Syngenta at Commodity Classic

Chuck Zimmerman

Syngenta at Commodity ClassicSyngenta held a press conference at the recent Commodity Classic to discuss challenges growers have in the upcoming season and the Syngenta commitment to make their R&D investment “local” to the grower. Getting things started was Tracy Mader, head of product marketing for Syngenta Seeds. He asked the ag media how many new technologies they had heard about, seen or product launches they had encountered in the last twelve to twenty four months. I don’t keep count but there has been a lot. He calls it a golden age of opportunity for many growers not only because of commodity prices but also for available technologies. Syngenta had a full team on hand to talk with the media. I was able to record the press conference for your listening pleasure but didn’t have a chance to talk one on one at that time.

You can listen to and download the Syngenta press conference here: Syngenta Press Conference

2011 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Commodity Classic, Syngenta

BASF and Monsanto Move Forward on Dicamba Tolerance

Cindy Zimmerman

BASFBASF and Monsanto are taking their dicamba tolerant cropping system collaboration to the next level.

The two companies today announced a new agreement to “facilitate further development work and subsequent commercialization of a dicamba tolerant system, which includes innovative dicamba formulations proprietary to BASF and the dicamba tolerant trait for soybeans, which is proprietary to Monsanto. The system is expected to be introduced in the United States and Canada in the middle of the decade, pending regulatory approvals.”

monsanto“The introduction of dicamba tolerant crops combined with improved dicamba formulations will provide farmers the tools they need to combat the yield-robbing weed resistance some are facing in their fields today,” said Markus Heldt, President of BASF’s Crop Protection division. “Since the introduction of Clarity® in 1992, BASF has continually improved its dicamba offerings. Our next generation products will offer yet another step change in volatility reduction while maintaining the highest level of weed control. The system, along with proper stewardship measures, will ultimately deliver peace of mind for growers.”

“We are committed to providing farmers with the weed management tools they need to be successful,” said Robb Fraley, Monsanto’s chief technology officer. “Our work with BASF brings us one step closer to bringing more improved weed control offerings to farmers. We expect the formulations to be an excellent complement to Monsanto’s dicamba tolerant seed technologies when they are brought to market.”
Upon commercialization, the dicamba tolerance trait is expected to be stacked with the high yielding Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybean trait. Monsanto also has corn, cotton and canola dicamba tolerant crops in its research and development pipeline. These next-generation technologies are aimed at offering farmers multiple modes of action and superior application timing flexibility in combating weeds.

Read more here.

BASF

IFAJ and NAMA Deadlines

Chuck Zimmerman

IFAJWe’ve got a couple of deadlines coming up this Friday. The first one is for entries for the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism Award. Since each country member of IFAJ can nominate a member (that’s AAEA in the USA) you need to get your application in if you would like to be considered.

The award recognizes the leadership potential of young members (35 and younger), and supports their participation at the IFAJ congress through this $1,000 EUR award, designed to help offset travel and registration to Canada, in this case.

Apply by emailing Future Ag Communicators Committee Chair Mindy Williamson (mwilliamson@iowacorn.org) the following:

  • Name, company, email, phone number (applicants must be no older than 35 as of Dec. 31, 2010)
  • Three samples of your work
  • An explanation of why you have leadership potential in agricultural journalism and communications


National Agri-Marketing AssociationAnother deadline this Friday is early registration for the 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference. So get ready to harvest some ideas in Kansas City, MO in April!

New Breakout Sessions on Sustainability, Animal Welfare and Management

Internationally Known Keynote Speakers to challenge you and share information you can use right away

Outstanding Networking with industry leaders and decision-makers

If you’re responsible for brand identity and market development – and if you want to rub elbows with the movers and shakers in the industry – make plans to join NAMA this April in Kansas City.

You’ll discover how to:

* use proven tactics to affect the behavior of your target audience
* attract and hold on to customers from younger markets with big buying power
* unlock the “seven triggers of fascination” that add a strategic marketing approach to the art of influence

The 2011 NAMA Agri-Marketing Conference is going to take your know-how to the next level.

IFAJ, NAMA

Vintage American Angus Video

Cindy Zimmerman

Here is a totally hilarious, must-see video. It is a vintage promotional film produced by the American Angus Association in the early 1970s called “Your Best Beef Buy,” which shows the importance of selecting for quality when ensuring a satisfying eating experience. The advice is still solid but the 70s fashion and film production techniques make it just funny! Thanks to the American Angus Association for sharing!

Beef, Video

The Derry Brownfield Show Tribute

Cindy Zimmerman

Derry BrownfieldGood ol’ Brown Derryfield will be remembered today at 10:00 central time as “The Derry Brownfield Show” will be a memorial to the man who was common sense personified. It’s planned to be the final episode of the talk show which started in 1994.

As Chuck already noted, we’ve known Derry for over 20 years now, having moved from Florida to Missouri to work for him in December of 1991. In fact, it was my idea – along with fellow Learfielder Mike Mayfield – that Derry start the talk show. I just talked with Mike, who is an engineer for Zimmer Radio Group, and found out that ZRG has been working with Derry for the past couple of months on the production and distribution of the talk show. There is still a possibility the show can continue as “The Common Sense Coalition” but that has yet to be decided.

You can listen to the show live from the link on the front page of the show website. Many people, including Chuck, are lined up to give short memories of Derry – as many as they can fit in a one hour show! Here is the embed code from the website – see if it works:

Post Update: It did and now you can listen to the tribute program from the DBS archives: Derry Brownfield Tribute Show

I know there are lots of folks out there who have fond memories of Derry and favorite “Derryisms.” If you would like to share – comment on this post or write on the wall of the DBS Facebook page. My personal favorite of Derry’s sayings was “ignorance gone to seed” but most appropriate now is the way he signed off on every DBS:

“May the good Lord bless and keep you whether near or far away. May the good you wish for others shine on you today. May your heart stay tuned to the music that will cheer the hearts of men. May the good Lord bless and keep you until we meet again.”

