Corn Utilization & Technology Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

cutcThe 2010 Corn Utilization and Technology Conference (CUTC), is scheduled for June 7-9 in Atlanta and has more to offer than ever before. I’m looking forward to another CUTC and stopped in the National Corn Growers Association office recently to get a preview of the program.

CUTC has been expanded to include new topics that will be of value to many audiences, such as life cycle analysis of new technologies, land use issues, aquifers, water quality and usage and greenhouse gas emissions. “The CUTC is a very interesting conference in that it really looks at the technical issues around corn and corn milling,” says National Corn Growers Association Director of Biofuels & Business Development Jamey Cline, who is chairing the plenary session “Land Use Conundrum…Corn, an Advanced Biofuel?” which will focus on the role land use criteria played in the decision that corn does not currently meet the qualifications of an advanced biofuel. The session will include both presentations and a panel discussion and will also explore how the United States will meet its greenhouse gas reduction mandates given that corn is currently the only significant source of ethanol in today’s marketplace.

CUTC will be held at the Atlanta Hilton Hotel in downtown Atlanta, Ga. Registration information is available on-line.

Listen to my interview with Jamey talking about CUTC in general and his session in particular.

Ag Groups, Corn

National Summit to Wrap Up Rural Tour

Cindy Zimmerman

A national summit for rural America will be held in Missouri next month to wrap up the Obama administration’s Rural Tour.

USDA Rural TourAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will host the day-long “National Summit of Rural America: A Dialogue for Renewing Promise” on June 3 on the campus of Jefferson College near St. Louis.

“This Summit will be an opportunity for rural Americans to share their vision for creating a more prosperous and promising future for rural America,” said Vilsack. “The Obama Administration is committed to strengthening rural America, and now farmers, ranchers, and foresters from throughout the country can have the opportunity to engage with key policymakers and community leaders to discuss the priorities and policies necessary to keep its future bright.”

This National Summit culminates the Rural Tour Secretary Vilsack led last year and visited 22 states to begin a conversation with farmers, ranchers, and people who live in rural communities. It will feature plenary and breakout sessions on issues including rebuilding and revitalizing rural America, creating new jobs, improving infrastructure, improving farm competitiveness, and encouraging innovation in renewable energy.

If you want to attend the summit, you have to register through the USDA Rural Tour website. USDA says early registration is recommended as attendance will be limited due to space constraints.

USDA

Hogs On The Hill

Chuck Zimmerman

Hogs on the hill could mean different things to different people. In this case we’re talking blogging hogs as in the pork industry and Capitol Hill. That’s because Hogs On The Hill is a blog and “The voice of the U.S. pork industry with a swine’s eye view.”

Welcome to Hogs on the Hill, a blog that will offer commentary on issues of importance to the U.S. pork industry. We hope you’ll visit often, and feel free to comment on any of our posts.

Ag Groups

R+K Q+A Update

Chuck Zimmerman

The NAMA ABEF was the big winner in this year’s R+K Q+A promotion.

This is the second year R+K sponsored its text message promotion, coined “R+K Q+A,” during the annual NAMA conference, held this year April 20–23 in Kansas City. Working in partnership with NAMA leadership and Commodity Update, R+K executed the promotion, which consisted of a series of questions that conference attendees were encouraged to answer via text message. For each text message received, R+K made a donation to ABEF, which funds leadership programs, a national marketing competition and scholarships for agri-business students. R+K donated all proceeds to ABEF, raising $1,800 for the organization.

Agencies, NAMA

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • A new tool is available to hay and forage producers, locally and nationwide, to help them harvest a better quality crop: Dur-Adjust features a dual spring and rod system for DARF Hay Rakes.
  • Sci Protek Inc. has secured exclusive global licensing rights to a new technology, a yeast, that will help manage the spread of one of the worst diseases affecting crops such as wheat and barley.
  • QC Supply and Gillis Ag Systems have joined forces and are looking forward to providing the industry with an expanded range of products along with improved engineering, technical support and installation service.
  • Pfizer Animal Health announced the first recipients of a new $2 million scholarship program for U.S. veterinary students.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Daryl Southard Joins Leica Geosystems

    Chuck Zimmerman

    AgWired sponsor Leica Geosystems has added Daryl Southard, inside sales representative, to their North American Agriculture Solutions group. He started in early April, and is based out of Leica Geosystems’ Ag Solutions headquarters in Denver.

