A majority of agribusiness leaders polled by AgriMarketing magazine and AdFarm reported they are optimistic about their own agribusiness in 2010 compared to 2009, with some asserting that they were “very optimistic” about the near future. Outstanding leaders from across the international dairy industry are being sought for World Dairy Expo’s annual recognition awards. Individuals will be honored at the …

Tyson Foods has chosen Donnie Smith, currently senior group vice president of Poultry and Prepared Foods, to be the company’s president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Bader Rutter announces Donna Queisser and Amy Graff have been promoted to senior account executives in the agency’s account management group. The economics of structural change and competition in U.S. agriculture and food …

Syngenta announced that its genetically modified corn traits MIR162 and Bt11xGA21 are now fully approved for cultivation in Brazil. Van Beek Natural Science, L.L.C. has hired Steve Schumacher as a Territory Sales Manager for Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, New York, and western Pennsylvania. When faced with the challenge of preparing for next year’s crop, weed control planning done now can …

New Proceed seed treatment has been approved by the U.S. EPA – providing growers with new generation technology for the protection of cereal seed and seedlings for a strong, green, more successful crop. PhytoGen announces it is introducing a limited number of new varieties in 2010, including its first entry into the mid- to full-season market with PhytoGen brand PHY …

The American Farm Bureau Federation is partnering with the Agriculture Department’s National Agricultural Library to create the National Curriculum and Training Clearinghouse for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. Advanta has reached a research and commercial development agreement with Bioceres S.A., for the development of drought-tolerant sorghum, rice, cotton and brassicas. Boston Millennia Partners (BMP II) has announced that its portfolio company, …

The Purdue University Beef Team has launched a new Web site designed to be an information source for beef producers from Indiana and throughout the Midwest. Ag Leader Technology, Inc., and AutoFarm joined forces. Merck & Co., Inc. outlined its global plans following the completion of Merck’s merger with Schering-Plough Corporation. Electronic trading of MGEX (or Exchange) futures and options …

Veteran agribusiness professional Dr. Jim Budzynski announces the founding of MacroGain Partners. Through a Section 24(c) Special Local Need Registration for INSTINCT nitrogen stabilizer in Iowa during 2008, growers got a first look at the product’s performance in on-farm field trials. This summer, INSTINCT received federal registration and now is widely available across the Corn Belt. J. R. Simplot Company …

Bayer CropScience officially opened its new Cotton Research and Development Laboratory in Lubbock, Texas. New Holland’s new WORKMASTER tractors bear a trusted name, and the same important qualities that made the original WORKMASTER tractors so popular in the 1960s. A team of researchers led by University of California, Riverside (UCR) Professor of Chemical Engineering Wilfred Chen has constructed for the …

The 21 industry legends elected in June as the Class of 2009 are now charter members of the Meat Industry Hall of Fame. AG CONNECT Expo announced a new awards program for those who support “in a compelling way the work of farmers and ranchers to provide abundant and affordable food and fiber.” There are three categories: Ag Woman of …

Hoosier Ag Today has launched two new podcasts in cooperation with two of Indiana’s largest agricultural organizations. Farmcast is a weekly podcast for Indiana Farm Bureau. Hoosier Horsepower is a weekly podcast produced by HAT and the Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Marketing Council. Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health announces the launch of its new Guardian vaccine Web site which provides …