Land Values

Chuck Zimmerman

Mike ShaneFarmland values was a very important topic of discussion at the Farmland Investment Fair put on by the Chicago Farmers. One of the educational sessions on the topic was conducted by Mike Shane, First Farm Credit Services.

Mike told me they focused on what land values are now and what drives them. They can’t predict them of course. He says they’ve see a leveling off of values in recent years and decline in certain areas like the Dekalb, Kane and McHenry county areas around Chicago but if you go further south in the state they’re more flat or even higher. Land is still available and they’ve seen some land sell for as much as $8K in those areas. Interest rates were a question they got asked a lot and right now they’re about as low as they’re going to go.

You can listen to my interview with Mike below.

Chicago Farmers Farmland Investment Fair Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio

New Beef News From BIVI

Chuck Zimmerman

Craig JonesNew things are coming to the cattle industry market from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica. During a media breakfast at the recent Cattle Industry Convention I spoke with Craig Jones, Sr. Associate Director Cattle Services. He told me that the company has had great interaction with producers who have been visiting with them in their booth.

Their acquisition of products like Cydectin, Pyramid and others from Ft. Dodge Animal Health has enhanced their product lines but it has raised questions about who to get what product from. He thinks it has gone very smoothly though. At this convention their main goal was to get their name out and help producers understand the changes that have taken place.

You can listen to my interview with Craig below:

Agribusiness, Audio, Beef, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cattle Industry Conference

Consumer Outreach For Ag at ARC

Chuck Zimmerman

Deron JohnsonFrom Puerto Vallarto to Memphis, TN. Now that’s culture shock. But I’m here at the Agricultural Relations Council Meeting at the Westin off Beale St. Our program has just started with a presentation from John Charles Wilson, Agricenter. I’ll have a post on his presentation later.

To get things kicked off I spoke with ARC President Deron Johnson, Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications. He says it’s a mix of professional development and networking. The focus is the Consumer Outreach For Ag. The program will include in the hotel presentations and off site ones as well. It will conclude with a social media panel. The photo of me interviewing Deron was taken courtesy of Janice Person.

Deron says ARC is in a “solid year two of rebirth” for the organization. There are more attendees here this year and they’ll be making some exciting announcements before the end of the meeting. He says they’ll be making a compelling case for people in the industry to join ARC.

Photos are already available in the Agricultural Relations Council Meeting Photo Album.

You can listen to my interview with Deron below.

ARC, Audio

Need For More Exports

Chuck Zimmerman

USGC International Marketing ConferenceThe new U.S. Grains Council senior vice president of operations and industry relations is Keith Heffernan, pictured in the middle here. He was chief of staff for the Farm Credit Administration. Keith was also the first executive director for the Iowa Corn Growers Association; director of public affairs for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation; assistant director for the Center of Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State University; and chief of staff for USDA’s Rural Development. In other words, he’s got a lot of qualifications to work in this new position.

I spoke with Keith here at the International Marketing Conference. He says participation is good and there’s a lot of excitement about exports. Looking forward he says there will be more attention and need for attention on exports.

USGC International Marketing Conference Photo Album

You can listen to my interview with Keith below.

Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Grains, USGC

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The world’s largest annual farm equipment show delivered on its promise to power global agriculture. The show opened under rainy skies, but the weather didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of show-goers seeking money- and energy-saving technology.
  • Here is an invitation from USDA to attend a Rural Summit with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in Hillsboro, Mo., on Feb. 26, 2010. If you are interested, please register here.
  • Terra Industries Inc. announced that the Company’s Board of Directors has unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement under which Yara International ASA will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Terra common stock for US$41.10 per share in cash.
  • USDA had taken the first step toward implementing a plan to address veterinary shortages throughout rural America by repaying the student loans of qualified veterinarians in return for their services in areas suffering from a lack of veterinarians.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Learn About Trade With Mexico

    Chuck Zimmerman

    USGC International Marketing ConferenceHere at the U.S. Grains Council International Marketing Conference n this morning’s general session we had a panel discussion on trade with Mexico. In the discussion attendees were able to ask questions and answers. In fact, it was mostly a Q&A session. Allan Mustard, Minister Counselor, Office of Agricultural Affairs, US Embassy, Mexico City, introduced our panel.

