General Wesley Clark Addresses Custom Harvesters

Chuck Zimmerman

Growth Energy General Wesley Clark AG CONNECT ExpoAt today’s U.S. Custom Harvesters luncheon, sponsored by New Holland, retired General Wesley Clark took the stage. Gen. Clark says his passion was the military and now his passion is national energy security and the move away from dependence on foreign oil. I have recorded his remarks for you to listen to or share below. Gen. Clark is the co-chairman of Growth Energy.

The U.S Custom Harvesters conference is taking place co-located with the 2013 AG CONNECT Expo in Kansas City, MO.

You can listen to or download General Clark’s remarks here: General Wesley Clark Remarks

2013 AG CONNECT Expo Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Biofuels, Corn, Ethanol, New Holland

AG CONNECT Expo Right on Track for Growth

Chuck Zimmerman

Rob Kolb GEA Farm Technologies AG CONNECT ExpoAssociation of Equipment Manufacturers Board Member Rob Kolb, GEA Farm Technologies, is not only one of the folks working on AG CONNECT Expo but is also an exhibitor. He says that moving the location to the midwest is a good idea and the show is gaining momentum as they build the brand.

He says he would like to see more livestock industry involvement in the show since AG CONNECT Expo is all inclusive and not confined just to equipment like tractors and combines. Rob is seen here being interviewed by Brownfield’s Julie Harker.

You can listen to my interview with Rob here: Interview with Rob Kolb

Charlie O'Brien AG CONECT ExpoAlso on hand to meet with the ag press is Charlie O’Brien, Senior Vice President, AEM. Charlie says that the exhibitors have stepped it up another notch for this show. He says that the exhibits are built to enhance personal interaction and companies have made sure they have product leadership staff on hand to talk to attendees.

Charlie says that AG CONNECT Expo is an every other year show to be slotted in to the schedule of global shows like Agri Technica in Europe.

You can listen to my interview with Charlie here: Interview with Charlie O'Brien

2013 AG CONNECT Expo Photo Album

Sponsored by JohnDeere

Agribusiness, Audio

Funny Headlines

Melissa Sandfort

toenailI’m sure you’ve seen the emails that circulate with pictures of funny billboards or restaurant signs with misspelled words or missing punctuation that make for a good laugh. And to the poor person standing on a ladder with the extension rod replacing “today’s special” and they happen to abbreviate because it’s -10 degrees and snowing, I don’t blame them!

Our small town of 120 people has a hometown newspaper. Delivering the “Bugle” was my very first job and I think I got paid $10 a week…but to a 10-year-old, that was better than dusting and vacuuming for the same pay!

A couple weeks ago as I was driving to town to drop off my kids at daycare, I saw the Main Street kiosk and laughed out loud. I didn’t have my camera with me and by the time I went back at the end of the day, the sign was down. Photo opp missed.

Stick with me here, the story will come together.

So every Tuesday when the Bugle comes in the mail, I faithfully read it cover to cover. Low and behold, this week I came across this article (read the headline). That’s what had been on the kiosk in town: Toenail Clinic. Not only does the headline make me chuckle, the fact that it happens once a month just gets me!

Maybe I should check out the next session and see what they really do at a toenail clinic. After all, isn’t that just what an “AgWalker” needs?

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Enzymes in the Making at Verenium

Jamie Johansen

ippe-13-242-editedTwo years ago Novus International announced the partnership with Verenium. This partnership has focused on bringing new enzyme solutions into the animal nutrition industry.

Jamie Levine, president and CEO of Verenium, was present for this year’s International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta, GA. I met up with him and discussed what this collaboration means for animal agriculture and what they have in the works for 2013.

“Verenium is an industrial enzyme company which means that we develop enzymes for a series of end market users. With Novus we are collaborating on enzymes for the poultry and swine industry, but we also provide enzymes for other industries like corn ethanol and the oil and gas industry. And we will be expanding that list as well.”

“For us our core technology is about taking enzymes from very harsh environments in nature and applying it to the industrial settings.”

Looking into the future, Verenium’s mission is to develop new products to meet unmet needs of the industry. They are constantly asking themselves, are there enzymes out there that will bring technology in and help solve some problems for the feed industry.

Check out my complete interview with Jamie here: Interview with Jamie Levine

International Production & Processing Expo Photo Album

Sponsored by Novus International Inc

Audio, IPPE, Novus International, Poultry, Technology

The Incredible Egg Man

Jamie Johansen

ippe-13-195-editedA celebrity in the egg world, Howard Helmer, shared his love for eggs during the Novus International breakfast at the International Production & Processing Expo this morning.

What is Howard’s claim to fame? In 1982 he became the Guinness Book of World Record holder for fastest omelet making. He make 427 omelets in 30 minutes. But that’s not all, he also holds two other world records for making omelets.

So, why this fastenation for eggs? Howard worked for the American Egg Board and their sole purpose is to promote egg consumption and as this title holder he was a natural to become a spokesperson for the egg industry. He has traveled the world sharing his passion for eggs and teaching the easy process of omelet making. Along side with Novus, Howard is helping spread the word about World Egg Day held in October.

His eyes light up when talking about his love for cooking and sharing how important eggs are to consumers. Howard couldn’t be more full of life if he tried and last year the International Egg Commission named him Egg Promotor of the Year.

Check out my complete interview with Howard here: Interview with Howard Helmer

International Production & Processing Expo Photo Album

Sponsored by Novus International Inc

Audio, Food, IPPE, Novus International, Poultry

Need an Easy Superbowl Meal?

Talia Goes

22Grab the television remote, your football jersey and some friends. It’s time for the big game! Preparing a delicious meal for the party is easy; here are a few recipe ideas from Martha White that will make you a winner:

— White Chicken Chili with Cheddar Hushpuppy Crust: This chili marries the perfect blend of spices and cornbread to create a rich and flavorful meal.

— Grilled Chicken Skillet Pizza: What could be better than pizza for the big game? Combine fresh vegetables and grilled chicken on a Martha White corn meal crust for a mouth-watering crowd favorite.

— Bacon and Gorgonzola Cornbread Sliders: Take a cue from the trendy miniature sandwich to create a slider made on a bacon and Gorgonzola cornbread muffin. These delectable Martha White cornbread muffins are spread with a tangy sauce and filled with little burgers, cheese and grilled onions.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a 49ers or Ravens fan, bring on the good food! Enjoy the game …

Agribusiness, Food

Making Precision Data More Valuable

Chuck Zimmerman

Terry Griffin CrescoAg AG CONNECT ExpoAt a networking breakfast this morning at AG CONNECT Expo, sponsored by CaseIH, Dr. Terry Griffin, VP – Applied Economics CrescoAG, spoke on the “Making the Most of Precision Ag: I have all this data. Now What?” It is a good example of the type of sessions you’ll find at throughout the show.

Big data is kind of a hot topic right now in all industries, including agriculture. I was interested to see what someone with Terry’s experience would have to say about it.

I recorded Terry’s remarks which include a lengthy Q&A session for you to listen to. He does talk about some slides which I do not have to share but I think you’ll find some of the ideas he presented very interesting. Some of those that I took note of include. GPS guidance profitable with short payback. 3rd party help in the total precision ag system is needed. Without it there is a gap that provides an opportunity for companies right now. He said that “Data from single farm has finite value to that farmer. Greatest value is pooled community analysis.” Terry also talked about the whole concept of sharing data into a system for the benefit of all farmers. There was some disagreement in the audience about how this could work and concerns for what would happen with their local data.

You can listen to Terry’s presentation here: Precision Ag Presentation by Terry Griffin

2013 AG CONNECT Expo Photo Album

Sponsored by JohnDeere

Agribusiness, Audio, Precision Agriculture

Zimfo Bytes

Talia Goes

Zimfo Bytes

Monsanto Acquires Select Assets of Agradis, Inc.

Talia Goes

logoMonsanto Company announced it has purchased select assets of Agradis, Inc. Monsanto’s purchase includes the Agradis name and its collection of microbes that can improve crop productivity. Monsanto has also acquired the company’s R&D site in La Jolla, Calif.

Agradis was formed in 2011 by Synthetic Genomics Inc and Plenus. The assets of Agradis not purchased by Monsanto include castor and sweet sorghum breeding and genetic optimization technologies, as well as a novel product used to prevent fungal growth on fruits and vegetables. These assets will continue to be advanced by SGI and Plenus in a new company, AgraCast.

The announcement also includes an agricultural research agreement between Monsanto and SGI. The multi-year research collaboration will focus on the analysis of microbe-plant communities and screening for beneficial microorganisms that could be used to develop additional biological products to improve agricultural productivity. Monsanto has also made an equity investment in SGI. Terms of the investment were not disclosed.

Agribusiness

Using Corn to Support Biofuel Production

Talia Goes

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, ”How many machines (tractors, etc.) does your farm own?”

Our poll results: The majority of you at thirty-five percent own 10+ machines and equipment. Twenty-five percent own 3-5, close behind was 6-9 at twenty-one percent, thirteen percent own 1-2, and six percent said other. As we suspected, every farm and farmer has a different way of doing things which means some need more machinery and some need less.

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Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Do you support biofuel production and the use of corn to do this?” Biofuel production of corn produces several types of biofuels such as biodiesel, biogas and different bioalcohols. This high octane mixture can be used in most of today’s modern traditional types of vehicles. Is this the way of the future? Let us know what you think.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by New Holland Agriculture.

Biofuels, New Holland, ZimmPoll