Hensall District Co-operative welcomed IFAJ members last week. Here’s CEO, Earl Wagner, who gave us an overview of the various business units of the co-operative. Before we settled in for his presentation and a tour of the facilities in Hensall, ON, we were treated to a variety of foods made with their products. They are known for their dry beans …
IFAJ Visits Claynook Farms
IFAJ members learned about the dairy business in Canada this week right on the farm. In this case we were at Claynook Farms visiting with Wayne and Dennis Wagler. The conversation with the dairy operators covered just about every topic you could imagine from genetics to marketing. I recorded part of a conversation with reporters in which I asked about …
Biodiesel Adds Value to Minnesota Soybeans
The Renewable Energy Group (REG) celebrated the official grand opening of REG Albert Lea biodiesel plant in Minnesota on Monday, with representatives of the state and local community and agriculture industry. REG President and COO Dan Oh (right) says the plant was shut down in 2008 when economic woes hit the biodiesel industry, but REG felt it was a significant …
IFAJ Video
Thanks to Bruce Sargent, Farm Boy Productions, for putting together a great video that captures the essence of the 2011 IFAJ Congress. 2011 IFAJ Congress Photo Album
Scare Tactics
I like lists. Grocery lists, to-do lists, task lists. There’s something about checking things off my list that gives me a sense of satisfaction. So here’s my list of things I’m afraid of: Spiders (literally, 7-year old girl screaming scared) Bees (or any version of something that buzzes) That’s a pretty short list, but the one on the top is …
Zimfo Bytes
Vets Plus Inc., announces the addition of National Account Managers Bryan Kann and Don McKillip to the company’s sales team. The USDA will conduct a referendum on proposed federal marketing order amendments regulating the handling of California, Arizona and New Mexico produced pistachios. The Chilean Avocado Importers Association invites culinary students across the country to sharpen their knives, show off …
Minnesota Soybean Growers to Celebrate Biodiesel Plant Re-Opening
Minnesota soybean growers will be in attendance Monday at the grand re-opening of a soy biodiesel plant in Albert Lea that was shut down in 2008. The Renewable Energy Group (REG) acquired the former SoyMor production facility earlier this year, which is now known as REG Albert Lea, LLC. The company will be celebrating the grand re-opening of the plant …
IFAJ Congress Concludes With GMO’s
The 2011 IFAJ Congress has concluded but I will have a lot more to share over the coming days. It’s late in Niagra Falls, ON, Canada. The GMO’s took to the stage tonight for our final entertainment after a concluding banquet with lots of awards. Photos are in the process of uploading which will finish my photo album from this …
USFRA Partners with AgChat Foundation
The AgChat Foundation (ACF) and the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) have partnered up to help farmers and ranchers share their stories with the general public. “The core vision of the AgChat Foundation is to empower farmers and ranchers to share their stories,” said Darin Grimm, Kansas farmer and AgChat Foundation president. “We are excited to partner with USFRA …
Biotech and Trade on Minds of Soybean Farmers
One of the many farmer leaders who stopped by the media tent at Farm Progress show was Steve Wellman, a soybean producer from Syracuse, Nebraska who is First Vice President of the American Soybean Association (ASA). I chatted with Steve about some of the issues on his mind these days. At the top of the list is approval of biotech …