Sharing The Novus Vision

Chuck Zimmerman

The President/CEO of Novus International is Thad Simons, seen here addressing the audience for the company’s 20th Anniversary Celebration at the headquarters in St. Louis, MO. Thad says that 20 years “seems like yesterday.” Many of the original founders and Novus team were on hand. He says this celebration provides an opportunity to take a look back and see “where we came from.” The original vision is still the vision of today.

In order to better learn what the needs of their customers are Thad says Novus has brought in people from fifteen countries to share their perspectives. Part of the discussion is looking forward to the next twenty years. As most companies and farmer know, the need for food is going to double in a very short time and Thad says that Novus and their customers take that challenge seriously and are looking for ways to meet the challenge. He says that interaction with international visitors shows how common the challenges are in all countries around the world. Thad Simons Interview

You can watch Thad’s remarks to the Novus 20th Anniversary Celebration in this video:

If you’d rather, you can download or listen to Thad’s remarks here: Thad Simons Celebration Remarks

Novus 20th Anniversary Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Novus International

Congratulating Novus International On Twenty Years

Chuck Zimmerman

We had a fantastic lineup of speakers for the Novus International 20th Anniversary Celebration. They all lined up at the conclusion of the festivities. I have captured remarks and interviews with a couple of them to share with you and will have a couple more later.

Missouri’s Director of Agriculture, Dr. Jon Hagler, was on the program. Jon says that what Novus has accomplished is a serious benefit to Missouri. He loves the slogan, “Innovation with Integrity,” which “so well suits Novus International. Having a company like Novus here for twenty years make such a difference not only for communities like St. Charles and St. Louis but also for farm families all across the state, all across the nation and frankly if you look around us, all across the world.” I also asked him about the current status of farm disasters from flooding and storms. He points to Missouri Agriculture Disaster Relief Fund as a place that people can get information about how to help those who are struggling to recover. Dr. Jon Hagler Interview

I also recorded his stage comments for you which you can download and listen to here: Dr. Jon Hagler Remarks

Another one of our speakers was Dr. William Danforth, Chairman, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. He says that it’s great to have a company like Novus that “serves the world.” He calls their growth an “expansion into something very important and that is providing enough food for people to eat.” He says we’ve got great challenges and Novus is going to help solve them. Dr. William Danforth Interview

I also recorded his stage comments for you which you can download and listen to here: Dr. William Danforth Remarks

Novus 20th Anniversary Photo Album

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Novus International

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Lextron, Inc. and Animal Health International, Inc. announced the close of their transaction and completion of the merger.
  • NSF Davis Fresh has changed its name to NSF Agriculture to more accurately reflect new services that include GlobalGAP certification and food safety services for livestock, poultry and egg production operations.
  • Dr. John Varty is setting out to chronicle how and why agriculture production has changed in Canada as farmers work to meet the demands of an increasing global population. As Varty travels across the country, driving a Massey Ferguson 1660 compact tractor, he will explore a variety of agriculture-related subjects.
  • The 13th annual International Food Aid & Development Conference will be held in Kansas City, Mo., June 27-29, 2011. The theme of this year’s conference is “Food Aid: Results that Matter to Hungry People.”
    Zimfo Bytes

    Senate Votes to End Ethanol Blenders Tax Credit

    Cindy Zimmerman

    An amendment to end the ethanol blenders tax credit (VEETC) passed the Senate today by 73 to 27, a vote that some agricultural groups applaud while some denounce, while the ethanol industry says it is unlikely to matter.

    “Today the Senate voted against rural America and domestic, renewable energy, and in favor of more foreign oil,” said National Corn Growers Association President Bart Schott of North Dakota.

    The Renewable Fuels Association calls the vote disappointing but “ultimately inconsequential” since the underlying economic development bill to which this amendment is attached is “unlikely to make it to the president’s desk.” American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Executive Vice President Brian Jennings added that the votes are “symbolic and will not become law. The ethanol industry notes that just last month, the Senate voted to protect tax subsidies for the oil industry. “Ironically, the United States Senate has spent the better part of a week on an amendment that is unconstitutional and going nowhere, even while the news pours in that OPEC has hit a high-water mark of $1 trillion in revenues,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis

    U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the Obama administration opposes an abrupt end to the VEETC. “We need reforms and a smarter biofuels program, but simply cutting off support for the industry isn’t the right approach. Therefore, we oppose a straight repeal of the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) and efforts to block biofuels infrastructure programs.”

