BASF has completed its acquisition of seed treatment company Becker Underwood.
BASF purchased Becker Underwood from Norwest Equity Partners for $1.02 billion (€785 million). With the acquisition, BASF is now a leading global provider of technologies for biological seed treatment as well as seed treatment colorants and polymers. BASF has also expanded its product portfolio in the areas of biological crop protection, turf and horticulture, animal nutrition and landscape colorants and coatings.
“The acquisition fits very well with our long-term growth strategy. It will provide our customers with an even broader range of innovative solutions for agriculture. And it also provides our new colleagues with access to BASF’s global R&D platform as well as new markets and customers,” said Dr. Andreas Kreimeyer, member of BASF’s Board of Executive Directors responsible for the Agricultural Solutions segment and Research Executive Director.
Most businesses of Becker Underwood will join the newly established global business unit “Functional Crop Care” as part of BASF’s Crop Protection division where BASF will merge its existing research, development and marketing activities in the areas of seed treatment, biological crop protection, plant health, as well as water and resource management with those of Becker Underwood. Becker Underwood’s animal nutrition business will be integrated into BASF’s Nutrition & Health division.
The newly formed global Functional Crop Care unit will become effective January 1, 2013. It will be headed by Dr. Juergen Huff, Senior Vice President. Dr. Peter Innes, currently CEO of Becker Underwood, has accepted the position of Global Senior Advisor to the Crop Protection division. He will support the integration of Becker Underwood into BASF and the implementation of the Functional Crop Care unit.
Read the BASF press release for more information. BASF will be having a media briefing on the acquisition next week in Chicago at the CSS 2012 & Seed Expo, which we will be there to cover.
The American Meat Science Association announced winners of the International Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest, held Nov. 18, 2012, at Tyson Foods, Inc. in Dakota City, Neb. In total, 99 contestants representing 16 teams participated in the contest.
Top Individuals, Senior Division:
1. Bo Hutto, Texas Tech University
2. Valerie Manning, Texas Tech University
3. Brandy Cleveland, Kansas State University
4. Thomas Buckham, Kansas State University
5. Colton Christian, Texas Tech University
6. Morgan Neilson, Oklahoma State University
7. Sara Sieren, Iowa State University
8. Devin Gredell, Oklahoma State University
9. Kelsey Steketee, Michigan State University
10. William Haas, University of Illinois
Top 5 Teams, Senior Division:
1. Texas Tech University;
2. Kansas State University;
3. Oklahoma State University;
4. Michigan State University;
5. Angelo State University.
Official committee members for the Intercollegiate Meat Judging contest were John Unruh, Dale Woerner, Tom Carr, Keith Underwood, Ian Shann, Dan Hale and Darrell Dowd.
A root comparison study conducted this season at Monsanto’s Gothenburg Water Utilization Learning Center in Gothenburg, Neb., provided a dramatic demonstration of just how important a deep, strong root structure is to help corn plants withstand drought conditions.
The research program evaluated the performance of a DEKALB® drought-tolerant corn product versus two competitor products – a Pioneer® Optimum® AQUAmax™ hybrid and a shallow-rooted product. A root dig conducted in mid-September showed that the DEKALB product had a significantly deeper, more evenly spread root structure than the other two products.
The result was healthier ears and a yield advantage for DEKALB of 12 bu./A versus Pioneer Optimum AQUAmax and 15 bu./A versus the shallow-rooted product.
This December DEKALB will continue a tradition of introducing innovative new products with the stewarded introduction of Genuity® DroughtGard™ Hybrids in the Western Great Plains for 2013 planting. These products combine the DEKALB brand’s drought-tolerant genetics, developed through the brand’s industry leading breeding program, with the industry’s first drought-tolerant biotech trait and agronomic practices. The DEKALB DroughtGard Hybrids available for planting in 2013 delivered farmers more than 5 bu./A versus competitor products in field trails this year.
Click here to see time-lapse photos of the root dig and video interviews with the participants.
The Ag Leader Technology team talked to farm broadcasters at the recet NAFB convention. I sat down with Lori Costello, Marketing Communications Manager (seated on right), and we talked about the great anniversary year Ag Leader is having.
