and the impact of regulations on retail price. The study indicates that potential regulations could raise consumer costs. For example, requiring cage-free housing for laying hens would increase the cost of eggs from $1.68 to $2.10 per dozen, a total cost of $2.66 billion per year to U.S. consumers.

“This could have a big impact on everyone – it’s not just that dozen eggs you and I buy at the grocery store,” explains Vanessa Kummer, a soybean farmer from Colfax, N.D., and chair of the United Soybean Board (USB). “As Americans, we have abundant, nutritious and affordable food choices that rely heavily on protein from animals, and, as farmers, we continue to work hard on improvements because we share consumers’ concerns for our country’s land and resources, and the quality of America’s food.”

The report cites increased regulations that could drive up costs of production meat, milk and eggs by anywhere from 10 percent to 25 percent. It shows that a 25 percent increase in costs to animal agriculture would reduce U.S. exports by $1.1 billion and cause nearly 9,000 Americans to lose their jobs.

Listen to or download the USB press conference here: United Soybean Board Press Conference

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

Partnerships at Commodity Classic Important to BASF

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BASF Crop Protection is one of the biggest sponsors of Commodity Classic, encompassing everything from the hotel shuttle buses to scholarships and other awards programs to the final banquets.

BASF participated in both the American Soybean Association (ASA) and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) banquets during the 2012 Commodity Classic and was honored to have company executives speak during those events about the importance of partnerships aimed at strengthening the future of agriculture. BASF Senior Vice President North America Crop Protection Nevin McDougall (pictured) spoke at the ASA banquet, while Paul Rea, Vice President U.S. Crop Protection, spoke at the NCGA banquet.

Nevin says BASF’s partnerships with ASA and NCGA showcase how they are sustaining and supporting the future of agriculture. “The future for BASF is very bright,” Nevin said. “The ag economy in North America is very robust and with our investment in R&D and bringing new solutions that can help growers be more efficient and more productive with less impact on the environment we’ll help them to achieve the goal of feeding the world.”

Listen to or download a quick interview with Nevin here: BASF Senior VP Nevin McDougall

We sincerely appreciate our partnership with BASF as well, which helped to bring coverage of the Commodity Classic to AgWired readers. Thanks BASF!

2012 BASF Science Behind Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

Visiting With American Seed Trade Association

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ZimmCast 341It’s time to look forward to the 2012 National Agriculture Day activities in Washington, DC. Things kick off on Thursday morning and I’ll be there again this year courtesy of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and Agriculture Council of America.

In a look ahead to this week’s activities I visited with Julie Douglas, Communications Director, ASTA, during Commodity Classic last week. Julie says there is no other industry as important as agriculture and that ASTA is very happy to support and celebrate farmers and increase awareness of all the good things they do including being good stewards of the land.

Besides attending Ag Day Activities courtesy of ASTA I will also be attending their annual meeting this year which Julie says will be held in Washington, DC for the first time in years. She says it will be an opportunity to bring together all segments of the seed industry who will be able to visit with lawmakers and educate them about the industry and need for continued funding for agricultural research. The annual meeting will not only feature an agvocacy day on Capitol Hill but sessions on conservation and phytosanitary issues as well as individual industry organizational meetings.

The ASTA 129th Annual Convention will be held June 20 – 23 at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center at
National Harbor, MD.

Listen to this week’s ZimmCast here: Visiting with ASTA

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our Subscribe page.

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

Commodity Classic Cute Baby Blogging

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Commodity Classic is a family affair in more ways than one. I think I saw more cute babies this year than ever. This was a photo I couldn’t resist. You can find others in our online photo album too.

It’s time for the ZimmComm team to take a break since the media room is closing and I think we’re last ones in it. But that doesn’t mean that there won’t be more coverage of this year’s show. We’ve got to edit some photos and interviews and will get to that just as soon as we can.

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

What’s New With Wheat

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Caught up with the execs of the National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates at the 2012 Commodity Classic to find out what’s new with wheat.

What’s really new for NAWG is a brand new scholarship program with BASF just announced at the Classic, and CEO Dana Peterson says they are happy about the scholarship but sad about the circumstances that brought it about. “We are pleased to join with BASF to honor a longtime friend of wheat, Mr. Jerry Minore. He passed away just recently from a sudden illness and we were sorry to see him go,” Dana said.

Because Jerry just passed away less than a month ago, the details on the scholarship are still being developed, but Dana says they will be announced soon and available on the NAWG website.

Dana says they are thrilled with the record turnout of over 6,000 producers at Classic this year and pleased to celebrate their fifth year being one of the commodity groups that join together for the event.

Listen to my interview with Dana here: NAWG CEO Dana Peterson

I also spoke with U.S. Wheat president Alan Tracy at the wheat industry booth and he told me how excited they are about export opportunities in Asia, noting that they just celebrated their golden anniversary in Philippines. “In Asia, we continue to do very well,” he said. “I just returned from the Philippines where we celebrated the 50th anniversary of our having an office there in Manila.”

Alan says the Philippines have become at least the 5th largest market for U.S. Wheat. “This year it’s going to be 95% of their wheat comes form the United States,” Alan said, adding that the export market makes up about half of the U.S. crop in a given year.

Listen to my interview with Dana here: US Wheat President Alan Tracy

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

NAMA AAEA Get Together At Commodity Classic

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One of our sponsors here at Commodity Classic, BASF, gets involved in supporting the event in so many ways. One of them is to sponsor this year’s combined American Agricultural Editors Association and National Agri-Marketing Association reception. Pictured (l-r) Beth Burgy, Broadhead and NAMA President; Nadine Keutzer, BASF; Amy Ogburn, Padilla Speer Beardsley and Greg Horstmeier, DTN/The Progressive Farmer and AAEA President. As a member of both organizations I think I can speak for fellow members in saying how much we appreciate BASF’s support.

Beth made a point of saying that this combined event with AAEA is due to NAMA efforts to reach out and work with other industry organizations. This is part of the new strategic plan that we’re trying to implement starting this year. I am serving on the NAMA Exec Committee and was glad to see this collaboration come about.

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland