At the National Ethanol Conference here in Phoenix, AZ last night we were blessed with one of the famous desert sunsets.
We have been covering the 16th annual conference, which also marks the 30th anniversary of the Renewable Fuels Association, on our sister website energy.agwired.com. This is the fifth year we have covered the conference and we enjoy it more every year!
Check out more photos from the NEC here:
It’s time for entries for this year’s Livestock Publications Council contest and critiques. Here’s what the difference is:
LPC Contest:
· This is the standard contest the LPC has conducted for years. The only difference: No critiques are provided.
· This is your opportunity to compete against other LPC members for awards in 54 categories.
· These awards will be presented during the LPC Contest Awards presentation at the Ag Media Summit in New Orleans, La.
LPC Critique:
· This is not a contest. This is your opportunity to meet with a professional who has reviewed your submitted portfolio for one of five categories.
· You can ask questions and receive an in-depth critique of your work on Sunday, July 24, at the Ag Media Summit in New Orleans, La.
· This critique will be recorded, so that you may take the information back to your staff. And, if you’re not available that day, we will provide the recorded critique to you.
You can find forms here.
At the National Farm Machinery Show John Deere unveiled a new line of subcompact tractors – the 1 Series Subcompact Utility tractors. The media got a preview before the show opened one morning. You can see the presentation by Kevin Branstetter, John Deere Product Manager, in the video clip below. I also interviewed Kevin.
Kevin says their are two models, the 1023E and 1026R. He says they’re customer designed and will accept a full range of implements. One of those is a mid mount mower deck that allows the operator to drive over it and auto connect! Also important is an auxiliary power outlet so you can keep your mobile phone charged while you’re mowing or working. They’ll be available in John Deere dealers soon.
You can listen to my interview with Kevin here: Kevin Branstetter Interview
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.
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 …
Some 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:
According 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:
The 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
It’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:
