Justice Department Investigating Monsanto

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking information from Monsanto about the company’s soybean traits business.

monsantoAccording to a press release from Monsanto, the Justice Department “has issued a civil investigative demand (CID) requesting information on its soybean traits business, primarily seeking a confirmation that, as Monsanto has previously indicated, farmers and seed companies will continue to have access to the first-generation Roundup Ready soybean trait following patent expiry in 2014.”

“Monsanto continues to cooperate with the U.S. Department of Justice inquiries, just as we have over the last several months,” said Scott Partridge, Monsanto’s Chief Deputy General Counsel. “We respect the thorough regulatory process. We believe our business practices are fair, pro-competitive and in compliance with the law.”

Monsanto has voluntarily cooperated with regulators to address their questions about its business and the broader agriculture industry. This request represents a continuation of that process. During this time, the company has provided extensive access to millions of pages of documents to ensure that regulators’ questions are addressed. Monsanto noted that it will continue to provide information that is requested of its business.

Read more here.

Uncategorized

Pioneer Hi-Bred Sponsors Farm Journal Legacy Project

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm Journal Media Pioneer Hi-BredPioneer Hi-Bred announced a multi-year sponsorship to support Farm Journal Media’s Legacy Project at AG CONNECT Expo. You can listen to their press conference remarks below:

“The median age of the U.S. farmer today is 58 years, yet only 20 percent of farmers report being confident in succession plans for their businesses,” says Andy Weber, president and CEO of Farm Journal Media. “The need for succession education and tools cannot be overstated in its importance to individual farm families of this country and to the long-term viability of the U.S. agricultural system as a whole.” The sponsorship from Pioneer Hi-Bred will enable Farm Journal to expand upon its editorial commitment to raise awareness surrounding legacy planning and will kick off the single largest industry initiative of its kind in agriculture today.

“Pioneer recognizes the future of the industry it serves is dependent upon successful transition of America’s farm businesses from one generation to the next,” Frank Ross, Pioneer vice president and regional director – North America, says of his organization’s support of the Legacy Project. “With this in mind, Pioneer provides this sponsorship and joins the Legacy Project’s long-term commitment to cultivate multigenerational success for growers and production agriculture.” Read More

Audio, Farming, Media

Strawberry iPhone App

Chuck Zimmerman

strawberry-appHow about some sweet fruity goodness for your iPhone? The California Strawberry Commission has just officially launched its free STRAWBERRIES iPhone app.

After being reviewed by Apple, it has been highlighted as a “staff pick” in the App Store.

The app offers a collection of more than 50 strawberry recipes from food bloggers and chefs from around the web. Strawberries are among the healthiest foods in the world and the STRAWBERRIES app demonstrates a range of recipes such as strawberry shortcake to more exotic dishes like strawberry ceviche and strawberry dumplings.

Strawberry Recipe App is available now for free download in the App Store:
– More than 50 recipes, categorized by dish type.
– Access favorite recipes – and shopping lists – in the kitchen, at the store, or anywhere!
– Share recipes on Twitter, Facebook and email.
– Discover and link to the food bloggers and chefs behind the recipes.

“I’m excited to have one of my recipes included in this app because I enjoy sharing my passion for cooking that goes all the way back to when I was in the fourth grade,” said Michael Ruhlman, food writer and blogger behind Ruhlman.com. “This is a great way to further inspire people to recognize the importance and ease of preparing good and healthy food in their own kitchens.”

You can download the app here: http://bit.ly/8LANJo

Ag Groups

Joe Osborn Retiring From Osborn & Barr Communications

Chuck Zimmerman

joe-osbornAfter 22 years with the company he co-founded, Osborn & Barr’s Joe Osborn is retiring. He’ll still continue in a consulting role however.

“This is an exciting time for the agency. In recent years, we’ve re-focused our core business, which positions O&B well for current and future growth. I strongly believe the agency’s best days are ahead, and I’m pleased to help in the transition to new leadership,” Osborn said.

Although Osborn no longer will be at the agency on a daily basis, he will continue to counsel on a part-time basis over the next few years. His knowledge and industry experience will continue to be an asset to O&B employees and clients alike.

The O&B executive management team will consist of Barr along with partners Michael Turley (CEO) and Rhonda Ries-Aguilar (CFO). “Both Rhonda and Michael have contributed significantly to our rapid growth and have proven their strategic and management skills,” stated Barr. “They are also in the process of acquiring significant percentages of O&B shares, which will complete the transition of ownership based on Joe’s retirement. I couldn’t be more pleased than to have both Rhonda and Michael assuming day-to-day management and leading the continued growth of O&B.”

