Syngenta Seeds announced today it has received full deregulation from USDA for corn amylase (Event 3272), the first corn output trait designed to help ethanol industry become more efficient, profitable and environmentally friendly. Syngenta Seeds plans to sell corn containing Event 3272 under the “Enogen” seed brand. “Enogen corn is a breakthrough product that provides ethanol producers a proven means …
Farmer Co-op Council Testifies on Wall Street Reform Act
Implementing legislation aimed a reforming Wall Street could have an impact on farmer cooperatives. As the Commodities Futures Trading Corporation (CFTC) implements provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act involving over the counter (OTC) derivatives, the Commission must ensure that farmer co-ops can continue to effectively manage risk and offer hedging tools to their farmer-owners, a representative of the National Council of …
National FFA Prepares for New Century Farmer Conference
The National FFA Organization is now accepting applications for its 2011 New Century Farmer conference to be held July 24-30 in Johnston, Iowa. The exclusive, highly competitive conference is open to college of agriculture students who intend to pursue careers in production agriculture after college. Those selected to attend the conference will be among the first in the nation to …
Beltway Beef Improving Cattle Communications
This week’s ZimmCast is with our good friend Mike Deering, Communications Director for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. We spent most of last week with Mike at the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Denver, but he was too busy to do an interview there so I had to catch up with him over the phone after we …
Winter Weather Woes for Livestock
Cattle producers around the country have been busy this winter trying to care for their animals in particularly harsh weather. Ice, snow and freezing temperatures mean lots of extra work to feed and water cattle and there were lots of producers who were unable to make the trip to Denver last week for the Cattle Industry Convention because of that. …
Promoting Grain Bin Safety
Grain bin accidents and fatalities on the farm have been on the increase in recent years, but more attention to some simple safety rules could reverse that trend. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the research and education arm of the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) recently unveiled a new video to promote awareness about grain bin safety …
Blades Promoted at Successful Farming
File this under “Former intern does even better.” Successful Farming magazine has promoted Curt Blades to national sales manager. In his new role, he will oversee and lead all advertising sales initiatives and research activities for the Successful Farming brands, including Agriculture.com and the Successful Farming Machinery Show. He was previously the sales and marketing manager with Successful Farming. “Curt …
Getting to Know GROWMARK – MID-CO Commodities
GROWMARK is a multi-layered cooperative with five wholly or partially-owned subsidiaries, six retail subsidiary divisions, and controlling interests in several related endeavors – all aimed at improving the profitability of its member-owners. As part of our series on getting to know GROWMARK, we’re getting to know not just the company, but the people who make it all happen. MID-CO COMMODITIES …
GROWMARK Staff Changes
Agwired sponsor GROWMARK announced several staff changes this week in the company, all effective February 1. Marshall Bohbrink has been named GROWMARK vice president, finance and risk management, and chief financial officer, and he will also continue to serve as treasurer. Marshall has more than 34 years of GROWMARK System experience, including positions in treasury, insurance, accounting, and order processing. …
BASF Research Shows Products Increase Yields
At a recent grower seminar in Chicago, BASF Crop Protection announced the results of a comprehensive 2010 crop protection study that shows how using a portfolio of BASF products can help increase corn and soybean yields. Small-scale replicated field studies in soybeans and corn conducted at university and BASF research sites throughout the Midwest found “an average 9.1 bu/acre increase …