State of the Ethanol Industry Live

Chuck Zimmerman

Good morning from Phoenix, AZ and the National Ethanol Conference. We’re going to stream the opening remarks and state of the industry speech for you starting at 8am MST. On the stage will be Renewable Fuels Association Chairman, Chuck Woodside and President/CEO Bob Dinneen. After their remarks I’ll post the audio and recorded video for you as soon as I can.

So, feel free to send a link to this post to your friends and neighbors who are interested in ethanol for a look at what’s ahead for the industry. Just click on the player below to begin the feed.

Post Update: Here’s the recorded version of our live feed from this morning.

Audio, Ethanol, RFA, Video

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

Zimfo Bytes

When Was He Born?

Melissa Sandfort

Asking “When was he born?” might be a polite way to ask “How old are you?” But I’m allowed to ask that question of ancestors long gone.

This photo is of Jonathan Henry, my Grandmother’s great-grandfather, born in 1848. This was taken in 1898. He farmed along the Missouri River until it rose out of its banks and washed away the farmland. As any good farmer would do, he tightened his suspenders (and his belt), forged ahead, and purchased another piece of land for each of his five boys.

To go back to Jonathan’s story though, I oftentimes hear mention of a farmer with his trusted steed. Horses have been an important part of farming since the 1800s (and still remain so in some parts of the country and some farming operations) – this horse and buggy in particular were once used to transport jugs of water out to the men in the field. I felt a little guilty as I packed an insulated mug of Folger’s coffee for my husband this morning.

And I have to note that the horse and buggy required a great deal of work: constantly maintaining horse health, fly nets had to be kept in supply (the strings over the horse’s back pictured here), blanket pins. It’s quite unlike tossing my coat in the car (which is already warm from our insulated garage) and off I go.

I don’t need to ask how old he was…Jonathan Henry died in 1932.

Until we walk again …

Uncategorized

Serving Up Kentucky Aquaculture

Chuck Zimmerman

Kentucky AquacultureSome of the best food I ate in Louisville at the National Farm Machinery Show was cooked up in the food booth run by Ruth Ohlendorf. I was a repeat customer starting with catfish one day and rainbow trout on another. Mmm. Mmm.

Ruth says they cook around 2,000 pounds of catfish and 1,000 pounds of trout during the show. That’s a lot of fish. Her customers love it and she says she gets a lot of repeat business. Ruth is a good ambassador for the Kentucky Aquaculture Association.

You can listen to my interview with Ruth here: Ruth Ohlendorf Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:
New Holland

Ag Groups, Aquaculture, Audio, National Farm Machinery Show

New Holland Explains Tier 4

Chuck Zimmerman

New Holland Tier4According to Sean Dorosz, New Holland, farmers are becoming increasingly aware of new Tier 4 standards. He told me that they are asking questions based on familiarity with the subject.

During the National Farm Machinery Show New Holland had a special location just to conduct Tier 4 tractor clinics and answer questions. Sean is conducting a session with some of them in the photo and you can hear him present following my interview with him.

You can listen to my interview with Sean that is followed by audio of him doing one of his presentations in the booth to a group of customers here: Sean Dorosz Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:
New Holland

Audio, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland, Tractor

National Ethanol Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Bob DinneenThe National Ethanol Conference in now underway in Phoenix, AZ. Cindy and I are here and will covering the conference on Domestic Fuel. We started out cool and wet for this morning’s golf tournament. So much for a warm dry desert experience. I’ve still got quite a few stories to post from the National Farm Machinery Show and will do that during the next couple days.

Here in Phoenix I sat down with Bob Dinneen, CEO, Renewable Fuels Association (pictured center) for our annual preview of the conference. Bob says attendance is up and the networking opportunities like today’s activities provide are going to be used by those attending to get some work done. Featured speakers include James Carville and Mary Matalin who will provide their perspective on policy. He says this is going to be a pivotal year for the ethanol industry.

You can listen to my interview with Bob here: Bob Dinneen Interview

2011 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference

Cheering For American Ethanol At National Farm Machinery Show

Chuck Zimmerman

American Ethanol CarIt’s time for American Ethanol to take the stage at the Daytona 500 this weekend! It will be NASCAR history as every car will be powered by Sunoco Green E15 – a blend of 15 percent American ethanol. This fuel change, which will become standard for all three NASCAR series this year, represents a shift in professional racing toward a more sustainable, environmentally friendly, domestic fuel source.

At the National Farm Machinery Show, the American Ethanol car was on display in the Kentucky Corn Growers booth. On hand to talk about the partnership was Dennis Duchene who works for the Richard Petty Driving Experience. He’s a NASCAR guy and as you’ll hear, a cheerleader for American corn growers.

You can listen to my interview with Dennis here: Dennis Duchene Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:
New Holland

Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Ethanol, National Farm Machinery Show

National FFA Week is Approaching!

Melissa Sandfort

The National FFA Organization will celebrate National FFA Week Feb. 19-26, 2011. Infinite Potential is the theme this year and members are encouraged to envision, discover and achieve their potential within their communities.

The week of George Washington’s birthday was designated by the organization as National FFA Week in 1947. “George Washington made a lot of contributions to agriculture and the development of the United States,” explains Landan Schaffert, national FFA secretary. “He had a very diligent work ethic, an honest character and also was very good at record keeping. Those are all things that we hope for our members to accomplish in the National FFA Organization.”

During the week, national officers will travel to different parts of the country to visit FFA members, participate in special events and meet with leaders of the agriculture industry. Individual chapters initiate events throughout the week to promote FFA and agriculture in their classrooms and communities. Events include community service projects, educational lessons for elementary students and promotional programs for students, teachers, and alumni.

For more information about National FFA Week, visit www.ffa.org/ffaweek.

FFA

AsgrowMobile.com

Chuck Zimmerman

Asgrow Mobile.comWith mobile apps on my mind, my attention was caught by a billboard in the Monsanto/Asgrow booth at the National Farm Machinery Show for AsgrowMobile.com. It’s not an app but a smartphone friendly website for growers to find the latest soybean information that includes a Rep/Dealer Locator, Seed Resource Guide, Yield Information and more.

I spoke with Kirby Bacon, Asgrow, who describes the new mobile web site: Kirby Bacon Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:
New Holland

Apps, Audio, National Farm Machinery Show, Soybean

New Holland Receives FinOvation Award

Chuck Zimmerman

New Holland FinOvation AwardDuring the National Farm Machinery Show Farm Industry News presented their 2011 FinOvation Awards at an evening banquet. Our sponsor, New Holland, won in the Tractors, High-horsepower, 4-wd category for their T9 Series Tractors. Seen with their award are Abe Hughes, VP Sales/Marketing, North America (left) and Sean Dorosz, Tractor Marketing Segment Manager.

I spoke with Abe earlier in the day at the New Holland exhibit. He says he has put together a leadership team and plan to rejuvenate the New Holland brand. Abe says there is a lot of buzz at the New Holland booth because of all the new products they’ve introduced recently, many of which are on display here at the show. He says that you should see that New Holland employees are “now speaking with a passion and an energy.” Looking ahead Abe says there is good news but some cautionary notes. On the good news side, commodity prices are up and global food demand is up. On the cautionary side though he says that raw material shortages are showing up. He encourages dealers and farmers to get their orders in as soon as possible

Enjoy his enthusiasm for the brand in our discussion.

You can listen to my interview with Abe here: Abe Hughes Interview

2011 National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album

AgWired coverage at the National Farm Machinery Show is sponsored by:
New Holland

Agribusiness, Audio, National Farm Machinery Show, New Holland