Alltech Symposium Wrap-Up

Chuck Zimmerman

Dr. LyonsThis is my favorite photo from the Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium. I think I’ll call it “Dr. Lyons.” You can actually see both Doctors, Mark and Pearse. I took the photo when Dr. Pearse Lyons was introducing his son, Dr. Mark Lyons during our final general session. A picture of Mark was projected on the screen. You can click on the photo to see a larger version and it’s also in my photo album.

I think the picture tells a story as pictures so often do. At the beginning of the Symposium Pearse was introduced by Mark (a first) and at the end of the Symposium Mark was introduced by Pearse. These are two very compelling speakers and I would have to say that Alltech has a very solid succession strategy in progress.

I was afraid I wouldn’t get to speak with Dr. Pearse Lyons before leaving today but fortunately I did catch up to him and have a Symposium wrap-up interview for you. All I can say is, “Wow.” Actually, I’ll let Pearse say it in the interview and more than once!

This year’s Symposium was by all measures a success. It was one of the largest in terms of attendance with a huge international component. It is a big boon to the city of Lexington. Dr. Lyons says, “if we all come together, if we are a team and if we realize that no one person can make a team, but a person can be a crucial part of a team, we can go anywhere.”

I mentioned my photo and asked him about the future of Alltech. He says he’s been fortunate to have been able to live the American dream but he says there’s something very special to be able to say to 2,300 employees, “you’re in good hands.” You’ll be able to hear the pride in his voice when he talks about his son.

Of course the interview does not end without a plug for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Put them on your radar because the whole world will be watching Lexington, KY this fall.

2010 Alltech Symposium Photo Album

Alltech, Audio

Alltech Symposium Concludes

Chuck Zimmerman

Alltech Symposium ClosingThe Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium has concluded. For our closing we heard some final words from Dr. Pearse Lyons who was then joined on stage by some of the great voices we heard at the opening International Dinner.

Dr. Everett McCorvey, UK, led a song which is included in the audio I’ve posted below. It was an inspirational way to conclude!

If you didn’t get to see this morning’s sessions I’ll be doing some posts on the presentations and you can watch a recording of the live stream on the Alltech website. You can also scan back through the Symposium Tweets using the #AlltechSymposium hashtag.

I have much more to post in coming days but am getting ready to hit the road with a stop in St. Louis for some meetings tomorrow.

2010 Alltech Symposium Photo Album

Alltech, Audio

Final Day of Alltech Symposium

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s the final day of the Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium. This morning there are several general session presentations. You can watch them live on the Alltech website.

I finally had a chance to get some participant interviews done yesterday afternoon and will be posting them during the next several days. I hope you’ve been enjoying the coverage here. I continue to be amazed by the organization and quality of this conference. The staff at Alltech work at a frantic pace to make sure everything happens on time and that the facilities and overall experience for the participants is excellent.

I’ll be heading over to the general session room from this great media room momentarily and finish out the morning there. So stay tuned and enjoy a video look at yesterday’s afternoon sessions.

2010 Alltech Symposium Photo Album

Alltech

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Foster Team Building

Chuck Zimmerman

Eric HeemskerkThe Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium brings in participants and customers from all over the world. I met several of them during a reception yesterday. They represent companies that have partnered with Alltech for the upcoming World Equestrian Games. I’ll feature interviews with them over the next several days. So let’s get started with the Netherlands.

Eric Heemskerk, Heemskerk, says his company is based in the Netherlands but also works in Belgium and Germany. They have both equine and dairy products. Eric says business in his country has been very strong.

Heemskerk is a partnering company with the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and Eric sees the event as a great opportunity. He calls the opportunity one of team building since his company works very closely with Alltech and together they hope to make the Games very successful. His goal is to build that team spirit between his customers, his staff and the Alltech representatives he works with.

2010 Alltech Symposium Photo Album

Alltech, Audio, International, Uncategorized

Alltech Discussion Dinners

Chuck Zimmerman

Alltech DinnerThis evening participants in the Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium broke up into discussion dinners with various topics. I attended the dairy dinner.

Other topics included:

* Food Fight: Do consumer perceptions affect the future of commercial agriculture?
* The Urban-Rural Divide: Farmers need to learn how to communicate with the media (pictured)
* Greening planet: Regulatory considerations for animal agriculture
* Contaminants in feed: How can feed & food companies address this challenge?
* Mycotoxins from the 2009 Crops: Realities & solutions
* Train your people and risk they leave or not train them and risk they stay?
* Poultry profitability: Do benchmarking systems help or hinder?
* New standards for pig nutritionists: 35 pigs per sow, 2.2 FCR
* Will milk be the ‘new oil’ again? Perspectives for a return to profitability
* Beefing up demand and profitability: What goes into a successful beef program?
* The equine genome: What does it mean for you and your horse business?
* Aquaculture: Is the future so bright?
* Profits from pets: The next frontiers of knowledge.

