Sonny Ramaswamy at ASTA CSS 2013

Cindy Zimmerman

The Director of USDA’s National Institute of Food & Agriculture Sonny Ramaswamy gave a presentation on “Setting the Table for a Hotter, Flatter, More Crowded Earth” during the opening general session at the ASTA CSS 2013 on Thursday with a focus on how public sector research and private sector support need to work together to feed our growing population. Ramaswamy …

ASTA, Audio, USDA

Bayer Showcases Innovation at ASTA CSS 2013

Leah Guffey

Corn and soybean growers in the Midwest face varying challenges every year, depending on weather, pests and diseases. Visitors to ASTA CSS 2013 and Seed Expo this year were able to see many of the tools offered by Bayer CropScience to address those challenges. According to Brad May, strategic business lead for seed growth, some of their highlights at the …

Agribusiness, ASTA, Audio, Bayer

Nufarm Takes on Trees, Nuts, Vines and Veggies

Chuck Zimmerman

During Nufarm’s recent farm media tour, Rob Schwehr, took time to highlight one of the newest expansion areas the company has taken on. Rob is the Marketing Manager for the tree, nut, vine and vegetable (TNVV) segment of Nufarm. He shares in an interview why the company pursued this new endeavor and what we can see coming down the pipeline. …

Agribusiness, Audio, Nufarm, Vegetables

ASTA CSS Offers Grain Markets Outlook

Cindy Zimmerman

Once again this year at the ASTA CSS 2013, for the third year in a row now, AgResource Company president Dan Basse looked at the year in review for grain markets and gave his outlook for the future. While there are bright spots, Dan’s overall outlook for the year ahead is pretty sobering, saying the good times may have come …

ASTA, Audio, Corn, Grains, Markets

BASF on Cutting Edge of Seed Enhancement

Cindy Zimmerman

The just released CropLife Foundation report shows just how important seed treatment is becoming for agricultural production and today at the ASTA CSS 2013 and Seed Expo we heard how BASF Crop Protection has moved to the forefront of seed enhancement to help farmers get the most out of every acre. “Seed enhancement is one of the fastest growing segments …

ASTA, Audio, BASF, Seed

Monsanto Novozymes Bioag Alliance

Chuck Zimmerman

Monsanto and Novozymes jointly announced a “long-term strategic alliance to transform research and commercialization of sustainable microbial products that will provide a new platform of solutions for growers around the world.” The BioAg Alliance will allow the companies to leverage employees, technologies and commercial assets in the companies’ agricultural biologicals portfolios. The BioAg Alliance is unique in the industry, bringing …

Agribusiness, Audio, Biotech

Application of PRRS Control Protocols

Jamie Johansen

The recent Boehringer Ingelheim PRRS Seminar in Chicago, IL, brought swine animal health experts from around the world together to discuss research studies and compare and contrast notes on the PRRS virus. I spoke with Dr. Clayton Johnson after his presentation on the application of PRRS control protocols. Dr. Johnson is the Director of Health at The Maschhoffs. “We were …

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine

Cover Crop Seed Growth

Cindy Zimmerman

With cover crops becoming increasingly important for farmers to provide nutrients and protect against erosion, different varieties are being developed to address specific needs. At the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CSS & Seed Expo in Chicago, I learned more about that from Risa DeMasi with Grassland Oregon, who is second vice chairman of ASTA. “Our company is very involved …

ASTA, Audio, Conservation, Seed

The Nufarm NAFTA Headquarters

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm media getting to tour the Nufarm and Nuseed headquarters in Alsip, IL got a nice break in the winter weather yesterday. It was a little windy but then what do you expect from Chicago? We were given an office area tour from Brian Rund, Director of Branding & Marketing Services. The facility Nufarm took over previously housed a glass/window …

Agribusiness, Audio, Nufarm