There are some unique things about Ag Leader Technology that you may not know. For example, Lori says Ag Leader Technology is independently owned and they take great pride in that. The also, “develop, manufacture, ship and support” all of their products right from their office in Ames, IA. When it comes to training Lori says, “We want everyone to be an agnerd.” That’s why they developed the Ag Leader Academy.
Lori says that Ag Leader Technology’s founder, Al Myers, has a main goal to keep being an innovator and bring products that farmers need to the market. It was 20 years ago that Al started the company so that’s the anniversary that the company is celebrating.
Listen to my interview with Lori to find out what else sets the company apart in the precision ag arena here: Interview with Lori Costello
2012 NAFB Convention Photo Album
The last crop progress report on the corn harvest was issued by USDA on November 5, the earliest end to the reporting season since 1985 when they first started tracking the harvest progress. But, as of November 7, Kip Tom of Indiana was one of the growers with the 5% of corn nationwide that was not yet in the bin. “That’s a good thing,” Kip said during an interview at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk. “We’re maximizing the use of our equipment and we had higher yields than we expected.”
Kip gives the credit for his higher than expected yields for both corn and soybeans to the use of BASF Headline, despite the incredibly dry weather. “Doesn’t matter if it’s a low yield or a high yield environment, it (Headline) paid its way,” said Kip. “So we will continue to use that in the future no matter what the weather that Mother Nature gives us to deal with.”
Tom Farms covers land in seven counties in northern Indiana, some of which Kip says was right in the middle of the worst drought region. “In early July, we had beans at R3, R4 barely knee-high,” he explained. “After we applied the fungicide we recognized an average yield of 67 bushels per acre on about 4000 acres of beans.”
Kip, who is one of the AG CONNECT Expo Masters & Mavericks, says weed control was a big challenge with the 2012 drought but he is most concerned with resistance to glyphosate so he is looking forward to the impending release of dicamba tolerant technology. “We’re seeing weed resistance pop up clear up in Michigan,” Kip said.
Kip says they intend to “stick to our game plan” in preparing for the 2013 season. “We’re going for a bumper crop and we’re going to make sure that we use all the resources we have available to us to produce that bumper crop,” he said.
Listen to my interview with Kip here: Kip Tom interview
It has been great following this BASF Great Grower through the season this year.
We first talked to Kip in April when planting just started and he was well ahead of schedule.
Then in June we talked to him and his son Kyle and they said it was “definitely dry.”
By the time we caught up with Kip and his grandson Kamden in September at the Farm Progress Show, it was really dry. “In my 39 years of practicing this occupation, I can very easily say this is the most challenging year we’ve ever faced in regards to dryness and high temperatures,”
It is just a week before Alltech’s 5th Annual Global 500 kicks off. Dairy and beef leaders from across the world will come together to share ideas and educate themselves on new and cutting edge technologies.
They are expecting over 500 beef producers to attend this year’s event. Steve Van Dyke, cow/calf producer from South Dakota, attended his first Global 500 last year and can’t wait to attend again.
“The Global 500 was different from other beef events I’ve attended because it offers a worldwide perspective on beef production, beef sustainability and beef quality improvement,” said Van Dyke. “Alltech’s Global 500 provides information to people in all phases of beef production, but always in an insightful way.”
“The food animal industry is changing rapidly, both in the US and globally,” Van Dyke added. “At Global 500, we were challenged to look at things from a new perspective. The lessons I learned at Global 500 made me a better manager, producer, and steward of the industry I love.”
This year’s agenda seeks to once again offer some insight on topics such as branding beef, social media, employee training, decreasing carbon footprints and mycotoxins as well as many presentations that will address the core theme for the event, the EPS Principle: Efficiency, Profitability and Sustainability.
I am excited to attend this years event and during the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s (NAFB) Trade Talk I had a chance to talk with David Butler, Web Marketing Manager for Alltech. He offered insite to the upcoming event and shared what hot topics will be discussed. Check my interview with David here.
Also during NAFB I spoke with Ann Kopecky, Alltech’s North America Field PR Coordinator, about Alltech’s recent launch of their 37+ Program. This new mass spectrometry technique investigates 38 different mycotoxins allowing for a broader analytical approach into the contamination.
