“Holistic” and “durable” were two definitions for sustainable that were set forth by representatives of the food value chain, from farmers to food companies, who took part in a panel discussion at the BASF Agricultural Solutions Media Summit on Sustainability last week in Chicago. Nevin McDougall, BASF senior vice president for crop protection in North America, was part of the …
Why BASF Cares About Sustainability
Defining and improving sustainability is important for all of production agriculture around the globe, which is why BASF has taken a keen interest in the subject. Markus Heldt is president of crop protection for BASF global, located in Germany, a position he took last year after serving for many years as head of crop protection for the company in North …
BASF Introduces Sustainability Analysis Tool
Sustainability has become a challenge to the agriculture industry because everyone seems to have a different definition of the word and ways to objectively measure sustainability are seriously lacking. BASF announced an Eco-Efficiency Analysis tool during the 2010 Ag Media Summit in Chicago today that examines the entire lifecycle of a crop to measure and manage sustainability. “When we look …
BASF to Host Sustainability Summit
Sustainability is the buzz word for agriculture these days, but what it really means on the ground is a matter of perspective. That’s why BASF Crop Protection is bringing agricultural thought leaders and media together in Chicago June 8-10 to discuss a grounded approach to agricultural sustainability. Participants will focus on collaboration between producers and industry stakeholders to improve agricultural …
Become An Urban Farmer
If we can have urban cowboys then I guess we can have urban farmers. Following the astounding growth of Urban Farm magazine, and the burgeoning interest in urban farming, BowTie, Inc. announced the launch of UrbanFarmOnline.com. “The sustainable lifestyle is of interest to a growing number of people,” said June Kikuchi, Vice President Chief Content Officer. “People want to live …
Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers Improve Sustainability
When it comes to sustainable food production, enhanced efficiency fertilizers are starting to play a role. At the Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Conference Charlie Walker, Incitec Pivot Ltd., Australia was on the program to talk about how they’re using urease and nitrification inhibitors to accomplish this. If you like a good Aussie accent then you’ll enjoying listening to Charlie. He’s a …
Syngenta Announces New Sustainaiblity Team
Syngenta made two announcements during Commodity Classic last week – a new sustainability team and that their water optimization technology is on track. I spoke with Terry Stone who is heading the new sustainability team as well as Tracy Mader, Project Marketing Head who is working with the team developing the water optimization technologies. I asked Stone to tell me …
Sustainable Definitions
Can you define sustainability? Neither can I. But that was the first task of the panel discussion of commodity group leaders this morning at Commodity Classic. Moderated by Mark Mayfield, the panel discussed what sustainability means to them. Panelists included: Darrin Ihnen, President, NCGA, Rob Joslin, President, ASA, Karl Scronce, President, NAWG and Gerald Simonsen, Chairman, NSP. You’ll hear the …
Animal Ag Sustainability Summit at Poultry Expo
The sustainability of animal agriculture was the topic of a well-attended summit at the 2010 International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo in Atlanta. C. Larry Pope, president and CEO of Smithfield Foods Inc., was keynote speaker for the two day summit and his main message was that the animal agriculture industry, both processors and farmers, need to listen to and engage …
Agrotain Talks Sustainability at AG CONNECT
Sustainable agriculture is a much talked about trend right now and Agrotain International has a product that can help a farmer be profitable and sustainable at the same time – the Agrotain line of products. Micheal Stegmann, President of the company, explained to me during the AG CONNECT Expo what Agrotain does and why it is both economical and sustainable. …