    On the other side of the corn field, National Cattlemens Beef Association (NCBA) President Bill Donald called the vote “a giant step toward leveling the playing field for a bushel of corn” noting that cattle producers “support our nation’s commitment to reducing our dependence on foreign oil. But after 30 years and more than $30 billion in taxpayer support, the day has come to let the mature corn-based ethanol industry stand on its own two feet.”

    A coalition of groups, including food retailers, poultry organizations and environmental interests also applauded the vote as “the start of a new era for U.S. biofuels policy.”

    Immediately after the vote to end the VEETC, senators defeated an amendment that would have stopped federal funding for ethanol blender pumps by a vote of 41 to 59. At the same time, the House approved an amendment to the ag appropriations bill for the same thing by 283 to 128. The appropriations measure must still go through the Senate and is likely to change there.

    Beef, Corn, Ethanol, NCBA, NCGA

    GIPSA Funding Cut in Ag Appropriations Bill

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The U.S. House of Representatives today voted 217-203 to pass the agricultural appropriations bill for fiscal 2012, cutting $2.7 billion in discretionary spending, including funds for USDA’s proposed Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) regulation.

    nppc doug wolfThe National Cattlemens Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), both opposed to the proposed rule, are pleased that the appropriations bill could put it on hold. “The National Pork Producers Council is grateful that the House is requiring USDA to take a time out on the GIPSA rule, which as proposed is bad for farmers and ranchers, bad for consumers and bad for rural America,” said NPPC president Doug Wolf of Wisconsin, who adds that the rule would cost the pork supply chain about $333 million a year.

    ncba foglesongNCBA past president Steve Foglesong of Illinois says their beef cattle producer members are thrilled with the vote in the House. “When we had our annual meeting back in February, the priority coming out was this GIPSA rule,” Steve said. “It was one thing our members said absolutely cannot happen.”

    Other organizations pleased with the action include the National Turkey Federation, National Chicken Council and American Meat Institute. The appropriations measure still must go through the Senate and is likely to change substantially.

    Listen to comments from Doug and Steve here: NPPC and NCBA on GIPSA Funding

    Audio, Beef, GIPSA, NCBA, NPPC, Pork

    Novus Developing Innovation With Integrity

    Chuck Zimmerman

    I’m on location for the big Novus 20th Anniversary Celebration. This Platinum Leed Certified building has continued to be developed, including the landscape. I’ve got some other views of the facility in the online photo album I’ve started.

    To kick off my coverage I just met with Francois Fraudeau, President, Specialty Business. Francois is moving to the headquarters in St. Louis after having managed Novus business in the European and Asian markets. He says that his new position is part of the recent company organizational changes that have been made to position the company for future growth. He also says that Novus will use “Innovation with Integrity” to help meet the food needs of a growing world population. That he says required the development of new technologies, keeping in mind the need to focus on sustainability. Francois Fraudeau Interview

    Novus 20th Anniversary Photo Album

    Audio, Novus International

    Novus International Celebrates 20 Years

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Novus International is having a birthday party today and I will be there. Actually Novus is having birthday parties all over the world this year in celebration of 20 years. The company will host more than 500 people from more than 30 countries this week at its headquarters facility in Missouri Research Park.

    Confirmed to speak at the Novus 20th Anniversary Ceremony:
    • Honorable Jeremiah “Jay” Nixon, Governor of the State of Missouri
    • Susuma Katagiri, Mitsui and Company, Ltd. (representing Novus’ Board of Directors)
    • Thad Simons, President and CEO, Novus International
    • Dr. Joe Privott, President of Privotts, LLC and Former President of Novus International
    • Dr. Jon Hagler, Director of Agriculture State of Missouri
    • Roberto Kaefer, President, Globoaves
    • Thanomvong Taephaisithphongse, Executive Vice President, Betagro Group
    • Dr. William H. Danforth, Danforth Plant Science Center
    • Dr. Marcos Fava Neves, Professor University Sao Paulo, Brazil & Author, The Future of Food Business

    During World Pork Expo I spoke with Dan Meagher, President, Novus Global Animal Nutrition Solutions Business Unit. Dan attended the Novus celebration in Brazil and I’m sure I’ll see him today in St. Louis. You’ve got to like a company that has multiple birthday parties in different countries.

