October 16 is World Food Day as coordinated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This year’s theme is “The Right to Food.” I’m all for bringing attention to the fact that there are people starving and we should do all we can to feed them with our excess. However, if you listen to the following statement …
Budding Agribloggers in Canada
You might recall that I recently conducted a new media class for a day at the University of Guelph. The grad students in that class all had their own blog started by the end of the day. I finally got a list of their websites and thought I’d share with you. Check them out and let them know what you …
My Second Chance
On Day Three of my recovery from my quadruple by-pass surgery, my partner in the next bed, who was going home that day, received a visitor who had the same surgery several years back. He looked at both us, and said, “Guys, listen up! Appreciate the fact you have just received a ‘Second Chance’. Wow what a statement and what …
IFAJ Congress Wrapup Interviews
In this week’s ZimmCast you get to hear from Masaru Yamada, the main coordinator of the IFAJ Congress that just concluded and a number of the American delegates. Masaru is happy with how the event went and I don’t think he’s ready to do it again anytime soon. I can only imagine what it was like to conduct one of …
Agritechnica Excitement Mounts
Chuck and Cindy have been providing international ag coverage for the past several weeks, and in November, it will be my turn. I’m planning to join John Deere at the preview days for the 2007 Agritechnica exhibition in Hanover, Germany. Agritechnica leadership is getting excited about the event and about the record setting number of exhibitors. Dr. Reinhard Grandke, Chief …
IFAJ Arts and Crafts
Here is our group from the United States at the IFAJ Congress in the lobby of the Sendai Excel Hotel doing some arts and crafts. We were preparing our bottle opener presents to be given out to the group in preparation for our hosting of the 2009 Congress in Fort Worth, Texas. They are very nice boot-shaped openers with tags …
Japan Ministry of Agriculture Press Conference
During our visit to the Tokyo University of Agriculture we attended a press conference with Mr. Masanori Sato, Director General in charge of International Affairs, Japan Ministry of Agriculture. I’ve got a video of his presentation so you can see him make a statement and then listen to the interpreter. In this segment he talks about the dietary policy and …
auf Wiedersehen!
Here on a rooftop overlooking the research facility is where we said auf Wiedersehen to BASF at Limburgerhof before we headed off to Brussels, so this is where my coverage of that event comes to a close. However, I will be posting some more from that trip on Domestic Fuel, since biofuels were a major topic there and in Brussels, …
BASF Germination Lab
Before those treated seeds can be planted in a farmer’s field, BASF has to make sure they will germinate and grow successfully, and that is the job of Dr. Michael Merk – just call him “the Germinator.” “We test all different seeds in terms of germination,” he says. “The germination is very important to see if there is any damage …
BASF Seed Treatment
Our final stop at the BASF research facility last week was the seed treatment center where we heard from Dr. Andreas Landes who is in charge of the center. “Our goals here are the development of products which are easy to use,” said Dr. Landes. “Seed treatment is one of the most target oriented crop protection measures you can imagine.” …