MN Soybean Grower Addresses Biodiesel Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Ed HeglundToday’s National Biodiesel Conference general session featured National Biodiesel Board Chairman Ed Hegland. He’s completing his final term as Chairman.

He started his comments by reminding everyone that today is the anniversary of daylight savings time which was created to conserve on our energy supply during World War I. It was an innovative idea then and when it comes to the innovative work the industry is doing today he says, “We’re here to fuel change.”

Ed pointed out that there are members of all segments of the petroleum industry here today and they participated in a panel discussion after his comments. I’ll post that shortly. He presented some of the findings from a research study done by NBB on consumers and their awareness and perceptions of biodiesel. He says the study finds that consumers who are aware of biodiesel have a favorable opinion of it. He also talks about being a soybean farmer and the incredible technology that is allowing him to grow more with less.

You can listen to Ed’s speech below.

National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

BASF, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Soybean

Improvement in the Poultry Industry

Cindy Zimmerman

Attendance at the 2010 International Poultry Expo and International Feed Expo was up over last year at approximately 19,000. In 2009 attendance was just 17,800 due to the overall downturn in the economy and higher input costs. So, things are looking up for the poultry industry right now.

novusAt the expo, I had the opportunity to chat about chicken with Novus International Vice President of the Americas Dan Meagher about poultry before he headed out to the Cattle Industry Conference in San Antonio to talk about their commitment to the beef industry. Dan says the outlook for the poultry industry is better than it was last year.

“I see poultry rebounding. I’m very bearish on poultry – both broilers and layers,” Dan told me. Even though consumption has been down in the poultry sector, with the economy the way it is and the world population growing, he believes the consumption outlook is very positive.

Meanwhile, lower feed and energy costs are helping the industry, but the aggressive tactics of animal activists are causing the industry to have to defend its production practices and Dan says Novus has a role in helping producers to that. “Number one, we need to help our customers advance the enhancement nutritionally of their product down the food channel,” Dan said. “Secondly, we’re very active in supporting the industry because we believe in the message that needs to be communicated. We have a very sustainable platform and our job is to make sure that we be a partner with our customers and with the industry on education.”

Listen to my interview with Dan Meagher of Novus here:

Audio, Novus International, Poultry, Poultry Expo

Novus Acquires Animal Nutrition Division of Albion

Cindy Zimmerman

Novus was hoping to make this big announcement at the recent Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio, but sometimes the legal wheels slow down the process a bit. But this new deal means an expanded commitment for Novus to the livestock industry worldwide, especially for cattle.

novusNovus International has finalized the acquisition of the Animal Nutrition Division of Albion Laboratories in Clearfield, Utah.

novusProducts from the acquisition, including the MAAC (R) chelated trace mineral product line, will align with Novus’s MINTREX® and GLYTREX® chelated trace mineral products and further expand Novus’s mineral technology. This acquisition will enable Novus to offer a broader range of products to address the needs of different customers in different parts of the world to support their livestock operations.

Since its establishment in 1956, Albion has been an innovator in mineral chelate nutrition. Albion manufactures highly bioavailable, research based, nutritional chelated trace mineral forms and has a long-standing customer base in both the beef and dairy markets.

Geographically, Albion is primarily present in the animal organic trace mineral industry in the U.S., Europe, Canada, the Middle East and Japan. The combined geographic and market presence will provide Novus the opportunity to offer new customers a wider range of health and nutritional products, programs and solutions.

Read more here.

Agribusiness, Beef, Livestock, Novus International

Social Media Presentation at Biodiesel Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

The east coast weather has sure created some problems. We felt the impact here at the National Biodiesel Conference when some of the presenters couldn’t make it here. I volunteered to fill in on an afternoon panel with a focus on new consumer messaging research and the use of social media. I was social media.

Like my session with Chicago Farmers last Saturday I found that most of the almost 100 attendees in our session are on Facebook and a number of them are on Twitter. If you’d like to see how the tweets are going for the conference then just search the #NBB10 hashtag.

That is me on the left tweeting away.

Ag Groups, Biodiesel

Biodiesel Industry Future Is Bright

Chuck Zimmerman

Joe JobeThe CEO of the National Biodiesel Board, Joe Jobe, was on stage to welcome a standing room only crowd at the opening general session to the Conference. He opened up with a political theme to his remarks.

As the folks in the opening video stated very clearly, this last year has been a huge struggle for our industry. With the economic recession, volatile diesel prices, the credit crisis, the blocking of export markets, the delayed implementation of the RFS-2…., even with the tax credit in place, 2009 was really tough. I heard several NBB members say over the course of this year…. “well, the bright side is that it can’t get any worse”. I’ve learned its best not to say that. Because we’ve seen over last 39 days that it could get worse while we have had neither the RFS-2 nor the tax credit in place. The industry has shut down, businesses are going under, jobs are being lost. Its been like watching a train wreck in slow motion. Our top priority remains getting the tax credit reinstated retroactively as quickly as possible.

