Americans in Japan at IFAJ

Chuck Zimmerman

Americans in JapanHere’s a fine looking group of Americans don’t you think?

We numbered 17 of the total in attendance. Maybe next year some more U. S. ag journalists will attend the IFAJ Congress? I interviewed the chairman, Franz Fischler, former Ag Commissioner for the EU and will be posting that later. He provides an overview of what we can expect and it sounds like it’s going to be a great event just like here in Japan.

Today we’ve got to take a cab to a train, train to Tokyo, pick up our bags from a hotel at the Tokyo train station and take a bus from there to the airport.

Since it will be a while before I’m back online I want to thank Masaru Yamada and all the Japanese delegation that worked so hard to put on this Congress and host people from so many countries. We learned a lot. I also interviewed most of our group here and will be posting their comments in my ZimmCast which should be up tomorrow.


IFAJ Congress 2007 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2007 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred

IFAJ, Pioneer

Passing the IFAJ Flag

Chuck Zimmerman

Passing The FlagThe IFAJ Congress is over and we’re about to head on out for the long trek home. Here’s the ceremonial passing of the IFAJ flag from the Japanese to the Austrians.

Our events yesterday were held in different locations without me being able to get online again. So, I’ll be working up some posts with interviews and some video clips on the way home to post later.

In the meantime there’s about 450 photos in the photo album you can enjoy.


IFAJ Congress 2007 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2007 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred

IFAJ, Pioneer

Final Day in Sendai

Chuck Zimmerman

International SymposiumToday we had a free morning to shop or just plain relax here in Sendai. Our IFAJ Congress is coming to a close with tonight’s final reception. I’ll have some more posting to do which might have to wait until I’m home. Tomorrow is a travel day. The photo album is up to date though.

This afternoon we were bussed to the Sendai City Welfare Plaza for the International Symposium, “Japan’s Food and Agriculture From a Global Perspective.” Cindy was a participant in the first panel discussion. She’s seated 2nd from the right. She got to ask a question about biofuels which was answered mostly by Kazunuki Ahizumi, Professor, Miyagi University. He was sort of the featured 1st speaker on the program.

I’ll have more on the day’s activities later. For now though I’ve got to get moving to the final reception.


IFAJ Congress 2007 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2007 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred

IFAJ, Pioneer

Fending Off Body Odor With Corn

Laura McNamara

Dupont Tate & Lyle Bio ProductsInventive ag producers have come up with yet another way to use corn in an eco-friendly way. Dupont and Tate & Lyle are now offering corn-based deodorants.

The DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products joint venture today announced that it is providing its innovative Zemea(TM) renewably sourced propanediol (Bio-PDO(TM)) product to Terra Naturals Inc., a personal care company, that has developed a line of natural deodorants that are corn-based, aluminum- and petroleum-free. Under the branded GREEN line of products, the deodorants are distributed through United Natural Foods in the United States and Purity Life in Canada and also are available at the Terra Naturals website, www.terranaturals.com.

Zemea(TM) renewably sourced propanediol is a 100 percent renewably sourced ingredient made from corn sugar. The Terra Naturals GREEN line includes deodorant sticks, sprays and roll-ons for men, women, teens and sport uses. These products offer excellent odor elimination, excellent texture and a non- sticky residue. The GREEN line products are free of petroleum-based chemicals, free of synthetic parabens and aluminum and use only plant derived ingredients.

“Zemea(TM) propanediol offers a luxurious and non-sticky texture to deodorants,” Terra Naturals co-founder Svetlana Ratnikova said. “It replaces propylene glycol in petroleum-based deodorants and vegetable glycerin in existing natural deodorants. Vegetable glycerin can be very sticky and reduces overall product performance, and propylene glycol is derived from natural gas, a product that energy-conscious consumers are trying to reduce their dependence on.”
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Ag Groups, Corn, Environment, Technology

Dow AgroSciences Earns International Recognition

Laura McNamara

Dow AgroSciencesThe United Nations has recognized Dow AgroSciences‘ latest breakthroughs in technology with an innovation award. Dow AgroSciences is the latest recipient of the Montreal Protocol Innovators Award for its work in developing alternatives to chemicals that harm the ozone.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW), has been named a winner of the United Nation’s Montreal Protocol Innovators Award at the annual Meeting of the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement designed to protect the earth’s ozone layer. The award honors the company’s innovation, investment and commitment to protect the environment through its efforts to develop alternatives to methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting substance being phased out under the Protocol. At this meeting, which commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Protocol, Dow AgroSciences was also named a winner of the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “Best of the Best” Ozone Protection Award which honors an elite group of companies, organizations and individuals who have demonstrated long-term excellence in efforts to protect the stratospheric ozone layer.

