Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

    NCGA’s Tolman Receives FEW High Octane Award

    Chuck Zimmerman

    I am attending the 2011 Fuel Ethanol Workshop which is being held in Indianapolis, IN. It’s the “technical” conference for the industry where lots of the latest in technology and processes are presented in multiple, simultaneous workshops. This morning it was also where the 2011 FEW High Octane Award was presented.

    Receiving the award is Rick Tolman, CEO, National Corn Growers Association. The award was presented by Tom Bryan, BBI International. Rick made a few comments about working in support of the industry. He says there are three main reasons for why he does it. First, it’s the economy, to take some of the money that’s going overseas and invest it in rural America. Then it’s the environment, trying to bring the reality of a clean, renewable energy source to the U.S. and reduce our GHG emissions. And third it’s national security, to bring home the men and women overseas trying to protect the flow of oil. You can listen to or download his remarks here: Rick Tolman Award Remarks

    You will find much more coverage of the 2011 FEW over on our sister website, Domestic Fuel. Feel free to follow the Twitter hashtag, #FEW11 too.

    2011 FEW Photo Album

    Our coverage of the 2011 Fuel Ethanol Workshop is being made possible by the Renewable Fuels Association.

    Ag Groups, Biofuels, Corn, Ethanol, NCGA

    Boats Go Fast on Ethanol

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Whoever says that ethanol hurts marine engines has never seen boats running at more than 80 miles an hour on E-10.

    Boat racers from coast to coast gathered this past weekend in the ethanol-producing town of Garnett, Kansas for the National Boat Racing Association (NBRA) “Garnett Ethanol Hydroplane Nationals.” The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) partnered with NBRA earlier this year to help dispel concerns about the use of ethanol fuel in boat engines. The partnership includes the use of the RFA “Fueled with Pride” logo on signage around the racing events, as well as on all the racing boats and haulers.

    See more photos from the race here: NBRA Ethanol Boat Race

    All of the boats that race in NBRA competitions around the country this year have to prove they are using 10 percent ethanol fuel in order to be eligible for additional prize money in the race. “We test all the fuel before the race and then the top three entries in any class are tested when they come in to make sure they are running ethanol,” said NBRA president Dan Crummett – yes, the same Dan Crummett who might be better known to the Agwired audience as Executive Editor for Farm Progress Companies.

    The NBRA races include a number of different classes of hydroplanes and runabouts with stock and modified outboards that run as fast as 96 miles per hour. Crummett says most of the issues that boaters experience when using ethanol-blended fuel can be addressed with better maintenance. “Any fuel will degrade over not a long period of time once the oil is mixed in it,” he says, which is why it’s so important for boaters to avoid leaving fuel set n the tank for an extended time.

    Listen to my interview with Dan Crummett here: NBRA President Dan Crummett

    Each race in each class is just three laps around a relatively small course – but really, really fast! Take a look in the video below:

    Corn, Ethanol, RFA

    Food Bloggers Get Out On The Farm

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCast 309Would you be surprised to know that many food bloggers aren’t real familiar with where the food they write about comes from? Probably not. Most people today do not understand how food is produced and have no real connection to the farm regardless of what kind of food or farm you’re talking about.

    The Iowa Corn Growers have done something about this. Last week they hosted a group of “guest bloggers” to Iowa and I met them during Iowa Corn Indy 250 weekend activities. Pictured in the center is food blogger, Allison Loesch along with her husband on the right and Iowa Corn Promotion Board Chair, Dick Gallagher.

    I know that many of you want to know how to reach out to and engage consumers more. How about reaching out to those very involved in social media on the consumer side? In this week’s program you will hear Mindy Willamson, Iowa Corn Growers, talk about the group they hosted and from Allison. I think you’ll find what they have to say interesting.

    Listen in and learn more about food blogging: Guest Blogging with Iowa Corn Growers

    If you’d like to get to know this group of guest bloggers here is how you can find and follow them. Their names are links to their blogs:

    Hopefully they will join #FoodChat which is the Twitter conversation that takes place the third Tuesday of each month from 8-10pm, ET. All other Tuesday’s it is AgChat!

    This week’s program ends with some music from Music Alley. It’s called “Food” by Deirdre Flint.

    Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

    The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our Subscribe page.

    Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Food, ZimmCast

    Novus International Partners With Verenium

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Novus International will be expanding its animal nutrition products thanks to a new partnership with enzyme company Verenium.

    novusThe focus of the partnership will target the development of products using Verenium enzymes for the global poultry, swine, beef, dairy, aquaculture and companion animals markets. “These new enzyme products will give us the ability to offer new solutions to the performance challenges our customers face,” said Novus International president and CEO Thad Simons.