    Our panelists and their specialties included:

    Enrique Dominguez (Director – pork producers confederation)
    Discussion topic
    -Excessive exports of pork into Mexico (why and what is causing in terms of jobs and capital loss)
    -How long will that tendency last and what effects will result (everybody is asking this question)
    -What can be done from a regional point of view (north America, NAFTA to correct this issue)

    Ricardo Calderon (Executive Director APPAMEX – grain traders association)
    Discussion topic
    -Integration of the market MEX-USA, trends and role of different actors.
    -Obstacles that can disrupt trade (which ones can be prevented)
    -Future of grain trade MEX-USA
    -How to keep free flow of feed grains

    Carlos Lopez Coello (Scientist UNAM – National University of Mexico poultry specialist)
    Discussion topic
    There are 5 areas in developed countries where commercial poultry has received special attention, attributed in large part by consumer demand
    1. Animal Welfare.
    2. Environment Conservation.
    3. Food Safety.
    4. Traceability.
    5. Animal and Human Health.

    You can watch or listen to the Mexican trade panel. I recorded our live feed.

    USGC International Marketing Conference Photo Album

    You can also download and listen to the Mexican trade panel audio only.

    You can also find photos online in the USGC photo set.

    Ag Groups, Audio, Grains, International, Trade, Video

    The Ethanol Industy Outlook From Reverand of Renewable Fuels

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Cindy is working at the National Ethanol Conference and captured the speech from the Reverand of Renwable Fuels, RFA President and CEO, Bob Dinneen, who faced a much happier crowd than last year for the opening session of the 15th Annual National Ethanol Conference.

    “A year ago, at this event, we met amidst the worst economic climate since the Depression. Commodity markets were in upheaval, investment dollars had evaporated, gasoline demand was falling, production costs were rising, plants were closing and the very foundation of our industry and our economy was shaking,” said Dinneen. “At that time, I summoned Winston Churchill to admonish you, ‘When you‟re going through hell, keep on going!'”

    Dinneen was happy to report that the industry did persevere and survive, “And now, I can say, with confidence and conviction, that the state of the U.S. ethanol industry is strong,” he said.

    Among the accomplishments for the industry, Dinneen noted 15% growth, reopening 14 plants that had been previously idled, starting up 8 new plants, and adding1.5 billion gallons of capacity. The ethanol industry contributed $53.3 billion to the economy, along with 400,000 jobs and replacing 364 million barrels of oil.

    There is an online photo album started from the event for your viewing pleasure: 2010 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

    Listen to Bob’s speech here:

    Audio, Ethanol, RFA

    Live From USGC International Marketing Conference

    Chuck Zimmerman

    We’re going to be broadcasting the final general session from the U.S. Grains Council Marketing Conference.

    Post Update We were live. Now we’re recorded.

    The Chairman for the U.S. Grains Council is Rick Fruth. Rich took the stage today to speak to attendees of the International Marketing Conference and Membership Meeting. I have recorded his comments for you in video and audio. I also spoke with him during a break to see what he considers the challenges and opportunities for the U.S. Grains Council.

    You can watch or listen to Rick’s comments here:

    You can also download (mp3) and listen to Ricks’s remarks here: international-10-fruth-stage.mp3

    You can also download (mp3) and listen to an interview I conducted with Rick here: international-10-fruth.mp3

    You can also find photos online in the USGC photo set.

    Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Grains, Video

    Live From National Ethanol Conference

    Chuck Zimmerman

    While I’m attending the Grains Council Conference, Cindy and Carly are covering the National Ethanol Conference. They’re broadcasting the opening general session live right now. Afterward we’ll be posting a recording of it for you you to view at your leisure.

    *Post update*

    Below is the recorded video of the opening general session which includes comments from Renewable Fuels Association chairman Chris Standlee, President and CEO Bob Dinneen and part of the first session on the RFS2.

    Watch live streaming video from zimmcomm at livestream.com
    Equipment, Video

    Zimfo Bytes

    Melissa Sandfort

      Zimfo Bytes

    • DuPont announced the creation of an advisory committee on Agricultural Innovation & Productivity for the 21st Century, chaired by former U.S. Senator Thomas A. Daschle, as part of the company’s focus to meet the world’s increasing demands for food, feed, fiber and fuel.
    • Novus International, Inc., is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Geoffrey Zanton, Ph.D as Manager, Ruminant Nutrition.
    • Syngenta Seedcare announced that Dynasty seed treatment fungicide has been approved by the EPA for use on sorghum.
    • Winners of the World Ag Expo FFA Toyota Tundra Giveaway, its daily registration prize and the 2010 West Coast Nationals Power Pulling Series have been named. Click here for more information.
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