Both awards honor the company’s long-standing commitment to providing critical alternatives to methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting substance used for pre-plant, post-harvest and structural fumigation uses. Dow AgroSciences products containing the active ingredients 1,3-dichloropropene and sulfuryl fluoride have been widely adopted on a global scale to coincide with the scheduled phase-out of methyl bromide.

“I am delighted that Indianapolis, Indiana-based Dow AgroSciences has been recognized for their continued leadership in developing technical and economically feasible alternatives to methyl bromide in accordance with this important international treaty,” stated Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN).
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Environment, Technology

Get to Know an Alpaca During National Alpaca Farm Days

Laura McNamara

Grand Alpaca CompanyThe Grand Alpaca Farm is opening its gates to anyone who’s interested in learning more about Alpacas. The invitation recognizes National Alpaca Farm Days.

Tim Talbott saw a news story in 1984, about Americans importing alpacas from South America and raising them for their cashmere-like fiber. Intrigued, the established surgeon sought more information. In 1985, he and his wife, Jane, invested in six alpacas and made a long-range business plan to increase the herd to 100 animals by the time he retired. Dr. Talbott, who recently retired, has more than met his goal. “We have more than 100 Chilean and Peruvian Huacaya alpacas – the largest herd in Michigan,” he says. “And although we started raising and selling alpacas as an investment 22 years ago, we enjoy them more each year.”

An alpaca, cousin to the Llama and a member of the Camelid family, is about 36 inches tall, weighs about 150 pounds fully grown and can live up to 20-25 years. Tim says, “Because of their manageable size and calm dispositions, they make wonderful companion animals and are very gentle with children … making them ideal for families.”

The Talbotts, early pioneers in the alpaca industry, and one of the founding members of the national organization, the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association, take pride in the history they have in the alpaca business, the quality of alpacas they sell, and the level of service they provide. Their alpacas are fully guaranteed ARI registered alpacas that are personally raised and managed by Tim and Jane.

When the Talbotts purchased their six alpacas in 1985, there were about 350 alpacas in North America. Today, there are about 100,000 alpacas. The reason for such growth is simple; “People recognize the many benefits of alpaca ownership,” according to Tim.

Now Tim and Jane wish to share their enthusiasm with others during National Alpaca Farm Days. “We invite anyone interested in raising alpacas or are just curious about the animals to come, tour the farm and meet our alpacas,” Jane says.

The Grand Alpaca Farm, 4344 Four Mile Road, N.W., will be open to the public Saturday, September 29 and Sunday the 30th from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Ag Groups, Farming

DuPont Funds Biofuel Projects

Laura McNamara

DupontA million dollar pledge from DuPont means Iowa State University can begin development of its “New Century Farm.” The farm will be the center for biofuel and biomaterial farm production research on the Iowa State campus.

DuPont has announced a pledge of $1 million to the Iowa State University (ISU) New Century Farm, the first research effort in the United States to focus on producing cellulosic ethanol on the farm. The research efforts also will focus on enhancing the production, processing and utilization of feedstocks for biofuels and biomaterials.

“The need for renewable sources of energy requires a dynamic new way of thinking. The New Century Farm will research the practical things farmers can do in the future to grow, harvest and store biomass in a sustainable manner,” said Dean Oestreich, DuPont vice president and general manager and president of Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business. “We’re proud to partner with Iowa State to create a demonstration farm that will be the first of its kind to integrate both the growing and processing of biomass into biofuels.”

The New Century Farm will include a facility for research in biomass crop breeding, crop rotation needs and ways to efficiently store and process biomass material. It also will feature a teaching laboratory for training future scientists and farmers, and an extension facility to demonstrate the economic, social and environmental viability of bioenergy.

