American Seed Trade Association Chairman, Mike Gumina, Pioneer Hi-Bred, welcomed everyone to this morning’s general session at the ASTA convention. I visited with him to find out to learn more about ASTA and what to expect at this year’s meeting. Mike says ASTA is a broad based organization representing over 700 companies. “We like to say everything from alfalfa to …
Ag Secretary Addresses ASTA
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, addressed the American Seed Trade Association this morning during their 129th Annual Convention. I’ll have audio of his remarks posted here shortly. The theme of the start of Sec. Vilsack’s comments is “you can’t have it without seed,” which ties right in with the theme of the convention, First-the Seed. He used this line …
Knee-Deep (Not the Zac Brown Band Song)
Maybe it was the 90th birthday party that perked him up, or maybe the hospital trip where they took him off all the unnecessary meds (thank goodness), but my grandpa is back at it, his voice is 100 percent and we’re recording audio about life on the farm back in the late ‘30s and early ‘40s. Even though I grew …
ASTA Storms The Hill
The heat is on in Washington, DC for the members of the American Seed Trade Association. Today was “Storm the Hill” day and members took to the streets to visit their elected officials and talk about issues important to the seed industry. It could not be a better time for the organization to pick this location as the new farm …
ASTA Members Hear from House Ag Leaders
Members of the American Seed Trade Association were on Capitol Hill today getting updates on farm legislation from Congressional leaders, including House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN). Chuck was there with them today during a busy day for progress on the 2012 Farm Bill, with the Senate whipping through amendments at lightning speed. …
Majority of Businesses Know Nothing of Pinterest
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Does Your Business Have an Interest in Pinterest?” Our poll results: Thirty-one percent said Yes, part of our marketing plan or just figuring it out; thirty-one percent said No, no application for us; and thirty-eight percent knew nothing about Pinterest. Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Will you buy E15 …
Zidua Herbicide Receives Federal Registration
Corn growers battling tough-to-control, small-seeded broadleaf weeds and grasses will have a powerful new tool, as BASF Crop Protection announced the federal registration of Zidua herbicide. Future registrations for use in soybean and wheat are anticipated in early 2013. According to 10 years of research and field trials, the residual weed control provided by Zidua lasts up to two weeks …
Michele Payn-Knoper Speaking at Women in Ag
With unmatched passion and commitment to helping people understand the path from farm gate to the consumer plate, keynote speaker Michele Payn-Knoper will inspire the audience to build connected communities in the industry at the debut of the Women in Agribusiness Summit in New Orleans, Sept. 16-17. Under the direction of Frances Pratt, co-chairwoman and event director from conference host …
Zimfo Bytes
Beef Today announces the launch of its Beef Today Cattle-Exchange (BTC-E) eNewsletter, which combines the current Beef Today Cattle Drive eNewsletter and Cattle-Exchange Reports. Broadhead was recently awarded a contract to raise awareness of the invasive species known as the emerald ash borer. A rapidly expanding global business has led to major organizational leadership changes for Becker Underwood’s corporate executive …
Farm Foundation to Host Long-Term Drought Forum
With half the country under abnormally dry condition, our friends at Farm Foundation have scheduled another one of their free forums… this time on how long-term drought conditions impact regional and national agricultural production and food systems. The forum will be held on June 27th, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. EDT at the National Press Club, 529 14th …