Novus Support World Food Prize

Chuck Zimmerman

Being in Des Moines this week was a great opportunity to see a lot of friends and clients. AgWired sponsor, Novus International, was on display for the World Food Prize activities. In fact, Novus is a big supporter. Pictured are Thad Simons (left), President/CEO and Jill Mahoney, Public Relations.

Thad says the Novus vision to feed the world ties right in with the goal of the World Food Prize to recognize world hunger and that’s why they’re so supportive. The company has also just released their second Sustainability Report, “Health Through Nutrition.” Thad says this report includes more metrics to help show how they are taking this issue seriously.

This report summarizes the past progress and future commitment of Novus International, Inc. to providing innovative solutions that will help feed the world affordable, wholesome food and achieve a higher quality of life.

You can listen to my interview with Thad here: Thad Simons Interview

TATT Global Farmer To Farmer Roundtable Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Novus International, World Food Prize

Borlaug CAST Communications Award Presentation

Chuck Zimmerman

While I was in Des Moines this week I attended the press conference for the CropLife Foundation/CAST 2010 Borlaug CAST Communications Award. This award was announced and presented in September at the CropLife America annual meeting but a presentation was made this week in Des Moines for the press. I recorded the presentation, including introductions and questions and answers. There are additional photos in the photo album too. Dr. Akin Adesina (right) was presented the award by CAST Executive Vice President, John Bonner.

The prestigious 2010 Borlaug CAST Communication Award goes to Dr. Akin Adesina, a distinguished scientist, leader, and communicator who has been working passionately for Africa’s Green Revolution. Dr. Adesina currently serves as a vice president for the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), where he helps set policy and advises former U.N. Secretary Kofi Annan, current president of AGRA. A world-class scholar, Dr. Adesina influences policymakers with his informed speeches, published papers, and tireless leadership.

You can listen to or download the full press conference here: Borlaug CAST Communications Award Press Conference

TATT Global Farmer To Farmer Roundtable Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, International

Interview with Kip Cullers

Cindy Zimmerman

kip cullersSoybean superstar Kip Cullers was in big demand by the media on Tuesday in the thriving metropolis of Stark City, Missouri when the governor honored him for once again breaking the soybean yield record on his contest plot with 160.6 bushels per acre.

I waited until everyone had their turn before doing my interview with Kip, and enlisting the help of his 11-year-old son Noah as my videographer. Noah is the oldest of Kip and his wife Michelle’s three children and Kip says he’s very smart and loves school. He was also a big help to me, watching the video camera during the presentation while I ran around taking photos and handling the audio portion of the program.

Kip talks briefly in this interview about how he “changed it up” this year. “We had two goals – control the white mold and control the height and we were able to accomplish both of those,” he said. “As you can see these beans are a lot shorter than normal,” he said, showing off a sample plant from his contest field. On the advice of BASF Technical Service rep Dennis Belcher, Kip used Cobra herbicide from Valent to kill the main growing point of the soybean and cause it to branch out.

Of course, he used BASF Headline fungicide for overall plant health, “keeping that plant alive, happy and healthy.” BASF is encouraging everyone to send Kip congratulations on his new yield record by going to the SuperSoy landing tab on the BASF Crop Protection Facebook page and upload your personal message of congratulations to Kip Cullers. You can also send congrats through Twitter using hashtag #SuperSoy. BASF will present Kip with an album of all the congratulations received during Commodity Classic 2011.

Kip Cullers 2010 Soybean Record Photos

Listen to my interview with Kip here: Kip Cullers Interview

Watch the video that Noah shot here:

Audio, BASF, Soybean, Video

Changes In Ag Communications

Chuck Zimmerman

I was invited by Michele Payn-Knoper, Cause Matters, to write a guest post on her Gate to Plate Blog, titled, “WKRP, Silver Sows & Communications Changes,” about my observations of changes in ag media. That was posted this week and with her okay, I’m sharing it with you here. I’d love to hear your feedback, especially in answer to questions posted at end:

Who knew seven years ago that the internet would become so ubiquitous and self-publishing software (blogging/podcasting) would allow everyone to become “the media?” Not me. But that was shortly before my wife/partner, Cindy, and I started a company that works exclusively in the production and distribution of online agricultural news and information. Before that we were “traditional media,” working in farm radio broadcasting for 20+ years. Remember WKRP in Cincinnati and Les Nessman, who was proud of his Silver Sow award for hog reporting? Yeah, I’m that old. Well, we were Les Nessman for many stations via syndicated farm reports. But things have changed!

Back in 1985, there were close to 300 broadcast members of what is now the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Today there are less than 150. At the same time, there is far more farm audio news being produced and consumed. It’s just being done via the web, courtesy of podcasting in various forms (some subscription, some click to listen). I still believe farm radio is a viable and valuable media channel. Consolidation wreaked havoc though on an industry that was known for great public service and creativity.

