Monsanto Purchases Precision Planting, Inc.

Melissa Sandfort

In line with its vision of delivering yield to farmers sustainably, Monsanto Company announced it reached an agreement to purchase planting technology developer Precision Planting, Inc., a proven leader in improving yields through on-farm planting performance. The Precision Planting team will become part of Monsanto’s Integrated Farming Systems unit, which utilizes advanced agronomic practices, seed genetics and innovative on-farm technology …

Agribusiness, Precision Agriculture

Parents Should be Responsible for Child Nutrition

Chuck Zimmerman

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Who should be responsible for child nutrition?” I am all for good food nutrition for our children. But who is responsible? It seems like the government thinks it should have some control. I’ve heard and read lots of people saying we need more nutrition education. But don’t we have more than enough of that? …

Food, ZimmPoll

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

Merck Animal Health announces the U.S. approval of ZUPREVO (tildipirosin) – a new macrolide antibiotic for the management of bovine respiratory disease. Miller Electric Mfg. Co. has announced the launch of its Miller Online Store, offering an engaging, customer-friendly shopping experience for the DIY segment. Charleston|Orwig was recently voted Top Workplace in Wisconsin for the third year. This year the …

Zimfo Bytes

Alltech’s FoodPrint Discussion Dinner

Jamie Johansen

The Carbon FoodPrint was the topic of debate for one of the Discussion Dinners at the 2012 Alltech International Symposium. Moderator, Damien O’Reilly, Irish National Television and Radio Broadcaster, lead the dialogue on perception vs. reality. Delegates enjoyed a tasty chicken dinner while chatting about how much of the carbon footprint hype is branding and how much is changing operations. …

Agribusiness, Alltech, Audio

2012 Alltech Smart Debate

Chuck Zimmerman

This year the Alltech debate session is titled Smart Debate. Topics include: feeding 9 billion people; is Africa now Brazil? What’s next for biofuels and more. Our panelists include Tom Arnold, CEO, Concern, Ireland; Sean Richard, Senior Lecturer in Business Economics, Cranfield University, UK; Dr. Marcus Vinicius Pratini de Moraes, Former Minister of Agriculture and Food Supply of Brazil and …

Agribusiness, Alltech, Audio

A UK Perspective on Improvement in the Food Chain

Jamie Johansen

The 2012 Alltech International Symposium was host to Keith Millar, Head of Animal Feed and Animal By-Products Unit at Food Standards Agency, UK. He shared his insights into control and improvement in the food/feed chain during the New Regulatory Landscape breakout session. Mr. Millar was private secretary for two separate leaders of the House of Commons. He was a United …

Agribusiness, Alltech, Food

USDA Invests in Mississippi River Basin Water Quality

Melissa Sandfort

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and its partners will invest nearly $32 million this year in financial and technical assistance for five water quality and wetlands improvement projects in seven Mississippi River Basin states. When fully implemented, the projects will prevent sediment and nutrients from entering waterways, decrease flooding and improve bird and …

Conservation, Farming, USDA

Alltech Young Scientist Global Scholarship Winners

Chuck Zimmerman

Alltech announced the winners of their Young Scientist competition during today’s afternoon session. In addition to regional winners there are two global winners (graduate and undergraduate). Altogether there were 8,000 entries in the competition! Presenting the awards were Dr. Mark Lyons and Dr. Inge Russell. The Global Undergraduate winner is Gisele Greghi, Universidade Sao Paulo, Brazil. Listen to Jamie’s interview …

Agribusiness, Alltech, Education

The Farmer of the Future

Jamie Johansen

During the Marketing Forum at the 2012 Alltech International Symposium, Dr. Dwight Armstrong, Chief Executive Officer for the National FFA Organization, answered the question, “Who is the farmer of the future?” The FFA works with 500,000 potential youth farmers to help fill the need for young agriculturalists. The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the …

Agribusiness, Alltech, Education, FFA

Alltech Launches Crop Science Business

Chuck Zimmerman

Alltech launched their Crop Science business during the 2012 International Symposium. During a lunch time press conference we heard from (r-l) Geoff Frank, CEO of Alltech Crop Science; Robbie Walker, Regional Director of Europe and the Middle East for Alltech Crop Science and Jon Carloftis, award-winning garden designer, garden writer, television guest, author, and lecturer. Alltech has actually been in …

Agribusiness, Alltech, Crop Protection