    With nearly a decade of sales and product development experience in GPS navigation and premium networking systems, Southard is a great fit for the Leica agriculture team in North America. Previously, Southard worked in sales and product development.

    “Daryl is a great addition to the team and brings with him a wealth of experience managing inside sales of technical products,” said Harlan Little, NAFTA business manager. “Daryl has a great ability to connect with our customers and will provide additional training and sales support. We look forward to bringing his skills and talents to bear in our business.”

    Agribusiness, Leica Geosystems

    Syngenta Gets BIO Award for Feeding the World

    Cindy Zimmerman

    BIOSyngenta was honored this week at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) International Convention in Chicago with an award recognizing achievements in crop productivity innovations that help feed the world.

    SyngentaBIO annually honors companies in the categories of “Healing, Feeding and Fueling the World” based on a pre-conference poll of attendees. Syngenta was named the “Buzz of BIO” award winner in the “Feeding the World” category by attendees at this year’s BIO International Convention.

    “The Buzz of BIO contest has been a popular part of our pre-convention activities. BIO International Convention attendees voted for their choices and Syngenta was the winner this year in the Feeding category. Congratulations,” said John Craighead, Managing Director of Investor Relations & Business Development, Biotechnology Industry Organization.

    Syngenta

    Bouncing Back To Alltech

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Looking ahead, my next big trip will be to Alltech’s 26th International Animal Health and Nutrition Industry Symposium, May 16-19.

    In a year when much of the world has been impacted by the economic downturn, Alltech’s symposium will focus on a number of key issues critical to the success of a business. Building on the company’s previous symposia, the 2010 Symposium, ‘A Time for People, Profits, and Planet’ will drill down to the factors crucial to a company’s survival.

    Alltech

    New Beef Advertising Campaign

    Chuck Zimmerman

    This looks like it could be what’s for dinner tonight. The Beef Board’s new advertising campaign is premiering this month with a tagline of “29 Lean Cuts. One Powerful Protein.” Print ads like this one include recipes. The recipe for the meal in the photo is posted after the break below.

    “This campaign reinforces consumers’ passion for the great flavor beef provides, while helping consumers identify the variety of lean options beef offers,” said Weldon Wynn, rancher from Star City, Arkansas, and vice chair of the industry’s Joint Advertising Committee. Beef farmers and ranchers from across the country direct the Beef Checkoff-funded “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” campaign. “I’m proud to be part of this exciting venture in helping Americans get to know the many great tasting lean beef cuts available,” said Wynn.

    The new print advertisements feature plated shots of beef with an homage to each cut’s personality. For example, the T-Bone advertisement zeroes in on a beauty shot of the steak and points out: “When all the steaks get together, they call this one boss.” The ad for the Filet Mignon, also known as the Tenderloin, reassures you that “’mignon’ is just fancy talk for mouthwatering.”

    The print advertisements will appear in monthly national magazines with an emphasis on food, health/fitness, parenting, lifestyle and men’s sports. Radio spots on nationally syndicated radio shows and satellite radio, combined with an outdoor advertising campaign in select markets, will follow shortly after the print ads launch. Public relations, health professional outreach, social media and retail promotional efforts round out this integrated effort. Read More

    Advertising, Beef

    Zimfo Bytes

    Melissa Sandfort

      Zimfo Bytes

    • Farm Progress Companies is pleased to announce it has been honored with an award from min: the prestigious min’s Most Engaged Media Brand Award.
    • DuPont announced the EPA granted the historic commercial registration of Optimum AcreMax 1 insect protection for Pioneer brand corn hybrids.
    • Bayer CropScience announces a $7.5 million contribution to the Texas Tech University Department of Plant and Soil Science, Lubbock, Texas.
    • DuPont named William S. Niebur as leader of its Pioneer Hi-Bred business in China.
      Zimfo Bytes