Today, I carry more transmitting power in my shoulder bag than any local radio or TV station. I now broadcast to the world-and so do farmers, agribusiness companies, farm groups , farm radio broadcasters and publication editors. The media has converged in agriculture to the point where farm broadcasters are carrying cameras and farm publications are shooting video. Farmers themselves have become legitimate information sources for the public via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Some may argue about who is “real” media these days – I say everyone is!

I remember doing a Google search for farm blogs when I got started and there were only a handful. Now there are thousands; many are created and managed by farmers as well as the farm media. I just looked at the web stats for AgWired, and in the last month visitors came from 133 different countries! New media channels like blogs, podcasts and social networking now let us broadcast to the global marketplace. Read More

Media

JAFSCD Magazine Now Available

Chuck Zimmerman

There’s a new publication you might be interested in knowing about. It’s the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD) and it’s now online.

The first issue of this international, peer-reviewed journal of applied research and policy analysis is currently open and available free to the public at www.AgDevJournal.com. This allows you to check out the first issue before subscribing. (See the subscription chart below.) JAFSCD is for agencies, organizations, and academics interested in expanding local and regional food systems.

“Growing New Farmers” Is First Special Topic
This inaugural issue is on the timely topic of “Growing New Farmers,” with five articles focusing on the opportunities and challenges of assisting the next generation of farmers.

Additional articles address a wide range of food systems and community development topics:
A study of the experience of 19 adult volunteers on a one-month 100 mile diet
How to apply activity system mapping to a farmers’ market to see how it might improve strategic planning
Legal experts identify the dormant Commerce Clause doctrine as a potential legal barrier to local food purchasing — and a work-around for it
Columns and book reviews round out this first issue.

The second issue on the topic of URBAN AGRICULTURE is COMING SOON!

Media, Publication

Limited E15 Waiver Approval Fosters Mixed Emotions

Joanna Schroeder

The agriculture and ethanol industries responded favorably to the EPA’s decision to approve the voluntary use of E15 in cars manufactured in 2007 or later. The increase in ethanol blended into gasoline fuels could help the ethanol industry have a home for another 4-5 billion gallons per year.

Last year, Growth Energy filed the E15 Waiver and after several delays, the ethanol industry is finally able to celebrate a small victory. “Today’s approval of E15 for newer vehicles is the first crack in the blend wall in more than 30 years, and proves what was laid out in Growth Energy’s Green Jobs Waiver – that E15 is a good fuel for American motorists. And while this is an important first step, there are many more steps we can take toward strengthening our national security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, creating jobs here in the United States and improving our environment,” Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, said.

The American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman applauded the EPA as well. “Ethanol is a clean-burning, home-grown renewable fuel. Increasing the percentage of ethanol in the domestic gasoline supply moves our nation one step closer to greater energy independence. It also promotes job creation in rural America.”

Although the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) was also happy that the EPA took a step in the right direction, they called for EPA to make a quick next step in the approval of E15 in model cars and light duty trucks from 2001-2006. The Department of Energy is still undergoing testing in these vehicles.

“We’re disappointed in the very limited scope of this approval, but pleased the EPA has finally taken action to partially approve the waiver request to allow higher blends of ethanol in some motor vehicles,” said NCGA President Bart Schott, a grower in Kulm, N.D. “We believe this bifurcation of the approval process, and the labels that are expected to be placed on higher-blend fuel pumps, can lead to general consumer confusion and therefore act counter to the original intent.”

The Renewable Fuels Association was a little more harsh than NCGA in EPA’s limited approval of E15. “EPA’s scientifically unjustified bifurcation of the U.S. car market will do little to move the needle and expand ethanol use today,” said RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “Limiting E15 use to 2007 and newer vehicles only creates confusion for retailers and consumers alike. America’s ethanol producers are hitting an artificial blend wall today. The goals of Congress to reduce our addiction to oil captured in the Renewable Fuels Standard cannot be met with this decision.”

While many organizations are supportive of the move, not all are happy. The National Cattleman’s Beef Association criticized the decision or adding another ‘financial burden to all corn users’. “Corn ethanol production is significant to the cattle industry because of its impact on feed grain prices. NCBA’s members strongly oppose mandated production and increasing government intervention that artificially inflates the cost of feed ingredients. This waiver is a step closer to more government mandates.”

AFBF, Ethanol, NCBA, NCGA, RFA

Stoller Helps Kip Cullers Set Soybean Record

Joanna Schroeder

You better believe that Missouri farmer Kip Cullers knows how to grow soybeans. As a matter of fact, he’s the best in the world, as Cindy already told you. Another product that helped Kip reach another record soybean yield is Stoller’s Bio-Forge.

“Ninety-five percent of all the plant nutrients are in the top 4” of the soil. You’ve got to have a good root system,” explained Cullers during the award ceremony. “The thing that helped us the most was by adding the Bio-Forge to our seed treatment. We picked up 5 to 7 bushels with that alone.”

In addition to using Bio-Forge, Cullers also applied Stoller’s FRAME and Keylate Manganese to help control the white mold. Unfortunately for Culler, the conditions of his contest field are ripe for white mold due to heavy irrigation techniques used to cool the plants in the extreme hot temperatures. FRAME and Keylate Manganese also work to protect flower set, improve pod set and increase photosynthesis.

And last but not least, Stoller’s Sugar Mover was used to move sugars and nutrients from the leaves to the grain to enhance pod fill, and then Cullers used a new experimental Stoller product to increase branching expression and increase pod set and fill.

Cullers’ contest plot was planted on April 13, 2010, and soon after the plant emerged he was surprised to find branching and root nodulation at the unusually early unifoliate stage. Cullers had no doubt the seed treatment had gotten his contest plot off to an early and impressive start. Vigorous early root growth, branching and early nodulation were quickly apparent. Other physical highlights included the large and uniform pods that were located up and down the multiple branches and an extended period of nodulation Root systems became so prolific they were difficult to dig up. Since the stalks were unusually large and robust, they easily supporting the pod-laden plants.

“We’re already planning what we’re going to do differently next year,” shared Cullers, “We are definitely going to be using Stoller products because they helped us.”

You can send Kip your congrats by posting a message on BASF’s Facebook page.

BASF, Soybean

Gabriela Cruz Presented Kleckner Trade & Technology Advancement Award

Chuck Zimmerman

During the annual TATT Global Farmer to Farmer Roundtable our participant from Portugal received a prestigious award. Gabriela Cruz received the Kleckner Trade and Technology Advancement Award. I spoke with her about her award and participation in the roundtable and you can listen to our conversation below.

Gabriela Cruz is passionate about many things: the family farm that she and her sisters work and manage on the eastern border of Portugal; the use of soil conservation to combat the erosion that annually tries to steal their land from them; and access to the technology that will allow her to prevail in the future.

Those passions, and Cruz’s drive to change attitudes of European governments that block farmer-access to genetically modified (GM) crops, led to her selection as the 2010 winner of the Kleckner Trade and Technology Advancement Award.

The award, given by Truth about Trade and Technology (TATT), seeks to recognize “strong leadership, vision, and resolve in advancing the rights of all farmers to choose the technology and tools that will improve the quality, quantity, and availability of agricultural products around the world.”

You can listen to my interview with Gabriela here: Gabriela Cruz Interview
TATT Global Farmer To Farmer Roundtable Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Farming, Food, International

Simultaneous Livestock and Ethanol Production

Chuck Zimmerman

One of the places visited by the TATT Global Farmer to Farmer Roundtable was Couser Cattle Company. Our host was Bill Couser. Bill conducted a fascinating presentation about his marriage of row crop farming (corn/soybeans), livestock production and ethanol production! You can see a portion of his explanation in the video below. He used a long table to display all the products he produces starting with an ear of corn and winding up with ethanol (2.81 gal/bushel of corn) as well as by-products like DDGS and ultimately fine quality beef. I loved his description about the whole food vs. fuel debate, “It’s rubbish!”

Thank you to the National Corn Growers Association for making my participation in the program possible.

TATT Global Farmer To Farmer Roundtable Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Beef, Corn, Ethanol, Farming, International, Sustainability, Technology, Video

MachineryLink Gives Soybean Champ Working Man’s Award

Cindy Zimmerman

kip cullersWorld champion soybean grower Kip Cullers got a plaque from Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and a crystal globe trophy from the Missouri Soybean Association for breaking the soybean yield record again. But, MachineryLink presented the “Crop King” with a more practical honor – an embroidered pair of his trademark overalls.

kip cullersTodd Branson and Mark Gabrick were on hand at the Country Cupboard in Stark City, Missouri yesterday when the announcement was made that Kip broke his own yield record again, with 160.6 bushels per acre on his 2010 test fields. “We wanted to give him something he could actually use,” they said.

MachineryLink, which maintains the largest private fleet of combines in North America, is headquartered in Kansas City and is one of several companies that partners with the soybean champion. Our friends at BASF are also proud to be partners with Kip, and they have set up a special spot on their Facebook page to send congrats to Kip. I mean, really – over 160 bushels per acre!? Holy cow! That’s worth a note of appreciation. Send him one here.

View or download photos from Kip’s big announcement here:
Kip Cullers 2010 Soybean Record

BASF, Soybean