Pipestone System Explained at BIVI Swine Seminar

Chuck Zimmerman

One of the presentations at the recent 12th annual Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Swine Health Seminar held in North Carolina included information about the Pipestone System in Minnesota. “The Pipestone System is an organization of about 250 farmers who own their sows and hire us to manage them,” Barry Kierkart, one of the managing partners at the Pipestone Veterinary Clinic explained to me. Pipestone then produces high-quality, weaned pigs and return them to those independent farmers for them to raise and bring to market.

During his presentation, Barry wanted producers to understand the importance of research and the importance of very small numbers that could make the difference in their bottom lines. “That’s really been our focus for them: to measure things that we think are important that they can change to try and improve their efficiency,” he said. One example includes how to improve the gut health of the animal to better use the feed they get. He added that most people are interested in how to apply research done by others to their individual operation.

Interview with Barry Kierkart

2012 BIVI Swine Health Seminar Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine

FMC Launches “Meat and Greet” Road Tour

Chuck Zimmerman

Our friends at FMC are on the road with the Capture® LFR® Insecticide “Meat and Greet” Road Tour, a series of meeting events that are taking place at more than 20 retailer locations across the Midwest now through September 28. “We’ll be visiting retailers to talk with them and their growers about Capture LFR and the benefits of using Capture with a starter fertilizer to control seed and seedling pests,” FMC’s Amie Dunn explained to me during the recent Ag Media Summit.

Amie added they’ll be cooking hot dogs and burgers at these events, which are open to the public and have prize drawings for attending. Capture LFR insecticide is a unique at-plant, liquid insecticide that has been proven to significantly increase corn yields. It works by eliminating soil pests before they ingest (bite and damage) Bt or seed-treated crops. You can find out more about Capture LFR and the “Meat and Greet” Road tour by going to www.zoneofprotection.com.

You can listen to my interview with Amie here: Interview with Amie Dunn

2012 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2012 Ag Media Summit is sponsored by FMC
Ag Media Summit, Audio, Corn, FMC

Bayer Crop Protection for Corn and Soybeans

Cindy Zimmerman

At the recent Bayer CropScience Respect the Rotation event in Collinsville, Illinois, growers learned more about some of the company’s crop protection products for corn and soybeans to help them better avoid resistance issues in the future.

“We want to continue to use the products that we have,” said Mark Waddington, Bayer tech services rep, who talked about insecticides and fungicides for soybean management. Among the products he discussed was Stratego YLD, a dual mode of action product. “Last year we had 51 on-farm trials and saw a positive yield response about 90% of the time, resulting in an average increase of 4.75 bushel per acre.”

Listen to my interview with Mark: Mark Waddington interview

Bayer seed treatment marketing lead for corn and soybeans Ethan Luth talked to growers mainly about Poncho/VOTIVO, which provides a biological seed treatment opportunity to control nematodes in both corn and soybeans. “The bacteria is really the unique part of Poncho/VOTIVO,” he said. “They’re a living organism that grows with the seed.”

Listen to Ethan explain more and talk about what’s in the pipeline: Ethan Luth interview

Mike Weber talked about both Stratego YLD and Poncho/VOTIVO for corn, but also about Corvus and Capreno residual herbicides. “Corvus is our soil-applied herbicide, kind of our one-pass solution for the corn market,” he said. “Capreno is our post-emerge product.” He notes that, like all residuals, these products need some water to work, so the drought had a significant impact on them this year, but normally they work very well and they expect use of these relatively new products to continues to grow because they offer a complementary mode of action to help control weed resistance.

Listen to my interview with Mike: Mike Weber interview

See pictures from the field day in Collinsville in the Bayer CropScience Respect the Rotation photo album.

Audio, Bayer, Farming, weed management

2012 NAMA Boot Camp Kicks Off

Jamie Johansen

The 2012 NAMA Boot Camp just got underway in Kansas City, Mo. Those just entering the working world, as well as veterans have come together to learn more about the agri-marketing industry. I had the opportunity to chat with Erin Nash with Woodruff Sweitzer and the events chair person, about what attendees can look forward to in the coming days.

“We are covering any and all things related to agriculture. Topics, events, new and notes that are timely and kind of the bread and butter of our industry to help either those new to the communications industry within the agriculture sector or those that need a little primer and help them to get up to speed on the lastest topics.”

Listen to my interview with Nash here: Interview with Erin Nash

Follow the event on Twitter using #12NAMABootCamp.

2012 NAMA Boot Camp Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, NAMA

Poll Reveals a Close Presidential Race

Melissa Sandfort

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Which team for President would be best for agriculture?”

Our poll results: Forty-two percent said Romney/Ryan; thirty-five percent said Obama/Biden and twenty-three percent said neither, we need a better choice.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Beyond commodity prices, what will this year’s drought have a greater impact on?” From crop insurance to feed and fuel costs, there are a lot of potential items the drought could impact. But what do you think is going to take the biggest hit?

