Our Food System Not Broken

Chuck Zimmerman

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Is our food system broken?” Not according to you with 63% saying no and only 37% saying yes. During the Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum held prior to the Commodity Classic, one of our speakers was Gawain Kripke, Oxfam America. He told us “our food system is broken.” I think the statement was made …

ZimmPoll

USFRA Hold Food Dialogues Prior to National Agriculture Day

Chuck Zimmerman

In conjunction with the second annual agricultural appreciation reception held by Agri-Pulse the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance held a special edition of their Food Dialogues titled, “The Future of Food and Farming.” The panel tried to deal with the question, “Is technology in agriculture creating environmental improvements and economic growth or perpetuating public fears?” That seems like a loaded …

Ag Groups, Audio, Food, USFRA

Pioneer Drought Tolerance Innovations

Chuck Zimmerman

During Commodity Classic Pioneer Hi-Bred held a press conference titled, “Innovations in Drought Tolerance: Delivering Rain or Shine.” This featured feature Pioneer’s research innovations in drought-tolerant corn hybrids, 2011 performance data on Optimum® AQUAmaxTM hybrids, and improved management options for growers. On hand was Jeff Schussler, Senior Research Manager. Results from actual on-farm trials in 2011 show Optimum® AQUAmaxTM corn …

Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, Pioneer

National Teach Ag Day First Ever Live Stream

Chuck Zimmerman

I am on my way to National Agriculture Day activities which will be taking place tomorrow. Here’s another event you might want to check out being held again this year. It’s National Teach Ag Day which is being celebrated on March 15 and it includes a live stream event. The agriculture program at Buena Park High School in Buena Park, …

Ag Groups, Education

South Dakota Hunt/Fish App

Chuck Zimmerman

I know I’m not the only AgWired fan who likes to hunt pheasant in South Dakota. Now the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks has an app for that – iOS – Android. The SDGFP Hunt/Fish application lets users view the hunting and fishing regulations, apply for licenses to hunt and fish in South Dakota, reserve a campsite in one …

Apps, Hunting

Ethanol on Stage at New Holland Club Blue

Chuck Zimmerman

During the 2012 Commodity Classic New Holland held a “Club Blue” event at the Grand Ole Opry for their dealers to discuss their new national marketing campaign. It was also a time to talk about partnerships with industry related organizations and that included Growth Energy, another AgWired supporter. On hand to talk to the attendees was Tom Buis, CEO, Growth …

Ag Groups, Audio, Biofuels, Commodity Classic, Energy, Ethanol, New Holland

Sending Animal Agriculture Offshore Would Increase Food Costs

Chuck Zimmerman

Leading off a press conference during Commodity Classic for the United Soybean Board was Vanessa Kummer, Chair. The topic was Consumer and Food Safety Costs of Offshoring Animal Agriculture (pdf). This is a Soybean Checkoff funded study. Also pictured on stage are Lewis Bainbridge, USB Director (seated) and André Williamson, Agralytica, (standing) the company that conducted the study. Paying more …

Ag Groups, Audio, Commodity Classic, Food, Soybean, USB

Visiting With American Seed Trade Association

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s time to look forward to the 2012 National Agriculture Day activities in Washington, DC. Things kick off on Thursday morning and I’ll be there again this year courtesy of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and Agriculture Council of America. In a look ahead to this week’s activities I visited with Julie Douglas, Communications Director, ASTA, during Commodity Classic …

Ag Groups, ASTA, Audio, Commodity Classic, ZimmCast

Commodity Classic Cute Baby Blogging

Chuck Zimmerman

Commodity Classic is a family affair in more ways than one. I think I saw more cute babies this year than ever. This was a photo I couldn’t resist. You can find others in our online photo album too. It’s time for the ZimmComm team to take a break since the media room is closing and I think we’re last …

Commodity Classic

NAMA AAEA Get Together At Commodity Classic

Chuck Zimmerman

One of our sponsors here at Commodity Classic, BASF, gets involved in supporting the event in so many ways. One of them is to sponsor this year’s combined American Agricultural Editors Association and National Agri-Marketing Association reception. Pictured (l-r) Beth Burgy, Broadhead and NAMA President; Nadine Keutzer, BASF; Amy Ogburn, Padilla Speer Beardsley and Greg Horstmeier, DTN/The Progressive Farmer and …

ACN, Commodity Classic, NAMA