Novozymes Organization Restructuring

Cindy Zimmerman

Novozymes has announced changes in the company’s organizational structure and executive leadership team with the formation of three distinct divisions – Household Care & Technical Industries, Agriculture & Bioenergy and Food & Beverages. The aim of the organizational change is to “enhance Novozymes’ ability to deliver more innovation to customers.” To lead the three divisions, Novozymes has appointed former Vice …

Biofuels

Wheat Awards

Cindy Zimmerman

Members of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) were in Washington DC last week for their annual winter conference and during that time presented awards to friends in Congress. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) was presented with the 2015 Wheat Leader of the Year by the NAWG board of directors, including Washington farmer and NAWG president Brett Blankenship. “Senator Cantwell …

NAWG, Wheat

2016 Expected to be Challenging for U.S. Cotton

Cindy Zimmerman

2016 is expected to be another challenging year for the U.S. cotton industry according to the National Cotton Council (NCC). NCC Vice President for Economics & Policy Analysis Dr. Jody Campiche told delegates at the NCC’s 78th Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas that the challenges will include low cotton prices, high global stocks and uncertainties regarding global mill cotton use. …

Cotton

#TPP Signed Amid Protests in New Zealand

Cindy Zimmerman

Protesters nearly shut down the city of Auckland, New Zealand yesterday, but the ceremonial signing of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) went on as scheduled. Trade ministers representing Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States, and Vietnam gathered for the signing of the historic agreement concluded four months ago in Atlanta. The ministers …

Audio, International, NCBA, Trade

Vilsack Puts Cottonseed Decision in Hands of Congress

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has reportedly informed Congress that he has no legal authority to approve a request from cotton growers that cottonseed be designated as an oilseed to qualify for farm programs. The secretary told reporters about the decision Wednesday at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture meeting in Washington DC. In response to press reports, House …

AFBF, Cotton

China Company to Buy Syngenta

Cindy Zimmerman

*UPDATED with audio* Here’s some big news of the day. Syngenta announced today that ChemChina has offered to acquire the company for $43 billion. The Board of Directors of Syngenta considers that the proposed transaction respects the interests of all stakeholders and is unanimously recommending the offer to shareholders. There is committed financing for the deal and a strong commitment …

Agribusiness, Audio, International, Syngenta

Trump a Future Farmer?

Cindy Zimmerman

Donald Trump was “honored” that he placed second in the Monday caucuses in Iowa and expressed his love for the state during his speech to supporters last night, with a parting note that he could become a farmer. “Iowa, we love you, we thank you, you’re special,” said Trump. “We will be back many, many times – in fact, I …

Audio, Ethanol, politics

ZimmCast from #NBB16

Cindy Zimmerman

The 13th National Biodiesel Conference and Expo was held last week in Tampa and it was the 11th year that ZimmComm has done the Biodiesel Conference Blog. Way back in 2006, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) was one of the first industry organizations to see the value in new media like blogs and they continue to stay on the cutting …

Audio, Biodiesel, Social Media, ZimmCast

Farmers Love #LibertyLink #RealYield

Cindy Zimmerman

It’s the first of February, which means planting season is getting closer. Farmers who might still be thinking about what varieties to plant this year should take a listen to what growers who use Bayer’s LibertyLink system have to say about their real yields last season. I talked with Ross Aigner of Wilkin County, Minnesota about his 2015 season with …

Audio, Bayer, Soybean

Trump Tops @AgriPulse Poll of Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman

As Iowa voters gather to caucus today, a new Agri-Pulse poll shows most farmers support Donald Trump for president. In the most extensive poll of how U.S. farmers and ranchers plan to vote for president, respondents overwhelmingly say they’ll support a Republican, and 40 percent of those are Trump supporters. That compares to 15 percent for Sen. Ted Cruz, 11 …

Agri-Pulse, politics