Agencies

Fifth US-Mongolia Business Forum at AG CONNECT a Success

Joanna Schroeder

MongolianBizForumThe Fifth U.S.-Mongolia Business Forum took place simultaneously with the AG CONNECT Expo yesterday with several dozen delegates from Mongolia meeting with delegates from the United States to discuss how the two countries can better work together. A goal as delivered by the various speakers, is to see more U.S. companies investing in Mongolia.
The Mongolian delegation is one of 20 that arrived in Orlando this week, and the largest, with 16 of these being organized by the Department of Commerce.

During the opening remarks, in a letter from Kh. Bekhbat, the Ambassador of Mongolia to the United States, read by Zhen Gong Cross, the Head of Mongolian Affairs with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bekhbat noted that Mongoia is a mineral rich economy that is now seeing foreign investors. The increased funds are being used to provide jobs, educational funds and health care.

Zhen Gong Cross, Head of Mongolian Affairs, US Dept. of CommerceNot only would the country like to see more investments in the mineral side, it has also created a new shared stock company that would share in the country’s mining industry, but they would also like to see investments and participation in the agriculture industry. “Agriculture is an important part of the economy,” wrote Bekhbat.

The Mongolian delegates plan to meet with various companies to dicusss agricultural opportunities and investments during the AG CONNECT Expo. The group has prioritized its greatest needs and prepared a detailed list of projects in which they seek global investors.

Agribusiness, International

John Deere AG CONNECT Classroom

Chuck Zimmerman

John Deere AG CONNECT ExpoBesides all the educational sessions and seminars taking place at AG CONNECT Expo many of the exhibitors are also conducting classes. John Deere has an elevated classroom in theirs that features a wide screen tv connected via internet back to their offices in Iowa. So, there is an on-site facilitator to operate the equipment on this end while the actual instructor is heard over speakers while he controls what you see on the screen.

This is an example of their remote training capabilities and to learn more about it I spoke with Kevin Blusher, Manager, Customer and Career Partnership Training. Kevin says this distance learning lab allows them to go on the road to dealerships or even into a customer’s home. The class taking place while I was there focused on precision ag applications. He says that there is a need for ongoing training with today’s equipment and software. They call it John Deere University. Feel free to log on and learn more.

You can listen to my interview with Kevin below:

AG CONNECT Expo Photo Album

Audio, John Deere

AG CONNECT EXPO Kicks off with a Bang

Joanna Schroeder

Several thousand people convened in Orlando, Florida this week for the inaugural AG CONNECT Expo. The show kicked off for the general public this morning and so far attendees and exhibitors alike have been impressed.

CaseIHBoothThe AG CONNECT Expo is unique compared to other ag shows in the states in that it is one of the first attempts to bring the global agriculture industry together to discuss the future including challenges, opportunities, new technologies and research and also address how countries and companies can work together to aid developing countries with their agriculture programs and initiatives.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is hosting the conference and Charlie O’Brien, AEM’s VP of Agricultural Services spent some time with Mike Adams, host of AgriTalk. AgriTalk broadcasted its entire show live this morning from the CASE IH booth.

O’Brien discussed the show in length and gave AgriTalk’s listeners a few points of interest. More than 40 countries are represented here and 20 percent of the total attendees are from outside of the United States. There are delegates from 20 countries here, with 16 organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce. There are more than 40 supporting organizations taking part in the Expo from more than a dozen countries including China, Russia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, UK, India, and Argentina. And before the week is over, more than 30 education seminars will have been given with 60 percent of the attendees participating.

You can follow the event right here on AgWired.com as well as on AG CONNECT’s website at www.agconnect.com. You can also click here to visit our event photo album on Flickr.

Video

AG CONNECT Expo Attendees

Chuck Zimmerman

AG CONNECT ExpoThe crowd of attendees here at AG CONNECT Expo is pretty diverse as you might expect at a major agricultural trade show. We’ve got lots of international visitors and exhibitors.

And it’s always great to see blue coats. These Florida FFA’ers are getting an on the floor lesson today.

AG CONNECT Expo Photo Album

Uncategorized

Opening Day at AG CONNECT Expo

Chuck Zimmerman

I promised you another video clip from when AG CONNECT Expo was officially open and here it is. The show is in full swing now and you will begin to see stories posted here as we interview attendees and exhibitors. Joanna Schroeder has joined me here in Orlando and is out on the show floor now. Between us we’ll do our best to bring you all the sights and sounds of this agricultural trade show.

AG CONNECT Expo Photo Album

Video

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Syngenta Seeds, Inc. announced that it has licensed its transgenic cotton event, COT102, containing the novel Vip3A protein, to Dow AgroSciences, which plans to combine it with WideStrike Insect Protection to develop its next generation products.
  • A robust pipeline of biotech and conventional traits at Advanta promises to springboard sorghum into a prominent crop in North America and around the world.
  • Dana Peterson, a longtime policy staffer at Kansas Wheat, will be the next chief executive officer of the National Association of Wheat Growers.
  • Farm Journal Media announces the promotion of Charlene Finck to senior vice president, editorial & content development.
    Zimfo Bytes