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

ZimmPoll

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour provides accurate late-season information about likely corn and soybean yields during the upcoming harvest season at the state and regional level.
  • The Meat Industry Hall of Fame is delighted to announce Dr. Temple Grandin will deliver the keynote presentation at the Annual Induction Ceremony and Dinner.
  • Rhea + Kaiser has recently promoted four current staff and added seven new staff to the agency following recent account growth and diversification.
  • The Dairy Business Association is pleased to announce that Deb Barlament has been selected for the position of Development Director with the organization.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Poultry Groups Pleased RFS Waiver Process to Start

    John Davis

    Add Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal to those calling on the EPA to waive the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). In a letter to the EPA (available from the National Chicken Council website), Deal joins Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe and North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue asking for the waiver because of the impact the drought is having on corn. The EPA has posted the notice in the Federal Register and is accepting public comments for the next 30 days. A decision would come within 90 days.

    One of the biggest backers of the waiver has been the poultry industry. In a news release, the National Chicken Council says “it is now abundantly clear that severe economic damage has occurred, and will continue, as a result of the RFS’ strain on the corn supply that has been exacerbated by the worst drought in more than 50 years.” Their colleagues at the National Turkey Federation agree. In an interview with AgWired, the group’s president Joel Brandenberger says that lawmakers created the waiver just for disastrous droughts. “If this isn’t such a situation, you would have to conclude that the waiver process as written is worthless.” Brandenberger says the premise behind the waiver is pretty simple: it will reduce the amount of corn used to make ethanol, and thus, reduce the amount of overall corn used, leading to lower prices.

    Poultry folks make no effort to hide their dislike of the RFS, with Brandenberger asserting that it is the standard combined with the drought that is pushing up prices. “The [RFS] has been distorting the corn market from the first day it was created in 2005,” adding that everyone who uses corn … including ethanol makers … could benefit from a more realistic market price. He also says it unfair for the government to mandate the use of a product, such as corn, for one user, while not guaranteeing markets for others. “As one of my members said, ‘There’s no federal mandate that everyone has to throw a turkey in their basket every time they go to the supermarket.’ We’d really like to get the government out of the business of picking winners and losers.”

    Listen to my interview with Brandenberger here: Interview with Joel Brandenberger, President, National Turkey Federation

    Audio, Corn, Ethanol, Poultry

    AG CONNECT Previews Lineup at Ag Media Summit

    Chuck Zimmerman

    It might be a few months off, but it’s certainly not too early to think about the coming AG CONNECT Expo, January 29-31, 2013 in Kansas City, MO. At the recent Ag Media Summit, I caught up with AG CONNECT show manager Sara Mooney, who says the show will include several co-located meetings and a chance to meet the Masters and Mavericks. “We’re bringing in some very high-level executives, thought leaders, industry experts, and top producers available to answer all kinds of questions,” she explained. Those agribusiness leaders won’t be around just during the numerous panel sessions and classes, Sara says expect to see them throughout the trade show as well.

    More information is available at www.agconnect.com. You can also listen to my interview with Sara here: Interview with Sara Mooney

    2012 Ag Media Summit Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2012 Ag Media Summit is sponsored by FMC
    Ag Media Summit, Audio

    Monsanto Announces New Leadership

    Jamie Johansen

    Monsanto Company recently announced Brett Begemann as their President and Chief Commercial Officer. He will lead the oversight and operational execution of the company’s near-term expansion and growth in key international markets.

    Hugh Grant will continue to serve as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, where he maintains ongoing responsibility for leading the company’s long-term corporate strategy. “Brett has served as a valuable contributor to Monsanto’s agriculture business for nearly 30 years, including leading our global organization, implementing growth strategies both domestically and abroad.” said Grant. “Brett’s leadership has played an important role in accelerating the company’s growth potential and I expect that to continue as our business looks to deliver on the next generation of youth.”

    Throughout Begemann’s career with Monsanto, he has served in a variety of roles across sales, marketing, commercial development as well as senior management positions worldwide. “I’m please to assume this responsibility and focus on the development and delivery of expanded growth opportunities in our global business.” said Begemann.

    Agribusiness

    Come for Beach, Stay for Info at BIVI Swine Seminar

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Lots of good information and a chance for plenty of questions at the recent 12th annual Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Swine Health Seminar held in North Carolina. I talked with Mike Neil with Murphy Brown in Virginia. While he (kiddingly) said he comes for the beach, it’s really the amount of information valuable to his company that brings him there. “It looks like they have a lot of interesting and important topics set out.”

    In addition to getting information, Mike said he’s been able to ask some important questions of his own. “For example, the trade agreements and where the U.S. export is going… the topics of disease,” are ones he cited. He concluded saying he appreciates that a seminar like this shows that Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica is in it with the producer. “With all the things we have to deal with, we need everybody doing their part.”

    Interview with Mike Neil

    2012 BIVI Swine Health Seminar Photo Album

    Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine