Why Boehringer Ingelheim Supports PRRS Control

Cindy Zimmerman

Boehringer Ingelheim PRRSBoehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica (BIVI) has taken the lead in promoting game changing Area Regional Control (ARC) of PRRS, or porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome – which costs swine producers an estimated $560 million annually.

“The challenge is we really need to learn to work together,” says Dr. Laura Batista, Knowledge Manager for BIVI’s PRRS Area Solutions Team. “We’re really not competing at all. It has to be by the producers, the veterinarians, the local communities. We just want to help and complement.”

I talked with Laura about the effort during BIVI’s seminar about PRRS control in Chicago. Listen to or download that interview here:

Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Lindsay Corporation, maker of Zimmatic irrigation systems, announces the addition of pump control to its award-winning FieldNET Web-based irrigation management system.
  • New Holland’s T7070 Auto Command tractor has been awarded the prestigious title of Tractor of the Year for 2010 at Agritechnica.
  • New, dynamic educational sessions with direct access to the leading authorities on pressing cattle industry issues, as well as discussion with other producers facing similar challenges, are available at the 2010 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show starting Jan. 27.
  • BASF is proud to announce its platinum-level support of the National Agricultural Aviation Association’s (NAAA) 43rd Annual Convention and Exposition.
    Zimfo Bytes

    Infrared Grain Testing

    Chuck Zimmerman

    When the U.S. Grains Council Corn Mission team visited a feed mill this morning owned by the Hamoudeh Group they saw some state of the art grain testing. The company has infrared grain testing equipment which quickly analyzes a sample and provides a printout of a number of the qualities most important to them.

    You can see a sample being analyzed in this video clip:

    Our team will be meeting with some representatives from Iraq this evening at dinner but I probably won’t have time to post again until getting home this weekend. Until then . . .

    USGC Corn Mission In Jordan Photo Album

    Corn, Grains, International, USGC, Video

    Largest Dairy Producer In Jordan

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Corn MissionThe largest integrated dairy producer in Jordan is Hamoudeh Group and the U.S. Grains Council Corn Mission team visited their largest facility northeast of Amman which houses about 4,000 cows. Before getting a tour we heard a presentation from Marwan Hawari, pictured center showing some grain test results to team members, at their feed mill. I’ll have a video clip from that location to post soon.

    In his comments Marwan describes the Hamoudeh Group company which is involved in a lot of different enterprises, including poultry production and being the local Pfizer animal health representative company. You’ll also hear him express some concerns with finding some toxins in recent shipments of U.S. grain. He asked the group what he should expect in future shipments.

    You can listen to some of his comments below:

    USGC Corn Mission In Jordan Photo Album

    Audio, Corn, International, Poultry, USGC

    Jordan’s National Poultry Company

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Corn MissionThe National Poultry Company in Jordan is managed by Mousa Wakileh who met with the U.S. Grains Council Corn Mission team. Mousa would like to see more education of traders and producers in order to increase imports of corn from the U.S. He’s also predicting a 50 percent increase in poultry consumption per capita in Jordan over the next five years which would also increase demand for American feed grains. According to Mousa, America is the preferred supplier of corn in Jordan.

    I recorded a portion of Mousa’s comments which you can listen to below:

    USGC Corn Mission In Jordan Photo Album

    Audio, Corn, International, Poultry, USGC

    BASF Supports Ag Aviators

    Cindy Zimmerman

    basfBASF Crop Protection was flying high in Reno this week at the National Agricultural Aviation Association 43rd annual convention and trade show.

    On Wednesday, BASF and the NAAA unveiled a scholarship program designed to help those interested in pursuing a career in agricultural aviation. BASF partnered with the NAAA to develop and establish the scholarship program.

    basf“BASF and the NAAA are each devoted to sustaining and improving the field of agricultural aviation,” said Jim Gaffney, BASF Technical Market Manager. “This scholarship presents an opportunity for us to work together to help foster scenarios in which new pilots are provided with a foundation for success in the field of aerial application.”

    The company which makes a variety of fungicides for aerial application also provided platinum level support of the premiere annual event for aerial applicators, sponsoring both the kickoff breakfast and shuttle service for the convention. In addition, BASF presented best practices for optimizing aerial application of crop protection, which can be found on the company’s recently launched Aerial Applicators section of its Web site – www.plant-health-pilots.com.

    BASF, NAAA

    Ag Economist Optimistic About Economic Recovery

    Amanda Nolz

    PrintJust about everyone these days is making speculations about the state of the economy. While many industry experts and economics disagree about the cause and effects of this recession, most can agree that the economic recovery is going to be a slow one. An economist at Texas A&M University is one of the many weighing in on the debate. In a recent press release, the university shares the thoughts of Dr. Charlie Hall. Here is an excerpt from that release…

    Dr. Charlie Hall, who also is the Ellison Chair in International Floriculture at Texas A&M University, said at the 2009 Texas Plant Protection Conference recently in Bryan that the economic recovery is going to be slow, “but that’s a good thing.” Current economic concerns include the global financial situation, auto industry, energy consumption and overall U.S. infrastructure, he said, adding the U.S. labor situation is improving as weekly unemployment claims are declining. He said that the national definition of the savings rate doesn’t include two things: appreciation of home and 401(k) retirement accounts.

    “I think we as consumers will save a little bit more, but that does not mean we will stop spending altogether,” said Hall. “I think the Great Recession has prompted people to be more frugal and temporarily increase the savings rate. In terms of the long run, spending is too ingrained in the mindset of the consumer, but they will exhibit a smarter consumption pattern.”

    How about you? Are you practicing frugality this year? Do you see an increased savings over spending among the typical American consumer?

    Uncategorized

    NAFB Foundation Toy Tractors Make Great Gifts

    Cindy Zimmerman

    nafb toy tractorHere is the perfect present for that tractor lover on your list – the 2009 NAFB Foundation Farmall Super M model tractor by Joe Ertl.

    Ertl has personally autographed each of the numbered Farmall Super M 1/16 scale toy tractors for NAFB. To make it even more special for the organization, Joe designed and mounted a replica of a tractor radio. Best of all, your gift will also help to support future farm broadcasters. What more could you ask?

    nafb toy tractorOnly 200 of these tractors have been produced to benefit the NAFB Foundation. Numbers 1-5 were auctioned live during the Foundation Auction and Reception at the NAFB Convention – one of which was purchased by Monsanto’s Tami Craig Shilling, pictured here with Lyle Orwig of Charleston-Orwig (who also bought one, if I remember correctly.)

    Numbers 6-200 are now available, just in time for Christmas, for just $80 plus shipping and handling – and you can even charge it! Place your order by Friday, December 11 to ensure delivery before December 24.

    Don’t delay, order today – operators are standing by…. all you have to do is go to the website!

    NAFB

    Novus to Expand Mineral Product Portfolio

    Cindy Zimmerman

    novusNovus International has announced plans to acquire the Animal Nutrition Division of Albion Laboratories in Clearfield, Utah.

    novusProducts from the acquisition will align with Novus’s MINTREX® chelated trace mineral products and further expand its mineral technology. When complete, this acquisition will enable Novus to offer its customers and the animal agriculture market an expanded chelated trace mineral product portfolio to support their livestock operations.

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

    “The intent to acquire Albion’s animal division is consistent with the direction Novus has taken to work with industry partners to achieve greater production efficiencies and minimize environmental impact,” said Giovanni Gasperoni, Executive Vice President, Novus International.

    Read more here.

    Livestock, Novus International, Poultry

    Monsanto and BASF to Develop NutriDense Corn Hybrids

    Cindy Zimmerman

    basfBASF Plant Science and Monsanto today announced they will be working together to develop new corn hybrids with better nutrition for animal feed.

    The new hybrids will contain BASF’s NutriDense® traits that are designed to enhance animal feed performance. NutriDense corn has higher levels of essential amino acids and energy, greater phosphorous availability and is more digestible.

    BASF’s NutriDense traits will be combined with Monsanto’s Roundup Ready® Genuity™ VT Triple PRO™ and Genuity™ SmartStax™ corn. The new high quality hybrids are expected to deliver the best feed value and yields equivalent to elite conventional corn. Once launched, seed companies will market the new hybrids through licensing agreements.

    Read more here.

    BASF, Corn, Feed