Derry’s funeral arrangements are still in the planning stages, but we will let you know as soon as we do.

Post Update:

The arrangements for Derry’s funeral are… Tuesday visitation 4-8 and funeral on Wednesday 11:00 a.m. Bowlin Cantriel Funeral Services in California, MO.

Uncategorized

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

    Welcome To Ag Week

    Chuck Zimmerman

    National Agriculture DayWelcome to Ag Week. The National Ag Day activities will be celebrated tomorrow in Washington, DC and all over the country. I will be in the nation’s Capitol to attend Ag Day activities with support from the Agriculture Council of America and the American Seed Trade Association. During the next couple of days I’ll be featuring interviews and photos from the events as well as getting to know my sponsors better.

    Things will start off with an Agriculture Appreciation Reception hosted by Agri-Pulse this evening that features my friend and musical artist Michael Peterson. Then tomorrow morning we’ll have the National Ag Day Coffee followed by the National Ag Day Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon. At the luncheon we’ll have approximately 100 student delegates from FFA, 4-H, AFA and The Consortium in attendance, along with Outstanding Farmer of the Year honorees. Finally we’ll have the National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner, hosted by the Agriculture Council of America.

    So, I’ll see you from Washington, DC after what I hope will be a pleasant drive to the airport. We got surprised this morning in central Missouri with 3-5 inches of snow!

    AgWired coverage of National Ag Day is sponsored by:
    Agriculture Council of America and American Seed Trade Association and Syngenta

    Ag Day

    It’s a Family Affair

    Melissa Sandfort

    This column has caused quite a stir. Not only do I get the pleasure of writing about the farming history of my Grandfather and some of the “ways of yesteryear” from my Grandmother, but today, I have my Aunt to thank for “loaning” me a story idea. This truly has turned into fine family fun!

    When you were younger, did you have one of those red GAF viewmasters? It was a version of a 3-D stereoscopic toy for viewing seven images on photo disks. I had one as a kid…in fact, it’s in the closet for my son when he gets older.

    What I didn’t know was that 3-D was around long before the viewmaster. This is a stereoscope, which features two photos which are ever so slightly different, positioned side-by-side, one for the left eye and one for the right. When you look through the glass, these two flat images combine into one image that gives the illusion of depth, or 3-D. Stereoscopes were first made in 1840.

    Between the 1840s and the 1920s, they were used for entertainment and education purposes, and virtual travel. They taught children about geography, natural history and many other subjects.

    Today, we have transitioned to television and movies which are available in 3-D. This just goes to show that the technology was around long before we imagined. We’ve just adapted and grown those technologies into ideas on a much larger scale. Or maybe I should say, on a much larger screen.

    Until we walk again …

    Uncategorized

    Zimfo Bytes

    Melissa Sandfort

      Zimfo Bytes

    • Jon Ferguson of Kensington, Kan., has been elected as the new president of CattleFax, and Kent Bamford, Haxtun, Colo., as its president-elect.
    • Jeff Lautt was named President of POET.
    • The National Pork Board announced a new branding position celebrating pork’s ability to offer a wide range of options in the kitchen: Pork® Be inspired.
    • The Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council is looking to recognize dairy producers through their Reproduction Award Program for accomplishing reproductive efficiency with well-implemented management procedures. This year nominations can only be submitted online, and must be completed by May 1.
      Zimfo Bytes

      Remembering Derry Brownfield

      Chuck Zimmerman

      Derry BrownfieldI just received word that my very good friend Derry Brownfield has passed away. I’m kind of in shock and will update this post when I get more information. I’ve known Derry almost all of my professional career in agricultural communications and am finding it hard to imagine a world without him. This is a photo from a couple years ago when I was enjoying an afternoon with him at his little bit of Heaven on Earth (the cabin).

      Wow, this is tough to write and there’s so much I can say about this man. He has been a self described rude, crude, mean-spirited, politically incorrect (many more words too) person and I loved him dearly. We did not ever see eye to eye on everything but we thought a lot a like on enough things to just plain enjoy each others company. Derry Brownfield quotes are legendary and I’m sure most are recorded and remembered by his fans and foes.

      Derry was 79 years old and still in the studio and able to saddle and ride a horse. He taught me a lot about life. This fall would be the 20th year for me to deer hunt on his property. We spent many times checking cattle and fence on it too. This photo was provided by Learfield Communications and comes from the time he broadcast from his farm. I’ve got to stop for now. More to come when I learn it.

      I thought I’d add the last interview I did with Derry in 2009. I think it gives you a good sense of the Derry Brownfield spirit: Interview with Derry

      First Post Update: Here’s the notice that Clyde Lear, Derry’s original partner in Learfield Communications posted this morning.

      Second Post Update:       Thanks to Steve Mays, Learfield Communications, for putting together a slide show video with music that Derry loved:

      Third Post Update: You can find a number of Derry photos on The Derry Brownfield Show Facebook page.

      Fourth Post Update: Bob Priddy, News Director, Missourinet, has written an awesome recollection of Derry that is worth a read. And he also found a great video of Derry that I have to share with you.

      Fifth Post Update:

      The arrangements for Derry’s funeral are… Tuesday visitation 4-8 and funeral on Wednesday 11:00 a.m. Bowlin Cantriel Funeral Services in California, MO.

      Audio, Media