Our new U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, just held his first teleconference and I’ve got it recorded for you. He makes a short opening statement then takes Q&A from select media who could ask questions (I was not one of them). I was interested in things like biofuels and rural development of broadband internet access. Both are mentioned several …
Novus Preparing for All Star Poultry Expo
You may have noticed the baseball-themed banner ad here on AgWired for Novus International and the International Poultry Expo, coming up next week in Atlanta. We are very pleased to have Novus sponsor our coverage of the IPE this year and Chuck recently got to chat with Novus director of product management Wendell Knehans about their plans for the event. …
Associating With StollerUSA
I got to associate with Jerry Stoller, CEO and President of Stoller Group, today at his 16th annual U. S. Ag Associates Conference in Houston, TX. I am on location with the John Deere Drive Green Utility Tractor Show but had time to stop by and speak to Jerry during their lunch break today. Patricia Lawson, Hondo Group, was kind …
Political Policy Dynamics Changing
The topic of the St. Louis Agribusiness Club lunch was “Policy Outlook for Agriculture as the Political Dynamics Begin to Change.” I think the political dynamics have already changed don’t you? Giving us his take on this was Thomas J. Erickson, Vice President, Government Affairs, Bunge North America. He says that since the incoming administration seems to have a lot …
Greg Guenther Receives Award From St. Louis Ag Club
At today’s St. Louis Agribusiness Club lunch meeting Illinois farmer Greg Guenther received the Agribusiness Leader of the Year Award. Greg is pictured with SLAC President Laurie Hiler (left) and his wife. I spoke to Greg afterward (on my iPhone) and he says it was a pleasant surprise. He’s says it’s nice for folks to acknowledge the time he’s put …
Defining Sustainability
An alliance of agricultural groups and companies has put together a report to help people understand sustainability. Yes, that word that everyone seems to have a different definition for. The report released today by the Keystone Alliance, provides a definition of economic and environmental sustainability focusing on “meeting the needs of the present while improving the ability of future generations …
Administration Achievements and IFAJ 2009/AMS Update
U. S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer held a conference call with reporters to discuss accomplishments of the Bush administration. We were on the call and I thought I’d share a segment with you in this week’s program. I’ve been pointing out the increased investment in rural broadband through the Rural Development department here on AgWired since we got started …
Driving Green in 2009
Welcome to another week in the world of agribusiness. To kick it off I thought I’d share one of the latest video clips on the John Deere Drive Green Utility Tractor Show blog. I’m really having fun with this project and it’s going to keep me busy. I’ll be in Houston later this month as we kick off the “Year …
More About U.S. Soybean Federation
I just got off the phone with Missouri soybean grower, Warren Stemme, who is the Vice President of the newly formed U.S. Soybean Federation. I wanted to learn more about the USSF so I could share with you. Warren says the USSF is just getting started so there is no staff yet although they plan to put a lobbyist in …
Promoting Welfare of Animals
Animal welfare is a hot topic right now in the agribusiness world and anyone involved in animal agriculture should know that they’ve got a friend in Washington, DC called the Foundation For Biomedical Research. FBR has a new voice as I mentioned recently and that’s Paul McKellips. He’s bringing his multimedia skills to the organization to help get out good …