2010 Alltech Symposium Photo Album

Alltech

First Annual NAFB Lake Girls Retreat

Cindy Zimmerman

lake girlsThe 1st Annual NAFB Lake Girls Retreat was held this past weekend at the lovely home of the incomparable Sara Wyant and Al Johnson of Agri-Pulse.

Some of you may remember that a group of gals who are NAFB old-timers got together and bought the weekend at Al and Sara’s up for bid at the NAFB Foundation auction last fall. That included myself, Cyndi Young and Anita Vanderwert (both with Brownfield), Cindy Cunningham (Pork Board), Sally Behringer (Nicholson-Kovac), Janet Adkinson (KMZU-Carrollton, Mo.), and Robin Loftin (Southeast Agnet).

Unfortunately, Cindy C and Robin were unable to make it at the last minute, but we invited Meghan Grebner with WIRL in Peoria to join us and we all had a fabulous time — even without any sunshine. The weather was crappy, but the company was wonderful.

lake girlsSara and Al were very gracious hosts and showed us a great time at the Lake. We were able to take the boat out on Saturday and have lunch at Shorty Pants, a drink in Paradise and dinner at The Fish. It was all quite marvelous and only the weather could have been better.

There are more photos posted on Facebook pages of those who were there. We’d love to do it again, if Sara and Al put it up for NAFB auction again, but there are lots of others who have already said they want to go with us next year (girls only! Sorry guys… although Al would like some company). Sally says, “We’re gonna need a bigger boat!”

Thanks Al and Sara for a wonderful weekend and for your support of the NAFB Foundation!

NAFB

Wet Weather Slows Planting Progress

Cindy Zimmerman

cornCool, wet weather slowed down corn and soybean planting last week, but didn’t stop it.

USDA reports that 38 percent of the soybean crop is now planted and 87 percent of the corn – which is way ahead of last year in both cases and a comfortable amount above normal. Both crops are emerging ahead of normal – corn at 55 percent and soybeans. The rain especially put the brakes on planting in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri and there are concerns that a little replanting may be necessary in some areas that got a little flooding or have standing water.

This photo was taken in a field right next to the Missouri River where it flows past Jefferson City. The river was expected to crest higher than it did over the weekend, which spared this field all but a few rows on the edges.

Corn, Soybean, USDA

Alltech Great Debate

Chuck Zimmerman

Great Debate PanelThe third Great Debate is underway at the Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium. This panel answers questions posed by a moderator and these guys don’t hold anything back. This year they’re talking about “People, Profits and Planet: Views from around the world.”

Pictured are (l-r) Trent Loos, Loos Tales, Nebraska, USA, Osler Desouzart, Managing Director, OD Consulting Planning and Strategy, Brazil, Gordon Butland, Director, G&S Agriconsultants.Co. Ltd., Patrick Wall, Associate Professor of Public Health, University College Dublin, Ireland

I’m going to share some selected comments from them when I have time later. We’ve got a reception following immediately and then multiple dinners organized by animal species preference. The photo album is up to date.

2010 Alltech Symposium Photo Album

Alltech

Alltech Young Scientist Awards

Chuck Zimmerman

Lee-Anne HuberThe Alltech Young Scientist winners have been announced. Maybe you had a chance to see it live but if not here are the winners. First up in the Undergraduate Category is Lee-Anne Huber, University of Guelph, Canada.

For the fifth year, and with more than 5000 applicants, global animal nutrition company, Alltech has focused in on their 2010 Young Scientist local winners. The Alltech Young Scientist Award brings together the world’s brightest scientific thinkers from colleges and universities across the globe. Alltech, celebrating being 30 years old, has a history of supporting education initiatives as this is the fifth year Alltech has put on their Young Scientist program.

Michael SteeleThe other big winner in the Graduate Category is Michael Steele, also University of Guelph, Canada.

So Canada has a clean sweep in the competition this year. As you can see above, getting 5,000 entries is big but Dr. Pearse Lyons has made a challenge to get that number up to 50,000!

They’re both pictured in between Inge Russell, Alltech and Dr. Mark Lyons, Alltech. You can see a list of the 10 finalists on the Alltech website.

2010 Alltech Symposium Photo Album

Alltech

Looking Forward To Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Chuck Zimmerman

Dr. Pearse LyonsHere’s Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech, facing his adoring paparazzi. The founder of Alltech is looking forward to the upcoming World Equestrian Games which will be held in Kentucky. He should be after investing millions of dollars in the event. According to Dr. Lyons the games may never be held here again so there’s a lot of pressure to make these the best games ever.

I spoke to him at the Kentucky Night celebration during the Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium. He says there are 61 countries participating in the games and that gives Kentucky a great opportunity to welcome the world. An economic impact study shows that the event will have a $167 million impact on the region but that doesn’t take into account the facilities that have been built and are already being used to host other events.

The World Equestrian Games is a wholesome family oriented event that is free to children under 12 yrs. old and $25 for children over 12 yrs. old (that includes me). Dr. Lyons says, “Y’all come to see us in September, y’hear?”

2010 Alltech Symposium Photo Album

Alltech, Audio