Listen to my interview with Ann here: Ann Kopecky - Alltech
2012 NAFB Convention Photo Album
Last week I shared how Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in the state of Missouri are being threatened by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) new Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP 5). MSIP 5 removes the priority for organizations like the FFA from a students high school education.
Bringing attention to this issue has got a lot of people talking about it and what they can do to help preserve vocational programs for the future of Missouri’s youth. The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association has done just that by releasing a Call To Action In Support of FFA.
The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) submitted comments on behalf of its members today, Nov. 26, 2012, regarding changes that the DESE have proposed in a new version of the MSIP 5 that will impact CTE courses in high schools. The changes have direct implications on agricultural education and FFA.
The new wording in MSIP 5, in comparison to MSIP 4, does not emphasize CTE and student organizations such as FFA. It is important that the wording be clarified to keep these programs strong in the state of Missouri.
MCA is encouraging all cattlemen and cattlewomen to take action and submit a letter of concern. Comments must be postmarked by Nov. 30, 2012. Send comments to:
Margie Vandeven, Assistant Commissioner Office of Quality Schools
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
P.O. Box 480
In MCA’s call to action they also included a sample letter for people to use. It includes three key points that DESE needs to consider changing before MSIP 5 is finalized. I also encourage you to share your own personal story as to why career and technical education programs like the FFA have made a difference in your life.
This morning I spoke with Mike Deering, Executive Vice President of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, about their support for the Missouri FFA and the importance of representatives in Jefferson City to listen to those directly affected by the changes in MSIP 5.
Listen to my interview with Mike here: Mike Deering - MCA
The Lacek Group has a full team assembled for the Dupont Pioneer account. Here they are in the Minneapolis office. Pictured from the left, Myrna Krueger, Kristina Entzminger, Jesse Riebe, Kim Le, Evan Davies, Melissa Norby, Amy Herman, Cole Thompson. Second row: Pete Abell, Jim Adler, Vinny Matassa, Amy Karls, Tricia Severson, Steve Pederson, Kristina Fenner. Third Row: Melissa Huset, Rachel Rabaey, David Carson, Jim Jarvis, Greg Goranson, David Yussen, Jay Walsh. Fourth Row: Elizabeth Kern, Mark Francel. Not pictured, Alan Bell, Amber Heinrich, Elizabeth Holum, Rosa Gatzios, Jay Larson and Randy Olson.
The DuPont Pioneer team at The Lacek Group consists of more than 25 people who possess a wide variety of talents in traditional and digital media. The Lacek Group was retained earlier in 2012 by DuPont Pioneer to handle the company’s full spectrum of marketing communications for the U.S. This includes advertising, digital communications, trade media relations and custom publishing.
“We are pleased to have an opportunity to build a talented team from the ground up,” says Evan Davies, partner and group account director. “We’ve added great talent at all levels and are excited to support the DuPont Pioneer commitment to putting the right product on the right acre.”
Photo Caption: The DuPont Pioneer team at The Lacek Group includes:
The U.S Farmers and Ranchers Alliance is entering its third year. Hard to believe that it has already been that long. The effort continues to gather steam though as you’ll hear in this week’s program.
In New York City just recently, USFRA held its annual meeting in conjunction with the Food Dialogues. here are the newly elected executive committee members.
Chairman – Bob Stallman, American Farm Bureau Federation
Vice Chairman – Weldon Wynn, Cattlemen’s Beef Board
Secretary – Bernard Leonard, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association
Treasurer – Dale Norton, National Pork Board
At-Large – Mike Geske, National Corn Growers Association
At-Large – Nancy Kavazanjian, United Soybean Board
In this week’s program you will hear statements from Bob Stallman and Weldon Wynn during their post-meeting press conference, an interview with past USFRA Secretary Bart Schott and an interview with USFRA Industry Partner Barry Nelson, John Deere. From these sound bites and interviews I think you’ll have a pretty good idea of where things stand with this industry effort to reach out to the customers of our farmers and ranchers.
Listen to this week’s ZimmCast here: USFRA Moves Forward
Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsors, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong and Monsanto, Roundup Ready Plus, for their support.
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