BASF, Cargill and Novozymes sign an agreement to develop technologies to produce acrylic acid … a super absorbent material primarily used in baby diapers … from renewable raw materials. Usually, the materials are made of crude oil products. “The cooperation combines BASF’s global market strength and innovation power with the excellent know-how and competencies of Novozymes and Cargill who are …
Zimfo Bytes
During the U.S. Grains Councils 52nd Annual Board of Delegates Meeting, Gerry Salzman of Case IH was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Archer Daniels Midland Company announced that Todd Werpy, Ph.D., has been appointed vice president, Research and Development. The American Seed Trade Association will host is Corn, Sorghum & Soybean Seed Research Conference and Seed Expo Dec. 7-9, …
New IFAJ Leadership
The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists elected new officers today. Pictured left to right are: Riitta Mustonen, Finland, Secretary General; Marcus Rediger, Switzerland, President; James Campbell, Ireland, Treasurer and Owen Roberts, Canada, Vice President. Congratulations to the new officer team as they take over and continue to grow and develop IFAJ globally. After the annual business meeting our whole group …
The Drought
Wells are running dry, cattle are being sold and crops are withering away. There is no question that farmers and ranchers across the Midwest are experiencing one of the worst droughts in history. Maybe it hasn’t directly affected you yet, but don’t worry it will. Producers and consumers alike will see the impact from our lack of rain. But lets …
Zimfo Bytes
Osborn Barr added two to their account leadership roster. Welcome Aurrice Duke and Chase MacMullan as directors to support their client Monsanto’s commercial business. TheAntiqueTractorShow announced that the U.S. Postal Service has granted a Commemorative Pictorial Postmark in recognition of the Sept. 29th Tractors on the Square event in West Plains, Missouri. Animal Welfare Approved is offering $5,000 Good Husbandry …
RFS Waiver Might Lower Corn Prices… Eventually
A new report from researchers at Purdue University shows that a waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) could lower corn prices… but it could be a while until livestock producers and consumers at the grocery stores see those prices go down. Purdue’s Wally Tyner, Farzad Taheripour and Christopher Hurt presented their report, entitled Potential Impacts of a Partial Waiver …
Respecting the Rotation with Bayer CropScience
At least 250 farmers, crop consultants, and retailers turned out Wednesday in Collinsville, Illinois for a plot tour of mostly lots of really tall and nasty weeds that don’t die easily. The Bayer CropScience “Respect the Rotation” field day offered a glimpse of what could happen in the Midwest if resistant weeds like pigweed palmer ameranth gain a foothold. District …
IFAJ Awards
Awards have been presented at the 2012 IFAJ Congress. Here’s the first place winner of the IFAJ-Yara Award for Sustainable Agriculture Reporting, Kerry Staight, Australia. Other awards were presented during our dinner last night that included the Star Prize for Broadcast Journalism, First Place – Online Video -Eric Poulsen, Denmark; Television – Kerry Staight, Australia; Radio – Damien O’Reilly, Ireland. …
Sweden Minister of Rural Affairs
The Sweden Minister of Rural Affairs is Eskil Erlandsson. He was on our morning program here at the 2012 IFAJ Congress. After the morning session was completed he held a press conference which I recorded and have posted below. One of the questions that I thought was interesting pertained to Sweden’s use of biofuels and making use of ethanol by-products …
A Dire Future Without Major Societal Changes
Our opening speaker at the 2012 IFAJ Congress immediately dove into the deep end on the theme of “Solutions for a Green Future.” He is Johan Rockstrom, Executive Director of the Stockholm Resilience Center. As he opened his remarks he pointed to what he calls the most significant news of our age which was announced yesterday. He was referring to …