    Verenium is an industrial biotechnology company that develops high-performance enzymes for various industries, including biofuels.

    Verenium“We are extremely enthusiastic about our partnership with Novus, the potential opportunity it represents for the continued development of our pipeline and for Verenium to become a more active participant in the animal health and nutrition marketplace with our suite of high-performance enzyme products,” said James Levine, President and Chief Executive Officer at Verenium.

    Read more here from Novus and here from Verenium.

    Animal Health, Novus International

    Zimfo Bytes

    Melissa Sandfort

      Zimfo Bytes

    • Monsanto Company and Amvac Chemical Corporation announced an agreement that broadens Monsanto’s Roundup Ready PLUS weed management platform in the United States to include Amvac’s Impact herbicide beginning in the 2012 crop season.
    • Seed World magazine has awarded agronomy scholar Matthew Mattia with the Future Giants of the Seed Industry award.
    • The National FFA Organization has selected seven collegiate FFA members to participate in the FFA Global Outreach: Africa program.
    • AgriLabs announced that the company has signed an exclusive sales and marketing agreement with SmartVet, makers of the VetCap Delivery System and AIMC insecticide GelCaps.
      Zimfo Bytes

      Straight as an Arrow

      Melissa Sandfort

      The crops in the fields around our small town are growing, green has replaced the dreary brown of winter and oh the humidity makes my skin feel good. This photo was taken a few weeks ago when the field rows were more visible, revealing the straight, symmetrical lines of corn and soybeans. I know many farmers use GPS to set their lines, but the pattern accuracy always amazes me.

      When I was in high school, a bus full of band and chorus students took a trip to Washington, D.C. which included Arlington National Cemetery. Now I’m not sure if the headstones are placed using chalk lines, GPS or just by eye-balling it, but they’re straight as an arrow from all angles.

      And I’m not sure if the 300,000annual visitors to Arlington experience the same awe when they see corn fields, but I know I appreciate it. It demonstrates farmers’ dedication to accuracy, attention to detail and efficiency.

      And we all know how I like things to be “just so.”

      Until we walk again …

      Uncategorized

      Iowa Corn Indy 250 Won By Marco Andretti

      Chuck Zimmerman

      In an American corn ethanol fueled race at Iowa Speedway, Marco Andretti wins the 2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250. Here he is in Victory Lane with 2nd place finisher Tony Kanaan and 3rd place Scott Dixon.

      Following Victory Lane Marco and his Dad, Michael, held the winners press conference. I asked him his thoughts on racing in front of 2,500 corn growers and using fuel they grew. I had just interviewed him two days ago at a local ethanol promotion. He says, “I think it’s great we can be green and still have performance. We’re thankful to have their support. I love this place. Iowa’s great.” Marco Andretti Ethanol Remark

      You can listen to the full press conference here: Marco/Michael Andretti Press Conference

      2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

      Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Ethanol, Indy Racing

      Young Iowa Corn Indy 250 Fans

      Chuck Zimmerman

      I don’t know if these are future Iowa corn growers, Pioneer sales reps or IndyCar drivers. Whatever it is they’re having fun out here at Iowa Speedway. We’re getting ready for a great Indy race under the lights. The weather looks like it’s going to be okay and we’ve got a sold out crowd.

      I’ve been adding some green photos to the photo album so please feel free to visit. I’ll be back on with the winner after the race later this evening before returning home to ZimmComm World Headquarters tomorrow. See you in a while.

      2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

      Ag Groups, Corn, Ethanol, Indy Racing

      Pioneer Going Green For Iowa Corn Indy 250 Again

      Chuck Zimmerman

      Here’s what the hood of the Iowa Corn Indy 250 official pace car looks like. It’s proudly displaying the Pioneer logo as the presenting sponsor.

      Todd says the relationship with the Iowa Corn Growers in sponsoring the Iowa Corn Indy 250 has been very beneficial. As he puts it, “It’s a great event for the state of Iowa. It’s great for agriculture.” All of the cars racing this evening will be running on 100% corn ethanol showing how well the fuel performs in an engine. Pioneer brings in a lot of their customers for the event. In fact, I’ve heard that there will be approximately 2,500 farmers at the race track today. I’ll be out on location this afternoon in advance of tonight’s race. Let’s hope the weather improves. Todd Frazier Interview

      2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250 Photo Album

      Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Audio, Corn, Ethanol, Indy Racing, Pioneer