The funding from DuPont, through its Pioneer Hi-Bred business, will be allocated from 2008 to 2012.
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Ag Groups, Farming, Research, Technology

Agritechnica Excitement Mounts

Laura McNamara

2007 Agritechnica in Hanover GermanyChuck and Cindy have been providing international ag coverage for the past several weeks, and in November, it will be my turn. I’m planning to join John Deere at the preview days for the 2007 Agritechnica exhibition in Hanover, Germany. Agritechnica leadership is getting excited about the event and about the record setting number of exhibitors. Dr. Reinhard Grandke, Chief Executive Officer of the German Agricultural Society, says that, with more than 2,111 exhibitors, Agritechnica has grown by 39 percent. Grandke adds that the event’s overall growth is due, in large part, from the growth in international exhibitors – which has jumped up 65 percent from last year.

“This makes Agritechnica not only a platform for innovation with the latest technology, but also a source of ideas and inspiration for the key issues of the future in agriculture and agriculture technology. It is also the forum for the farmers of the future, seeking to use new, technology-based strategies to exploit new potentials for efficient farming in their locations and specializations.”

“Agritechnica 2007 will present the world’s largest range of modern agricultural machinery, components and replacement parts. All leading international companies in the industry are present, showing individual strategies for every kind of farm.”

“The future development of the agricultural machinery market will depend on the development of the local agricultural machinery markets, which are becoming more and more relevant. Whether the commitment of many farmers in bioenergy production pays off must be scrutinized carefully, and it remains to be seen whether some biogas plants are really profitable or rather pose a financial risk.”

“Many manufacturers [are] presenting numerous novelties with a high degree of innovativeness. These include several trend-setting world innovations. These involve special-purpose, efficient and intelligent machines and processes. Their aim is to economise on production inputs and achieve higher yield security. It is no longer a question of simply developing machines which are bigger and wider. Instead, what is wanted is performance and flexibility through innovative technologies.”

Agribusiness, Biodiesel, Equipment, Farm Shows, International, John Deere, Technology, Tractor

IFAJ Arts and Crafts

Cindy Zimmerman

US IFAJ groupHere is our group from the United States at the IFAJ Congress in the lobby of the Sendai Excel Hotel doing some arts and crafts.

We were preparing our bottle opener presents to be given out to the group in preparation for our hosting of the 2009 Congress in Fort Worth, Texas. They are very nice boot-shaped openers with tags on them urging people to “saddle up.” The congress will be held July 29 – August 5, 2009 in conjunction with the Ag Media Summit. Next year’s IFAJ Congress will be in Austria and Slovenia. Looks like it will be beautiful and fascinating.

Chuck is busy right now out shopping at the “Bass Pro Shop” of electronics stores. We will have an international symposium this afternoon and tonight is our final farewell party. Tomorrow we head back to the United States and I am ready to get back home.


IFAJ Congress 2007 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of IFAJ 2007 is sponsored by: Pioneer-HiBred

IFAJ, International, Pioneer

Promotions at Elanco

Laura McNamara

ElancoA couple of consultants from Elanco Animal Health have moved up in ranks. Dr. Bill Platter oversees consultants for beef cattle and Dr. Bill Mies is Elanco’s latest beef consultant.

Elanco Animal Health has announced the promotion of Dr. Bill Platter to the position of manager of technical consultants for beef cattle. In this role he will lead a team of professionals conducting post-product-approval research, and providing technical services with a feedlot and stocker focus in the United States. These activities focus on work with veterinarians, nutritionists and meat scientists to improve animal health, production efficiencies and profitability within the beef industry.

Platter has relocated to work from Elanco’s global headquarters in Greenfield, Ind.

Most recently, Platter served as a technical consultant supporting the Elanco cattle business unit’s food-chain initiatives, based first in Greenfield and then in the Midwest.

Elanco Animal Health has also announced the hiring of Dr. Bill Mies as a beef feedlot consultant – global beef group. In this role he will work with Elanco’s marketing-and-sales teams, providing technical support to feedlots in North America and other locations throughout the world. Mies will work from his home office in College Station, Texas.

Ag Groups, Animal Health, Beef, Elanco