2012 Farm Bill Priorities From Commodity Classic Groups

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s almost like a tradition now. The Presidents of the farm organizations that participate in Commodity Classic take the stage for a few minutes of lighthearted discussion about their priorities. Emceeing the general session with them this year again was Mark Mayfield. You can listen to their interaction below. All of the organizations released a joint statement yesterday about their …

Ag Groups, ASA, Audio, Commodity Classic, NAWG, NCGA, NSP

New Holland Announces Major National Campaign

Chuck Zimmerman

New Holland has some big news and Abe Hughes, VP, New Holland North America, says it is their marketing development fund campaign which kicks off now. It’s a national advertising campaign in collaboration with New Holland dealers. As he puts it, “It’s a campaign to show that blue is back.” Abe is in the cab of a New Holland T9 …

Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, New Holland

Commodity Classic Media Reception

Chuck Zimmerman

Not only does New Holland sponsor the media room here at Commodity Classic but they also sponsored a reception for the media again this year. Here’s John Elliott, New Holland, Director, Marketing NAR, welcoming the media and thanking them for their work. John is wearing a yellow daffodil because yesterday was the feast day of St. David in Wales, his …

Commodity Classic, New Holland

New Holland Rustler Winner

Chuck Zimmerman

His was the first name called and his name is Paul Casper, South Dakota. Paul was the winner of a brand new New Holland Rustler this afternoon at the close of today’s trade show session at Commodity Classic. A big crowd was on hand to see the drawing. Here’s a picture of Paul receiving the key to his New Holland …

Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, New Holland

Commodity Classic Trade Show Ribbon Cutting

Chuck Zimmerman

The trade show at the 2012 Commodity Classic is officially underway here in Nashville, TN. Of course things got started with a ribbon cutting where representatives from each of the four participating commodity groups made brief welcoming comments. We’ll hear more from them at tomorrow’s general session that also includes a speech from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack. There’s …

Commodity Classic, Video

Ready For Record Commodity Classic

Chuck Zimmerman

I’d like to thank New Holland for sponsoring the media room at Commodity Classic once again this year. And I’d especially like to thank them for being one of our sponsors for AgWired coverage of the event again this year. New Holland was one of the first companies to support our unique brand of “live” event blogging. This is the …

Ag Groups, ASA, Audio, Commodity Classic, NCGA, ZimmCast

Know Your Farmer Know Your Food Compass

Chuck Zimmerman

I couldn’t participate in today’s USDA webinar about their latest project but did get this information to share. Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan unveiled the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF) Compass, an interactive web-based document and map highlighting USDA support for local and regional food projects and successful producer, business and community …

Farming, Food, USDA

BASF Science Behind the Future of Weed Control

Chuck Zimmerman

For the 6th year BASF is holding a “Science Behind” event prior to Commodity Classic. This year the theme is The Science Behind the Future of Weed Control. A Grand Ole Opry studio is the perfect venue for this event where ag media are hearing from university researchers as well as product specialists from BASF. The event is providing a …

Agribusiness, BASF

Challenged To Think Beyond Yield Growth

Chuck Zimmerman

Challenging the ag journalists attending the Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum to think about global food security differently was Gawain Kripke, Director of Policy & Research, Oxfam America. He started his presentation by saying that he would bring up some provocative ideas and he did. For example, he says Oxfam wants an end to “excessive” speculation in commodity markets, for …

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer

Entertainment By Josh Turner

Chuck Zimmerman

As you might have expected, Josh Turner was a big hit as the evening entertainment for the Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum. We had a full afternoon of provocative speakers and lots of interviews were conducted. Then it was time for some good food and relaxation with our friends at Bayer and in the ag media. Then Josh Turner took …

Agribusiness, Bayer