Joe says that implementation of the new RFS-2 is going to be very complex so three of the sessions coming up will focus on the subject. He also went on to look ahead on a positive note.

But the good news is that when we get this tax credit turned back on, we will be where we set out to be four years ago. Now is not the time to waiver, or turn back, or to run. Let’s stay together and get this done. Let’s get this industry back in business. We can do this!
Besides potentially doubling our production levels for biodiesel this calendar year, the RFS-2 does something else that is very important. It establishes very conclusively under EPA guidelines and federal law, that biodiesel is an advanced biofuel, because it meets the criteria and definition of advanced biofuel under the law. And the reality behind that is that biodiesel is currently the only advanced biofuel that is commercially available nationwide.

You can listen to Joe’s speech below.

National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Ag Groups, Audio, Biodiesel

Super Bowl Ads

Amanda Nolz

I’m sure most of you were tuned in to watch the Super Bowl last night, and many of you probably participated in some form of party or another, complete with agriculture’s finest products. As I munched on appetizers and cheered on my favorite team, I have to admit that my favorite part of the Super Bowl wasn’t the game, and it certainly wasn’t Carrie H$U$ Underwood’s flat singing, it was, of course, the commercials.

Violinist beavers and screaming chickens aside, I have two commercials that win the top spot in my eyes. First, the Doritos commercial with the little boy talking to his mom’s boyfriend. He slaps him and says, “You don’t touch my momma, and you don’t touch my Doritos.” My second favorite advertisement was by Google. They played out a love story through a procession of Google searches, starting from a study abroad trip to Paris and ending with “how to assemble a crib,” at the conclusion. Very sweet.

So, just for fun this morning, what was your favorite Super Bowl ad? And, who had the worst?

Advertising

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • BASF has announced increased support of Operation S.A.F.E. (Self-Regulating Application and Flight Efficiency) fly-ins by incentivizing aerial applicators who participate in Operation S.A.F.E. fly-ins. The provided financial support can be used by participating aerial applicators towards membership in NAAA or for new spray equipment.
  • The Association of Equipment Manufacturers has recognized two U.S. conservation districts for efficient equipment use that enhances local conservation efforts.
  • Pioneer Hi-Bred announced the addition of Jerry Flint to its Biotech Affairs and Regulatory Department as senior director, Registration and Regulatory Affairs.
  • The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is seeking active dairy producers, who have an interest in serving the state’s dairy industry and directing its future, for nomination to the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board’s Board of Directors.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Yellow Tail is Now Yellow Fail

    Amanda Nolz

    If you have been following the social media whiplashing Yellow Tail wine has received as a result of their $100,000 donation to H$U$, then you may have already seen this video by Troy Hadrick, Advocates for Agriculture spokesperson. If this story is news to you, check out Chuck’s earlier post on this topic.

    No more Yellow Tail wine for me. I hope you feel the same.

    politics, Wackos

    8 Days Remain for Public Comments: Roundup Ready® Alfalfa

    Amanda Nolz

    Just thought I would post a reminder that the deadline for all comments on Roundup Ready® Alfalfa are to be received by USDA on February 16, 2010. If you have not given your comments about this product, now would be a great time to do it. There are only 8 days left to discuss this American farm technology. Please, take the time to comment and encourage your colleagues to do the same.

    You can find additional information on how to participate here, or you can go directly to the USDA’s comment website to leave your thoughts. Remember, the world is run by those who show up, so speak out to leave your voice in this discussion.

    As of February 3, 2010 over 1400 comments have been received and processed by the USDA, 700 of which are generally positive. A breakout of all comments by state follows.

    Did you know? According to a Roundup Ready Alfalfa fact sheet, “Growers report producing up to .9 more tons of alfalfa forage per acre due to more effective weed control with greater crop safety. The result: an additional $85 per acre of profit potential and an increased food supply for all. Studies have shown that due to fewer weeds, relative feed values can be improved 20% or more with Roundup Ready alfalfa. Dairy farmers appreciate the consistency of the hay delivered by the Roundup Ready alfalfa system, and trials show estimated increases in milk production per acre of 14% more than dairy cows fed alfalfa treated with conventional weed control systems. Because a healthy stand of Roundup Ready alfalfa is highly competitive with weeds, growers do not need to treat with herbicides as often.”

    Research, Technology

    Burning Some Biodiesel

    Chuck Zimmerman

    We’re having a blast here in Grapevine, TX at the National Biodiesel Conference. It was a little brisk this morning our media ride and drive event. But I got to ride in a new Chevy truck that was fueled with B20 from Classic Clean Fuels. My driver was National Biodiesel Board Vice Chairman Gary Haer, Renewable Energy Group. Also along for the ride was Senior Communications Adviser for NBB, Jenna Higgins Rose. So ride along with us and hear about what’s new from GM in the future.

    National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

    Biodiesel, Video