Those in the ag industry following the movement of western bean cutworm (WBCW) are not surprised by the latest find in Frankfort, Mich. In the last decade, WBCW has moved from the dry bean fields of western Nebraska into eastern Nebraska and throughout Iowa. Within the last two years, WBCW crossed the Mississippi River and became a pest of cornfields …
Getting a New Media Fix
It looks like I’ll be able to attend the third annual Podcast & New Media Expo. I’m finding it hard to believe we’ve been doing this new media thing in agribusiness for over 3 years now. Starting Friday, I’ll be getting my new media fix with educational sessions and a trade show. I’ll be attending the conference with longtime friend …
It Feels Good To Be Home
At least for a few hours. Once upon a time gunslingers notched their pistol for fights they’d won. Agribloggers just add another lanyard/name badge to the stack. These are actually just from the last year or so since I start it over once the trophy I’ve got it hanging from falls off the book shelf. Now it’s got a 2007 …
Americans in Japan at IFAJ
Here’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 …
Passing the IFAJ Flag
The 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 …
Final Day in Sendai
Today 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 …
Fending Off Body Odor With Corn
Inventive 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 …
Dow AgroSciences Earns International Recognition
The 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 …
Get to Know an Alpaca During National Alpaca Farm Days
The 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, …
DuPont Funds Biofuel Projects
A 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 …