AgWired

It’s sunny again in California. What a gorgeous last day for the 2006 Commodity Classic! Margy pretty much summed up everything that happened yesterday in her last blog so I won’t go into too much more detail. I will say however that this experience has been amazing and Margy helped make that happen for me so thanks Margy for being a great “fellowshiper”. I hope everyone that returned home today had safe travels. I, however, are still in the great state of California and I have to attribute my good mood to the beautiful sunshine. Its around 60 degrees right now, which is a little chilly for California standards but warm for this Illinois girl in March.

This morning I attended a learning session on the upcoming 2007 Farm Bill. I know that a lot of you are extremely interested and even concerned about the changes that will come from this bill. Well, I wish I could tell you something you didn’t already know but unfortunately I can’t. The panel was formed with minority staff director Mark Halverson from Iowa, and a majority staff director named Steve, who, I am so sorry, but I forgot to get his last name. He wasn’t in the program either, but I guess that’s not an excuse. At any rate they talked about the upcoming farm bill and it seemed to me they talked a lot for not having anything to say.

The room was packed to the brim with farmers, and media, and anyone else who wanted to hear what they had to say. Everyone wants to know whats going to happen next year but I’m not sure anyone has the answer. I’ve heard many comments made that everyone wants to keep the 2002 farm bill the way it is and not change many things. Unfortunately, as they were saying in the session, change is coming whether we want it to or not. Change can be a good thing though and if there is a change with the conservation reserve program I think a lot of people would be happy to see the budget increase in that area. They also talked about how the World Trade Organization would effect the bill as well. The outcome of trade agreements could greatly effect the farm bill. I guess we will see what happens.

My final day at Commodity Classic is coming to an end. Rain and mostly cloudy skies were not able to put a damper on my last day.

It was an early morning due to the Monsanto press conference at 7:30. Not strategically, or comfortably thinking, I wore shoes with a heel. As the day went on, the amount of time spent on my feet started to accumulate just as fast as my feet started to swell.

Regardless of any inflation below the ankle, I was mentally charged by the energy of all the people in the general session this morning. John Phipps from Farm Journal Media was an entertaining and focused emcee introducing the dynamic set of speakers from Secretary Johanns to the governor of Minnesota and of course one of the favorite country artists from this conference, Michael Peterson.

The phrase “conference center” can be misleading, especially for anyone involved in the media at a meeting such as this. One would think the phrase would imply a central location for all activities, but me (in my poorly planned high heels) trekked from the second floor media room to the third floor general session and then across the street to one hotel and then back to the second floor media room and back across the street to another hotel. Again, I reiterate my poorly planned footwear complicated these travels.

All of these walks were before lunch and completely worth everything I learned.

After lunch I attended a learning session presented by Tom Dorr, Undersecretary of Rural Development for USDA. He is a self-professed optimist for rural America and presented his vision for prosperous rural economies across the country. Part of his plan enables Americans to have choices on where to live and how to where. One of the main tools for allowing these opportunities would of course be technology and connectivity.

Tonight I was able to meet with different ag media such as Successful Farming and Farm Journal. Companies and their publications such as these show a high level of interest for students to be developed agriculture journalists. They are looking for educated and experience writers who will embrace the opportunities technology allows for today and will present for us in the future.

I am fortunate to take part in a program that offers this level of professional development and networking opportunities. I think this is a testimonial for all of those that I’ve met, been sponsored by, or have spent time with this week toward their level of dedication for quality of coverage of this industry. I am sincerely grateful for the time and experience I’ve had here in Anaheim.

I have an early flight, but I will hopefully be able to post one more entry from the OC…

Margy, Mary and I have a lot more to bring you from Commodity Classic but I thought I’d give you an update of our schedule since it’s getting late in the day on Friday and time’s running short. We have a lot more to bring you over the next several days. Right now I’ve got to head back to the trade show for some final interviews and pictures.

Margy and I will be flying home early tomorrow so that’ll be a long travel day with little time for posting. Mary gets an extra day so I’m sure we’ll see more from her.

I might have a post or two before I leave but I’ve also got a dinner meeting with the man who designed AgWired. I’ve never met Robert and really looking forward to it. I’m sure he’s got some great ideas you might see in the near future.

Until then, I hope you’re enjoying the Commodity Classic coverage by the team here. We’re having a lot of fun bringing it to you.

Here I am at the Trade show next to a Black Chevy Truck powered by Biodiesel. It is so important that we continue effort to make our cars more and more environmentally friendly. Not only that but it is necessary to create a larger market for our corn and soybeans. It is amazing the support that the ethanol and biodiesel industry has and it is definitely being shown here at the commodity classic. We mentioned earlier the Indy Car brought here by EPIC. I’m off now to head down to the trade show again. There is so much to see and do it definitely takes at least two days to cover it all.

Here is another update on what is going on at the General Session here at Commodity Classic. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns just spoke on his past year in office. He started off his speech by commenting that he was nervous about speaking to this audience so he asked his wife what he should do. She said “Mike, don’t try to be sophisticated or charming….just be yourself.”

Secretary Johanns emphasized the importance of continuing to find markets for corn and soybeans. He mentioned the free trade agreement between the United States and the Columbia that will give more opportunities for corn and soybean farmers to market their crop.

He noted that farm net income has increased $90 billion a year over the past three years. 27% of U.S. cash receipts come from trade. 1in 3 acres of U.S. land is planted for the export market. Because we are so productive we must look to the future. U.S. Ag activity is outpacing consumption. Population and consumption grows 1% a year.

Secretary Johanns also talked extensively on the upcoming Farmbill. He mentioned the 52 listening sessions that he held to hear from farmers on what they think.

“We need to live by the rules that we expect everyone else to live by.” Johanns commented.

One of the most important issues was the need for the United States to use their own natural resources, such as corn and soybeans for fuel. Johanns predicted that Ethanol will make up 22% of the corn production in 2010. Lets hope he’s right.

Chuck recorded the speech this morning and has most of it available here for you to listen to: Johanns Speech (21:59 MP3 File)

A message from Dr. Jay Lehr followed Secretary Johanns and a performance by Michael Peterson finished up the show. Peterson noted that he has started a new youth program and that the FFA are working with New Holland to sell his CD as a fundraiser at the tradeshow downstairs.

The presidents of ASA and NCGA joined emcee John Phipps on stage and discussed the current status and the future of their respective commodities. They sat in a conversational setting with three leather chairs for a casual-setting discussion.

Phipps asked these men questions about the challenges and opportunities that have arisen in their industries in this last year. Bob Metz, president of ASA, noted the USDA went beyond expectations in regards to soybean rust. Gerald Tumbleson, NCGA president, said ethanol has been in the works for so many years that when consumption and consumer acceptance rose to such a high level as it is today, it was unexpected but fully welcomed.

They both commented on the immense opportunity growers have today. Renewable fuels gives future generations exciting and new ideas to bring to their farms. And both of their farm families take pride in their innovations. As Metz said, “The next generation will always do a better job than the previous.”

Okay, Agriculture Secretary Johanns just entered to a standing ovation, so I will take to switch back to taking notes…

Happy Friday! This morning Monsanto held a press conference to discuss soybean production in the United States. I had the chance to videotape the announcement this morning. They introduced their new product line VISTIVE™. VISTIVE is a brand name for Monsanto’s line of soybean oils that help reduce and/or eliminate trans fatty acids (trans fats). The first product, VISTIVE low-linolenic soybeans, was launched in 2005. This year, nearly 500,000 acres will be planted in multiple areas throughout the Midwest. Processors are currently paying farmers a premium of $0.25 to $0.45 a bushel for VISTIVE soybeans.

U.S. farmers will be given preferred access to produce several soybean products that will result in new market prospects for soybean oil. This includes soy crops that can deliver vegetable oils enriched with omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to lower cholesterol and reduce blood pressure.

Monsanto’s second part of their announcement involved risk management for their customers. They are offering an incentive of $15 per bag in the event of soybean crop failure for those farmers who purchase Roundup Ready soybean seed, plant it in a double crop system and use Roundup herbicides. This will be tested this year in Arkansas, Missouri, and North Carolina. This is due the amount of double crop soybean acreage and the geographical range of these states.

Finally, Monsanto plans on strategic planning for the future of soybean production. They will support and provide resources for a comprehensive study looking at what the future holds for the soybean industry in the year 2020. It is called Soy 2020 and is coordinated by the United Soybean Board. This study will look at current trends, economic, political and competitive factors that will shape the next 15 years. It will also look at the ways the industry can meet the demands of customers overseas as well as other market segments such as animal agriculture, biodiesel and food manufacturing.

For more information on Monsanto, click on Monsanto.

Yesterday was the grand opening of this year’s trade show here at the Commodity Classic. There was a lot to discover on the trade show floor, and Mary and I were not shy to test some of the interactive components of the displays.

At our first stop, we were pulled in by the energetic team at the Golden Harvest booth to take part in a remote control car race. Mary won the race. Mary won the race big time. I was completely unable to make the remote control car go forward much less make it go around a small track. Let’s just say I lacked the motor skills.

Next, we were the first to try out the Whac-A-Worm game sponsored by Yield Guard Plus at the Monsanto booth. Thank goodness that we tied. Otherwise, I would have been zero for two in our impromptu trade show game competition. Margy Plays Wack-a-worm (:21 wmv file) Mary Plays Wack-a-worm (:31 wmv file)

Then it was off to the race track again, except this time I climbed into the copy of the ethanol-powered Indy car and was more successful. Margy In the IndyCar Simulator (:22 wmv file) In fact, I got the high ranking of the day finishing fourth out of 26. As the driver, I played a video game that was connected to an X-box. I hit the wall almost every time around the turns, but my secret to success was flooring the gas pedal the entire time.

And our last stop before getting ready for dinner was at the John Deere booth, where Mary (who bleeds John Deere green), played Combine Combat. She harvested $59,000 worth of corn in the minute-long game. Test your harvesting skills at this direct link on Agriculture.com