    Novus has experienced significant growth. Dan says they are a lot closer to accomplishing the company vision which is “helping to feed the world affordable, wholesome food.” In our interview Dan talks about how the company has grown.

    Novus was founded in 1991, and today, has employees working in more than 100 countries, serving more than 3,000 customers worldwide. Novus has facilities including corporate offices, research and development laboratories, and manufacturing operations in more than 50 countries.

    Dan Meagher Interview

    Agribusiness, Audio, Novus International

    Take a Seat

    Melissa Sandfort

    When I was little, I always wanted to ride in the tractor with my dad. And even though my memory isn’t that great, I DO remember sitting in the hallway crying and throwing a tantrum because I had the chicken pox and mom wouldn’t let me go with him to feed the cattle .

    The tractor he used didn’t have a passenger seat, so he cut a 2×4 that went from the arm rest to the window sill. That quickly became MY seat. In particularly rough fields, I really had to hang on because as dad’s seat flexed up and down, my 2×4 board bounced all over the place and nearly slid off. By the end of most rides, my rear was bruised but I was none worse for the wear.

    This is a cast iron tractor seat saved from a seed drill from the Hoosier Drill Company. Hoosier Drill was acquired by the Oliver Farm Equipment Company in 1929, so this dates back pre-1929.

    Can you imagine bumping around over a field in this seat with no padding? I’m no longer complaining about the 2×4.

    Until we walk again …

    Uncategorized

    Pam Johnson Elected National Corn Growers VP

    Cindy Zimmerman

    An Iowa farm woman is on track to be the first female president of the National Corn Growers Association next year.

    pam johnson ncgaThe National Corn Growers Association Corn Board today elected Pam Johnson of Iowa to become the organization’s first vice president for the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. When she becomes NCGA president in October 2012, Johnson will be the first woman to lead NCGA.

    Johnson farms with her husband and two sons, raises corn and soybeans on a 2,700-acre farm in Floyd, Iowa. They also manage a seed business and are members in value-added businesses such as ethanol and biodiesel. Johnson is the board liaison to the NCGA Grower Services Action Team and has served on the Finance Committee and has chaired both the Bylaws Committee and the NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team.

    Pam has already shown herself to be an advocate for agriculture and a leader in the industry. I interviewed her at Commodity Classic this year about how she stood up for women in agriculture in response to criticism by the Environmental Working Group. As liaison to the Grower Services Action Team, Pam had the pleasure at the Classic of presenting five college students with $1,000 scholarships as part of the NCGA Academic Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program sponsored by BASF Crop Protection.

    Chuck also interviewed Pam last fall during the TATT Global Farmer to Farmer Roundtable in Des Moines.

    Corn, NCGA

    Brownfield Announces Charter Ohio Affiliates

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Brownfield Ag News announced the charter affiliates for its Ohio network today. Local ag coverage will be handled by Dave Russell. Meanwhile, new Brownfield farm broadcaster Meghan Grebner is getting some in-studio training at the company headquarters in Jefferson City, MO. Cindy and I had dinner with Meghan earlier this week and we look forward to her continued contributions to AgWired! Meghan is pictured on the left of Brownfield farm broadcaster Julie Harker.

    Ohio Brownfield Ag News is pleased to introduce its outstanding line-up of Charter Affiliates. These radio stations are committed to serving the agricultural audience in their respective areas and are carrying Ohio Brownfield Ag News radio programs: WERT-AM 1220, Van Wert; WKSD-FM 99.7, Paulding; WLOH-FM 104.5, Lancaster; WLOH-AM 1320, Lancaster; WLOH-FM 99.3, Logan; WCSM-FM 96.7, Celina; WMTR-FM 96.1, Archbold; WFOB-AM 1430, Fostoria; WMVR-FM 105.5, Sidney; WVNU-FM 97.5, Greenfield; WKFM-FM 96.1, Huron; and WKTN-FM 95.3, Kenton.

    Ohio Brownfield Ag News radio network provides news, markets, weather, event coverage and feature and commentary programming relevant to those who live and work on farms and in rural communities in Ohio, and to those with an interest in food and fiber production in the Buckeye state.

    Ohio Brownfield is committed to local, on-the-ground coverage of agriculture, with Veteran Farm Broadcaster Dave Russell living and reporting in the Buckeye state. With the backing of an award winning team of nine other full-time farm broadcasters, two of whom are dedicated to market coverage, Russell has more time to focus on Ohio agriculture.

    Media